Johan's SoundOfThunder

[johan]

Sound Of Thunder on the Ducati 998 #65

Friday:
I spend Friday doing as many laps as possible trying to get my head around the new track. This track is FUN with heaps of corners, elevation changes and endless grip!

I had changed rear sprocket two down from Manfeild which worked ok but I dropped one more teeth to get less gear changes around the infield, still with good drive out of the corners.
I was struggling holding a tight line through the corners but managed to find a new setting on the shock that helped a lot.

Still using the same tyres as used in the Open Twin support class at Manfeild Nationals, I was expecting to change tyres during the meeting. But they were working great all weekend so I never put the new ones on, saving me some $.

Saturday:
The first race of Saturday was Best of Italian. I lined up on the third row of the grid and got an ok start. The bike felt great and I worked my way up and finished 8th.

The promised rain arrived in the afternoon, so out with the slicks and in with the wets for the first F1 race.

Race declared WET.

During the warm up lap of F1 I was trying to break in new break pads and arrived to the grid quite late, probably mid field of the grid. I got an ok start and managed to keep up with the top ten. I tried to hang off as much as possible to minimise lean and did a few passes on the outside around the sweepers. I passed the fancy pants KTM rc8 coming into the last lap and I manage to finish 6th, which I'm very happy with!

Sunday:
The results from previous day gave me a front row start in the last F1 race, 8th on the grid I think. Unfortunately everyone had become quicker during the night but me, so I was struggling to keep up with them. I finished 15th-ish.

I then entered in the A bracket and had a great time during all races but didn't really manage to work my way up and finished around 18th both races.

I had an awesome weekend! Ruapuna is a great track and I wished I lived closer to it.

I even managed to earn some price money that basically paid for the van's diesel to the meeting and back, not bad!

I was great to meet up with everyone who stopped by and thank you all who helped me in the pit!

Cheers!

johan

[Rob Taylor]

Hey Johan,it was great to meet you.You rode like a champ.Cheers for letting us use your pits.Go the Ducati's

[kiwifruit]

Nice work man, you've come a long way in a short amount of time

[sinfull]

Good on ya mate ! Pleased ya had fun down there !!

[wharfy]

Good one Johan, good to see you again and you were looking good out there. I agree it's a great track, I wish it was closer to where I live (its too cold down there in the winter). It would be great if it was in Greytown or Carterton

[Clivoris]

I agree with the others mate. Piss off home, you're getting too quick Unless this is home now, then you're a kiwi who's getting quick.
Seriously mate, well done.

[flame]

Awsome Johan. Your just getting faster and faster!

Great weekend. Bring on next year eh. And thanks heaps again for sharing the garrage with ALL of us

[Toast]

Good effort Johan...that track looks awesome!!

[Petrolic]

Sorry I missed coming down, sounds like you are getting faster.looking forward to meeting up this year at vmcc..Once I get the R1 back togather,ouch again