SUZUKI NZ TRACK DAY 28th OCTOBER

[SuperDave]

Name sure rings a bell, just couldn't recall it at the time of posting. I like his bike, the flouro yellow looks mean.

[Leong]

What a great day, first couple of sessions a little damp, otherwise a perfect day. They ran four groups and each got four twenty minute sessions. About twenty per group but as we were using "Track 4" ie full track including chicane linking new track to old there was plenty of room.

My new Pilot Powers worked fine and didn't shred like the BT014s I had previously. Had a go at firming up the suspension and noticed the difference. Paul and Jill, I got up to 234km/h on the straight (according to my video) so I guess 260 on your machine (ridden better too) is more than likely. Thanks for the petrol too.... I only had one liter left in the tank when I fuelled up immediately after, so would have run out without your help!!

Looking forward to this weekend... heres a video of a lap of "track 4" (not sure whether we're using track 1 or 4 next weekend) for those who want a heads up for TD4

[robertydog]

Geat video. Well done. Cant wait for for my first track day theis weekend

[GIXser]

nice vid bro"

[Cajun]

This day was a good day over all, though it was gonna be a wet one, was raining from tokora thru to just out of taupo.
Arrived at track at 8.30, unloaded the 3 bikes, and setup.

Breifing was at 9, and was told novice group was first out on track. There was alot of standing water on the track in this session, and was threating to rain the whole time, only one little woops moment heading in final corner before start/finsh straight, touch a wet white line.

There was a little light drizzle in the first fast session, then after that the sun came out, and wind was there, and time our next session came out track was dry.

Over all the day was good for me, i was using it more of a training to see how far lean the bike over, and how it feels leant over while trying different things. Had few problems in my last session, with the rear end wanting to come around to meet the front, as soon as got on gas out of a corner, think traced that down to to higher tire pressure.

[loosebruce]

Mint day for sure, turned up not really knowing what the weather was going to do i had been lazy and not bothered with warmers or bringign wets along so going out in the first session was interesting with bit of light drizzle and lot of damp patches on the track, had a brand new front to scrub in, went alright.
Second session came along and it was dry all over i had all the road fairings on the GSXR so i was in the mindset i wasn't going t go too hard maybe touch the 1.40's but Geoth Booth got past me while i was trying to get heat into my tyres and yea the old red rag to the bull i was off (sorry eddy) i never got any lap times but man i felt good out there i knew i was going faster than round 6 racing, i'd be confident enough to say i was somewhere in the low 38's happily. Made a few changes on the bike, can't wait to get the brakes fully sorted and with new rubber on i should be able to drop even more time off. Heard Craig talking 36's seem acheivable, Stroud was pitting next to us and was cool guy to talk too, he wnated to drop in behind me at some point, so was looking forward to that. The changes i made to the bike mainly gearing and 1/4 turn throttle, the gearing worked really well in some areas but not so well in others, so another look at my gearing is in order.
Last session went out and i knew Shirrifs was a few bikes behind me on the start so i had my head down but never ended up hooking up with Stroud, back in the pits and with a medium session heading out asked if me and Stroud could go out in it and we could so we went out for a play, that was cool following him and then him following me it was hard to string together any quick laps as you could imagine being in the medium group but was awesome none the less.
Stroud commented on a few things of my riding, nothing that i could improve greatly on just experiance and pushing that little bit more here and there, he was impressed with how hard i went into some corners ( one he thought i was going off the track i was so hot into but hauled it up and did it every time lol).
Riding with him have taught me a few things, i think the biggest difference is that Stroud can do the corner that fast everytime where as i'm still little hit and miss sometimes, a little work on consistency on my behalf coudl see very good lap times, maybe the 20+ years Stroud has been racing is a differnce as well lol, my mindset has changed towards the top national riders as well, i'm no longer in awe when they come past me and wishing i was that fast, now it's more "grrrrr come here" they still pull away from me but they're i'm getting closer and closer, still have much respect for them, but i'm in racing to be the best i can be and hopefully beat a couple guys while i'm at it.

Was great to catch up with so many familar faces and meet some new, MikeyG in particular, mate how much fun were you having? On ya for getting out there mate, catch you and a lot of other peeps next weekend.

[MikeyG]

On the subject of photos did anyone get one of me. I was in the novice group on the GN250. I need proof that I did it.

[emaN]

...The changes i made to the bike mainly gearing and 1/4 turn throttle, the gearing worked really well in some areas

tho't you'd done something,cos you weren't 'bouncing' as you normally do down pit straight...

so we went out for a play, that was cool following him and then him following me it was hard to string together any quick laps as you could imagine being in the medium group but was awesome none the less.

and i got a perfect lesson in what it's like to take Turn 4 at a decent pace.
i was set up & lined up for it, so was able to watch you go thru' then stroudy followed your EXACT line a bike length behind ya...it was wikkid!

[emaN]

KIWI RIDER MAGAZINE TRACK DAY
In association with SUZUKI NZ.

...for owners of Suzuki sport bikes for only $30...

an RF wouldn't come under this description, per chance? an RF with a gixxer tail, that is...

[kiwifruit]

Nice Vid Leong

[chris]

Thanks to all those who came along. We hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did.

Chris

[SuperDave]

Anyone know who the guy on the 650 motard was?

[GIXser]

Good day had by me..!
couple of things to mention are" definately Bruces riding has improved thousand fold" i remember riding with bruce a year and a bit ago ( on the road mind you), seeing that fella on the track, is inspiring to say the least, and it shows you what a person is capable of " providing you have the skills,hardware , and cahunies" in saying that hardware is probabl;y least of all, as Andy ( aka death inc) made some impressive turns and times and , well to put it bluntly put me, to shame,! proving my point that hardware is all well and good , but ya need the skills..

i think im gonna get into trackdays a little more, due to the fact its a pretty safe environment, and just a fun day out,
cheers to the chaps who gave me some useful information,

[WRT]

Fairly late to be asking this, but who was taking the photos there? Keen to see if anyone got any pics of me that turned out ok, I was on the red/silver RSVR.

[chris]

Fairly late to be asking this, but who was taking the photos there? Keen to see if anyone got any pics of me that turned out ok, I was on the red/silver RSVR.

Andrew Bright was his name. Contact details at www.ultrapix.co.nz