VMCC Clubmans - Ducati 998
Test day
Eager to get back on the track, haven't been on a bike since last round, I arrived to Friday's test day mid morning. The track was damp but the cars were doing a great job drying the lines. This was my first encounter with a damp track, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
The main thing I wanted to test this day were the brakes. I had been struggling with stopping the bike, it took too much effort, so I fitted new higher spec'ed SBS carbon pads. After breaking in the pads, they were feeling great! I could now stop the bike with less effort yet with a great feel. The rear was bouncing a little on breaking as I increased the speed, but still under control.
I got a chance to experience sliding the rear out of the corners on the damp track, which was a new experience to me. You really have to be smooth on the throttle in these conditions!
The plan was to put on a new Supercorsa at the end of the day to have a new fresh rear come racing day. The forecast was suggesting rain, so I decided to keep my old tires I've been used since round one, no point fitting a new slippery tire.
Race day
Rain indeed! I don't have the luxury of wets, so I knew I was going to have to get through the day on my worn rubber. I was actually looking for a proper tool to thread the tyres with, but decided not to start experimenting at this point.
Qualifying
Off we go, sliding, slipping and spinning up the rear. Tyre warmers were more useful heating up my gloves than anything else. Sitting on the dummy grid I knew the tires were already starting to get stone cold. I did a few laps, realising low end torque is great in the dry, not so much in the wet. Red flag came out, wait in the pit lane, out again trying to set a decent lap but it took a lot of concentration to stay upright, so I pulled in not sure what to expect. I managed a 4th on the grid. Sweet!
Race 1
Having watched all people around me changing to wets, I gave my smooth looking Supercorsas a last worried look.
Having had a few great starts in last round, this time I had no control what so ever over the situation. I left the grid slowly, spinning the rear in first and second gear and had a bunch of bikes passing me early in the race. Coming out of Higgins, on the outside, I lost the rear big time, got kicked out of my seat but managed to stay on. From this point, I enabled the cruise control and switched to survival mode. However, to make the most out of it, I tried tried to practise smooth throttle control and good lines. I was very happy to see that checker flag finally waving in front of me.
Race 2
I decided to try to launch in second gear, hoping this would give me more traction. I had lower tire pressure as well.
The start was even worse that the first race, I got a pretty choice wheel spin in second gear, great for show off, not so good for race starts. Passed by half of the field by the first corners, I continued to ride slow and trying to be smooth.
Then, half through the race, the sun broke through the clouds, I could smell a farmer's bonfire across the field, the time seemed to stop and I found some mojo. My lap times were getting better, but still only down to 1.30. I thought I could make up some time on the straights, but even in fifth gear, the rear would spin up on the front straight causing the bike to wobble. It felt pretty violently, but probably couldn't even be seen from the track side. Something new I have to get used to and don't let it scare me.
Anyway, I managed to stay up right all day and got to experience a race in the wet. I can now see the point of wet tires and will see if I get get my hands on a set for next round. I couldn't believe how fast the bikes were racing around out there in the wet. Sick skills, respect!
As always, a great event, thank you VMCC! A special Thank You for looking after my license I forgot to collect last round.
Awesome to catch up again with the people I've got to know by now. Thanks for all the inspiring words!
See you all next round, dry or wet!
Thanks for reading!
johan
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Originally Posted by Tony.OK
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