Hey everyone.
Well it was time to head back out to Pukekohe. It was the first time I have ridden the Kawasaki there. My goals were simple for this round. To push my limits and develop the bike.
I spent Saturday testing the bike and with the help of my trusty pit crew, Gav Noel and I with guidance from Kerry Dukie, got the basic geometry set up on the ZX6R.
Sunday:
F1 Qualifying: We were set up at the very end of the pits, the first call came up for F1, but apparently it was also the last call. All of a sudden we saw F1 bikes going to down the front straight. I missed the first 3 valuable laps. I quickly got out there, scrubbed in my new tyres, then started to put my head down and get some times down. But too late, the chequered flag was out and I had qualified 8th with a slow low 1:03.
F2 Qualifying: Well I wasn't late this time to the dummy grid. Shot out first in the pack. Got some nice clean laps in. I felt really comfortable but wasnt happy with the speed through turn one and its compliance through the same corner. Qualified on Pole with a new PB of 1:01.5. With Nick Cole in 2nd with a low 1:02.
F1 Race 1: With some advice from Robert Taylor, Gav and I made some adjustments to the front end. Got an average start and quickly went around the outside of 4 bikes in turn one. Slotted in behind Nick Cole, and quickly picked him off. Focused on what the bike was doing in corners and where I needed to pick up the pace. Was doing consistent 1:01's and low 1:02's.
F2 Race 1: Got a better start but not good enough. Nick closed the gap on me and I got pushed back into 4th place. Quickly slotted into 2nd and started to have a good dice with Nick. We were elbow to elbow literally going around the kink on the back straight at 270-280kmh, pure exhilaration!!! We kept passing each other down the back straight using each others draft. Then going into the hairpin I went to out brake Nick. He started to tip in and I braked as hard as I could, the back end shot out sideways by a huge amount. I then fishtailed it under brakes before composing myself enough to go around the hairpin. I then got on the gas way to early and the rear tyre let go, the bike gave a good shake and then it was back to business. I got past the two bikes that had passed me during my "moment" and settled in working on my riding and closing the gap on Nick. But the 8 laps finished too quickly and I finished in 2nd.
F1 Race 2: Got an ok start, but Phil Duxbury pushed me a bit wide in turn one. Got stuck behind Jimmy Mair. The changes Gav and I had made to the front end were too harsh and I couldnt push it too hard. Finished 8th
F2 Race 2: Got a decent start this time, with the front just hovering off the ground. Backed off the dampening a bit too much and the front was a bit too soft. Had a little dice with Nick and finished the race first.
F1 Race 3: With advice in mind from Robert Taylor, Gav and I went in a different direction with the front end. It felt good and I wanted to push it harder, but I was getting held up in the corners by the 1000's and watching them disappear like I was standing still on the straights. Finished 7th.
F2 Race 3: This being a developing day, Gav and I went a bit softer. Got a pretty good start, let the clutch out a bit to much and the top of the rev range and had the front wheel 2 feet in the air. Bit of a wrong call on the front end and I didnt feel comfortable pushing it too hard. Had Kyle Key right on my tail the whole race. He tried to pass me into turn one. I felt his fairing on my leg, but I held my postion. Crossed the line in first.
All in all it was a successful day. We made some headway in developing the bike for nationals. Im looking forward to doing more development work at the next round.
I would like to thank, Chloe for her support, Gav and Noel for their work in the pits, Robert Taylor and Kerry Dukie from Ohlins, Continental Tyres, DID Chains, Engine Specialties, Bays Carpainters, Signsation Signs, Mt Eden Motorcycles and Trev for supplying the bike.
Cheers, Chris
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Originally Posted by HondaLad
, I too kinda have a curvy figure which makes it worse beacuse im a guy. Well the waist kinda goes in and the bum pushes out. When I was in college the girls in my year would slap me on the arse and squeeze because apparently it is firm, tight...
I wear jeans
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