Kittytamers PMCC rd3

[kittytamer]

This weekend I went down to Taupo for my 2nd ever race meeting.
I have only done 1 trackday there before and it didn't end well with me destroying my GSX-R1000. This was over a year ago now. I really like the Taupo track and I was hoping for a better result this weekend. ie, going home in one piece!

We travelled down really early on Saturday morning (up at 4.30am!). I did the kiwitrackday on Saturday, so I used that as practice. Had loads of track time as they ran 3 groups with 15 minute sessions, so you are only of the bike for 1/2 hour between rides. I got better and faster throughout the day but the track repairs messed with my head because by the afternoon when everything was nice and warm & grippy I still had little confidence about riding over them.
I got some 1 to 1 time with Tony Reese and he showed me the right lines, which helped loads

Race Day
It was a pretty chilly morning (I think it was down to 3 degrees over-night ) so I took it fairly easy to start with and got a qualifying time of 1m54s which put me 9th on the grid out of 16 starters. I was pretty happy with this result as my goal when I started this racing lark was just not to come last!

Race 1
Track was now nice and warm as it was a beautiful clear sunny day so I could go hard from the start.
Got off the line really well and made up some places but when I went to turn into the first corner there was a huge crowd of bikes inside me so I ended up getting pushed wide and loosing all the ground I had made up. Right; head down lets see what we can do I made the mistake of looking back too much, and this just slowed me down and a couple of guys got past me, I managed to hang on to them and I was quicker in some places but lost ground in others so I just could not get back past them. As it was only a 5 lap race that was how the race ended, with me finishing 10th.

Race 2
I knew I had to get a better start this time and hold on to the inside line for the first turn.
Having a plan and sticking to it are two completely different things. I totally stuffed up the start I bogged down and lost loads of time, but I did get the inside line, but unfortunately behind everyone else not in front of them.
I managed to hang on to the group of 3 bikes in front for the rest of the race, but we were all going about the same speed and I just couldn't see a way past, but I did my best lap time in this race and was pretty consistent throughout and did 1m51s laps for the whole race.

I feel reasonably happy with the weekend but I know I can go much faster, its all in my head – I need to be braver and just go for it more
Winter series maybe….?

Thanks to Bill, Dallas & Wharfy for the garage space & hospitality and everyone else I met this weekend and if coarse big love to Debs for more amazing photos, some of which can be seen here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...p?albumid=1909

[scuzeme]

Hi Chris

Really good to meet you, i was having a bit of the chuckle to myself as you reminded me of where i was only a very few months ago.
Thing is you will get faster and faster dont get to down about not being able to keep up because its only a matter of time mate, looking forward to racing against you when you come into F2.
BTW your lovely lady took some great pictures damn i like good hahaaaa keep in touch!

[sinfull]

Was damn good to meet you and Deb over the weekend Chris, didn't get to see ya ride as i missed the trackday but nothing wrong with them times ya did mate, second time on the track !
Brilliant photo's, good stuff Debs !
See ya at the winter series !

[MaxCannon]

Great to meet you and the other racers on Saturday.

Good stuff on keeping it upright through the weekend.

Would have liked to have stayed on Sunday to watch the racing - too many things to do at home !

[DVS 69]

Hell yeah it was a awesum weekend and race day !! My second race meeting also on a stock bike. Its soooo addictive, watch your back sinfull im coming after ya lol Good bunch of guys and good clean racing cant get better can it ....... ?

[wharfy]

Good to met you and Debs, great photos. I was surreptitiously admiring your knee sliders, I STILL haven't got my knee down

[Duke girl]

Great write up Chris and what I have read from what you have written is No 1, never look behind you while racing cos as you have found out by doing so that it does slow you down and you should never have to worry whilst racing who's behind you, just focus on what's in front of you and making sure that you have each corner lined up how you want to approach and exit them.
The more and more experience you have on a race track the better you will become and there are always plenty of riders who are more than willing to help you with any questions you may need answering regarding racing lines.
You will also fine that your times will also get faster and faster the more confidence you build up from being out there.
Maybe we will see you race at this VMCC Actrix Winter Series with the 1st round kicking off at Taupo on May 16th.
Hope to see you there!!!!!!!

[Tony.OK]

Nice one dude.................another wallet is about to learn the meaning of being empty

[Biggles08]

Chris...you looked far better in this round than in the first round bro :-). As Scuzme said, it won't take long for your times to come down and just ask lots of questions of other faster riders while at the track and you will come on pace really fast :-). Good to see you again bro...keep at it.

[NinjaBoy]

Hi Chris

Good to meet you and watch your racing. As Scuzeme says, more track time and especially racing will bring those times down and you'll be amazed at how quickly too ! Catch you at the Winter series ?

[slowpoke]

Mission accomplished fella! You looked good out there, see ya at the Winter Series?

[DVS 69]

Yeah far man you look pretty flash in sum of them photos. When we quailifyed i was wondering how the hell i was gunna beat 1min 46sec and ended up with a personal best of 1min 43sec. Altho like i said i always ride better after lunch (love a good feed ).

[Clivoris]

Way to go man. Those times will start tumbling soon.