Sunday dawned warm, dry and overcast but the cloud soon burned offand things got hot.
I was really looking forward to this meeting as I was hoping that the fastest F3 fullas would be in ChCh, and I had some stuff to practice in the Dunlop Sweeper. It turns out that not only were the Nats fullas away but quite few of the usual suspects weren't racing at all. Post Classics and F3 were still the biggest grids but they could have been bigger. Where were you all?
Qualifying
Rather than felch around during qualifying waiting for a clear run or getting too strategic, I resolved to get on the pace as quickly as I could and both times found a clear lap or 2. A 1.23 in posties saw me 4thon the grid and a 1.20
in F3 saw me 5th on the grid. Very new territory for me and I couldn't help laughing at how good it felt. The bike was feeling good and some of the basic skills were starting to flow a bit better.
Posties Race 1
Despite my best efforts, I lost several places in turn 1. Most of this race was spent trying to get past Scracha and his 600 (heaven help us when he discovers what it's like to race without a hangover) and a geezer Steve on an FZR 600. The party was briefly gate-crashed by Andy on a TZ250, who took us all to school before retiring after the hairpin. Fuel? The biggest learn for me during this race was that I need to work harder at my passing and use corner speed more assertively. There were several times I was held up and thought about getting by, but hesitated and then the moment was gone. I have to fess up though and admit that the thought of getting the door slammed on me was in operation, especially when Steevie's the geezer I'm passing.
In the end it was one of the best races I have had but couldn't make any passes stick. I ended up 3rd in class with a 1.21. For some reason Steve on the FZR 600 was entered on the senior class. My first podium. Despite the depleted field I was bloody stoked and worked hard for it. I also had a plan for the 600's in the next race.
F3 Race 1
We were mixed in with Pro and Open twins in this race so I was monstered even more than usual off the start. The roar of the twins blasting by was only broken up by the sound of scracha 2-wheel-drifting past me on the outsideand into the gravel on turn 1. On the exit of turn one there had to be 12 bikes in front of me but I wasn't thinking too hard about counting them.
This ended up being another great race with heaps of close passing and I'm excited like a schoolboy next to Scarlett Johansen on the bus by the time I get back to the pits. Had some awesome dices with Craig (GSXR450) and Scott (SV 650), and learned that I don't have to back off if someone is showing me the front wheel. Keep it pinned and 80% of the time they back off. 1.21 is the best lap. 7th in class.
Posties Race 2
The plan for this race is to try and get by the 2 600's early in the infield and claw out a lead as I'm quicker through there. As it eventuated I managed to get by them a couple of times in various places, but I think I managed to make one stick coming out of the hairpin. I spent the last laps expecting them to get back past but held my position to take 2nd for the class. Now I'm sitting next to Scarlett and Halle Berry. Seriously buzzed and expecting a new PB lap-time but find a 1.21 was as good as it got. Wish I could do this every weekend.
F3 Race 2
Crap start againand I think I'm tiring a bit in the heat. Scracha burgled me in turn 1 as he usually does and I spend the first 5 laps trying to get by SV's and a bloody annoying RSVR. while battling with Eddie (RGV250) and I think Ant (NC30). I keep a reign on my frustration and start thinking more about how to get past these diesel powered beasts where they are slow, and then making it stick. The RSVR though, just blasts past on the straights. I got by a couple of times but noticed his rear sliding around a bit on the exits so let him have his space. This pays off when he over cooks it on the exit to turn 1 and lies down right in front of me. I decide not to run him over and get back into it.
During the last lap I start to slowly real Scracha in, this is a matter of international pride nowbut Scotland takes the day as his elbows are wide like Oprah. 9th in class and still in the 1.21s.
This had to be the best racing I have participated in. Often close but it never really freaked me out. I've got some work to do on race-craft and consistency but it was mega. I wish I could bottle the day and spray it on before I go to work.
Many thanks to Nigel, PMCC, Tim Gibbes and the crew who did all the work to make this possible. Thanks as well to Q8 Oils for the stuff that makes my engine internals slippery and my brakes not slippery.
Reply With Quote
Karma ... Justice catches up eventually !! 
gets the surpluss alloy from you head it may well breath a lot better too , dont mention the war, ok.
Originally Posted by discodan
I kinda smiled when he did it.
Bookmarks