Bucket racing at Taupo 06

[fallofalot]

Despite being an old bastard and often living up to my reputation (fallofalot), Decided to take the bucket to Taupo. Never ridden a track larger than Mt Welly Kart club track, so expected to make a total pratt of myself.

Geared up the bike as tall as I could, figured the buckets would be slow as, on the big track. As it happens the track is awesome and me and the missus (Granma) had a fantastic time. The Prelim race on Saturday was a bit of a disaster with a lot of confusion at the flag drop, because of a mixed classes start, and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Duh! The tall gearing cost me dearly getting off the line losing 5 or 6 places into the first corner. But once I got the little CB 125 wound up I didn’t do too badly.

Race day had the same problems getting off the line every time and got creamed. But the little twins handling has been set up sweet as, The Dunlop slicks were superb and gave me a real edge on the corners, had a real battle in race 1 with Simon on Bike 46 swapping positions 4 or 5 times before just nailing him for 3rd place on the last corner into the straight.
Race 2 was just as close had great run against number 11 Rob Willis, bloody hard to get past him (and stay there), my mid range suffering with the gearing. With race leader number 27 pulling out with mechanical probs on the last lap I gave the poor little 125 twin a right hiding through the last part of the track to just stay in front of Rob on number 11.
Last race my usual pathetic effort off the grid, Ended up near the back of the pack into corner 1. In with a good chance for a trophy spot rode the Honda to it’s limits and probably beyond, another awesome battle with number 11 took me a while to get past him. I finally got round him in lap 4. He kept a lot of pressure on. I nearly lost it on the last lap exiting turn 7, swinging wide and riding the judder bar gave me a real scare. Finished with me and the bike in one piece, and took home the trophy for 2nd place.

Great riding by all the bucket riders, putting faces to names, made the event one to remember.

Cheers to all bucket riders. Granma for moral support, and John Connor for helping me build the bike.

Not forgetting all those that organised and helped run the event. Fantastic job well done everyone involved. Definitely looking forward to next year.

Have some pics we will post as soon as we sort out the best of them…

[Sketchy_Racer]

Good stuff man!!

That number 27 is a a fast one aye!!!

[ajturbo]

you were fast out there matey.... but when are you going to let the boss out for a blat??????

sorry i wasn't much competion for you...
but it was great to see you out there doing it for the older generation!!!

[fallofalot]

I'm not that old ya cheeky b'stard... Lol

AJ, You might save some gas money running on one cylinder, but if you get the old GT running on both maybe it will keep up with the rest of us.. Ha Ha

Granma' s pretty keen to have a go next time, she's already talking about next christmas. It was our first meet so we wanted to see the track and how things are done, scrutineering, rules etc

That number 27 was real quick, didn't have a hope of catching him. Think he blew a piston in the 2nd race. Couldn't believe it when I passed him going into the back straight. Not that I like to see anyone blow a motor of course...

[F5 Dave]

. . Not that I like to see anyone blow a motor of course...

I remember this joke about someone blowing a seal, but this is a family orientated site so. . .

Poor thing sucked something through the engine, not sure what it was, looks like main bearing cage as there is thin sharp marks on the head & piston, but both big & small end are fine & there is no crunching when spinning it over with the top off. More of a strip down required. Maybe someone just fed some shrapnel into the carb some wag suggested, but I don't consider that honestly.

Least the bore & big end seem savable at this stage.

Good to meet you & your missus in the weekend + a few others I didn't manage to catch names for.

[ajturbo]

I'm not that old ya cheeky b'stard... Lol

AJ, You might save some gas money running on one cylinder, but if you get the old GT running on both maybe it will keep up with the rest of us.. Ha Ha

Granma' s pretty keen to have a go next time, she's already talking about next christmas. It was our first meet so we wanted to see the track and how things are done, scrutineering, rules etc

That number 27 was real quick, didn't have a hope of catching him. Think he blew a piston in the 2nd race. Couldn't believe it when I passed him going into the back straight. Not that I like to see anyone blow a motor of course...

i had fun... are there any results yet?...
was talking to Andrew the other night.. he told me how he managed to "WIN"... he was the first bucket to cross the line after the flag.....(it didn't seam to matter that he was 3rd to LAST bucket at the time)

[Skunk]

...that he was 3rd to LAST bucket at the time

Shit man, you just can't keep quiet can you?

Good to meet you fallofalot and grandma. I might be quicker next time (but probably not).

[fallofalot]

Likewise skunk always good to meet new faces at the track. We are already looking forward to next year.

If you fellas are ever up in Auck, Try out the Mt Wellington track we have a meet once a month. Can find ya's a place to sleep if you need.

Jeees I thought Skunk must have been so fast I didn't even see him past me.. Lol

There are some great pics of everyone at
http://www.bike-photos.com/index.asp

Chris Lawrence came over to my place over the weekend. There was talk of possibly longer races next year and over the two days !!!

The final 3 placings were
1st Steve Hillier (yours truly)
2nd Rob Willis
3rd Simon Yule

Go the Jaffas
(Til next time)

[F5 Dave]

Gee I'm right out of the points, but I guess that was inevitable (esp as the bike I rode in the last race had a different number), still to finish first first you must, um, well, I dunno - blah blah, something boring. . .

Hatching a plan in the shower this morning for coming up to the next Auckland 2 hour, should be November again. Will contact Darrin to see if he is keen. Him & Elliot nearly won it on a 50, erm 10years ago but DaveD just beat them. I've come 2nd before & won the wgtn 2hr.

PS: on an Auckers note young Avalon won her class at Invergiggle.

[fallofalot]

Thanks for the update Dave.

At only just 14 Avalon is a very talented young rider, one to keep a close eye on over the next couple of years.

Well done Avalon !!