August 1st brought perfect weather for the final round of the QLD F3 Championship and the motorcycle sportsmen club F3 and F4 Championship. Temperatures from 3deg up to 25 deg celsius were forecast. It had taken me 3 weeks to repair the bike from a crash the last round and this was the first time I had been able to test it. We were first out for qualifying for F4 and I took it pretty easy making sure all was ok. There were 2 sessions for qualifying for each class and I was in about 5th position after that. Next was F3 and again took it slowly to check all was ok when I looked at the gauges coming down the straight and noticed they had disappeared. They were hanging in the front fairing as the stay had snapped in half. Had to come in and try to repair it in time to get a good position for the races. Next qualifying was coming up very shortly. I managed to use some pvc tubing(thanks Gary) and rivet it back. This left me with one more qualifying for each class.
During the next qualifying the gear change pedal was sticking and would not change properly so ended up with a 2nd position in each class. I quickly replaced the rear set and no more problems !
First race was F4 :10 LAPS. I took it easy from the start as it was still early and the track a bit cold. It was a 10 lap race so I slotted in behind Simon and followed for 9 laps as I felt I could stay and hopefully pass on the last lap.Coming up to the last three corners I was right behind Simon and misjudged the last corner and let off the throttle a little and gave him a bit of a gap. I put my head down and due to having more hp just passed on the finish line by .014 of a second. Best lap 1:27.2
Next out was F3: 10 LAPS. This was also merged with F6 which are larger capacity bikes. My start was ok and was in fourth position after the first turn with Mark Gordon (Suzuki SV650) in front . I tried to stay with him but couldn’t make a pass for the first 2 laps and waited to see if I could out brake him into the tight turn 6. I managed to do this and then concentrate on consistent lap times and was able to catch the race leader and pass in turn 4 due to him missing a gear change coming out of turn 4.
Best lap 1:27.1
Next out was F4: 6 LAPS This was a 6 lap race and the weather was a bit warmer now. I led the first 2 laps and then Simon passed me into his favourite corner no:4 . Once passed Simon put his head down and pushed hard and made it difficult in some parts of the track to stay close behind. I was still a bit cautious of the turn I crashed at last round and this gave Simon a bit of a gap. I pushed hard and made up the lost ground and caught him by turn 10. All I needed to do was get a good exit out of the last turn and I should have been able to pass before the line. It was a good race with very consistent lap times. I won by only .183 secs. Best lap time 1:27.2
Next out F3.I had a poor start and was in 6th position by turn 1. I could see Mark Gordon getting away (running second in F3 QRRC) . I was slow through turn 3 with riders all trying to get a good run to the next turn so I needed a big effort to out brake 2 others riders into turn 6. I managed to get away with it and then put a target on Mark’s back(sorry Mark) and started to chase him down through turns 7-10 and at turn nine kept the throttle wide open ,something I really don’t like doing as it is very bumpy and losing the front there at 180 kph is something I never want to do. It made up time and was back with the lead pack again. I was able to pass Mark on the 3rd lap and finish first in my class. Best lap 1:27.6
Next out F4. This turned out to be one of the best races of the week end. Mojo Webb got a really good start after having mixed results in the previous races with small problems with his bike. Simon was in second and John Carpenter was in third by turn 3 and I was fourth. I braked up the inside of turn #4 on John and passed Simon through the fast back section to follow Mojo who was on a good pace and ticking off every apex making it hard to pass. After 3 laps I finally had a good drive out of turn 12 and passed Mojo down the straight. At turn #4 I could see Simon behind Mojo and I thought I had opened up enough gap as their was only 2 laps remaining if I kept the same lap times. Well I was wrong as Simon decided that he could make up the gap and on the last lap I had quick look behind at turn #10 and he was right behind me. I then clicked to a higher gear into turn #11(which I shouldn’t have) and this gave me a poor drive out of the final corner onto the straight and only winningy.134 secs. Best lap 1:26.6
With great weather there was some fantastic racing and many riders improved their PB’S over the week end and in some classes lap records were broken as well.
Next race meeting is November 7 and 8 and is the final of the 5 rounds @ Morgan Park Raceway for 2015.
I would like to thank TYGA-PERFORMANCE.COM for their generous help with many of the products I use and recommend.
Motorcycle Sportsman of Queensland and the officials and flag marshals that give their time for free, so we can race.
Wayne Reed. Osella Photographics for he’s great photos.
Sheree (wife and coordinator of the carrollraceteam.com).
See you all November 7-8.