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Race Reports

The area contain race reports from riders we sponsor and also our own track days and racing.

ASBK Round 2 Hidden Valley NT - Hoofy#43 Race Report

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18 April 2010

hoofy43HVLast weekend was the second round of the ASBK (Aussie titles), held at the Wonderful Hidden Valley Circuit in Darwin. I had never been to the Northern Territory before so I was excited to race at a new track, but also very unaware of how the weather was going to be. As it turned out the track was fantastic and the weather was unexpectedly spontaneous with its decisions!!

I cross-entered in to Supersport for some extra track time, as I didn’t participate in the Thursday practice session. I spent Thursday helping rebuild a fellow competitors bike after he crashed.

Friday rolled around and I had 5 practice sessions between the 2 classes (Superstock 600 and Supersport). I used the first practice to learn the track, which was a lot more technical than I first imagined it would be. The next practice I just concentrated on getting better lines and building up my speed throughout the track. By the end of the day I was absolutely exhausted due to the humidity and the heat throughout the days events, even though there was plenty of fluid entering my body. I wasn’t really pleased with my times at the end of Friday (1:17:7secs) so on Saturday morning I analysed the track to see where I was going wrong before I headed out on it for my first session. Straight away I was 2 seconds faster (1:15:5secs) in the first Superstock Qualifying session than I had been on the Friday, In the break I changed my gearing and went out in Supersport qualifying to test out the change, straight away I went another second faster (1:14:6secs) so I pulled in to prepare for my final Superstock qualifier.

I went out in this session and posted an almost identical time as Supersport, which placed me 12th on the grid for the Superstock races for the weekend. I had a 10 lap Superstock race on Saturday afternoon. I got a good jump off the line but with a slow gear change I was passed by a few riders on the run down to turn 1which I entered in about 18th place. I made a few passes through the corner, and started making my way through the pack throughout the race, I got to 10th place and had a gap to 9th which I made some ground on but it was too late, I had to settle for 10th place.

Sunday rolled around and I was hoping for a better start and try to run with the front-runners. As we headed out on the warm up lap for race 2 it started to rain heavily & a wet race was declared. So in a mad rush myself and 2 friends helped change from dry tyres to wet tyres in under a miraculous 10minutes and get back on the track.

The 2 warm up laps I used to get a feel for the track and my bike in the wet. I wasn’t very comfortable with my set up and decided just to try and be consistent and stay upright. I achieved this and finished 11th, which was much better than not finishing. Final race of the weekend came too quickly (but dry). I knew I had to get a good start to run with the front group. I got a great jump off the start and held my place all the way through to turn 1and after the first lap I was 10th. I managed to maintain this position, as I couldn’t get on the gas early enough out of a few corners due to lack of rear traction.

Overall for the weekend I placed 9th and I am still sitting 7th overall after 2 rounds in the Australian championship.

I couldn’t have survived this weekend and the rest of my season without all my sponsors: Mum and Dad, Motorcycle Rim stickers, Mornington Kawasaki, Emtek Racing, Ozzie Moto & ASR Suspension.

On a personal level I would like to thank Michael Demmery & Ross Gurd Racing for the help over the weekend as my father (chief mechanic) had injured himself in a racing incident 2 weeks before the weekend and couldn’t attend. Without their help along with my mums (best pit crew) my weekend would not have happened.

Cheers
Bryce Van Hoof #43

ASBK Round 1 Phillip Island - Hoofy#43 Race Report

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04 March 2010

DSC_0082Last 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

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