EmTek Racing News - 2004

15/11/2004 - SHEZ - First race in Oz

On Saturday 13th November the privateer team assisting Sheridan managed to get some track time as the track was open for free practice ($100 – no – not free). They ran into Roger and Scott Hayes (father and son) at the track with really trick R1’s. Roger used to be a top national rider and still gets around on the pace at, I believe, 58 years old. His son is a little slower but none the less are serious contenders for the championship.

The Hayes’ are really competitive people and were not overly concerned at Shez and his stock Kawasaki. The team had introduced itself and Sheridan to them during their travels around Brisbane on Friday so they were already informed that Shez was a top national rider. The feedback I had from those in the know that we introduced him to was really one of disinterest – “how big is motorcycle racing in South Africa anyway?”. They were about to find out.

Shez went out with the ZX-10 only to find it completely out of control – it was slapping everywhere and threatening to throw him off. The new Dunlop slicks had grip but made the bike very nervous. The suspension was bottoming – a real mess. Mike (with the help of Shez and Julian on the phone) made some changes and made some real improvement. The other teams were really been pleased when they followed Shez around only to find him really slow – learning the track and setting up the bike.

The team was really impressed with the maturity with which Shez approached the entire weekend and setup.

After the 4^th session (maybe 20 laps in total) Shez believed he had done what he could with the setup and now needed to change gearing and lengthen the wheelbase (by changing gearing). The brakes were also still fading badly after a few laps. Anyway, all the other competitors had gone home and were not there to see that Shez was now doing their lap times anyway.

Shez and Cole (his assistant for the day) went about washing the truck, making the changes to the bike and getting everything organised for Sunday racing.

Sunday got to the track at 07h00 and got set up. Shez needed to sort out his licence. Quite a process here – lots of forms and even a questionnaire to test if you know what is going on. Cole had organised everything. He is well known (and well liked) by the officials. Bike (and kit) scrutineered and it was time to fit new slicks. There was a 10 minute qualifying and then 5 races – 2 x 7 lap and then 3 x 12 laps. Turned out to be 2 x 7, 1 x 12 and (because of time) 2 x 6.

As part of his licence approval, Shez needed to have his riding assessed so they sent a “top” racer (associated with the club) to ride behind him and report back. After 3 laps of qualifying the comments were “Is he watching Shez through binoculars?”

Shez qualified on pole – and obviously was approved to race with the top boys. Everyone was really nice and friendly. Even the assessor laughed and joked about his inability to keep up with Shez.

Some setup changes and we were ready for race 1, the first of the day. We had determined that the front end needed heavier springs so it was never going to be right. Shez was also scraping the gear lever through the left hand turns as the bike has the standard rear sets fitted.

We were pleased to see that Robert Bugden was in the race. Bugden is the current superbike privateer champion in Australia and is well respected as a top runner. He has an extensive history of racing with a number of Australian titles to his name and has done a fair amount of racing abroad. He also raced the Suzuki 750 challenge last year finishing 4^th (behind Kennaugh). Shez had some competition.

Lets see how fair it was – Bugden – Australian privateer champion on a full specification Australian Superbike. Estimates give it around 190hp (flowed heads and cams) and all the trick stuff. He is a local and has been racing at the track for many years versus Shez on a stock ZX10 (Akropovich and Power Commander still with the standard filter – and a map made in the team garage). He also has the right Dunlop tyres, we were on customer ones, and ours were the soft compound – not ideal apparently.

Race 1 Shez was third into the turn 1 and first into turn 3, surprising Bugden on the brakes. Shez bolted off and it looked like it was going to be a runaway win. Bugden hauled him in and overtook him with 2 laps to go – and pulled a gap.

Race 2 , Bugden and the team had been hard at work with suspension setup and changes. Shez got a good start and then got stuck in neutral between 1^st and 2^nd and was about 12^th into turn 1. He was 6^th at the end of lap one but had left himself a little too much to do, finishing 3^rd about 1 second behind 2^nd (Roger Hayes – the father). Bugden was miles ahead.

Race 3. Bugden arrived at the grid with a new front tyre. Holeshot for Shez, led for 3 or 4 laps, passed by Bugden and struggled to hang on. It always looked like the ZX10 had enough power but Bugden was somehow getting past Shez down the pit straight and then leading into turn 1. Shez finished a creditable 2nd.

Race 4, same as race 3.

Shez decided to get advice and went to introduce himself to Bugden. He found out that Bugden was coming onto the pit straight in 3^rd and Shez was in 1^st. Obviously there was a gearing and power difference. Shez decided to try something different and do the final turn in 2^nd – would the 10 have enough to pull him out?

The result was Race 5 – Holeshot and a fantastic win. Shez led from start to finish in a close race. Exciting, close and pure adrenalin rush and Shez rode the wheels off that ZX10.

A second place overall for the day and who knows what would have happened if Shez had used 2^nd onto the pit straight all day long. Track knowledge and some lessons learned.

Shez was interviewed during the day by the race commentator and he even had a guest spot as co-commentator for about half an hour. They made reference to him during the day and during the interview, wished him luck and welcomed him to their shores. The Aussies are really nice people and he has made some friends and I believe he is well liked. Shez has put the proverbial cat firmly among the pigeons. Shez did himself, and all those that helped him to get him there, very proud.

Next week is the test at Eastern Creek and a weekend of racing against a full field of Australia’s and New Zealand’s best. This time Shez will be on equivalent machinery. This is confidential but one of the Nikon R1’s was clocked at 317kph at Phillip Island. Rossi’s bike was clocked at 318. They are fast!

Kind regards

Team Emtek Racing & The Australian Crew (Dirk, Vida, Cole Odendaal)