Series: WMRRA
Date: Aug 9th - 10th
Classes raced and results
600 Supersport - 1st
LW Superbike - 1st
600 Superbike - 2nd
MW GP Twins - 5th
WOW! Yet another action packed
weekend that had the ups and downs of racing. In the end we
had a successful weekend despite some unexpected challenges
with the SV. As always, I need to thank Dan & the team
for all they do, along with the Gua's for their amazing hospitality
and friendship.
Notes on practice:
Practice was uneventful as I only did a few laps on each bike
to make sure things were working well.
Race 1
600 SuperSport
Weather conditions - cool & dry, then wet
Pirelli Tires front / rear - soft dot front - med dot rear
Total laps - 5
Result - 1st
As we did the sighting lap for this race I saw rain coming
on the horizon. I knew we might only get in a few laps before
it rained, so I really put in a fast first lap and luckily
lead the field for the first three laps. By this time it was
raining steadily in turns two, three, and four. Eli got by
me on the brakes going into turn two, but got caught out in
turn three and crashed (thankfully unhurt) in turn three.
From here I just crawled around and managed to keep the bike
upright to take our first 600 victory of the year - finally!
Race 2
600 SuperBike
Weather conditions - warm & dry
Tires front / rear - soft dot front - soft dot rear
Total laps - 10
Result 2nd
I got another decent start in this one and managed to slot
in right behind Eli. From here it became an absolute scrap
as we dipped into some pretty decent lap times. Not much else
to report, other than Eli had my number today. We'll see what
we can do to remedy that in the future, but my hat is off
to him. He rode an awesome race. Also, Mike Sullivan, a usual
suspect in these races, wasn't directly in the mix because
his "A" bike was out of action. Despite that, he
broke the track record this weekend on his 1000. Well done
Mike, a 1:24.917 is now the mark to beat!
Race 3
650 GP Twins
Weather conditions - warm & dry
Tires front / rear - soft front - soft rear
Total laps - 8
Result - 1st
I got a really good start and managed to lead the field into
turn one. From here I just set about hitting my marks and
riding the bike as cleanly as I could. Unfortunately, near
the end of the race, the bike started to misfire and I started
to worry that it wouldn't finish the race. Luckily, it did
and I managed to keep my lead for the win.
Race 4
Middle Weight Superbike
Weather conditions - warm & dry
Tires front / rear - soft dot front - soft dot rear
Total laps - 8
Result - 5th
With the SV superbike not running correctly, Dan opted to
have me ride Kevin Pinkstaff's Supersport SV. The team quickly
changed the tires, shift linkage and generally got the bike
ready for me to race. With cheeky smiles on their faces, they
said I had the warm-up lap to figure the thing out. I did
my best to learn the bike's character on the sighting lap,
but I have to say I've become accustomed (read spoiled) to
a certain level of performance in the engine and chassis department.
Kevin's bike, being supersport, featured stock forks and brakes.
So that, and a host of other things, leads me to a whole bunch
of excuses. I rode the bike as hard as I dared seeing at it
was Kevin's. On the fifth lap Kevin's brother Brian drafted
by me on the front straight and I actually got to ride with
the little bugger for a few laps. Don't worry Kevin, I re-passed
him a few laps later but that kid brother of yours does a
good job on a motorcycle. Anyway, I had absolutely nothing
for the lead riders in this one and was drafted for fourth
at the finish line handing me a big dinner plate of humble
pie. Congrats to the racers that worked me in this one. We'll
get the SV sorted out for the next round and then payback
will be my dessert.
Thanks again to everyone that is involved
in our race program. We wouldn't be doing it without you.
Now I have a few weeks off to train and spend
time with the kids. Looking forward to coming back relaxed,
focused and, most importantly, on form.
Stay tuned
Next Race - Seattle Aug 30th - 31st.
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