Matt Battista
Race number 75HOT LAP with Matt Battista……The Maula
Who better to take us on a lap of Barbagallo Racetrack than 2007 WA Superbike Champion and current local lap record holder, BHS Racing rider Matt Battista.
Here’s Matt’s race lap and a fast one around the tracks 2.4150km….
The way to produce a really fast lap around this circuit is to have a great exit out of Turn One and not let anyone through….
Start: Lights go off I ease the clutch with throttle to drive of the line hitting turn one in second gear holding to the inside I exit turn one tight on the inside of the ripple strip, I squeeze the throttle on trying to drive hard out I then shift into third gear looking ahead aiming for the left hand ripple strip as I head towards the Esses. I flick the bike to the right and run towards the right hand ripple strip still with the gas full on. I ease off on the throttle and rub the brakes as I turn into the left hander I run in there hot as I feel the front end push. I head just on the inside of the turn and hold that line through the middle off the corner as I ease the throttle on trying not to high side. I lean the bike so my knee is over the ripple strip and hold the bike there to the last second them jump on the right hand foot peg to run right over the ripple strip over Skyline holding that line so I don’t push wide. I then hit the throttle hard as the rear end wobbles the front wheel lifts and shift to fourth heading into the Basin a corner that I just love but it is easy to lose the front.
Heading down hill into this corner (Turn 7)I brake very late running a tad wide I have to lean hard on the right peg pulling the bike to the ripple strip half way through the corner then drive hard out the basin right on the inside using all of the track. I then drift wide with the throttle twisted as far as it will go shifting into fifth. The exit is uphill and as I get to the top of the hill I change to sixth the bike wheelies I tuck down under the screen. Coming over the hill and down towards my breaking mark I would reach speeds along the back straight in excess of 280 kilometers.
In a blink Turn Seven is there before you know it and I quickly sit up, brake hard then off the brakes early to let the bike roll through the corner knee over the ripple strip - then early on the gas it pushing wide trying to keep the corner speed going. Watch out for the high ripple strip on this exit here, as this can have you off in a flash. With the finish line in sight tuck under the screen and hope you have done enough to be at the front. All this work produces a good lap time and you get ready to do it all again.
To win in 2008, I am going to have to consistently lap at around the low 0:57 pace and the aim is as always to WIN and to regain the lap record.
The Maula
Since this was written Ben Stronach has broken the record at the Club Day 30th March 2008 with a 56:82 this equates to about a bike length.