Had a great time at Oulton and it stayed dry all day until the very end. There were some damp patches in the morning, but since I had Dunlop KR364 tyres on, I wasn't worried in the slightest.
I was last out for my first session due to setting up and kitting up. This proved a blessing (well somewhat at least) since it meant they would noise test me later. Bike again went very well and new softer fork springs made a big difference. Static sag was now correct and rebound damping was actually working now!
Got noise testing at beginning of second session and when asked to hold 5000 RPM, I held about 3500. This got me through and back out on track. However, after about 6 laps towards the end of the session, I was black flagged for excessive noise. This time, they were insistent on holding correct RPM and the meter showed 112 dB! Ouch!
The only thing to do was to fashion an impromptu noise baffle using a red bull can and jubilee clips. Off to another noise test which I passed at 101 dB. Out for another session and the can only lasted about 2 laps before if was blasted off. The bike ran like shiite with the baffle on. I finished the session but was cruising by the pitlane to keeep any hope alive of not getting black flagged again.
Next session, I used the same tactics but was pulled aside at the end of the session and was made aware of the fact the noise baffle had fallen off. That was the end of the day for me, sadly, and I didn't go out after lunch even after several discussions with the official, who wouldn't have any of it.
Fair enough, I suppose. Apparently, one could pin point my bike all the way around the track when stood in the paddock. I wasn't that gutted because the second test day for the new bike went very well and its performance is very, very promising even with the standard engine. As usual, there are a few things to sort, but only minor things, well except for the exhaust which needs a bit more "noise cancellation technology".
