BRM Summer Series Rd4 - Last round Report

Back from Taupo after another 5 hours each way driving epic! Part of me is quite glad that this is the last Taupo round for a while as it is such a killer doing a full days tracing and then driving home for 5 hours. Still, I had a great weekend and once again stepped it up a notch. Only downside is so did all of the other guys racing in the class! I looked at the laptimes over the past couple of seasons and figured 20s would put me up with the front guys and anything quicker would be a bonus.

Despite being Clubmans, PMCC actually run a championship for the this class and I was sitting in 5th place and had missed one of the 4 rounds. The guy in 4th was catchable, but the others were too far ahead unless they all DNF'd!

Sat practice/trackday

This was my first proper trackday in NZ and it really made me realise how much I had picked up the pace since starting racing. I was out in the fast group, but everyone (except 1 or 2 racebikes) seemed slow. Still, I had a fun practice and dropped straight into the times that I was pulling in the last race. This was great as I tend to go much quicker in the actual races than practice. Also managed to start to nail the corner I was having so much hassle with last time.

Sun Qualify

There are very few people in our class this time round which is a shame as the only people who are there are the guys who are competing for top 3 in the championship. Clubmans is supposed to be a beginners class, but the pace of these guys is too much for newbies. I think after this round we will all be kicked out into our respective classes as we are definitely quick enough! Anyway, very cold track in the morning and we are now running the short track configuration. The only difference from the long track is it cuts out the 2 straights and I have to change a few lines and figure out the flip-flop chicane that joins the short circuit. Manage to get some clear track a mid 1.20! This puts me 3rd on the grid which is great. Only problem is my gearing change is too much. I'm getting great drive and just managing to keep the front down out of corners, but I hit the limiter in 3rd just short of my braking markers at 2 fast point of the track. I don't have any other sprockets so try and ride around the issue for the race.

Race 1

Lights have stopped working so we are on the flag. Get a pretty good start and hold 4th into turn 1, but start catching open-twin guys on the first lap! The staggered start really doesn't work too well One of them throws it down the road on lap 2 so get a red flag and restart. As I'm sitting on the grid, I suddenly remember that I have forgotten to fuel up after qualifying! Start getting nervous as I don't think I have enough to finish, but figure I'll just go for it as I have nothing to lose! Get an ok second start and am in 5th for the first lap or 2. Someone runs wide into the gravel which promotes me to 4th. I'm on the tail of 3rd and then he misses a gear or something, so I grab 3rd. My fuel light comes on with 1.5 laps to go, so I keep the pace consistent, but ease off on the last couple of corners only to find Mr gravel trap stuff it up the inside! I didn't realise he was even there and with 2 corners left it was game over. Have to hand it to him though, he went banzai catching me and broke the Clubmans lap record doing it!

Race 2

The guy ahead of me in the championship didn't show up on Sunday, so 4th is now in bag and 3rd+ is too far ahead. I decide to just hang on to the front guys and try and pick up some hints on where to make up time and let them fight it out. Ended up having one of the best races to date, swapping 4th position with this other guy for the entire race. We are quick in different parts and really try and plan where to overtake. He sticks it up the inside on the last lap and and try and return the favour in 2 corners, but being on a GP stroker, he carries sweeping lines, more speed and rides around the outside! I almost out drag him to the line, but hit the bl00dy limiter again!! and lose 4th by a tenth or so. Still, I get into the 19s on both race 1 and 2 so am happy

So end of a season and I really feel like I learned a lot. Each round, I race, go away reflect, come back and improve and keep getting quicker. The winter series kicks off next month and from now on I'll be in supersport, so these guys will raise the bar once again and I'll have to raise my game to keep up! Scary. Just need to sort out my gearing a bit and get some fresh rubber!

Should have quite a few pics from this weekend, so I'll just add them to here when I get them

Another good report Luke, looking forward to the pics.

How long does your rubber last in this series? And what are you using?

Nice one Luke - look forward to seeing the pics.

Originally Posted by Tim in Belgium

Another good report Luke, looking forward to the pics.

How long does your rubber last in this series? And what are you using?

I was using supercorsa's but I get a better deal on Metzeler's, so switched to Racetec Interacts for the past 2-3 meetings. Taupo is very left hand heavy so coming out of the corners where you really wind the power on, my rear was really starting to spin up on the left during the last race.

I'll probably swap them out now so I'll start the winter series on fresh rubber rubber, but I aim to get 2-3 meetings out of a set. This set has lasted for 3 practice days and 2 race days, though I don't do every single session in practice.

At first I didn't like the Racetecs and wish I had stuck with the supercorsas, but having now sorted the pressures, I'm finding them very predictable when they start to slide. People are really raving about Power ones and even some Dunlops, but at the moment, I'm still improving my times with experience. Experimenting with different rubber is a bit pointless as whatever I use last will always get me the best time! (if that makes sense)

Having trouble getting any pics from the race day Can only find a couple on the trackday as well

Found some more: