Apologies for the delay in posting this, lets just say, Microsoft Word is NOT my friend.... here goes:
Nicksta’s VMCC 08 Round 1
Finishing on a high at PMCC in the summer coming 5th in F3, Vic Club was only just round the corner and I couldn’t wait! The goal for the first round was simple, F3 I wanted consistency and a top 15 placing. Post Classics and my first race on the ShowerBuddy400, my goal was to first finish and aim for a top 10 placing. Starting off the weekend of racing with a test day at Manfeild on the Friday, the niggles I was worried about seemed to have disappeared and I was totally comfortable on the bike, yay!
Race day looms and I ask Paul, so how do you launch this thing? Something I should have practiced on the Friday and immediately worried about when he said careful it wheelies easy, eek! Race format had 1 race between my 2 so not much recovery time, but I was hoping my fitness would carry through. I roll out for scrub in on Tweety as I had brand new brake pads to rough up and get turned around at the gate WTF? I was too slow getting out (but so was the 10-15 bikes behind me!)
F3 Practice/Qualifying:
I rolled out in qualifying knowing I had to take it easy for a lap or 2 but only having a maximum of 5 laps in the allocated 10 mins was playing on my mind. Not getting a clear lap and having to make some passing maneuvers I didn’t want to make to keep up speed I managed a 1:53.3 placing me 15th in F3. Not bad but not where I wanted to be, but still faster than my PB last year of 1:56.6.
Post Classic Jnr Practice/Qualifying:
10 minutes after F3 and I’m back out on a different bike. Time to see if I can swap between the 2 bikes without falter. Rolling out, I’m again at the back of the pack, I hang back for a whole lap to get some clear track but with the speed of the CBR, I quickly catch up with the girls again and have to do some overtaking. Third lap and I’m in the groove putting in a flying lap and I’m catching Scratcha, totally target fixated on him at the end of the back straight, I’m closing fast, next thing I know I see hands up and every bike in front pulling in, I’m past the flag Marshall box, fearing a red I glance to the start box as I’m doing the right hander, I see the checkered, already committed to the pit lane, I’m kicking myself for not completing the lap as it was definitely my fastest. Result: qualified with a slower 1:56.8 and in 20th place.
F3 Race 1, 4 laps:
Starting with the lights, something I had done only 3 times at Manfeild nats, I was looking forward to the practice. Half the field creeping forward, the lights go out and I think the general consensus was a not so good start. A messy T1, I headed for the usual outside for a bit of clear track into T2 which was still messy. Not the best start, most of the field are in front. I settle down and get into a rhythm. Pulling a 1:59.6 in the first lap, I’m happy and pass a few bikes. Down to a 1:52.7 for the second I spy Tom up in front and some blue thing that just passed me which I start to hunt down. Catching them fast, I pass the start line to clock a third lap at 1:49.4, a new PB!! White flag and I’m almost on them at T6, the plan is to stick on them through to the sweeper onto the straight and out drag them both on the long back straight and hold them off till the flag. T7 and I’m holding good speed in the hairpin, I feed it a bit much gas while still cranked over and Tweety’s rear spins around on me and next thing I know I’m sliding watching her spin sideways to the outside, damn! Result: DNF. Thanks to the dude who helped me pick her up (yes this racer is going to learn how to lift 3x’s her body weight soon) I grab my in tact peg from the track and ride back to the pits.
Post Classic JNR Race 1, 4 laps:
I arrive off the track in time for a quick drink and suit up again. Plan is to take the start conservatively as controlling wheelies is not my strong point. First ever launch on the CBR and she’s no slug, short shift to 2nd and I’m thrown back in the seat and am lucky to have my feet on the pegs! Round the outside of T1 I’m cautious into T2 as there’s a lot of bikes around. Settling into a rhythm, I’m taking it easy to keep her rubber side down for Paul. 2 consistent laps and I put in a faster lap 4 as I’m comfy again. Crossing the line I’m in 17th spot and have managed a 1:56.7 for my first race on the ShowerBuddy CBR. I’m happy and comfy and really looking forward to the second race and stretching her legs a bit more.
F3 Race 2, 5 laps:
A huge thank you to Frenchy and Paul for getting Tweety back in race shape while I was racing on the CBR, you guys rock! I pull up to the start and the lights go out, a bit better start but I’m a bit behind as I’m being cautious. My instrument bracket took a knock in the crash and one rod is cracked. Half way round lap 3 and it’s bounced itself half way round inside my front fairing. Fearing the worst, I hit the back straight and hug the outside. Sure enough the bracket breaks off and rests in my fairing, at the same time, my engine cuts out, I pull in the clutch and stick my leg out hoping the bike behind sees my signal and will pull to the left as I’m far right. I coast off the track to sit out the race. Unfortunately another DNF for Tweety. She has her work cut out to catch up at Manfeild!
Post Classic JNR Race 2, 5 laps:
More confident in the start, the lights go out and we head for T1, round the outside I make up a few places on last time and I’m settled into it. I get passed and pass some little single cylinder thing, it’s slow on the straights but pretty quick in the corners. I have some fun dicing with it and manage a 1:54.7 in the 3rd lap. More confident now I’m relaxed coming past the white flag, one more lap I think and just try to be smooth and not do anything silly. Crossing the checkered I manage the fastest time of the day on the CBR, a 1:54.2 and come in 14th place. I’m happy, dropping 2.5 seconds through the day and finishing both races.
Overall unfortunately no points in F3 leaving me in 29th place and lots of people to chase.
I'm happy with my first Post Classic result on the ShowerBuddy400, 16th place and improving all the time on the bike, the season is looking good.
Big thank you to Paul and Dianne, team Showerbuddy is looking good for the winter, Dave and Donna at Kiwibike Insurance, thank you for the ongoing support and encouragement. Big ups to Dunlop Tyres, Bikestore.co.nz and Future Grafix for the beautiful looking Tweety
Last but definitely not least least, my biggest thanks to my man Frenchy for supporting me in my racing, stoked to see you joining us on the track.. I think you’ve caught the bug too!!
Roll on Round 2 at Manfeild…. Can’t wait!!
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But hey well done and c u at manfield
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Originally Posted by roadracingoldfart
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