Nicki’s VMCC round 2, 9th June 2012
The weather was predicted to be very wet. I was confident to put in some good times in the damp. My goal for the weekend was to maintain my 3rd placing and hopefully close the gap on the lead two.
Qualifying: 4 laps
The rain set in during rider’s briefing so it was wets on to qualify. I went out and Connor quickly went past me. I had an old wet rear on and quickly found it slipping round Turn 1. I took it easy for the first 2 laps then over took Connor and thought I had put in 2 fast laps. Turns out they were not too flash and I ended up on the 6th row behind both Firn brothers with a 1:26 flat. So qualified 5th out of 9 Pro twin bikes.
Race 1: 6 laps
The grid was chaos. The fact that no one could comprehend the fact that the 125’s were in the first row, then the 2nd row was supposed to be clear and our grid was to start on the 3rd row; we ended up with so much confusion that I don’t think a single person was in their correct spot. This was not helped by the fact that we all checked our grid positions and at some stage, the positions were revised and no one announced the fact before we raced!
That said, the 125’s took off, we waited for our lights… more people crept rows up. Our lights go out, I get a good start, hit a neutral and loose positions, I brake late and catch up behind Connor into turn 1, I see it clear up the inside and roll on the throttle… a bit too hard and the rear looses grip and slides out from under me. I slip on to the track and the bikes slams and spins behind me. I’m sliding and spinning on my back like a break dancer and look back just in time to see Abby heading towards me, I tuck in my legs to give her space between me and the outside if the track just in time. Race over for me.
The ER6 came away with a nice dent in the tank, bent rearset, bent clip on, lost the clutch lever and some nice chunks out of my fairings.
Race 2: 6 laps
Sun comes out and went on the Pirelli Supercorsa’s.
We line up on the grid after a discussion with the guys and girls around me on the grid. Apparently the grid was revised. 125’s head off. Well 2 out of the 4. The other 2 stalled and were pushing them to start, 1 did and the other didn’t and was a real hazard. Meanwhile the other 3 were racing around the track as we sat like sitting ducks on the back of the grid. Finally the red flags came out and we rolled off for what I thought would be another warm up lap to reform in the pits but we got sent back to the sheds and lunch was called.
Race 2 restart: 6 laps
Still sunny we line up again. My plan is to take it easy. Lights go out, I get an ok start in front of 3 other pro twins. They all get past me before the hairpin and I get stuck behind Abby on the F3 450 Suzuki. She has serious speed in a straight line so I couldn’t take her there, I’m braking later and carrying more corner speed but can’t get passed. After 4 laps I put my head down and make a pass stick coming out of Turn 1 and set to hunt down Connor who is the length of the middle straight away from me. After a lap, I’ve dropped 2 seconds on the previous time and have Connor in my sights coming into Dunlop, unfortunately I had run out of laps and I cross the line 7th Pro Twin.
Race 3: 6 laps
The heavens had opened up again and the wets were back on. Our grid positions were still mucked up so we started where we did for the last race. Lights go out and I nail the start. I get past a few more bikes in turn 1 and end up about 5th bike coming into splash (turn 3) all of a sudden I loose grip and the ER low sides on the apex and we slide into the mud on the outside. Race over again.
Its fair to say it was a mixed day for me. I finish 8th for the day with 14 points. What I have learned is since my last crash; 3 years ago, is that I still crash well and I’m not afraid of crashing anymore as it weighted in the back of my mind since breaking my pelvis. Now I know I can go faster and with more confidence. Time to practice my fibre-glassing skills!
Thank you to Kiwibike Insurance, Pirelli, EBC, Experience Motorcycles, Rob Berrington-Smith, Future Grafix, Autolink, New Plymouth Motorcycles and Frenchy for making my racing possible and fixing my bike between races. To the Vic club and volunteers, you guys are fantastic (especially Nigel and the crash crew for picking me up twice with a smile and lots of care). Please support those who support us in racing.
See you all at the next round – Saturday 21st July.
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Originally Posted by Tony.OK
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