It's awesome to be back on a bike! After three months off due to injury, I was gagging to get to this race meeting. Not only because of the time off, but also it was going to be the first time I get to race the 600.
Due to a slight mistake in my entry form, I was put into the F1 class rather than the 600 supers, but that didn't bother me, ended up getting more track time anyway.
So the meeting went like this and what bikes I was riding as I was also on the 250.
-1st Qualifying (600)
-2nd Qualifying (600)
-1st Race (600)
-2nd Race (250) Wet
First Qualifying
It was a real eye opener, and a huge learning experience. There are a few more things to deal with on the 600s. One is the power they have, second is engine braking (Im used to two strokes) and then the extra weight.
All the differences mean a different riding style compared to the 250. the session was relatively calm, ended up running wide a couple times after getting the rear out of shape from banging it down the gear box too fast and locking it up. I generally was not my typical smoothness but knew by the time I went out next I would be much better after having some off track time to analyse what I was doing wrong and how to fix it.
Second Qualifying
This time I felt much better on the bike and was far more smooth in my riding especially my down shifts. I got into a bit of a groove and felt I was improving each lap. Best lap was a 1:14.784
First Race
Another thing I learnt. Don't race start a 600 like a 250 unless you like looking at sky. My first race start saw me hoping all over the show which is not ideal. On the second lap a guy on a Yamaha out braked himself coming into turn 1 and unfortunately took out Nick Oddermat and the race was red flagged.
Restart - This time I get a better launch, not the best, but not hopping all over the show like I was. I ended up behind Craig Frefey and could keep with him, but couldn't catch him. After a while he got tired and slowed down so I went past him. Finished in a lonely 11th place with a 1:13.8 as my best lap.
Second Race
The weather had turned to crap, and I didn't really have time to put wets on the 600 nor did it have any fuel, so I opted to take the 250 out.
I got a few odd looks sitting on the dummy grid bellowing smoke out onto the 1000s.
I took a few laps to get back into the groove of the 250, after getting used to the 600, this was a shock to the system. I ended up in a battle with Hayden Fitzgerald which was really good fun. His bike would slaughter the 250 in a straight line, but the 250 owns the corners. I was so happy to have got away from him and sail in for a 4th place finish behind Garreth Jones, Craig Shirriffs and Andrew Stroud. I don't mind been beaten by guys of that calibre! Also overall for the meeting I'm in 4th position, which I'm jaw dropped by!
http://www.mylaps.com/results/showrun.jsp?id=1026510
Overall the meeting was a great success, I learnt a lot about the 600 and hope to continue improving on that, and am looking forward to the TRRS and endurance race!
A big thanks to:
The Organisers - Well done, the meeting went smoothly.
Moto Academy NZ - Steve and his awesome work.
Andrew and Leigh Presant - They transported me and bike to the track and helped me out throughout the day. Best pit crew one could ask for!
Cheers,
-Glen
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