ROARMX

The holidays are over and I’ve been back on the track with the boys for a couple of weeks now. Ealier this week I went down to Frankston for training with Cameron Taylor, one of Australia’s top riders. We spent an hour or so going over some of my habits when it comes to gear selection and power on and off points. It was surprising what a difference just a few minor changes made to the eventual circuit speed.

Circuit training at Frankston

It was hot tough work out there but I loved every minute of it.

I’m still working on the calendar of events for the 2010 season but it looks like it will be the Gippsland Series again, with the Vic Titles and some Club Days at Blue Rock and Broadford. The Nationals might be limited to Horsham and Albury, but still a very full year of racing ahead.

The annual Bacchus Marsh club event under lights was great fun last year and this year was the same. Numbers were down a bit with only 9 racers in the A Grade Lites.

This was my first event where I raced both 250cc and 450cc classes making it a pretty hectic night. The bikes performed well but my lack of racing in recent months was obvious. I was on the pace on both machines but lacked something when it came to challenging for the lead.

In one event I also took a spectacular tumble across the start/finish line with the 450 doing a massive cartwheel when I had to jump off the machine in mid air. I was able to get back on board quickly but had to settled for a midfield finish. The 450 also had pretty bad damage.

Zooming thru the night

When the lights came on at dusk the track looked great. Another three races and it was a lot of fun. My results were ordinary but it was good just to get back on the track.

My injuries seemed to hold up okay and thanks to Bowen Therapy any pains were gone quickly.

Now it’s back to preparation for the 2010 season. Repair the 450, tweak the suspension and get out on the practice tracks.

I am also going to get into some professional training with a couple of ex-champion riders and lift my riding to the next level. That’s the plan anyway.

Since my set back with injuries I have spent the past months on endurance training and generally getting bored. With the hand unable to take any stress or strain, riding has been pretty much out. I have to give it the best chance to heal. It’s not easy just waiting.

New bike on its way. KX450

I’m also looking for a second bike to race in the 2010 season. I will be getting another Kawasaki as I’m impressed with the overall package and reliability. I am looking out for a 450cc new or near new at the right price. I don’t mind going with the 2009 model even though the 2010 models are just coming out.

My current 250cc will also race into next year seeing as how it has been under-raced in ’09.

Another very early start.

I travelled down to Moe on the morning of the races with Hayden Harris who was also racing. The winds were very strong and blowing my van all over the road. We were both unsure about what the weather was going to be for the day. With a possible crappy day on our hands I decided it would be best for my Dad, Mum, sister and cousins not to make the drive down. The next round should be better weather.

We arrived at the track to find the wind had settled down a little, and the track was ripped, groomed and looking awesome.
I was so excited to get out to practise and just ride. I set up my pit area and got changed for practice. I was last practice which is good in most cases because the track is more like race conditions by the time I’m up. Practice went down really well with no mistakes, and the bike and body were feeling great.

I headed down to the line for rae one with a very competitive grid including, Cameron Taylor, Adam Monea, Lewis Stewart, Lewis Woods, Alex Morris, Tyson Hauser, Micheal Menchi and many others. I was my typical near last in turn one but came out 12th by the end of lap 1. I was feeling fast and strong out on the track and was passing people that I usually struggle to keep with. I slowly made my way into 8th position and was going for the pass on 7th Tim Vare with Micheal Menchi and Tyson Hauser the two riders behind me. I started to get a loose back end and was not be able to control the bike and therefore could not make the pass for 7th. I quickly realised a had a flat back tire and 2 laps to go. I hung on for dear life and was having a few big moments going on and off the track. I managed to loose only 1 position to Micheal Menchi (#7) to finish up in 9th for race 1. I was absolutely wrapped with my efforts and was looking forward to race 2.

Race 2 started off a bit shakey with a few mistakes with vision problems due to blurry goggles. I was in 10th and quickly dropped back to 13th before I fixed the problem by ripping all tear-offs off. It was Lap 3 and I had caught two friends Mathew Arnourtavic (23) and Tyson Hauser (59).  I was pushing too stay with them and hoped they would make a mistake so I could gain a position or two.  I came to the spectators area where it was all about to turn south.

I launched off a simple down hill stepdown into knee high breaking bumps. I had been taking this particualr line all day and this time it caught me out, totally! I landed with the power on in 4th gear and the savage breaking bumps leading into the corner ahead had kicked my rear wheel high into the air and my front end then hit yet another breaking bump, dring me head first into the ground hard and fast with the bike on landing on top of me.  I was out cold!

When I regained consciousness, people were taking off my helmet and helping me off the track.

My right hand was in a huge amount of pain and I could not bear it. The ambulance soon arrived and put me on some good old morphine before taking me to Traralgon Hospital where my friends Nigel and Hayden came to visit and take me home later that day. I had slight concussion and a broken right hand.

Out for 4 weeks minimum!!

I arrived home to see a snapped subframe, smashed pro-circuit muffler, ripped seat and demolished plastics. To make matters worse, the van window smashed on the way home. The bike fell over in transit. (Oh well…)

But I was stil happy with the way I rode in race 1, so who cares.

Maybe two weeks off will be enough?

The weekend was forecast to be cold, wet and windy. I headed to Ballarat the night before on Saturday with a few of the boys, Damo, Nigel, Jarred and Hayden. We all stayed in a motel at the centre of town at Ballarat. The motel had a sauna and pool, so good time was had by all.

We all rose early Sunday morning and headed to the track about 20 mins down the road. The weather was very cold but the rain had held off all weekend and the track was looking immaculate. My Dad and brother Jesse were meeting me at the track later in the morning.

The day started off badly when i started to warm up my bike and it just shutdown with unfamiliar noise. I thought that was a bit odd and I checked over the bike when I noticed the oil inspection window was empty. I immediately assumed the worst. Damo and I frantically put in 800ml of oil and started the bike up again, the bike seemed to be running fine again. I rushed out to practice and in the thrid corner my bike just died on me and would not start. I was stressing big time. Damo and Nigel quickly helped me get the bike off the track. I soon realised that the bike had originally had the right amount engine oil and just because it was done many days prior to the event it had not yet had time to reach the inspection window. I quickly fixed the problem by draining out the excess 800 ml of oil and set out in the B grade Lites practice.

Race 1 came up before I even knew it and I got to the line as quickly as I could. I drank some water and tried to relax after what had just happened. The gates dropped and I got a terrible jump off the concrete grid and was near last into turn 1. I made  up a few positions and I was sitting in 12th for the majority of the race until I came up to one of my favorite parts of the track, a down hill single into a table top. I came out of the right hand turn and launched off the single, but in doing so I hit a large ‘kicker’ in the end of one the ruts which I was trying to cross over.  My rear wheel dipped into the rut and hit the kicker which then sent my bike into a somersaulting front flip me cartwheeling over the handlebars and rolling down the hill along side my bike. RACE OVER!

In between races 1 and 2 I rested my body and injured right hand while my Dad and friend Damo helped change over a few parts from my race bike to my spare/practice bike. I had damaged my race bike’s radiators and the subframe beyond repair. I took a more conservative approach to race 2 because I did not want to crash again. I completd the race and ended in 14th.  I was happy with the way I rode but was still far from being competitive with the front end of the field.

Race 3 I wanted to really go well and put down some quick times. It was by far my best race of the day finshing in 10th. I had some good battles with Tim Vare (222) and Kyle Dicecco (5). The front end of field still managed to get away but I was very happy with the way I rode in this race and ended the day on a happy note.

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