Keiran Mair Racing

Well, Round one of the always awesome Victoria Motorcycle Club Inc TSS Motorcycles Series didnt start so well. Dad had to work so Chief Engineer and all round awesome uncle Drew Werd picked me up at 5:30am to head to Manfeild for the days racing. After the hectic NZSBK season, we were really looking forward to the cruisey club series.

Muscled into a pit garage kindly vacated by Deano Bentley and Shannon and got all set up. Because Uncle Drew is still a bit tender after some pretty major surgery, we elected to run a harder compound Bridgestone Moto NZ from Whites Powersports to save having to change tyres during the day. Along with that decision, we elected to run the bike with all of the rider assist electronics completely turned off so I could get the feel of sliding and wheelying more.

Went out for qualifying and sort of felt it out, struggled to get a clear lap with 39 other bikes entered and just sort of cruised around for a slightly disappointing 10th place on the grid. With only four main classes, I hoped to have four or five races to improve that slightly.

Once we got to Race One, I got probably my best start ever on the KTM RC8 C and for once didnt lose any positions. Exiting turn one, I'd made up quite a few spots to be 3rd on track and first in Formula 2. I felt like I was riding good and hitting my marks but the bike just felt weirdly slow. About lap three I was passed by another Formula 1 bike on the straights and Isaac Markham Barrett and Ian Reed were just gapping me ahead.

On lap five of the seven, exiting turn 4 on the throttle, the bike sort of coughed just before I hit the brakes for the hairpin. I railed through there pretty well but just picking up the throttle the bike lost all power and I coasted off the track for a really disappointing DNF.

Once we got it back to the pits Uncle Drew ripped into diagnostic mode and after multiple tests discovered the fuel pump had died. We carry TONNES of crash repair parts, but sadly no spare fuel pumps. So that was our day done. Gutting because we know the pace should have been there to run at the front of the Senior Trophy field and battle for outright wins.

Still it was cool to have a relaxing day to watch our mates Gavin Brindle , Madix Hill and Sean Ireland all doing massively well and setting personal best lap times.

So Round 2 is only two weeks away, and fingers crossed we'll have the bike all fixed up to go send it properly.

Thanks to Paterson Photography. for getting a shot from one of my five laps 🤣 and all these guys for the ongoing support.

KTM NEW ZEALAND
Got Speed Media
Race Supplies
Capit Tyre Warmers
Stokes Valley Collision Repair

Feels like a long time since we've been racing. Its actually been two weeks........

Time to go have a play in the Senior Trophy class at the TSS Motorcycles Victoria Motorcycle Club Inc Round 1 at Manfeild this weekend! 40 bikes on the grid this round! 😁

Let's go use up some more of those ultra long lasting Bridgestone Moto NZ V02 Slicks we've got left over.

Race Supplies
Whites Powersports
Got Speed Media
Stokes Valley Collision Repair
Pics by ASP