Test Day 1
Mallory Park - No Limits Trackday
Britain don't you just love it, what was booked for some wet testing turned
out to be glorious winters day. It was never going to be Southern Spanish
weather but with bright sunshine all day it was only the wind that kept the
temperature down.
With a new bike its important to gel quickly with it to understand the feel
of things. Fortunately I have the same bike but in road trim so it didn't
feel too alien to me. Jumping on the bike all things came back and after a
long winter break I wanted to bring myself back up to speed, no heavy
braking and smooth out of corners.
First session out and as always you have a couple of laps following the
instructors round and getting some heat into the tyres.
All seems to be going well and the bike feels really nice and very very
fast, then coming out of Devils Elbow, the left hander before the
start/finish straight, I try to change gear and nothing, no pedal, no feel,
nothing. I manage to pull up just after the pit exit and upon inspection my
gear change had come adrift. No worries back into the pits and easy fix.
As the day went and my times ever dropping I manage to tag onto the back of
a few of the faster riders. With more commitment from me I could hang on all
day long but passing would be more of an issue.
After lunch I decide to go for it a bit harder. After all there is no point
cruising around all day. Just as we're getting into the swing of things I
see my mate up ahead coming back onto track after missing a corner, I just
think right I know my line but he decides to pull straight off and cuts my
line completely forcing me onto the grass. I manage to stay upright and only
one more lap till the end of the session I pull in. Lesson learnt and leave
way more room than first thought. Glad I learnt that now instead of when
racing begins. Cheers Lee!!
Still happy with pushing 1:01's (equalling my best ever on my old CBR) on a
new bike I head out into the next session brimming with confidence. Half way
through I miss a gear and the oil flickers light comes on. Hoping not to
have damaged anything I pull back in for a quick once over and all is fine.
Back out again for the last couple of laps with no problems but not flat out
as I have to keep an eye on the oil light. Back in after a two laps and
decide not to continue for the rest of the day. rather be safe than sorry
where engines and oil are concerned.
Overall happy with the progress made and with a few tweaks here and there I
am confident the next dry run at Mallory will see sub 60's which is where I
need to be for racing. Wet practise however will have to wait. Back here on
the 18th so will update more then..................