Deano's Round 1 - Taupo - VMCC

**Deano** · 17th May 2009, 10:27

Wets or drys, wets or drys - this seemed to be the call of the day.

There quite a few pro twin bikes entered, and a few names I had not seen before. I was a bit unsure as to how things would pan out, but confident of a good placing.

Qualifying

We were told at rider's briefing that the track would be slippery, but with no standing water quite a few of us went out on dry tyres.

This proved to be a mistake as it was VERY slippery and I just concentrated on being as smooth as possible, avoiding the most slippery bits and bringing it home in one piece. Qualified 15th on the grid, pro twin/Superlites.

The track wasn't drying much, with a bit of drizzle here and there so the wets went on ready for the first race.

Race 1

Got a pretty good start and into outside of turn 1 in about 8th or overall I think. The guys in front proceeded to pull away slightly and after a couple of laps I was by myself, as seems to be quite the norm for me.

Paul Buckley came past me on lap three and buggered off as well.

A dry line was forming but the surface still didn't inspire much confidence.

Duncan Keane was catching towards the end and was pretty close behind at the finish line.

Finished 7th overall and 5th pro twin.

Race 2

Sam Love and his mate (sorry was it Steve ? Kwaka 10 ?) gave me some help with bike set up and tips on getting everything possible out of the SV and myself. Thanks guys you gave me a lot of good advice.

I got a great launch this time and into turn 1 about 6th I think.

David Cook came past, and then Mark Boyes. I tagged on to Mark and looked for several windows of opportunity to get past. I chased him hard over the hill T4? and he took an inside line, I think to go inside the patch 'seams' and the edge of the track. I held off braking a little longer and went around the outside - as I did it looked like he might have had a moment on the patch seam and I was able to get away.

Racing myself again pretty much, I think I may have gone off the boil or was tiring a little (I need to workout more but haven't had much time lately). I checked behind me with 1.5 laps top go and Ashley Payne was catching fast and was only metres behind me at the finish line.

4th in pro twins that time and a lot happier with my performance, although a little disappointed I didn't get onto the podium.

Round 2 next month is the Manfeild long track so I will be out to pull some points back on my home turf.

With 12 pro twins in the field, the class is getting more competitive which is great to see.

Big thanks to Luke and Malcolm for helping me in the pits, Sam (and mate) for your advice, The Station Sports Cafe and Bar for the accommodation, Zany Zeus, Sue VFR

, and a big big thanks to Stew at TSS Red Baron for supporting Drew and I.

Because of Stew, we can now also thank AGVSport Leathers, Pirelli Tyres, EK Chains, EBC Brakes, Clover, and Repsol Oils.

Watch this space for some changes to our bikes and gear.

Deano # 180

**GSVR** · 17th May 2009, 10:32

Good one Deano. Some interesting results there with the changable weather etc.

Sams pitguy is called Simon if its the same guy from the nationals.

The number 12 bike has to get his starts sorted with 2 jump starts!

**Matt Bleck** · 17th May 2009, 11:11

well done Deano!

**Drew** · 17th May 2009, 11:33

Awsome stuff bro, wish we had gone with wets to start the day, you would have started from a much better position, but you did a great job of making up places.

GO TEAM!!!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 17th May 2009, 12:56

Reckon you went really well. You NEED more HP though. Congrats.

**wharfy** · 17th May 2009, 12:59

good stuff deano, see you at round 2 !!

**GSVR** · 17th May 2009, 16:41

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Reckon you went really well. You NEED more HP though. Congrats.

Maybe he should see if Glen will let him test a motor. See if a couple of horsepower mAkes any difference. Harden up Deano and hit the throttle harder and the brakes later

**quallman1234** · 17th May 2009, 16:46

Congrats on a good solid day

.

**kiwifruit** · 17th May 2009, 16:52

Good work Dean

**Frenchy** · 17th May 2009, 18:30

well done mate and some good results!!

**Deano** · 17th May 2009, 18:39

Originally Posted by GSVR

The number 12 bike has to get his starts sorted with 2 jump starts!

That was Russell Josiah, a name I seem to recall from my late teens at Wangas.

Originally Posted by GSVR

See if a couple of horsepower mAkes any difference. Harden up Deano and hit the throttle harder and the brakes later

As easy as it would be to do so, I'm not biting sorry.

**svr** · 17th May 2009, 18:49

Originally Posted by Deano

With 12 pro twins in the field, the class is getting more competitive which is great to see.

Was great to see some more PTs out there.
Well done Deano - esp. good qualifying effort on dry tires. One good thing about qualifying back there is you get to do lots of passing huh!
Good luck for the series.