Where to start?
Got to the track nice and early to convert the new toy to 520 chain and gear it down a bit, managed to get that done, and chuck the slicks on for a mad panic dash to get out for the scrub in session, I was dead keen to get out there, having never ridden, or even seen my bike completeed in the flesh. Felt real good, except the lock nut wasn't done up on the gear selecter linkage, so I couldn't change gear after half a lap.
Qualifying supersport.
Couple slow laps to learn a wee bit about the bike, and remember the track, then start to pick up the pace, in a uncharacteristic moment of maturity, I followed the advice of my lady, and took it easy to get the hang of the bike, came in 16th. Wasn't really worried, I had pretty much written the day off as test time.
Superbike qualify.
Sped up a bit for this, but didn't want to do anything silly, came in 15th.
SS race 1
Shit start, still have no idea how to launch with the dry clutch, went well backwards in the placings, scary as hell coming into turn one, it would seem that the entire field had stopped for coffe or something, rode past quite a few in the next couple turns, and decided to sit behind Gav and a couple others to learn some lines, but Gavs bike was all over the track like a mad womans shit, with what looked like some very exciting suspension concerns, and the other two blokes were taking different lines to each other, so nothing learned, nothing gained. Finished 11th I think.
SB 1
Crap start again, and an even bigger standing still race in turn one, spent some time trying stuff out on the bike, and was totally astonished at it's capabilities, then found myself one spot back from Ed, finished there in 11th again I think.
SS 2
Shit start, dont remember much else, think I finished better.
SB 2
Worse start, but the fuck up that is turn one for the first time in a race saw me come out further up the grid, and quite close to Ed and some ZX10, cool, lets give the stylist a wee scare. Sat behind for a bit, poked the nose up to let him know I was there, and nabbed the ZX10 and waited for my moment, found it on the last lap coming over the rise into turn five, ducked under and got on the power the way a thou cant, knowing I was quicker round the corners after the hairpin, but for some reason I tipped in too late and ran wide, Ed passed on the wee fast bit before the sweaper, but I went the inside line again and pushed him damn near off the track, at which point the ZX10 I'd forgotten about went past us both. Then, predictably, Ed made very light work of riding past me on the straight. Finished there with no idea of placing.
THE BIKE!!! I cannot even begin to explain how awesome it is, so positive in everything I want it to do, it changes direction before I've even thought about it, brakes soooo much harder than I thought possible. And go!!! I was very surprised to find myself quicker down the straght than a couple up to date 600 inlines, and exceedingly stoked!
A huge thanks to KTL motorcycles, and Rob and Cherry Taylor for giving me this wicked piece of kit. The Anglo American motorcycle club for their support, and help in the pits, you guys are super cool. My gorgeous girl Vicki, for more than I'll put on public forum, and evrything you did to help with the bike (Yeah yeah yeah, I should have believed you when you said how great the Ducati is), Kerry for all your work on the bouncy bit, the bike felt mint, and better with every tweak you made, so many others that helped and gave support.
I had buckets of fun, and I'm really looking forward to giving the bike a push, to see what it's actually like when I'm racing.
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Originally Posted by White trash
) and you passing me gave me a shake up, funny huh the old story of two dogs fighting over a bone" and a zx10 slips the gap" (thought for sure i was binning it when i was heading towards the dirt coming out of the sweeper onto the backstraight)
)
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