LukeM - VMCC Rnd5 posties 89 jr

[lukemillar]

I was really looking forward to this round. I had tweaked my carbs from last round and the bike was running sweet. Arrived early on Friday for a shakedown/practice with the new setup and straight away the bike felt great. Laptimer put more doing 23/24s which is slow but it was a test day so I wasn't going balls out. Pretty uneventful except for running off the track after the hairpin, having a big slapper and then no brakes into Higgins! Not quite sure what happened, just got too close to the LHS, glanced at my clocks and then when I looked up, I was just rolling off the track!

Qualifying

Unfortunately the awesome weather from the day before hadn't held and it was looking cloudy. I only got 3 timed laps and on the second quick lap some guy lowsides right in front of me at the hairpin! I have to roll off and sit it up to avoid him and that leaves one last flying lap to qualify! Ended up around 13th on the mixed grid with a 1:25 which wasn't the best

Race 1

On the slighting lap it is starting to shower and I'm on slicks. I see Ernie pull in, so I do to. We then get a 20 min break to change tyres, only it dries up, so I stick with slicks. Standard crap start and slotted in somewhere around where I qualified. Riding like a granny until Natasha comes past which gives me the hurry up! Pass a couple of people and end up 6th with a best lap of 1m23.2. Pretty disappointed in that seeing as last time I was in the 1m21s with my timer giving me an opt 1:20.5 lap.

Race 2

Now it is wet tyre wet... but drying! Another average start and after a lap or 2 I find myself alone! I just take it easy as I'm not catching anyone and it is now pretty dry and I don't want to trash my wets! Finished 5th with a really pathetic best lap of 1m30!

Race 3

Back to dry again and after 2 pretty average races, I'm not really looking forward to this one. Again, an average start, pass a couple of people, and then watch the laps click down until the flag. Finish 4th with another 1m23.

Pretty disappointed in my riding this round. I just couldn't figure out why I was 2 secs a lap slower than last round!? I looked at the data from my timer and there wasn't one corner really, just marginally slower everywhere. Just riding like a bit of a pussy I guess.

Points wise it wasn't actually that bad, but after being taken out at round 2 and then missing round 3, the top 5 championship finish goal I had at the start of the season is looking slim.

Still, looking forward to Taupo as last time I went pretty well there and will be interested to see how quickly I can hussle the 400 round! Hoping for some good weather.

Thanks to the usual suspects: Motorad for parts and service, Steve B and Moto Academy and all the people who came and said hello over the weekend

See you all in Taupo
Luke

[MOTOXXX]

Looking forward to seeing the bike with flat slides on it.

should go good at taupo.

[lukemillar]

Looking forward to seeing the bike with flat slides on it.

should go good at taupo.

Won't happen for Taupo or Rnd1 of the summer series an Chris is a busy man! I have them fitted, but they aren't running too well - mainly seems to be accelerator pump which causes the engine to die if you are too quick with the throttle. I know sweet f'all about these things so they'll be best left in the box until I can get it up to Chris!

[MOTOXXX]

i think thats just a common trait of the flatslides
i cant bang the throttle on either, you just need to get used to riding with them.

[crazy man]

Won't happen for Taupo or Rnd1 of the summer series an Chris is a busy man! I have them fitted, but they aren't running too well - mainly seems to be accelerator pump which causes the engine to die if you are too quick with the throttle. I know sweet f'all about these things so they'll be best left in the box until I can get it up to Chris!

what bike are you running the flat slides on?

[crazy man]

i think thats just a common trait of the flatslides
i cant bang the throttle on either, you just need to get used to riding with them.

yes my little 400 is a pain like that but my 750 is good and when you make a change to the carbs jet wise on the dyno you always see a change

[quickbuck]

Keep your chin up Luke.
The VFR will be an awesome machine to have at Taupo.... That top 5 could be within reach.

Oh, and yeah, a decent tank slapper will knock the pistons back into the calipers, and leave you with stuff all brakes.... Even Casey Stoner found that out

[lukemillar]

what bike are you running the flat slides on?

The NC30 - I've been chatting to you at the track!

[lukemillar]

Keep your chin up Luke.
The VFR will be an awesome machine to have at Taupo.... That top 5 could be within reach.

Yep - I love Taupo so am looking forward to this one

[crazy man]

The NC30 - I've been chatting to you at the track!

your bike looked like it had good speed! just pick away at the lap times your get there. l know years ago l just followed real fast riders into corners. l got up to speed fast but did crash alot to

[lukemillar]

your bike looked like it had good speed! just pick away at the lap times your get there. l know years ago l just followed real fast riders into corners. l got up to speed fast but did crash alot to

Bike is fine! Like I said - was just me as I was 2 secs quicker at round 4!

[quickbuck]

Bike is fine! Like I said - was just me as I was 2 secs quicker at round 4!

Meh,
I would argue the track was 2 seconds slower..... Especially for the smaller bikes.

Look at the times Sam Croft has done at rounds 3, and compare them to 5.
Also the times I did at round 5 were 2 seconds slower than round 4... All the proof you need right there

Seriously though, the conditions were far from perfect.

Conjecture has it that you need a cool still day at Manfeild.
Cold air givs more of an advantage than a warm track, due to the lack of corners.... comaired to Taupo anyhow.

[crazy man]

Meh,
I would argue the track was 2 seconds slower..... Especially for the smaller bikes.

Look at the times Sam Croft has done at rounds 3, and compare them to 5.
Also the times I did at round 5 were 2 seconds slower than round 4... All the proof you need right there

Seriously though, the conditions were far from perfect.

Conjecture has it that you need a cool still day at Manfeild.
Cold air givs more of an advantage than a warm track, due to the lack of corners.... comaired to Taupo anyhow.

l'v been always faster in the winter think i'm unfit and breath better