Blair Briggs #23. 12th June 2015.
When offered the opportunity to ride a Commuterlite Honda at the 2nd PCRA round I was pretty excited, I’ve watched many of the races and have been enthralled by the close competition. My PCRA years have been spent on a Laverda 1000 triple, an exotic Italian classic owned by Crispen Trueman. The Laverda is a big bike she weighs a fair bit and puts out around 100hp so my track knowledge is based around this bike.
Enter May 30th and my Commuterlite debut!
Just before I went out on the track I made some enquiries and discovered the CBR Honda had 6 gears, so many choices, I followed everyone around trying to figure things out when our session was declared I only completed one full lap! Would sort things out best I could during the first race. I customarily get good starts and did on this occasion as well, loved the hustle and bustle of turn one but kept myself clear of (causing) trouble, turn two was bit of a laugh I had no previous braking experience except from the Laverda so was miles out and lost most of my gains from the start. Great drive out of T2 and pegged a couple back only to repeat the same mistake at T4 (had seized a 250 Suzuki there about 30 minutes before!) Again good drive had me back in the fray but really that was the pattern of my race. I was learning quickly from the other riders and was really impressed at their commitment and race craft.
Race two and I improved my braking but was still too hesitant into the turns referring back to my big bike past concentrating on fast exits, on a commuter lite I was learning that it didn’t work like that, fast in, fast through and fast out, momentum being the order of the day. Race three I had a plug failing so concentrated on entry and braking and brought the Honda home in one piece. Third overall was a pleasing result but was a bit more flattering than my riding deserved. This bike was very well set up and I made no changes during the day, huge thanks to Gary Briggs (no relation) for the bike and sorry Gary for seizing your Suzuki
I am looking forward to the next round on the 13th I hope to be able to complete the season on the Honda. I’m learning so much being on this type of bike it reminds me of my 250 production days in the late 1970’s although I must admit I’m a bit more risk averse these days. The commuter lite class has a real sense of community with riders dropping by to see how its going and see how I’m enjoying it, well I’m hooked its that simple.
Cheers
Blair
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