Well first I need to make a correction to Round 2’s report as Daniel Kempthorne and I were actually tied for 4th place, not 5th as I had initially thought.
My plan for Wangas was to go hard as possible in qualifying to get a good grid position, as I know that it can be very hard to get past other bikes during the race.
Qualifying 1
I had psyched myself up all week for this and was raring to go when they called us up for qualifying.
I made my way to the front of the grid and when they let us on to the track I was 3rd bike in behind Geoff Booth and the Japanese rider, “Kissy” on his beautiful VFR400.
I followed for a lap or so before getting past, and then put my head down for some quick laps.
I felt like I was really getting into a groove and at one point overcooked Turn 1 under braking. I lined back up to come onto the track and was very surprised to see a large gap back to the next bike. I carried on and a lap later Glen Williams came past – ok, that is to be expected……carry on and try to stick with him……not quite.
We caught up to some bikes and I was not making any progress so I pulled in to wait for another gap before coming back out to finish with a couple more quick laps.
I was absolutely stunned and over the moon when the results came out and I was 2nd behind Glen, with a time of 55.6s (a new PB for me).
Then I remembered we had one more qualifying session to go. Bugger.
Qualifying 2
I really just wanted to rest on my laurels and take P2 from the first session, but I new that other riders would be charging and getting quicker with more practice, so out once more onto the track.
I got out close to the front and again passed Geoff Booth and Kissy within a couple of laps. Glen and Scott Moir both came past me, and before I knew it, the session was over. (They were running behind schedule at this stage so must have shortened the sessions)
I checked the results and WOW, I had lost 2nd to Scott Moir (as expected) but held on to 3rd position and on the front row beside Terry Fitzgerald.
This would have to be my best qualifying result ever, and a new PB of 54.494s.
Race 1
I was so amped to be on the front row, I had to force myself to concentrate on the starter.
Flag drops and I get a good start behind Glen and Scott. Dan managed to sneak up the inside and I chased him hard out of T2 and held off the brakes a bit longer to get back past across the railway lines.
Second lap and Jason Nairn block passed me at T1, and Terry Fitzgerald came past out of T2. I wasn’t too concerned at this as they are both on F3 bikes with Gixxer front ends – my goal was to beat Dan and Geoff, who I always struggle to keep up with at the ‘proper’ tracks.
So we’re heading along towards the railway lines with Terry just in front of me and to the right a bit……..with Terry obscuring my vision ahead. I didn’t see Jason lose the front under brakes and slide to the apex of the next left hander…..I was taking my usual line (which is very close to the LHS kerb) and once Terry was out of the way I could see Jason’s bike right there in front of me. I had no where to go.
I discovered just how much goes through your mind in a fraction of a second.
I remember thinking I am going to hit the handlebar area with my bike leaning to the right. This would throw me into the track and in front of the rest of the field behind. So I grabbed a handful of front brake and stood it up, t-boning Jason’s petrol tank while I stood up on the bars, and super-manning it over the top. I aimed for the grass but had no idea what would happen.
Everything tumbled and when I stopped I immediately thought wow, no major pain yet…..and thankfully it didn’t come.
The biggest problem though was that I was severely dizzy or dazed. I sort of tried to get up but had no balance. I saw bikes whizzing past to my left so I crawled on all fours across the grass to the fence in the opposite direction. Then I flopped over on my back and took stock of the situation. Once the world had stopped spinning I stood up and did a more thorough check of all my limbs. All good – just a few bruises.
Jason came over and apologised which was not necessary – he might have seen how pissed off I was but I thought that was awfully good of him all the same. It was just a racing incident.
As I went to return to the pits, the crowd across the road started cheering so I turned and gave a bow. It would have been rude not to.
Wow – my first race crash in 5 years of racing. And I did it in style at the cemetery circuit. LOL
It actually could have been a lot worse.
Alan and Malcolm checked over my bike and straightened out a couple of bits. To be totally honest, a little part of me was hoping they would find something wrong that meant I could not go out for race 2……I guess I was in a little bit of shock.
I was pretty gutted that my good chance of 4th and the outside chance at 3rd overall were gone, but happy at last to have lost my crash virginity and come away relatively unscathed.
Gareth (R6kid) has a photo sequence of my spill so hopefully they will be up soon. (hint hint !!) See below for link.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129942538
Race 2
I didn’t expect too much out of this race after my crash. But I got a good start and tried to settle in. Dan came past me within a lap or so and I couldn’t stick with him or the other 3 in front. I had lost a little of my mojo and while I was still going at a good pace, I was braking just a fraction earlier, and getting on the gas a fraction later than before.
Unfortunately my head was just not quite in the same place as it had been during qualifying and I wasn’t able to push as hard.
I finished in 5th with Kissy 50m or so behind me.
But I had beaten Geoff Booth for the first time ever so was pretty happy with that, and with my overall performance on the day. I ended up 5th overall in the series.
Congrats to the Tri Series winners and thanks to the organisers and helpers.
Big ups to Paul Duncan for a stunning first time performance at Wangas.
Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by and said hi – also my wife and my Dad, Alan and Malcolm for repairs, and of course my supporters below.
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Originally Posted by discodan
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