VMCC Round 2 – Manfeild Full Circuit
Friday Practice
After spending Thursday night in Taupo it was an early morning drive to Feilding arriving just before 9.30. Marcus (Biggles),Darrin (Scuzeme), Kevin (Wharfy) and Bill (Sinful) were already set up in the stalls as I unloaded the Van. It has been a few months since I was last at Manfield and I was keen to try out my newly fitted Ohlins forks. Robert Taylor was on hand to check the setup and I was soon out on the track. Taking the first few laps cautiously as it was cold before upping the pace. However, after seeing Darrin on the side of the track I decided not to get too enthusiastic.
The forks felt amazing even just riding out to pitlane. There was lots of feedback and my braking confidence had doubled especially when braking on the lean to the apex. I spent the rest of the day getting comfortable with the bike and track again.
SATURDAY
Qualifying – F1
It was a very cold and unfamiliar track. I had only been on the long track once last year on a rain soaked day that was cancelled and then only for a 10min qualifying session. It was a cautious ride around and while I tried to put in some fast laps I knew I was well off the pace and qualified in 31st.
Qualifying – F2
This session started late morning and the day had started to warm up as did the track. With some more focus to get better lap times and grid position, I pushed a bit harder especially through the track extension with its flat and blind corners. I was still a bit uncomfortably with the long left hand sweeper onto the main track but kept the throttle pinned to improve my lap time by 7 seconds. Best laptime 2:10 qualifying in 25th.
Race 1 – F1 – 6 laps
Starting on the outside, my preferred position, I got a good start shooting past a couple of rows by the first corner and finding a good line around the outside of turn 1. I kept up the pace through ‘splash’ and the hairpin but by the time I got to Higgins I was being overtaken by the horsepower of the 1000cc bikes. I latched onto Lee Bradford for most of the race trying to find a way past. In the last 2 laps Aria Lawrence found a way past us both through the infield and while this woke me up a bit I still couldn’t get past Lee and finished behind in 23rd.
Race 1 – F2 – 6 laps
I got a good launch on the start but being on the inside I found it difficult to find a clean line through the first two corners. However, at ‘Splash’ the first left hander allowed me to drive past the pack on the outside and gain some places out of the hairpin. I had a brief dice with Aria but once she took off I spent most of the race swapping places with Brian Williams. On equal sized bikes no one had much of a power advantage so it was a matter of who got better drive out the corners or was braver under brakes. I chased hard for most of the race with Brian looking back every lap. I stayed close all through the extension making most of my ground on the last corner (Dunlop). Taking a much deeper line I got up the inside and when Brian looked over his shoulder he was greeted with my Gixxer on his hip. We both tucked down for the final drive to the line. Brian beat me over the line by 0.001 seconds and I finished in 19th. First points for the day!
SUNDAY
Race 2 – F1 – 10 laps
I elected not to do the scrub session saving myself for the first race of the day. I got a good start and got around the first corner in a reasonable position. I spent the first half of the race trying to get past an R1 but losing out to horse power down the straights. After a few laps of frustration we were passed by a freight train of other riders. The biggest wakeup call was Darrin sneaking past through the extension. I tried desperately to keep up but he was on ‘fire’. With a few laps to go I kept my head down to finish 21st.
Race 2 – F2 – 10 laps
With one goal, to finish in front my team mate Darrin, I pushed hard in the first lap and stayed close to the group of Marcus, Mark Bennett and Aria. Getting a good tow from this group I was putting in my best lap times in this race. Somewhere during the race I managed a ‘cheeky’ pass on Mark Bennett and followed Aria for a couple of laps. I made a small mistake through the sweeping back section and Mark got past. Marcus was having all sorts of problems with his gearbox and I got past him at the end of the front straight. He made the same move in the next lap and the places stayed that way to the chequered flag finishing in my highest placing of 17th.
Race 3 – F1 – 6 laps
With a lot of SuperSport riders saving themselves for the last race I had an empty grid at the start. I got a good launch and left braking very late for turn 1 ‘leapfrogging’ me past a couple of rows of riders. I pushed hard for the first few laps to capitalise on the great start but my fitness (or lack of) was beginning to show. By this stage Darrin was close and got past when I missed a gear. Losing a few more places I pushed hard to stay with Aria and Darrin. At one stage it was three wide with myself, Darrin and Aria through the back field hairpin. With a few laps to go I managed to outbrake Darrin into turn 1. I focussed so hard on chasing down Aria I missed both the white and chequered flags, finishing 21st just behind Aria.
Race 3 – F2 – 6 laps
The last race of the day. I got an OK start but was squeezed out in the first corner. I had a clear outside line through ‘splash’ and as I got hard on the throttle, Phil Snowdon had a massive highside just ahead of me. I braked hard trying to avoid Phil and his bike. This was race was red flagged after half a lap and due to the crash in the previous race the meeting was called due to lack of ambulances.
A long weekend but a satisfying one. This weekend leaves me down a few places in the Championship to 8th in F2. I learnt a lot and really enjoyed the long fast sweeping corners of the Manfeild long track. Thanks goes to the Vic Club for running such a well organised event .
I would also like to thank my sponsors who have made this weekend possible.
Metzeler tyres have been awesome providing unparalleled feedback and confidence.
Maxima Oils for all your lubrication needs in Engine oil, chain wax and coolants
Botany Honda: See Danny and his team for all your motorcycling accessories and making the above sponsorship possible
TripleZee Cycles: John for providing support and encouragement and his skill in dyno tuning the bike to get the best possible performance. See him for all your Dyno tuning and Electrical needs and FactoryPro parts
Also special thanks to Robert Taylor (CKT) for his special attention all weekend to my suspension needs and sourcing for me some awesome Ohlins kit.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Kickha
Ahh well following Aria around isn't all that bad 
Bookmarks