MotoTT trackday - Full track Taupo 28/07/06

**Zed** · 1st August 2006, 23:39

Originally Posted by YellowDuke

I agree what a great day. My old ducati has scrapped all sorts of bits. Really looking forward to the next.

I remember having the same impression when I took my Blackbird on the track at Pukekohe scraping the side fairings going over and around the corner that leads onto the front straight, you feel good about grinding down your bike lol!

**sugilite:Me** · 2nd August 2006, 13:46

I saw the track day on KB and decided I would attend. I figured as I was 2nd in both the superbike and post classic classes in the Actrix series that I'd better learn the track as the last round will be held there!

I had the 750 and 9 loaded in the van early Thursday evening. I got going about 4:30 am, picking up a generator from Palmie along the way.
I grabbed some race juice from the BP and got to the track at 9:13, PLENTY of time before Kiwifruits 09:15 deadline!

This was my first time at the new extended track, and it was also my first ever time at an organized motorcycle only track day.
I was amazed that 90 keen motorcyclists would turn up on a week day!!!
It goes to show how healthy motorcycling is in NZ!

Having raced on and off over the last 20 odd years I've long lamented there was no real riders circuits in the north island. Manfields extended long track is pretty bloody good, but they hardly use it. I'd heard Taupo was a riders track and with the new extension being such a major one it is like a brand new track! So to say I was excited and eager to get on the track would be a grave understatement

After riders briefing it was time to head out onto the track. I was mindful of what they had said at riders briefing, no passing on the inside. I knew I was going to get into a different mindset from usual. Mind you I always did like passing on the outside. I think over the 80 laps I got in on the day, I did pass about 3 people on the inside but gave them a lot of room, it just seemed to be the safest thing to do at the time allowing for some of the large speed differentials there were out there on the day.

The plan was to ease myself into it with the 750. It's battery had other ideas.

So it was the ZX9R up first! As it runs a total loss system I have to bump start it, by the time I got on the track in the fast group, they had all buggard off, so I tentatively felt my way around the 1st few corners like a wide eyed teenager in a porn shop for the 1st time

I had a real moment of confusion as I came up to what I can only describe an intersection! As I had no one to follow I was unsure what the hell to do, so I followed intuition on took the turn hard right option and proceeded forwards with my head spinning round on my neck like a windmill looking for kamakazi bikes approaching!! It was a pretty freaky feeling not knowing if I was on the right track! I'm thinking for safety maybe a few cones should be put across the unused part of the track?

After three laps I was starting to feel comfortable and started to up the pace. By session 3, I was got at a low 1:45 and I was still not pushing hard at all.
In later sessions the times were around the 1:42's.
My tyres had seen better days, I bought them 2nd hand of Tony Rees and then did a practice day and race day at Manfield on them. So I rode accordingly.

A lap with Sugilite
My impressions of the track riding the nine taken from the small straight in front of the pit area..I only get to 5th gear on the nine briefly down here, I leave my braking fairly late and slip it down 2 gears to 3rd I brush my knee past the apex and accelerate out and snick it into 4th muscling it over to the left trying to keep it under the greasy outer corner surface. I throw the bike into the next right, not completely rolling off the throttle to keep things smooth the next left can be taken really aggressively as there is enough track to get the bike into position for the next right which is quite a technical corner that rewards aggressive precision but will brutally punish a mistake. I run it quite wide out and then dump the bike hard over on the right taking a late but tight line. The exit of this corner is perfect for those cool leant over while wheel standing photos you see in the bike mags! I finally change gear for the 1st time in 4 corners and belt it through a right hand kink and then rush into the left hander changing down braking past the apex then applying the power out while trying to keep the front down. The next long left hander is my favourite corner on the track I change up on the approach to it and then accelerate all the way through out the other side and grab a huge handful of brakes and snick it down 2 gears for the chicane that leads into the old circuit, I have to be careful here as there is a slight rise in the middle of the transition has the back end emailing me it would be quite keen to let go!
I short shift into third and fight to keep the front down approaching the 1st right on the old circuit, I then short shift again and accelerate hard through the flip flops using mega muscle to do so lol (it is a 1998 chassis folks) Coming into the revised sweeper I take a swoopy type of line apexing late and it's up through the gearbox down the back straight. The braking area for the chicane is quite featureless and tricky to find good braking markers for. In the later sessions I really got this area sussed, I snick it down three gears as I'm braking to the apex then down one more before I flick it right, then ease the bike over the bump, past that evil painted rectangle and into the final corner, I change up to 3rd then 4th then riding over slight dips in the track and the front comes up for a nice power stand down the straight, Esp if I sit back a little lol 'll even change into 5th if I have enough room after said power stand

Safety wise I do have one major concern, and that is the last corner leading out onto the pit sraight, on a superbike that concrete wall just sucks you towards it as you are laying down the power. I cannot see the FIM approving the track with that corner as it is right now. Either move the wall back from that area or use airfences me thinks. moving the wall would be cheaper.
Otherwise Taupo is a fantastic new addition to the North island, about time! It is a riders track and is definitly my favourite North Island track hands down.

The 750 was alot of fun around the track as well. just minus the power stands!
I took Goblin for a ride on the back to check the lines I use to get a base line track setting for her planned race debut at round 6 actrix series.
The 750 went quite well two up, I thought we were out in group 3, but it turns out it was group 2! Oppps!

I had a real blast through the day and really enjoyed the comrade in the group. I thoroughly enjoyed the lack of pressure that race days and even practice days have and play the larakin with no one waiving there finger at me

I'm keen to do more of these days

MotoTT crew layed on a very well run day, top marks peoples!
It was great to meet KB'ers!!
See you all at the next one!!!

**Matt Bleck** · 2nd August 2006, 13:53

Nice write up Sugilite

**kiwifruit** · 2nd August 2006, 14:02

Thanks Sugilite, awesome write up.
I will raise the point about needing cones between the tracks, and i agree with you about that concrete wall! Yikes!
You are a true beast on 2 wheels (and one), everyone thought u were a legend, and a hell of a nice guy.
thanks for the kind words about motoTT too.
See you at the next one

**Zed** · 2nd August 2006, 15:18

Originally Posted by sugilite

I had a real blast through the day and really enjoyed the comrade in the group. I thoroughly enjoyed the lack of pressure that race days and even practice days have and play the larakin with no one waiving there finger at me

I'm keen to do more of these days

I greatly enjoyed that write-up man, especially 'A lap with Sugilite', I followed you around the circuit with that! So you were the man on the green machines eh, yeah we commented on your skills

, you passed me on your ZXR with I can only assume Ms Goblin on the back...lovely to watch.

All the best for Actrix, sounds like you're doing well!

**chanceyy** · 2nd August 2006, 23:03

Originally Posted by sugilite

so I tentatively felt my way around the 1st few corners like a wide eyed teenager in a porn shop for the 1st time

LOL awesome write up as usual sugi, but that one comment had to make me laff ..

:

I took Goblin for a ride on the back to check the lines I use to get a base line track setting for her planned race debut at round 6 actrix series.

thats why she is smiling in the pic of you two flying around huh .. sorry kels but anyone can see you grinning under ya helmet ..

**Goblin** · 3rd August 2006, 00:11

Originally Posted by chanceyy

thats why she is smiling in the pic of you two flying around huh .. sorry kels but anyone can see you grinning under ya helmet ..

Haha!! I'm still grinning....wouldn't you?

**chanceyy** · 3rd August 2006, 09:58

Originally Posted by Goblin

Haha!! I'm still grinning....wouldn't you?

uh huh .. nods .. yup totally would be .. usually grinning when pillion and speed are involved (if i trust the rider that is )

**Rossi Gal** · 3rd August 2006, 10:33

Awesome write up sugi, always a pleasure reading your reports. and was great seeing you out and about again

good to see the day finished smoothly ..

**Sue VFR** · 3rd August 2006, 17:27

On behalf of the MotoTT team, thank you for all your wonderful comments about our last track day. The weather was beautiful which made everything easier...but its you guys that make it a really great day. Everyone was keen and curtious (with one exception! There's always one aye!! And I'm sure he's not a KiwiBiker) Your attendence, your co-operation and your enthusiasm makes the organisation of these track days a great pleasure. We look forward to seeing you next time ... 8th Sept www.motott.co.nz
PS: BIG thank you to Kiwifruit

**kiwifruit** · 3rd August 2006, 18:54

No worries Mum

**Goblin** · 3rd August 2006, 19:06

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

No worries Mum

She's your Mum? OMG I thought she was your sister.

**kiwifruit** · 3rd August 2006, 19:09

LOL Goblin

Im sure that will make her day tomorrow when i show her

**baldwookie** · 3rd August 2006, 20:15

Originally Posted by saul

Who was the young fella riding this lovely machine. I had a chat to him but can't for the life of me remember his name

He was trying the new conti tyres and apparently he liked them very much.

He was putting on a great show of some very seriously skillful riding

Ok so hang on the upload failed I will just resize this pic :-)

Hey that was Jay Lawrence from Paekakakakakarikikikikikiki trying out the new Conti Sport Attacks they warm up from about 4 degrees and sure stood up to the abuse... that boy got no respect...

**kiwifruit** · 3rd August 2006, 20:28

Originally Posted by baldwookie

Hey that was Jay Lawrence from Paekakakakakarikikikikikiki trying out the new Conti Sport Attacks they warm up from about 4 degrees and sure stood up to the abuse... that boy got no respect...

Heya baldwookie, welcome to the site.
Jay sure has some wicked skills, and so young! He surely has alot ahead of him.
Myself and everyone else who saw him in action have nothing but resprect for him, thats for sure. (maybe a little envy

)
The conti tyres did really well, showed no signs of use, let alone being hammered round a half smooth half bumpy track!
We'd love to have Jay back at our trackdays in the future

http://www.motott.co.nz/Jay.JPG