Coming into this round, i was quite determined to start the session of with some solid points and wins.
Knowing from recent test days, my times were fairly up there, i was quite confident i could achieve this.
We got to the track super early, and to my surpise alot of were already there.
Signed in and walked my brother through the process of what to do on a race day, as it was his first time racing.
Steve had already done a fantastic job organising the pit garage the day before.
So not too much was needed to be done, except get my transponder.
Taupo had put on for us a interesting day, as qualifing roll around. It started too kill the original dry line. Unfortnately we did not have enough time too change both ends so we had to run a wet on the front and a slick on the back, giving our fresh mechanics a good pratice, who managed to change 4 bike rims within a couple minutes. (The meeting had not being called wet yet).
As i rode out the gate for qualifing, i could feel my back end instantly start to slide.
I rode around at a very very grandma pace, just being smooth and avioding handfills of throttle untill up-right.
I chucked one semi-okay for the conditions lap in and called it quits, as i was asking for a crash if i stayed out there any longer.
Neverthless Jayden and I, were still miles ahead of everyone else and I qualified in 2nd place.
There were a couple of people crashing who had the same tyre configuration as i did, so i was happy with my maturity in the conditions.
As the session finished, the meeting was declared wet. So we obviousy changed too wets, unfortanetly the skies played silly buggers with us and produced a dry line just after lunch.
Without time to change tyres i procceded to the dummy grid, to find my main competitor had quickly switched to slicks again.
Race One
I lined up on to the grid, and for once i managed to put my bike in netural on the way up.
I managed a decent start, what was a welcome change as this has been a weak point in previous meetings.
I exited turn one in fourth, but quickly dived up the inside of No.74.
William Juggins who had got the holeshot, ran on to the grass as we went over top of Turn 4.
I closely followed Jayden for a wee bit,having a look up the inside a couple times.
But he eventdually pulled a small gap.
As my bike was sliding around a fair amount, i decided not too take the risk of crashing and just take an easy 2nd, as i knew he had a set of slicks on.
Best time for this race was a rather safe 1:51.
Race Two
In between race's we switched back to slicks and chucked them on the warmers.
I exited the gate with a bit of a pratice start to get the ball rolling and as i was in rain mode. I decided to give the warm up lap a bit of a thrashing to get in the mood, who was who said your warm up lap should be your fastest?.
Feeling the tons of extra grip i had i felt like i had a chance now.
I managed a decent start again, this time exiting turn one in 3rd, yet again i got rid of the 2nd around the outside of turn three and inside of turn four.
Quickly jumping on to the backend of Jayden's bike, i felt very strong. I choose the outside line to aviod the massive patch around the long left (Turn 6). This proved to be the better line, as Jayden bogged his bike down, and i buggered off around the outside on the exit. Almost rubbing fairings.
It was quite interesting leading the race, my expirence from bucket racing helped alot here.
I held a decent pace, without cocking up too much, and managed to gap Jayden a fair amount.
As the laps went on i managed to hold a distance on Jayden, but noticed i was getting a little bit rough everywhere.
Noteably through the A1 Corner and the back sweeper, struggling alot with drive out on the back straight.
I quickly but safely lapped the Streetstock/"Mini-Lite's".
Learning from my expirences from last year's two dayer, where i lost 3rd postion due to taking a calm approach to lapping riders.
I keeped it all together at a decent pace and crossed the line in first =).
First real win for me, what was fantastic!
Best time of a 1:45:4
Summary/Things to improve on
-My starts still need some improving, but are a much welcome improvment to last years starts, where i would be some 5 seconds behind the leaders by the end of the first lap. No reason i shouldn't be able to holeshot every race.
-Smoother/more preciese/consistant riding, I need to be preiceise with my riding, as i notice that i was riding smooth but not particularlay accurate.
Missing apex's and average lines were some of the downfalls'. (A1 Corner and sweeper were not good at all!)
This will be something i will be espically focusing for next round. However it could be put down to the fact i have not ridden the full Taupo track since this time last year, and i only had 5 dry laps.
Nevertheless, will be working on this area alot.
Fantastic start to the session but its going to be a tough session ahead! Tied for first with 47 Points.
1st overall for round 1 as i won the last race.
Thanks alot too;
Steve Bagshaw/Moto Academy for doing what he's doing, wouldn't be here without him! Cheers!.
Mike Repps for helpful mentoring and looking after us!
Gareth,Shannon and Robbie for doing a awesome job! Cheers!!!
Mum and Dad/MJH Engineering
Cheers
Kyle #13.
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Originally Posted by quallman1234
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