Jen Crosby's Racing Blog

Friday September 22, 2006

Trackday Report - Brands Indy

It was a bit weird still being in the paddock after all the racers had left on Sunday night, but there was quite a few of us still there ready for the trackday on Monday, so it was at least pretty sociable. It had been quite a long and tiring weekend, so I was hoping I'd be fit and ready to ride in the morning, but thankfully when I woke up Monday morning I was raring to get out on the bike and put some work in.

The first two sessions out, novice and inters, both got red flagged in the first lap after someone put their bike in the gravel at Paddock Hill – not a good start. The fast group went a little better, making it to the chequered flag without any stoppages. I went out on a bit of a mission in the first session, possibly a little too hectic for the first one out, but I really just wanted to get my head down. It turned out to be a fairly steady group, I was really only overtaken by 3 or 4 riders, and I was overtaking a lot of other people. That's good for overtaking practice, but as they day went on it really stopped me from being able to put any proper flying laps in due to needing to overtake at least once a lap.

Second session, and I was trying to work a little on my body position which is still suffering from my aching shoulder a bit. After a few laps though I came flying round Druids only to catch sight of a bike down on the right down the hill and the red flags out. I got a quick glimpse, and was pretty sure that it was Greg that was down! I couldn't really turn around to get a good look to hurried back to the pits where Red confirmed it was him, and told me what had happened. Turns out an instructor with a pupil had tried to wave his pupil through before the corner, and had slowed right up in doing so, not realising Greg was so close behind him. Greg had to grab the brakes to avoid going into the back of him, and locked the front sending him to the ground. Thankfully, despite a big knock to the head and nasty cut on his knee, he was ok, and even the bike doesn't look too bad. Although being the bike it is I think it won't be too cheap to fix  I think Greg will fix up ok though

With all of that drama settled down, and in the knowledge that Greg would be ok I was ready to get back out and work on some more stuff. The next session was a good one – the bike felt great and I was feeling confident. My lap times were ok, a couple of seconds off my PB but I wasn't pushing outside of my comfort zone, so I was fairly happy. One of the other girls in the garage, Lesley, a possible Feisty recruit for next year was trying out both Red's ZXR400 and Moose's RVF400 as she intends to race in the C400 next year but wasn't sure of which bike to go for. She asked me if she could also try my ZXR as a comparison, so I agreed to swap bikes with her for the session after lunch. That was scary for several reasons – I had no problems with her riding my bike, but her bike is an old GSXR600 SRAD, and I've never ridden a 600 before!! I've also been really loathe to ride anyone else's bike this year as I really can't afford to crash and fix it and still be able to race. But, she convinced me to try it out, so I thought I may as well. I was really nervous though, and took it very very easy. I think I got overtaken by pretty much everyone that session – including my own bike with Lesley on it!! The bike had good power – it pulled beautifully when opened up, but the rear suspension was set incredibly soft and it just wallowed every time I opened the throttle. It didn't give me very much confidence in the bike at all! It's also much bigger and heavier than my ZXR, the tank is huge and it felt really difficult to move around on. I did about 8 laps, and decided I'd leave it there, I must admit I wasn't too enamoured with it! But big thanks to Lesley for finally allowing me to get onto a bigger bike!! I think it's probably about time

I was dying to get back out on my bike after that, just to make me feel a bit faster again! I managed to get my lap times down by another second from earlier in the day, so that felt good too. In the final session of the day Red and I decided to go out for a play together, both on the 400s. I was really looking forward to it, I knew it would be a good session! Being the last session of the day meant there were fewer bikes out, and Red and I spent a good few laps swapping places all over the track! I was grinning ear to ear as we tussled, it was absolutely brilliant fun! I was just lining her up again for a pass out of Paddock Hill when the bike lost power, and I managed to coast it up the hill and onto the grass at Druids – I'd stupidly run out of petrol!! Silly girl, I couldn't believe it!! Oh well, it was fantastic fun Red, we'll have to get out there again soon and fight it out for a whole session properly next time

So, all in all a pretty good day riding—wise, the bike is feeling great, and apart from a few confidence issues at Clearways where I crashed I'm feeling good and ready to race. In fact, I can't wait!  It was really good to have so many people I know there too - it was a great atmosphere.  Well done too to Toby for getting back out on the bike again - you did brilliantly!

A big get well soon to Red, who has since been knocked off her bike on the road  Glad it wasn't too bad chick!

( Sep 22 2006, 03:59:14 PM GMT+00:00 )

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