What an awesome day I had on Saturday, was pretty cold, I didnt feel it, I wore 2 sets of thermals under my leathers!!!.
First session was still a bit wet from the night before, I had a pretty scary moment on a white line going into riches, which made me tense up for all whole first session, luckly it was a sighting session with no overtaking, but after that first session I didnt think I was going to enjoy it.
I decided after the first session that if I was going to enjoy the event, it would be prudent to get my suspension setup properly, I got 100% suspesion to set my Falco up, and it made a BIG difference.
Second session was the first overtaking session, I got into my stride, and was reasonably quick, but I was still concerned as to how far I could actually push myself and my bike, plus with the new suspension settings I was getting a very light back end, and some rear wheel lockup.
Back to 100% suspension, and some more tweaks, third session I decided that I might aswell get some tuition, well, thats what they are there for, 4 laps following the instructor, showing me lines, braking points, and how far I could push, I was now feel actually how far I could push both the bike and myself, then 4 laps with the insturctor following me, after the session he basically said I was doing fine, I could go a bit quicker here and there, and that I shouldnt lean the bike any further as my exhausts were nearly down, but to move off the bike more.
Forth session, and it clicked, I was riding harder and faster than I have ever ridden on the road, I was amazed at how far I could push the bike and myself, and by the end of the session I was hanging off that bike like a flaming monkey, and, without even trying, managed to grind my knee not only round the slow sears corner, but also at nearly 70mph through the bombhole too!!!!!.
After that it was just fun, fun, fun all the way, getting faster and faster, more confident and cleaner, and basically owning all but the very quick bikes in the novice class.
I was AMAZED at how well the Falco rode on the track, for such a big bike it was a complete joy, it was fast, handled well, all in all a top bike on the track, I raced a few bikes, a ZX6R, beat it easy, an R1, it had me on the straights but I was passing him in corners, on the outside, with my knee dragging the tarmac!!!.
Top notch day all round, well worth doing, I would say that its something everybody should do at least once.
Here are a few piccies
, thanks to Tristan for coming down, nice to see you!!
Dan,
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