phillip island - day 1

after knocking off work monday morning, we drove up to goulburn, left my car at a friend's, put the bike trailer on the back of Greg's car, jumped in and drove to phillip island. i think we arrived about 4:00am. all up i managed between 1-2 hours of sleep in the car. Scottie and Greg reckoned Hamish and I were getting heaps of sleep in the back, but just because you're eyes are closed and you're not talking, doesn't necessarily mean you're asleep. i got a few 15-30 minute cat naps though.

the sun came up and we were looking around cowes for something for brekkie, then back to the track to get started. we went up the wrong road and found Adrian and Ozzie waiting for us. Turns out they were there as they didn't want to have a kip at the main gates in case we came and woke them up and scared the crap out of them. Then, seeing our blank expressions, Adrian said "Oh, was I the only one thinking of doing that hehehe".

we commandeered a garage, got scrutineered, picked up our hire equipment for Scott and I, and got comfy. I was about to have a bit of a nap, i thought we had heaps of time. However my stupid watch had stopped and we were just in time for me to get my gear on and get out there.

my first time out on this bike in the dry. i'm a little apprehensive, but as soon as i start moving all it's all forgotten. i'm the slowest person in the group, and spend a bit of time looking over my shoulder and letting faster riders through, fortunately i've started at the back of the pack (on purpose) to give me some time before i get lapped.

the track is an absolute dream. there are 4 groups of riders on track days. fast, medium, medium slow, and slow. despite belonging in the slow group, Greg and Scott convince me to go in the medium slow group. the riders in this group usually have more experience, and are less likely to crash into you.

i've done a track day on this bike at eastern creek, and really enjoyed it, but the track was wet and i was on slicks, so didn't get to try very hard. the superbike school organises both tracks, but the guys at this track are much more organised. usually after about 20 minutes, we are running 30 minutes behind. not here, it all runs like clockwork. and the track is a fucking dream to ride on.

eastern creek is fun, but this is different in a whole new kind of way. eastern creek is a lot of wrestling the bike, go hard, brake hard, turn hard, do it again, phillip island is fast, much faster than i'm used to, and long flowing corners. i've managed to wear to the edges of our slick tyres for the first time ever. and not once have i felt that i was lacking grip. it's a lot different from the telly, you really get no idea of the ups and downs, and lovely cambered corners. this track is like a roller coaster!

i'm gradually getting quicker throughout the the day, but to someone who is actually fast, my best laptime would be less than exciting, a 2:17 on my last session. i got a 2:17 on my second lap, after it had been drizzling and i was a bit apprehensive, i then got stuck behind another rider. instead of watching the track, i watched the rider, i had a few chances to overtake, but the riders here are so polite and considerate, i was obliged to do the same, i waited until i could safely overtake with a large margin for error, but then i'd get overtaken by riders much quicker my myself (i was about the second slowest rider in my group). and they'd get in my way. 30 seconds later they'd be gone and i'd catch up again.

i finally get my shit together, get past, and get several seconds gap, after circulating at about 2:19 behind this rider, only to see the chequered flag indicating the end of the session. damn. would have been my quickest yet. should have either gone harder, or given the other rider a bit of a gap so i could put a few quicker laps together.

and as for the straight, i think i'm glad i have no idea how quick we were going, because if you don't get your weight on the footpegs, and put too much weight on the seat instead, then the front wheel gets light and starts wobbling. really really. a very apprehensive experience at whatever speed that was...

and the beautiful corners, going on and on forever. blasting out through fast sweepers, then over lukey heights. what an experience. i'll never forget it.

pics:
our pit garage
me coming out of siberia
going into turn 11, looks like i'm catching, but probably just got overtaken(didn't catch anyone here until day 2)
i love the grunt of this thing
pro shot of me coming out of siberia
Scotty reeling someone in out of mg
Scotty getting stuck in traffic
Scotty getting more traffic, turn 11
Scotty getting a clear run down the straight
Scotty pitting
Greg going through siberia
Greg going through turn 11
Greg down the straight