UPDATE - 2011
Welcome back peeps!
This update has been a
long time in the making. Bear with me whilst we run through the
series of events that has led to this point.
Those that had been
following my progress would note that things have been pretty quiet
on the racing front. I am now supported by DataFlow (Peter ‘Clemmo’
Clemence) after my first stint at racing went quite well.
In fact, it went a lot
better than any of us expected. Having spent a few years doing track
days but no racing of any form, entering the modified 1000cc class
was a big call. Whilst the GSXR1000 built by PTR of VIC was my dream
bike in every way, I did not have the budget to run the bike as
often as you need to at this level. To get the most from the Ohlins
suspension, slicks and so forth, really requires a lot of time
riding to setup and I thought a change of class was called for....
Unhappily, because the potential was definitely there, I just
couldn’t get enough time on the bike to make the most of it!
So during 2010, having
been encouraged by some Top 5 results at EC and a class win and top
10 result for the 2009 WP 4 hr enduro I bit the bullet and decided
to switch classes. The search for an appropriate steed began and we
decided to enter a GSXR600 into the Superstock class. Racing in this
class is a lot closer and for me personally, with cheaper running
costs, ease of setup with stock suspension should see some good
results.
I entered the August 2011
Wakefield Park 4 hr Enduro within a 2 man team to get more time on
the bike over a 3-4 rider team. I’d had very little time on the bike
even though the bugs we’d found prior had been fixed, just not
tested. The race itself was full of drama and cut short due to a
massive accident requiring about 1hr spent under safety car
conditions. My team mate had also crashed earlier (not seriously
thankfully) so after both of us pushing hard for the rest of the day
we came home 2nd in class, 14th outright.
We are hoping to finish
out the season with the Formula Xtreme Series entering either the WP
or EC round. Since this season is almost over we will use these few
races to prepare for next season with this bike and see if we can’t
stir up the field a little :)
Peace out
Jarrad (J-rad)
DIARY OF A
ROOKIE RACER - JUNE 2009
Hello Everyone!!
We’ve all returned from a successful weekend riding the 2 days over
6/7 June long weekend. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to use the time I
had to better effect due to an outstanding amount of crashes on
Saturday (18 in total – normally 8 is a lot!), flat tyres and
similar issues on Sunday cut down our time significantly. . . .
Saturday’s weather was picture perfect! Beautiful clear skies and a
clean/dry track meant hope where high, right to the point where I
picked up a puncture in my brand new rear slick! Tipping into T1 did
not feel right but I had been pushing harder and deeper into there
each lap so was thinking is this just the way it feels with the
extra speed or is there a problem with the bike? Turns out there
were a problem and I was very lucky to keep it upright at 200+ into
and through T1! The bolt damaged the hugger, gouged out metal on the
swing arm and finally was laid to rest as it smashed into the
back/lower side of the fairing and came out of the tyre….grrrrrrrr
I was forced to buy a new tyre as I didn’t really have any decent
spares and wanted to ride all weekend so without it I’d have missed
out. I had booked a coach from RACELOGIC who was unable to make it
on the day so the costs sort of transferred across so didn’t cost me
extra as such, but now I don’t get any coaching! Got back out and
set some ok times being very consistent between the 1:44-1:45 mark.
We retired to ‘The Vines Cottages’ to a warm fire, BBQ, drinks and
good company to share it all with. Very surprised that despite it
being my birthday that I didn’t wind up in the pool! Thank god since
it was so cold…..if anyone is looking for accommodation to suit
large group bookings then I can highly recommend them!
We greeted with dark, rainy clouds first thing Sunday morning so off
to the track to get racing wets installed. Being my first time out
on full wets I was very apprehensive and took it very carefully for
first couple of laps but soon was getting the times and even the
knee down!! Having grip on a wet, shiney surface was surreal…I got 1
session before the track started to dry so another quick tyre change
(really need those spare rims) back to slicks and immediately down
to 1:43s-1:44s until the next and 3rd session when I got a flat
FRONT TYRE ARRRGGGGHH!!!!! It wasn’t punctured but went from 30PSI
down to 18 in an instant, again through T1/T2 nearly sending me off
on both corners.
Limped back to the pits and put more air into it and it stayed
pressurised for the rest of the day, unfortunately I was a little
worried it would happen again so spent the next 3 sessions doing
1:44-1:46s again but at least the lap time sheet was very very
consistent and encouraging for race day.
We now have to re-lock wire some of the bits and perform an
oil/filter change to ensure that the clutch is holding up to the
abuse but essentially bike is ready, practice and race entry booked
and getting very excited!
A BIG thanks to all that helped on the day! Cheers to Mick from
MotoRacer for putting up with constantly changing my tyres across
the whole weekend, that tyre changing machine is starting to look
better and better everyday!
A special thanks must go to:
Glen Hunt for preparing the bike and doing a top notch job, without
him it would’ve taken so much longer and would look a damned site
messier! Also to Peter Clemence/Dataflow and Mark Dykes Carpentry
for their continued support both on and off the track and to Steve
from RatedR Parts who has come on board as the teams latest sponsor
and has supplied engine cover protection amongst other things > A
VERY BIG THANKYOU TO YOU ALL!
Next update will be right before the race when I tell you all just
how excited/nervous I really am!
Signing off
Jarrad Houghton
DIARY OF A
ROOKIE RACER - APRIL / MAY 2009
Well folks it’s that time again — a quick update on what the race
team is up to!
It has been fairly quiet on the riding front this past month. We are
trying to manage costs and keep funds in the bank account for the
upcoming month of practice and start of racing however ‘Black
Beauty’ (my 05/06 GSXR1000) has had a bit of a freshen up.
Glen Hunt installed new clutch parts and all went well. Hats off to
Glen for completing this task in record time. Peter from ‘DataFlow’
will attend StuntSkills with myself and the rest of the
Cunningstunts Crew and we will run the new clutch parts in as well
as practising a few race starts. I will need to dump the oil and
inspect but after the modifications Glen made to the Slipper Clutch
housing there should be no issues.
We will start work on all the lock wiring that needs to be done
shortly and then it’s pretty well ready for race day! Otherwise at
the moment its all about finishing the bike, getting some practice
in and continuing training. We have been getting punished in ‘Boot
Camp’ style training sessions but loving every minute of it.
The whole crew is ramping up for our 2 day practice weekend 6/7
June. Formula Extreme Series have a race meet the following weekend
so hopefully we’ll see some of the guys out practising the week
we’re riding and maybe learn a thing or two!
Will also try and make practice on 24 May so if anyone else is keen
for a ride let me know!
So until next month – keep safe, rug up over winter and I'll see you
at the track!
Regards,
Jarrad Houghton
DIARY OF A
ROOKIE RACER - MARCH 2009
Hi guys and
girls!
It’s my intention
to write regularly here to keep you all updated on our Teams
Progress but also talk about the experiences of going through your
rookie season.
So let me first
thank you for viewing our site and I hope your stay here is a
informative and enjoyable visit!
Like many of us
motorcycle riders I have harboured thoughts of racing bikes. I guess
it was kinda bred into me you could say, with a few racers in my
family, namely my dad who continues to ride and show his support for
me to do the same.
For some dreams
of racing don’t come until you’ve been able to get your license,
move out of home from over protective parents and saved enough for
your first bike to get out there however for me it started much
younger on dirt bikes followed by 10yrs on road bikes and now it’s
time to realise the dream > and attend my first race!
It all came about
pretty quickly really, having bought the bike and having some issues
in 2008 I had to postpone my intentions until 2009 > I’ve waited
just a little while to do this so what’s another year. . . which was
spent preparing, training etc but not much riding. Only a few days
in the middle of the year and came out at Eastern Creek at 1:44s
reasonably consistently, down to 1:42s the next month but still not
enough time on the bike to really gauge where I’m at exactly. Throw
a few wet track days in, fallen riders and cancelled sessions and
I’m really getting that itch!
Now that I’m
confirmed for the Honda RJAYs Rnd2 I will be having a bit more time
on the bike so if you see a Cunningstunts shirt (there will be a few
of us :o) drop in and say Hi!
So not a heck of
a lot to report at this time, Jonathan Walmsley from Stunt*d
Photography has long since joined the Team Cunningstunts fold and
has produced some excellent photo’s on this site and I thank him for
taking time out to attend my meets. We should get some great framed
shots for all sponsors for end of year gifts.
A VERY big thanks
to Peter and Data Flow as without their support we may have missed
this season altogether and been waiting another year before being
able to commit. Cheers Peter, I’ll have some free passes to throw
your way! Another quick mention must go out to Rick Carey of the Ben
Boyd Bed & Breakfast at Bibbenluke, if you’re ever riding out that
way be sure to stay at a friendly biker place with someone who knows
the roads and can pretty well throw around any bike!
Well that’s
enough dribble from me for my first visit here, rest assured, MA
license is on the way, event entry soon after then it’s time to
finish the race prepping on the GSXR, not much left but a few rule
changes and some extra plumbing is required.
Peace Out!
Jarrad
j-rad@cunningstunts.com |