Caslick Clinics – West Wyalong Cup &
Bankstown Bike Show Demonstration
I can’t say I’ve seen too many KTMs at 100 MPH around trotting tracks before this. I have been doing some development with the machine, in particular getting the machine to breath and testing Powerplus Race Fuels with fantastic results. Out of the crate it’s fantastic and around Barleigh Ranch I have found a 2 second/lap difference between this machine and my last 2011 Axis Motorsports Honda. I can only say its performance in cornering is incredible, the amount of traction the Cessnock Motorcycles/Caslickclinics/Carlisle tyres/Powerplus Race Fuels KTM delivers at times makes it harder to hang on to, but unlike others who change the machines to make it easier, and therefore make lap times slower, I decided to work on my weaknesses to come into line with the machines strengths.
My wife and I travelled 7hours to compete in the West Wyalong Cup last weekend. I must say having an Orange machine as nice as this one makes for a refreshing change amongst all the red, yellow and blue machines. The day started well with a huge win in the KTMs first outing, followed by another in my 2nd race. I was confident we had the pace and settled in to having a look at the other competitors and followed home for a 2nd and a 4th place finish in my next two rides. While splitting the competitors and about to move into 1st place on corner one in my 5th ride, I lost the front end and planted my left knee. I haven’t had an ACL or medial ligament in this knee since before Christmas last year and this incident twisted my knee badly, the pain like nothing I have ever felt before. Not one to give up or pack up, we iced the knee, swallowed some anti inflammatory and soldiered on to represent my personal sponsors and give the best I possibly could. I finished the meeting disappointed after experiencing the same incident another 4 times and will have an MRI tomorrow to reveal the full extent of the injury.
Last Friday, I was invited to conduct a demonstration at Bankstown bike show. Hard and Fast promotions are working extremely hard to have Long Track racing return to this fantastic venue, each year I have supported the show for the last 3 years. Very cautiously indeed I circulated the 850 meter trotting track without placing my left foot on the ground, obviously the crowd showed their approval with the machine not being Japanese! Below are some photographs from each event.
I will continue to develop and showcase this fine machine, it’s about time somebody moved the Japanese machines from the top step of Australian Dirt Track racing. We have some riders that ride KTM on the hard compacted oil surfaces but they are yet to find the same success or to even have the courage to turn up to the loose type surfaces that now dominate Dirt Track.
Written By: Paul Caslick
Visit www.caslickclinics.com.au
