First thanks to Skunk for getting my foot in the door to race the FXR. Also all the volunteers that made the day possible. And all the great people that I ran into over the 2 days. Also thanks to my Brother and sort of sponsor Kelford Cams for all the work on the engine. It is a ripper.
Saturday: Track day
The bike had a brand spanking new engine in almost every way. So Saturday was supposed to be take it easy day in the slow group. Easier said than done. First two sessions I did try not to rev its nuts off, but like a kid with a new toy I just wanted to see what it could do. Later in the afternoon I moved up to the Medium group to try and get some faster laps put together. Was a good move as I quickly learnt that I hadn't learnt the track at all. In the last season I found myself behind young Tyler Lincoln. Lucky break as he was on the pace from the start. I set about trying to stay with him through the traffic and learnt a lot. Managed an unofficial 131.7. The bike was running ok but the clutch was slipping quite bad at about 11k. I thought it might have been the cheap running in oil giving up and the proved the case. Oil change to the Motul Double ester and no problems.
Ok Race Day.
Qualifying:
Well I didn't really feel all that great in the morning maybe one to many beers and not enough breakfast and no coffee yet. What ever it was I didn't have much of a flow on. Trying to keep pace with everyone as the took off at speed on cold tires was a bit of a shock. Then the checkered flag and it was over. Now I know why they all just took off so fast.
Race one:
Ok, so had breakfast and some large amounts of caffeine. Ready to race. Maybe to ready. Lights on full red, and go. Opp's, wasn't until about lap 4 that I thought I had jumped the start. Anyway great race put my head down and went for it. I was doing ok and just behind Neil Chappell so put my head down and found myself on his back wheel mid race. I think I managed one desperate dive underneath him at the hairpin but lost so much momentum he just heald his line, got the drive and drop me by a bike length or 3. I managed to work back onto his wheel but no way past. Best lap 131.190
Race two:
Determined not to jump the start I got away ok but not great. Found myself on Neil's wheel again. and was much closer the whole race lots of passing attempts and wheel to wheel action. It was a great battle. Crossed the line stuck to his wheel. with a big smile on the dial. Best lap 130.472
Race 3
Got a good start and was determined to get one over on Mr 176. From the start I was in front of Neil and looking ok until he edged past pushing me a little wide. I changed direction after he passed and went for the inside in turn one. Was a good move and made some ground to find myself behind Neil and Tyler. Not for long. Got dooffed up a little coming into splash and lost touch quite quick. Came out of the hairpin with lots of work to do. I think it was coming into higgins that I was passed buy Aaron Carr on the Ninja. And thats when the battle really began. The Ninja had the legs but I had an advantage in the bends and breaks down to some nice sticky slicks. The difference in the bikes making for an entertaining race. I new that if I could make another pass in the hairpin and hold him out before higgins I might have a chance. Last lap and here we go again. This time I tried to keep it really smooth on the pass. It worked a treat. I didn't see his wheel until dunlop. He came past on the inside fast, maybe a little to fast. I managed to hold a good line and came out in front. Head down fingers and toes crossed to the line. Then the familiar front wheel, then the whole fecking bike. Side buy side chucking it at the line and I got there just. 6 100th of a second. Huge smiles. A shake of the hand and the end of a great days racing.
Feels funny talking about people I don't know. I hope to get to race again soon and meet you all properly. People talk a lot of shit on KB. I myself have been guilty of this. There seams to be a lot of negativity towards bucket racing from some people. Likewise from bucket racers towards other classes. I think its all really meaningless crap. I for one will never be drawn on any negativity directed towards any sort of road racing. Its just hurts the sport as a whole. I hope that I have shown that F4 bikes can cut it on a big track and provide some entertainment along the way. Not sure if I will race the bucket again but will jump at any chance to get back out there. The F3 project is sitting in the shed waiting for dollars.
Good times.
Rich.
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Originally Posted by koba
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