After a long drive from Auckland to Feilding on friday night, we kicked off the weekend with a early start on Saturday. Scuzeme who was at the test day on Friday was waiting in our garage already setup.
Saturday was a Club organised test day and Sunday was race day.
Saturday test day
I hadn’t been at Manfield since the last round of VMCC in Oct 08 and it was also the first time on Racetecs at here. I took the first session slowly as I re-familiarised myself with the track and bedded in some next brake pads. Some resurfacing had been done through ‘splash’ and it gave a lot more confidence to push hard through there.
After a couple of laps I felt comfortable with the setup and tyres to up the pace. I spent some time following Flame for a few laps and then moved through the group to the faster riders. In later a session I followed Biggles for a few laps comparing corner/straight line speed and braking points. The pace in this session was very hot and the combination of Racetecs and Dyno Tuning by TripleZees meant I was able to maintain corner speed and remain in the powerband for longer. In this session I achieved a new PB of 1:15.78secs which was 2 seconds off my previous PB.
Now brimming with confidence and keen to see if I could lower my PB further, I promptly lowsided, losing the rear out of the hairpinThanks goes to Flame, who was following me quite closely, for not running over me as I carved a new line through the hairpin.
Most of damage was cosmetic and I had spares to replace the broken bits except for a holed engine cover. Many urgent phone calls were made but the closest cover was my own one in Auckland. So the rest of the afternoon and early evening was spent effecting a repair with ‘Knead-it’. Some quick test rides around the paddock and no leaks all set for Race Day.
Sunday Race Day
I was entered in F1 & F2. Another dry hot day was forecast.
F1 Qualifying
Not much to comment on as conditions were similar to the day before. I took it easy for the first few laps and all too soon the chequered flag came out at the end of lap 3. Qualified 7th – 1:18.496
F1 Race 1
I was on the second row on the outside which was my preferred position on the track. I had been practising my starts recently and was keen to see if this made a difference. The flag drops and I get a good jump and keep up with most of the bikes. However, being eager to not to lose ground I leave the gear change to 2nd a bit late and hit the limiter
F1 Race 2
I got a better start and remembered to avoid the limiter by changing gears. I got around the first corner in 7th and set about chasing down John on the CBR. This was a recurring theme for the remainder of the day. As in the previous F2 race I was able to pass him on turn one and make it stick. I concentrated on getting through ‘splash’ as smoothly and fast as possible and taking a defensive line through the hairpin. After a couple of laps I sneaked a peek to see where John was but all was clear. I set the goal to catch #147 in front and while it looked like I was making some ground, unfortunately I ran out of laps. Finished 6th. Best lap 1:16.482
F2 Qualifying
After already having a session in F1 qualifying I was bit more fired up. I tried to find some clear space and put in some flying laps. Despite feeling more confident I wasn’t able to improve my lap times. Qualified 5th - 1:18
F2 Race 1
Second race for the day and the track temperature was rising. Starting from the inside and second row put me right behind the pole position. I got a great start and get around the first corner in 4th. Again I was chasing John on the CBR. With lots of confidence in the grip and feel of the Metzeler Racetecs I was able to get on the throttle a little earlier on each corner exit. In lap 3 I shadowed John into turn one and braked a little later and came past on the inside. Now to make it stick I got on the throttle hard to which the Metzelers responded with lots of grip and drive. I was now in 3rd with clear track in front as the 2 front runners had cleared off. I managed another lap in 3rd before a yellow 749 came up the inside at the hairpin. I was able to outrun him to Higgins and overtake and keep him behind me until the hairpin again. This time he made it stick with me following closely behind. He was faster through the infield and was able to put a gap between us. I kept my head down and finished in 4th. Best lap 1:16.345
F2 Race 2
Final race of the day. I got a good jump off the start line and made it around the first corner a little further back than expected. The CBR, 749 and Biggles on his ZX had got in front by the 2nd corner. Now really fired up I followed this group closely assessing where they were slower or ran wider. With no obvious speed advantage down the straights the only option was to brake later into the corners. My best corner for this was turn one. After chasing Biggles hard for the best part of 3 laps I decided on a now or never move. Amazingly as we sped down the front straight to turn one, Biggles suddenly slowed (obviously missed a gear) and I sped past. Seconds later I was up the inside of the Ducati with only the CBR in front of me. I shadowed John as closely as I could and on the next lap I decided on a late braking move on turn one. Luckily this stuck and I was now 4th. With my head down I went hard to the finish with a couple of laps left to go. Unexpectedly as I came into Higgins, John replayed the same move on me. I chased hard and as we crossed the start/finish the white flag was out. As we moved into the final lap we came across a back marker at ‘Splash’ and to my surprise John went straight ahead. I sped ahead to the hairpin to be blocked by the back marker but expected to power pass on the exit. Unbeknownst to me Biggles was close behind and took the opportunity to get past on the inside. I chased hard with only 2 corners left. I was preparing to get on the throttle earlier on Dunlop but the gap was too much. I finished 5th Best lap 1:16.239
Big thanks goes to my Sponsors:
Metzeler for the amazing Racetecs
Maxima Oils
John at TripleZee Cycles for his Dyno Tuning skill in squeezing every last pony out of the GSXR
Botany Honda
Also to everyone who helped in the pit over the weekend which includes Biggles, Sharky, Phil, JRandom, Flame for making the urgent phone calls and especially Scuzeme for helping with the repairs.
Reply With Quote
catch ya soon ay 
Originally Posted by GSVR
Murphys Law
but thank goodness you kind of spun out the other way eh
.
. You got some great results too! Knew you would. Next time Im going to stay and come play too
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