VMCC round 6
The final round of the series loomed fast. Frenchy and I took Friday off to relax and travel to the Minefield. It was looking good for my series goal of a top 10 finish in both classes. F3 was secure, but it was close in Postys; Scratcha reminding me on the day that only 7 points separated us. Driving to the track on Saturday I thought my request had been answered, it was poring. Feilding however was in sunshine, I decided it was time I pulled finger and not rely on rain for help. Goal for the day: get into the 1:21’s and finish the series in the top 10.
Scrub:
As the CBR had been fitted with a brand new clutch, I was out in scrub breaking it in. After 2 laps she was fast and smooth, there was none of the coughing from last round. Best of all, no missing 2nd and hitting false neutrals into cornersI’m happy and thinking of changing my goal to 1:20’s!
Post Classic Qualifying:
Heading out last for a bit of space I cruised round the first lap enjoying the feel of the CBR. No one around I sped up for a few faster laps, catching some slower bikes I still hadn’t done a hot lap, past the start I’m catching Chris who appeared to be cruising, I was trying for a hot lap so passed him in the infield which slowed me down a little, coming into Higgins I was fast, cut in close on a nice tight line, next think I’m gassing out and the back end slides out and kicks me up in the air, off the seat I crack my helmet on the front fairing and my visor flicks up, landing back on the seat the bike is still tank slapping and I keep the gas cracked and ride it out, its still a fast lap so I pin it down the back straight, flicking my visor back down and checking the draft I could feel wasn’t a hole in my helmet. I cross the line with my fastest qualifying time, a 1:25.6, not bad considering it wasn’t a clear lap, 20th on the grid, my 2nd best qualifying in postys, I’m happy.
F3 Qualifying:
Same theory to go out last, although with Glen Williams and the other SV fast boys your not alone for long! Tweety felt strange for the first time ever. Took 2 laps to get used to her and I didn’t get a clear lap, 5 laps and they call us in, pretty short qualifying but I was stoked to see a 1:23.8 and 25th on the grid, crazy to think my best qualifying time this series and my worst grid placing, shows how the field has improved!
Instructions from Paul today were simple, give it shit; it’s the last round!
Post Classic Race 1, 10 laps:
Lining up on the outside of the 5th row, it seemed like an eternity for the light sequence. Lights finally go out, I give it too little throttle and the CBR hops, I pull in the clutch and let her out, but too much and she stamps her disapproval vertically up in the air, It happened so fast all I remember is seeing this mass of gray (the tank) and thinking oh fuck, I lean to my left and the bike heads down to the right, next thought was where’s the wall and who’s coming behind me. Luckily I was on the far left and all the bikes avoided me with (I guess) some ease. I see a marshal center track with a red flag, I turn the engine off, shit, shit, can I restart? I spin around to see a marshal and they’re telling me to jump the wall, feeling my left thigh is numb and my right elbow is hurting, I see Paul and Frenchy who grabbed my arms and lift me over. Damn, there goes my gap on Stevie and I’m praying Paul’s bike is ok. Whisked away to the ambo ladies, they convince me to apply ice for 20mins and we chat about bikes, thank you two for checking me out and making sure I wasn’t broken. I missed you at the end of the day to say thanks again. Also apologies to those of you I gave a fright to with the fresh memories of last round.
F3 Race 1, 10 laps:
The decision was to go out in the warm up and see if I could ride, I promised to pull in if I was sore. Time for a more restrained start I thought. Feeling ok, I pulled up on the grid. Very tentative start, I let Dave and a few others passed. I try to hang on the back but am feeling it so pull back a little, Craig takes me on his 400 and I settle into my own little space, the 10 laps go by fast. I finish 19th and am pleased with a fastest time of 1:24.2, not too bad considering I thought I was lapping around the 26’s.
Post Classic Race 2, 7 laps:
I’m happy for the shortened race; the CBR fared better than me in the crash so is ready for me to race. I must admit I was a little worried about the start. Goal was to get it rolling, then gas. Lights go out and I ease off, taking it easy I just want to finish, 2nd lap and I see Chris go down in the hair pin, shit dude, lap 6 and I see Mat Rennie down, I think, just finish, just finish, checkered flag and I breathe relief, through splash and the right and whoops, I loose my right foot, look down and there’s oil all over my foot and peg, I pull off the race line committed to the hairpin, I pull to the edge and stop, very conscious of spilling oil on the track. Thank you crash crew for the ride back. Result: 14th place, fastest time 1:26.6, off my normal pace but I was very happy to finish and get some points.
F3 Race 2, 10 laps:
Call me blonde but I did get a little confused seeing a 7 lap sign on the dummy grid only to discover a 10 lap sign as we lined up on the real grid. Feeling better I decided to race anyway. I got a good start but was conscious of pushing; I diced for a while with a green bike, then Stevie and Craig Green. Clive showed up with some very fast pace, last lap and I couldn’t let him beat me, neck and neck on the middle straight I hoped to out break him into Higgins, didn’t work, Clive goes wide round the outside, I stuck to the inside and pinned it, we dragged down the back straight and I pip him into Dunlop, to just beat him over the line, awesome stuff Clive! Result: 12th place, and a new PB of 1:21.8!!!
Final result 17th in Post Classics and 16th in F3. I wish I could have done better as it was the last round, but I was just happy to be able to keep racing and the CBR and myself weren’t hurt too bad. I achieved my series goal of top 10 in both classes with 10th place in Post Classics and 8th place in F3.
I would like to say a massive thank you to the Vic Club workers and volunteers for making arguably the best road racing series in the country possible. You guys rock for making it possible for us nutters to go out and have fun, thank you.
I would like to express my huge appreciation to Dave and Donna from KIWIBIKE INSURANCE, who has made my racing in F3 possible this season, thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. Please support those who support me and give them a call for any insurance needs!
I was the very lucky recipient of a sponsorship deal to ride the SHOWERBUDDY CBR400 in Post Classic Junior this season, I would like to thank Paul Martindale and his wife Di for having faith in me to ride their bike, your encouragement and support meant the world to me, thank you for welcoming me into Team Showerbuddy. Also Danny from Showerbuddy, it was awesome to finally meet you, thank you for your support this season.
Please show support to my other sponsors: Dunlop Tyres, Bikestore.co.nz, FutureGrafix, Beaurepairs Kapiti and RPS Signs & Graphics. These people all help make racing possible for Team Showerbuddy and myself.
Frenchy, thank you for your enduring support, making Tweety look as pretty as she does and helping me throughout the season, every which way possible, Its been awesome being able to share my passion for racing with you, thanks babe.
Cheers all of you I haven’t mentioned here but I have thanked along the way you know who you are, Vic Club members, fellow racers, Manfeild Park staff, KBers and my friends for all your support over the series. Your words of encouragement and excitement and passion for bikes and racing have helped fuel my enthusiasm, thank you.
Roll on VMCC 2009…. I can’t wait….
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Originally Posted by codgyoleracer
Cheers for all your support though out the year too eh, has meant a lot to me and its been a tonne of fun! 
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