Series: WMMRA
Date: April 3 - 4

Classes raced and results
600 Supersport - 3rd
LW Superbike - 1st
600 Superbike - 3rd
MW GP Twins - DNF (Mechanical)

This season is dedicated to the memory of my friends Mike Battle, Keith Pinkstaff and Duane Grand - gone, but never forgotten.

Welcome to a new season of racing! It seems like it's been quite a while since I last wrote a race report, and there is a lot to update you on. We've certainly been productive in preparing for our 2009 season. In the sponsorship department I'm thrilled to announce some new support coming onboard. First up is that I'm now managed, and I'm not referring to my darling bride Karla either. Rocket Moto Group (RMG), based out of California, has taken on the daunting task of managing my racing career and sponsorship commitments. Owners Shaunn and Rob are exactly what we need to keep pushing our racing to the highest level possible. To say I'm excited with this new relationship and where it will take us is an understatement. In other news, Clearly Lasik, a company specializing in laser vision correction, has also joined our lineup of sponsors. And wouldn't you know it; they worked on my eyes as well giving me better than 20/20 vision. Amazing! So a huge thanks to Dr. King and the staff based in Victoria for making such an amazing improvement in my life. Also, as I mentioned in my off-season update, the Victoria business Lifestyle Markets has come on board assisting me with the nutritional supplies needed to be in top form. This combined with my trainer Dawn's motivation and guidance has me in possibly the best shape of my life.

I have so many people to thank that I'll save it for the end of the report so you can get right into the details of the race weekend.

Ahh… the preparation.
Believe it or not getting a new model race ready, in this case Kawasaki's rather potent ZX6R, is one of the most stressful times for the race team. Sure, it's exciting for me because it is the latest and greatest machinery, but behind the scenes things get a little tense. The team has to deal with a new, un-developed machine and we have to push our suppliers to get basic racing parts. I'm referring to the great people behind us like Hindle Exhausts, who sent us one of the first systems they made, and FlexiGlass bodywork that literally worked day and night for a week to get us bodywork for the first round. It goes way beyond just these two examples, but it certainly is worth mentioning how much harder everyone works with a new motorcycle, so a huge thanks from me is in order.

Notes on practice
Practice was a hurried affair as we only had two, fifteen minute sessions to get our brand new ZX6R dialed in for the 600 races that day. Not too much time seeing as we hadn't turned a wheel on this particular motorcycle. Nonetheless, Dan, Dale and I used the time to get our 600 pretty close in terms of how I felt we needed it for the race. As for the SV, well, it felt as though I hadn't even been away from her for a few months. Within three laps I went within a second of my best time on the bike, and it felt really good to ride a bike in anger and push some Pirelli tires. It really had been too long.

Race 1 600 Supersport
I got a decent start but found myself ultimately in my finishing position going into turn two. Eli Edwards and Mike Sullivan were setting the pace and we had certainly missed the set-up to stay with them to challenge for position. No excuses, though I felt we did alright considering the lack of time on the bike. Afterwards we met with Pirelli's Kevin Graham and Tom Young to discuss some of the challenges I experienced. With their input Dan and I came up with a host of changes to test on the bike.

LW Superbike
I really messed up the start and went into turn two in second place. It got even more pathetic when I missed my downshift going into turn three and found myself in fourth with a gaggle of bikes right on my tail section. Determined to improve on this I made a push to the front and managed to get there by the end of the lap. Then I made another mistake (you'd think I would learn by now) and missed my downshift going into turn two. The resulting coast through the first part of the turn saw me relegated, yet again, to second place. At this point I was a bit fed up with my sloppy riding and got down to the business of putting in some clean laps. Luckily I managed to get away and win the race.

600 Superbike
With the previous days 600 race still in my mind I was quite determined to improve upon our third place. Alas, it was not to be. The changes we made worked, and we were able to go consistently quicker, but our competition in Eli and Sully had also improved and they were too strong for us today. Trust me, we'll keep chipping away until we can challenge for the wins!

MW GP Twins
I actually managed to break the SVZR, not intentionally mind you, but it seems the crank had had enough of my antics and let go just past the half way mark of the race. So with that I must apologize to Dan and the team as I've now given them a considerable amount of work to do before the next round, which is next weekend in Portland. Sorry lads.

Next up is Portland for round one of the OMRRA series. Stay tuned. You know I'll keep you posted.

Oliver

Thank you
I don't know where to begin really, but here are some specific thank yous to folks and companies that really went above and beyond for us already this year.

Pirelli - Tom and Kevin and the entire crew in Rome, GA. Thanks for your continued support of us. Looking forward to this year and representing you to the fullest.

Hindle Exhaust - Lee, I can't thank you enough for always coming through for us. Your systems are phenomenal in the power they make along with the fit and finish.

FlexiGlass - Trev, you're a stud! Not much else to add other that we appreciate all your efforts in making amazing bodywork.

EBC Brakes - Garry Gallagher, I don't know what we would do without you. You're the best in the business for getting us the best brakes on the planet.

R-Tech - Gary, thank you for always taking care of us with your awesome fuel.