Cookie's round 1 - tyre shambles

[svr]

A wet track makes things `interesting' huh? - particularly if you're on slicks with no spare wheels. Thought I'd leave on the slicks and not stress out all day changing tyres. Then remembered I had to actually `qualify'.
F3 qualifying: Toured round so slowly in the wet almost forgot to wind the gas on down the straight bits a couple of times, but somehow managed 12th on the grid.
F2 qualifying: Couldn't be arsed going out as wetter than F3. Starting off the back I guess!
F3 race 1: Thought I'd do the warmup lap and make a call whether to race. Even on the less wet bits there was spray comming off tyres so thought I'd pull in, but for some reason forgot and formed up on the grid, where me and Deano `disputed' the same spot (why werent they chalked out?). Didn't get a bad start but couldn't stay with the guys on wets. Had fun though and with a with a dry line forming in a couple of corners things improved (best lap only 1.5 sec slower than the best on wets) and came home 10th - 4th F3.
F2 race 1: Sweet! - bone dry racing line about 10 feet wide. Couldn't believe everone else was on wets and was laughing in my helmet as I pulled up on the grid, only to get kicked off by a marshall for having a slick on - what the f??!! Something about it being declared a wet meeting by the guy in the tower, who was watching the weather on his computer. I watched the race (and weather) from the infield with steam comming out my ears and felt sorry for all those F2 racers destroying their nice wets on a dry track.
Race flagged due to Brian Woods big crash (on wets Brian?).
Early lunch - this is the part of the day I'm good at.
Riders briefing called where the guy who had declared the last (dry) race wet humbly accepted responsibility and helpfully clarified the ruling in a non-patronising manor, or something...
F3 race 2: No weather dramas this time but on outside of the 3rd row so some work to do. Decent start around the outside at the first corner but took 2 laps to get to second after a bit of paint swapping with Peter Rees at the sweeper (probably my fault) by which time Boothy was goooooneburger so cruised around for the last 3 laps for 2nd and first F3 bike. 5 lap races suit me! Looking at the results realised I must have passed a certain Russell Josiah somewhere along the way so thats kinda cool I guess. Last time I rased a Josiah was his son (who kicked my arse, ahem)
F2 race 2: Positioned the mighty sv roadbike at the back of the grid on the outside, reasoning that the inside would be jammed up tighter than, well (can't think of anything non-offensive here but you get the picture), and round the the outside would be the go. Worked out perfect - passed a 600 a corner for a couple of laps and kept it on the black stuff for 6th - Bonus after expecting a total embarrassment against all those 600s.
After prizeging put the sidestand back on and rode home grinning (exactly) like an idiot . OK so its only 2 kays but you get the idea.

Thanks to all the VMCC volunteers for all the great work. I first raced with the club 20yrs ago and had so much fun at this meeting might just keep going!!

[Biggles08]

A wet track makes things `interesting' huh? - particularly if you're on slicks with no spare wheels. Thought I'd leave on the slicks and not stress out all day changing tyres. Then remembered I had to actually `qualify'.
F3 qualifying: Toured round so slowly in the wet almost forgot to wind the gas on down the straight bits a couple of times, but somehow managed 12th on the grid.
F2 qualifying: Couldn't be arsed going out as wetter than F3. Starting off the back I guess!
F3 race 1: Thought I'd do the warmup lap and make a call whether to race. Even on the less wet bits there was spray comming off tyres so thought I'd pull in, but for some reason forgot and formed up on the grid, where me and Deano `disputed' the same spot (why werent they chalked out?). Didn't get a bad start but couldn't stay with the guys on wets. Had fun though and with a with a dry line forming in a couple of corners things improved (best lap 1.5 only sec slower than the best on wets) and came home 10th - 4th F3.
F2 race 1: Sweet! - bone dry racing line about 10 feet wide. Couldn't believe everone else was on wets and was laughing in my helmet as I pulled up on the grid, only to get kicked off by a marshall for having a slick on - what the f??!! Something about it being declared a wet meeting by the guy in the tower, who was watching the weather on his computer. I watched the race from the infield with steam comming out my ears and felt sorry for all those F2 racers destroying their nice wets on a dry track.
Race flagged due to Brian Woods big crash (on wets Brian?).
Early lunch - this is the part of the day I'm good at.
Riders briefing called where the guy who had declared the last (dry) race wet humbly accepted responsibility and helpfully clarified the ruling in a non-patronising manor, or something...
F3 race 2: No weather dramas this time but on outside of the 3rd row so some work to do. Decent start around the outside at the first corner but took 2 laps to get to second after a bit of paint swapping with Peter Rees at the sweeper (probably my fault) by which time Boothy was goooooneburger so cruised around for the last 3 laps. 5 lap races suit me! Looking at the results realised I must have passed a certain Russell Josiah somewhere along the way so thats kinda cool I guess. Last time I rased a Josiah was his son (who kicked my arse, ahem)
F2 race 2: Positioned the mighty sv roadbike at the back of the grid on the outside, reasoning that the inside would be jammed up tighter than, well (can't think of anything non-offensive here but you get the picture), and round the the outside would be the go. Worked out perfect - passed a 600 a corner for a couple of laps and kept it on the black stuff for 6th - Bonus after expecting a total embarrassment against all those 600s.
After prizeging put the sidestand back on and rode home grinning (exactly) like an idiot . OK so its only 2 kays but you get the picture.

Thanks to all the VMCC volunteers for all the great work. I first raced with the club 20yrs ago and had so much fun at this meeting might just keep going!!

Great effort bro...showing us 600's up like that! I felt for you guys getting kicked off the dummy, my understanding is you had every right to race on what you wanted to...owness is on the rider when a race is declared wet!?! Besides, that track was deffinately not soaking wet with a huuuuuuge dry line!?!

[Sidewinder]

sory i wasnt there to show everyone up

[Deano]

Nice to meet you Cookie. The grid position confusion was my fault, but I don't think I was alone -In my defence the layout of bikes ahead of me looked nothing like it did in race 1.

[GSVR]

Very dissapointing Mr Cook. You'd better ride down to round two at Manfeild and redeem yourself.

Thought you'd run off the track or something in the first race!

[Skunk]

F2 race 1: Sweet! - bone dry racing line about 10 feet wide. Couldn't believe everone else was on wets and was laughing in my helmet as I pulled up on the grid, only to get kicked off by a marshall for having a slick on - what the f??!! Something about it being declared a wet meeting by the guy in the tower, who was watching the weather on his computer. I watched the race (and weather) from the infield with steam comming out my ears and felt sorry for all those F2 racers destroying their nice wets on a dry track.

Shit man, those marshals must be right wankers. I felt so sorry for you I stood on the infield with you for the race. Makes me feel like crap when I ruin someone's day like that but it's outside of my control. Real sorry.

Thanks to all the VMCC volunteers for all the great work. I first raced with the club 20yrs ago and had so much fun at this meeting might just keep going!!

I'll see you on the grid on the 20th then

[svr]

Shit man, those marshals must be right wankers. I felt so sorry for you I stood on the infield with you for the race. Makes me feel like crap when I ruin someone's day like that but it's outside of my control. Real sorry.
I'll see you on the grid on the 20th then

Sorry mate - and I do apologise! Hope I didn't abuse you too much for just doin your job and following orders but I was a bit pissed at the time.

Anyone actually know what the wet race rule means? The only reference I could find to on the MNZ website is buried within the streetstock rules??!

[Skunk]

No worries! I'd be pissy too.
I believe it's in the general rules - I'll see if I can find it.

[Kickaha]

only to get kicked off by a marshall for having a slick on - what the f??!! Something about it being declared a wet meeting by the guy in the tower

It is up to the rider to decide what he wants to race on when it is declared wet

We went through this with a steward last weekend

[Skunk]

This Steward said otherwise.

Anyway, here's what I found:

22-12-10 Tyres
Gazetted Tyres for 150cc Street Stock Class.
Tyre sizes, 80/90, 90/90, 95/70, 90/65, 100/80, 110/90, 120/80 x 18 TT900, 110/80 x 17 Applies to 150 Street Stock only.
1. The choice of tyre is optional, either a slick or a Dot/European approved road legal tyre on sale to the public. (No grooved slicks, modifications or treatments allowed to tyres).
2. All tyres fitted must be mounted on a corresponding rim as per the tyre manufacturers recommendations of rim to tyre specifications. These shall be gazetted on the MNZ website and up dated as necessary.
3. Tyre warmers are not allowed.
4. Should the steward call the race wet then the rider, may use a DOT/European approved road legal tyre or a full race wet weather tyre marked not for highway may be used. (No slicks or grooved slicks allowed).
5. Wet race: A race if classified as wet, usually commenced in varying or wet conditions, will not be interrupted for climatic reasons and riders who wish to change tyres or make adjustments must enter the pits and do so during the actual race.
6. Should track conditions change due to climatic conditions after a race has started the steward shall stop the race to enable competitors to change their tyres Rule 6-13 will apply. Conditions for stopping and restarting a race Refer Rule 6-13.
7. On safety grounds a steward may stop the race should the conditions be considered dangerous.

It would appear the Streetstock only rule is the one he used. I haven't found anything else yet
Edit: I think I know what has happened... Each Appendix the the class rules has a rule about 'wet meetings'. If you open the Road Racing rules PDF and search for 'wet race' you find the page with the bit quoted above - without the heading. No other class is mentioned in this PDF. Their 'wet race' rules are in each chapter dealing with the class.

[Biggles08]

It would appear the Streetstock only rule is the one he used. I haven't found anything else yet.

It would appear he cocked it up then :-)

[Skunk]

It would appear he cocked it up then :-)

Yep. Must be human after all. Wonders never cease

Back on track - hope you had fun besides this...

[svr]

Yep. Must be human after all. Wonders never cease

Back on track - hope you had fun besides this...

Thanks for that Skunkie. Yep had lots of fun and the last thing I'd want to do is slag volunteer officials who make it all possible. Seemed everyone was right except the guy in charge who didn't want to listen to reason. Also not sure the patronising speech he gave at the lunch time riders briefing was entirely necessary.

[svr]

the last thing I'd want to do is slag volunteer officials

Except for that flag marshall `GRIZ' aka the big whale who is just a big steaming pile of lard who drinks all my beer and stinks out my flat. He should have been changing tires for me yesterday instad of waving flags. He's too slow moving to get to fallen riders in time anyhow.
He's also the bloke who beats all you pussies at the cliffhangar hillclimb - given his power to weight ratio that's embarrassing!

[Deano]

Except for that flag marshall `GRIZ' aka the big whale who is just a big steaming pile of lard who drinks all my beer and stinks out my flat.

Um - Hang on - he only just told me he was moving out of home ? 40 year old men should not be living at home (or with other 40 year old men ?) Are you going to wash his dirty laundry now ? lol

He's also the bloke who beats all you pussies at the cliffhangar hillclimb - given his power to weight ratio that's embarrassing!

Keep it real Cookie. I feel for you having to live with the obnoxious bastard, but no need to suck his cock.

We haven't been graced by your presence at the cliffhanger yet ?