NZSBK: Round IV from Hampton Downs, 16-17 March. Feedback?

[Gremlin]

That was also after the muscle cars. I could actually see the oil on the track at "Barrel51" corner without moving from my position. Tell-tale multi-coloured trails on the damp track - about a foot wide in places - right on the racing line.

It looked far worse than it really was. With the track being wet, the small drops of oil bloomed, resulting in large patches, that, to my testing by foot, were no different to the rest of the track. Sure, nothing like a 200hp superbike, but I've stepped on proper patches before, and that's seriously slippery. The track staff had some sort of mixture that resulted in the patch disappearing before your eyes.

There was quite an issue on T2, with water (carrying mud) flowing down the track into the apex, and that consumed time as we tried to wash it off the track and stop more flowing down...

[Damien_Toman]

It looked far worse than it really was. With the track being wet, the small drops of oil bloomed, resulting in large patches, that, to my testing by foot, were no different to the rest of the track. Sure, nothing like a 200hp superbike, but I've stepped on proper patches before, and that's seriously slippery. The track staff had some sort of mixture that resulted in the patch disappearing before your eyes.

There was quite an issue on T2, with water (carrying mud) flowing down the track into the apex, and that consumed time as we tried to wash it off the track and stop more flowing down...

Thanks for that clarification, Gremlin. I understand about the drops of oil "blooming" - well described. The guys with the spray certainly did a good job at Barrel51/Hairpin and as the track dried there was no visible sign of oil from where I was - a relief too, I must say.

Interestingly, at turn 3 (over the small hill), Robbie seemed to lose the back end under power, while Craig definitely lost the front. I still feel that residue from the cars was a likely factor, especially hearing a comment from another rider about how unusually slippery it was. Did they also spray that area?

Damien

[Gremlin]

Interestingly, at turn 3 (over the small hill), Robbie seemed to lose the back end under power, while Craig definitely lost the front. I still feel that residue from the cars was a likely factor, especially hearing a comment from another rider about how unusually slippery it was. Did they also spray that area?

The boys (while not at the front) were pushing on (Robbie came off at T4 on Saturday during qualifying), and I think they simply ran out of grip (Craig could comment more, but he was possibly unbalanced by Robbie coming off). There is a bump in the middle of that corner (the racers probably know it far better) and the bike gets light over the crest. I would suspect the corner more if more were having issues, but it didn't appear so.

I found the track didn't feel very grippy to me when it was wet (honestly impressed how they can keep 200hp gripping the tarmac), but it was far from ideal hot conditions. Large blooms were sprayed throughout the corner. We have to balance treating issues against the treatment itself affecting grip.

[Damien_Toman]

The boys (while not at the front) were pushing on (Robbie came off at T4 on Saturday during qualifying), and I think they simply ran out of grip (Craig could comment more, but he was possibly unbalanced by Robbie coming off). There is a bump in the middle of that corner (the racers probably know it far better) and the bike gets light over the crest. I would suspect the corner more if more were having issues, but it didn't appear so.

I found the track didn't feel very grippy to me when it was wet (honestly impressed how they can keep 200hp gripping the tarmac), but it was far from ideal hot conditions. Large blooms were sprayed throughout the corner. We have to balance treating issues against the treatment itself affecting grip.

Good information Gremlin. Yes, I have felt the lightness of the bike over the hill, even on a bucket! (I know, you can laugh ). I saw Robbie go down at turn 4 (Austins) the day before - doing what he does - on the limit and sometimes just over. It would be good to hear from Craig and Robbie. Robbie certainly was incredibly fast over that hill the day before - the fastest I've ever seen. But, he did not slide or have any problems until Sunday evening. Yes, the cooling temperatures (as jellywrestler suggested) could have been a factor and Craig may have been distracted by Robbie going down.

[suzuki21]

dont think any oil had any effect on those 2...they were pushing really hard and by the looks in the pics i took robby just leant over a bit too far....and craigs was probably and a reaction one seeing robby going down in front of him.....

He remembers last time Robbie went down in front of him and maybe got a little excited.