TGR's First Race

Now that I’ve got a bit more time, here is a bit more of a write up from a spectators perspective:

Jess and I were scheduled to head up with Gos on Sunday morning. However Jess woke up with a chronic headache, but was happy to send me off on my own.

I rocked up at Gos's only a little late and we climbed aboard the mighty Prado and headed north.

We found our tickets (thanks Craig) waiting at the gate and after a quick lap of the pits to say g’day to a few KSRC boys we found the famous garage 27.

The boys were still getting ready and had a good 2 hours before their first session. They had also picked up a ring-in, Lachlan on an FZR400.

About 40mins before their scheduled start there was a pretty decent oil spill out on the track and at the same time it started spitting rain.

So the track was shut down for 20mins while they cleared the track, however the rain started getting heavier.

Jono decided it was time to switch tyres. So we quickly whipped of his rims that had the slicks on them and threw on the wets.

The boys then got read to head out into the rain. The previous day Craig had pulled something in his back and was struggling to move around on the bike, let alone get into his leathers and wet weather gear. But managed it ok with some help and was ready with plenty of time.

Race time came and the boys headed out. The poor buggers stuck out like dogs balls with their high-vis vests, but I guess that was the point and the other racers seemed to give them plenty of space to get used to it.

It was a pretty slow race and everyone hobbled around the track in the very greasy conditions. The grid was down only 12 racers as I assume a lot had bought tyres suitable for the rain.

After 4 laps, both boys returned to the shed. Craig had turned an interesting colour of scared-shittless white as his bike had dome nothing but slide all over the place. Jono's tyres had seemed to do the job for the most part, but the main thing was that neither crashed and both had made it home unscaved.

By this time the rain had started to bugger off and it was time for lunch and a chin wag.

The rain eventually nicked off and the track started to dry out. By the time the boys were ready for their second session we were back to a dry track and Jono had his slicks back on. I went for wonder during the preceding race and made my home up near the 9th turn to get some photos. (It’s a hell of a walk around to there, but managed to score a lift back)

The boys had a great time out there during this one. Both were holding good lines and although not the fastest out there, were consistent and solid.

Once back at the shed, we waited for the lap times. Jono ended up running a 1:15 and Craig a 1:23, tho Craig was still having some pretty chronic fuelling issues and had problems powering out of turns.

By this time it was pushing 3pm and was time for Gos and I to head back to Canberra. The boys still had a 3rd session to do, but both Gos and I still had stuff to do at home. We bid farewell and headed off.

All in all, a great day. And even I might have gotten the racing bug a little. Being right down in pit lane was sensational. Having the bike rip past you literally only a couple of feet away was amazing.

A big congrats to Jono and Craig from TGR for a successful day out and am looking forward to the next one!