Paeroa Battle of the Streets 09
Still bearing a bruise from the Cemetery circuit (I’m sure Frenchy poked it while I was sleeping) we packed the bikes into the Van for the much shorter trip to Paeroa at 7am Saturday morning to ensure we got a good pit. Turned out the best location was the worst for all the wrong reasons but that’s another story. We were here to see what all the fuss was about and race what was regarded as the bumpiest, fastest, craziest street circuit in NZ. My goal was like Wanganui, simple: have fun and finish (and this time keep Tweety shiny side up!!)
First and foremost, I would like to thank my partner Frenchy for all his support leading up to Paeroa, Tweety looked as pretty as ever with new paint and stickers plus a big promise to stay that way. It was awesome to have my sponsors Dave and Donna from Kiwibike Insurance Brokers there on the day (and Kerry too). Big thanks to Dunlop Tyres, Future Grafix (for the awesome stickers) and Paul and Dianne from Team Showerbuddy.
Sighting laps:
The call went out over the speakers for all novice riders to the grid. I zipped up my suit, threw on my helmet and started Tweety, Frenchy and I pulled out shortly after Tony on to dummy grid only to sit there for 2 minutes and get sent back to out pits, apparently we were too late (along with about 15+ other bikes) for the important sighting laps for those first time attenders WTF? I wondered if they were going to have 2 sessions considering the numbers on the track, but no, straight into practice and we had never seen the track from the bike eek! My mind wondered a little about the safety of not letting us out to sight.
F3 Practice:
After the rain in the morning, our 2 practice sessions were shortened to one 5 min session per class before racing. I wasn’t going to miss this one so got ready early. I had asked Abby if I could follow her as she had at least got a few laps in earlier, Abby, Lauren and I lined up together on the dummy grid. I tucked in behind Abby wow, I had never ridden an elevation change like over the hill was and how awesome was the Suzuki S’s! The back straight was so bumpy and what a mind F*** the kink was, into the hairpin and bump onto the straight, tapped out it was chicken into the kink and then Turn1. Wow, what a blast, I was in love and for the first time ever, got a huge rush of excitement mixed with achievement and sheer exhilaration on a track I thought was going to scare the pants off me! This was nothing like Wanganui, no nerves and I was totally loving it. After 4 laps we pulled in and I was grinning, I managed a 1:03.8 not bad for a first try and a good starting point.
F3 Race 1, 6 laps:
We were allocated grid positions, somehow I was placed 39th on the 9th row. We rolled up to the start line, the first few rows were sorted but the next were a shambles, would have helped if there were enough markings for us all! As bikes were all bunched, I decided to stay at the back to avoid any carnage and pick a clear path. Flag dropped and I spotted a clear line so dove for it, had a great start but so did every one else, Turn 1 was messy and we were a few wide over the hill, braking late into the left I made a few places, picked off a few on the straight and into the hairpin, man it feels like you accelerate fast out of there! I was chicken into the kink and Turn 1, a few got passed but I managed to pick them off on the next lap. I had an awesome battle with Abby and her brother (both on VFR’s) I had more legs and took them on the straight and held them off. Last lap and Glen and Terry get me in the S’s. I got swamped by 3 SV’s in the hairpin, which gave my Sponsors a scare! Their great vantage point was right opposite. I crossed the line a lap down in 29th place and a new PB of 1:00.4 what a blast!
F3 Race 2, 6 laps:
Same plan, I started again from the back even though the revised grid had me on the 7th row. Not such a good start I had a lot to catch up to get Abby, Her brother and #44 I had diced with in the last race. Playing catch up I was thinking too much as I was going faster on the back straight and the bumps were getting to me before the kink, braking too much I was conscious of loosing time there and making up for it under braking into Turn 1 but was still being too chicken. I caught Abby on the 4th lap and tried to put some space between us, her brother had been on my tail but I had a power advantage. This time I was passed by Glen up the inside of the left S and on the straight by a few more, having sorted the hairpin (thanks Vicks) I gassed it to the line and crossed in 30th place. My times had slowed slightly and I only managed a 1:02.4 but I was stoked! I tipped my helmet to as many marshals as I could see and waved to Chrissie on the S’s. Its amazing how much you see when you slow down a little!
Overall I placed 28th for the day. Not too bad for my first visit to the Hacksaw Circuit. I have to say I’m hooked! I haven’t felt the emotions and excitement on the track like I did on Sunday for a while and oh my I loved it. Thank you to Paeroa Promotions for putting on an awesome event, AMCC for their part, marshals, behind the scenes people, volunteers and the ambo/fire crew that were there too. Was awesome to be a part of a great event. As many racers commented afterwards, why cant we race here once a month.. but I believe it is so much more special and like christmas we will just have to wait for next year now!
Thank you again to my partner Frenchy and my sponsors for all your help and guidance. My Mum and Dad for coming and all of you who came and said hello in the pits. The photos I have seen so far are awesome! I’m definitely coming back next year to take on the Hacksaw again!
P.S If you happened to have picked up the wrong licence would you please return mine?? I was gutted it was lost when I went to retrieve it
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Rock on next year so it can happen all again eh 
you did great altho i didn't get to see much of your races, was a wicked buzz and was stoked to share it with you 
Well done
Originally Posted by GIXser
Ooops! 
You didn't wave at me. I even shook the "Angry Spaghetti" at ya 
ah Jimmy.... i didnt see ya! now Chrissie had a high vis vest on so ws a little easier for my old eyes to spot her 
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