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PIT LANE REPORT:
The race started at 10.30am, with six hours of endurance racing ahead it
guaranteed plenty of pit lane activity, did I say I love Endurance Racing
and Pit Lane Photographer's Access! Thankfully nothing serious occurred apart from a fire, frayed
nerves with seemingly never ending rearset problems mainly on Suzuki
machinery, minor offs resulting in minimal motorcycle and rider damage and
the occasional engine and wheel bearing failures. No nothing serious
really... 
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#17: SUZUKI
GSXR1000 - TEAM VMOTO: (Pitted at
10.42am) Only minutes into the event, the 'refuel' was surely a 'top up'.
The real reason for the early pit stop was to adjust/tighten the gear selector
mechanism pinch bolt. This was the first hint of 'similar issues' with a wide range of
Suzuki machinery. |
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#77: SUZUKI
GSXR1000 - GIBSON MOTORSPORTS: (Pitted at
10.45am) Only a few minutes after the #17 bike pitted, this Suzuki had
issues with the gear selector rearset. There appeared to be no accident
damage, however there were broken rearset components that required
replacement. |
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#59: SUZUKI
GSXR750 - JUST 4 FUN: (Pitted at
10.57am) There's a trend here, this Suzuki 750cc machine was pitted early
due to a gear selection pinch bolt issue, I stand corrected but it appeared
a 'new' pinch bolt was required as the original was 'not in place' when I
reached the team's pit area. |
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#85: DUCATI 1098S - TEAM WYNNS: (Pitted at
11.02am) The rear tyre was somewhat second hand and was replaced, that's not
at half distance, that's after nominally half an hour of racing! It started
a trend! |
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#01: HONDA CBR1000RR - TEAM HONDA RACING: (Pitted at
11.04am) The first of what appeared to be 'planned pit stops'. Excess fuel
poured out of an overflow tube, the same problem appeared soon after on the
#1: Demolition Plus motorcycle. |
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#1: HONDA CBR1000RR - DEMOLITION PLUS: (Pitted at
11.09am) Rear tyre replaced, fuel in and then a 'significant leakage' of
excess fuel. |
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#35: YAMAHA 600 - DETERMINATION: (Pitted at
11.24am) Mechanics advised me the rear wheel suffered a collapsed wheel
bearing. |
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#77: SUZUKI GSXR1000 - GIBSON MOTORSPORTS: (Pitted at
11.31am) The refuel was uneventful, the rear tyre/wheel replacement sadly was, the rear cush drive was holding the sprocket and axle spacer out,
preventing the install, 'sneakers' pounded it into submission, eventually! |
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#44: YAMAHA R6 - FOXY 4: (Pitted at
11.47am) A top effort by the girls, I was amazed at the need to rebuild the
cush drive at each rear wheel change and the dubious practice of leaving
manufacturer's stickers on fresh tyres. Foxy 4 were one of 'many teams'
persisting with these two issues. |
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#38: SUZUKI
GSXR1000 - RACERS EDGE: (Pitted at
12.05pm) Probably the most time consuming rearset failure of the race, the
well credentialed team of Scott Charlton/Cam Donald somehow lost the
motorcycle's rear brake pivot bolt. The fix necessitated removal of the
entire rearset assembly to allow a new pivot bolt to be inserted. Again, I
stand corrected but my observations of reassembly work did not record the
use of any form of proprietary thread lock! |
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#77: SUZUKI GSXR1000 - GIBSON MOTORSPORTS: (Pitted at
12.15pm) The Mechanic advised me the 'motor had opened up', I presumed that
to mean a catastrophic engine failure, plenty of oil was dripping from the
sump area. |
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#7: SUZUKI GSXR1000 - MORELLIS WINES: (Pitted at
12.19pm) Incredibly another example of a rear tyre/wheel change requiring
the 'puzzle' to be solved on the pit apron. Reassembly of cush drive rubbers
'during the pit stop' defies belief. |
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#27: SUZUKI
GSXR1000 - BIRD IS THE WORD RACING: (Pitted at
12.22pm) Accident damage, the fairing was taped together on both sides, when
I reached their pit one type of gear shift rearset was dismantled on the
ground and another gear shift rearset was being fitted to the motorcycle,
suffice to say another Suzuki rearset refit/replace was required. |
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#68: KAWASAKI
ZX6 - INSUREMYRIDE.COM.AU: (Pitted at 12.27pm) Accident damage,
the motorcycle was pushed into the pits after an excursion off track. The
biggest problem appeared to be the gearbox, the mechanics tried to sort out
what appeared to be selector problems, ultimately the team retired from the
race. Riders Warwick Nowland and
Glenn Scott (helmet) were correctly very concerned. |
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#1: HONDA CBR1000RR - DEMOLITION PLUS: (Pitted at
12.35pm) Both wheels replaced and fuel added. Apart from earlier excess fuel
spillage issues and unexpected drive chain stretch all was going smoothly
for #1. |
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#17: SUZUKI
GSXR1000 - TEAM VMOTO: (Pitted at 12.40pm) The exhaust system had
loosened, this after their very early pit stop for gear selector issues. The
exhaust was tightened and wired, after lower fairing removal, read time! |
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#11:
YAMAHA R6 - TEAM ILD SINOPEC: (Pitted at 12.49pm) Obvious
accident damage to both sides of the motorcycle. |
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#38:
SUZUKI GSXR1000 - RACERS EDGE: (Pitted at 12.56pm) Routine stop,
Cam Donald took over the riding duties. |
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#77: SUZUKI GSXR1000 - GIBSON MOTORSPORTS: (Photo at
1.20pm) The Mechanic's continued working on the motorcycle, refer engine
failure above, logged at 12.15pm. |
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#61:
HONDA CBR1000RR - ANKERMANN MOTORSPORTS: (Pitted at 1.29pm) A
Honda with gear selector issues, it appeared to be limited to the gearbox
input connection. |
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#17: SUZUKI
GSXR1000 - TEAM VMOTO: (Pitted at 1.35pm) The same problem that
forced a pit stop at 10.42am. There appeared to be no pinch bolt when I
arrived at their pit. |
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#01:
HONDA CBR1000RR - TEAM HONDA RACING: (Pitted at 2.11pm) Routine
stop, Glenn Allerton and Jamie Stauffer looked concerned, but all appeared
fine. |
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#85:
DUCATI 1098S - TEAM WYNNS: (Pitted at 2.21pm) Fire, in hindsight
it appeared to be limited to the rear brake pad area. However the quick
action by the pit crew, 'superb'. |
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#18:
SUZUKI GSXR1000 - TEAM WELD WEST: (Pitted at 3.01pm) An exhausted
rider in pit lane assembling cush drive rubbers to allow a 'quick' rear
wheel change, this is crazy. |
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#26:
SUZUKI GSXR1000 - TEAM TSA: (Pitted at 3.02pm) Off track
excursion, refuelled and away. However, even with the damage this rearset
looks perfect and it clearly 'dug in'! |
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#1:
HONDA CBR1000RR - DEMOLITION PLUS: (Pitted at 3.08pm) Teamwork,
'SLOW', no way. Wayne Maxwell and Josh Brookes (pic) left nothing in the
garage, a great effort. |
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#38:
SUZUKI GSXR1000 - RACERS EDGE: (Pitted at 3.18pm) At 12.05pm they
pitted for the brake lever pivot bolt, this time it was the gear shift
linkage. |
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#17:
SUZUKI GSXR1000 - TEAM VMOTO: (Pitted at 3.20pm) At 12.40pm the
exhaust issue was attended to, this time more safety wiring was added. |
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YAMAHA R6 - TEAM ILD SINOPEC: (Pitted at 3.26pm) Firstly the tyre
change started, then a refuel intervened, finally the tyre change was
completed and lots more tape and cable ties were added to hold the fairing
in place. |
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#21: SUZUKI
GSXR1000 - TEAM SUZUKI: (Pitted at
3.34pm) A planned fuel stop, prior to this pit stop the team were in second
place behind the #1: Demolition Plus CBR1000RR. The motorcycle had suffered
some damage on the right hand side. Shawn Giles (nearest camera) and Joshua
Waters looked very concerned at proceedings. |
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#1: HONDA
CBR1000RR - DEMOLITION PLUS: (Pitted at
3.51pm) Their last fuel stop, Wayne Maxwell handed the motorcycle over to
Josh Brookes and had a few words with 500cc Grand Prix winner, Aussie Kevin
Magee. |
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ELECTRONIC LAP
SCORING: (Failed
with 30 minutes to go) Back up systems were used to ensure an accurate
result, note the 'Incorrect Times Displayed' frustrating message! |
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#1:
HONDA CBR1000RR - DEMOLITION PLUS: (4.17pm) Wayne Maxwell doing
interviews and Wayne's personal '47' pit board numbers, (for Josh), looked
great for another Demolition job... |
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#1: HONDA
CBR1000RR - DEMOLITION PLUS: Wayne Maxwell and Josh Brookes
produced a near faultless exhibition to win the 2010 Six Hour, they closely
liaised at each pit stop. It all went to plan apart from some very minor
issues. |
MORE BEL-RAY SIX HOUR 2010 COVERAGE: Please continue my 'Bel-Ray Six Hour coverage' by
selecting from the following pages...
   
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