11/02/2024
Hey guys,
First race meeting was a mix of highs and lows. Friday was an amazing feeling getting on the superbike after around 6 months off of it and quickly went to work on finding my rhythm finishing my first session with a respectable time of 1:27.922, about 3 seconds faster than my fastest time around morgan park I back in may of last year. My times continued to drop throughout Friday and completed the day with a Pb of 1:24.597.
Saturday started with qualifying, which unbeknownst to me, I was fighting the bike more than I needed to but managed a 1:25.480 putting me in P14 for race 1.
Race 1 - dnf.
Race 1 started terribly and didn't get much better afterwards. Flunking my race start, running off track and almost high siding the bike prompted me to retire due to a grip issue. After inspection in the pits it was agreed on that my rear tyre was spent and that was causing issues with my grip.
Race 2 - result: 14th overall (6th in class, fastest lap: 1:23.063)
Race 2 was a whole lot better than race 1 with a new rear tyre on, although my dnf delegated me to P16 I still felt I had gotten rid of my gremlins for the weekend. Start number 2 was better but still needed improving, this dropped me to P18, but consistent fast lap times brought me to finish in P14
Race 3 - result: 10th overall (4th in class, fastest lap: 1:22.176)
Race 3 P16 on grid, my starts were starting work better for me and I quickly found position 14 before lap one was completed. By the checkered flag I had found my way to 10th which was building my confidence as the day progressed.
Race 4 - result: 7th overall (1st in class, fastest lap: 1:21.940)
Race 4 saw my best start and by the end of my first lap I had moved up 5 places, continuing to push hard I started to chase the #451- Stephen Wheeler for the class lead, passing him well under brakes into turn 1 with 2 laps to go. My pace found me catching the #76 - Blayden Beddoes and came so close to an overtake right on the finish line. Unfortunately some fast competitors in sporties superbike couldn't be on track to rub elbows with, but if a win is there for the taking I will take it.
Overall it was a fantastic weekend of racing and thank you to my pit crew, my partner Tara and Keegan Prass #630 Racing for all the help and support this weekend, time to go away and refocus for some good results in round 2.