23 July 2010
On the weekend I raced in the 3rd round of the Victorian Road Race Championship held at Winton Raceway.
I had set myself some goals for the weekend which were to reach the 1:28min Bracket and also maintain my positions in the 2 classes I was racing in, which was 1st in superstock 600 and 3rd in supersport.
Saturday morning came around, I had a qualifying session for supersport and a qualifying session for superstock. I qualified 3rd for supersport and also 3rd in the superstock class.
I was reasonably happy with these results for the 2 sessions, which gave me a good feeling for the races on the weekend.
First race came around which was the supersport race, I got an appalling start by my own standards, and I was around 8th place into turn 1. I worked my way up to 5th by the end of the first lap, where I had a race long battle for 4th place. I ended up making my move on the final lap and held the position to the flag.
Next race up was my first superstock race, I got a good start and was second into the first corner but I lost the place after turn 4 to the supreme power of the KTM superbike. I had a lonely race and ended up finishing 3rd overall and 2nd 600, which I was happy with as each time I hit the track I recorded a personal best time.
Sunday came around and I was pumped and ready to go for the races I had ahead of me.
First up was the supersport race again. I got a good start and was 2nd through turn 1, I held this place for a few laps then lost a few places 2 laps from the end. I ended the race in 4th place again, but I was happy to record a time of 1:29.1min, which is just off what I had set my sights on.
The next race up was my superstock race. I was as keen as mustard to get a good start and crack a 1:28 and have a hard dip for the win. I got another good start and I was 3rd and right on the tail of 2nd place halfway through the first lap. As we approached turn 10 I had planned to make my move into 2nd place but decided not too and maintain my position for a few laps. Unfortunately though as I tipped into turn 10, I lost the front end and crashed out of the race, much to my disappointment. The accident was not my fault as there was oil left in that corner from the race before apparently by a problem with a sidecar, which had not been rectified or mentioned to anybody.
I was disappointing to find out that there was in fact oil on the circuit and that 3 other riders had also fallen due to the same issue during the race. Some fellow competitors and myself spoke to the marshalls regarding the issue and managed to show them the oil lying on the track. (after 4 more races had been completed). Anyway I could go on about this all day long, but I have to say a massive thankyou to Motorcycle Race Gear for the RS Taichi leathers that literally saved my bottom on the weekend. (Only a few scuff marks on my new leathers) also to my parents who worked vigorously to get the bike ready and back on the track. I was lucky enough to do 2 shakedown laps of the bike behind another class before my next race to make sure the bike was all good. As luck would have it as I came into the pits again fell off the bike on the entry to pit lane (I wasn’t the only casualty). Unfortunately this crash again was also caused by oil spilled. Again this was brought the attention of the marshalls, and to be rectified.
Luckily for me and with only 2 laps before I had to be back on the track dad got my bike fixed, & mum refuelled before the supersport race.
Next up after all of the chaos was finally over came the last supersport race of the weekend.
I was a bit battered and bruised but still ready to race, I got an average start and was 5th into turn 1. I lost the gap to the front group in the first few laps while I was in the battle for 4th again. I tried to make a move but unfortunately had the pull out and save myself from running off the track, I lost too much ground and decided to settle for 5th place. I achieved a time in the 1:29 bracket, but just not the elusive 1:28 was aiming for.
The next race was the final superstock race for the weekend, I got a good start and was 2nd into turn 1, I managed to stick with the leader for half the race until I started to feel a bit sore.
I finished 2nd for the race. Once again I consistently did 1:29s in the race.
With one more race to go to achieve my 1:28 goal I was ready and raring to go.
It was getting cold and it was a handicap race which was open to riders and bikes over 500cc. They worked out a starting deficit between the riders, I had a 95 second handicap behind the first rider to leave the start line. This meant I had to watch the first rider to leave the star line pass turn 10 before I could even rev my engine. I had to try and make up about 13 places within 8 laps. At about the 3rd lap I went into turn 1 and something went through the chain on my bike and I nearly crashed again. Not knowing exactly what had happened I decided to bring the bike home, as it was not in pieces so I called it a day.
I was a little disappointed that I did not reach the time I had set myself in this race either.
At the end of the day I finished 4th overall in supersport and I am still placed 3rd in the overall championship. I placed 3rd in “C” Grade supersport for the weekend and maintained my 2nd position in the championship.
In the superstock class I finished 6th overall for the weekend and the biggest set back of all is that I have lost my lead in the championship and I am now currently in 2nd position.
I must say a massive thanks to my Mum and Dad for rebuilding the bike twice, Ben Nicolson & Adrian Nestorovic for lending me some spare parts, without them I would not have been able to finish the weekend.
I would also like to thank Motorcycle Rim Stickers, MotoTrack accessories, Motorcycle Race Gear, ASR Suspension, Mornington Kawasaki, Ozziemoto & Peninsula Ice, without their continued help and support I would not be out on the track.
I would also like to say thanks to Alex and Gloria from Motorcycle Race Gear for making the long trek up to the track to spectate in the nice cool weather.
See you at Broadford for the final round.
Hoofy #43
