Winter series round 1 - Mihi
I was nervous about round 1 as I hadn’t ridden at Manfeild for a good 3 months, and I had been concussed at buckets just under a month ago. Normally after an accident I tend to slow down , I was determined for this not to happen so really focused on the few days leading up as to what I should be doing if I was wanting to improve. With the weather forecast looking good I had high hopes. This round was also important because I was to be riding the Ride Life KR 150. Last year, Alex from Ride Life had helped out heaps with tyres, brake pads and other support. This year he has provided an immaculately prepared KR150 and full support. Along with the VMCC Scholarship (which subsidises Moto Academy coaching) I was hoping for a good performance to start off the season.
Saturday
Qualifying:
With qualifying being only 4 laps, a new rear tyre, and a different bike meant I wasn’t really expecting much. I went out at the back so I could chase people down and hopefully get a good time. I felt really good out there, better than I had before. I qualified with a 1.38 (new PB by 3 seconds) that put me in 4th for streetstocks but 10th on the combined grid.
Race 1: (5 laps)
I was looking forward to this race and a few battles. I got a really bad start almost stalled it, and went in to turn one third to last. I wasn’t impressed. I saw Alex Hockly (#41 prolite and my Ride Life sponsor) not far ahead so I began to hunt him down. I caught up to him after a lap and a bit and had a really good battle swapping positions every 2nd or so corner. With a couple of laps to go I managed to pull away and cross the line in front. I finished 4th in streetstock with a 1.35 (new PB again), my next streetstock target Zane (#103) was doing 1.31s, I had to catch up.
As we lined up on the dummy grid for our 2nd race of the day we were told to turn around as there had been an accident, we didn’t realise the seriousness of it until we went to see what was going on. We lost our good mate Mark #67, racing was cancelled for the rest of the day. Mark was such a good guy and always set such a positive atmosphere at the track. We both pitted in the scrutineering shed last year and would always give each other the thumbs up. That evening I managed to put his number on my front guard with insulation tape. R.I.P. mate.
Sunday
The club had organised a Tapu lifting and blessing of the track, lots of people turned up to participate and it was really good to see, we then had a lap of honour lead by Marks family. Today was for Mark and these things help set the attitude.
Scrub in session:
We were given a 5 lap session to get our heads around things and back into it.
Race 2: (8 laps)
My start was a little better but was still my weakest spot. I nearly made it around the outside of Alex but didn’t quite get there. I backed off going into the esses so I could get good speed to get him coming out of the hairpin, I got him! But then coming into Higgins I braked a little too early and he got me on the inside, I got him back around the outside and pulled away. I hunted down the next bike in front and pushed myself a little bit more every lap. I finished 3rd in streetstock with a 1.33 (another new PB).
Race 3: (8 laps)
Yet another average start, I was a bit frustrated. Got past Alex on the 4th lap after swapping positions a bit then pulled away. I was beginning to make quite a few mistakes. I hunted down the rider in front Jamie Fell (#68 prolite) who was doing similar lap times. I kept him in sight for the whole race but didn’t get past him. I crossed the line in 3rd for streetstock with consistent 1.33s.
I finished 3rd for the weekend 11 points behind 2nd and 14 points behind 1st. I hope to stay there or move up. I would like to thank the Vic Club for doing such a good job handling the situation in the weekend and letting us continue to race on Sunday.
I would like to thank my support: Ride Life, Moto Academy, Victoria Motorcycle club, Heidenau tyres, and DP brake pads.
WHEN I am famous I will definitely remember: K2 Racing (Wharfy), Ride Life (Alex Hockly), RaceFairings.co.nz (Billy), Motodynamics.co.nz (Shaun Harris), Jeff Whitehead, Moto Academy (Steve), Victoria Motorcycle Club (VMCC), and the Crofts.
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Originally Posted by yungatart
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