Nicksta's 2011 VMCC Round 3. Sunshine!

**Nicksta** · 20th July 2011, 22:10

Nicki’s VMCC round 3, 16th July 2011

Round 3 and the promise of sunshine had me happy going to bed Friday night, however the layer of ice building up in the van was concerning. We woke to a chilly 1-degree or so, after being in the minus’ overnight. Mr Taylor measured the track temp as the F1 boys rolled out to qualify first at 0.1 degrees, brrrrr.

Qualifying: 4 laps
I was excited to see how my new Pirelli Supercorsas would go, with only 4 laps to scrub them in and qualify well on a cold track. First lap, I focussed on scrubbing my tyres, 2nd; I sped up and started to test the grip on the cold track. I felt comfortable so picked up the pace, 4th lap I qualified with a 1:26.9, good enough fir 14th on the grid and 3rd in Protwins.

Race 1: 6 laps
4th row on the grid, the track was still very cold, lights go out and I launch, a bit hard as the ER6 wheelied under power, I held it for a moment before dropping it down to switch to 2nd gear and I lost a few places. I spent the first lap picking off slower bikes as I tried to catch up to Mark Bennett, the next Protwin. Coming round Higgins, a F3 bike crashes and the bike is still on the track, the race is red flagged. Restart and I nurse the launch, Jason gets past me and I take a lap to catch him. 2nd lap and Mark Bennett sneaks by. I battle past but he takes me again, I stay behind him till the end crossing the line 7th overall and 3rd in Protwins with a PB of 1:22.2. I’m very happy with my first podium finish in Pro Twins and very happy with my time in the dry.

Race 2: 6 laps
I’m determined to launch well, I do and find myself in the first bunch to turn 1. The track is warming up and I’m in a really good rhythm, Mark passes me again and I set about hunting him down, he’s caught up in a bunch of F3 bikes and they constantly battle as I watch from just behind, I catch them on the straights but am hitting false neutrals under breaking so lose what I gain each lap. I cross the finish in 6th overall, 1.3 seconds behind Mark and I’m 3rd again in Protwins. I had a blinder of a race and best yet, I have a new PB on the ER6 of 1:20.7. I’m very happy with my performance in the dry and cant fault the new Pirelli tyres.

Race 3: 6 laps
F1 raced before us and unfortunately John Baker had a bad crash. My thoughts have been with you and your family; heal up quick John as its great seeing you at the track each round with Tim.
Unfortunately John’s crash weighed on my mind in the last race. I got a good start but focussed on finishing comfortably and was 2 seconds off my pace. What I didn’t realise was I did well at the start and was in front of Mark, but behind another Protwin. I crossed the line 4th in Protwins.

I finished the day 3rd overall in Pro Twins with a new PB of 1:20.7

which isn’t far behind my best of the VFR400 of 1:19.5. I’m confident to say I have my mojo back and can’t wait till the august round.

Big thank you to VMCC and volunteers for putting on another awesome day. To KIwibike Insurance, thank you for your ongoing support and Pirelli Tyres for being awesome in the dry. Last but never least, thanks to Frenchy for your support, and my family for coming down to watch!

Roll on round 4!

**Mental Trousers** · 21st July 2011, 08:53

Good that you've got your head back in the right place Nicki. Although you might want to figure out why you're hitting false neutrals or you'll end up in the sand pit.

**Tyler_94** · 21st July 2011, 11:33

It was great racing with you and you rode really well all day. Pitty i struggled to stay with you down the straight though. Good luck for round 4!

**Deano** · 21st July 2011, 11:48

Awesome stuff Nicksta - you and the bike are really gelling well !

Congrats on the new PB.

**Duke girl** · 21st July 2011, 15:33

Great write up Nicksta and always a pleasure to chat with you and to see you out there mixing it up amongst the guys. You look so comfortable out there and l wish you the best of luck for the remainder of the season.
See you at Round 4.

**crazy man** · 21st July 2011, 16:14

think l had a bit of a dice Nicksta with you at the pacific road race at manfeild l was on the old blue zxr400 dont think l could stay up with you now

**scracha** · 21st July 2011, 18:16

Originally Posted by crazy man

think l had a bit of a dice Nicksta with you at the pacific road race at manfeild l was on the old blue zxr400 dont think l could stay up with you now

Aww come on...you're not gonna let a gurl beat you are you?

**crazy man** · 21st July 2011, 18:35

Originally Posted by scracha

Aww come on...you're not gonna let a gurl beat you are you?

the way lm going anyone could bet me

**Mental Trousers** · 21st July 2011, 21:39

Originally Posted by crazy man

the way lm going anyone could bet me

Don't be discouraged. Nicki's beaten him once or twice too!!

**crazy man** · 22nd July 2011, 19:45

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

Don't be discouraged. Nicki's beaten him once or twice too!!

hows the bike going last time l saw you at taupo looks like you were having problems with the bike

**Mental Trousers** · 22nd July 2011, 20:09

Originally Posted by crazy man

hows the bike going last time l saw you at taupo looks like you were having problems with the bike

Much, much better. The problems I was having are all sorted now. Just got to do a bit of buggering about with ducting for the dead cylinder and that'll be it until I can get some engine work done. Until I get the engine done it'll be under powered and overweight but fun to ride.