Round 3 saw an increase in NAST competitors for what is traditionally a wet weekend for the start of the summer break for most schools. The forecast was not very promising for Sunday especially but as the weekend went on the weather was the least of some competitors problems.
An earlier than normal start on Saturday to avoid holiday traffic saw me arrive at SCR sandwiched between Wild Bunch ‘Time Traveller’ and Motty and the Harley at the ticket booth. No sign of fencing or marquees due to cancellation of ‘Global Gathering’ for 2015. Scrutineering and paperwork done the track was in use so at 10.15 we elected to line up with 8.50 and 9.50 ‘bike for our first qualifier at 10.30. With a blue sky and tail wind, conditions were looking good, and as we waited all that could be heard was the sound of mop on tarmac – the second car down the strip had left an oil slick for half of the quarter mile! Despite firing up several times Kieran’s Kawasaki refused to turn over on the starter when it was time to move along the pairing lanes so he pushed it back to his pit. With the first run completed the autopsy began on the current ET champion’s machine. The battery was fried and on dismantling the starter motor it was discovered that some windings had shorted and the Kawasaki was going nowhere.
Second qualifying round began with yet another oil down quickly cleared by Shakey crew. This also saw the Gas’ bikes playing games with Robbie’s jump start resulting in no data which caused Motty to red light and then Jo with a blinding .007 reaction and 1.38 60ft but unfortunately crossing lanes to shut off.
Tim had brought two of his CX turbo Hondas to the meeting and graciously lent one to Kieran so he could make the third and fourth qualifying sessions. By the end of the day Tim was number 1 qualifier in ET and Motty in Gas with ET and speed.
After a shower at 4am Sunday the track was drying but at 10.00 black clouds rolled in with a few spots of rain suggesting we may have a long wait before beginning the eliminations. Fortunately the strong wind which was to cause quite a few breakouts in 9.50 ‘bike during the day blew in some much needed sunshine which remained with us until the strip closed.
First round of ET saw Pete Harrison with a .058 reaction defeat Steve Moor who had a problem with a very slow run on the Buell. Cary was handed the win with Kieran still learning to ride the CX resulting in a red light. Tim had a bye while Fiona Moor lost to the ever improving Ian Felstead on the Aprilia with a better reaction of .049. The Gas ‘bikes elected to complete their semis at this time with Motty on a bye and despite being in front all the way Robbie lost to Jo Brookes when changing into 5th gear, found and got stuck in a false neutral, and could only watch as she passed him at the 1/4 mile.
Semi-finals in ET saw the master Pete Harrison beat Ian who was asleep on the line? and Cary did the same to Tim to keep his championship hopes alive.
In the final of ET Cary pulled out the stops to defeat Pete and in Gas Motty, with a .09 reaction out-ran an off form Jo to add more points to his dominant position in the championship.