Firstly I would like to thank the Honda Riders Club for putting on a great day at the Taupo track yesterday. I am a dyed in the wool Suzuki boy from the day I was born, but I have to give credit where credit is due, these guys and girls from Honda put on a fantastic show!
I piled the van full of my, may need it, could need it and will never need it but it makes me feel better for having it stuff and left Lower Hutt on Saturday afternoon with no real expectations of how the next day would pan out with only a hint of scepticism about anyone other than Suzuki running anything worth going to. Arrived in Taupo ( yes the trip did go by quickly didn't it) and settled into to the Top10 camp, before I knew it I had the tent up and Kiwirider mag half read before realising the daylight had disappeared and my nose was skimming the page in order to see the words. Last note to myself, red at night sheppards delight, it was going to be a cracker tomorrow!
Got up nice and early, got myself presentable, really went overboard and went to a cafe for a good breakfast and then off to the track I went.
From the moment I hopped out of the van everyone was friendly and ready for a chat. (oh I love this motorcycle community!) It got even better after 5min at the track Aaron Slight was out on track power sliding a commodore ute (I think it's called sighting laps!)
The line up HRC had there was amazing, Fred Merkil (my spelling is BAD), Aaron Slight, Craig Sheriffs and sorry some others I am unable to remember. All the Guys that were helping out were great, approachable, friendly and very helpful. (this will take a while, I'll put my daughter to bed and carry this on soon) go get a cup of tea.
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have I tightened every nut and bolt, havent riden for two months, havent riden the bike since the nice bloke at Freedom Suzuki (again name escapes me) fiddled the fueling to my own specs, not usually a good idea since I'm relying on advice and gut instinct and am I going to make a complete arse of myself and have pitlane laughing and pointing. As every though as soon as I flung my leg over my trusty love all was well and I was laughing at how silly I am. Now I must tell you the Taupo track in my opinion is stuffed for motorcycles as they have patched bits of the track and surrounded the patch which was described to me by Aaron as resin and believe me it feels like jelly when you ride over it, and gives you maybe 400mm between white line and patch to get the good line for a corner. That said though it is a track I love, and wouldnt dampen the day. As a summary I'd just like to say the gixxer was fantastic the day was hot and I was happy with my laps (had the lap timer with me) a 1:44.1 with a bit left in reserve, the people like Aaron and Fred could not have been better, again thanks to scuzeme and all the people I meet and had a chat to just helped make the day one I will remember as a cracker! I must also thank the Tuarangi Bakery/Cafe yes they sell Ripe Coffee so its a plug but they fed me on the way up and back and there pies are bloody good!!
If you read this I feel your pain but I had to share my very cool weekend, and it has made me pull finger and go sponsor kissing so I'm ready to do the complete winter series, but as yet not sure weather I do clubmans or harden up and try f1 your opinions are always welcome!
Originally Posted by Tony.OK
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