04 March 2010
Last weekend was the first round of the ASBK (Aussie titles), held in conjunction with round of the World Superbike championship. This was my first race meeting for the 2010 season and only my second ride on my bike since November. I also had to test and learn the new control tyres that have to be run for this season.
The bike looks great with a new paintjob for the season thanks to the efforts of Dad and Mum.
We were all set for Friday mornings practice and qualifying sessions. Practice rolled in and we set out to do as little amount of laps on the new tyres and yet try and get a good feel and set up for the rest of the weekend. Unfortunately we took a wrong turn with a change half way through our practice session and damaged the rear tyre.
Due to a shortage meant I didn’t get a chance for new tyres to qualify on, so that only allowed me this set for the weekend (1 qualifying and 3x8 lap races).
Qualifying came around and we changed a few settings on the bike to try and save the rear tyre, it was better but I was still a bit off the pace from where I wanted to be. I qualified 12th overall. I was moderately happy and hoping for a good start in my first race in the afternoon.
The team had a big brainstorming session to try and work out how to preserve the rear tyre and we came up with some major suspension changes to try in the race.
Race 1 couldn’t come soon enough, for me as nerves were pumping through my body. I was focussed for the race and set out to get a good start and place in the top 10, I got a decent start and was battling in a group of 5 riders for the majority of the race, my strong points were braking, which is where I made most of my moves. I finished 7th for the race, which I was happy with, and the changes we made were noticeable and effective.
On Saturday morning I had race 2 and with the storm that came through on Friday evening I thought It was going to be in for a wet race. But Phillip Island proved me wrong and the track was dead dry. I got a good start again and was in the same group as race 1. I lost a few places in the first few laps and was back in about 12th place, I battled my way back through the pack and up to 8th by the end of the race. The last 2 laps were scary as the rear tyre was completely destroyed.
Race 3 came along late Saturday afternoon and with nearly no ruber left on the left hand side of my tyre we had to make a very tactical decision and actually reversed the tyre around.
I went out on the warm up lap and noticed that the decision we had made was for the better but I also had to ride sensible. I got a great start again for the race but had to be very cautious on the right side of the tyre as it was sliding everywhere when I got on the throttle. During the race I got to as high as 4th place but with the tyre deteriorating dramatically each lap I lost some positions and touch with the leading group, I was 7th on the last lap and hoping to hold that but unfortunately I got passed on the finish line by the slightest of margins relegating me back to 8th place for the race.
I was just happy to have finished the race in the end. The overall results came out at the end of the day and I got a shock to see that I was in 5th place for the weekend. I was extremely happy with the result. It showed me that consistency is a major part in this sport as well as good results.
I couldn’t have achieved these results without the major support I get from my parents and my brother. Also massive thankyou to Steve From Motorcycle Rim stickers for all his help and support over the weekend. Thanks to my other Sponsors Emtek Racing for their awesome tyre warmers, Ozzie Moto for supplying radiator protectors, Mornington Kawasaki, maxima oils, ASR Specialised Suspension for helping with bike set up. Without these people it would make racing a lot harder than it already is.
Thanks
Bryce #43
3/3/10
