Well, I was considerably less prepared the day we left for this event, with a shit load of tyres to fit, and my bike to put back together, but I got it sorted and off we went Thursday night. The awsesome Dangerous and Rashika put us up for the weekend, and Darryl even got out of bed at one in the morning to let us in when we arrived
Off to the track for my first ever look at the place, we sorted out a wee hiccup with pit garaging and set up without incident.
First go; I was a tad nervous cos my rear tyre warmer wasn't here yet but took a few gentle laps to figure the direction of the corners and started on learnin lines. Crickey it's technical, my poor feeble mind couldn't cope with that much info to process. I was reletively happy with it by the end tho, and super proud of my girl for picking it up so quick and draggin her knee sliders.
Race day, out for practice and I'm gettin quite a bad slide from the rear, I battled with this problem all day and ony managed a best lap of 1m41s and seventh position in F1. Better result in best of Italian coming home 5th I think.
Day two, and I was feeling a lot more confident having baught a supercorser from NickO at the end of the day before. Missed practice while fitting it, but the warm up lap of my first race was enough to know it was HEAPS better. Race one I managed 7th again, but had a plan for the bracket races to come.
Bracket race 1; got a better start than I had been doing and set about business, managed to get passed a really quick two valve Duke of some sort and NickO too, leaving me faced with a superduke taking some very motard type lines, turns out there is quite a speed difference mid corner between our styles, and I ran straight into his back tyre, sending me over the bars and into the scenery, he stayed up luckily and I sat there for the rest of the race.
Our awesome sponsors set about getting my bike together while I sat out the Conti cup race with bottom lip on the ground. Good onya guys, you did a great job
Bracket race2; and I had a score to settle with a certain superduke. I left the line well and made as short work as I could of guys with better start skills and positions, getting up behind the same KTM and choosing my time to pounce. Turned out it was the same corner I'd hit him on but this time I knew where he'd go and took the long way round, saying very loudly to myself, "got ya this time!" Took off from there with some track to myself, alas it turns out a fuel line clip had come loose in the crash, and it managed to wiggle it's way out to shut the bike down a couple laps later.
Anyway, it was a fuckin great race meeting, and I met some real ccol people.
Now, the list of many to thank, and I hope I dont forget anyone. First, my lovely talanted lady for everything you do, all your support. You were an inspiration to me all weekend with the way you rode. Kerry from KTL Motorcycles, Rob and Cherry Taylor, Silverdale Landscape Services, and the Anglo American Motorcycle club for the bike, Tyres, van, spares, lunch, and the simply wicked support, you all rock! Bike tranz for reasons obvious, Henderson motorcycles, Kerry Dukey from Ohlins for my even better again suspension, and Chesters Plumbing supplies. A huge thanks to Darryl and Gwen, for the bed, the food, and the most hospitable easy going place to call home for the weekend. I simply cannot thank you nearly eough for the pit help, photos, and all the words of support. Thanks Joni for comin out and supporting us, was awesome to see ya again.
NickO, for your advice, and sellin me a mint tyre well under what you could have got for it. You're a great sportsman for sure brother!
Good to meet TonyB too, great to put a face to the name, and you helped me out heaps with lines and technique when we were talking. I put the "pothole" conversation we had into practice, and when I got over the mind block of comin at a corner too hot, and gassing it to correct the problem, I was rear wheel steering the ol' Duke to my hearts content round there.
Deano, I'm thankin you for your text messages, and wanting to come help out, you da bomb bro.
Nick Prestige, and Mike Fee for the pit help, tutoring for us both, and just generally being a pair of good buggers!
MVnut, great to meet you and your lovely family, methinks Vicki has got a wee fan in young Poppy.
Anyone I have not mentioned, I do appologise, but there is a serious sleep deprivation issue at the moment.
Bring on next year, I simply love this event.
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Originally Posted by Drew
But yeah I learnt an awful lot watching the big guns at the nationals. I managed to put it into practice as wel...though no doubt at a rather more sedate pace... and it really does work. Glad I could pass on what I had seen and learnt and have it put to good use!
I'm sure Heeman will enjoy the competiton
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