Elvington flyers and 1/4s

[Kickstart]

Hi

This weekend was the last Straightliners meet of the year, with the Saturday being flyers on the main runway and the Sunday being 1/4s.

We got there a bit late on Saturday, but in plenty of time really. Weather was a bit dodgy with a fairly hard wind from the slide and slightly behind (believe it was gusting at up to 40mph). Signed on, sorted things out then wandered down for the first run. Found it difficult to get neutral with the engine running and the clutch was a bit soft. This got worse as a few runs went by. After 5 runs unless you pumped the clutch lever it was difficult to stay stopped, so I called it a day on the Bandit.

Best run was 167.4mph from the unfaired Bandit. Gearing was too high for the conditions, but didn't fancy playing with the gearing when I didn't think I would get many runs (rain was forecast for the afternoon).

But the GSXR was on its way. Once delivered I had a quick go over it, rode it to the gate and back (first time I have ridden it other than in 1st gear up the drive), got a demo number from Helen of Straightliners, got it scrutineered, realised there was stuff all petrol in it so went to scrounge a syphon but got leant some petrol (:bow: to David Storie), started to ride to the start line and found the left fairing panel was a bit loose so went back and removed the faring side penals, and then rode it to the start line for a gentle run. Which landed up being over 160mph. Did 4 runs on it with a best of about 166.

Sunday was the 1/4s and this is mainly what the GSXR was bought for. Entered for the 11.3 class as it is less embarrassing to start out in the 12s then. Discovered that it had a flat spot at about 6500rpm which was a bit of a pain but it cleared up as the say went on (then came back with a vengeance late on in the day, wondering if it is borderline lean there and struggles when the temperature is lower which leans the mixture out a touch more). Times improved, getting for a best of 11.49 on the gearing it started with. Once the rear wheel was off I realised the back sprocket was a 42 tooth item, one tooth smaller than the smallest I have used for flyers on the Bandit. I put on a 46 tooth rear and instantly did an 11.17 (think), breaking out (but then I should be in the 10s with it so not worried). Few more runs and I managed a 10.89. Had one run after that where I was very happy with the launch, but then made a mess of the run, revving too far beyond the power. Then the flat spot came back and my times suffered.

Overall bit sad that the Bandit clutch played up (and the Bandit is probably going back to the stock carbs now for road use so no more flyers on it), but happy with the GSXR. Wanted to know how it would go and what else needs sorting on it and now have a good idea. Bit more practice and a few things sorting and I can probably get down towards the more acceptable end of the 10.3 class.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Fawbish]

Excellent write up Keith.


May I ask the price of entering such a weekend? And can you enter and pay for different days?

Wouldnt mind having a go at this.

Is there a limit to modification? I'm assuming so, dependent upon which class you enter.

Cheers

Oh, and which GSXR is it? 1100? I assume its an older one knowing you
____________________
"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Kickstart]

Hi

Cost was £50 for each day. But there are memberships fees which might have changed the prices so not sure what the run what ya brung prices would be (bit more but not much more I think).

Basically very few limited on mods. While there are limits it is pretty unlikely you would need to consider them for a bike that is vaguely road useable. There is a noise limit as well. The classes are based on times, and you are meant to get as close to the time for your class as you can without going faster and putting yourself into the bottom of the next class. For example in the 11.3 class the top 3 runners qualified at 11.31, 11.32 and 11.33 seconds.

The bike is a GSXR1100L. It has a longer Spondon swinging arm on it, Akrapovic headers (with a Carbon Can Company silencer, as the cut down silencer originally on there was loud enough to not only wake the dead but to annoy them as well). Has some 38mm carbs on it (stock are 36mm) and Dyna 2000 ignition, so fairly standard engine wise. Makes about 135hp at the moment.

Quickest bike on the flyers was doing around 250mph. Given the side wind that is even more impressive / worrying (on a few of the runs I was sticking my knee out to use the drag to get the bike back into the right direction).

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing