It was my first official race against bikers but I was convinced that I the man to beat in my category. You see, most riders restrict themselves. They have developed some riding routines which limit their understanding of their bikes. They rarely ride under challenging conditions eg riding at night, or in the rain, or frequenting unfamiliar roads. I do all that...sometimes combining all three challenges during my various random rides. This had enabled me understand the capabilities of my bike and greatly improved our chemistry in terms of handling different terrains. I was really looking forward to what was expected to be the busiest/most eventful superbike track day of the year.
In the preceding week, rumor had it that a veteran Kenyan racer, Shaiman Mughal would be racing in my category. This guy is acclaimed as one of the most fluid and most experienced Superbike racer in the country. He was known to have attended various international race days and left a mark. His reputation precedes him. I wasn't worried about that. He would be riding an unfamiliar bike at an unfamiliar track against me. I saw this as a chance to get a proper description of the rear end of my bike from a person who knows a thing or two about motorcycles.
Racing is quite an expensive affair if done properly. I had every intention to do it as professionally as I could. I did my research. The first step was to ensure that the bike was race ready. R2 is more of a stock motorcycle with a few aftermarket performance enhancement parts. I use premium parts and products in the best interest of my safety. But tgat wasn't enough. I needed to do more. I replaced the chain and sprockets set, headstem steering bearing set, spark plugs and tyres.
I was able to secure some sponsorship deal from Blackrose Racing Customs Garage courtesy of the proprietor, Mr. Ken Oyaya which saw me enlisted to race under the ambits of the Blackrose Racing Team. This was amazing! A good start. I also received support from some close friends including Evans "Kibe" Mwiti, Lucy "Wakili" Ndambuki, Ken "Boychild" Gitonga and Timothy "TT" Kajuki amongst others. This support went a long way towards actualizing the event and I really appreciate their sacrifices. The bike was ready and I was mentally on fire 🔥 ahead of the race day. We attended Citizen TV's #10Over10 live show to hype the event on Friday night. I needed was to attend the practice sessions which The Superbike Association had been kind enough to negotiate with the TGRV Circuit's management to be slated a day ahead of the race at a subsidized fee per session.
I was the first participant to arrive at the track on Saturday for the practice sessions. I admit that I was a bit nervous having never pushed my bike on it before. My first session was fire. I realized that my fears were pure hogwash. But I was alone on the track at the time and was oblivious to the dangers of riding with competitors.
By the time when Shaiman, the racing legend arrived for the practice rind, I was ready for him. The go carting teams who had been at the track were about to witness a proper duel. Our first five laps together were fire. And then I noticed something...Shai was really pushing too hard to prove his mettle... He was quite talented though. I saw him do a few things I had never seen done before. He knew his stuff. He wasn't far behind despite having a smaller displacement bike. After about five laps, he passed me on the straight as I stood on the bike to do something inappropriate, all thanks to my excitement. I followed him closely until we were flagged out of the track.
We did two more races together courtesy of "MK" Morris and Shaiman. Shaiman pushed so hard and almost crashed severally. At some point, I was following him closely througg a high speed turn and saw him run dangerously wide into the grass. That's the last time I followed him closely. I knew what was happening and I wasn't gonna let it be on my books. At some point, we did way too many unsupervised/uninterrupted laps until my bike almost overheated.
Race day:
I was keen to see how the Kuul Bikerz team was riding. Kuul Bikerz are a very organized group of bikers with whom I am proudly associated. Most of you currently refer to them as the Apache squad. These guys can ride. I met them courtesy of their legendary chairman, Mr. Stephen "Webman" Gathu who's been riding since 1969... Yes, a true Kenyan Legend. Kuul Biker Boys have been dominating the under 400cc category over the years. They are notorious giant destroyers known to outdo "big bikes" around a corner. In the previous races, a rider competing with a Kawasaki Ninja 250 finished 5th behind kuul despite having an advantage of an additional 70cc in engine displacement . The Kuul Bikerz boys had called me out and pledged to teach me a lesson on the track. They'd even showed me their seriousness at a Biker's haven commonly known as figure 8. I wasn't worried about them though. I was here for to prove that I can ride because I was sure that I would beat them easily. They refused to take my word for it.
At the starting grid, I opted to start all warm up races from behind. And they all went smoothly. Amin, a 1000cc champion was in our first warm up race riding his second bike, a ktm Duke 390. I led throughout. It was a nice easy session. Nothing special to report except the fact that pitting us against the Kuul Bikerz was conclusively brought out as a clear mismatch.
Enter the qualifiers. I started from the back again. I passed everyone including Shaiman with too much ease. I led most of the way then eased off. Charles Maina, who was the defending champion from the previous event caught up when I eased off but he was too aggressive. I had to give him room at the chicane near the clubhouse, then took him at the very next corner upon which I created some margin and eased off again. That's when Shaiman's land purchase happened. Land purchase in the Biker's circle means crashing or going down.
I didn't expect Shaiman to take an unnecessary risk since we'd be top two regardless. I was at the yellow line on the long stretch. I thought I heard something (was blasting loud music throughout the race). I shifted to forth gear to silence my bike...that when I realized that Shaiman was coming to get me...on a straight🤦🏿♂. I slowed down, and took the corner on my proper line. Shaiman's move to pass me hot from the inside messed up his racing line. He was fast and had to lean too much to go through that corner. It was too much for him and he wiped out (I heard some buffoons insinuating that I clipped him. I ignored them). I was riding so slow waiting for him to pass that I was able to get off the track and stop safely within five meters of his newly acquired property to help him up. That's how I sacrificed my pole position and my first place on the podium... But it was worth it. After all, I was told that I couldn't ride for shit and I had already done what I came to prove. I helped shaiman and his bike up, waited for the last bike to pass then returned to the track... it was the last lap... I managed to catch up with two bikes placing me fourth last on the starting grid of the final lap which was fine by me. Shaiman's fall made him dead last... advantage Wakili.
Final lap:
I started diagonally... I don't know how legal that is. I passed everyone on the straight from the yellow line but some two bikers were near me to the right and I had to slow down to see which line they'd take before going in for my corner...they took too long, I braked quite hard as a result. Charles who was right behind me hit my bike from the back and wiped out. I wobbled a little but didn't go down. I looked back and saw Charles laying flat on the ground. All the other bikers including Shaiman passed me and left me behind. I noticed that Charles was moving. I was relieved. Bike accidents can be bad... really bad ... I continued. But my bike felt weird. It was quite wobbly. My rear tyre had been knocked out of alignment. I thought that I had gotten a rear puncture. I stopped near the fans' tent to confirm. .the tyre seemed ok. By this time, the other guys were way too far ahead of me. I contemplated quiting citing safety concerns but I knew that I'd be the laughing stock of the competition if I did that. So I decided to race. Please note that I've been riding in some pretty effed up conditions and sometimes with the bike not in it's tiptop condition so I wasn't scared. The bike had been in its best form since I acquired it so I was quite confident. I pushed it. The wobbling was familiar, thanks to the Kitui JuntioJu to Mwingi town section of Garissa Road which I frequent, and didn't move me much. It didn't affect cornering much except for the two high speed corners.
I caught up and passed all other racers except Shaiman. His skills are good and he was leading the pack at a fast pace. I could see that he wasn't really pushing. He wasn't under pressure since I was behind traffic but he kept looking at me every time we were in those U-turn corners riding in opposite directions as if towards each other. I was closing the gap, the traffic notwithstanding... I really wanted a duel with him but the race ended too soon.
Beating Shai would have been nice. But I knew that it wouldn't have made me a better rider than he is on my first attempt at racing. Also, having a superior bike was kinda working against me coz even the ones I beat despite their prerace tonnes of banter were clearly justified to credit my win on R2. The bike was just by far the fastest in the category.
That said, I was able to have fun, gain fans and prove that my banter wasn't in vain. I found out that I could ride well under pressure. I had no fear of buying land since I always kept it way below my comfort zone. I had fun and went home with a second place medal to show for it. TGRV is a slow track. I panic at speeds above 160...there was no chance to do anything too much for the bike to handle. I did get a bit tired though. I loved track racing. I honestly think it's the safest riding I have ever done. Our KUUL Biker's chairman mr. Webman had pledged to gift our group's winner. He is a man of his word. MPESA happened. Asante sana bwana Chairman.
I am intending to participate in the Road Warriors closed road race later this month to compare and contrast the two experiences. I know that the track is slower and much grippier than tarmac roads. I will deliberately ride slower than I would because I have only been to Kiganjo once. I'll give you my opinion thereafter. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the race, the competitors who showed up and made the experience worth it, the lessons learnt especially from Shaiman who literally walked me round the track teaching me some crucial racing skills which came in handy thereafter, the sponsors and supporters who helped actualize the event for me and Mr. Webman for the gift.
Thanks to the officials, the marshalls and the fans who graced the event...the milk from from brookside, an official sponsor, was my second favourite thing about the event. Thanks for the banter and if I Still have R2, I'll participate in the SBC4.
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