Part 2. Roads Less Travelled - WSBK Round 1

[Pterodactyl_imp]

At the Track

Friday.
In the world of motor racing Phillip Island is unique. It is the country cousin of the big race tracks of the world, COTA for example. A certain informality still exists. Sure, there are grandstands (well hardly grand), and VIP tents and a beautiful hospitality room that sits above pit lane on the finish straight and offers great views of most of the track. I know that because, when my wife comes to PI, as she is sometimes wont to do, I have to dig deep to avail us of those facilities. But this year I am solo. As an aside, Kaye will not ride pillion - she doesn't want to leave the children orphans, and will definitely not camp out. Under the stars for her means five stars. So, if Kaye attends, we meet at the track. One of the endearing features of PI is that for the ordinary punter with a general admission ticket, as I am this time, there are unlimited viewing options. Many as good as any reserved grandstand ticket would get. Around the track there is a small gravel road that one is free to roam at will and pick a well grassed vantage point. Some people like Turn 1 and 2, others Lukey Heights or Doohan Corner, or Siberia, or Gardner Straight. It seems everyone has a favourite. Last October Cormanus, Jalalski and I watched from the exit to Lukey Heights, Turns 10 and 11. We were well rewarded as we had a had an arms length view of the Jackass' final pass to secure a win in Moto3 and the more dubious pleasure of watching MM go down at turn 10. This particular spot also allows a good view of the the Southern Loop and Turn 12 into the final straight. But this time maybe I will choose Siberia. Nice thing about WSBK though is that with two races I can do both Siberia and Lukey Heights. At WSBK, it is possible to walk or ride your bike around the gravel road, find a spot, then stay or move on at any time. It is possible to sit on your bike and watch the race, if you care to! At MotoGP you must walk or use the provided shuttle busses, bikes and other vehicles are prohibited.
So early on Friday morning, before the crowd builds, I take a ride around the track and watch the Free Practice and various qualifying rides.

Siberia:


The action this way:




Over the shoulder it is a little more restful:


Lukey Heights exit:


Where to watch from? Difficult, too much choice. But then, why make a decision that can be put off to tomorrow. Cormanus, in his thread [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=4517&highlight=a+bit+of+a+ride]A Bit of a Ride, assisted by some of his and Jalalski's photographs, gives an excellent account of life at PI during MotoGP time. It is worth a read.

As the day wears on the crowd builds and with the sun setting open fires appear in the campground and it is time for a a beer, a yarn and then something to eat.


As the evening wears on there are the usual shenanigans. Fireworks (boys will be boys) -

And later in the night, well after I have hit the fart sack, some rubber turns into smoke. I almost sleep through it. Anyway, I look at it as theme music for the WSBK show.
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Saturday

I get up early to go for a revisit of the Cape Patterson Rd. I want to get back to the track before Superpole qualifying at 1500. I put my wallet, water bottle, wet gear (after all this is Victoria where if you don't like the weather just wait five minutes) and reading glasses into my day pack, secure it with a bungee cord and hit the road.

In under an hour and in perfect weather my first impressions of the road were proved correct. Good surface and some nice corners, combined with this scenery:





I decide to ride to Venus Bay, another thirty minutes away. It is a nice spot but since I last visited, over twenty five years ago, it has become a little over developed, cabins, caravan parks and picnic areas. Still a pretty spot, but I ride through without stopping and head back towards PI. I stop at Lower Tarwin for petrol. Nothing but a small independent two pump petrol station with basic fast food and small goods on offer. Not much else. I fill up. Things then begin to go a little pear shaped. Where is my back pack? It is not on the bike. "Goodness, gracious me!" I exclaim - well, in my usual Forum Decorum mode, that is almost what I exclaim. What is called a sinking feeling then starts to set in. Licence, credit cards, couple of hundred in cash in my wallet, wets, reading glasses - I really don't want to lose those. Of course there is the more immediate problem of paying for the petrol I so blissfully pumped into Last Blast. I walk into the service station and am silently greeted by a lady who looks as though she won't take any flim flam from me. I explain, much too quickly. I don't feel convincing. I feel guilty. She gives me a beautiful smile and says "No worries darling. When you find it don't forget to come back". I make a bolt for the bike before she changes her mind. I retrace the last 30kms of road to where I took one of the previous photos and I was sure my pack was still there. No such luck. What to do, what to do? Well for start I will go to Inverloch police station to report the loss, and my lack of licence, before starting the process of cancelling credit cards. Inverloch police station is not manned on the weekend but there is a phone link to Wonthaggi police. They have my backpack, come and get it. A good samaritan found it on the road and drove twenty-five kilometres out of his way to Wonthaggi to hand it in. The backpack was not in great condition, maybe having been run over, and the water bottle split, but my glasses were good with only a damaged hard case and the contents of my wallet were complete and correct. It would have been so easy for anyone to take the cash and throw the remnants away. I phoned the finder and thanked him, profusely . The rather laconic reply: "No worries mate, next time you are down this way you can buy me a beer". Some people are worth their weight in gold!

Back to PI for the Superpole. I won't go on about the events in detail; they are on record. But I will say that the expectations I expressed in the preamble to my previous thread were well and truly realised. Rea and Haslam shining and previous years champions struggling. A new world where new talent is blooming.

I nearly forgot to mention. Today (the Saturday) is my birthday. I receive birthday greetings from friends and family by text and email. You may have noticed in my previous thread that while setting up camp at Gillards Beach I was wearing a San Diego Chargers tee shirt. That's not by accident. A Christmas gift from my Grandson, aged five. My son, my daughter-in-law and two grandchildren spend most of the year in San Diego where my grandson has just started school. For my birthday he sent me a video message and a photo of himself.

My grandson, on the right, with the Mighty Golden Bay Ninjas:


That night, as I drift off to sleep, I mumble to myself that l have to get him back to Rugby and Cricket as soon as possible. Goodnight.
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Sunday - Race day

What a morning!


Weather perfect. Forecast high of around 25deg C, light wind and a high overcast. The overcast will keep track surface temperatures reasonable. It also signals a change coming, maybe tomorrow. Mmmmm, could get interesting on the way home.

I watch the first WSBK race from Siberia. Race 1, turn 4:


Both races were exciting, lead swapping and a tight fight for all places. I go to my tent that night, after some socialising, feeling very content and looking forward to the ride home.

Cheers, thanks for you patience and Part Three to come.

[Elipten_imp]

Getting that backpack back intact in USA I give it less than 1/1000 odds. I loved Aus on my few limited visits and always to WA. Great adventure and happy birthday.


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[Cormanus]

Someone's gotta ask: did you remember to go back to Lower Tarwin?

Excellent report, Pterodactyl and some good iPhone photos.

Elites, are you in Peru at the moment? Just heard there's been a large-ish earthquake. Hope all's well.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Someone's gotta ask: did you remember to go back to Lower Tarwin?

Excellent report, Pterodactyl and some good iPhone photos.

Elites, are you in Peru at the moment? Just heard there's been a large-ish earthquake. Hope all's well.

Sure did. Wait for part 3.

Cheers.

[Rocky_imp]

As always, great pictures and narrative
Last year I was in Phillip Island and to the race track. This report brings back a lot of great memories!

[the Ferret]

Great job Ptero. The backpack story makes the heart feel good. And I loved the quote about a new world and new talent blooming. These kids can squirt around a track can't they? No fear!

Great pics and narrative.

i love seat time reports.

[Elipten_imp]

No not in Peru, but thanks for asking


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[metallyguitarded_imp]

Fantastic report and I love the photos!

Go Padres!

[redbirds_imp]

I love the backpack story and the good Samaritan who graciously made the effort to find the rightful owner. Nice that what could have been a very inconvenient situation was instead transformed into a good memory.

And good photos as usual.

[Cormanus]

No not in Peru, but thanks for asking


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Thanks for working out I meant you! Blo*dy auto correct!

Glad you're OK.