First race weekend - Canadian Vintage

[bondo]

Okay - bear with me to see if I can figure out how to post pics. I might need some help.

First weekend at Shannonville in heat and humidity. The Hawk runs in Period 4 light with FZR400s, EX500s, RS125s and a bunch of other stuff. Managed 4th in the heat race but there was a bunch of guys breathing down my neck so I knew that wouldn't last.

In the final, I hung on to third for almost half the race but the guys got pretty insistend about getting by and I ended up seventh. Not bad for the first time racing the bike. The bike's got more in it, as do I, even though I"m six-three, 205 pounds and (ahem) over 50 years old now.

Love it!

Okay - now for the pics






This race was at Shannonville on the short track. For info and rules

https://www.vrra.ca

Good weekend although very hot. Very few incidents and entries were up over last year. We even had a two hour endurance race on Saturday that my co-rider and I managed to win overall. Unfortunately, we were on his RZ350 and not the Hawk but still a good time.

[Doc]

Is the Hawk eligible for Vintage?

Quebec is not that far away... I gotta check into this.

[bondo]

Is the Hawk eligible for Vintage?

Quebec is not that far away... I gotta check into this.

Yep, that's why I posted the link to the club's website. Period 4 includes up to 1989. There's an online rulebook that lists what modifications are or aren't permitted. Generally, it has to conform to what was available in the "period" of 1983 to 1989 so bodywork, forks etc has to be of that type.

If you have any questions, shoot me a note at

scugog8 at yahoo dot com and I'll get you in touch with our tech guys.

Quebec isn't that far for you but it's a so-so track. Better to make the trek to Mosport on the August 3rd weekend. Two hour endurance race on Friday and sprints Saturday and Sunday.

World class facility and we usually have pretty big grids.

[Doc]

Actually I checked... 5.5 hours OUCH.

[Kilter]

Nice pic's steve
too bad you're making the rest of us look bad while you're at it....

Oh well everyone's got to start somewhere I guess....

[brewsy]

Hey Bondo,
nice pics and report.
I notice that you've got a fork brace on your F3 front end.
Have you tested at all before and after and do you think it makes any significant difference?

Cheers,
Marc

[Doc]

Nice pic's steve
too bad you're making the rest of us look bad while you're at it....

Oh well everyone's got to start somewhere I guess....

Hey! Speak for yourself! I look good!

http://www.hawkgtforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2834

[Kilter]

Hey! Speak for yourself!

I was!!! I was one of the speed bumps that finished near the back of the pack... think Steve (bondo) even lapped me once!
finished 26 of 29 (with 28 and 29 DNF)
and 22 of 32 (with 26-32 DNF)
guys I was sloooooooow,

I would have posted my own thread like you doc, but I had way less than you or bondo to brag about...

ME <=

Edit: for placement numbers

[bondo]

Mike - I raced for 8 years when I was in my 20s and have been at the vintage game for another 8, plus, being a journalist, I do a lot of track days on different bikes so it all helps.

Everyone's got to start somewhere and the most important thing is that you're smooth, consistent, work up to speed with confidence and HAVE FUN!!

Marc - it's an F2 front end and the bike came with the fork brace as well as a front fender. The fender was cracked so I took it off and the boneyard is getting me a replacement. Haven't tried it without the brace, but as soon as I get the new fender, it's going on as well.

I can't think of a good reason not to run the brace.

[Doc]

Mike, I am known for being the slow Hawk guy at NHIS.

Come on down and I will keep you company.