RACEWAY
‘It was a very eventful weekend!’
I think the Queenslanders say ‘Beautiful one day perfect the next.’ Queensland
delivered three perfect days over the weekend of the 28th, 29 th and 30th of October 2016. In fact it was very hot, between 29 – 30 degrees c. I certainly felt that I had skipped a month of or two of Spring finding myself in the midst of summer.
Friday practice kicked off well, I took it pretty easy to begin with. Some changes have
been made to the geometry of the bike and it now turns like a Ferrari! Its certainly
different and it took me by surprise a couple of times. I think its a change for the
better but it's taking the operator a little time to re-calibrate.
In practice I had a lap time of 1:18 which was headed in the right direction. Obviously
I'm always looking to go faster but it was faster than the last time I raced at Queensland Raceway. It usually takes me a bit of time to warm up. To get this happening in practice was
good.
In qualifying again I made a complete ‘dogs breakfast’ of it. My plan was to try and
chase. I’ve learned that I try a lot harder if I’m trying to catch someone. However, our field was quite small and it just seemed really lonely out there. I was very unhappy with my qualifying time (1:21) being several seconds slower than what I had achieved in practice. This is something I need to work on because it puts you down the grid straight off. Not happy!
Saturday Racing (Australian Formula Extreme Superbike Championships)
Race 1: Funny how racing really highlights your weaknesses. Well there’s a few and
my biggest issue is starts. If I’m not stalling, popping unintentional wheelies.... I’m
riding off the start line like a geriatric. I really need to work on this. I may need to visit
the drag strip. Needless to say that the race pack waits for no woman and I was
constantly playing catch up.
Race 2 & 3: Dwane Town (QLD) and I were having quite a
battle. Dwane was sitting on a Gixxer 750 which seems like the perfect bike for
Queensland Raceway. Enough power, cornered on rails and he seemed to be able
to brake so much later than me and get away with it. We definitely had strengths in
different areas. The gap was like a rubber band, stretching out in some places and
snapping back when I managed to catch up. I got a bit ambitious in race three into
turn 3. I tried out horse power him and brake later than I had previously dared. I got
past him momentarily and then realised that I probably needed just a little more
distance to stop. I ran straight on and had a minor crash in the dirt..... right in front of
the TV cameras much to my disgust. That will end up on TV for sure! In the end I
ended up with a third for the day.
Sunday Racing (Australasian Superbike Championship):
Sundays racing did not disappoint in the excitement department either.
Again I managed to run off the track at the exit of turn 4 being the first of the ‘left
handers.’ I had been pushing hard through these corners trying to catch Dwane. So
whilst dirt tracking it..... I was headed straight for a very large Kawasaki sign. All I
could think is ‘Don’t hit that, Kawasaki won’t be happy!’ I had visions of myself
unceremoniously crashing through that sign..... now that would make for
embarrassing TV. I managed to go around it and get back on the track. Phew!
Stars of Tomorrow: Now this is the race I really look forward to. Its amazing what it
does for your confidence to actually race people who are either your grade or a bit
closer to it. There were five of us within a second of each other. Finally someone to
race!!! I got my best start yet and managed to sit around 8 th for 4 laps. I made a bit of
a fatal mistake and looked at another competitor who was running wide. Of course, I
then headed off track in sympathy. After a bit of a heart in mouth moment on the dirt
(again), I got the ZX10 back on the track. I then set about catching up .... and that’s
what I did. With three laps to go, I went from last to 9th. So despite an epic stuff up
on my part, I actually did get to have a few little battles and overtook a few under
brakes up the back straight after unleashing the beast;) it always makes me smile
the sheer horse power of the bike. She’s pretty quick, if only you could see my face!
Race 2: Much better, more consistent lap times between 1:18 and 1:17. A new
PB of 1:17:589. So after the race (the only one I managed to stay on the track in)
Dwane comes over and whilst we were congratulating each other, Dwane looks at
me, of course the bike goes in the direction he’s looking and I then get bumped off
the track. I had to laugh. It was the story of my weekend the dirt had become some
kind of magnet! (Sorry Dwane, too funny not to tell everyone)
Race 3: Much the same, more cat and mouse! I didn’t manage to catch Dwane but I
certainly gave it a go. I think we were both getting a bit tired by that stage and the lap
times started to drop off a little. It was unanimously agreed that we pushed each
other all weekend and had a heap of fun doing it. I have to congratulate him, he did
not put a foot wrong all weekend and rode very well despite me being right on his tail all weekend.
So aside from the off track excursions, I have to try and look at the positives. While
my starts are still underwhelming, they are definitely on the improve. My lap times
have come down and are consistently a few seconds faster than I was in July of this
year.
After speaking with super coach Alex Cudlin and looking at the pics from the
weekend I am definitely up to some of my old tricks. I fall into some bad habits left to
my own devices for too long, I cannot be trusted! I need to nip that in the bud quick
smart. Maybe need to make myself a little reminder for my bike.
The championship standings for Formula OZ D grade are looking pretty good. I
definitely win the gold star for participation. The points are in my favour leading into
the series finale. Just under 6 weeks to go and there’s plenty of riding happening in
that time. I’m racing the last round of the Honda RJays Road Race Series at Sydney
Motorsport Park. The grids are full in every class and its going to be a load of fun.
Then I’m off to Phillip Island for three days riding... hopefully I can channel some
greatness from the legends who have ridden that track for the final round.
As always thanks to JPM Cranes, BC Performance, Peninsula Conveyancing, Aussie Sports Bike Gear and West Sliders for your support.
Until next time,
Ash :)
