Gladstone Cliffhanger, a Trashy perspective

**White trash** · 20th March 2007, 09:53

Weekend started with knocking off work at 3pm on Friday in Mt Wellington, racing home, jumping in the car and heading to Wellington. The ever supportive Riff raff had the wagon all packed so by 3.30 we were on the road. Nothing to report on the drive down except for the dog puking in the car between Te Kuiti and Taumaranui. Nice job Sprocket.
Well. Where to start, I've never done one of these criters so bear with my boring ramblings.

Team owner of PTR (Poos Team Racing) had gone ahead a couple of days earlier to set the bike geometry back to more normal settings so it was pretty relaxed build up for us. Little was I to know how ill prepared we would be.

Got to Lukes (Driftin) place at around 11pm, time for a quick beer and a chat before Saturdays practice day. Went to bed earlyish, with hopes of a good nights sleep before getting serious the next day. Right. Some fuckin dog (not mine) was barking and whining untill 3am and total hous sleep acheived so far equalled zero. So picture this, there's this skinny white fucker in his boxers, standing out in Newlands hilltop breeze, at 3.00am, abusing the hell out out of this fricken great Rotty crossed Lab or some shit, trying to shut the bastard up. I swear to god, if I had of had a gun, it'd be fucked. Eventually got a few hours shut eye before having to get up and get shit sorted.

Shot into Wellington to pick up some graciously loaned (thanks Bistard) wets in case I needed them, and it was over the hill we head for a "fun" days practice.

Deano had said it was best to turn up around 11am, ensuring I caught the riders briefing and familiarisation run. In true, White trash, fully prepared fashion, we were late. But then, my bike was even later. Fizzerman, Deano and Flame were all set up, raring to go so after reuninon hugs, Mr Poos turned up with the "prepared" machine I was to ride. Rolled off the trailer, tyre warmers on, and I'm wondering what the hell I've got myself in for. "Ummmm, where's the instruments Poos?"
"In storage in Petone mate, ya don't need that shit"
Ahhh, OK.

A quick riders briefing later and it's time to follow Gary McPhee (mayor of Carterton) up the course on his Road King for a look lap of the course. I've only ridden this road a handfull of times, the last being around three years ago, and I was stoked at the condition of the road except for a few sections of shiny tar and repatched asphalt. For a course where the record average speed is 180kph, this road is remarkably twisty. There's only one real "wide open" section apart from the start straight, and it's directly following the "Cliffhanger" turn. After the 35kph posted right hander with a sheer drop off the edge, is a fast left followed by a series of flat out (and I mean pegged) blind kinks. The look lap confirmed how daunting this course was going to be and much concentration would be required.

**White trash** · 20th March 2007, 09:55

Let's race!

I'll leave the others to comment on their own performances and try and give you a feeling for what I actually went through.

Lining up for my first timed run and I was feeling pretty good. I knew the bike was strong and I was very confident in my own abilities, let's get this show on the road. The starter has a rally style timer and sets bikes off at one minute intervals, 4.5 kms up the hill is a timing beam that stops the clock accross a small bridge.

I'm waved off for run number one and half way up the first straight, I know it's going to be shit. The bike's wheel spinning in a straight line and I have to go back to fourth gear for the right hand kink. Every bump is kicking the bike and jaring my ribs. Every turn feels wrong and it's only after the "Cliffhanger" two thirds to the top that I realise I'm only using the left hand lane. Cock! I curse myself and roll through the finish line thoroughly disgusted with myself. I think I clocked a 1.47 or something to Fizzermans 1.44. A quick debrief and Drew confirms he had the same mental block. As a road rider, it's a HUGE step out of your comfort zone to truly use the whole road available to you.

The second run was better, not great but I used more real estate and held better lines. I'm also geting bashed around worse by the bike and have come accross a more interesting problem. When cranked through the turns, the rear feels low on grip under acceleration. So bad I can't get any drive out of the turns and the 810 is just lighting up the rear. This may suit some riders, but when you're unaccustomed to it and don't know what to use it for, it's as much fun as inviting your grandma to your stag do. The rear felt way over damped and I had zero trust in the slicks. I get through the top feeling quite disheartned but pleased to see I was three seconds faster than my first attempt. Unfortunatley, so was Drew.

For the third run, I tried to calm down a bit and not ride so aggressively. It paid off a little and I further improved my time, but not too much. Back in the pits, I decided there was no way I could go better with this set up and called it a day. Having a chat with young Jay and he aggreed to take the bike for a run to see what it was doing. He came back and confirmed my findings with the setup but seeing as he went 6 seconds faster than me he obviously didn't find it a hinderance. He also set the fastest time of the Saturday.

We decided to head back to Wellington and get an early night after changing the tyres. On the way back, Poosmade a coupleof calls to ShaunHarris and Robert Taylor to see if we couldn't get something better for race day. Shaun suggested chucking the slicks in the bin (which we were about to do) and get some treaded racetyres on there. He also promised to dig out his Wanganui settings for the bike to help us out with a place to start. Driftin opened up his tyre shop for us to change the wraps and we got home for an entertaining evening of drinking and talking shit.

Sunday we were up nice and early. It's blowing a gale and pissing down with rain but I had a good feeling and was pretty amped. I just wanted to get over to Gladstone and have a good shot at this hill. We drove over and unfortunately, the weather at the course was just as bad. Cow poos received a text from legend Shaun Harris with the good suspension settings and he made the nessecary adjustments. After a quick riders breifing it was established that a few of us were still keen to ride, a few weren't. Gary led us up for a look lap in his car and although the shiny bits of tar were a worry, most of the track was rideable and offered good grip. When we returned from the top, the descision wasmade to can the meeting. I felt pretty ripped off having travelled from Auckland specially for this but felt really bad for Mick Matheson and the photographer from Australian Motorcycle News who'd come all the way accross the ditch primarily to cover this event. The powers that be decided that as no one had anything better to do, they'd hold off a final decision untill mid day and this proved to be a good choice. At 12.30 we lined up for our first timed run in the damp. Drew had full wets, I was on Racetechs and after a timid run, I'd clocked 1.50 comfortably and the bike felt shit hot. I was well pleased and starting to get fired up. On the return trip down, it was apparent the track would try very quickly as the sun was now beaming down on us and it was noticably drier than our run up. This was going to get good.

Throughout the day, more people joined the start line que and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves immensly. The times got quicker and quicker and the GSXR was feeling really good. Unfortunately, I was starting to feel a little crook. I was duffing the starts every time, a combination of a really grabby clutch, no time on the bike and not being able to get right over the front of the bike. Changing direction up through the kinks at around 260 kays was also getting painfull and I was pretty much rooted after each successive run to the top. Riff raff strapped a big pad to my chest to try and offer some cushioning from the tank and it helped a little but I still couldn't get the starts I needed.

I managed to get a good start on one run (which turned out to be my fastest) and I'll take you for a bit of a comentary of what I can remember.

I left the line fairly good, a little less revs let the front stay down and a short shift to second for the slight left hand kink gts me tucked in behind the screen and the throttle pegged for the long first straight. Charging up the straight, the rear wheel spins a few times over less than perfect surfaces but not for long. By the end of the straight the bike's almost tapped out in top gear and is getting a little nervous. There's a crest just before I tip into the (almost) flat out right hand kink. I tell myself to leave it in top but self preservation takes over and I cut back to fifth gear before turning the bike and cutting towards the apex. Two little brows on the next straight and the 810 wants to elevate over both of them. I roll off for turn three and try not to go too tight, getting a good line for four, while braking still cranked over and belt through there, knee firmly planted. Third gear as I wrestle the bike onto its left for the next turn. Let the bike run out to the grass with the throttle on the stop and heading towards the next left. If you wanna spectate, this would be a good spot as the rubber left on the road is impressive indeed. I normally make a has of this turn as I turn in too early, running out of road on the exit and this lap's no exception It also means the next right hander is not as fast as it could be. Out of that and it's a steep climb through a really cool left into the Cliffhanger corner. Second gear, shoulder almost rubbing the cliff on the righthand side and it's imperative to get good drive as the next section is the fastest. There's a deceiving left hander wich you can actualy go flat out through, although it's completely bind and looks sharper than it actually is. From there it's chin on the tank through the kinks past the marshal point. This section of track takes balls.Big ones. Warren told me "Don't look at the grass, the fence, the wall just focus on the track" and it's good advice. At the last left hand kink, its a quick handfull of brakes, down to fourth gear for a nice little right hander then hard on it for a hard left, easy right chicane. The left has a mongrel of a dip at the apex so stay a little wide then flick the bike right and straightline it to the next turn. It's two rights but taken as one. Another good spot to spectate, the bike is fully cranked, and wheel spinning towards the final turn of the short course we're running. A slight left hander but with a nasty crest halfway through it, causing the bike to wheelie accross the concrete bridge that marks the finish.

So there ya go. 4.5 kilometers, 1.36.3 seconds (for me) and an average speed of I guess 170 kph from a standing start. If riding this event doesn't get your heart pumping, you don't have a pulse. Simple.

After that run I was sitting in third overall, 0.2 of a second ahead of Jay. He was pretty sure that he wasn't going to go any faster but thought two tenths of a second wasn't a big ask, so he suited up for the final assault. I wish I could have seen his final run on that Cheezel addorned 1100 because he was aiming for a coupe of tenths, and found a couple of full seconds, relegating me to fourth place overall. Damn!!!! Fortunately, Drew, Warren and Jay are all thoroughy good bastards and I have no proble losing to any of them. I had without a doubt the best day I've ever experienced on a bike. I wll be back next year and in much better shape I hope.

**White trash** · 20th March 2007, 09:56

People to thank are numerous but please give a thought for all of these selfless guys as I couldn't have ridden without them.

First and foremost, Cow poos of PTR for supplying the bike and setting it up for me. You did alot of work to make it happen mate and I'm really appreciative. Obviously the stunning miss Riff Raff for her support and supplying medical requirements. Shaun Harris, those setting allowed me to go 6 seconds quicker than my previous best man, thanks heaps, you're a star. Gary, Dina, Deano and Nikki for all your organisation for the day. Wicked stuff and you never disapoint. Every single marshal that gave up two days to stand on the side of a wind swept hill doing your best to ensure our saftey. You guys rocked. A big shout out to Gary McPhee. Thanks heaps for providing the rally site and prize giving venue. Also Matt for sponsoring the event to the tune of a grand out of your own pocket, you're a good bloke mate. TSS motorcycles also got behing the event so big ups to them, and also the AMCN guys for making the trip to cover the event in your top class magazine. I'm buying a subscription on that basis alone. Oh , almost forgot The Dover. Thanks for breaking my ribs two weeks before the event, made everything all the easier dude. Ta.

So that's it, fourth place is not bad considering I suppose but next year, we'll be going for the win. I'll just work alot on my fitness and bike preperation before then.

Thanks to everyone who read this shit too.

**riffer** · 20th March 2007, 10:11

Great report Jimmy. I'd bling you but it won't let me. Thanks for a good read.

**Shaun** · 20th March 2007, 10:16

Great load of dribble there dude, thanks for the thanks glad it helped ya.

Now where do i meet up with you to give ya the KICK?

**kiwifruit** · 20th March 2007, 10:26

sounds hardcore,
cheers for the write up man

**Toast** · 20th March 2007, 10:27

Awesome write-up WT, quite an advertisement for the event right there.

**White trash** · 20th March 2007, 10:30

To put it into perspective of how competitive the event was. Last year, 5 seconds seperated the top two riders.

This year, 3.4 between the top four. That's close!

**Shaun** · 20th March 2007, 10:34

Sounds like heaps of fun, ( Some thing I do not seem to get from normall racing any longer) I might have to give it a go next year

**Matt Bleck** · 20th March 2007, 10:52

Farking great write up Jimmy, I might even bring the SRAD down next year.

MD · 20th March 2007, 12:16

That was a cool read Jimmy. I agree it was much more fun than I expected, compared to a track day. Your review was like riding it all over again. And thanks for all the tips - I picked up heaps from reading your take on how to navigate that corner and get over that bit... Cheers
Make sure you come back next year.