Hey everyone,
Before I give the report, HUGE THANKS TO; Chloe for helping in the pits and paying for the accomNicko for taking us and some stuff down to Manfield and back. Shaun for dropping off the bike and helping in the pits. Texmo for taking my bike back to Auckland and Motoracer for storing it. Also to all those people that offered help, gave support and said hello...
Well after a chat with Shaun and Trev, I decided to do VMCC Round 2 instead of a track day at Puke as I would learn more at the race day. It has been 3 months since my huge crash at Pukekohe, and I'm still on the road to recovery... For the first time ever, we arrived in Fielding BEFORE 8:30pm!!! So we got a decent sleep and were at the track feeling refreshed.
We got set up in the pits and I helped Nicko set up his bike and unloading the trailer. Once signed on, I waited for my bike to arrive.... Well with time running out, at 8:55am Shaun turned up with the bike. It was raining consistantly (with hail chucked in for good measure) so I didnt have to change the tyres over.
Qualifying F2: I went out there taking it nice and easy, bit hard to do when you are so nervous, and slowly upping the pace. I was feeling really comfortable and well within the bikes limits as well as mine... I had a couple moments... One on the back straight where I took the line to tight and had a seat of the pants moment as the front tyre aquaplaned and bars went full lock to the left, but I kept it pinned and all came right... And two braking for Higgins I went a bit deep and the back end got real light, next thing im backing it into the corner motoGP style, but without the skill... it didnt turn pearshaped, but just ran a little wide through the corner (its amazing the grip that wets have in the rain!!!) I was feeling really good out there and having a blast!!! Came back in to have a look at the times... STOKED!!! Qualifyed in third place 1.5 seconds behind Craig Sherrifs (second) and Ross King (Pole) and 0.5 seconds infront of Jason Hulme, and Jay Lawrence!!! With a best time of 1:24.445 which was my last lap.
Qualifying Superbike: Well I decided to up the pace as I was feeling comfortable and wanted to push a bit harder. Funnily enough, everyone else thought that too... Well I increased the pace all the time, and latched onto the back of Jay Lawrence. Everything felt good, and the session was over. Wasnt expecting anything to great as everyone had upped the pace. Had a look at the times and Qualifyed 6th!!! My new best time was 1:19.921, 0.2 seconds off Jay Lawrence (5th) and 0.7 seconds of Craig Sherriffs (3rd) and that too was my last lap.
Race 1 F2: Well now I was really nervous, my starts are always my weak point and I was on the front row, I knew I must have been doing something right when i saw Craig and Ross on my right and Jason and Jay on my left. Because it was raining, i didnt want to use too many revs and spin it up on the line. The marshall with the red flag walks away... Then the green flag drops.... WE ARE AWAY!!! Well everyone except me... I got a shocker of a start and about 10 bikes shoot infront of me. I pass a couple under brakes into turn one, and then another around the outside of turn 2. I pealed another couple under brakes into the hairpin, and sat behind Nicko. I then passed Nicko under brakes into the hairpin, and was now sitting in 5th place chasing Jason, I caught up heaps to Jason under brakes into Higgins and the sweeper, I came up the inside of him on the exit of the sweeper, and powered on earlier to pass him on the front straight. Everything is going well, and I'm feeling really comfortable and am pulling in Jay... Come out of splash, through the right and start braking for the hairpin, my foot slips (I think it was my foot) and I whack on full throttle while under brakes, the front came up a fraction, then I backed off, the front hit the ground locked up, and it was an instant lowside... Was absolutely gutted!!!! I went flying into the mud, as did the bike... I ran out of the way incase of other bikes crashing, check myself over, and I'm fine... Have a quick look at the bike, and the side fairing isnt looking too flash... All i can think about is "I hope I didnt scratch my new Arai..." (which luckily I didn't)
A marshall ran over and asked if I was ok, I told him I was sweet, so we went and moved the bike, which was caked in mud like myself. We get it out of the way. I gave it a quick check over, and see that the magneto cover is leaking oilI spent the rest of the race watching Ross King and Craig Sherrifs FLYING (they dipped into the 1:15's IN THE WET!!!) My new best lap time was 1:18.55 which was on my last lap... Big thaks to Rob (Torque) for pushing my bike back mate
Well my race day was over, but I was happy to finally be out there again!!! I didnt get hurt much at all (bruised one of my ribs) and my shoulder is fine (which took the initial impact)... Was stoked that the last lap of every session I did was the fastest, showing I was constantly improving... I know there is heaps more in reserve, and can see 1:16's being possible in the wet...
Was wicked seeing Texmo, RG100!, vtec and Neil (cant remember your online name) doing so well in street stock. Also top stuff dss3 for carving up F1.
Bike will be fixed soon, and i will be down at the track day next weekend
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Originally Posted by RG100!!
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