Superbike Title

[Robert Taylor]

Bugden is riding with confidence, Jones is a revelation & doing very well on the Pirellis, Stroud appears to be struggling with set-up & his point n squirt style is not pulling the lap times, Craig is getting into the corners faster than any of them but looks to be chasing set up for grip coming out, Cudlin i thought would go better than he has - but dont discount him to mix it with the front three in the last two rounds. Looks like we wont get to see Sam unfortunatly with his injury.
I still want any kiwi to win it (& its still possible), - its just statistically looking tough.

Lets totally take the guess work out of this.....Robbie is using exactly the same internal suspension spec ( at both ends )that we first developed with Craig and has been loathe to change it despite a couple of suggested mods that will allow him to go in deeper under brakes. This spec now suits Craig less and we are working on off corner drive, his style presents a bit of a challenge. Stroudy is VERY happy with his suspension and the settings are WAY different to the other GSXR pilots. Suffice that there has been an ''own goal'' with a totally different issue. Damien I think is still refocusing from endurance to sprint racing, whereby its all over in a flash.
I would have to say, watch out for Craig and Gareth. Its great having the international riders here and may there be many more in the future.

[k14]

Lets totally take the guess work out of this.....Robbie is using exactly the same internal suspension spec ( at both ends )that we first developed with Craig and has been loathe to change it despite a couple of suggested mods that will allow him to go in deeper under brakes. This spec now suits Craig less and we are working on off corner drive, his style presents a bit of a challenge. Stroudy is VERY happy with his suspension and the settings are WAY different to the other GSXR pilots. Suffice that there has been an ''own goal'' with a totally different issue. Damien I think is still refocusing from endurance to sprint racing, whereby its all over in a flash.
I would have to say, watch out for Craig and Gareth. Its great having the international riders here and may there be many more in the future.

Thats interesting to know. I wonder how the bikes compare engine wise?

One thing is for sure though, even he's an auzzie (Robbie) he's a class act on and off the track. Very approachable and friendly, great to have guys like that over here racing against us. Good luck to him I say.

[cowpoos]

Lets totally take the guess work out of this.....Robbie is using exactly the same internal suspension spec ( at both ends )that we first developed with Craig and has been loathe to change it despite a couple of suggested mods that will allow him to go in deeper under brakes. This spec now suits Craig less and we are working on off corner drive, his style presents a bit of a challenge. Stroudy is VERY happy with his suspension and the settings are WAY different to the other GSXR pilots. Suffice that there has been an ''own goal'' with a totally different issue. Damien I think is still refocusing from endurance to sprint racing, whereby its all over in a flash.
I would have to say, watch out for Craig and Gareth. Its great having the international riders here and may there be many more in the future.

Thanks Robert....but what I wanna know is...how did those kawasakis go at phillip Island??? what is your first impressions of the new chassis? what style of rider do you see it suiting??

BTW...I've heard through the grapevine your doing MORE than a outstanding job with the Riders at the national champs...in terms of effort and support!!

[HDTboy]

Thats interesting to know. I wonder how the bikes compare engine wise?

Ray said he built them all the same when I asked him.

[codgyoleracer]

Lets totally take the guess work out of this.....Robbie is using exactly the same internal suspension spec ( at both ends )that we first developed with Craig and has been loathe to change it despite a couple of suggested mods that will allow him to go in deeper under brakes. This spec now suits Craig less and we are working on off corner drive, his style presents a bit of a challenge. Stroudy is VERY happy with his suspension and the settings are WAY different to the other GSXR pilots. Suffice that there has been an ''own goal'' with a totally different issue. Damien I think is still refocusing from endurance to sprint racing, whereby its all over in a flash.
I would have to say, watch out for Craig and Gareth. Its great having the international riders here and may there be many more in the future.

Hey Robert , If you give them all a set up as good as my Ohlins, they should all be smiling.............:-)
Fully agree on the oversees riders " more the merrier" - But, GO THE KIWIS !

[Robert Taylor]

Thanks Robert....but what I wanna know is...how did those kawasakis go at phillip Island??? what is your first impressions of the new chassis? what style of rider do you see it suiting??

BTW...I've heard through the grapevine your doing MORE than a outstanding job with the Riders at the national champs...in terms of effort and support!!

When I got to Philip Island Ohlins assigned me to look after Gil Motorsport, a Kawasaki 600 Supersport team with riders Katsu Fujiwara and Chris Walker. I did not get involved with the Kwaka Superbike team. For 4 near 15 hour days we tested and laboriously tested different internal front fork valving settings and the same for TTX36 rear.

I was also give a couple of TTX shocks to revalve for Foret and Parkes ( R6 ) What I can categorically state is that with the 600s the TTX shocks are exactly what the average Kiwi biker can buy except that the factory teams have a wider choice of ''inbetween '' spring rates'' and some trick retaining collars. Also valve bodies with integrated type clickers for quick service turnround. But function is exactly the same. Datalogging is of course standard and some level of same should be considered in NZ racing, if only to cut down expenditure on tyres.

The Superbikes of course have more trick stuff available. For example the works Yamaha team have ( to add to tuning confusion ) 30 or more different rear links for the R1.

The Ohlins race engineers really earn their money for the hours they put in and I can say that my brief snapshot of doing it was the busiest I have ever been. One delight was successfully introducing one of the Swedish engineers to vegemite!

[Robert Taylor]

Hey Robert , If you give them all a set up as good as my Ohlins, they should all be smiling.............:-)
Fully agree on the oversees riders " more the merrier" - But, GO THE KIWIS !

Just keep building those points, even if it means not getting to the top step!

[HDTboy]

One delight was successfully introducing one of the Swedish engineers to vegemite!

I thought you liked the swedes

[Robert Taylor]

I thought you liked the swedes

Well this one likes me even more!