Being married and all, I should have known that the pursuit of fast women could only end in tearing flesh and salty tears. More on that later.
As I was handing over the credit card to pay for fuel on the way to the race track, I was struck by the reality that I could no longer justify racing while paying off an overdraft. Months of denial crumbled like Shane Cameron and I decided to man-up, like several others I respect in the race scene have done. I decided that this was to be my last race meeting for sometime.
Feeling sad but determined to have a good day I managed to get set up in good time. The mighty CBR required very little apart from the pressures checked and a quick safety inspection.
Supersport and Superbike Qualifying
Supersport qualifying was less than inspiring and I rode like Joe90 after a dodgie software download (look it up young people). I seemed to have lost all my reference points, favourite lines as well as my confidence in Dunlop. Feeding qualifiers out in groups doesn't work for me either, as it means that I am waiting for faster riders to pass me throughout the whole session rather than just the first lap. Much to my relief, I did manage to qualify 28th with a 1:19.5. Several others having transponder trouble saved me from qualifying further down the field.
Prior to Superbikes I found myself a quiet spot and tried to patch my software with a bit of visualisation. This showed me how badly degraded my mental-map had become but I did the best repair I could, shifted focus to what needed to done and dropped 2 seconds from the Supersport session, getting into the 1:17s. I was pleased with this and was looking forward to shaving more off and going for a new PB.
Supersport Race 1
I took a very neutral approach to the start and settled into a rhythm fairly quickly. At some point I think discodan and Geoff Booth got by me and I noticed that I was slowly reeling Aria in. The speed differential wasn't that great so I wasn't sure about being able to get past. I eventually got a good exit out of Dunlop on lap 7 and arrived at turn 1 carrying a bit more speed going in and out. I noticed that I was carrying more revs on the exit (= more speed) and planned to get alongside of Aria on the outside of turn 2 and make the pass on the inside of Splash. This plan was submitted and rapidly approved by race-control, right wrist applied the extra wrist activity and it all went Oprah shaped. The rear stepped left, then stepped right, then I was airborn executing what I can only hope was a graceful somersault, to land on the back of my right shoulder like I was drilling for oil with it.
I got to my feet with the rapidity of the truly embarassed and tried to signal race control that there was no need to stop the race on account of little old me. It seemed I was too late as the flags were already out. My embarassment for causing a race stoppage was electron microscope tiny compared to the embarassment when I discovered that the race had been red flagged before my performance
. Like a muppet with extra cheese I had been too busy watching Aria and hadn't seen the red on the start finish straight. Lesson learned, I hope.
It was all fun and games from here. An ambulance ride with the perenially good humoured Wharfy, despite his very waxy appearance. Excellent support from the Ambo's, track crew and other well-wishers. The discovery that my last lap was a new PB (1:16.3) and Steevie telling me my bike looked ok and could he race it cos his was broken? After having others offer me their bikes to race in the past, I couldn't say no. After a few minor repairs he was away. The only regret I had was that he managed a 1:16.29 on it. Thanks for bringing it home in one Steevie.
I must thank Phil (SVS) for the help and the ride to hospital. Thanks to those who packed my van up as well, Russ, Glenn, Jeff and others. Thanks Sandra and the crew for getting my baby off the track and back to the pits. Thanks for the Dring too CJ. Thanks to those who kept an eye on my daughter until I returned to the track and I have been very humbled by the offers of help from so many others. Palmy hospital were great as well, despite being very busy.
I have a complete seperation of my AC joint, which receives a pretty similar treatment regime to a broken collar-bone. It sits in a sling until the bits knit back together. I was able to attend prizegiving, drank too much, got embarassed by President Melintino's generosity and was even able to drive home to Porirua the next day. 3 cheers for automatic vans. Still, I laughed like a drain 20 seconds after I picked up my usual take away espresso on the way home. I'm gonna have to practice driving and drinking coffee at the same time with one arm in a sling.
Overall, my first seaon on a 600 has been mixed. I achieved my goals lap-time wise but paid a lot physically and financially. 4 crashes in 6 months with no-one else but myself to blame isn't a suprise in hindsight, and a couple of people I respect warned me that I was stepping up a little early.
But it was a good idea at the time and I just can't bring myself to regret it.
The VMCC team have done a spectacular job and I am so bloody lucky to be able to rock up on race-day and it all runs so well. The challenges inviolved in putting this series together are many.
Many thanks again to all my sponsors, especially Q8Oils, Metzeler tyres and Crazefox. Sorry I couldn't keep her shinier Crazefox, it was the best paintjob ever.
A Married Man and a Fast Woman: VMCC 6
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...how's it?
Originally Posted by yungatart
I'm not selling up or giving up yet. Just getting rid of some debts that I had expected to have had sorted by now. I am over the guilt of racing while my overdraft moves far too slowly. 
I hope I am still racing when the 675 qualifies as a post classic 
what a most brilliant write up Clive .. still have the grin on my face .. & your very welcome .. at least we knew where you were pitted so it made our job that much easier 
Karma ... Justice catches up eventually !! 
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