Thursday night after the drive to Fielding I set eyes on my completed Ducati for the first time. I couldn't believe what an amazing job everyone had done on the bike. When Rob from Anglo American handed over me the key I had to make the excuse of having dust in my eyes.
TEST DAY....rode the bike for the first time expecting to have a few teething probs as it hadn't been tested yet since arriving damaged from Japan. Everything seemed fine engine wise but the clutch didn't feel right, and on inspection back in the pits we found our dry clutch was leaking oilfound some loose bolts inside it and figured it was the problem. The handling of the bike blew me away, after riding the Aprilia like a squid coz it liked to steer it's own line off the tarmac out of most corners, this 749 is pure magic!
QUALIFYING... took off still taking it easy and getting to know the bike (didn't want to bin it on my first weekend and see grown men....and me cry) I tried to start putting power down, but the the clutch was slipping badly again and I just couldn't get enough drive out of the corners. Qualified 15th with times around 1:24's
RACE ONE... Clutch had got worse and I was loosing more drive, struggling to get past Dave on the Hyosung down the straights I knew something was definately wrong but just tried to work on getting my corner speed up for the rest of the race. Finished around 7th I think with times in the 1:22's and 3's.
Oil was leaking through the clutch cover badly when I got back to the pits and that, on a bike with a dry clutch had me concerned I should have come in earlier...."oh hell.......Ive broke my clutch" $$$$$$$$$$.Clutch was pulled apart to find O'rings were perished letting the oil seep through and all over the clutch plates
'never fear'....the crew told me, and new o'rings and lots of brake clean later she was all sweeeeeeeeet.
RACE TWO (a)... A better start and LOTS more drive let me get through from into 6th place on the first lap, had a battle with Aria as she came up on my inside so put my head down and decided it was time to forget the Aprilia's bad habits, have some faith, and shake some arse! Battled with some others, had a blast, race got red flagged, but finished 5th doing 1:20's came in for the re-start...man it was hot! sitting on the grid, leathers all stuck to ya YUK!
RACE TWO(b)... Much better start, went from Position 15 on the grid to 2nd place in lap one, got a bit of a gap on the field for a bit I think, was working on getting smoother and brakeing a little later each corner, but then oh NO!!! where the hell did they come from.....A big black Duke suddenly pounced on me and near cut me off the sweeper...(I'll get you back) and I did!!!
, but not the other bike that sneaked past, however the race was redflaged and the positions were called from the prior lap. So I held 2nd place for that race. STOKED!
RACE THREE...Aimed to repeat the last race. Got off the grid ok, (need to work on my launches the duke has a high first gear)...Couldn't get through the field so well this time and the front runners got away. Had an awsome battle with Aria for a couple of laps (that was awesome fun Aribum) I had my sights set on the Kwaka ahead and somehow I managed to get away, caught the ZX6 and had some great battles (thanks dude....I'll get you next time!!!!) and finished the line in 5th. With a personal best ever laptime of 1:19.8.
I couldn't have dreamed of a better first weekend with my new partner in crime. Its the most beautiful bike to ride, it's so planted, and it rides on rails. the suspension, brakes, and whole dam package has so much to teach me. and i cant wait.
I have to say 'Luke'.....well done lil bro Mair!! your stomping out there in such a short time
I cant find enough words to thank all my sponsors. Kerry (KTL bikes), Rob and Cherry,Grant,Terry (Anglo American Motorcycle Club), Kerry from Ohlins, Jimbo for risking his life to take pics! VMCC for such an amazing lot of work they do. And the crazy awesome Drew, for your determination in getting my bike ready for this round.
...even though you make me feel so blardy slow out there after watchin you ride anything and everything so DAM fast!!!
And to all my fantastic supportive friends! your awsome
I have just had the most fun on a racetrack ever. I'm really looking forward to more time on the Duc so he can teach me to ride like he should be ridden
Roll on Taupo!
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Originally Posted by flame
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