93 - Bemsee Thunderbike Extreme

[Ben.]

So... a new season, a new bike, and a new race class.

The rules have changed for the Bemsee thunderbike class which mainly runs ducati's and modified sv650's. They allowed a separate class to the the main thunderbike class; the extreme class. The extreme class is allowed to run up to 130 bhp and now allows 99 R6's and R1's. There is still a power to weight limit but it is slightly higher than the main class.

After much debate about whether it would be best to get a tuned R6 or a stock R1, we decided to get an R6:

In order to run the R6 competitively against the R1's we would need the motor to be kicking out at least 110bhp and then get the weight down as low as were allowed to.

Steve Jordan Motorcycles done some engine work for us and we managed to get the motor to about 110bhp and the weight down to about 165 kg, which is close enough to power to weight limit for our liking. As you get the dyno'd and weighed after each race on the weekend we didnt want to get any closer to the limit as a happy dyno or not enough fuel in the tank could disqualify us.

Onto the first race Brands Hatch:

https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/380256_3829734060531_1193246989_33739540_2068463303_n.jpg

Well, after a test day of getting used to the bike, I felt OK. The quick shifter felt amazing! I haven't ever had a go with one before and they make a massive difference. The bike had a good base setting and a few tweeks on the test day on Friday and everything felt sorted.
Unfortunately I managed to explode the rear wheel bearing on my wet rear which meant I would be fucked if it suddenly rained as I wouldn't be able to change over to wets very quickly.

Saturday was dry thankfully, I went out in qualifying and managed to get 1 clear lap to set a time and came into the pits. Much to my surprise I managed to qualify 4th out of about 35! I was going to start on the front row!

So the first race: I had an OK start and managed to keep position into the first corner and the first lap. After 2 laps I could tell I was quicker than the guy in front and manage to squeeze past him, but the first 2 had well and truly pissed off into the distance. I held third until I crossed the line. I finished 3rd across the line, the 1st rookie and 2nd extreme bike.

The 2nd race: My plan was to keep position and try and tag onto the 2 in front to see if I could keep up. I had an OK start again and kept onto the back of the front 2. I just sat behind the front 2 for the entire race watching them really battle it out for the lead. It was frustrating because round the last long right hander they could both carry a lot more corner speed than me, but through the next successive set of 4 corners I would close right up on their ass again. I could brake later and get on the gas a lot earlier but they would pull out 2 or 3 bike lengths out of me on 1 corner. Out of frustration on the last lap I was too heavy on the throttle and nearly high sided coming out of the last bend onto the back straight. But I managed to finish 3rd again, 1st rookie, 2nd in class. It was promising though, I knew if i could get past them, I could probably hold them off for the entire race.

https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/541230_3808506769862_1193246989_33732950_1616475452_n.jpg

https://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/574469_3785906204862_1193246989_33721270_1136563244_n.jpg

Race 3:

I had a shit start, dropping back to 5th, so did the 2nd man who dropped back to 6th. Manage to get up to 4th by the first lap, 3rd by the 2nd lap, and 2nd by the 4th lap. I was running in 2nd unitl lap 6 when I was rudely over taken by number 26, the guy who had been beating me in the extreme class. we chopped and change position about 6 times across the next 2 laps and I was beaten over the line by 0.05 of a second. So the same position yet again.

https://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/562982_3808505649834_1193246989_33732949_1417008115_n.jpg

https://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/552957_3808519890190_1193246989_33732960_257948882_n.jpg

https://www.racing-line-photography.com/images/bzone/JE/15/images/imgx0314.jpg

https://www.racing-line-photography.com/images/bzone/JE/15/images/pvje2766.jpg

https://www.racing-line-photography.com/images/bzone/JE/15/images/pvje2768.jpg

https://www.racing-line-photography.com/images/bzone/JE/15/images/pvje2803.jpg

https://www.racing-line-photography.com/images/bzone/JE/15/images/pvje2804.jpg

https://www.racing-line-photography.com/images/bzone/JE/15/images/rjeu3818.jpg

https://www.racing-line-photography.com/images/bzone/JE/15/images/rjeu3843.jpg


So the last race:
Boring, I managed to lead the race for a lap but the first place just pissed off into the distance, 26 crashed out:
https://www.racing-line-photography.com/images/bzone/JE/15/images/rjeu5344.jpg
and the only person left to race had gotten away from me, I just wasnt into it, but managed to finish 2nd, 1st in class and 1st rookie again
https://www.racing-line-photography.com/images/bzone/JE/15/images/pvje4181.jpg


https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/552937_3341812796114_1592538236_2695990_2112194755_n.jpg

Off the Pembrey this weekend.
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follow my racing season
Race bike - R6
Road bike - sv650

[chris-red]

Any where that lists the rules for this Extreme class? I thought the point of thunderbikes was twins?

Have you still got the R1?

Looks like you had a great first weekend, do you think the standard of riding is less than the (Superstock?) class you where in before?#

Well Done
____________________
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.

[Ben.]

[chris-red]

I'd love to have a Bash at that with a TRX850, I don;t think I could throw that much money at it TBH. That and I'm probably crap.
____________________
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.

[Red Devil]

Nice work!

How much does the season/each race cost? How long were you doing track days before you moved into racing?
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Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing

[Shaane]

Good results mate well done. Happy that you did well and glad you stayed rubber side down.
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EMRA Roadstock #92 - Paperwork Permitted.
Previous: 1992 DT125R
Current: ~ 2005 ZX6R C1H

[Ben.]

[AL-]

Good results, nice one mate keep it up

[Red Devil]

[G]

How many in your 'extreme' class?
An old R1 would definitely be interesting prospect and presumably on tracks like Snetterton might have a decent bit of an advantage.

Back in my day it would seem the top end of the normal Thunderbike class was a little sharper - still not as quick as the sharp end of minitwins despite the slower bikes, which always seemed to attract some very serious competition (and looking at lap times from your weekend still does.)

[supZ]

good on you

about to start racing myself, albeit as a standin for someone in my mates team that pulled out.

will be up in EMRA at mallory park for my 1st race next month. going for a track test on their race bike next week.

not the best timing for me however, had a bust shoulder for 2 months and have just gotten over it so havent been on track at all for about 6 months!

just got my bike rebuilt so im hoping for at least 1 trackday before the race for practice (perhaps 2 if they're doing one just before the race) and then off i go..

bit scared but really looking forward to it
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[Deano]

[supZ]

not sure tbh, all i know is its on a 600.

RSR is the team
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike