I have no idea where the time has gone between now and the final round of the winter series.
When I do race (not that often at the moment) Racing usually dominates and the rest of life just has to fit in, this time unfortunately was the opposite. All my ducks were in a row until a couple of days before when my lovely wife announced her version of the weekend with me pretty tightly roped in!!
After my eyes stopped rolling around in the back of my head I sat down and worked out a plan not that different to Mark Lundys, although there wasnt a prostitute and the wife and daughters were safe! But there would be some quick trips to and from the track (not Palmy so really not like the famous murder really, I'm not even a scout leader).
Sooo, Friday morning was booked for me and the plan wasw now to get to the track by about lunch time, I had been speaking with RT about where I was going to go with the bike development and we came up with a cunning plan and true to his word he found a good ohlins shock for the bike. Got to the track at about 12:15 looking just like a murderer, bit sweaty... nervous glances and by the time I got the bike off the trailer and in a stable (thanks for the assistance Darrin) puffing and panting christ knows what Robert and Denis from CKT thought. Anyway without a word of a lie Denis and Robert had the shock in...out.. new spring and in again in time for me to get the warmers on and get out in the first session after the lunch break! LEGENDS!!
I was eager to get out on track, I had new pirelli slicks the new shock and thanks to Martin/Motormart new brake pads. What I had neglected to do was adjust the brake lever which had me doing some pretty exciting stoppies and 2..yes 2 fairly quick exits into the gravel at Higgins staying up right both times just!! came in after the session with a 1:16.3 which was a bit queer concidering my PB was a 1:15.3 on the bike near standard. I was leaving the bike there for the night in garage 9 as MarkNZ very kindly shared it with me, not only that he kindly put it to bed for me and I think may have read it a story. I only had time for one session as I had to be back in Lower Hutt for 6pm.....made it just.
Race day:
Same old thing up at 4:30 and at the track at 7. Mark was there to open the garage and we settled in. Brake lever adjusted and I was ready for qualifying.
Qualifing: Bike feels fantastic my braking which never has bothered me before is shit! qualify 28th 1:16.8 doesnt seem to bother me the bike is awesome its the rider that needs help.
The Race:
Touch wood I always get a good start, and this was the case, but one by one they start picking me off, as said the bike is sensational just braking way way too early. Through splash I feel like motogp man but into corners its "so where and which line are we taking this time!!" frustrating but having a ball. Anyway the way thje weekend was I sort of gave up after The Sherriff and Fitzgerald lapped me until heading into the hairpin on the last lap and Nick Prestige comes round the outside. Formal appologies to Nick it was the straw that broke the camels back! I said NO! Im not getting passed again! So sorry Nick credit goes to the bike not the rider for holding you off to the finish line!
And that was that... 1:16.8 18th and no time for a second race had to get back to Lower Hutt for 6pm again!
So a funny old weekend but there are people to thank.
Robert and Denis from CKT, I'm not a big spender but the service and backup from these guys makes you feel like a factory rider.
Mark for sharing the garage
Martin/Motomart for tyre changing, brake pads and GO FAST energy (it worked)
Darrin for helping get the bike off the trailer
and Chris Osbourne for the help/info he freely shared with me.
The Vic club for yet another superb event and season.
The times were slow but the bike is amazing and the rider needs more time on the track. To everyone I caught up with it was great to see you, for everyone that feel off I hope you all are ok. And the plan GET MORE TRACK TIME!
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Originally Posted by KS34
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