Post by honestjohn on Nov 22, 2010 6:15:30 GMT -5
RACE REPORT - ST GEORGE ROAD RACE SERIES.
EASTERN CREEK NSW : 13th - 14th NOVEMBER 2010.
HUGE BEARS GRID MADE RACING TIGHT & COMPETITIVE
Last weekend the Sportsbike | DUCATIONLY Racing Team used the final round of the St George Motorcycle Club Road Race Series at Eastern Creek to continue the development of the new Sportsbike Ducati 1198S with Peter Martin in the saddle.
With around 200 riders entered, there were huge grids and all classes were hotly contested. It was a National BEARS Challenge Round with 46 BEARS (British, European & American Racing) entered and 29 in the Formula 1 race alone making racing very competitive, it was also the last round of the Ducati Owners Club Championship.
RIDER COMMENTS:
PETER MARTIN - #5 “Getting the 1198 sorted was the priority as we prepare for next year. Being at Eastern Creek twice in two weeks gave me a chance to back to back test the changes and direction of improvement; seat hump, Ducati Traction Control, progressive suspension changes etc. Small changes on the 1198S appear to make a big difference in lap times, but short races and very limited track time made progress slow as only a few changes could be made for each race. We are heading in the right direction, lowering lap times and making the bike easier to ride.”
“With more time in the seat I am finding the 1198S more enjoyable to ride. The bike however feels vague and neutral mid corner and I do not yet have a solution. My lap times are consistent and trending lower, clearly my times are still 4 seconds off what I can do and 6 seconds off what I know I should do on this bike. I am still hesitant under brakes and mid corner, while the bike is not perfect, it is great to ride and I am feeling more confident, I am making good progress.”
“The Ducati Owners Club is my Club so I had to try 'just a little' especially in the last race where I started from pit lane, I passed quite a few riders just missing out on the top 10 after only 5 Laps. Having missed 3 of the 6 rounds in the Club Championship, I still managed 5th overall and that's not bad.”
“My thanks go to the Companies, products and people that support my racing, to Jan Blizzard and the St George Club, the Officials, Timing and Flaggies for a well run meeting and to the many great competitors in the BEARS Class. A big thanks to Dean Yagan for 'reminding me how to pass' and for his generosity in helping me pack up.
1 X 10 min Practice, 1 X 3 Lap Qualifying and 5 X 5 Lap races over two days totaling 33 Laps:
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
RACE
BEST LAP
POSITION
RACE
BEST LAP
POSITION
QUAL
01:48.95
18th
R3
01:47.46
17th
R1
01:49.54
21st
R4
01:46.47
18th
R2
01:47.20
18th
R5
01:46.96
15th
NEXT: The 6 Hour BEARS Support – Phillip Island Vic, 3rd - 5th December 2010. See you there.
EASTERN CREEK NSW : 13th - 14th NOVEMBER 2010.
HUGE BEARS GRID MADE RACING TIGHT & COMPETITIVE
Last weekend the Sportsbike | DUCATIONLY Racing Team used the final round of the St George Motorcycle Club Road Race Series at Eastern Creek to continue the development of the new Sportsbike Ducati 1198S with Peter Martin in the saddle.
With around 200 riders entered, there were huge grids and all classes were hotly contested. It was a National BEARS Challenge Round with 46 BEARS (British, European & American Racing) entered and 29 in the Formula 1 race alone making racing very competitive, it was also the last round of the Ducati Owners Club Championship.
RIDER COMMENTS:
PETER MARTIN - #5 “Getting the 1198 sorted was the priority as we prepare for next year. Being at Eastern Creek twice in two weeks gave me a chance to back to back test the changes and direction of improvement; seat hump, Ducati Traction Control, progressive suspension changes etc. Small changes on the 1198S appear to make a big difference in lap times, but short races and very limited track time made progress slow as only a few changes could be made for each race. We are heading in the right direction, lowering lap times and making the bike easier to ride.”
“With more time in the seat I am finding the 1198S more enjoyable to ride. The bike however feels vague and neutral mid corner and I do not yet have a solution. My lap times are consistent and trending lower, clearly my times are still 4 seconds off what I can do and 6 seconds off what I know I should do on this bike. I am still hesitant under brakes and mid corner, while the bike is not perfect, it is great to ride and I am feeling more confident, I am making good progress.”
“The Ducati Owners Club is my Club so I had to try 'just a little' especially in the last race where I started from pit lane, I passed quite a few riders just missing out on the top 10 after only 5 Laps. Having missed 3 of the 6 rounds in the Club Championship, I still managed 5th overall and that's not bad.”
“My thanks go to the Companies, products and people that support my racing, to Jan Blizzard and the St George Club, the Officials, Timing and Flaggies for a well run meeting and to the many great competitors in the BEARS Class. A big thanks to Dean Yagan for 'reminding me how to pass' and for his generosity in helping me pack up.
1 X 10 min Practice, 1 X 3 Lap Qualifying and 5 X 5 Lap races over two days totaling 33 Laps:
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
RACE
BEST LAP
POSITION
RACE
BEST LAP
POSITION
QUAL
01:48.95
18th
R3
01:47.46
17th
R1
01:49.54
21st
R4
01:46.47
18th
R2
01:47.20
18th
R5
01:46.96
15th
NEXT: The 6 Hour BEARS Support – Phillip Island Vic, 3rd - 5th December 2010. See you there.