18th September 2006
We arrived on Thursday morning to unpack, practice and qualify. There were 31 entrants in Aussie125GP and the support category organisation / co-ordination was second to none. In the space of 15mins, I had my pit bay assigned, the bike tech checked and scrutineered, timing transponder issued, and all my race gear inspected by the officials. There was even constant notification to the class competitors, notifying us 30mins, 20mins and 10mins before each race event and rider's briefings etc.
Well Thursday was my first time ever around Phillip Island on 2 wheels. To say I was nervous before hand was an understatement. I was really concerned my brain was programmed to brake at my Superkart brake points instead of bike points and I wasn't sure of who would be the ideal rider to follow to catch on quickly. Anyway, once the helmet went on the nerves disappeared and I really enjoyed myself. I didn't get much feedback from the compound of tyres being used and I qualified 27 of 31 with a 1:56.05. This is the position I now start from in all 3 races, regardless of where I may finish in any of the races.
Friday, I had new compound of rubber fitted and started from 27. The run up to and into Turn1 was a experience to behold! Bikes squirming left to right at full tilt into turn 1. I took the safe option for my first time into T1 considering I had brand new rubber yet to be used to it's edges and from there started peeling of riders as I could. I finished 22nd with a fastest lap of 1:55.65.
Saturday, well with some good data to now review from the logger, I shortened the gearing and stiffened the front and it seemed to pay dividends. Again starting from 27th, I made a more ambitious run into T1 and then started to peel of the competitors ahead. The shorter gearing had many advantages that worked for me and I was able to get up to 15th place till I rubbed shoulders with another rider coming down into MG on the final lap. We both then run out of talent and road and ended up kissing the ground. I managed to keep my engine going and jumped back on to finish 26th with a best time of 1:52.56. I crossed the line with no rear brake/peg, dodgy front brake and a flopping bodywork.
Sunday, a delayed and shorted race due to the morning fog, this time I was out to give it 110%, so the nerves before the race was awesome. My start was not the best but I got through T1 without too much drama. I started picking through the traffic again till I was behind the same guy who I crashed with the race before. Well this just mentally demoralised me and I couldn't get past without an element of risk. The 3 bikes in front were holding me up in mid corner as I felt capable of doing 1:50 - 1:51 lap times. In the end, I kept my composure and enjoyed the race to finish 23rd with a best time of 1:53.05.
Overall, not a bad effort. I was told that as a first timer to the Island would be very good if I get around in the 1:58's, so to get around in 52's and be confident that 50-51's was on the cards was awesome for me. I also under estimated the level of competition on the track when all I ever had to compare against was the local club racing. The level of these 125 riders were definitely a good benchmark to know what I'm in for, so I clearly felt like a little fish thrown into a big ocean for most of the weekend. That can only be healthy for my mindset and commitment in order to pursue this class further.
Many thanks to my pit crew who assisted me tremendously over the weekend goes to Mason Nicola, Geoff Kidd and Eugene Scarcella.
Also thanks to my supporters, The Lawson Motor Inn - Wagga Wagga and Brian Stockman who had the engine very well tuned where I did not even make 1 single change to the engine setting, the tune being superb by the piston colour, plug and detonation counter.
Below are some pictures of my weekend at the 2006 GMC MotoGP at Phillip Island.
