Torque's Nationals

[Torque]

Back from the Nationals and with a sense of relief really that it is over! Doing the nationals, all five rounds has been quite a comittment on funds, time and on the body.
The racing has been fantastic though and meeting and making new friends has been a very special time. I have been involved in other sports at national level and found myself way too tense and left the sport because of it.
Racing bikes at F3 level is a blast , sure we are competive but i can't remember laughing and joking just before the start of an event at any other national sport , not saying the nerves are not there , in fact the last race at Pukekohe i had the shits from being nervous!.
F3 is a great class and i got to race with all 37 that entered the nationals. What i liked about F3 is after crashing my bike 3 times ,2 DNFs, another rider/s in the class would help get you back on the track.
I liked the fact after a race quite a few of us would go around , talk and have a laugh about what went down in the race ,even give tips on bike set up to improve handling for the next race.
The wealth of knowledge is fantastic at national level and what's great is other riders will readly share it with you.
The nationals for me has been very rewarding and worthwhile and have given me something to plan and look forward to for next year.
I went into the nationals hoping to get in the top 15 but after the south island rounds i realised i had a chance (if i stayed on the bike) to get in the top 10- and i did just that. I now have the number 10!!
I am already working on ideas for the bike and have got a van this week.
I would like to say a big thank you to Shaun Harris for all your help,the tools and the time, Chris and Chloe, Thank you Bret,Quasi moto leathers for the race suit that did it's job!
Thanks to Gary Pendleton, Richard Newbery, Craig Green, Oren Mizrahi, Michael Sissons, Jill Clendon for all the very close racing and laughs we had doing the nationals and all the riders and friends that helped me.
Not forgetting the Major sponsors-Ssangyong and MNZ and all the amazing volunteers that gave up time for the nationals to happen.
Finally a very big thanks to My wife Margot and my son Alex for making some big sacrifices for me to do all 5 rounds.

[GSVR]

Well done Rob. It was really good to see how you and other riders I know went especailly down south.

First round of the Vic Series is only about 8 weeks away and I hope to make it and see how I fair against you guys now you have this experience.

[Keystone19]

Fantastic effort Rob - was awesome racing with you. Can't wait for the next one...

[Torque]

Thanks Garry, thanks Jill. Very impressive riding Jill, well done.

[Nicksta]

awesome Rob!!
was cool watching you out there... very proud of your top 10 at your first shot at the nationals!

[Shaun]

Rob, a big part of this years plessure for me has been watching you progress as well as your humour.

I have really enjoyed my time with you, it has been great working with some one who has the true sportsman mentallity.

Thankyou as well for the use of your vehicle to get the race trailer around the tracks, without you, it never would have happened!

You and Jill have proven what some one with commitment can do

Big ups to both of you

Now I am going to order more SV stuff to build more of those bikes to more peeps on them

[Torque]

Cheers Shaun, more SVs is the way to go!

[Steve_R6R]

Good effort,
Thanks for bringing my bike over
Great write up and congradulations on you new number
See ya at the track

[feral1]

well done torque,
was cool to race in F3 with you at the Ruapuna round and the NZGP. well done dude, i would love to run the whole nats next year too. see you out there next year.

Cheers
Feral

P.S. sorry i couldn't find a water tap for you at Teratonga rnd for you to wash down the SV after your off. I looked, but all the water was off...

[Torque]

Thanks guy's , will be back next year. Loved the south islands tracks, can't wait to get back. Cheers Rob

[slowpoke]

Sounds like lotsa fun was had by all, great to see at this level. It was good watching you gods and godesses (yes, that's an official MNZ term for all those in the top 10) at Manfeild too. Well done!