Ivan's season summary and Round 6

[Ivan]

Ok so here goes. A Brief Summary of 08 season,

After Pukekohe and the passing of Derek Hill I was on the point of deciiding my future in racing with a plan to give up on the books, But after a short time to get my head around it I knew I had to go on so contact was made with Paul Booth for buying there spare 2001 SV650,

I had my first run at a test day at Taupo which was rather emotional day for me I was scared of new bike and also hadnt ridden since Puke and was trying to get my head around going out,

Round 1 Was at Taupo and I had a real feel for the class with a good qualifying time and a good first ever race meeting.

Round 2 saw me improving at Manfield and matching ym best ever 125 time in qualifying.

Round 3 Saw a New Ohlins shock for the bike but couldnt get shock in so ran the old one and later crashed the bike whilst running 9th overall on track.

Round 4: Saw the Rain Appear and soak us out…. And Didnt get to usemy Brand New Conti Sport Attacks

Round 5: The 2 dayer saw a return to the 125 class for me and also run the pro twin but managed to screw my head so badly I was gutted with my results and also had a clutch blow on me.

Round 6: Final round for Season,

Qualify rather shockingly after running on a flat tire for 2 laps and then having front end dive and no side grip in rear. My worst ever qualifying saw me 32nd on the grid and right down the back.

Race 1: right down the back made the lights hard to see and didnt get off the line as hoping to the guys further back made it hard as well as there were a lot of bikes all in my way into turn 1 and start making some places here and there.
Slowly I see Nicksta in front of me and begin working on my Rythem to get her I was gradually dragging her in but just ran out of laps,

Race 2: Lights up and out Away I go get a good launch passing a lot of bikes off the line just missed Clive on his Yellow 400 by inches was a rather close momment, Into turn 1 really tight line up the inside power out and into turn 2 up the inside here and get the pass but am in wrong position on track and lose it straight away in turn 3 through splash and braking into Hair pin power out of here and into Dennis Hulme straight slip streaming past half a dozen bikes hard braking into Higgens locking rear wheel up through her in and manage a good exit and draft a 400 I think into Dunlop Sweeper both equal on brakes me on inside nearly wash my front end out on ixit but manage to hold on and fly down front straight into turn 1 again get into a dice with a another SV but a mistake under brakes sees me run wide allowing him by and pull a gap now head down and working on catching him,
Next Thing Glen Laps me whichj I used his town and followed his line through Dunlop which gave me a lot of corner speed through there not knowing you could actually go that quick there.
Last Lap on the Ixt of sweeper I manage to hit the bumps tuck the front save it tuck again save and get a massive head shake going on to cross the line with Geoff Booth behind me about to lap me so I was rather impressed with my race to gain the places I did from were I started it was a shame the season was over so soon.

Next season will see a return to the class but hoping to have some more speed and time on the bike and actually fight for a top 3 placing.

Cheers to all my supporters through the season.

Mum and Dad.
My brothers Girlfriend for help and food…..
My mate Daniel for his mechanic role in the pits.
My brother for his support and I want to congartulate him for 3rd 2 years in a row in 125’s
Nathan Sargent from Sargent Motorcycles for coming on board.
Hamish and Andrew at Darbis for Advice
Conti Tires
Spectro Oil
HJC Helmets
My Uncle Andrew at Featherston Engineering
All the pro twin and F3 guys youve been great to race with

Now will see me race Wanganui and 2 National rounds in between

Thanks and bye for now

Ivan

[Clivoris]

Keep at it bro if you can afford it, but most of all thanks for missing me during race 2. The 650 is definitely the better bike for you.

[Nasty]

Well done, sounds like you had challenges and are sorting them out ... that is a good thing before next years series ... good that you have the nationals to practice at

[Ivan]

Cheers all for comments and I will be back..

I got alot of time between now and round 1 to get my riding style changed I want to do a test day with a fast rider who runs at the front and help me out abit.

Plus theres alot of small tweaks I want to try out that I dont try on race days liek changing of handle bar positioning I still have my old 125 front end push style going on on this bike and have been trying to get away from that as my front end isnt working that well

Thinking of riding in about 3 weeks time again. spend a day at it

[roadracingoldfart]

Devotion pays divedends young man.
Keep the practice up and see the improvment.

Big ups to your family for the support too .
(sorry i didnt have a sign to flash all year aye , ill do it next year )

Paul.

[codgyoleracer]

Hi Ivan,
You can and will only go forward from where you are at for sure. If i can be of any help dont hesitate to ask.
Glen

[Ivan]

Hi Ivan,
You can and will only go forward from where you are at for sure. If i can be of any help dont hesitate to ask.
Glen

Cheers Glen.

I will try make it to a test day you are at learn some things if I can

[Toast]

Keep it up dude, and do try to get to those test days. I'm the same as you, I find it a struggle to just get to the races and do very little testing. The couple times I have this season though, I learnt heaps about my bike and the effect of settings on it.

All the best

[Duke girl]

Good to see you have a positive attitude which will take you a long way with your motorcycle racing. We were all saddened by the sudden death of Derek Hill and I know that he would be wanting you to keep persuing your love of motorcycle racing. I wish you all the very best at Wanganui and the Nationals and look forward to seeing you back out there in the 2009 Actrix Winter Series with us. Goodluck Ivan. Cheers Skip.

[Ivan]

cheers all the reports so far have been so positive and it means alot thanks