A group of expectant riders gathered at the Baxter 5-ways servo, drinking their coffees and speculating on the day ahead. The event? 2 x 10-minute sessions at the Stony Creek Go-kart track to determine the fastest in the group – the ultimate winner.
To say tactics were being discussed is an understatement; some ideas a little less sportsmanlike than others!
Pre-ride briefing done, the competitors mounted their bikes to head south. On our approach to the South Gippsland Highway, dark clouds had noticeably gathered. The forecast was for a chance of 1mm of rain. 1mm would have been OK – but we appeared to get our 1mm and several others as well. We managed to get to Poowong in the now very wet conditions. We pulled over and donned whatever wet weather gear we didn’t already have on.
We arrived at Korumburra to pick up Derek – by this stage, we were pretty late, so he’d taken off – and then continued on to Stony Creek. When we arrived at the track, conditions had eased. Phil, Trev and Derek were waiting for our arrival. We filed in and each of the 15 competitors registered and paid their fee. Then we waited for our race to start.
The first session: the track was still a little wet – in what could have been a precursor of the Formula 1 GP in Melbourne! Then the fun began. There were spin-outs, some push and shove and a bit of off-roading done. Not entirely shabby, but also some good speed for the front of the pack with a fastest lap of 57 seconds.
Round 2: this time, the competition was fierce. The track had dried considerably, and our expectation of getting quicker times was palpable. Our marshal told us that a 53-second lap was possible, so we were up for it. But, before you knew it, the race was over. We’d given it our all (if not, too late).
So, for the results. The winner: Derek with a time of 56.234 seconds. Second place: Les with a time of 57.764. Third: Muzz with a time of 58.984. A pretty fine effort all round, and Derek got to take home the perpetual cup. I’m not sure where he was in the first session, but he sure made up for it in the second.
We then got back on the bikes, wet weather gear packed away, and headed to Trulli’s in Meeniyan for some woodfired pizza.
Then the trip back home via Leongatha, Korumburra then through the hills to Kongwak, Glen Alvie, Kernot, The Gurdies – where the blackened trees from recent bushfires lined the road – and ending at Tooradin.
234km all up (excluding laps around the track). What a day! Thanks to everyone for coming along and throwing yourselves into the day’s activities. I think we can call it a success and start plotting, planning and perhaps training for next year. Thanks to Andy for doing a fine job as TEC.