So my objective this year was to score some points in ProClassic Superbike on the RG500, and participate in 3 races on the RD350 with the VMA championship.
So I managed to score 3 lowly points at Nogaro, which gave me the 38th place in the ProClassic championship, and because of my participation in the last race at Le Vigeant (double points) I actually managed to score 37 points and finish 15th in the VMA championship - a nice end to the season.
I haven't yet fixed my objectives for 2013, but I need to finish my garage and get the bikes stripped down. Don't really have any list of stuff to do yet, but things on the list are :-
Change the wadding in the RG500 exhausts
Change the piston rings on the RG, and investigate the oil leak
Get both bikes on a Dyno to dial in the ignition and fueling
Get the wet wheels ready for the RG500
Fit a ride height adjuster on the 500
Grind off the center stand brackets on the 350 to gain ground clearance and weight (:-))
Change fluids
Fit some Pirelli's to the 500
Service the Daytona (50K kms)
That's it for the moment,
Thanks for your support!
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Monday, 22 October 2012
Le Vigeant - the return!
When I was choosing my races for 2012, I really wanted to go back to the Val de Vienne circuit, which is near Poitiers. ProClassic got kinda banned due to a cock up with a race organiser, so I haven't had the opportunity to return to this great circuit since 2008.
So even though this was "late in the year", I thought I would take the risk with the weather and enter the weekend with the RD350 (no class for the RG500).
Looking at the weather forecast for the weekend, it looked like I made the wrong decision! We arrived at the circuit on Friday around 14:00, and picked up the rain. As it didn't look like it was stopping we setup the tent, and everything and settled in to a rainy afternoon, and evening, in fact the rain didn't then stop for more than a couple of minutes until saturday night!
I was planning to get out Friday afternoon, but I just couldn't bring myself to go out in the pissing rain! So first time on the circuit was Saturday morning for qualification. The last time I was here with the 350, I was lapping at around 2:14, in the rain, I wobbled round in 2:58, I laughed when I saw that, but believe it or not this put me on the 7th line in the middle of the grid.
Continuing with the rain theme, Race 1, the track was completely soaked with sitting water in many areas. I had put some anti fog stuff on my visor, and I think this was one of my biggest technical advantages - I could see! I got a good start and while everyone was taking it real slow, I made some good progress, in the first few bends, overtaking a number of guys. I must have been about 16th, where I stayed until I got caught near the end by a group of 3 guys, which was a shame as I would have had a better finish. They had warned us about a couple of areas being slippy, and indeed, there were a couple of bends that made the rear wheel seem to float, and slide, which (until you knew it) would slow you up for the next few bends. The first part of the track gave good grip, and then after the bend called "Le Buisson" through "les S du sanglier" and then once again through the bend after "trop tard" and then in the "La ferme" it was slippy slidy all the way. Anyway, I didn't see it but apparently there was a lot of confusion with the chequered flag, some of the guys in front of me, saw the flag, and slowed down, and even left the track, before finishing the last lap, I didn't so I made up a few places in the last lap!, and eventually finished in 16th position, with a best lap of 2:43.
The rain continued into Saturday evening, but stopped during the night, which was disturbed by our neighbours deciding to get pissed and party until 2:00 am when I had to get out of the van, and shout at them, I was, after all, on track at 8:30 am, I really don't understand wankers that setup one metre from the van, and then think we won't hear them, or perhaps they just don't care - a total lack of respect.
Anyway, set the alarm for 7:30 am, and when I got up it was still dark! The rain however had stopped, but everywhere was still totally soaked.
Race 2, I didn't wear my waterproof trousers, in case I needed to get my knee down (joke.... ha ha ha). The track was soaked but not much standing water. Daylight started kicking in around 7:45, and the first few laps were very dull, but to be honest this didn't really affect speed. Again I got a good start, (the 350 is so easy!), I had reduced my main jets during Saturday evening and replaced the chain, went down from 390's to 380's mainly because the bike wasn't revving out, and the plugs were pretty dark. The theory goes that even though the temperature was low, around 15-16 degrees, when there is water in the air, this displaces the oxygen in the air, and this makes the bike run rich, the trick is to understand at what point the humidity affects the jetting. In actual fact the change in jetting made little difference to the engine running, however the bike did run a little hotter in the second race.
There were a lot more fallers in the second race, I think mainly due to the inflated confidence you get when you can actually see the track instead of just puddles. I managed to keep it up, and fought it out with a ducati and another 350, a couple of laps from the end I managed to get past them (both at the same time!), and they didn't get me back, so I finished a creditable 14th position, and a best time of 2:38!
We packed up the van, and were on the road at 10:00 am, apparently it had been nice weather all weekend at home.... grrrr..... A bit dissapointing as the last outing of the year, but hey, looking at the positives, I learnt more about riding in the rain!
Just for reference, I ran 15/39 gearing, but have no real idea if this is right, given the conditions.
So even though this was "late in the year", I thought I would take the risk with the weather and enter the weekend with the RD350 (no class for the RG500).
Looking at the weather forecast for the weekend, it looked like I made the wrong decision! We arrived at the circuit on Friday around 14:00, and picked up the rain. As it didn't look like it was stopping we setup the tent, and everything and settled in to a rainy afternoon, and evening, in fact the rain didn't then stop for more than a couple of minutes until saturday night!
I was planning to get out Friday afternoon, but I just couldn't bring myself to go out in the pissing rain! So first time on the circuit was Saturday morning for qualification. The last time I was here with the 350, I was lapping at around 2:14, in the rain, I wobbled round in 2:58, I laughed when I saw that, but believe it or not this put me on the 7th line in the middle of the grid.
Continuing with the rain theme, Race 1, the track was completely soaked with sitting water in many areas. I had put some anti fog stuff on my visor, and I think this was one of my biggest technical advantages - I could see! I got a good start and while everyone was taking it real slow, I made some good progress, in the first few bends, overtaking a number of guys. I must have been about 16th, where I stayed until I got caught near the end by a group of 3 guys, which was a shame as I would have had a better finish. They had warned us about a couple of areas being slippy, and indeed, there were a couple of bends that made the rear wheel seem to float, and slide, which (until you knew it) would slow you up for the next few bends. The first part of the track gave good grip, and then after the bend called "Le Buisson" through "les S du sanglier" and then once again through the bend after "trop tard" and then in the "La ferme" it was slippy slidy all the way. Anyway, I didn't see it but apparently there was a lot of confusion with the chequered flag, some of the guys in front of me, saw the flag, and slowed down, and even left the track, before finishing the last lap, I didn't so I made up a few places in the last lap!, and eventually finished in 16th position, with a best lap of 2:43.
The rain continued into Saturday evening, but stopped during the night, which was disturbed by our neighbours deciding to get pissed and party until 2:00 am when I had to get out of the van, and shout at them, I was, after all, on track at 8:30 am, I really don't understand wankers that setup one metre from the van, and then think we won't hear them, or perhaps they just don't care - a total lack of respect.
Anyway, set the alarm for 7:30 am, and when I got up it was still dark! The rain however had stopped, but everywhere was still totally soaked.
Race 2, I didn't wear my waterproof trousers, in case I needed to get my knee down (joke.... ha ha ha). The track was soaked but not much standing water. Daylight started kicking in around 7:45, and the first few laps were very dull, but to be honest this didn't really affect speed. Again I got a good start, (the 350 is so easy!), I had reduced my main jets during Saturday evening and replaced the chain, went down from 390's to 380's mainly because the bike wasn't revving out, and the plugs were pretty dark. The theory goes that even though the temperature was low, around 15-16 degrees, when there is water in the air, this displaces the oxygen in the air, and this makes the bike run rich, the trick is to understand at what point the humidity affects the jetting. In actual fact the change in jetting made little difference to the engine running, however the bike did run a little hotter in the second race.
There were a lot more fallers in the second race, I think mainly due to the inflated confidence you get when you can actually see the track instead of just puddles. I managed to keep it up, and fought it out with a ducati and another 350, a couple of laps from the end I managed to get past them (both at the same time!), and they didn't get me back, so I finished a creditable 14th position, and a best time of 2:38!
We packed up the van, and were on the road at 10:00 am, apparently it had been nice weather all weekend at home.... grrrr..... A bit dissapointing as the last outing of the year, but hey, looking at the positives, I learnt more about riding in the rain!
Just for reference, I ran 15/39 gearing, but have no real idea if this is right, given the conditions.
Monday, 1 October 2012
Carole Race Weekend 7
Great weekend at Carole (North Paris) this last weekend. The weather was quite cold but bright all weekend, so I was happy (for once) to be travelling North (it was forecasted rain in Grenoble). Arrived at the refreshed circuit Carole at around 12:00, in order to be ready for free practise at 12:45, I didn't count on the lack of space at the circuit! On arrival, the paddock was absolutely chocablock, no where for the ProClassics, fortunately our president pulled some weight, and managed to get us some space, unfortunately without electricity or toilets, but never the less, we had some room to setup.
I got out for practise, to relearn the track, after being away for 2 years. The new owners of the track, have refreshed a couple of areas, but nothing significant, more in security, giving more run off in a couple of places, and also improving spectator safety with new fences and some other stuff.
The track is really quite narrow when over the last few weekends we have got used to Ledenon, Magny Cours and Le Mans, so interesting. The bike was running well, although getting quite hot, I saw 84 degrees Centigrade in practise! My gearing was OK, but I was having to run the bike up to 12K rpm in 2nd to take it through the 3rd corner pif paf, which was preventing me from really accelerating any further, so I thought I would go down a tooth on the rear to run 15/38 on the Saturday. After second practise, I was getting down to 1:13's which was in the same second as my PB, so relatively happy.
I checked the plugs over night, just to make sure nothing was getting too hot, as with the lower temperatures there was a good chance of running a bit lean, however the back cylinders were a nice caramel, and although the front were a little lighter, I considered it OK, especially as it was supposed to be warmer on hte Sunday.
Qualifying went OK, although I was getting some big slides from my rear tyre. Am using the Dunlop GP Race D211 on the rear, and although it is an endurance hardness it seems to be knackered already, I was sliding about all over the place especially knocking my confidence on the "parabolique" where I could feel the tyre moving alot, keeping me from giving it the goods completeley until the bike was fully picked up. Qualified with a 1:13.203 which I thought was OK, until I saw the other times --- gulp..... The fastest time was 1:06, and I was on the 8th line of the grid, qualifying in 22nd position out of 29 racers!
I did try a practise start on the run off lap from qualifying which was a great success. Build up the revs to 10K, then slip the clutch, the mistake I am making is allowing the revs to drop, so as soon as the bike starts to move, I need to keep opening the throttle to stop the revs falling.
Race 1
I actually got a good start! Compared to the four strokes, I still lost a couple of places, but this was way better than what I am used to and I was in the thick of it, straight away. Had a good race, although really slipping about in the parabolique and also I nearly lost it a couple of times in the hairpin "golf" which is a right hand hairpin, probably about 160 degrees, and my entry speed is quite high, which means I deck everything 'til the apex, at which point both tyres are on the very limit, still with your knee on the ground it is easy to push somewhat to bring her into line. Towards the end I was catching a group of RC30, ZXR750, and GSXR, but I got lapped and in the process lost touch with the guys in front. Shame really coz, I definately had more speed than them at the end of the race.
Best lap was a a 1:13:203 - exactly the same as my qualifying time - have I hit a limit? Finished at 23rd place.
Race 2
I reckon I got an even better start! Have I got it cracked (at the end of the season!)! Anyway same scenario really except I was a lot more on my own, which was a shame. I am definately changing the rear tyre, it was getting to be awful. Not really much else to report, finished in the same spot, 23rd and with a best time of 1:13.383, so a little slower.... bof!
Still I reached my seasons objectives of scoring some points, which I have to look back to nearly the beginning of the season, but hey - at least I scored them, next year there is a promise of running at Spa in Belgium, and maybe at Paul Ricard, so I need to find some horsepower during the winter break! Just a couple of photos, to prove it was sunny at Carole the whole weekend. Those are the 125's going past, great to see there are still some two stroke championships!
I got out for practise, to relearn the track, after being away for 2 years. The new owners of the track, have refreshed a couple of areas, but nothing significant, more in security, giving more run off in a couple of places, and also improving spectator safety with new fences and some other stuff.
The track is really quite narrow when over the last few weekends we have got used to Ledenon, Magny Cours and Le Mans, so interesting. The bike was running well, although getting quite hot, I saw 84 degrees Centigrade in practise! My gearing was OK, but I was having to run the bike up to 12K rpm in 2nd to take it through the 3rd corner pif paf, which was preventing me from really accelerating any further, so I thought I would go down a tooth on the rear to run 15/38 on the Saturday. After second practise, I was getting down to 1:13's which was in the same second as my PB, so relatively happy.
I checked the plugs over night, just to make sure nothing was getting too hot, as with the lower temperatures there was a good chance of running a bit lean, however the back cylinders were a nice caramel, and although the front were a little lighter, I considered it OK, especially as it was supposed to be warmer on hte Sunday.
Qualifying went OK, although I was getting some big slides from my rear tyre. Am using the Dunlop GP Race D211 on the rear, and although it is an endurance hardness it seems to be knackered already, I was sliding about all over the place especially knocking my confidence on the "parabolique" where I could feel the tyre moving alot, keeping me from giving it the goods completeley until the bike was fully picked up. Qualified with a 1:13.203 which I thought was OK, until I saw the other times --- gulp..... The fastest time was 1:06, and I was on the 8th line of the grid, qualifying in 22nd position out of 29 racers!
I did try a practise start on the run off lap from qualifying which was a great success. Build up the revs to 10K, then slip the clutch, the mistake I am making is allowing the revs to drop, so as soon as the bike starts to move, I need to keep opening the throttle to stop the revs falling.
Race 1
I actually got a good start! Compared to the four strokes, I still lost a couple of places, but this was way better than what I am used to and I was in the thick of it, straight away. Had a good race, although really slipping about in the parabolique and also I nearly lost it a couple of times in the hairpin "golf" which is a right hand hairpin, probably about 160 degrees, and my entry speed is quite high, which means I deck everything 'til the apex, at which point both tyres are on the very limit, still with your knee on the ground it is easy to push somewhat to bring her into line. Towards the end I was catching a group of RC30, ZXR750, and GSXR, but I got lapped and in the process lost touch with the guys in front. Shame really coz, I definately had more speed than them at the end of the race.
Best lap was a a 1:13:203 - exactly the same as my qualifying time - have I hit a limit? Finished at 23rd place.
Race 2
I reckon I got an even better start! Have I got it cracked (at the end of the season!)! Anyway same scenario really except I was a lot more on my own, which was a shame. I am definately changing the rear tyre, it was getting to be awful. Not really much else to report, finished in the same spot, 23rd and with a best time of 1:13.383, so a little slower.... bof!
Still I reached my seasons objectives of scoring some points, which I have to look back to nearly the beginning of the season, but hey - at least I scored them, next year there is a promise of running at Spa in Belgium, and maybe at Paul Ricard, so I need to find some horsepower during the winter break! Just a couple of photos, to prove it was sunny at Carole the whole weekend. Those are the 125's going past, great to see there are still some two stroke championships!
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Carole Weekend 7
Looking forward to Carole this weekend - the last ProClassic weekend of the year. My last race will be with the VMA on the 350 on the 26th October. Libby isn't coming with me this weekend as the date got changed at the last minute and she has other stuff to do, which means the pit crew is down to one - me!
Been looking at ignition timing over the past few days, to see if I can "guess" at a better curve. The feeling on the web is that the RG can easily cope with an additional advance of 4 degrees across the rev range, and you can actually physically change the pickup cover on the crankcases to alter the static timing for the full range up to 4 degrees. The standard static timing is supposed to be (to be checked) 26 degrees BTDC.
The zeeltronic will take that pulse as activated by the crank going past the pickup, and then modify it to be whatever you want it to be, within limits. The limits are given by the static timing, i.e. The zeeltronic can not make an ignition pulse happen before the actually trigger from the pickup, so with the standard installation we are limited to playing with between TDC and 26 degrees BTDC. So the winter plan would be to modify the standard pickup to give at least 30 degrees of static advance. There do exist different setups which use different stators and pickups on the stator rather than the pickup on the crankcases, but they do require significant changes, so will probably look to just changing the static time to give me more range to play with.
In the meantime, I have replaced the choke assembley on cylinder 4, and that's about it! The gearing should be the same as Ledenon 15/39. The weather for the next weekend is cooler, so again I won't change jetting as I was slightly rich at Ledenon.
The 350 was making some leaky exhaust noises at Ledenon, which came down to a loose power valve retaining screw which was letting the power valve flap around a bit, I made the most of having the exhausts off to reseal them.The left hand cylinder exhaust doesn't really align with the pipe, so again I will make some changes this winter. I also adjusted the float heights to 23mm to try and stop them overflowing a bit. We'll see.
On a different topic my new race HQ is nearly finished, photos will follow when I get the orange walls finished - Ready to Race!
Been looking at ignition timing over the past few days, to see if I can "guess" at a better curve. The feeling on the web is that the RG can easily cope with an additional advance of 4 degrees across the rev range, and you can actually physically change the pickup cover on the crankcases to alter the static timing for the full range up to 4 degrees. The standard static timing is supposed to be (to be checked) 26 degrees BTDC.
The zeeltronic will take that pulse as activated by the crank going past the pickup, and then modify it to be whatever you want it to be, within limits. The limits are given by the static timing, i.e. The zeeltronic can not make an ignition pulse happen before the actually trigger from the pickup, so with the standard installation we are limited to playing with between TDC and 26 degrees BTDC. So the winter plan would be to modify the standard pickup to give at least 30 degrees of static advance. There do exist different setups which use different stators and pickups on the stator rather than the pickup on the crankcases, but they do require significant changes, so will probably look to just changing the static time to give me more range to play with.
In the meantime, I have replaced the choke assembley on cylinder 4, and that's about it! The gearing should be the same as Ledenon 15/39. The weather for the next weekend is cooler, so again I won't change jetting as I was slightly rich at Ledenon.
The 350 was making some leaky exhaust noises at Ledenon, which came down to a loose power valve retaining screw which was letting the power valve flap around a bit, I made the most of having the exhausts off to reseal them.The left hand cylinder exhaust doesn't really align with the pipe, so again I will make some changes this winter. I also adjusted the float heights to 23mm to try and stop them overflowing a bit. We'll see.
On a different topic my new race HQ is nearly finished, photos will follow when I get the orange walls finished - Ready to Race!
Friday, 7 September 2012
Ledenon aftermath
Thought I would at least look at the plugs after Ledenon. The RG's look fine somewhat rich, but I did discover that the choke plunger holder had broken on cylinder Nr 4 - must have overtightened it. It is made out of plastic....
Only happy this didn't make the choke leak air into the carb and lean off the mixture!
Pheww.... Just about to look at the 350.
Only happy this didn't make the choke leak air into the carb and lean off the mixture!
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Monday, 3 September 2012
Ledenon Race Report
Most of France was under grey clouds and rain this last weekend, except the South East, which was where we headed to Ledenon.
We arrived arround 9:30 on Friday morning, as first practise was at 10:30, installed the tent next to the FZR 6.4 racing team (FZR 600 and FZR400), attaching our tent to their lorry, and our van. The wind was very strong and gusty. Ledenon is on the top of a hill in the Rhone Valley so it picks up any wind that's going, and this weekend was going to be particularly windy.
I was running Nr. 2 ignition curve on the RG, which maintains the advance later in the rev. range, so was hoping to pick up some speed with that. The temperature was cool, around 19 degrees Centigrade, and the altitude was roughly the same as Magny Cours, so the engine should run a little leaner, which shouldn't be a problem. In the first practise, the bike was running a little flat, but peaking nicely, although it was extremely difficult to concentrate on anything other than the gusting wind. I was probably picking up 20kmph down the straight (due to the wind), and then being pushed about all over the place, in different bends. You can't make reference points with all this happening, it's all by instinct!
The 350 was running OK, although some noise at idle, I think from a leaking exhaust gasket. Believe it or not I found the 350 easier to handle, maybe due to a smaller fairing, not catching as much wind... dunno.
I was using under 7 litres of premix on the 350 and less than 9 litres on the 500 for 20 minutes track time.
We had to take the tent down in the afternoon, as the canvas was ripping, so we rearranged the vans to block as much of the wind as possible, to try and eat something without the plates flying off the table!
Saturday morning qualification, on the 350 was at 8:30, so an early start and a cold track. A couple of wobbly laps to warm the tyres, and off we go! The triple left at the end of the straight can be taken with virtually no initial braking, although it is a ballsy bend, slightly off camber, and you really have to hang off to ensure the tyres are still gripping well. I drop a gear going into the first part, and then cranked over I have to drop another and then for the exit I need to get into 3rd. This is really a challenge with the bike cranked over, and no room for the boot to easily get to the gear lever, I don't how these MotoGP guys do this waving leg thing on left handers especially as they need to get their toes under the lever for downshifts, I just need to find the top and stamp on it, still not easy. After the triple left, you hit a windy section, as you head down to a right hander with a big step in the middle of it (on the line), some guys were taking the bend real wide to avoid the step, but you leave the door completely open for attacks. Still qualified the 350 in a lowly 26th position, on the 9th line with a best time of 1:52.
Qualification on the RG was not much better, came in at 1:46 - 5 seconds down on my PB, must change something!
Race 1 on the 350
Got a reasonable start and maintained my grid position into the first lap. I made steady progress from my 26th position up to 20th position at the end of the race, battling it out in a small group consisting of a couple of Ducatis, a big Kawa and a couple of 350's. Nice enjoyable race with a best lap time of 1:48.
Race 1 on the 500
Sunday morning 8:30 am, the wind has dropped slightly, and we are on the grid for the first race of the day. We are kept waiting as Vincent Creance fell off in the warm up lap, and has to be ambulanced away! The temperature is getting higher by the second, but they do a good job and clear up the mess quickly. His ZXR 750 spat him off (highside) and then continued on it's wheels into the tyre wall about 60 yards further down the road (it was a mess, bent fork, frame fractured around the headstock etc...), At this time, Vincent has some broken ribs, a broken collar bone, and maybe suspect cracked hip! Anyway, got a really crap start as normal, which did allow me to see the entire field in front of me, before picking my way through. I went round the outside of most guys on the triple left, and was soon (lap 2) back to my grid position. Really frsutrating as I could be running much higher. I consistently worked my way forwards until I was behind the VFR400, who I blew past on the straight, only to have him come around the outside at the triple left. We continued to battle until the flag, with him winning out this time around. Best lap 1:43, and 23rd place.
Race 2 on the 350
Again an easy start, and good battles I made quick progress, and then towards the end of the race a couple of guys came back past. Either I was getting tired or the bike was slowing... Hmmmm Anyway finished up with a 21st position and an improved best lap of 1:47, so a bit better, but not near my PB on the 350, of 1:45 last year.
Race 2 on the 500
Can my starts get any worse - F**king useless! Still made good progress through the pack, and the bike was flying, I got past the VFR400 and RGV250 early on in the race, and then I sat behind a faster GSXR who pulled me forward for the rest of the race, we was a good consistent performer and although I think I could have got past a couple of times, I stayed behind as he pulled me past a couple of guys. I ended up in 19th position, and I hit my PB again with a 1:41. So good race!
Conclusions, the ignition curve on the RG needs work, the Nr. 1 curve is faster at Ledenon. I need to look at the 350, to change the exhaust (Or maybe powervalve) gasket.
Next race weekend at Carole in Paris on the 29th/30th September.
We arrived arround 9:30 on Friday morning, as first practise was at 10:30, installed the tent next to the FZR 6.4 racing team (FZR 600 and FZR400), attaching our tent to their lorry, and our van. The wind was very strong and gusty. Ledenon is on the top of a hill in the Rhone Valley so it picks up any wind that's going, and this weekend was going to be particularly windy.
I was running Nr. 2 ignition curve on the RG, which maintains the advance later in the rev. range, so was hoping to pick up some speed with that. The temperature was cool, around 19 degrees Centigrade, and the altitude was roughly the same as Magny Cours, so the engine should run a little leaner, which shouldn't be a problem. In the first practise, the bike was running a little flat, but peaking nicely, although it was extremely difficult to concentrate on anything other than the gusting wind. I was probably picking up 20kmph down the straight (due to the wind), and then being pushed about all over the place, in different bends. You can't make reference points with all this happening, it's all by instinct!
The 350 was running OK, although some noise at idle, I think from a leaking exhaust gasket. Believe it or not I found the 350 easier to handle, maybe due to a smaller fairing, not catching as much wind... dunno.
I was using under 7 litres of premix on the 350 and less than 9 litres on the 500 for 20 minutes track time.
We had to take the tent down in the afternoon, as the canvas was ripping, so we rearranged the vans to block as much of the wind as possible, to try and eat something without the plates flying off the table!
Saturday morning qualification, on the 350 was at 8:30, so an early start and a cold track. A couple of wobbly laps to warm the tyres, and off we go! The triple left at the end of the straight can be taken with virtually no initial braking, although it is a ballsy bend, slightly off camber, and you really have to hang off to ensure the tyres are still gripping well. I drop a gear going into the first part, and then cranked over I have to drop another and then for the exit I need to get into 3rd. This is really a challenge with the bike cranked over, and no room for the boot to easily get to the gear lever, I don't how these MotoGP guys do this waving leg thing on left handers especially as they need to get their toes under the lever for downshifts, I just need to find the top and stamp on it, still not easy. After the triple left, you hit a windy section, as you head down to a right hander with a big step in the middle of it (on the line), some guys were taking the bend real wide to avoid the step, but you leave the door completely open for attacks. Still qualified the 350 in a lowly 26th position, on the 9th line with a best time of 1:52.
Qualification on the RG was not much better, came in at 1:46 - 5 seconds down on my PB, must change something!
Race 1 on the 350
Got a reasonable start and maintained my grid position into the first lap. I made steady progress from my 26th position up to 20th position at the end of the race, battling it out in a small group consisting of a couple of Ducatis, a big Kawa and a couple of 350's. Nice enjoyable race with a best lap time of 1:48.
Race 1 on the 500
Sunday morning 8:30 am, the wind has dropped slightly, and we are on the grid for the first race of the day. We are kept waiting as Vincent Creance fell off in the warm up lap, and has to be ambulanced away! The temperature is getting higher by the second, but they do a good job and clear up the mess quickly. His ZXR 750 spat him off (highside) and then continued on it's wheels into the tyre wall about 60 yards further down the road (it was a mess, bent fork, frame fractured around the headstock etc...), At this time, Vincent has some broken ribs, a broken collar bone, and maybe suspect cracked hip! Anyway, got a really crap start as normal, which did allow me to see the entire field in front of me, before picking my way through. I went round the outside of most guys on the triple left, and was soon (lap 2) back to my grid position. Really frsutrating as I could be running much higher. I consistently worked my way forwards until I was behind the VFR400, who I blew past on the straight, only to have him come around the outside at the triple left. We continued to battle until the flag, with him winning out this time around. Best lap 1:43, and 23rd place.
Race 2 on the 350
Again an easy start, and good battles I made quick progress, and then towards the end of the race a couple of guys came back past. Either I was getting tired or the bike was slowing... Hmmmm Anyway finished up with a 21st position and an improved best lap of 1:47, so a bit better, but not near my PB on the 350, of 1:45 last year.
Race 2 on the 500
Can my starts get any worse - F**king useless! Still made good progress through the pack, and the bike was flying, I got past the VFR400 and RGV250 early on in the race, and then I sat behind a faster GSXR who pulled me forward for the rest of the race, we was a good consistent performer and although I think I could have got past a couple of times, I stayed behind as he pulled me past a couple of guys. I ended up in 19th position, and I hit my PB again with a 1:41. So good race!
Conclusions, the ignition curve on the RG needs work, the Nr. 1 curve is faster at Ledenon. I need to look at the 350, to change the exhaust (Or maybe powervalve) gasket.
Next race weekend at Carole in Paris on the 29th/30th September.
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