Motorcycle Racing Club Of WA

Race Report

Round:
Rilusi Motorcycles WA State Road Racing Championships Round 3
Location:
Barbagallo Raceway, Wanneroo
Date:
29^th June 2008

Rider:
Dan “Pepper” Hayes
License:
C Grade
Number:
164
Machine:
Suzuki GSXR 600 K7
Team:
Team Six Racing
Sponsors:
Aseeda Engineers & Designers, Motorcycle Panel and Paint, Pro-Flo Motorcycle Improvements, McCulloch Suzuki
Categories:
Superstock, B Grade
Results:
Superstock
Race 1: 3^rdRace 2: Scratched
Race 3: 6^th
B Grade
Race 1: 21^st
Race PB:
63.516 sec (Best Ever Race PB 62.6230 sec)
Weather:
Cold track, Cloudy, sunny, drizzle, then sunny,……….
Low Down:
Well after having my race bike stolen from my home the week before race weekend, I thought I wasn’t going to have anything to race. Luckily the police caught the mother f**king scum and I got it back in one piece the Wednesday prior to race weekend. Still no sign of my tv, laptop and dvd player, although I doubt they would be that quick round Barbagallo anyway!
First race was B Grade. I found myself sat on the grid next to team mate Richard Watson on his GSXR 1000. Like Rich, I hadn’t raced this before so had to start near the back in 30^th place. Given I can’t remember too much of it I reckon it must have been full on. Settled down in to a rhythm and wondered when this 6 lap race would be over. Managed to crawl up to 21^st spot finishing just ahead of Rich (22^nd). Felt like I had been riding hard, but the lap times were a bit disappointing. This seemed to be the flavour of the day for me.
Superstock Race 1. Had a good start and was running in 10^th overall including the Supersport guys. There was a big crash at the end of the start finish straight which I avoided. Gavin Cunningham was one of the riders caught up in that one I think and I saw Ray Anset take to the run-off strip to avoid the collision. Seb Montagu got issued a 15 sec penalty for a huge jump start (should have kept going mate) which left me in 3^rd spot for Race 1.
Race 2 was declared wet. I was staring in 9^th on row 3. Not having any “wets” and given my nervousness in the wet, I didn’t fancy flying into turn one being pushed by the guys on wets, I decided to scratch not only for my safety but more for my fellow racers. On hindsight I wish now I had done the sighting lap first, then decided, and even just trundled round in the race and came last as there were only 13 superstock riders racing. The points would have been welcome, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. However, me and my bike were still in one piece for Race 3.
I was looking forward to Race 3 as I was starting on row 6 next to Supersport team mate Jason (Elf) Cawthorne on my left and Superstock Seb Montagu on my right. Both very quick riders and I was hoping to get pulled along with them. When we lined up on the grid and were under starters orders I dropped my visor down and made the mistake of breathing! By the time the lights went out I could hardly see anything other than Jason and Seb taking off on the outside and inside of the track respectively. I caught the guys in the row in front and went between two of them. Got to turn one and couldn’t see a bloody thing. Backed off and held my breath going round the outside of someone in turn one, then had to back off again and open my visor to clear it. I was so annoyed about my start. I knew I had blown it. Spent the rest of the race trying to make places and reopening my visor down the start finish straight after it closed every time I went in to the braking area for turn 7. I ended up finishing 6^th in Superstock and 13^th overall.
Looking forward to seeing some of the TT riders in November, I love the TT. Thanks to everyone for putting on another great race day. I noticed the new format for scrutineering and timing transponders etc. Thought it worked well. Best wishes to everyone that crashed this round. It’s something we all as fellow racers hate to see. I hope everyone gets well soon.
Just like to say thanks to all my sponsors for their support (see top for who they are) and to my team mates of Team Six Racing. They’re a great bunch.
See you next round.
Race Times:
www.natsoft.com.au

-----ENDS-----

Round:	Rilusi Motorcycles WA State Road Racing Championships Round 3
Location:	Barbagallo Raceway, Wanneroo
Date:	29^th June 2008

Rider:	Dan “Pepper” Hayes
License:	C Grade
Number:	164
Machine:	Suzuki GSXR 600 K7
Team:	Team Six Racing
Sponsors:	Aseeda Engineers & Designers, Motorcycle Panel and Paint, Pro-Flo Motorcycle Improvements, McCulloch Suzuki
Categories:	Superstock, B Grade
Results:	Superstock Race 1: 3^rdRace 2: Scratched Race 3: 6^th B Grade Race 1: 21^st
Race PB:	63.516 sec (Best Ever Race PB 62.6230 sec)
Weather:	Cold track, Cloudy, sunny, drizzle, then sunny,……….
Low Down:	Well after having my race bike stolen from my home the week before race weekend, I thought I wasn’t going to have anything to race. Luckily the police caught the mother f**king scum and I got it back in one piece the Wednesday prior to race weekend. Still no sign of my tv, laptop and dvd player, although I doubt they would be that quick round Barbagallo anyway! First race was B Grade. I found myself sat on the grid next to team mate Richard Watson on his GSXR 1000. Like Rich, I hadn’t raced this before so had to start near the back in 30^th place. Given I can’t remember too much of it I reckon it must have been full on. Settled down in to a rhythm and wondered when this 6 lap race would be over. Managed to crawl up to 21^st spot finishing just ahead of Rich (22^nd). Felt like I had been riding hard, but the lap times were a bit disappointing. This seemed to be the flavour of the day for me. Superstock Race 1. Had a good start and was running in 10^th overall including the Supersport guys. There was a big crash at the end of the start finish straight which I avoided. Gavin Cunningham was one of the riders caught up in that one I think and I saw Ray Anset take to the run-off strip to avoid the collision. Seb Montagu got issued a 15 sec penalty for a huge jump start (should have kept going mate) which left me in 3^rd spot for Race 1. Race 2 was declared wet. I was staring in 9^th on row 3. Not having any “wets” and given my nervousness in the wet, I didn’t fancy flying into turn one being pushed by the guys on wets, I decided to scratch not only for my safety but more for my fellow racers. On hindsight I wish now I had done the sighting lap first, then decided, and even just trundled round in the race and came last as there were only 13 superstock riders racing. The points would have been welcome, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. However, me and my bike were still in one piece for Race 3. I was looking forward to Race 3 as I was starting on row 6 next to Supersport team mate Jason (Elf) Cawthorne on my left and Superstock Seb Montagu on my right. Both very quick riders and I was hoping to get pulled along with them. When we lined up on the grid and were under starters orders I dropped my visor down and made the mistake of breathing! By the time the lights went out I could hardly see anything other than Jason and Seb taking off on the outside and inside of the track respectively. I caught the guys in the row in front and went between two of them. Got to turn one and couldn’t see a bloody thing. Backed off and held my breath going round the outside of someone in turn one, then had to back off again and open my visor to clear it. I was so annoyed about my start. I knew I had blown it. Spent the rest of the race trying to make places and reopening my visor down the start finish straight after it closed every time I went in to the braking area for turn 7. I ended up finishing 6^th in Superstock and 13^th overall. Looking forward to seeing some of the TT riders in November, I love the TT. Thanks to everyone for putting on another great race day. I noticed the new format for scrutineering and timing transponders etc. Thought it worked well. Best wishes to everyone that crashed this round. It’s something we all as fellow racers hate to see. I hope everyone gets well soon. Just like to say thanks to all my sponsors for their support (see top for who they are) and to my team mates of Team Six Racing. They’re a great bunch. See you next round.
Race Times:	www.natsoft.com.au