2011 RACE SEASON SUMMARY

A TOUGH AND REWARDING YEAR IN SO MANY WAYS.

In Peter's words - In 2011 I chose to contest two very different Series BEARS and Formula Xtreme. In actual fact there was a total of 5 Championships; National FX Pro-Thunder Championship, National FX Pro-Thunder F1 Championship, Australian FX Pro-Thunder Championship, Australian FX Pro-Thunder F1 Championship and the National BEARS F1. These took us to Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and of course New South Wales.

We started the year with a very standard Ducati 1198S. It is a bike that needs little improvement to be an excellent race bike; lightened Flywheel, Factory Exhaust, B+G Carbon Fairings, faster Accossato throttle, DUCABIKE Slipper Clutch, SP Quickshifter, turn off the Traction Control and that's about it.

I had a difficult start to the FX Pro-Thunder, coming to terms with the Dunlop D211 FX Control tyre. I had no problems at all with the Bridgestone tyres used at the BEARS rounds but as soon as I went on to the FX Control tyre the feel from the front was vague and inconsistent and the rear lost grip quickly. Regrettably the D211 tyre deserves it's bad reputation and I am surprised a reputable Company like Dunlop would risk it's reputation forcing riders to use these tyres. Thanks to the persistence of Terry and Grant Hay from Shock Treatment we kept searching for feel at the front and finally found a solution, it came at the end of the season and finally I could concentrate on racing and rebuilding my confidence.

As soon as I had my confidence back I started to ride better. I felt I was back in contention, lap times dropped, I enjoyed riding again and my results improved. I am proud to say this, my riding has improved and I have achieved good results this year. Not the results or lap times I aimed at or can achieve, just improved and having that confidence is a great help.

There is a good reason I keep asking for races to be longer - short 5 – 6 lap races are just not long enough to test the rider and very few riders can get into a rhythm and start to enjoy the ride. There is not enough time to recover from a bad start and achieve a good result – shorter races are determined at the start and do not require race craft, strategy, fitness or endurance all of which should be called upon during a race.

It is the people who race that make this sport enjoyable. There are two sides to Motorcycle racing: riding the bike and being with great people. There are simply too many to thank and it is fair to say that everyone at a race meeting, from riders, officials, flaggies and fans, all contribute to racing being a very enjoyable experience so thank you all.

To my Sponsors and supporters, thank you for your support and encouragement. Without your valuable contribution racing would not be the same and that is why I ask that people support the companies and products that support our racing.

Thank you for following and supporting our racing efforts - roll on Season 2012.

SO WHAT HAPPENED IN 2011:
Race Meetings = 12.
Race Starts = 54.
DNF = 1.
Round Podiums = 7.

National FX Pro-Thunder Championship = 7th Overall.
National FX Pro-Thunder F1 Championship = 3rd.
Australian FX Pro-Thunder Championship = 6th Overall.
Australian FX Pro-Thunder F1 Championship = 3rd.
National BEARS F1 = 3rd.

THANK'S TO: Ducati, Motul Oil, Shock Treatment, Bridgestone Tyres, Whites Racing Products, RK Chain, B+G Ducati Carbon, Mr Clutch and Sportsbike Tyre Warmers.

PETER MARTIN IS SUPPORTED BY: L&M Property Marketing (www.property-online.com.au), Motowear Leathers & Vemar Helmets.

NEXT: Plan Season 2012. We welcome increased Sponsorship, product support and Pit Crew interest for Season 2012. Please contact us on: +61 (0) 2 9310 0732 with your ideas.

The Australian Pro-Thunder F1 Podium for 2011.
From left; Richard Liminton 2nd, Angus Reeke 1st and Peter Martin 3rd. (Keith Muir Photo).