6 hour day 2

sbutler · Post by **sbutler** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:46 am

Ok Saturday was hot but not as bad as Friday.

Qualified 2nd on the grid with a 1.20.1
Pole was a 1.19.2 So I didnt get pole but was still faster than I have ever had the FZR around Oran pk!! All great so far.

RACE 1
Got off to a flyer as always the FZR just out gunned everyone. Held first untill lap 3 & got passed by the pole setter.^That how we finished
So a second place & a fastest lap of [GET THIS] 1.19.2 Yee Haa!!

RACE 2
The day was starting to get hotter well over 35deg but still not as bad as Fridays 45deg!

Set off on the warm up lap & while slowing for turn 3 the motor died. Nothing, no starter just like the key had been turned off & there was nothing I could do but lean the bike against the fence & watch the race slip away! After the race the recovery car came to get me & the bike, I turned the key & hit the starter & off it went, just like nothing was wrong. I was guttered.. Got it back to the pits Zoltan & removed the key & barrel, & hot wired the bike just incase it was the problem. Fired her up again just like nothing was wrong.

RACE 3
Lined up got another blinder & was running first for a couple of laps again the pole setter pased me & then two other hard charger. I was really getting exhausted but I knew I could hole position to the end.
Then the two that passed me tangled & crashed!! Back to 2nd which put me 1st in my class! Ripper, then on the next lap out come the red flag.
Shot back to the pits thinking they would call the race, got undressed & started to cool down.
All of a sudden they called race restart 5 minuts! Shit I had to get back into a soaking wet set of leathers & get out of pit lane for the restart.

Got another blinder of a start. Holding first place but really struggling to keep concentration!! Anyway the pole setter passed me again then another couple of guys & I ended up 3rd in my class & completly shagged.
Just about passed out after getting off the bike. But really happy with what I had done. Had the bike not played up Im pretty sure I could have won the day, & left Oran pk for the last time with a trophy & great memorys..
So thats it EXUP'rs my year is over now. Some pics>>

Kevin Magee the FZR & me & the Mrs

My Dear friend Jim Budds 1976 Castrol 6hour winning Z1 900

Neil Chivers with Jims 900>>

So there we are the end of an era, & I can say I was there.

stan · Post by **stan** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:12 am

i feel mate, we were all there

Congratulations on your efforts this year, it has been great to read your posts and follow your exploits. i would find myself logging on to check your results on a Sunday night, sometimes happy, somestimes a little frustrated, but always with a sence of satisfaction

You can do no more in life than have a crack

stan

hotcam · Post by **hotcam** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:23 am

So there we are the end of an era, & I can say I was there

And you can say you did bloody well, too!

Fantastic result matching the pole qualifying lap DURING the race!

And a couple of 'podium' finishes!

Bad luck to hear about the (electrical?) problem, I guess even the GP guys have random DNFs from time to time, no reason that we should be immune
I suppose.

And red flagged while winning the class, eventually maintaining
enough (despite the heat) to still stay up front without coming off (unlike some).

Well done, you done the FZR proud

Cheers for Steve ! :rock

PS my g/f says she's impressed and happy for you too, congratulations
on excellent result

sbutler · Post by **sbutler** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:25 am

Thanks Marty & Cam.
I was really over the moon with the likelyhood of a pole postion, but second was still a good result, in those conditions.
The races were fantastic, to lead them all for a few laps was wonderful.

In the off season I will be having a rethink as to what Im doing next year.
The telling moment for me, in the races was not being able to haul in an 07 600 Kawasaki on the straight. How far have bikes come in 20 years?

But believe me I am still satisfied with my efforts.

spook · Post by **spook** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:25 am

Steve... great effort

I was following you and Zoltan on line! Bugger about the electrical problem. I was happy to see it listed as DNS... not DNF. That's racing as they say.

One thing you failed to point out is that your best time was equal to mid field times the A graders were doing on modern machinery. Great result! Cheers.

sbutler · Post by **sbutler** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:29 am

spook wrote: One thing you failed to point out is that your best time was equal to mid field times the A graders were doing on modern machinery. Great result! Cheers.

Yeah me & Zol were talking, & I would have qualified in the top 19 in the 6 Hour with my times.
Hows that for an old clunker & an old bike??ha ha ha

6 Hour qualifying
1 63 GRANT HAY 1:10.854 1:10.936 1:10.383 1:11.242
2 36 RUSSELL HOLLAND 1:10.874 1:10.087 1:11.469 1:11.067
3 1 DAMIAN CUDLIN 1:12.123 1:11.005 1:13.241
4 6 WARWICK NOWLAND 1:13.116 1:11.911 1:13.985 1:13.451
5 96 JAMIE AITKEN 1:13.431 1:12.448 1:13.328 1:14.517
6 10 MARK HATCH 1:15.863 1:17.939 1:14.454 1:15.195
7 26 TOM ROCHE 1:16.116 1:15.083 1:15.911 1:17.353
8 88 JAI ALCORN 1:16.776 1:16.178 1:18.121 1:16.028
9 25 JAMES SKORDOS 1:16.853 1:18.819 1:15.817 1:15.923
10 7 DARRYL CALLAGHAN 1:17.171 1:17.255 1:17.087
11 45 FABIAN LUKKEN 1:17.892 1:16.695 1:22.777 1:16.746 1:15.350
12 19 BILL KONTOMINAS 1:18.328 1:17.646 1:19.235 1:19.161 1:17.270
13 46 SIMON GALLOWAY 1:18.426 1:18.465 1:18.580 1:18.233
14 69 CHRIS PENTON 1:18.519 1:18.813 1:18.225
15 32 LAURIE FYFFE 1:18.747 1:16.239 1:17.905 1:22.097
16 47 JIM MASRI 1:18.751 1:17.665 1:17.378 1:21.211
17 58 ADRAIN PIERPOINT 1:18.762 1:17.467 1:19.018 1:19.800
18 35 PHIL ALLEN 1:18.844 1:18.902 1:19.452 1:19.409 1:17.613
19 12 RICHARD EASTON 1:19.191 1:17.983 1:19.620 1:19.971
20 51 ANDRE SPOHR 1:19.614 1:17.302 1:21.925
21 17 JAMIE BERKLEY 1:20.117 1:17.611 1:22.439 1:20.301
22 11 SAM AYLIFFE 1:20.138 1:19.352 1:18.333 1:22.729
23 66 PETER CAMPBELL 1:20.604 1:20.892 1:21.040 1:19.879
24 42 KEITH WALLINGTON 1:21.159 1:20.132 1:21.674 1:21.672
25 44 MARCO BALESTRO 1:21.459 1:18.707 1:21.667 1:24.275 1:21.187
26 43 MARK BROWN 1:22.567 1:25.141 1:20.065 1:24.160 1:20.901
27 8 ANDREW CARRUTHERS 1:23.613 1:26.471 1:20.755
28 27 NICK HOWLETT 1:23.810 1:24.150 1:23.469
29 22 STEVE FISHER 1:23.901 1:21.384 1:25.123 1:23.738 1:25.360
30 9 DAVID BUTLER 1:24.445 1:23.016 1:25.874

Post by **FZRDude** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:28 am

Awesome Report!!!!

Thanks for allowing us to be a part of it!!!!

rgvlc · Post by **rgvlc** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:40 pm

Well done, Any more pics??????

sbutler · Post by **sbutler** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:25 pm

Le Mans start for the 6 Hour

1976 6 Hour winning Z1B

Mike_SS · Post by **Mike_SS** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:04 pm

Congratulations on the PB (for that bike?) and a great finish to the year.

JasonL · Post by **JasonL** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 5:52 pm

Steve,

Well done indeed, bugger about the elec problem.

I'm happy to say I rode an FZR1000 in anger for the first time at Wakefield (Mick's bike not mine) Man does it have some top end!!

sbutler · Post by **sbutler** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:19 pm

How did it feel compaired to your FZR?

Oh go to the news agents & get the latest [Dec] Rapid bike mag. Some very interesting reading in it, all about a certain FZR 1000

JasonL · Post by **JasonL** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:25 am

Steve,

I've only ridden mine on the road so its a limited comparison, but certainly the EXUP has a lot more midrange as you'd expect - in fact I'd say the VFR feels like it has more midrange than Mick's 1000, even though it probably hasn't. The basic chassis dynamics felt similar, as did the layout etc.

Check Rick K's photobucket pages (Thumper 500) as he's put more up including a couple of you and the bike in the pits, they are great still shots.

JasonL · Post by **JasonL** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 12:26 am

Steve,

Just checked Rapid magazine - you jammy bastid!! Well done, a very interesting article, I didn't realise how much you'd done to it.

sbutler · Post by **sbutler** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 1:28 am

JasonL wrote:Steve,

I've only ridden mine on the road so its a limited comparison, but certainly the EXUP has a lot more midrange as you'd expect - in fact I'd say the VFR feels like it has more midrange than Mick's 1000, even though it probably hasn't.

Micks bike hasnt got an EXUP on it thats why it feels a dit dull in the mid range. Thats exactly why I havent fitted a race set of headers to my bike.
You only gain a couple oh HP but lose all the low & mid range power.
If it had hot cams, higher comp, & trick timing, 4into1's would work better than the exup system.. But Im not going down that road. Ya with me?

spook · Post by **spook** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:32 pm

sbutler wrote:Had the bike not played up Im pretty sure I could have won the day, & left Oran pk for the last time with a trophy & great memorys... the end of an era, & I can say I was there.

You know Steve, if you had won the day you would have hung up the leathers and walked away... Couldn't have that... Did you see me there? I was the one in the ninja outfit messing with your wiring :ha

Looking forward to meeting up next year. Sorry, couldn't resist

sbutler · Post by **sbutler** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:31 am

Ar god love ya Spook.

But at this stage I am thinking very seriously about hanging up the leathers.
I of acheved what I set out to do.

To see if I could still cut the mustard. Tick
I wanted to ride in the last race at OP. Tick.
I hoped I'd be as fast as I was 19 years ago. Tick.
I want to walk away on my terms, & not at the hands of a dill that couldnt ride. Tick.

Ive ticked all those box's.

Now what?
More travel.
More expence.
Less tracks.
Less passion.

I think Im done. Its hard to explain. But I have to talk myself into doing it again, & thats were im at now. Do I want to??

If someone can explain it to me, please do.
I think you know when it time, & thats how I feel.

spook · Post by **spook** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:57 am

Nooooooooooooo. I sensed that something was going on

Did I say noooooooooooooooooo? You still have the pro-competitors mindset Steve. The way I feel about riding is that it is social, fun, and enjoyable on my own terms. I just like the riding, mucking around with the bikes, the people you meet! A day out can just be a bit of fun and relaxation you know

Did i mention your forum buddies?

I know I'm just being selfish, I was hoping I could get a bit of coaching from you when you come down to broadford... So I guess no more race reports?

Hope you reconsider

stan · Post by **stan** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:07 am

why do any of us ride at all???

For me it was Passion, every corner was a new adventure, be that at a track or heading to work, i just loved to ride, in the depths of a Melbourne winter, or on a 47 Deg day, i've tried to explain it to non biking folk, but they just don't get it

If you have acheived what you set out to acheive, ticked all the boxes, and this time walked away, then perhaps it is time to take up golf, but do me one small favour, if you do decide to hang up the leathers, head to the first round of your chamiponship and see how you feel when the call your race up, i know that point in time was a pivital moment for me

stan

sbutler · Post by **sbutler** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:58 am

stan wrote:if you do decide to hang up the leathers, head to the first round of your chamiponship and see how you feel when the call your race up, i know that point in time was a pivital moment for me

stan

You may well have something Marty.

EXUP Worldwide

6 hour day 2

6 hour day 2

Re: 6 hour day 2