Test Day 2
Mallory Park - ACU test day
After a not too great start....missing out first session as the new time for Mallory is 1pm. So gates were shut and we had to wait for the sidecars to finish. 20 mins later all set up in paddock and with the greasy track time for a change to wets. Missed the first session because I didn't change the big spacer on the rear rim. DOH!!!
Now I must admit I was a little apprehensive at the thought of being in the fast group with the dirty (yes mud in places) and greasy, damp track. Heyho warmers off and up to waiting area. Nerves starting kickin' in here with a little bit of leg shake. Bloody hell what am I doin?
Green light comes on, snick first and off we go. Only a few riders in front of me, wasn't very full to be fair, and follow the line round Gerards for the first time. All seems well this magical grip people have spoke of with wet tyres on seems really positive. I'm trying a new body position as I felt I was hanging off the bike far too much upsetting the suspension all the time when clambering back vertical so we'll see how it goes.
Starting to get to grips with this so after a few laps I up the pace and tag onto the next one in front of me trying to stay with whoever it was. A few laps pass and nothing comes by I check back and no ones there. Excellent keeping the same pace, even making some ground. More than happy with how the bike feels I flick from right to left through The Esses and bang the rear breaks wide, now for some reason I didn't panic (believe me a first) kept it held with positive throttle and actually drifted the bike. I had a small trip on the grass but nothing major seeing as I'm partial to the green stuff, same corner but other side this time. Only a lap or so more so I continue round slightly slower just to clean the tyres up again.
Last session of the day coming up so I check the bike and find the rear tyre temperature was slightly low so another couple of psi. Also deciding to drop the preload by one click on the rear as I felt it was too twitchy exiting corners. We spot the slow group coming in so start getting the warmers off and up to pit lane ready to go again.
Not too much waiting this time and the green light comes on and we're off. Same as per usual a couple of laps to really get the temps up in the tyres and I start pushing harder. I can honestly say I've never felt so comfortable on a bike as I was starting to up the pace. All of a sudden red light comes on and so we head back to the pits and wait again. Fingers crossed the mess gets cleared up quickly and it does so we head out again. I'm 2nd on track this time but don't wait for others to pass me for my speed to increase. Start getting my head down properly as someone shoots past into Edwinas and I take this as my chance to tag onto the back. Another lap or so of following him and I can see a few places to pass but choosing on the hairpin this time. Sweet straight through and now I really want to see what I can do by myself. As I go through Devils Elbow I see a couple of riders at the end of the start finish so decide I need to catch up with these and pass them. Two laps later and I'm in the middle of the two of them and pushing the front rider. Down to Edwinas I try braking later and it works...the rider in front didn't make the corner but went straight on. So an easy pass there just keep the momentum and carry it through the Esses and keep pushing. A couple more laps and the chequered flag comes out, I really didn't want to come in as everything felt so sweet but that was it end of the day and end of my first try on wets. Love it now so bring on the rain!!!!!
To be fair apart from missing the first session the day was almost faultless for me. Yes a few dodgy lines and early braking but I'm not stretching my neck in the wet when racing starts in just over a week. Main goal of wet tyres I passed with flying colours as I know there is more to come just need another wet day to push harder. I think I can push for a time the same as my dry time which for me would be superb. The changing of body position was the main improvement for the day though and cant wait for trying it in the dry. Cadwell next so keep looking back for more updates.