I'll start in the weeks leading up to round 3.
Basically I had parked my bike in the shed from round 2, and didn't look at it apart from take all the graphics off it that magically appeared.
I remembered on Thursday afternoon I was supposed to renew my race license! I rung MNZ, and found I was too late. If I remembered as soon as I got home after last round all would have been sweet, but I failed!
After basically four weeks of rain, I was looking forward to at least one fine day, and the forecast started to look good.
I loaded the bike on Friday night and got a good nights sleep.
I awoke early on Saturday morning to a clear sky. As I walked outside I almost froze, and could see frost forming on the car, ute, and bike.... Wow, we are in for a cracker day.
Got to Feilding, and got my fuel for the day. Put 5 litres in the bike, and filled my 10 litre container, then headed to the track and got organised. Needless to say, it was rather cold. track temperature was about 1 degree! I went and registered, and bought a Day Licence, and went back to the pit garage.
I gave my bike a clean, and checked all the fasteners and tyre pressures. All appeared to be serviceable.
After walking around in the cold for a bit, it was then time for Qualifying.
QUAL: I like to get out first, so i can take a good look at the track without the worry of running into other bikes. The first lap I saw what I needed to see, and then started to go for a good time. I was overtaken by Dale Albrecht on his CBR and thought I could get a draught off him to boost my qualifying time. It became apparent that in the dry there was no way I could keep with him! So it was settle down and put in a smooth lap. I managed a 1:35.072. rather happy considering a cold track. This put me 9th on the grid though, so a bit of traffic into turn 1 I suspect.
I noticed Sam Croft had managed a flyer for Pole on his Ninja, and Simon Vollimer was 10th on the grid on his Hyosung, but some 7 seconds slower in qualifying. These are the only ProLites that turned up for this round.
Race 1:
I like to be one of the last to enter the track so I can put in a fast Warm Up lap, and not sit on the grid for too long. I lined up and noticed Simon Vollimer was not beside me as expected. As the lights start to come on I noticed he was starting form Pit Lane. Ripper I thought, all I have to do is finish and I have 22 points. It would be very difficult for him to come through the pack and catch me.
The lights went out, and I managed to get an average start. The first time I had let the clutch out in anger on a bike for over a month!
I rode into turn 1 and managed to avoid all other riders.... Well, they left me in turn 1! I got through the esses and up to the hair pin and settled into a battle with Tyler Lincoln. As we came out of Higgins and up the back straight we were passed my my Team Mate (Chappy) who had started from the back of the grid. As I was only out there to finish, I followed Chappy for the whole race, following his lines, and finding out where he was quicker (and slower). I managed to get a huge draught down the front straight and pulled up beside him. As I know from years of watching Chappy on the pit wall, I know never to challenge him into turn 1. So it was the left I chose to go, to let him have the corner.
At the end of the race, I felt very relaxed. I was relaxing all race, and really just riding around (quite quickly) to get 2nd in class, and managed a fastest lap of 1:33.789 on the last lap. Very close to the 1:33.659 PB I managed in the PMCC Round 1 in October 2010.
After the race I was so wrapped with myself, and full with confidence as I was riding with the guy who was the second fastest Street Stock out there. My laps were also very consistent. I couldn't wait for Race 2.
Race 2:
Again went through my warm up lap routine and formed up on the grid. Looked to my left to see Simon Vollimer had made it, but looked ahead and noticed out Pole Man, and championship leader (Sam Croft). Wonder what happened there I thought. Lights came on one by one, and went out. Ninja got off the line really well, and got past heaps of people into turn 1. Got a great first half of the lap. I was leading Chappy and Tyler into Dunlop, and managed to make one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made into that corner! I managed to get the bike around the corner without running off, but it meant Chappy and Tyler were left to battle it out for themselves. As i was by myself I tried to put in a few fast laps to catch them, and to see if I could get a faster lap that Chappy. I also had a feeling Sam was in the race, as I caught a glimpse of his Ninja in lap 3. Then lap 4 he got past me on the front straight. He was flying! I was amazed to see how fast he turned his bike into turn 1. I look around and see Simon was some way back, so I settled for second. Best lap was on Lap 4 with a 1:34.168.
I was trying harder, but my laps were slower..... Time to think about this....
Yup, RELAX!!!!! I came to the realisation I needed to move some reference points. Sort out the Hair Pin, and generally turn later and faster.
I looked the bike over and put in a couple of litres of fuel. and got ready for race 3. This time I was looking at improving my PB.
Race 3:
I got a reasonable start for this one, and settled into the race. The race was pretty uneventful, and I was tying to change my reference points a little. I enjoyed watching Chappy and Tyler battle up ahead, and hoped to catch them. This was not to be.I also I hoped I would improved my PB.
I finished 2nd in class (again) and managed a 1:33.761. Close, but no cigar.
So, at the end of the day 66 valuable championship points, and Second in class for the meeting, and second in the championship with 198 points. 52 behind Sam Croft (on a Maximum of 250), and just 10 ahead of Simon Vollimer.
A huge thanks to:
Dunlop, for sticking really well, even though it was a cold track.
The RNZAF for all the support I recieve, and the paint work.
Celtec Leathers, they are improving with every round.
The Volunteers of the Victoria Motorcycle Club who put on another fantastic meeting.
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Originally Posted by Racey Rider
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