Event Reports » 2008 » Event 6
What a way to go out!
The sixth and final round of the 2008 Actrix VMCC Superbike champs proved to be reasonably successful and eventful for Moto Academy NZ.
We started out with the testday on Friday the 17th. The day dawned wet and cold, so I for one was not jumping with joy as I headed for the track that morning. I set up a couple of pit-stalls, forgoing the garage for one day and waited for the boys to arrive. Luckily as they arrived so did the sunshine, albeit weakly. Prior to fitting the rain wheels the boys had actually decided to sit out the first session as it was a bit too cold and wet and go have a look at the only bike to venture out first thing. However we got into it in the second session. After that first session it started to clear up, but remained wet enought for a session on rain tyres.The boys set about working on aspects of the circuit and their riding that we had figured were their weak points. Overall we had a successful day with the riders feeling that they were improving, feeling more and more comfortable on the bikes and continuing to provide feedback to us.
We had an issue with a previously damaged wheel that luckily did not go too much further and also right at the end of the day (luckily) when the spark plug in Kyles bike decided to part company with its electrode. This bounced around in the combustion chamber a bit causing some damage to the piston and the cylinder head, but nothing else, luckily. This was repaired overnight with a replacement piston and new piston ring and clean up of the cylinder head. Unfortunately this all took a bit longer than expected for one reason or another so we all decided to call it quits on the tutorial for that evening.
Saturday dawned reasonably fine and looking that we would have a good day, with the prospect of a change later in the day. The MotoGP125 qualifying started out well with both riders circulating well and slowly improving their lap times. Kyle however, as it turned out afterwards, was having brake issues, and Luke had the exhaust pipe break on him. Kyle seemed to be having difficulty pulling the bike up and unfortunately ended up clipping a bike in front of him (Jaden Hassan) and crashed in the kitty litter at turn 1. We sorted that out with new SBS brake pads and straightening the foot peg and he was back into it. Lukes broken exhaust cut short his qualifying, but we threw another one on and he was all set for race 1 also. Kyle qualified 3rd, Luke 4th. We sent Kyle out behind the SuperMoto bikes to bed the brakes in ready for the next race. Unfortunately we forgot to turn the fuel tap on, so he only got half a lap and in the gravel beside the track was unable to restart the bike until he could go onto the track after the session. It's a learning curve for us all!!
Race 1
Luke got his usual demon start in race 1 and was right up the front again. Kyle continues to have trouble getting the bike off the line and dropped back a bit as a result. We will have to reexamine the clutch to see if there are any issues with that. Luke managed to race with James McKay for a few laps but eventually lost touch with him. He was then slowly reeled in by Jaden eventually to finish in 3rd place with Kyle right behind in 4th. This race pointed out the rabbit and hare syndrome and how some riders need to have rabbit to pull them along, but when they lose touch they become the rabbit for the next rider. After his poor start Kyle was really picking up the pace and racing closely with all of the other competitors. After dispatching of Ken and William he set off after Jaden who was himself setting off after Luke. It is pleasing to see that the Moto Academy NZ bike lack no top end speed and that the differences come down to riders going through the corners faster and getting on the gas on the exit faster. Indeed, when this happens with a Moto Academy NZ rider, our bikes can go past some of the other 'hotter' bikes.
Race 2
Race2 turned out to be much more eventful. Again Luke was away like a scalded cat and led for most of the first lap. He was finally riding aggressively and looked to have found some really fast lines, especially through T1 and T3. Unfortunately this aggression and increased pace causes things to begin happening at a much increased pace and it is very important for riders to get used to this and learn to adapt. One of the concequences is that sometimes it is difficult to move on the bike to where you want to be. In the third lap Luke was trying to go through T1 with his new fast line and from his account, unfortunately his foot touched the gear shift lever and the bike snicked into first just when he didn't expect it, and the bike threw him off the highside. Luke landed heavily on his back and helmet. Attention by Ambulance staff showed no damage other than a bit of bruising of side and pride! Luckily his Arai helmet and Alpinestars gear held him together. He was back in the garage to survey the broken bike almost straight away. Some glassing, bogging and painting to be had!! So a DNF in Lukes final VMCC race, but luckily he didn't get hurt. A salutory lesson perhaps about which battles to take on and in which to take a back seat.
Kyle on the other hand was really handing it to the other guys. He and Jaden were having a dingdong battle with them swapping places each lap. Unfortunately Kyle felt that his brakes were fading on him and he had to reduce speed a bit. This was most likely due to us not bedding in the brake pads properly so that they glazed and faded a bit. Luckily this means that after a bit of work they are now ready! However, it allowed Jaden to get away and William to catch up. William passed Kyle on the last lap but Kyle was having none of it and he repassed William to take 3rd place. A really pleasing result for Kyle.
Overall positions
The final points tallies have not been made (at time of writing) but our calculations show the final standings as:
1 Jaden Hassan 251 points
2 James McKay 175 points
3 William Juggins 162 points
4 Luke Jameson 154 points
5 Kyle Hammond 138 points
6 Sam Flynn 73 points
Overall, a very good result for the first year of Moto Academy NZ where Luke scored a victory in the rain, Kyle finally found his mojo and for other than the final DNF for Luke he would have likely finished in third position.
And let's not forget Glen in Superbike and Supersport who got no points from Round 5 and had to miss the final round due to injury has finished in approximately 20th place in SBK and 23rd in SS on the Honda RS250. If he had managed to compete and finish where he was normally finishing he would have been in the top 10 in each class. He also scored a victory in the rain, albeit one which attracted no points!
And then to cap it all off, Moto Academy NZ was presented with the Best Presented Team award at the VMCC prizegiving that evening. Cheers to the Vic Club for thinking of us!
So, while the VMCC season is now over, we will now set about refurbishing all of the bikes (some glassing, bogging, painting, pistons and a few parts needed) inpreparation for the Taupo Roadrace Spectacular in December. We might also head to Invercargill to display the bikes and market ourselves to the Southerners.
For now I would like to thank all of the suppliers and assistants and donors that have made the first almost complete season such a success. We are struggling along financially, but you get that when you are buying a lot of gear and setting up your business and your model.
Thanks again and see you in December.
Steve Bagshaw
Moto Academy NZ
Kyle Hammond #13 and Luke Jameson #14, Manfeild Park.
Photo: WF Photography