As I cross the start/finish line in fifth gear at Queensland Raceway, my mind is focused on getting the Redwing HRC Fireblade through turn 1 as quickly as possible. I ease the brakes on gently, trying not to wash off too much speed, down two gears ( 3rd ) and tip the bike in really hard, trying to stay as close as possible to the inside kerb.  The track is really bumpy on the wide line through here so that is why I try to cut it so fine.

On the exit, I stand the bike up as far as I can and roll the throttle on hard, drifting to the white line on the outside of the track.

Turn 1 and 2 are the fastest corners on the circuit and also the most important to get right in order to achieve a good lap time.

I turn in to 2 really late, the front end pushes wide here a little as I set up to get on the power again.  I tuck in behind the bubble early to take advantage of the aerodynamics of the Fireblade which are very important down this l-o-n-g back straight.  I click 4th gear through the exit and fifth halfway down the straight.  The gearing we use here means that I don't get to use sixth.

Into turn 3 and I'm on the brakes real hard.  But it is hard to find the right balance between pulling the 929 up and keeping the rear wheel from lifting off the ground! There is a really big dip in the braking area which doesn't help! 

Down three gears into this right hand corner which is taken in 2nd, gently tip the bike right over to full lean angle.

This is a pretty fun corner on the superbike as it is pretty tight on the way but then it opens up on the exit.  I twist the throttle on hard and slide all the way out to the other side of the track but trying not to go to far and clip the grass.  As soon as I have the slide over and down with and the bike upright I transfer back across to the middle of the track and change up to 4th.

Then knock it down two gears (2nd) for the first of the two left handers.

Coming out of the first left I stand the bike up and short shift into third, feeding in a little more throttle before apexing turn 5 quite late.  

Then it is head down for the second last straight of the track.  Getting good drive on to this short straight is vital for a good lap time.  I briefly shift up to 4th before braking as late as I dare but the Fireblades brakes give me plenty of feedback so I am strong in to here.  

This is the last corner on the track, taken in second gear.  My knee-scraper sometimes glides along the grass on the inside which is a little uncomfortable! 

BY the time I can see the exit the bike is really pulling some revs as I get hard on the gas.  Here it is a balance between wheelspin and wheelie as I get right over the front of the bike in an effort to keep the front wheel on the deck.

Then along pit straight and over the start/finish line to begin another lap.  

• 2001 SAASC - Round 3 - Race 1 - Race 2  - Race 3 - Overall Points - Images
• 2001 SAASC - Round 3 - Saturday Gallery A - Saturday Gallery B
• 2001 SAASC - Round 3 - Qualifying 2 / Combined / Grid, Queensland Raceway
• 2001 SAASC - Round 3 - Qualifying 1, Queensland Raceway 
• 2001 SAASC - Round 3 - Friday Practice, Queensland Raceway
• 2001 SAASC - Round 3 - Entry list and modified schedule of events
• 2001 SAASC - Round 3 - Alex Gobert takes you on a lap of Queensland Raceway