Taupo Playdays ' 93 & ' 94

From time to time the Rusty Nuts hire the Taupo racetrack and have a playday. To assist with costs they invite a few friends along. It is a chance to learn from each other and cut loose a bit.

Riders Run Review

Background info:

Every now and again a couple of the Rusty Nuts who are speed inclined rent the Taupo Racetrack and get the other Rusty's and a few friends to have a play day. It is a chance for the other members and friends to learn from the faster guys. It is not just the speed thing but the learning of new lines etc. The general opinion is that every time Tony Rusty organises one of these days everyone who attends learns something. Then there is the ride down to Taupo and of course the ride home. Tony and Greg, his brother are extremely good riders, showing most of the rest a clean view of their bikes rear ends.

Now a report on my experience:-

When I'm given the invitation (not to mention the opportunity) to hoon around on the track at Taupo, I don't say no. That was just the case when Tony Rusty phoned up asking if we were interested.

Is the pope Catholic? Do fish fart in the water?

What a dumb question - of course I'm interested! But then he wasn't to know. I mean he probably thought I was a normal person. Little did Tony know!

We arrived with plenty of time to spare having had a "practice session" coming across the Napier-Taupo road. Said hello to Don at Huka Honda, grabbed something to feed worms, then it was off to the track to see who was already there. The gate had just been opened as we rode up. After taking off the expensive parts (mirrors and indicators) the show was under way. Rusty Nuts, and friends totaled about 18 riders for the day.

I like the Taupo track. It's short, tight and twisty with plenty of run-off space should one stuff it up. I took to it like a duck to water - we all did. Quote for the day came from Snow who claimed it was the most fun you could have with your clothes on! I told him that if he wasn't getting hot and sweaty he wasn't going fast enough.

Around, and around and around we went all afternoon. What fun! What bliss! I didn't require the use of the ample run-off space, but I know someone who did! Ajay Rusty. At least he kept it upright which was just as well as it was Mike Rusty's RZ 350.

It seemed to be Ajay's day for glitches. The bike he had ridden over on, the Yamasuki had stripped the thread on the bolt holding the gear lever in. We had to borrow a workshop and some tools to sort that one out enough to ride home. Shame he never got to put it on the track, but all the other Rusty's made sure he had something to ride.

The day was, without a doubt, immense fun. I learnt a LOT about the track. So much so that I'm really looking forward to the summer series at Taupo. More to the point, I'm looking forward to the next Rusty Nuts fun day. Here's hoping the next one is sooner rather than later.

Jellybean