Race day started with my bike in bits, and still not fully prepared for racing. Snot, my faithful pit-bitch, and I unloaded the bike, and stole a spot under VTECs tent. We (Snot) got the bike ready to race in no time at all, then I went over and had fun signing in when I found out that they'd misplaced my transponder.
After riders briefing, I got the transponder sorted, and Sugilite offered me the use of his generator for the day. I now had all the gear I needed, Yay!
Due to having not been on my bike for the last three months, and having a new motor in it which I hadn't tried out yet, I went out in the scrub in session, and met up with Texmo on the track. Mate you're looking good on the new bike.
Post Classic Qualifying saw me go out with Paul Martindale, and Deano. it was the CBR400 boys. The other two guys soon started to put distance between themselves and me. When I found I'd qualified 14th of 28 bikes I was happy though.
F3 Qualifying I managed to get 13th spot of 30 bikes, and ground my exhaust and fairing at one point.
Post Classic race one I got a shocking start, dipped the clutch again, wheelstood off the line, and had bikes going past me everywhere. I got a couple of places back in the first few corners, only to have to avoid a fallen bike and rider in turn 7. The restart wasn't any better. I ended up finishing behind where I started.
F3 Race one Another green flag, another bad start. Eventually I ended up circulating with Paul Martindale, and couldn't understand why he was looking back so often while he was in frontof me. The race was red flagged after SVSs big spill (Hope you're ok). Speaking to Paul later on, I found out that he'd been waiting for me, and I was a lot slower than him everywhere, especially on the straights. Examining lap times later in the day, I saw he'd been doing 1:55s while I was around the 1:59 mark.
With my cockiness sufficiently broken, I headed out for the second post classic race. Not one to break a trend, I went backwards again at the start, adn spent the rest of the race working my way forward through the field again.
My last race of the day was F3 Race two. I got a slightly better start this time after listening to what Weestromer the sideline racer had to say (Thanks T), and made up a few positions in the first few corners. In the first lap I outbraked myself in a big way at the end of the main straight, which killed all of my corner speed through to the front straight. That did it> I was so pissed off with myself for letting the group ahead get away that I put in my three best, most consistent laps of the day. I was finally starting to get near the bikes limits. I could feel the rear shock protesting under acceleration, and had a few rear end slides exiting the old hairpin. I'd made up enough time to get in touch with the group I'd been chasing.
Overall I wasn't impressed with my own performance. Practise launching the bike is in order, as well as working on my consistency. Fastest lap of the day was 1:56.677, three whole seconds quicker than what I was averaging. I also need to get fit, and build up some strength in my clutch hand.
The bike needs time on the dyno, and preferably shorter gearing to help my launches, and prevent people leaving me behind on the straights.
Huge Thanks to Snot, my apprentice and pit-bitch for the day. Vtec, and his posse for pit space, encouragement and support. Sugilite, R4Q2, and E-man for the loan of your equipment. Weestromer for your advice. My Mum, and baby brother for coming to watch and bring food.
The biggest thanks has to go to Malcolm at Econohonda (07)884 8810 for an unbeatable deal on a new motor to get me racing again.
I'm looking forward to the Pacific rounds where I'll be running F2, Post Classic, and F3 on my little CBR400. Anyone who knows different can keep quiet for now. Bring on Summer!!!!!!
Originally Posted by Dean
, I too kinda have a curvy figure which makes it worse beacuse im a guy. Well the waist kinda goes in and the bum pushes out. When I was in college the girls in my year would slap me on the arse and squeeze because apparently it is firm, tight...
I wear jeans
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...less weight & more aerodynamic
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