OK, so the title isn't strictly true...
First and Foremost, much in the way of thanks to Paul, you sir, are a gem of a man!
With a fair few changes to the mighty GSXR 600, and a Puke test day on friday I was dialing in some of said suspension changes, and left not entirely comfortable on the bike, but thought, bah, what the heck, just ride it...
So I did!
Campaigned succesfully at riders breifing to be allowed to have one ten minute practice per class, rather than the usual 2 5 minute ones, which sees racing start after lunch, and 4 practices when entered in 2 classes just seems wrong!
Got out on the track... noticed a few of my old braking markers were no longer relevant, eg the seal change on the start finish for turn 1, and now they have sealed the run off of turn one, you have to be mighty careful to look where you want to go, not where you could go!
Seemed like racing was flying up on us.
Seeing as I held the lead on points for F1, I thought I better pull out the stops for this race.
I was half relieved, and half dissapointed to see Geoffrey Booth turn up. He has been consistantly a lot faster than me at the nationals, but I recall beating him around the new track at taupo on the odd occasion.
At least I had someone to run with/against, so decided to make the best of it.
I couldn't shake the feeling that it felt just like another track day, and didn't really click into competitive mode at all during the day, which is a bit unfortunate, but the end results were still pleasing.
Race one, and I mangled the start, Geoff and Jason, and some other monkey were into turn one faster than I. didn't like the idea of Jason beating me after all this time doing the nationals, so at the first opportunity, in the sweeper, I tried to take him on the inside. Got close enough to do it, but was a bit too keen, dropped the brakes in a hell of a hurry, and gave it a huge handful.
Smooth is the key apparently. Heres why. I went for a slide. Front end dropped out with the suspension returning after braking, and the gas input, while my knee slider was still on the ground. I hit the ground too. Sonofabitchundies.
Ran over, quickly checked the bike over, nothing major (not even levers!!) tried to start it. Couldn't. Tip over switch had been activated. Ignition off and on, and start moving.
50 odd seconds must have passed, Because I had to wait for the three in front (Geoff, Mike Greyling and Jason) and another bunch to go before I could get back on the track. Wheelied away, eventually caught Mike, (not before pissing someone off severely on the hairpin, he crashed, I went to apologise, but he said I wasn't the main reason he went down, Phew!!) but the race was over before I had the chance to try and unlap myself.
Got back into the pits. Pissed off. Pulled my thumb out of my arse, and vowed that Jason wouldn't get me again that day (caveat, in F1, I wasn't too worried about F2).
Retrospect says I should have thought the same about Geoff, but I am still learning the mental side of the game.
Went out in F2, I wasn't taking that very seriously, as I knew I was sitting 11th or so in the placings. Got up to second, to have Kyle Key come past, and then two motards try and take me down. Couldn't be arsed playing contact sports that day (khuns of motard riders, I would love one to race, but pick a class where people enjoy crashing into each other buddy) So settled back to take 5th.
Seemed like 5 seconds later the next F1 race is called. Put a bit of go go juice in the tank, and away again. Better start, straight into second, stuck on Geoffs tail, and stayed there. Should have pulled out the stops, but just didn't have the killer instinct firing.
Thats pretty much the story of the day, in one other race Jason got past on the start again, and using my terrific power, I caught him on the straight just past the start finish on the end of the first lap.
I decided to throw an F2 race, to get some practice in passing, started 5 metres back from the rest of the pack, (pack is definitly not a misnomer at the pacific series) and had the most awesome start (probably because I could actually see the starter AND the track ahead, instead of one or other from the front row) Could have cut through to top 3, but decided not to, so hung back, and let a couple pass me again, then reeled them in slowly but surely. Props to Gavin, I caught up to him (dawdling hahaha) and then took me near a full lap to get him, by which time the checkered flag had come out, so from the very back of 20 plus starters to 6th, not a bad effort for holding me off Gav!
highlights of the day, F2, coming 5th, again, I suddenly see 5 riders in front of me. Huh?? I am confused. Pass the 5th one, its gav, and the bastidge is dropping dirt everywhere. It all makes sense now!! Then come around on another lap to see large nasty scrape marks and a rider trying to pick up their bike. Wait, its Gav, again!!
Lowlight of the day, Aside from me throwing it away, has to be Jason throwing it away. No fun beating you when you crash bro!!
All in all, the nationals has obviously done me some good, that might be the best thing about being lapped twice, you get to follow the fast guys for a little longer!! I really noticed the difference, Got to a fastest time of 40 .1 seconds, and apart from the crash, I really felt like I was dawdling all day!
Geoff, I'm coming for you bro!! LOL Good on ya.
Toast, good on you mate for giving it a go! Don't be afraid to take a little time to learn the craft of the track, you'll get there and do well eventually I am sure, but if you rush it, and throw it away too much, the money to fix the bike, or the scar tissue will run out!!
My best suggestion for you, Contact lenses. Peripheral vision is pretty damn important for those passes you are keen to make.
Road Rash and Momentum, another jolly good show, but for goodness sake, get down on the tanks on the straights!!
JahRasti, sorry I didn't have a bolt to fit man! hate when crap like that kills a day in the middle!
Jill - Trying to pinch my wets, what a hori!! LOL
Cleve - You highly valued opponent and team mate. Think all of team MaD had the lack of killer instinct that day, but good results none the less.
Paul - I love you man!!
AND
My Dear and Darling Wife, without whom, where would I be? Not on a racetrack!! She is the best reason one could have to bring the bike and ones body back in one piece! Thankyou so much my darling!
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Originally Posted by Dean
, I too kinda have a curvy figure which makes it worse beacuse im a guy. Well the waist kinda goes in and the bum pushes out. When I was in college the girls in my year would slap me on the arse and squeeze because apparently it is firm, tight...
I wear jeans
See you at Paeroa
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