FZ6 Cup Nakeeta Quayle Interview
Yamaha Racing is doing a series of "Six Minutes with" stories. Here’ Nakeeta Quayle of FZ6 Cup fame.
In its second year, the GYTR FZ6 Cup has emerged as a popular and inexpensive way for road racers to put their skills to the test at some of Australia’s premier circuits alongside the Australian Superbike Championship.
The 2008 field features riders from a variety of backgrounds, with mixed road racing experiences. Each fortnight Yamaha Racing will profile a current racer, detailing their season so far and their thoughts on the series.
This week’s rider is Nakeeta Quayle:
What is your racing background?
I started racing in 2006, competing in the Girls Ride Out and St George series. An outright win in 2007 saw me offered a ride in the GYTR FZ6 Cup series for 2008.
How did you hear about the GYTR FZ6 Cup Series?
I’d been considering entering in the Superstock class but thought it may have been a little out of my league in terms of running expenses. I wanted to race in a series where I could progress as a racer and the FZ6 seemed like a good bike to try. I also liked the idea of competing as part of a national series and getting used to how a race meet is run, as well as competing on the top tracks.
Describe your best performance to date.
My best performance to date was at Winton, where, even though I didn’t get the results I wanted, I felt the most comfortable on the bike and was most pleased with my riding. I had a DNS in one of the races with a severe migraine and still managed to finish quite well. I also scored a 7th place in one of the races and I found out I was only around a second off the lap-record pace from last year which was very satisfying.
What is your favourite circuit on the calendar?
Winton, though I haven’t yet raced at Queensland Raceway or Symmons Plains.
Who is the toughest rival rider to compete against?
It would have to be Amy O’Mara, we’d raced against each other before and she is a very tenacious rider. As a rider though, everyone in the field is someone you want to beat.
What are your goals for the next round and the remainder of the year?
Queensland Raceway is a track I’ve never raced at and I won’t get a chance to practice here, so I’ll be aiming to improve the bike during practice and qualify within the top 10. From here I’d like to think I could race within the top ten throughout the weekend and score a solid bag of points.
How do you prepare for a race meeting?
My preparation and training can often be interrupted by work but I try to get in as much training as possible, including weights and gym work and some running. I seem to up the intensity and cram a lot more training into the week before a round, and then take a week off after each round before getting back into it.
Any superstitions on race day?
They’re not so much superstitions, but just a way of preparing myself to race. I usually do everything in the same order when getting ready. Other than that there’s no set race plan, I just aim to finish as high as I can each race and take every opportunity that comes up on track.
Beyond this year, where do you see yourself heading in the sport of road racing?
I’d like to progress to Superstock but I’d still be happy to race the FZ6 next year as well, it’s a fantastic series, a real level playing-field for riders.
What would your advice be to riders considering entering in the series?
My advice would be, don’t think about it, just get out there and do it. The comraderie within the series is fantastic and there are always people to point you in the right direction. Yamaha has created a fantastic opportunity, the one-make series ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to win and provides the opportunity to develop skills in an inexpensive and supportive environment. The race package is solid and creates very few headaches, there are no costly engine or performance mods to worry about. It is a great thing for Australian road racing and there is no better way to learn the tracks.
