First of all what a awesome,great four days!!! Flew down on thursday and got picked up by Shaun,Chris and Cloie and found Shaun had set us up in a large pit shed, the only shed. Wow!, we were pitted in the perfect spot. My bike was all set up and ready to go, i was thinking this is what Rossi feels like!.
The track looked fast and was 2.57ks long and i thought it was really well laid out.
Practice on the Friday was just a blast! The weather good but a little windy but me being a fat bastard, had no probs keeping a good line. I lost count how many times i went out, i think around 6/8.
The front straight about the length of Taupo's long straight but the first corner, the loop is just so awesome, i had my knee down almost the first lap all the way around and as i came around the corner heading into catrol i just had to chuckel, what a blast!! The rest of the day was spent leaving more rubber on the track and the evening a few beers to talk shit.
Qualifying, the rain was coming down in buckets but i was keen to get out and try my new wets. Very nervous i made my way out on the track but Shaun had told me just ride nice and smooth and you can ride 90% almost as fast as if in the dry. Well he wasn't wrong, After 2 laps i was almost at my race pace, at one stage i was thinking about getting my knee down but thought better of it as i had water proofs over my leathers. I qualifed 11th very happy.
1st round . a good start and after the first lap i was in 7th catching i think Glen Williams on his 650. The only trouble was the track was bone dry and i had wets on and all i could think off was how my tyres will be well rooted after the race. I found the odd patch of water but i could feel my tyres going off and as i was coming around into Castrol insted of finding forth gear i missed and found neutral, i was riding on the edge of the track staying in the little strip of water on the left hand side. I did not stay on the track and put bike and head under the gravel!! The bike has lost the shiny new look and my neck is as stiff as a board, so a DNF for me.
2nd round . Not a bad start again and sat behind Gary Pendleton for most of the race.Finished 12th. Time 1.10
3rd round. Same sort of start but a little faster over all and had a real battle with Oren Mizrahi on his Kawasaki . Finished 10th. time 1.09
Had ago at Spirit of speed and had a blast finishing 11th . time 1.10 so as you can tell, a very exciting four days. I would like to say thanks to all that helped put my bike back on the track after my crash and a special thanks to my mate Shaun, this man worked like a nutter all day long!! It is great to be apart of one huge family, this is a very special sport indeed. Roll on round two!!14th in the champs. Leathers and gloves supplied by Quasi Moto and are doing a great job. Thanks Bret.
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