I showed up at Taupo track to find it packed out, I don't think I've ever seen that many people there, this is testament to just how good an event Scrivy and his crew lay on.
My prayers for rain had not been answered, it was overcast but a bit chilly in the morning making the track a slippery, not too bad tho.
After getting signed in and the bike and my gear sorted I went to see who my competion was for the solo rider catagory and found that my only worry would be Mike Pera, but little did I know.......
Went out for my two qualifing sessions and managed I 1:43;xx which put me in 17th, I bit of a drop from last years 3rd, but I was expecting something like this due to the high calibre of riders. I was one spot ahead of Mike Pera which I was happy about, and the first SV 650 on the grid.
So after all the pics etc, we where off. The first 5 or 6 laps went at a blistering pace, and Mike Pera had managed to get past me but I had my eye on him and knew if I could keep him in sight I'd still have a chance at getting the Superman title (tui add).
I pitted about 1;15 in for gas, by this stage I had a really bad cramp in my left knee and was starting to struggle with braking and my big toe on my left foot had a bit of pain every time I changed gear. I tryed to ignore the pain and just try to keep the laps ticking over.
My second pit stop was at about the 2:30 mark, I got off the bike and was struggling to stand on my right leg due to the cramp, I tryed my best to stretch it out and get as much water in me as I could beforte I new it I was back out there. The pain in my knee was getting unbearable but I tryed to block out the pain as best I could.
With about 20 mins left to go I saw Mike Pera on the side of the track at the last turn, I thought I had the Superman sewn up which gave me a little burst of live. Felt pretty bad for Mike, found out later he had cracked some ribs and a collar bone but managed to finish the last 20 mins! Legend!
The end of this race is something very special, having everyone clapping and cheering as you go into the pits is something I've never expericend before and one of my favorite parts.
So I was feeling pretty good about having the Superman title and being the first SV 650 home untill, that is, I sat down next to Sidewinder and have him tell me that Chopper had won and done it SOLO!!!!
Oh well, at least there was a trophy for 2nd Superman!
Overall I was pretty happy with the result of 9th overall, second solo rider and the only SV 650 in the top 10, my fastest lap being a 1:41:86!
I want to say a HUGE thank you to Peter Harkess for letting ride his bike for the 3 hour, his family for the great pit stop work! Also my bro Alick and the MotoTT crew for all the behind the scenes work, thank you all very much!
I'm also very excited about Peter asking if I would like to do the Paeroa street race this year, to which I have replied yes!!
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Originally Posted by Cr1MiNaL
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