Conongrail / Part 4 / Racing P1

Dazza's piece - preparing

My bike passed, my helmet passed and I seemed to have mentally passed the overwhelming idea of racing an event against 100's of bikes... well, it seemed like a hundred bikes at the time.

So when the call came around for practice time for all 250's on track I saw it as a chance to get a look at the track. It looked like a great circuit from the sideline and I couldn't wait to ride it, especially without the added pressure of racing.

We went out on the track single file and I couldn't wait to blast the ol' PE down the starting straight. This was awesome; so many bikes on the track at once that it felt like a full blast Moto Event. The smell of Smoky 2 strokes and Rin-Tin-Tin! sounds that echoed all around, why the hell would you want to be anywhere else, I ask?

The Conondale circuit was very slippery even for the nice set of grippy feet I had on my bike. After one lap of practice I passed the finish for another lap. I started to push the bike a bit harder just to test myself a little. If this was a race and the circuit was in this state, plus throw another 3 laps onto the existing 3, I thought I might not do that bad, as it was pretty hard work doing a lap of this and anyway, I was sure I could get past a few just on my fitness. I did believe some of these guys that race here only fire up their old bike once a year for this event and then it goes back in the mothballs. Then they go back to their comfy offices until the urge comes around again. Great for me!

So, back to second lap of practice - going around a few turns the PE was feeling like a shopping trolley, which I don't really mind as I seem to ride a loose kinda of style when I ride!

I came into a grassier patch of the circuit and the end of the PE came around and I was off for a little mishap, no big deal. But it reminded me that I didn't want to do this at all... as you lose too much time getting back up and in the race again and I didn't need that with my disadvantaged 175. I got back on and finished my lap then putted back to base as my Mum charged over to see if I was alright. Yes Mum... No, I didn't injure myself. Mothers - we do need their caring nature every now and then, but this wasn't the time! I'm muscly and tuff and don't need your softness Mum... Although, I might need it later if I hurt myself :)

After the other classes went out for their practice laps we had a little chat and rest for a while. Hooter wasn't feeling the best, it may have been the scary noise of fun, Hoot Hoot?

As the family (supporters) and I were watching the prior races, I was trying to get my game face on. I have raced a fair bit before with Gumby support crew - Hooter the soft one! and my nemesis Tentsta - which gave me the drive to push harder, sometimes too hard. But this was way different. I would be racing unknown riders on machines that I must say had many pennies spent on them and were bloody 250's as well. Don't get me wrong, I love my PE; it's a great bike, on the other side I'm missing out on few CC's here (not the chips) and also being a virgin to this great event, more than likely plenty of skill. So, being a realist I'd say coming somewhere near last if NOT, would be highly likely and if someone comes off I may get a place or two.

As we were watching the early races and checking the program for our... I mean my big event, I didn't want to be late like I am in every day life. It was getting close so I decided to go back to base camp and don my apparel. The call came calling Pre'85 250 class to get ready and go up to the starting area. Here is the moment of truth, I fire-up the lemon coloured dragon... she's ready and willing... I'm only half, just willing as getting to the finish will let me know if I was ready? I cruise on up like I was a regular and people knew me by the first name. Awesome it was, I think, no no, that wasn't what it was on my birth certificate!

The class before us shot off and we would be next. I looked around at the sea of 250's surrounding me and reminding me I have nothing... Bullshit - I am here on a bike I love and I'm gonna have some fun!

Lap 1, 2, 3 goes by for the previous racers and then it was us readying our bikes into position; I left a gap for Hooter that wasn't there.The gap was mainly there to let the others know I'm not in their league, but wait, what's that I see? I see a red bike not of a 2-stroke heritage, but that of a 4-stroke. Great, I can give this 82' XR250 a run for it's money! It gave me some motivation to race for enduro class; I had created a mini race in my mind. I have to beat the red out of this Enduro Honda for the glory of Enduro Suzuki's here today!

The final check from the official walks down the line to see that all riders are ready... all good on the front line, let's get ready to charge. I do a quick check on fuel tap, angle my controls a little bit. OK, let's race!