What a mint weekend!!
Apart from a very gay crash in Superbike qualifying, it was probably the best day's racing I've had since Wanganui.
Friday
Got ordered out of work early on Friday, met Chrislost at my place and proceeded to Manfeild without listening to any Britney Spears.
Saturday
Dawned a stunner of a day, although the ice on the windscreen was a warning sign that qualifying might be a little touch n go in the first left hander.
Goals for the day: Beat my old PB of 1:17ish and ideally break in to the 16's.
Supersport Qualifying
Went out near the back and had about 6 bikes in front of me. Decided that I could get past them and lay down a decent time, but it took longer than I thought and I didn't quite get a 100% lap in but was very surprised to look down at my lap timer and see 1:16.5. New PB and 10th on the grid. About 10 bikes within a second behind me though, so it was going to be a tough race if I made a mistake.
Superbike Qualifying
Feeling full of confidence I decided to let the pack get away from me and then nail it for a good time. I cruised around not going past about 160 for the first lap n a bit. Got through turn 1 and made the call that I'd start to warm it up after the hairpin. Rolled in to Splash at half pace and suddenly find myself on my arse and in the weeds. Absolutely fkn gutted I wait until the session is over to get back to the pits which is a mission 'cos the clutch lever is now about 2cm long and the left footpeg bracket is bent so I can't get it out of gear. I didn't want to talk to anyone but Scracha very kindly stuck a new clutch lever on for me while the old man and I went to sort out the foot prg bracket and shift linkage. Luckily there were only 38 bikes out there, so I qualified dead last with a 1:54. Pretty pissed that my shiny fairings are now back to the more usual fibreglass/yellow camo colour. Definitely a lesson in keeping slicks warm in cold weather. It still amazes me how cruising at those speeds just let all of the heat out.
Supersport Race 1
Feeling a bit cautious after SB qualifying I take it real easy for the first lap and lose a few places through Splash. Confidence slowly comes back and another PB of 1:16.0 and an 11th place.
Superbike Race 1
Starting from 38th on the grid behind a sea of bikes I decided to start had just for laughs. Passed a whole bunch of bikes and enter turn 1 on Eddie's shoulder. Run a bit wide and lose some places and then carry on. Made quite a few mistakes, mostly with gear changes under brakes and it all feels a bit rough. Take it easyish in to Dunlop just wanting to finish the race and then having Archer nail past me on the exit to finish a few 10ths ahead of me. 19th and back to a 1:16.7 which was disappointing, but there was a whole afternoon to look forward to.
Supersport Race 2
This is about when shit got good, and I started to rediscover some corner speed that was long overdue. Nailed the start from the 3rd row and was about 6th in to turn 1. Lost a couple of places as I expected to but was not getting too owned. Braked early for Dunlop and Drew came past which was sweet 'cos I got to follow him through that and scored a line that worked a lot better for me. A few laps on and things get REAL interesting at Dunlop. After being passed by a couple of '08 Kwaka 600's. I decide to fight back and pass them on the outside in to Dunlop, run high and prepare for the exit. Before I know it I'm hard on the picks as they collide in front of me head for the dirt (pics elsewhere on KB). I lose a place to an '07 CBR ridden by a dude who beat me pretty consistently last year. I put my head down and take him a few corners later. Greg Percival passed me and I spend the last 4 laps or so trying to reel those classy white boots in. I pull back a second on lap 8 but otherwise he's a bit too quick for me and his fitness didn't fade as I'd hoped it would. I end up 12th with a new PB of 1:14.6! Pretty stoked with that one!
Superbike Race 2
Back of the pack again so I'm extra amped for a good start. It comes and I do alright in to turn 1 this time and have got some confidence back for Splash so don't lose a place there this time. I have a few tussles but manage to get some clear space. I spy Frenchy mid-race and set him as my goal to catch. Didn't happen, 'cos he was faster, period, so I just do my own thing. I set 4 laps in a row in the 14's which was sweet but eventually Matt Bleck gets past me. I try to catch him but I'm starting to get tired and sloppy. I hear the distinctive sound of an angry Kwaka behind me and instantly think it's Archer again so start going hard and riding defensively. Turns out it was some fulla called Adam Chambers who was riding consistently faster than me in the last 4 laps. I manage to hold him off to the line and take 12th place by 0.1 of a second. Best of 1:14.7 which I was pretty happy with considering I was shagged.
So yeah, good day's racing. 3 seconds off my PB from last year, which is a good thing or else I'd be getting beaten by girls and SVs. Most importantly though I just enjoyed it. I think that relaxation had a bit to do with it, as this is the first time in about a year that I've not been working 7 days a week every week with a mountain of debt over my head (more of a small hill now).
Cheers to the legend volunteers as always, and all of the good bastard racers around who are a pleasure to pit, chat and race with. Thanks as always to my Dad for being a legend in the pits, and Mum for the fried rice delivery.
Lookin' forward to round 3
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Originally Posted by ArcherWC
and coming back fighting fit like you did in the arvo is full credit to you.
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