Sydney Fat Tyre 2008

This was destined to be a great days riding and Ourimbah didn't disappoint, despite the dodgy weather and cold start. The work that has been done to the track is substantial since I last rode here, this track just gets better and better. What is surprising is it's even better after some rain as we found out later. I finally managed to get team Mantoast together, with Craig and Gary joining up.

We started hard with one lap each but of course where held up by traffic and after the first few laps we where in 13th place in our category, pretty good but I could tell by the times of the other teams we could get 11th and even in the top ten with some pain. Then the rains came. Ah well, we keep riding and really the rain was never an issue for me, things got slippy in pleaces but I was still able to do a 38 min lap. Once the rain stopped the track just got better and better, and I was feeling pretty good, and was certainly going hard on every lap. I think on my third lap I passed a rider from the team that was in 10th place, so things were looking pretty good for the top ten.

Highlights for me
The roller coaster - fast and furious. Not time for brakes here... brilliant!
The gave year - great amount of work has been done here since the last time, grippy as hell and great for practising serious cornering skills.
The social element in the tent - yes, the smells, the sights (thanks Gazza).
Sticking with Hamish Eliot for about 3 corners, a really insight into where the top level is.

I think my best lap was 37.11 which I am pretty happy with.

Thanks for Craig and Gary for joining the team, can't wait till next year.