Series: WMRRA
Date: May 23 - 24
Classes raced and results
600 Supersport - 4th
LW Superbike - 1st
600 Superbike - 2nd
MW GP Twins - 1st
This season is dedicated to the
memory of my friends, Mike Battle, Keith Pinkstaff and Duane
Grand -gone, but never forgotten.
Before I begin I want to congratulate Brian
Pinkstaff on his amazing performance at his first US National,
and to James Cyr, my past crew, who is now racing and won
his first ever race last weekend. Well done lads.
To all the US folks reading this - Happy Memorial
Day. I hope you enjoyed your long weekend.
Welcome back to Spokane. After a few years
absence on the WMRRA schedule due to "ownership and financial
challenges", we made our way east to this fast and flowing
track.
Practice went well and we found ourselves
on pace within a few laps.
Race one 600 SuperSport.
I did all right off the line and slotted into third behind
Mike Sullivan going into turn two. From here I pushed as hard
as I could but wasn't able to get by Mike or Aaron Guinn who
passed me right near the end to nick third from me. Fortunately
the race illustrated to me where we were lacking and after
discussing the deficiencies with Dan & Dale we made some
changes for the next day.
Race two - LW Superbike.
I got a horrible start in this one and found myself in third
going into turn two. Thanks to the outright speed of the SVZR,
I managed to draft into second pace by the end of the lap
and headed off to get the leader. In the process I managed
to pull a 1:33.9 on the SVZR, which actually surprised me
as I had talked to Dan earlier and even said I didn't think
I could do a 33. Now he'll expect those every lap. :o)
Race three - Part I and II
I did well in both restarts of this race to get into third
going into turn two. By the end of the first few laps I had
managed to get by Mike Sullivan and slot in behind the leader,
Eli Edwards. Unfortunately, the red flag flew two times and
they moved the remainder of our race to the end of the day.
Race three - GP Twins
I nailed the start of this one and managed to actually take
the lead going into turn two. From here I just put in some
clean, consistent laps and luckily managed to get the win.
I've got to say I was really enjoying my riding this weekend,
sliding around and playing a little. The SVZR also lets me
do this with relative ease.
Race three - the finale
After three hours of downtime waiting to get this race going
I was happy to hear the horn to grid up. I got a decent start
but struggled through the first two turns and found myself
just behind Mike Sullivan and Eli Edwards. I drafted Mike
down the straight and set off to get Eli. Honestly Eli's been
riding exceptionally well and I can't take anything away from
him, but I wasn't going to let this one go. I pushed hard
and came up on Eli. It was interesting to see his strengths
on certain sections of the track, and compare where I was
weaker or stronger. In the end I came up just short, but it
was one heck of a race with Sully right on my rear fender
the whole time.
Huge thanks to Tom Young and Pirelli, my family,
sponsors, and friends. Of course, a huge thanks to Dan, Dale
and the Zlock team.
Stay tuned, next race, next weekend.
Oliver
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