Race Reports
Race 1 F400 - I am on the second row for the F400 race and feel reasonably confident. I am running 14/45 gearing, 145 mains with a filter and an airbox with the backhalf cut away. The bike is running rich but I am being cautious. (Air temp is 15°, 61% and 996 mB) The lights go and I get a good start, I am surprised by Steve Horne (FZR in only his second meeting) who gets a blinder off the front row and disappears into the distance like a scalded cat. Peter Whiteside passed me part way through the race other than that rather an uneventful 3rd place. Best lap was 52.53 so I was rather chuffed. First lap was 59, race time 5'24.4" (My previous best was 5'26.6" last May just before I took my tumble - I like these Dunlops - so far they haven't moved and I feel that I can go a lot further/faster yet). 1st Peter, 2nd Steve, 3rd Me, 4th Stuart, 5th Chris Bowen (ZXR)
Race 2 Open 250 - Next up the 1300, 600 and open 250 (I am in the 250 class, only 6 entered, one TZ (Rob Mawby), one RS and the rest are road bikes like my KR). Front row start - about fifth in to the first bend (School) 600, 750s and R1s all around me (I don't like mixing with the 600s as they are all nutters). Have a good scrap with the 600s running 8th eventually dropping back to 9th as I got pipped on the line. A bit annoyed with that as it pushes me back onto the 3rd row (Derby Phoenix grid positions for the first race are based on when they receive the race entry, and your result in the first race determines your grid position in the second). Still I am second home in the 250 class.
Race 3 F400 - Front row with Peter Whiteside, Steven Horne and Stuart Bedford. Get a reasonable start about 4th or 5th in to School. Steve and Peter do there disappearing act again - I must try harder on the first lap. I get involved in a scrap with Stuart and Chris with us all tripping over each other. I finally get past both off them on lap 5 passing Stuart going into Radar and Chris on the way out. I know I can out brake them at the hairpin having already done it several times and I also know that the 400s are quick down the straights. So out of Radar down the straight I stay tucked in and nail it - thinks I will leave the braking to the last moment so that they won't get past. Yep over cooked it - I wish somebody had been there to take a photo - I hit the brakes then realising that I was going a bit quick applied a bit more, up came the back wheel until I thought I was going over the handle bars, nothing for it but to let off and run wide. Chris and Stuart nipped past and I turn in time to latch on to Stuart's tail. I manage to get past Stuart before the flag but can't catch Chris (only 6 lap races - lost a certain third because of a silly mistake). Best lap was the last at 52.7 (we held each other up), 5'26.8" race time, (first lap 59.7). 1st Peter, 2nd Steve, 3rd Chris,4th Me, 5th Stuart.
Race 4 Open 250 - 3rd row start arrive at School in the middle of the 600s and manage to go round a few. Generally a lot quicker round the bendy bits than the 600s just getting caned on the straights which thankfully are few and relatively short. End up 9th overall, 2nd 250 home. Best lap was 51.81 with 3 others in the 52s. Race time was 5'22" (first lap 58.9)
Overall Summary - A cracking day both in terms of the racing and the weather. 3rd overall in the F400 class and 2nd in the Open 250 (I know there are only 6 bikes but whos counting). The tyres are great easily the best I have tried so far and I am still looking to find the limit (Pressures are 31 back 30 front). The back end is kicking over the first bump in School and it is getting a bit wobbly over the second. I have stiffened the suspension over the winter (I will back it off for Sunday). I have dropped the forks 10 mm to quicken up the steering and this has really helped through Radar - definitely worth trying but watch your ground clearance. The bike is still in one bit - touch wood. The only downer - was the speed with which Steve and Peter were clearing off in each race. I definitely need to go faster on the first lap
Race 1 F400 - Get a good start and after everything sorts itself out at School end up in 2nd place behind Steve, who has got another of his flyers. Close the gap on him - then on lap two Steve loses the front end on the second part of Radar. I am now first - I hold this for a couple of laps before Peter comes past. Cross the line in 2nd place. Best lap was 51.35, with one other 51 second lap and the rest in the 52s, race time 7'04.5" (first lap 59.36) 1st Peter, 2nd Me, 3rd Chris, 4th Stuart.
Race 2 Open 250 - Rob Mawby is further back on the grid so if I get a good start I might just be able to hold him off until the end. So having sorted out race strategy I get a great launch (front row start again). Sixth into school but manage to ride past two 600s. Nail it everywhere I hold 4th place until lap 6. The bikes infront R1, GSXR750, and a 600 leave me for dead down the straights but I am getting most of it back on the brakes and though the bendy bits so they are not losing me (basically I am getting towed along). Lap 6 Rob Mawby comes past me on the start finish straight with a GSXR600 in hot pursuit we all get tangled in School and I lose corner speed. Rob and GSXR pull away and as I am getting tired and there is no way I will catch them (I learnt my lesson last season don't chase race 250s on a road 250 'cos you will fall off) I ease off. Finish 6th overall and 2nd in class (I am well pleased with that result) Now the good bit. I had 3 laps in the 50s the best being 50.6, the race time was 6'56.6" (first lap was 56.36 - no other bikes getting in the way and having the 600s to follow helps)
Race 3 F400 - With Steve getting a DNF in the first race he starts at the back. I get a good start and slot in behind Peter coming out of School into the hairpin for the first time and I am right behind him. Second lap still behind him and into the hairpin could quite easily have nipped past. Decide that as I am not having any problems staying with him, I will save the banzai outbreaking manoeuvre to the end. If I go early the chances are he will get past and will then defend the line. I am quicker through Douglas and Abbots than Peter I lose a bit on the straights and going into School otherwise I am fairly comfortable. By lap 5 I am still in contact but am beginning to tire. Look back and Chris is a safe distance behind, Peter has pulled out a bit and I am struggling (I really must start getting fit - sitting in the pub and talking about going to the gym doesn't do much for stamina). Lap 7 going into the hairpin Chris is still a safe distance behind Peter has pulled a safe distance in front, through Douglas and then down the start finish straight, break a bit early for school and Chris dives down my inside with a beautiful passing move (10/10 the bugger). This gets the adrenaline going. Out of Abbotts he defends his line into Radar so I sweep wide then in to get drive out. Chris messes up the exit from Radar and ends up blocking my move oh well I will get him on the brakes for the hairpin. Stick to his seat unit down to the hairpin but he moves over so you couldn't get a fag paper between him and the grass (He learns quickly - you can't out brake a KR on a ZXR so block'em instead). I can't go round the outside so try holding a tighter line up to Mountview/Douglas. Again take a line to go for drive as Chris is taking a slow defensive line but there is an LC250 on the exit Apex which spoils that move. Chris gets to the line first (silly losing a good safe second place). Not bad - apart from the first lap 55.8, and the second 52.1 all the laps were in the 51s with the best being 51.05. Race time 6'56.6". Got a good first lap because not tangling with anybody and Peter was flying. 1st Peter, 2nd Chris, 3rd Me, 4th Stuart and Steve managed to work his way upto 5th from the back of the grid.
Race 4 Open 250 - Didn't really want to do this. Rob starts in front of me and there is no way I can beat him. Likewise none of the other 250s have presented any challenge. I have had a good day, and I don't really want to get knocked off by a 600. Still have to do it to get the points. Get an indifferent start, and don't really make to much of an effort. Spend the race stuck behind a 600 and ZXR750. They disappear down the straights and I catch them on the bends. I can't get past and only make one half hearted attempt at Radar. Eventually finish 12th overall and 2nd in class. Race time was 7'12", first lap was 1'00.05" and the fastest lap was 52.6, most laps were mid 53.
Overall Summary - A great weekends racing. The KR was really flying and I think I can get another second out off it by setting the suspension and jetting correctly. This will then be a 49 second lap which would be within 1 second of the lap record. As it is I got within two seconds which for me is smokin'. I feel that I can beat Chris, Steve and Stuart at this track and I might just be able to get Peter. We have four more races here at the end of the season. Next Derby round is at Mallory where I am going to struggle against the 400s (though having looked back through my old result sheets I see Chris was getting top 10 results in 98 when I was struggling to get in the top 20. In 99 I beat him each time we met at Mallory so there might still be hope.)
Machine settings
Tyres Dunlop KR364 30 psi Frt/ 31 psi rear.
14/45 gearing
Front suspension dropped 10mm (total now showing above yoke is 20 mm)
145 main jets, needle on 4th position (This only applies to my bike the T3 lads were running 160 main jets).
Airbox lid cut away at rear (I had to use one of my spacers for lifting the airbox lid to make a Dowel to locate the barrels!!).
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