AMCC rnd 2, Pukie does Drew.

[Drew]

Ok, so we fly up to Aukland Friday night, quickly throw the chain and sprocket on my bike and prep is done...
Test day on Saturday is taking a long time to get started, first session for fast is after lunch, I get one lap and my bike starts running funny, turns out a petrol line was coming off, so sort that and continue sitting around waiting, finally the next session is up and I'm dying to get some laps in. The bike is feeling real twitchy and tucking on every turn, too steep methinks with the different rear tyre profile, but it's two o'clock already I'll fix it at the end of the session...yeah right. Coming into turn one and I found a neutral in the gear box, not a corner to coast around at the best of times, so with too much steering angle, down I go in a cloud of dust and flying bodywork. I quickly hop up to asses the damage only to find my leg un willing to support my body, time for another lie down methinks.

So after some time that night nursing the sore leg, it's time to go change every lever, peg and bar on the bike, leaving just the radiator for Sunday morning. Onya for the help with that Jimmy.

Sunday morning, radiator arrives just intime and I get out for F2qualifying, first couple laps to reaquant with thte Duke behaving and time to turn it on, (fuckin breezy toward the end of the back straight with no fairing at all ya know), managed to bring it in 4th I was told but I think I was 8th so I'm pretty happy.

Protwins qualifying is straight after so I have an advantage over the pack in knowing exactly how the track felt and no break before going out. Managed a first place for that, BIG grin on my face.

Order gets swapped and protwins is up first for the race, I made it as far as turn three only to watch Glen Williams go round the corner on slicks, faster than I fell off with tread. Something to do with skill I suspect.

Miss F2 race while I wheel a shop bike over from the car park and rob it of some bits.

Protwins race 2, I got an average start and had to take back a few spots through turn one, only to have the bigger bikes undo my hard work down the back straight, but I come over the hill and line in first for the first two laps then find a 999s making short work of my down the back straight and holding position over the hill. Last lap, gotta make it count, but alas going round him over the hill wasn't enough and I got pegged at the line to come in second.

F2 race 2. I manage a not to shabby start and settle into 5th or 6th, work my way up to third over the next couple laps only to come over the rise with dodgy Matt sitting under a hay bale.

Restart is less than ideal with rain coming down quite hard now, I am at the back of the fornt group, sliding all over the show, and generally shitting my pants, manage to get by someone between turns 3 and 4 but it turns out that shutting the door in the wet is BAD, so a wee rear wheel tap sends me flying off the highside and cursing my feeble mind.

To sum up, I have the best sponsors in the world, and they have the dumbest rider.

Thanks heaps to my gorgeous girl Vicki for everything, Kerry Jeffs from KTL Motorcycles, Rob and Cherry Taylor, the Anglo American motorcycle club, and anybody else who gave assistance. It is a pleasure to be in your company, I'll try and do it with out a limp next time.

[skelstar]

Awesome Drew, apart from the crashing bit[s]. Was a pity to be greeted with pics of a flying Drew on a nekid 749R. Glad you're ok mate.

[Sanx]

The usual high quality Mair write-up. Was good to see you at the track, Drew ... and commiserations on only getting second in that Pro-Twins race - you were beaten by horsepower, pure and simple. The fact you were ahead of him on all the tricky bits just indicates how well you were running out there. See you for round three.

P.S. Pics will be sent out tomorrow... Promise!

[codgyoleracer]

Hey Drew, Prity average conditions - but then agin "that's Auckland" for ya !. That was a quick naked bike you were riding though. Good on you for hanging in there for the whole weekend - there were many of us (including me conducting close up track inspections.........)

[Riff Raff]

and anybody else who gave assistance.

Oh, so I'm just an anybody now? That's the last time I sacrifice a bag of peas for you sunshine! I deserve a medal for getting up closer than any person should to your stinky feet.

[Clivoris]

Onya Drew.