Wharfy's Triumph at the Cliffhanger

[wharfy]

Cliffhanger 09

Executive summary
I didn't win.
I didn't come last and I didn't fall off.
Lots of people thought my new bike was sexy (they didn't all say that but I know that is what they meant )
Best time 2:33.8xx (on Saturday = 7th fastest after 3 runs )
Best time 2:33.9xx (on Sunday = 3rd in C2 class) – Yeah I know there was only 3

The Bloodylong Version –
read on if you are interested in the true life adventures of Wharfy - or are reading this at work - or are just bored
This is the event that got me back into racing, I have done 3 on my Hornet (06,07,08) with very average results. After last years effort I decided I needed to learn how to go round corners so did a couple of MotoTT trackdays. These lead to the Vic Club Winter Series, Greymouth, Wanganui (as a leg of the Tri-Series) and Scrivy's endurance race. The trusty Hornet is now retired from racing as I have a dedicated race bike in the form of a VERY sexy Triumph Daytona 675. The Cliffhanger was to be its first North Island outing.

I was very excited about trying the 675 on the hill, the fairings were still unpainted so I got a few rattle cans from REPCO in J'ville and gave them a quick spray. It looks damn good (from a distance) if I do say so myself .
The van was loaded and the check list checked and re-checked on Thursday night. The list was double-checked on Friday night. The drive over the hill on Saturday morning was un-eventful, my 1989 Toyota HiAce never missed a beat. By the time I arrived the paddock was already blossoming pit tents and a rather impressive Marquee. This event is getting bigger and better each year, more racers, more signs and flags and other assorted “bling” to make it look the part.

As I pulled into a spare spot in the paddock Clivoris head appeared from under a nice blue ezee-up and he invited me to share his pit. I gladly accepted his offer and his help in unloading the bike. In a very short time we were ready to go, tyres simmering under their warmers, race numbers attached and the scrutineers “yellow dot” affixed. Now the REAL waiting could start in earnest !!

The atmosphere in the paddock is hard to describe – sort of a “watered down” Battle of Britain scene with fighter pilots lounging in deck chairs sweating in leather suits, cocky “banter” about what we will do to the “Hun” err.. “Hill” waiting for the Tanoy to “scramble” you to the flight line. note 1

A couple of familiarisation runs and we were into it, my first run was quite conservative as I had only ridden the bike for one meeting previously, on the gorgeously wide and smooth Ruapuna circuit. Even so cresting the hill heading up to turn one the front wheel came up in a very gentle but very exhilarating 220 kph+ wheelie !! What seemed like a dodle turned out to be 10 seconds faster than my best ever run on the Hornet and the bike felt great the whole way. Being an “experienced Cliffhanger” I had put the side stand back on the bike after having watched in previous years guys with race bikes searching (often in vain) for something to lean them on. (Note: experience is what makes you recognize a mistake when you make it again)

While waiting for the other riders to complete their runs I sauntered around grinning my head off and examining my tyres in an expert manner, exchanging “banter” with the other riders and generally revelling in the adrenaline high. It's NOT better than sex, but it is bloody close

Subsequent runs were very similar, I gradually upped the pace and my times steadily came down the best being 2:33.8xx. I only had one “moment” going into the Cliffhanger corner on the first run after lunch on Sunday the rear started to come round, it scared the shit out of me, but the bike recovered (I just sat there with my eyes bulging) and continued with no drama – just a few seconds slower that run. I discovered that the fuel warning light means you can do 1 and 7/8th's of a run sorry for holding up proceedings.
The new bike is shit hot – someone who knew what they were doing could have won this event on it, I'd love to see Daniel Ormsby or Paul Dobbs have a crack at the hill, they can punt a 675 around Ruapuna within 3 or 4 seconds of Jays time round there.

I however am still about 18 seconds of the pace and doubt that I will ever get within 10 seconds of it.

One of my goals on the Hornet was to take turn one with the throttle pinned – I never managed it, I have now transferred that goal to the Daytona and still haven't managed it The Daytona goes round there like it is on a rail but about 40 kph faster than the Hornet even after I have backed off a bit (OK I even braked once ) I is VERY cool having the long grass whipping your shoulder as you take that first turn, that is the fastest I have ever cornered on a bike and the sensation of speed is increased by the proximity of the scenery, the Cliffhanger is AWSOME !! my new bike ROCKS!!

This is a GREAT event !!! Good racing, good company, good after match function (even good music this year – I'm thinking of doing a T-Shirt “I survived the 2008 Cliffhanger BAND” – for those that attended last year they were “staggeringly” bad ).

After the prize-giving I motored happily over the hill to Wellywood where the lovely Katie O'Donnell had prepared a very nice meal. I was completely knackered and the van has yet to be unloaded.

I would like to recommend that everyone come and do it next year but if many more turn up they might have to introduce qualifying and I might not make the cut !!

I predict that the Cliffhanger will become another "must do" event like the Cemetery Circuit, it has all the ingredients, a VERY marketable scary name, a great atmosphere close racing and a fabulous location. Next year will be the 10th anniversary. Seeing as how LG have their name on the “King of the Cliffhanger” bike perhaps they could come to the party with a big screen by the start line and some video camera's on a couple of the corners so spectators can hang out by the start line, drink beer and watch all the action ?

BIG ups to the organisers Gary/Dina Albrett and all their team – all the volunteers, a great effort !!

Too all the Cliffhanger riders - where so cool - other people will need thermals just to stand next to us !!!!


Note 1 When I was a lad in the late 50's early 60's , before computer games “Biggles” and “Battler Britain” war comics were the “violent entertainment” of choice (no SEX though )

[Mental Trousers]

Ah so that was you. That's a hell of a sexy bike and it sounded horny going up the hill at full noise. Good onya.

[Cloggy]

Great story.
Not that I am biased or anything.
Only wish I had been there this year.

[sinfull]

You were doing bloody well mate, looked at yr times and thought shit, only his second time on the bike !

[koba]

(even good music this year – I'm thinking of doing a T-Shirt “I survived the 2008 Cliffhanger BAND” – for those that attended last year they were “staggeringly” bad ).

THAT must have been what got me staggering last year...

Great writeup, you are so right about the event!

[Deano]

You and Clivoris have a real talent putting words to experiences and emotions.

Excellent read Kevin.

[Sully60]

Cool write up Warfy.
Some good times you ended up with there. MT is right, your bike howls good going up that hill

[racerhead]

Great times for a new bike and yes it sounded so good withthe harris pipe on it
Your moment at the cliffhanger had me pretty nervous so can imagine how you felt but top job of holding it
together and getting on with it

[Clivoris]

Sweet read Wharfy. It was cool hanging out and you too captured the event perfectly.
"I predict that the Cliffhanger will become another "must do" event like the Cemetery Circuit, it has all the ingredients, a VERY marketable scary name, a great atmosphere close racing and a fabulous location. Next year will be the 10th anniversary. Seeing as how LG have their name on the “King of the Cliffhanger” bike perhaps they could come to the party with a big screen by the start line and some video camera's on a couple of the corners so spectators can hang out by the start line, drink beer and watch all the action ?"
That is such a good idea. It would make the spectating from the pits a lot more exciting. The left before the bridge and the bridge itself has to be a good spot, but where else? Even looking down toward the bridge if you could get the right hander after it. maybe the real high speed bid after the Cliffhanger?
Great results too.

[wharfy]

That is such a good idea. It would make the spectating from the pits a lot more exciting. The left before the bridge and the bridge itself has to be a good spot, but where else? Even looking down toward the bridge if you could get the right hander after it. maybe the real high speed bid after the Cliffhanger?
Great results too.

In 07 I only did the Saturday and Katie and went up the hill on the Sunday, one of the good spots was turn 4 ( the one with the loose surface last year) If you are up on the hill you can see part of turn 2, turn 3, 4 & 5 - Jay was backing it in to 3 & 4 it was scary to watch.
Some scaffolding on the outside of cliffhanger and you could see 6 & 7 the cliffhanger and some of the fast middle bit. I might have to check the Cliffhanger DVD to see where they shot from. Maybe we need to do a field trip ?

[Drew]

You're an inspiration mate, bloody good effort, and well done.

Great to see you, and glad you're enjoying the new toy.

[Shaun]

Now you just need the Race Tech fork kit in it like my old one wharfy

[wharfy]

Now you just need the Race Tech fork kit in it like my old one wharfy

Hmm..Maybe after I've done a season on it, I think it will take me quite a while to get near the performance limits of any part of this bike !!
Having said that any "tips or tricks" on the riding, or care and feeding of a 675 will be gratefully accepted.

I don't think I am telling tales out of school, but your old bike was looking pretty sad after that very likeable young Irishman (whose name I can't quite remember -Killan ?) "failed to negotiate" the Cliffhanger corner on it. He seemed pretty philosophical about it - I would have been crying.

[Shaun]

Hmm..Maybe after I've done a season on it, I think it will take me quite a while to get near the performance limits of any part of this bike !!
Having said that any "tips or tricks" on the riding, or care and feeding of a 675 will be gratefully accepted.

I don't think I am telling tales out of school, but your old bike was looking pretty sad after that very likeable young Irishman (whose name I can't quite remember -Killan ?) "failed to negotiate" the Cliffhanger corner on it. He seemed pretty philosophical about it - I would have been crying.

Engine OIL mate. When the bike is level on the ground, and you have the oil level showing exactually full! ADD another half a litre, it helps stop oil serge issues with them

My old bike " Keelim" "cool guy" Went and checked it out last night, it is not as bad as he first thought, forks only really! Might end up becoming another full time Vic club racer this year GO KEELIM

[koba]

Maybe we need to do a field trip ?

I was taking mental notes on the way up in the van to help getting the RG up the hill and I agree!
It made me see how steep it was, its really incredable to have a close up slow speed nosey, the van would only pull 60kph up most of it!

I thinkt really can be improved to be awesome for spectators, the guys drinking piss at the bridge last year seemed to love it!