The first few laps
As expected, my little CBR125R felt sharp, effortless to ride and easy to lean into corners, where stability was never a concern, at least at my initial, slow pace. At that stage, the low footpegs dragged in the corners (my boots took some serious abuse). What felt to me to be somewhat timid brakes curbed my corner entries on the ultra-tight Nelson Circuit, the original track nearest to the grandstands – from where everybody can see how slow you are…

I'm ready, but this ain't gonna be as easy as I thought. And how come all the big guys are at the back of the grid and the shrimp in front?

Back in the stands, the time sheet had me 15th out of 18 riders, which came as both a surprise and a disappointment. For the first time in my life, my 68 kilos proved to be too much -- most other racers were teenagers averaging about 25 kg less. Admittedly, though, I had also failed to find the fastest way around the track aboard my 14hp machine. The trick was to maintain the highest corner speeds possible – so ease off the brakes - while using all the track and tucking my entire body behind the small fairing both for straight lines and corners.

So, forget about the brake hard – turn in hard – shoot out technique I had learned from car racings and applied to my 600 at Calabogie. I was way off!

I posted a better time during the second session, climbing two spots to 13th place. Results from the third session showed me in 12th , as more aggressive riders were falling and running out of time to set quick laps. I kept that spot in the qualifying session, as everybody was going quicker, and was one of those everybodies. Hey, I was learning something every time out!

Race Day
At 2 p.m on Sunday, and we are all dressed up and ready to go, which meant my first ever race on two wheels, on a track that is more complex than it appears at first blush. The last set of three successive 180 degree changes in direction remains a challenge for me to this day. The trio is followed by a long flat out stretch, so exit speed is paramount. But you must also avoid running too wide on exit, as you end up losing time covering a greater distance than you would on a tighter line. You must also pay attention in the first two 180s, as you must position yourself properly and not open the door to some little rat diving inside or going around your outside. I never really got that one right.

"You know, this Big Time racing is easier than I thought. All I have to do is practice another three or four years, lose 40 pounds, and i'm right there!" "Ya, suuure"