Scracha - Taupo Road Race Spectacular Endurance

[scracha]

So after killing Johan's 998 I took a deep breath and asked the Drew if he wouldn't mind co-piloting the ZX-6rr for the endurance race. The Drew went out for the 2 x endurance race qualifying sessions to finally destroy the rear slick whilst I did a couple of F2 practise sessions to re familiarise myself with my "bogey track". First session I felt crap. Second session went much better after the Drew told me to pull my head out my arse.

Somehow we lost track of time and before we knew it, a call was made to get the bikes on the track in 5 minutes. Unfortunately we were at the other end of pit-lane with the bike's rear rim and an uninflated barely used rear slick. Somehow I got into my leathers and Drew/Andy/Simon got to the start line on time with all the stands etc.

Endurance Race
Flag down, sprint to bike. "Don't panic. Breathe." Click into first. Minter of a start and I'm into the 1st corner way ahead of where the Drew qualified (which was pretty high up). 1st two laps "calm down son...it's endurance". There's a big queue behind me and the crazy fast guys like Sketchy and Sloan fly past me but the sheer quality of the field has me getting towed along faster than I've ever went before.

By lap 5 I've got a good rythm going. The fast guys have all farked off and hell, I'm even catching some. By about lap 10 I've started lapping riders. By about lap 13 I'm getting lapped. By about lap 15 there's riders already pitting. I make the odd mistake here and there but keep my rythm and remember to stretch my limbs on the back straight. Due to the last minute panic my camel pack was lost and I'm dehydrated to hell. "HTFU laddie". Agonising cramp sets in my left leg about lap 20 but I shake it out on the straights and it doesn't bother me again. I have great battles with a well ridden Yellow SV650 (Paul?). It's a nice change to be the one with the better power and brakes. I'm rubbish at the infield bit but my point and squirt and late braking must make me a right bitch to get past.

Sandra passes me on her thou and a couple of laps later is on the grass at T4. 3 laps later and she passes me again. This time with a huge tank slapper out of the A1 corner. Somehow she stays on. Impressive. I have another highlight when I chase down the ZX-6rr's previous owner and pass him. It doesn't last as in my enthusiasm I outbrake myself and end up cutting across the track just beside the drag-strip. I spend the next 6 laps working very hard to catch him up again and this time the pass sticks.

I make another mistake a few laps later, bizarrely going too far left out of turn one and onto the thankfully dry grass. I somehow muscle the bike back on track by putting my stomping my boot on the ground and don't lose much time at all. Half a lap to refocus and I'm back in my rythm. I think at this point I was getting faster and faster and just was in the zone.

No idea how many laps I've done and I'm starting to flag. "not as fit as I thought" thinks I as we've estimated the gogo juice will last about 50 minutes". The reserve light comes on and I do a further 3 laps before coming in and looking for wherever the hell I'm meant to refuel and switch with the Drew. I get off the bike and find I can't stand Turns out I'd done the race's longest stint at 1hr 13m. Simon and Drew were waiting on me coming in and I was waiting on them to wave me in after about 45 minutes as we'd planned on 2 sessions each. Oops. Upshot was that even though my times were way below the fast guys (1.43 best), the lack of pit-time had put us in about 8th position. Drew being waaay faster than me would no doubt get us even further up the field. Bike refuelled. The Drew went out. 4 corners later the engine went kaput. Suspected bottom end bye bye. Yikes.

Possibly the most enjoyable race I've ever had

Bloody good band, food & beer put on after the endurance race. Free camping for 2 nights. In all honesty, what more could you ask from this event?

This event was the ying to the Wanganui yang. For all it's cost me a $hit load of money I yet again thoroughly enjoyed the TRSS. Well done to the organisers. Really farked off I didn't get a finishers trophy but that's racing. Felt guilty for Drew as he had travelled all the way up to Taupo and got very little time on the bike.

Unless an unknown rich relative dies I don't think I'll have funds to race for a few months as I've got to square up with Johan and the Drew is fixing up the ZX-6rr.

[Clivoris]

Whaarkin hull my Scots friend. Talk about highs and lows. This bloody racing lark is so emotionally, financially and physically challenging. I hope that the rebuild isn't too much drama. Have a bourbon for me. By the way, the Posty Honda is shaping up well.

[JayRacer37]

Jeez, give Drew a bike and it's phucked. Four corners must be almost a record for him! (I still win by binning a borrowed bike on the first corner out of pitlane though )

Tough luck Stevie, well done on the long stint though!

[Billy]

Good to see you finally get some decent track time in,Itll do your confidence no end of good,Bummer about the engine blow,But thats racing.1hr 13 on the bike and your fucked,Wait til you get too my age,Im fucked after reading the race report LOL

[scracha]

Jeez, give Drew a bike and it's phucked. Four corners must be almost a record for him! (I still win by binning a borrowed bike on the first corner out of pitlane though )
!

As much as I'd like to, I cannie blame the Drew. I don't think he got above 2nd gear TBH.

We spent half an hour looking for the bike though thinking he'd crashed it in record time. I was sat in pit lane pissing sweat in my leathers and up strolled Drew in jeans and trainers with "do you want the bad news?"

[Matt Bleck]

As much as I'd like to, I cannie blame the Drew. I don't think he got above 2nd gear TBH.

We spent half an hour looking for the bike though thinking he'd crashed it in record time. I was sat in pit lane pissing sweat in my leathers and up strolled Drew in jeans and trainers with "do you want the bad news?"

Was a blast tussling with ya on the SV!!

[Kickaha]

Jeez, give Drew a bike and it's phucked. Four corners must be almost a record for him! (I still win by binning a borrowed bike on the first corner out of pitlane though )

No doubt about it, he's fucking hard on gear

[CHOPPA]

Good read man, i have a 2005 zx6 motor you can have if you want it, its at speed tech just give willie a call

[Clivoris]

Good read man, i have a 2005 zx6 motor you can have if you want it, its at speed tech just give willie a call

You do know he's already got a girlfriend don't you?

[scracha]

Good read man, i have a 2005 zx6 motor you can have if you want it, its at speed tech just give willie a call

Bloody hell Sloan. Is there no end to your abilities? Been trawling Ebay going OMG.

Seriously though, I'll see what the Drew finds wrong with her and take it from there.

[Frenchy]

wow full of ups and downs!! why bother pulling it apart just bolt in the new engine and take the rest of the day of to help rebuild a Ducati

[Toast]

As much as I'd like to, I cannie blame the Drew. I don't think he got above 2nd gear TBH.

We spent half an hour looking for the bike though thinking he'd crashed it in record time. I was sat in pit lane pissing sweat in my leathers and up strolled Drew in jeans and trainers with "do you want the bad news?"

hahaha.

Awesome write up, mate.

Watching you out there I honestly thought you were going a heap quicker than 1.43!! Looked sht hot, and some nice smooth passes as well.

Gutted about the engine. I was quite looking forward to Drew lighting that thing up!

Hope ya get it fixed and keep it a as 600!

[scracha]

hahaha.
Awesome write up, mate.
Watching you out there I honestly thought you were going a heap quicker than 1.43!! Looked sht hot, and some nice smooth passes as well.

Still getting used to a modern bike. Lost lot of time at T2, T3 and I'm poo at the final corner. Gearing too high for A1 corner (limiter when doing it in 3rd or bogged down at exit if I took it in 4th - probably OK for Drew as no doubt he goes around there 30K faster). 6th gear was redundant.

Next year I will strike back.

[roadracingoldfart]

1hr 13 on the bike and your fucked,Wait til you get too my age,Im fucked after reading the race report LOL

Old my ass , you just look old Billy , its the weekends that did it to ya mate.

Still getting used to a modern bike. Lost lot of time at T2, T3 and I'm poo at the final corner. Gearing too high for A1 corner (limiter when doing it in 3rd or bogged down at exit if I took it in 4th - probably OK for Drew as no doubt he goes around there 30K faster). 6th gear was redundant.

Next year I will strike back.

Thats cause new bikes are pox and the old shitter i am putting together will be just the ticket for you ya gangly leggy colonial skirt wearing winja.

Well done , one more tank of gas and you may have managed to finish without a co-rider lol.

Paul.

[Drew]

Good write up bro, the way you're makin out I was gonna be heaps quicker, I'm glad the thing blew up.

Once the D man gets the bike back to Welly, I'll open her up quick smart for a diagnosis.