VMCC Round 2
17th June 07
Round 2 started the day before as none of Bent Spanner had actually set a tyre on Manfeild before. Test day and I’m freezing cold (after not experiencing this cold since 2003) a cold breeze and the track surface is sufficiently cold. Wobbling out onto the track I discover exactly what Bruce had explained to me about the surface and lines. Lap 2 and I completely muck up the infield left, going wide I suddenly realise the track was way over to the left and I’m discovering the off road lane is smoother than the corner! Going out every second session, as my tyres were looking worse for wear I slowly figure out the corners and lap an ok 1:34. Roll on race day!
After a well needed good nights sleep Bent Spanner rock up to the track. A quick read of the program and my goal for the day changed to: be the fastest 400 in Clubman’s and a top 10 placing in Clubman’s B. I skipped scrub in as usual.
Practice/Qualifying: Plan was to head out at the back, go slow for 2 laps, get some space and put in 2-3 good laps and come in. Cruised around for the first 2 laps, stoked my lines were smooth, discovered I had heaps of clear track in front and wound it up for 3 clear laps, everything clicked and was smooth, I managed a 1:29.326 in my 5th lap, stoked with 5 seconds off the day before and 19th on the grid, 0.005 behind the fastest 400 and just in front of Steven on his CBR. Unfortunately Tom on his VFR crashed during F3 qualifying so joined us in Clubman’s (Doh, as he is faster than me!)
Race 1: Starting from what seemed miles back on the grid, I got my best launch ever, breaking late, I headed up the middle through bigger bikes and realised I was right in the thick of it round T1, made it round after repeating Oh my! A lot! I had survived being in the middle of the bunch. Settling into a rhythm I found myself behind Vicki, 2 bikes pass us and I thought we were clear for the rest of the race till in the last lap Tom flies past me, I woke up from my complacency and chased him back down the straights, right behind him in the last corner I prayed I get my gear changes perfect, tucked my head as low as I could and slipped past him to finish 2nd by 0.033 of a second!
Phew! First VMCC race finished and I couldn’t believe it, 2nd place in Clubman’s B and a new PB of 1:27.419! Goal for next race, figure out how to get faster corner speed.
Race 2: Not such a good start as the flag dropped quick after I positioned on the grid, I’m in the middle of the pack again round T1 but down a few places. With Vicki in front and Tom right behind, I struggled with my gearing as Tweety didn’t like changing to 4th or 5th at all and a few missed gears let Tom leave me for dust. Struggling with race tactics of a Hyosung I lost my concentration but managed to stay on his tail to finish 5th in Clubman’s B. Set a new PB of 1:27.176 two seconds off qualifying so pretty happy with that. After a short chat with Vicki about race tactics my goal for race 2 was to not let the Hyobag get to me and whip his ass for scaring me
Race 3: Sitting in the dummy grid, it’s spitting and Andy comes across to tell me its hailing on the track, eek and its shortened to 4 laps! Knowing Tom wont catch me in that time my goal is to stay in front of Steven to get a podium. The chalk grid lines are gone and I’m slowly pulling up to find my place and the flag drops and I’m still near the back! Pinning it I see bikes breaking as far back as the pit wall, I’m thinking, what tha? And break late, turning behind Vicki and an SRAD. The next 3 laps are a blur Steven and I holding corner speed and passing them, and them in turn passing us on the straights it was the best racing I have ever had! Coming to the flag, I just didn’t have enough speed to keep up and ended up SRAD, Vicki, me then Steven. Buzzing after the best race of my life I pull into the pits. No PB’s but man what a blast! Result: OMG, I had placed first. I’m still in shock, a second podium
So after my first real round of VMCC result was 2nd, 5th and 1st, which placed me 1st overall in clubman’s B by 1 pointwith Tom and Steven close behind, I'm still in disbelief. Thank you both for some great racing! Was great to see ArcherWC out there, Jimmy you’re the man and Aria kicking Butt too!! Well done VMCC for running another tight ship, props to the crash crew and timing people, your efficiency blows me away. See you next month!
Big thanks to Eddy and Jono, my Bent Spanner Racing teammates and Andy and Logan the mighty VFR guru’s!
And many thanks to Dave from www.kiwibike.co.nz for your ongoing support and encouragement, check him out for all your insurance needs, including track days!
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Originally Posted by scracha
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