Driving down to Traralgon yesterday whilst happy to be off to race dissapointed that the rain woke me up before the alarm. None the less it's a happy car Matt my new neighbour is coming for a look (and importantly he's happy for me to tear around in his top paddock!) Great friend Andrew is driving and going to have his first ever race on the slightly untrustworthy MK3 Pursang. Me I'm on my MK6/7. Stop at Macca's in Warrigul for some breaky and a nervous crap x 2. Amazingly Matt and Andrew start a debate going about how good Macca's coffee is! WTF. In the meantime the rains abated somewhat and it looks like it might clear. Nearing Loy Yang both Andrew and I get a call. Coppers updating Andrew on investigation progress regarding scumbags who knocked off $12 K worth of mountain bikes from his shop in Pakenham on Friday night. My phone call a worry as my sons girlfriend collapsed with seizure like symptoms. Being a paramedic plenty of scenarios go through my head but being 2 hours away all I can advise is call 000.Subsequently she probably just fainted but she will undergo some tests this week. Anyway we pressed on and rolled into the track about 0900. Huge turnout with quite a few new faces. Track groomed to perfection. Stressful time for VCM commitee and East Malvern processing entries recieved on the day (including mine!) Chairman Frank made appeal to those present to PLEASE pre enter. Remember committe members want to race as well and need time to do all that last minute machine preparation that always seems to happen (if you ride Bultaco's) Also advised that the committe has purchased a defibrillator if any body decides to have a heart attack. None the less off we went for a a couple of sighting laps. I've never ridden on sand / loam before and I was convinced I hadn't tightened my axle nuts. It was horrible. Didn't seem to bother anybody else though. Hummh. After actually checking my nuts (pun intended) and speaking to Bruce Wilkins who advised go faster and stop being a weak prick and the problem will go away. He was right as usual. In the meantime the sun came out my son rang to confirm his girlfriend was at hospital and all was going well. Big relief.
Racing commenced reasonably promptly with all the usual suspects up the pointy end. Track perfect with a couple of damp patches to keep you concentrating. Special thanks to the starting line guys who kept things running smoothly with good humour and patience. Well done guys. Good friend Andrew had his first start and whilst not a threat at this stage none the less returned to the pits as happy as dog with 2 dicks. If he can get permission from the financial director at home I think we will see bike on the line. Speaking of which the hard working VCM committee are discussing holding a "Bring a buddy" ride day to encourage existing riders to bring along a mate or two to have a ride in a non race environment to see if they like it. Stay tuned for more details. The rest of the day was a bit of a blur with with I think 5 or 6 starts a strained groin and a detached carby from the MK3. Eventually finished up about 4:30 I think with a good crowd hanging around for the trophy presentations. Off we went home stopping at Macca's in Warrigul again. Positioned ourselves strategically to perve at a couple of supermodels who were dining in. Eventually we had enough and realised we better get home to our respective wives before they sensed that we were having too good a time! In summary a great day great friends, new friends, great track, great organisation.