EmTek Racing News - 2005

14/05/2005 - Cole Odendaal - Race Report - Phillip Island

Hi All

This past weekend saw our first visit to Phillip Island – and an eventful one it was.

Cole has been sponsored by Weldalloy on a 400cc – to attend this weekend’s Tri State and Stars of Tomorrow event at Phillip island.

Cole was so excited and for those who have not been there – it is the most spectacular track – ever. We were fortunate not to see a drop of rain in all 3 days – awesome.

Friday was unofficial practice and started with us filling the 600 only to find that someone (a ghost) had put 2 stroke oil in the fuel  - the bike was smoking and we thought it was broken. Draining all the fuel eventually resolved this problem. This was an omen of things to come. Missed the first session and effectively had one full session (with red flags etc) on the 600 the entire day. A problem with the gear change kept Cole out of the second practice session on the 400 as well. This was a God send as 14 bikes went down in this session on turn one after a bike left its sump on this fastest corner.

During supper on Friday evening, Mick Doohan called Cole directly to have a chat with him (arranged by Pete – thanks Pete). Cole was on cloud nine – dazzled and in a state of euphoria. Even gave Cole a tip that all his time was in Siberia.

Saturday (Qualifying and Race 1)

Cole qualified 5^th on the 600 and 10th (out of 58) on the 400.

Race 1 – Supersport – Cole finished second – awesome racing.

Race 1 – 400cc – Cole finished 4^th – more awesome racing

Sunday

Race 2 – 400cc – Cole was second into turn one when the bottom of his fairing blew off. This put him back in the field, eventually finishing 6^5h – great result with the second fastest time on the track.

Race 2 – 600cc – Cole had a bad start and finished 4^th, best time a low 1m42 (second fastest lap time in the race) – with a very badly handing bike. A mistake made by the pit crew (me) leaving the left fork with 6mm less pre-load that the right fork

Race 3 – 400cc – One of the best races I have ever seen. Cole quickest (apart from the winner) in a pack of 4 racing for 2^nd. One rider took out Cole and Kelly with a few laps to go. Both riders in hospital (broken bones and other reasonably serious injuries) – Cole got off a little lighter with bruised ribs and a bit of concussion. This really upset Cole for the rest of the day

Race 4 – 400cc – Cole finished 6^th – not happy with the handling on the recently repaired bike – some changes and repairs made

Stars of Tomorrow – up to 1000cc (Cole on the 600) – Cole 2^nd into turn one (from 8^th on the grid) and run off the track by 2 duelling R1’s. Cole was 20^th out of turn 2. Ended 12^th – obviously a little rattled by the preceding events in this race and the previous one

Stars of Tomorrow – 400cc – Cole started near the back of the grid and was taken out by another rider turning into MG on the first lap. The rider hit him so hard it broke his handlebar (and nearly his arm) and when Cole ran off, the front brake engaged, flinging him off – bike trashed.

End of day!

Cole’s times were spectacular and he loves Phillip Island. He had a lot of track time riding both bikes which will hold him in good stead for next time.

Next round of this series in Queensland – his home track – on the 11^th June – watch this space. I hope to be racing as well.

We have decided not to attend Perth in 2 weeks time and Adelaide the week after – Cole needs to catch up with school work and focus on the next event in Queensland.

 

Dirk Odendaal

 

 

This page was last updated on 06-06-2008.