Zimbo's Oulton Park Desmodue report

Zimbo · 08-07-2007, 10:05 PM

All fairly uneventful this time really. 583 track record there is 2.05, my best last year was 2.12 so was aiming for well under 2.10, was doing 2.12s on the Fri trackday, good day apart from a massive tank slapper out of Druids (fast, top gear double apex right hander with a ridge on exit where you're hard on the power and still cranked over) bars were banging lock to lock, tyre screeching, thought I was off but luckilly it got itself under control and I carried on - next time I'm nicking the steering damper off my 900! Cleggy (fast guy 600ss) was doing 2.08s so I knew I wasn't going to catch him, knew Shep would be similar pace, but bones and Ali Knight were also on 2.12s so thought I was in with a chance of 3rd.
Race day Saturday, Chappers arrived bang on time and was a great help doing paddock stands, eating icecream etc, and she also provided lunch - cheers!!!

Quallifying, another 2.12 from me but Bones and Ali were quicker as well as a couple of others so I found myself on 8th spot.
Race 1 - no dramas, good start and slotted into turn 1 in 5th but lost a couple of places on lap one, got a couple back, finished 7th, very tired, that track is exhausting!!! Best time 2.08, Bones did a 2,07 for third, Cleggy and Shep were on 2.03s!
Race 2 - shortened as time was limited due to a nasty accident in the previous race - another reasonable start, maintained 5th for most of the race behind Bones and Ali but wasn't able to catch them, then got mugged half way through final lap by James Thompson block passing me, I had to almost stop to get round the corner without hitting him (fair enough, he had the line) and this allowed Andy Challis to close and make a pass on the second last corner, tried to get him back into Lodge on the brakes but no way, so finished 7th again. Leaves me joint 4th in the championship, level with Andy Challis, Bones is 3rd with a reasonable gap (that'll teach me to fall off and miss one race at Mallory!!!) and Cleggy and Shep have a good lead in 1st / 2nd. Lap times were slower due to oil down on the circuit. No red flags and no injuries in Class B this time, first time this year we've finished a race without a faller or three, Class A (620) has one broken collarbone to show.
On to Castle Coombe in 3 weeks!!!

Photos - Chappers and Harriebird hard at work!

09-07-2007, 07:03 AM

Thanks for another good read Zimbo and see you at Castle Coombe!!! (Where I really hope they sell a lot of ice cream!)

slob · 09-07-2007, 09:36 AM

Shocking pictures, Harrie having to check her own tyre pressures. I'm sorry I couldn't be there but I had important misbehaving to do.

09-07-2007, 10:25 AM

Gilps having a snooze...

Gilps didn't think we'd spot he'd been drinking out of the pink 'princess' cup...

09-07-2007, 10:31 AM

Nice write up Graeme, shame you were out of the top 3 this time, you need to keep the pressure up on Bones or he'll start snoring again, glad you finished in one piece though

Look forward to seeing you at CC, hope the sun shines for you

09-07-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zimbo

Cracking action shots too

09-07-2007, 11:14 AM

Zimbo...

Harriebird...

17-07-2007, 07:34 PM

Sorry I didn't make it to this one. Had some serious fiddling to do!

Dave

21-07-2007, 01:47 PM

Paul....you failed to tell me about this moment at Oulton Park

21-07-2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chappers

Paul....you failed to tell me about this moment at Oulton Park

Where did you get that picture from? It looks like the tide is right out!
Did I not mention my little detour?

This is why I was so hacked off after the first race. That happened at the last corner on the last lap of the first race. I had been dicing with Fastfasulli all race and every time he passed me I got him back on that corner so I knew I would take him before the flag. On the last lap he managed to pass me as usual at the one corner where he was faster than me, the 1st one at the end of the start/finish straight. I passed him back into Hizzy's and knew he couldn't come passed me anywhere else so the place was mine. Then coming into Lodge I went from 4th down to 2nd, instead of 3rd and the back just locked solid, right on my turn point. Lots of tyre squealing. I pulled the clutch in and attempted to get back up the box but it was too late. I knew if I tipped in either in 2nd or just coasting that I would lose the front so I ran straight on. I managed to dig it back out but lost 2 places to Fastfasulli and Andy. Fortunately there was a big enough gap back to the rest of the field who had been lapped so they didn't get to come past me otherwise it would have been even worse for me.
I redeemed myself in the second race and beat the pair of them. I learnt a valuable couple of lessons in those 2 races which is what I guess is most important right now. Looking to put it all into place at Castle Combe.

Zimbo · 21-07-2007, 04:14 PM

That JCB paint strikes again eh Paul, it jst can't keep away from the gravel can it!!!

(well done for pulling it off and getting back on track though!)

slob · 21-07-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zimbo

That JCB paint strikes again eh Paul, it jst can't keep away from the gravel can it!!!

(well done for pulling it off and getting back on track though!)

Nice one Gilps, at least you kept it the right way up. Last time I saw you doing that you were fully inverted at Clearways.

21-07-2007, 09:28 PM

Oh right, I thought you clipped the kerb slightly and lost your line - didn't realise you ended up eating kitty litter

08-07-2007, 10:05 PM	#1
Zimbo Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Stonehouse, Glos Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,078	Zimbo's Oulton Park Desmodue report All fairly uneventful this time really. 583 track record there is 2.05, my best last year was 2.12 so was aiming for well under 2.10, was doing 2.12s on the Fri trackday, good day apart from a massive tank slapper out of Druids (fast, top gear double apex right hander with a ridge on exit where you're hard on the power and still cranked over) bars were banging lock to lock, tyre screeching, thought I was off but luckilly it got itself under control and I carried on - next time I'm nicking the steering damper off my 900! Cleggy (fast guy 600ss) was doing 2.08s so I knew I wasn't going to catch him, knew Shep would be similar pace, but bones and Ali Knight were also on 2.12s so thought I was in with a chance of 3rd. Race day Saturday, Chappers arrived bang on time and was a great help doing paddock stands, eating icecream etc, and she also provided lunch - cheers!!! Quallifying, another 2.12 from me but Bones and Ali were quicker as well as a couple of others so I found myself on 8th spot. Race 1 - no dramas, good start and slotted into turn 1 in 5th but lost a couple of places on lap one, got a couple back, finished 7th, very tired, that track is exhausting!!! Best time 2.08, Bones did a 2,07 for third, Cleggy and Shep were on 2.03s! Race 2 - shortened as time was limited due to a nasty accident in the previous race - another reasonable start, maintained 5th for most of the race behind Bones and Ali but wasn't able to catch them, then got mugged half way through final lap by James Thompson block passing me, I had to almost stop to get round the corner without hitting him (fair enough, he had the line) and this allowed Andy Challis to close and make a pass on the second last corner, tried to get him back into Lodge on the brakes but no way, so finished 7th again. Leaves me joint 4th in the championship, level with Andy Challis, Bones is 3rd with a reasonable gap (that'll teach me to fall off and miss one race at Mallory!!!) and Cleggy and Shep have a good lead in 1st / 2nd. Lap times were slower due to oil down on the circuit. No red flags and no injuries in Class B this time, first time this year we've finished a race without a faller or three, Class A (620) has one broken collarbone to show. On to Castle Coombe in 3 weeks!!! Photos - Chappers and Harriebird hard at work! Last edited by Zimbo; 09-07-2007 at 06:05 AM..

09-07-2007, 07:03 AM	#2
benson Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for another good read Zimbo and see you at Castle Coombe!!! (Where I really hope they sell a lot of ice cream!)

09-07-2007, 09:36 AM	#3
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,712	Shocking pictures, Harrie having to check her own tyre pressures. I'm sorry I couldn't be there but I had important misbehaving to do.

09-07-2007, 10:25 AM	#4
Chappers Guest Posts: n/a	Gilps having a snooze... Gilps didn't think we'd spot he'd been drinking out of the pink 'princess' cup...

09-07-2007, 10:31 AM	#5
psychlist Guest Posts: n/a	Nice write up Graeme, shame you were out of the top 3 this time, you need to keep the pressure up on Bones or he'll start snoring again, glad you finished in one piece though Look forward to seeing you at CC, hope the sun shines for you

09-07-2007, 11:14 AM	#7
Chappers Guest Posts: n/a	Zimbo... Harriebird...

17-07-2007, 07:34 PM	#8
Mr Cake Guest Posts: n/a	Sorry I didn't make it to this one. Had some serious fiddling to do! Dave

21-07-2007, 01:47 PM	#9
Chappers Guest Posts: n/a	Paul....you failed to tell me about this moment at Oulton Park

21-07-2007, 04:14 PM	#11
Zimbo Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Stonehouse, Glos Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,078	That JCB paint strikes again eh Paul, it jst can't keep away from the gravel can it!!! (well done for pulling it off and getting back on track though!)

21-07-2007, 09:28 PM	#13
Chappers Guest Posts: n/a	Oh right, I thought you clipped the kerb slightly and lost your line - didn't realise you ended up eating kitty litter