Test Day
Had been really looking forward to this one. First time out on the new bike and in with the big boys.Testing was going to be tricky as the Official test day was limited to 98db max. So just in case the bike didnt make it i took an extra day off work and booked on the general trackday on the Thursday too which was full 105db noise limits.
It's always tricky to get any decent running at a trackday with the amount of traffic. And understandably trackday guys are just out for a run round on their bikes for a bit of fun. So trying to get any decent testing can be a bit hit and miss with the traffic, but it's still seat time and good to get a run out on the bike. Most of the day was spent getting peg, clip on and lever positions comfortable and getting a general feel for the thing. In the last few sessions i had a vibration problem that took a bit of time to track down. Finally started to get a feel for it by the last session of the day. Only handling problem was, the bike would turn and change direction fast, but once it was on it ear it was a struggle to get it to turn without running wide on the gas. Played with rear ride height and got it sorted out and ended the day with a very steady high 1.43.
For the official test day i put the Akrapovic can on and used the baffle. The bike came in at 96db!
Test day was wet in the morning so just trundled round getting feel for the power delivery in the wet. Dried out for the last two session. Got some new pads in and bedded and pushed on in the last session to end the day with some decent rhythm in my head ready for qualifying on Saturday morning.
Over the two test days the biggest thing i continued to struggle with was the move to Pirellis. Like i've mentioned in previous reports, they move..........alot. But that is just how the tyre works. If you take it as 0% is the bike stationary and 100% is a highside. The Pirellis start to bend/move and distort at about 80-85%. This isnt the tyre sliding. This is the zone the tyre is just starting to work. So you have to have the thing on the move everywhere, entry and exit. Where as the Dunlops just grip, then when they move the tyre is actually sliding for real. The Pirellis require a different bike setup to load the tyres and give the right feedback. Set up a little harder than a Dunlop setup.
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| Full credit and copyright to Hill Photography and Design |
Saturday Race Day
New rubber on for qualifying. Well, i say new rubber...........but my budget has completely run out so i'm now running scrubs i get of a mate who's running in BSB.
Out for qualifying and immediately i'm surrounded by bikes, guy running it in too hot, missing apexes, generally a bit frantic. So i took 2 laps of it and decided everyone was tripping themselves up too much and it was time to find track space and get a solid committed lap in. I sat up on Dunlop Straight, looked back and there was bike after bike. Tried again on start finish and it was the same again. In Streetfighter there was usually clumps of bike so you could grab a decent space on track and nail a hot lap. In Elite 600's there aint no space! I slotted in as best i could and tried to get a solid lap in, hit all my apexes, but wasn't pushing the front or taking any risk, got a good entry into the last corner, stood the bike up and got a great exit, tucked in ready for a full balls out flying lap...................................and the chequred flag was out. Dammit!
Qualified 28th out of 34. Well, at least i'm not last and i know i've got some good time in hand to use in the race.
The Elite Races are longer than the usual ones. We were 10 laps instead of 7. I was looking forward to the longer distance, as Robert Craig Active has changed my training and i was keen to see if the work would ...erm..........work.
Lined up and we have problem number one. I've never launched a 600. Got it off the line at about 8-10k but instinct kicked in from being on the old V twin so long and i short shifted and it dropped out the power. The race was brilliant. Lots of fun being in battles all race long. Made up a few places and finished 24th overall and 17th in the Stock class. Had some big arm pump problems though, not so much in my forearms, but more in my hands and my fingers and hand seized up and i struggled to get on the brakes and hold the throttle.
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| Photo credit to John Manclark |
Sunday Race Day
On the saturday night i spent some time stripping and cleaning/checking the bike ready for the two TV races on Sunday.I find this helps with my mindset. I like the bike to be clean and well prepped. I'm the type of rider who kinda switches off a bit if i don't like the bike or am riding a pile of crap. I tend to like everything to be right, and that sets me up in the right frame of mind for rolling out to the grid.
Race one on Sunday was another good battle. But again from lap 5 onwards my times dropped and i went backwards. I think the problem is down to the new riding position, combined with the fact the bike has a slightly longer travel throttle than i'm used to and no quickshifter. So i'm having to keep flicking the gas on gear changes and combined with it having a bit longer travel overall it taking my hands a bit of time to get used to. Also, by the time we're at sunday i've now been on the bike, and sleeping in the back of a cold van for 4 days. I do really like the saturday style of qualifying and one longer race though. Means i only have to get psyched up once and after the race i can grab an early shower and chill and watch the final races of the day.
Race two, made a very average start but put in a decent amount of aggression on the first lap and scalped a few places. Was up to 18th and last in a 5 bike train. I seem to be quicker round the first pat of the lap, then i lose a bit from coppice onwards. I had a run on the bike in front into the old hairpin on lap 3 to set him up, but backed out it and decided to get a better run down crainer next lap and mass with more momentum and try and keep it going to pick off the guys ahead. On point block passing the guy only to have us both lose time on the group in front. Then it struck, was just starting to settle into a rhythm. Again, not taking any real risks, not pushing to front. Nice safe steady laps and my hands cramped up., Dropped a few places and finished 20th overall and 15th in Stock class.
I'm a little disappointed that my times don't show my true pace. By best time of the weekend was 1.42.1 and i was doing them consistently with no real trouble and some in reserve. I needed to get a rhythm going and gradually start nipping them down over the race but unfortunately my hand/arm pump stopped play.
Overall though i'm over the moon. The new bike is amazing. So, so good. Very happy with it and looking forward to getting out on it again next season. I scored points in all races. And to score points in Elite 600 is no mean feat. This is the most competitive 600 class outside BSB 600's, and for an old 37 year old in only my first full season and first time on the bike it is more than i could have hoped for. My goal for the weekend was to not finish last, also to get a top 20 overall and score points is the cherry on the cake.......plus i didn't crash so the bike still looks all pretty! Always a bonus!!
Summary
Meanwhile in Streetfighter Adam didn't quite manage to catch me in the points so even missing the final round i end the season in 3rd in Class A and 3rd in Overall Extreme championships. Great end to a great season.Thanks to everyone who had helped me this year, way to many to list.
A big thanks to Mike and Hellen for coming along to support me for this round. And Jo Herrod for doing my pit board for the races.
There are some new sponsors onboard in the form of Putoline Oils and Dynotech Ecosse for next season. Some sponsor deals have come to an end such as Redline KTM seeing as i'm on a Kawasaki now.
I'm still unsure what i'll be doing next season, but i have a few month to decide before the start of the season. We still desperatley need sponsorship. The smallest amounts really help, from fuel for the bike or generator, to the odd set of brake pads etc. There is alot of livery space on the new bike and i will be designing new team clothing over the winter so if you'd like your business name on a race bike and the team clothing get in touch.
