Unfortunately Ed lost the front at turn 11 on first race of the day on Sunday (Race 2 for the weekend), he was a bit sore but with the help of the trusty pit crew was able to make it back out for the remaining 2 races.

The cancelled 2009 QLD meet, the bickering on the BEARS forum admittedly dimmed the gloss, however all was forgiven the minute we arrived amongst all the gorgeous machinery.

And yes I did arrive late, albeit with a fresh haircut and a packed lunch …..

Fri practice started with a 5 minute run followed by waiting for the recovery van, that damn clutch drive plate got stuck behind the slipper clutch hub again leaving me with six speeds of neutral ….ARRGGGHHH… Thanks to Alex from LAE it was a quick fix and I started the search for my 2009 1.12 pb ….alas no such joy

Sat qualifying and I try to take some video footage just as Timmy comes sailing past ….and promptly takes of into the midfield through the dirt mounds and grass to show me just how much more composed the 900M is with the new Ohlins rear shock. Impressive stuff …though I would have reduced the rebound a tad …

Qualifying does not go too well as my pb is nowhere to be found and Timmy is insufferable as he gets quicker and quicker and he’s pipped me by a nano-second to qualify ahead of me…. First you have to beat your team mate … I try to hit him with a mallet but his sixth sense sees him duck and weave through the pits.

Sat racing and true to form he takes of like a scalded cat in both races as I am relegated to the back of the pack and I weave my way through the hordes and catch him under brakes ..finally …. After epic T1 braking manoeuvres that have spectators and flag marshal’s in stitches…… the RAD02 ran well, the rider …well he just kinda sat there going along for the ride …. Must relax and get my vision issues sorted.

Sunday morning racing and we are suitably rested. Race one … and more of the same… wave goodbye to Timmy and then reel him in … super smooth until I keep clicking into false neutrals …bugger bugger … everyone floats past as I avoid the carnage of bikes crashing all over the place in T4, I work my way back into the tail pack and I get past Timmy keeping the score at 3-0 in the Timmy vs Ed tables.

Race two … I stall it on the start (oh dear … here we go again) and work my way back from last into the middle of the pack, I pass Timmy and frustration sees me going quicker and quicker I start catching some riders …. Until target fixation sees me spearing of the track and onto a new section of track that’s still not open…. my mind registers the crash barriers blocking the new track …. Arrgghhhh…. World’s snappiest u-turn and rejoin from dead last again … I chase down the tail group and hunt for Timmy, getting on his tail on the last lap metres before the line …Timmy gets me with 0.026 close …. Watch the video …. Well done Timmy!

Race three and I stall it again … woefully and watch everyone take of around T1 as I get stuck behind a mobile traffic jam too long and watch Timmy take line honours in the distance …well played young man …well played ….

Thanks as always to the Cuskelly gang for their hospitality, beverages and aspirin and our supporters who came out and helped and joined in the laughter. Stay tuned for the next instalment.

Timmy has edited up a full length race video with on board footage from Edu’s Rad (Radical Ducati), complete with a slow start so he made sure he got everyone in the movie.



Hopefully Cus will edit up a highlights package soon… Watch this space.

[Show as slideshow]

Johns trackday/race report to come soon!