SEASON 1 - 2009
The Bike
T500 (Credit Andrea Goodman)
This was my first road race bike, a 1976 Suzuki T500. Due to their long wheelbase which aided stability, and hidden potential in the motor, they enjoyed much success in the club and amateur ranks. With factory support spawning the TR500 true race variant. the world heard of many up and coming riders such as Barry Sheene who campaigned on one for a season or two.
Racing Class
In VRRA, the T500 races in the Middleweight Production class (or P2 heavy), which has a maximum model year of 1976. This class is limited to any machine originally sold for street use and subsequently modified for road racing.
This class alows up to 400cc single, twin and triple cylinder 2 stroke, Up to 500cc piston port twin cylinder 2 stroke, Up to 600cc single cylinder four stroke, Up to 550cc SOHC four stroke, Up to 650cc pushrod twin cylinder four stroke
Racing Class
In VRRA, the T500 races in the Middleweight Production class (or P2 heavy), which has a maximum model year of 1976. This class is limited to any machine originally sold for street use and subsequently modified for road racing.
This class alows up to 400cc single, twin and triple cylinder 2 stroke, Up to 500cc piston port twin cylinder 2 stroke, Up to 600cc single cylinder four stroke, Up to 550cc SOHC four stroke, Up to 650cc pushrod twin cylinder four stroke
The Races
On a limited budget and taking unpaid days off work, I was only able to attend two races in the 2009 season, both fairly close to Toronto. The Vintage Race association also races at St. Croix Quebec and North Bay Ontario, which I hope to attend in 2010.
The Carousel (Credit Flair Photography)
Shannonville or The Quinte TT as it is known, is held the first weekend in June on the Nelson track. Its 8 turns are separated by 3 straights. Turns 5, 6 and 7 are relatively slow 90 and 180 degree turns with the last being a carousel out onto the front straight past the stands. A flat track and high stands make this a good spectator track, affording visibility of the entire circuit.
I entered two series, middleweight production and P1/P2 vintage challenge. My lap times initially reflected the fact that this was my first racing weekend, but eventually dropped from 1:24 to 1:18 over the weekend with leaders running in the 1:07 range. So, there is room for improvement.! I spent a great, but chilly weekend in Kens trailer and met many of the racers while helping with pit in tech inspections. Click here for the Shannonville picture album |
Turn 3 (Credit Flair Photography)
What can I say, Mosport. A legendary track, with a variety of turns, many of them with large elevations changes (1, 2, 5a and b). Sir Jackie Stewart of F1 fame calls turn 2 the toughest turn in motor racing. It takes a steady throttle hand and a comittment to your line to deal effectively with this turn. A short time later, its the roller coaster ride down out of 4 and back up into Moss's corner, a double apex right hander that if well riden sets you up for a long pull up the Andretti straight.
All in all an excellent weekend, though I scored no points due to my cantankerous bike, but I spent some good time on the track and followed Tim V around for a bit to get a better sense of the lines. Waking up Sunday morning to the fog settling in the lower area of the circuit and hearing the sounds of bikes coming to life - priceless....(credit Mastercard!) Click here for the Vintage Festival picture album |
2009 Season Points | ||||||
Plate | Name | Quinte | Mosport | St. Croix | NB | Total |
15 | Len Fitch | 22 | 22 | 11 | 17 | 72 |
282 | M. Mistlbachner | 17 | 17 | 6 | 20 | 60 |
136 | Rudy Morasutti | 15 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 52 |
703 | Mic Vaclavic | 11 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 28 |
66 | Dave Webster | 8 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 22 |
412 | Justin Davies | 13 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 21 |
45 | Jeff Peters | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
114 | Kim Anderson | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 15 |
426 | Scott Martin | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 14 |
323 | James Peterson | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
910 | Bob Smith | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
17 | Toivo Madrus | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |