Team Metalform Racing 12 September – Auckland Club Round 1 @ Pukekohe

[nicko]

Team Metalform Racing 12 September – Auckland Club Round 1 @ Pukekohe

The 2004/2005 Auckland Club Champs kicked off on Sunday the 12th of September at Pukekohe Park Raceway. Mike was unfortunately unable to make this round due to prior commitments but Nick was there to wave the Metalform Racing Flag. Here’s how he got on in a well run AMCC race meeting.

Nick Odermatt #80 Formula 1 and Formula 2

The first round of the Auckland Club Champs was held at our home track, Pukekohe in overcast and slightly breezy conditions. There was a bit of a tail-wind which made things interesting down the fast end of the back straight. The Formula 1 and 2 classes were combined but scored separately and we got through the 4 races even with a couple of oil spills so well done to the Auckland club for keeping the programme rolling.

I qualified in 6th spot which landed myself on the front row, the guys on the thousands were starting really well today so I didn’t quite manage the holeshot but on all but 1 race I got into 3rd spot into the first corner. Needless to say on every race I was in 5th or 6th spot by the end of the back straight as the thousands powered past with ease on the first lap! The tail-wind pushed up the top speed at the end of the straight so braking had to start slightly earlier, this must have caught a few of the thousand riders by surprise as at least 3 of them ran off the track at the hairpin (each held it upright and continued on to finish the race though so good to see nobody was hurt and no bikes damaged).

The races were fairly lonely after the 1st lap as the quick thousands were gapping about a second a lap on me. I was happy to hold off the rest of the F2 field and even a few of the 1000cc bikes for the remainder of the races. My quickest lap for the day was a 1.02.23, would have been good to break into the 1.01’s again but I was consistently in the 1.02’s which I was happy with for the day. The bike was performing and handling quite well except for losing traction over the hill which only seemed to get worse as the tyres wore down more.

I had a decent day and finished with 5ths or 6ths in the races and 1st out of the F2 bikes. One of the leading bikes ran out of gas on the last lap of one of the races so was a nice bonus to gain a place in that race. Nick Cole on the ZX6 got quite close to me in the last race but I managed to ride a defensive last couple of laps and held him off to the finish line.

So not a bad start to the 4 round series and I’m in a good position for defending the F2 title as I ended up with maximum points in F2 for the day. I think I also finished 5th in F1 so not a bad result there against all the 1000’s. I’m stoked to be getting some good results to report on and thank my sponsors for giving me the opportunity to get them. The next Auckland club round is on the 3rd of October again at Pukekohe and I’ve got the final Vic club round on the 25th of September down at Manfield, I’ll be sure to let you know how I get on there.

Cheers,
Nicko


Team Metalform Racing would like to thank the following for their support:
Metalforming Technologies, Bike Torque Racing, Haldane Tyres, Il Woo Industries, Pacific Direct Lines, Corporate Design, Pacific Freight Management, Waikato Sandblasting Services, Armour Linings, Fredco Motors, Metzeler Tyres, FFM Helmets, GP Star Leathers, Nazran Gloves, Maxima, Izumi Race Chains, Forma Boots, Total lubricants

[Two Smoker]

Once again Nicko, you dont let us down on the awesome race report..... Yep i can vouch for the rear tyre looking abit tired.... All the best for 1:01's in October some of those bloody thousands we in the 59's

[LB]

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.Good write up Nick, thanks. Catch you at Manfeild in a couple of week's time.
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