I've been meaning to write a report for ages but got a little sidetracked. So here goes - with apologies for the length.
I've been riding bikes since the 70's (yes, I’m an old fart) and have had a long love affair with the first generation GSXR750's
I got my first 85F model from WMC back in 1988, really loved that bike. Unfortunately I had to sell it and 11 years later I got an 86G model, hence my user name, and then another G in 2006. I've had a hankering to get one of them onto the race track for some time now, as a way of honouring such a legendary machine
So I started to strip the 'older' (80K) one down, but it soon became obvious that it needed a lot of mechanical attention, ie engine and gearbox rebuild. This was a bit costly so I decided to use the 'newer' (50K) bike as the engine was nice and tight and most importantly, dry.
Due to time constraints and lack of expertise I took it to Neil at Palmerston North Motorcycles and had it brought up to a safe standard. Strip, clean and balance carbs, service brakes, new pads, plugs, and fluids, sort an ignition issue, and new Pilot Road 2's.
I swapped the old rough fairings and tank over from the other bike, removed all the unecessary bits and pieces, swapped a few more things around and finally, the night before Round 1 I had a serviceable race bike
Round 1.
Together with my lovely partner Michelle (Monamie), who has been working the start/finish line, we loaded the bike into the horse float and headed to the track first thing. Missed out on a stall but never mind, the float made an extremely good shelter from the rain.
I managed to get signed in and issued with a transponder, and thanks to everyone who showed me the ropes
I'd done a few track days but really had no idea of what to expect from the real thing but got out and did it qualifying 18th in Post Classics with a 1:41 in the wet.
Race One.
This was a bit nerve wracking but I got around the warm up lap and completely stuffed up my grid position as I couldn't see the numbers on the ground
AJ sorted me though and I managed to get going without any major issues. I then discovered that I had a problem with my exhaust pipe which was obviously waaaaay too low and scraped on every right hander. This unnerved me a bit but I kept going and finished 16th with a best time of 1:28.
Back at the pits I whipped off the side covers and deduced that my rear shock was way too soft. Murray Cross and Cowboyz kindly helped me out here and we hardened everything up.
Race 2.
The suspension tweaking helped and the bike felt a lot better but I still had a few scrapes. Nowhere near as bad though and I finished 18th with a 1:27.
Round 2.
Got to the track nice and early and missed out on a stall. I didn’t have the horse float this time so got changed and hung around in the car. It was pretty damn wet but I was very keen to try out the long track for the first time
I really enjoyed the long track as it had dried out quite nicely and I had no major moments although it was quite gnarly in places. Qualified 16th with a 2:24.
Race 1.
Just as the race was called it started pissing down. Still very much getting used to the environment and had a thoroughly enjoyable race in the wet finishing 16th with a 2:36.
Round 3.
By this time my good friend Cowboyz had got his 98 ZX9R ready for the track and so we loaded both bikes onto the trailer the night before and headed out nice and early just in time to miss out on getting a stall lol. But the sun was out by this time although the track was damp, cold and covered in lime from the test day before.
Unfortunately Cowboyz crashed in Clubmans qualifying and the damage was not able to be repaired in time for the race – bugger!
This day was by far the best of the series so far as the track dried out by the time the racing started, everything ran very smoothly and as the races were 5 laps, there was plenty of track time.
I qualified 12th with a 1:35 on a damp track.
Race 1.
Had an awesome time, the race seemed to fly by and the bike was running very nicely. No major moments although two bikes went down in front of me but the race continued and both riders thankfully relatively uninjured. Finished 9th with a 1:26.
Race 2.
Another very enjoyable run and by now I was getting used to the tactics for getting a good start. Had a fun dogfight with No 51 during this race and it was great being so close to another bike while cornering
Race 3.
I decided to try for a 1:25 this time and I got off to a pretty good start. I now realize how important this is as turn 1 comes up very quickly. Had a great time chasing Martin Peck around and kept the gap pretty evenly. Finished 11th with a low 1:25 and was very pleased with that!
I need to work on braking later and getting on the gas earlier and can’t wait until R4. If I can achieve a 1: 23/22 by the end of the season I’ll be a happy man
A massive thank you to all those who helped me out on the race days, Monamie and Roberytdog for the pics, and to the Vic Club for a truly amazing experience
Al
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Gixxer 4 ever
Karma ... Justice catches up eventually !! 
Originally Posted by cowboyz
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