This year I thought I would do something different and enter two bikes, my lovely Repsol in F1 and the SV650 pro twin bike in F3.
I new this would be a hard task, given that I would be limiting the amount of runs I could do on each bike. Particularly since Sully60 and Skidda//OO (both accomplished racers) would be my main competition in F3.
Anyway, I'd already sent in my entry fee so it was time to back myself and go for gold.
Saturday (Only used the 1000cc )
OMG - the resealed bits are absolute crap. Even on the first orientation run I got a slide at about 120kph....I.e taking it easy. No power or anything, both wheels just slid on the gravel which was real confidence inspiring.....NOT!!
First timed run and I came into the Cliff Hanger corner a touch hot, drifted on the gravel and holy shit, crap feck, I'm gonna take out the fence. I watched in front of the bike as the road surface slowly disappeared, all but the last 100mm which I was focusing on. The addage look where you want to go saved me and I narrowly avoided running off. I was seriously gutted at nearly having tossed my pride and joy off the cliff.
I made a mental note to 'keep it real' for future runs and think more about what I was doing, given the resealed surface. Ride smarter, not harder sort of thing.
Due to a couple of offs, we only got 4 runs on the practice day. I'm not sure what my first three runs were - 2.29s down to 2.26s I think. Then on the last run I pulled out the stops and did a 2.19s.....woot woot, 3 seconds off my personal best from last year.....and with having to contend with the gravel.
I was rapt and new that I would have to start Sunday the same way - I was picking F3 would be more competitive and wanted to get plenty of runs on the SV.
I also was working to the theory that if I practised on the thou, the SV would be a cakewalk by comparison.
Sunday
The road surface was much better and confidence began to build on all but the second left hander, where it was a case of just hanging on and hoping for the best.
First run and I pulled out a 2.19s on the Repsol. Stoked !! Gary Povey was next in F1 with 2.30s, so I hoped that this time would be quick enough to stand. Without trying to appear too cocky, I put the Repsol away and brought out the SV.
First run and fuck, this is sloooowwww. My strategy of starting on the fast bike seemed to be working as the SV really felt like it was dawdling on the straighter bits. I was pushing harder through the corners though, due to the SV being a race bike and me not worrying as much about biffing it.
I was blown away when I got to the top and learnt I had shot into first place ahead of Sully and Skidda. The rest of the runs were a closely contested battle, although Sully stalled at 2.30s, due to the machine, not the man.
Skidda and I continued to outdo each other and it came down to the wire. Skidda's last run was I think .03s faster than my best, so I had to pull out all stops on my last run.
I stuffed the start and missed second gear, recovered and put my head down, but knowing I had blown it.
I arrived at the top and prepared to congratulate Skidda, when Drew yells out that I had owned F3....wicked, I was stoked. A bit gobsmacked, but stoked.
I also narrowly held onto F1, with Paul Coneybear from up North just a few seconds behind on his R1.
Thanks heaps to Sully and Skidda for the awesome competition - it really made the day to be dicing with you both.
Another highlight was seeing Hel's grin after each run.
Thanks to all the marshals, timers (Mr and Mrs Kendog, Number One), bbqers (Chanceyy), van drivers (Fatjim), the MC Barry (B'stard). My lovely wife for her support.
Great to see some new faces, Choppa and Johnno Burkhart (both bloody fast), Paul Coneybear and Kelvin Whittle.....
Sorry if I've forgotten anyone - work is interfering right now and I have to go !!
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Originally Posted by Drew
SENSEI PERFORMANCE TUNING 
Karma ... Justice catches up eventually !! 
where's ma money Trudes?!
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