Had my First Race......

[.Bishbash.]

Well, I entered Pre-National 600s series with Thundersport as a lot of my friends kept telling me to get into it after numerous trackdays.

So, I did, and bought myself a 2006 R6;

https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/038_zpslev3rzng.jpg

I had a pre season warm up in Almeria(4 day event) where it took me a whole day to even get a proper feel for the new bike, in fact it took me 5 sessions to even get my knee down. Mega rusty was an understatement. It had been a year and a half of not being on track.

Anyway, testing day came last Friday, where I was pumping out a very below par of 57s laps around Brands Indy, not good enough.

I had a bit of a word with my self and chatted to a few people who gave me some tips, especially braking points, and the braking point into Paddock Hill Bend being around the 250m to 200m mark.... I was braking 100m before that

So I manned up a bit and dove in head first....Scarey as fook is a statement I'd use here, but it worked as I tried this in Qualification and took a second off my time. 10 mins into the qualification we got red flagged, I got an update and I was in 31st position on the grid out of 44 riders. This simply would not do.

So, we had 6 mins left, 1 warm up lap and off I went building up to a quick last lap. 6th lap came and I pinned it and pushed as much as I could....Nailed 30th with a PB of 55 seconds I'll take that.

So here's me on the grid, 30th and bricking myself for my first race start;

https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/044_zpsu2vwuhb8.jpg

Hitting Paddock Hill Bend for under start conditions wasn't as bad as I thought, I managed to take the outside line in every race making up at least 4 spots each time;

https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/PHbend_zpsfec6hmkq.png

Didn't do too well as I was no where near as aggressive as I needed to be, I finished the race 32nd. But, still enjoyed the experience to no end. Hit a new PB of 54.3 secs as well.

Race 2 I started in 30th again. Managed a finish of 28th position, discovered a chap pacing the same speed as me and had great battles with him throughout, overtaking him on paddock hill, he overtakes me at Druids, I do him at Surtees, he takes me at Druids. Awesome fun. Hit another PB of 53.8 secs Getting quicker

Here's the battle in the 3rd race with my new mate;

https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/11036530_841138639265653_181342445926646434_o_zpsyqqqhjio.jpg

Mega Laps times came in for tomorrows race, and I lost 3 spots on the grid even though I was hitting PB's all over the place, I guess everyone else was doing the same.

Times ranged from 50.1 - 54.4 seconds, so, mega tight from front to back.

Race 3, I finished 28th again and a new PB of 52.7 seconds

Race 4, my absolute favorite, I made about 6-7 bike leap on Paddock, and another 2 at Druids, I kept up with a bunch for about 6-7 laps, then we thinned out a bit, I was chasing...Yet again, my pal on 79 bike, but also had another chap behind me, I could hear his R6 screaming at me. I was gaining and gaining on 79 for about 3 laps until I was on his tail, last lap, last bend, seriously something out of a movie....I knew he was slow around Clearways and I got a decent drive out. On the start/Finish straight and I nab 24th off him, mega happy with that result.

Overall a great experience as these chaps are super quick, looking forward to Donnington Park on the 11th & 12th for the next round.

Here are a few more pics of the day;

https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/10945801_835727079832735_5788936814505220211_o_zpsow4xz044.jpg
https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/036_zpsfrpruo0y.jpg
https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/022_zpsjxsb8pxp.jpg
https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/Untitled_zpsk5gqvcvq.png
https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/10855003_859906524083821_1070002206668504102_o_zpspp3j9y1c.jpg
https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/019_zpsuyxit3bg.png
https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/027_zpszxdeczne.jpg




The race will be aired on Motors.tv on Thursday 19th at 21:30 if anyone fancies a watch

If you want to see more pics, or want to follow my season, my FB racing page is below.

#91


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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[robertw95]

Looks cracking can I ask what tyres your running and did they last the weekend?
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07 Dt125r, sv650s k8, zx6rr 04

[.Bishbash.]

I was running Dunlops, I had a D211 that I used for 2 days on track in Almeria which put me through Qualifying and one race.

I put a spanking new Dunlop D212 4 compound(hardish tyre) on for 3 races, super tyre btw, and that will last me for the next race meet for qualifying and maybe 2 races before that one goes.

What I want to get in the habit of is using my current used tyre for testing, then new tyre for qualifying and the 4 races, then use that tyre for the next race testing....so on and so forth.
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[Doovy]

Nice writeup! Looks brilliant.

I bet no overtake compares to how close you shot by me on our Hornets on that ride-out though
____________________
Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[.Bishbash.]

[robertw95]

[.Bishbash.]

Sure, I will check tomorrow when I get back home for you. Although that was a brand new tyre in January, I bought from the trackday company, so, I guess....sorry.....HOPE that it was a new one

Do you know how many heat cycles your tyres have been put through? That's key.
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[fozzym]

Excellent very well done! It's good to hear about a regular guy ( no offence!) going racing.

Definitely on my bucket list of things to do. I keep threatening to get my ACU licence and then I'd have no excuse

Good luck for the next round.

[robertw95]

Smashing cheers mate, I do not got 5 sets of used scrubs with the bike some older tyres but still seem to be quite soft so not sure if if should run them till the done or not
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07 Dt125r, sv650s k8, zx6rr 04

[Old Git Racing]

Well done, you did good for your first meeting, better each time out. Bit different to track days isn't it but a more intense experience.
Makes you appreciate how hard it is to win even a club race, crack on and keep the reports coming.

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[.Bishbash.]

[Liam_]

Excellent, I do the marshaling for bike racing and I've always fancied being on track rather than picking up the bikes

Apart from the cost of the bike, how much do you reckon one race weekend costs you? PM me if you don't want to say publicly or not at all if its none of my business
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I got a dig bick. You this read wrong. You read that wrong too.
Yamaha R1 2016

[.Bishbash.]

[Ste]

Nice work, but your bike appears to be missing BCF branding?

[.Bishbash.]

[robertw95]

Thanks for that found some r10 front scrubs 10 laps £45 bargain on the hunt for a rear and ill be good to go
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07 Dt125r, sv650s k8, zx6rr 04

[.Bishbash.]

nice one, where did you find them?

If you are after scrubs, check out motoforum.net there will be loads on there
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[Supermoto_Fan]

£256 per race? How many races a season?
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Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[.Bishbash.]

[chris-red]

Let me know when you are at brands again, If I'm free I'll come with my Camera and spend most of the day aiming at you.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Minty]

Looks great fun, but..............

https://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/Neileng/022_zpsjxsb8pxp.jpg

.....why the long face?
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[Liam_]

[.Bishbash.]

[robertw95]

[chris-red]