Day 1 at the track was good. There was a lot of information to take in. The track is gorgeous, super smooth with loads of grip. With all the lights it’s just like riding with a clear sky. The track is fast and wide, but in its own way it is a bit difficult to learn. There have two instructors here, going out on track and watching from the side. I’m having a little bit of trouble with a couple of turns and asked the instructors for help. Even with the language barrier they helped me out a lot.
We are using Dunlop tires here. Also it is GP shift with a quick shifter (but not a normal quick shifter) and a power band. The quick shifter is a button on the left hand side of the clip-ons.
Here they allow a few more changes to the bike than back home. We have suspension, gear and mapping changes available to us. Dad needs to download the program to allow us to change the mapping, but I think we are going to stick with the standard setting. Same with the gearing but we need to check the suspension as there was chatter in the back end.
There are quite a lot of things that I need to adapt to and learn. We changed the shift back to standard. I’m also not using the quick shifter because it was so different.
Another difference from what I’m used to was the riders’ meeting. Here it was more like a press conference. They had a projector, mics, the whole shebang. At the end of the main meeting the Asia Dream Cup class had their own meeting too.
We are inside garages, which is pretty awesome. I’m in a garage with three other bikes but we all have our own tools, which were provided for us. I’m really thankful to have Pat with us, he is really helpful. Only one person is allowed to work on the bike and within a time limit. Once we got to the track the other riders were friendly as are the Honda mechanics and very helpful to get us sorted.
Tomorrow gives us another practice but it is also qualifying. I’m going to need to step it up and get my head down. I’m a little behind where I want to be but I will get there. There are still changes to be made on the bike and we will need to get that done tomorrow.
Until the next time.
Stacey
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