Sam Croft - VMCC 2011 round 1 report

**Matchless-G80** · 25th May 2011, 18:31

2011 Actrix VMCC Winter series round 1
Pro-lite 250 Class Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Qualifying: I got to know the bike on yesterday’s practice day and felt confident in the new Dunlop tyres. During qualifying half the track was wet so it was a bit greasy trying to warm the tyres up, the first time I had ever ridden the new bike in wet conditions. I was keeping up with most of the other machines although was a little tentative. Four laps down and it was time to come in from the track, I put in a sluggish 1.36 to qualify third on the grid and first in my class by over 4 seconds.

1st Race: I had a good start and was second into the first corner, the track drying meant I could really get to know the bike and the new tyres which seemed to be warming fast giving me confidence to take those crucial first corners quickly. I managed to finish 1st in my class by a staggering 22 seconds on the dry track with only five laps in the race. My best time of this race was around the 1 min 29.5 mark, slower than I would have liked, but it was a good start to the day.

2nd Race: I had another good start and was a solid 2nd into the first corner again. The tyres felt really sticky and I started to get quite good lean on the bike on the first lap meaning I was able to get away from most of the pack. I finished another 1st in my class by 22 seconds again with a dry track. My best lap time of this race was 1 min 28.8 tracking steadily down.

3rd Race: I had another great start and was sure to be 1st into the first corner only to be overtaken by the more powerful mini-lite. So second into the first corner three times on the day, I took him half way around the next corner thanks to the incredible grip of the tyres from early in the race. I lead the pack for the next few corners until the first straight where I was overtaken by a mini-lite and one incredibly fast street-stock. Once again I finished first in my class with a 21 second lead.

My best time of the day was 1 min 28.6 from race 3 which is exactly 1 second off the lap record. It felt good winning three races from three starts on the Ninja for the first time. The Manfield short track record in pro-lite class was set by the current national champion on a similar machine, so I’m happy to get that close.

I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone at the Vic Club for making this event possible, also a big thanks to my supporters: Motorad, Horsepower Motorcycles, Dunlop Tyres, Kapiti Bearings & Locksmithing, Neptune Mufflers, Plastic Welding Repairs and RPS signs and Graphics.

Sam Croft
2010 VMCC streetstock 150 champion
2010 PMCC streetstock 150 champion
Manfeild long track record Streetstock 150

**Clivoris** · 25th May 2011, 22:08

Jeeze Sam. You might have to slow down a bit so you can get some dicing practice. Great results man.

**SWERVE** · 25th May 2011, 22:54

Great stuff young man. Looks like you arn,t just a wet weather demon.

Need to get yourself south if you can for some decent competition........ within 1 sec of Seths record...pretty impressive

**Paul in NZ** · 26th May 2011, 07:40

Good onya Sam - I see you guys out there beavering away on your bikes and its an inspiration - you guys work hard at it and good to see you getting results.