Kyle Key Racing

Hi Everyone,

Well we’ve had a good outcome from this years Nationals. I’ve learnt a huge amount, from riding improvements to setting up the bike for individual tracks. It has been a huge learning curve for the team as well as myself.

After a tough battle (I rode approximately 750 laps at maximum speed) over the five rounds I finished 9th over all. I’m pretty happy with this because I was aiming for the top ten and with two DNF’s I still reached my goal. This shows me that I have improved my riding and my mental skills.

I would like to thank everyone that made it possible for me to compete in the NZ Roadracing National Championship. From Invercargill to Auckland everyone on our sponsor list has helped in some way.

Firstly I would like to give a big thanks to my team, Dad ( David Key), My bike has been spot on for every meeting. Mum (Jacki Key) who does all the admin and has kept me in the right state of mind and fed properly. My girlfriend, Tess Richmond-Henke, who has just fitted right into the team lugging tyres around and doing whatever is asked of her as well as putting up with all the racing and bike talk. Its a family team but we can still do the business when we have to. Thanks guys.

I’d like to give a big thanks to DK Electrical Ltd Tauranga, Glenn Bailey and the team from Moto GB Suzuki Mt Maunganui, Andrew Lawrence & Continental Tyres, Robert Taylor & Ohlins Suspension and Paul & Geraldine Booth from Dannevirke Suzuki.

I would also like to thank two companies who although are not involved in the motorcycle racing industry, supported me for the Nationals. They are Roger Spooner and Peter London from J.A. Russells Electrical Supplies, and Dave Herbert from Herbs Vehicle Repairs in Tauranga.

The other people who make it possible for us to race are behind the scenes and nothing would happen without them. They are Paul Stewart, Jim Tuckerman , Ian Dawson and all the staff at MNZ, they do an amazing job and never stop working. The individual clubs who cater for us, the ambulance and safety team, and all the volunteers and marshals.

Also, thanks to everyone who has taken an interest and followed the progress of the racing.

I would like to pay tribute to Derick Hill. A friend to all riders from Manfield. Also Phil Harrison who we only met once the night before their accident. Rest in Peace.

The overall atmostphere at the Nationals was very friendly and at the same time very competitive, and everyone had a great time. It takes a lot of commitment to complete the series so thanks to all the other riders who made the Nationals an event. It was great to have some overseas riders from UK, America and Australia. I hope they’ll make it back to race here again sometime.

We are already making plans for my next goal. I’ll keep you posted.

Cheers to all, Kyle.

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Well this weekend is the final of the series. I struggled to get into a rythym on Friday, but on Saturday I was into it. Still working on setup and not feeling quite smooth I qualified 10th. I was dissapointed and had a good think about what was happening with the handling of the bike. I had a talk to Robert Taylor who made some adjustments for me and I was able to test it out during srub in on Sunday. I was so relieved the handling felt much better.

In Race 1 on Sunday I had another slow start and had to pick my way through the bunch again. This time I was neck and neck with Andrew Evens. I finished 8th.

Unfortunately we had a tragedy in this race. Two fellow riders had a fatal crash. We give our condolences to their families, they died doing what they loved.

Race 2 was cancelled.

It is our decision to keep racing. It is what they would want.

Kyle.

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Well after a long drive back from Invercargill and a few weeks home we were off again to Manfield for Round 4. We left Tauranga at 4.30am on the Friday for a practice and suspension setup session.

We were able to get a good set up and get straight into a good flow having known the track. All in all a good day.

On Saturday was qualifying, and I managed to get 5th place on the grid. My best qualifying so far at the Nationals.

My first race on Sunday was a really good battle. I broke my personal lap record by 2 seconds. Jason Hulme, Dave Sadowskiand and I battled till the end with Jason beating us both, and me just beating Dave and getting 5th place.

In the second race I didn’t get a good start and had to fight my way through the bunch. I was making good ground and caught Jay Lawrence sticking behind him for three laps. Trying to pass him on the straight I made a mistake and ran wide out of the last corner and clipped the ripple strip and crashed. The race was red flagged and I was keen to restart but had broken a footpeg and lever, so that was our day over.

I enjoyed the weekends racing although I had another DNF which puts me down the list again! and would like to thank my competitors for some good challenging fun, and the Vic Club who always put on a great event.

Special Thanks as always to all my sponsors.

See you next round, Kyle.

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From Timaru down to Invercargill we headed into some cold wet windy weather. On Friday we arrived at a wet track for practice, but by the time our practice was up the track had dried out and we got in some good sessions. We got a pretty close set up on Friday thanks to Robert Taylors help and advise.

On Saturday with a few more adjustments and some tough decisions on tyres I qualified in 11th position. Not as good as I was aiming for but still good enough at this stage. I felt ready for racing.

On Sunday the sun was out in full force. The first race was pretty disssapointing. First off the start was mucked up which put everyone off and everyone was all over the place into the first corner. On the second lap on turn one my clutch gave way. I tried to finish the race but it completly burnt out on the third lap and I had to pull in and couldn’t finish the race.

We pulled the clutch out of the spare engine and had the bike ready for Race 2.

With a pretty good start I was 6th into the first corner. I had a hard time holding my place and a couple of riders past me throughout the race. On the 14th lap I had an amazing recovery after losing the front and falling off and somehow managed to stay attatched to the bike, pull the bike back up, ride across the grass and stay upright. I finished 9th.

The clutch giving out and no points in the first race was dissappointing but we were pretty happy with the weekend over all and the weather held out for us. Invercargill is a friendly place. I’d like to thank the club and Southern riders for their hospitality.

Also thanks to Evergreen Motel Invercargill for an enjoyable stay. www.asurestay.com/Evergreen_Motel.html

And of course a big thank you to my sponsors. I wouldn’t be racing down here without your support.

I’ve had a good time racing with all the competitors in my class and look forward to seeing everyone in the North Island rounds.

Cheers, Kyle.

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Qualified 6th on grid.

Race 1 8th position.

Race 2 8th position.

Overall Place 8th place.

Championship Standing 6th.

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Qualified 11th on grid.

Race 1 8th place.

Race 2 6th place.

Overall place 5th equal.

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After a rest in Christchurch thanks to Latimer Hotel, we headed down to Timaru for Fridays practice at Levels Raceway.

Friday was a wet day in the morning but dried up in the afternoon and we got in some good test sessions.

On Saturday we had two practices in the morning and made some adjustments to the bike and did some good consistent times. Saturday afternoon was qualifying and I was feeling good and smooth on the bike and was feeling confident. I qualified 6th with a laptime of 1.8.90 around 1.5 seconds off pole.

On Sunday there were two races for Formula Two. In race one I got a good start and battled with Dave Sadowski through out the race with him beating me in the end, I finished in 8th position. (more…)

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Hi everyone, here is the update for our racing so far.
Round 1 Ruapuna.

Friday testing. We focused mainly on setting up the
suspension and trying to learn the track and lines. I tried to stay very
consistant. Weather was very hot . It was hard to remain focused due to
the heat. (more…)

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We went to the first round of the Auckland Motorcycle Club Series at Pukekohe on the weekend to test our new engine. I had a few problems but they got sorted and we had a successful day.

Practice

In the first few laps I was concentrating on getting the feel back for the track, then on the third lap the clutch began to slip so I had to pull in and we spent the remainder of the qualifying session trying to find and fix the fault with the clutch. Due to our clutch problems I only managed to qualify in 8th position on the grid.

Race 1 (more…)

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