Series: WMRRA
Date: June 14 - 15
Classes raced and results
600 Supersport - 2nd
LW Superbike - 1st
600 Superbike - 3rd
MW GP Twins - 1st
Happy Father's Day!
After almost a full month off
racing, I was quite happy to be back on the bike. Although,
the time off did afford me lots of awesome family time with
Karla and the kids. Something I've not usually had during
this time of year so it was a real treat for me. The time
also gave me the opportunity for some dedicated training and
with strict nutrition I was able to shed a few pounds to come
in even leaner and lighter for this round. Thanks Dawn. In
addition, as you'll see in the pictures on the left, Joe
Rocket came out with yet another awesome new design for
my suits. Thanks to Adam, Kelly and all the crew at Joe Rocket
for always keeping me safe. I can't forget to thank Richard
Lerud, from TYR
SOX, for all his support over the years! And, of course,
I have to thank the Dan, Dale & the team for the countless
things they do.
Notes on practice:
I've got to tell you I'm really enjoying riding the bikes
and racing right now. I've kind of stepped back and looked
at racing from the perspective of having fun. Hey, who doesn't
like to do that? And, when I'm around folks like Dan &
Dale, Brad & Cindy, and James & Lidia, I just have
fun. Hanging out with people like this, racing motorcycles
and all that it entails is living to me.
Race 1
600 SuperSport
Weather conditions - cold & dry
Pirelli Tires front / rear - soft dot front - med dot rear
Total laps - 6
Result - 2nd
I got a good start and slotted into second as we entered turn
two behind Eli Edwards. Eli had a small slide on the exit
of turn two and I was able to get the lead going into turn
three. I lead the pack until turn nine where Eli squeezed
up the inside and then Jake Rower bumped his way past. From
here it became an all out scrap for each bit of pavement.
I managed to get by Jake going into turn six and set off in
an effort to give Eli a run. I made up a few tenths, but it
was all for not as the red flag came out just past the half
way mark and the club decided to call it a day on our race.
Race 2
650 GP Twins
Weather conditions - warm & dry
Tires front / rear - soft front - soft rear
Total laps - 10
Result - 1st
I didn't get the best start but I was able to outbreak the
lead rider, Shawn Becker, into turn two. Unfortunately, when
I went into the turn the bike slipped into a false neutral
and I was lucky to not cause an accident as I had to coast
for a few seconds until I found the correct gear. With this,
I was still able to keep the lead and set off on a few flying
laps in an effort to get a small gap on the field. Luckily,
I was able to get a few seconds lead and just focused on maintaining
the gap to the finish.
Race 3
600 SuperBike
Weather conditions - warm & dry
Tires front / rear - soft dot front - med dot rear
Total laps - 10
Result 3rd
Another barn-burner of a race. These 600 races have to be
the best races of the day with at least four or five guys
mixing it up at the front. Again, I got a decent start and
ultimately found myself in a scrap with Mike Sullivan as we
chased Eli for the win. Now, it was on the fifth lap that
we started to come into traffic and it was here that things
got a little crazy. Mike went on the inside of a lapper going
into turn nine with me right on his back wheel. From the entry
speed of the rider I thought it would be safer to pass on
the outside to set up a good drive into the bus stop. Now,
I don't know if the poor guy got spooked when Sully ran it
past him, but for some reason he drifted out, hit the very
back of my bike, and he unfortunately went down - thankfully
not seriously hurt. I truly feel bad for the guy even though
I don't feel we directly caused his crash. Here he was, minding
his own business, racing his race, doing everything he knew
how to do. And now, because he ultimately got involved with
our lap, he's out some leathers, bike parts, and probably
a bunch of cash. And, more importantly, will likely be sore
for a few days. I did locate his crew to talk to them for
a few minutes to make sure he was OK, but ultimately never
got to talk to the rider personally.
Race 4
Middle Weight Superbike
Weather conditions - warm & dry
Tires front / rear - soft dot front - soft dot rear
Total laps - 10
Result - 1st
Probably one of my better races with the Zlock SV as I managed
to lower my best lap time on it to 1:32:1. As I have mentioned
in other reports, the SV really makes me pay attention to
the details of my riding because it's so sensitive to them.
I notice the smallest things adding up to better and more
efficient laps. Despite a serious headwind that was definitely
costing me time, I just focused on hitting my marks and using
more of the bikes potential through key sections of the track.
Despite a few mistakes I was able to build a small gap that
I luckily held to the end.
Thanks again to everyone that is involved
in our race program. We wouldn't be doing it without you.
Stay tuned
The next few weeks are busy ones with James
& Lidia getting married - I'm actually MC'ing the wedding
(insert evil laugh), and Karla and I will be celebrating our
10th anniversary about the same time Kodi rolls another digit
on her age. I can't believe she's turning seven. WOW time
flies.
We might attend the PSSR
track day early in July and then we're set to appear in Portland
on the 1st of August.
See you then - Stay tuned!
Oliver
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