Phillip Island Ride Day 24th  November 2003

 

It was a likely looking bunch who took sickies from work on Monday to turn up at Phillip Island for the Superbike School Ride Day. There was some rain in the morning resulting in a wet track, and misty visors for the first session out. It was especially slippery round the hayshed first session, unfortunately claiming a few victims. The rest of the day was perfect, the track dried out, temperature in the low 20s.

 

There were 14 MSTCV club members plus a few friends sharing the track with the other Ride Day participants. The MV Agusta Club was there as well, although I suspect three of them probably wished they didn’t bother going as they crashed over $80k worth of motorcycle between them.

 

The Suspensions R Us guys were there as well, offering free advice and checking out tyres, bouncing suspension and twiddling knobs. I think most people took advantage of this service and learnt something about their bike setup.

 

Anyway, who was there and what did they do…

 

Ray “Red Bull” Walker, RGV250 & GSXR1000

Spotted knocking back a Red Bull before each track session. This guy can ride almost as fast as he can talk.

 

Dave “Exotic Bike” Ward, MV Agusta

Very fast and looks the part. I suspect he has been on a racetrack before J

 

Mark “Racetrack Virgin” Easterbrook, Triumph 955

Came into the pits with a huge smile on his face and tyres scuffed further to the edges after each session.

 

Pete “Suspension Nut” Weyermayr, CBR929RR

Went out on the track determined to scrape his footpegs. Did it, frightened himself and took the hero knobs off. Often seen hounding the suspension guys.

 

Trevor “I’ll just circulate” Harris, YZF1000

Dodgy looking rear tyre. Had to do some smooth talking to get himself on the track with it. Frequently spotted blasting down the front straight – what back tyre?

 

Mario “I’ll Be Back” Ibeas, R6

Alas, poor Mario crashed on the first session when the track was still wet. Bruised hand, holed crankcase, snapped handlebar and a few scratches on his newly painted fairings. Already has his next track day booked in a couple of weeks – totally addicted.

 

Will “Jekyll & Hyde” Tran, GSXR600

Wow! This guy is a different beast on the track. Faaast. Can’t count the number of times him and his mate blasted past me.

 

Craig “Catch Me if you Can” Morley, CBR929RR

Fast, as expected. Loved his Dunlop 208 GPs. I only ever saw the back of him as he blasted past me, usually with Ray and Dave Nimmo on either side.

 

Danny “Slicks” Kosinski, GSXR1000

Hesitant starter due to combination of a wet track and first time on slicks. Heard muttering “but she’ll kill me if I drop it”. Seemed to get over that pretty quick from what I could see as he passed me...again…

 

Greg “Petrol Syphon” Hales, CBR929RR

Arrived pretty hyped up thanks to everyone’s tall tales. Smooth and consistent on the track. Very handy with a length of garden house and a can of petrol. I hope soap takes the petrol taste away.

 

Paul “Lets Open Another Red” Southwell, CBR954RR

Knows Phillip Island like the back of his hand. Impressive – especially considering the amount of red wine consumed the previous evening.

 

Dave “Lean to the Max” Nimmo, GSXR1000

Faaaast and scraping everything – pegs, gear lever. Frequently seen on the track in the dubious company of Craig and Ray.

 

Matt “Whaddya think of these Tyres” Clark, GSXR750

Swift and clinical. Riding on ex-race tyres purchased for $25. Bargain! He has moved a long way since the days of his baby blade.

 

Liz “Who put me in the fast group?” Oliver, CBR954RR

Put myself down for the slow group. Mysteriously ended up in the fast group (how did that happen Ray?) Had a ball, got passed by almost everyone (but never lapped!). Spent the day erasing the little Michelin Man off the edges of my tyres.

 

Tamsin “Loud Pipe”Knight, R6

Occasionally seen - always heard. Flat out down the front straight.

 

 

Liz Oliver (Honda CBR954RR)