As you will read below, the weekend's results worked out quite well all things considered. I am now utalizing how a bike's suspension and geometry work together and how our adjustments can enable it to perform better in certain areas. This is something that only recently have I been able to do without the direct involvement of Dan. I understand how I can make a compromise in one area to see an improvement in another to set the bike up to work with me for "character" tracks like Mission.. What is ultimately happening is I'm riding more comfortably than ever, while still setting lap record times, and having fun.

Notes on Practice
Weather conditions - Damp with oil patches - limited lines around the track
Tires front / rear - soft front - medium rear
Total laps - 4
Best time - N/A
Concerns/problems - The track is in terrible condition as the drag cars from the day before spread oil all throughout the back section.
Notes: Noticed that the suspension is bottoming out a little early for the pace we were running so we added a turn of spring up front to help keep it off the bottom.

Notes on heat race
Weather conditions - Cool but dry
Tires front / rear - soft front - medium rear
Total laps - 4
Best time - 1:11.8
Result - 1st
Concerns/problems - Broke my shifter halfway through the race
Notes: I got a decent start, but Allan, Steve, and Mark managed to get off the line a little better (as they have standard transmissions). I saw Steve and Mark both make mistakes on the brakes entering turn one forcing Allan wide. Naturally, I took advantage of the situation and stuffed it up the inside. From there I just set off to do consistent laps and took the win.

Race 1 - Super Bike Race 1
Weather conditions - Cool but dry
Tires front / rear - soft front - medium rear
Total laps - 8
Best time - 1:10.8 - One tenth off my lap record
Result - 2nd
Concerns/problems - None
Notes: I got another decent start but ended up behind Mark and Allan going into turn one. Al was on his GSXR 1000 and for the first few laps was putting on quite a show for me as he insisted on painting a black line the entire way around the track. One particular exit of turn three caught my attention as Al (while crossed up in a wheelie) leaned off the bike to the right while the rear tire was spinning and starting to smoke. If only I had a video camera mounted. Unfortunately Al got caught out going into turn one and tucked the front just a lap later (thankfully unhurt). Meanwhile, I managed to catch up to Mark in the lead and on the last lap put a pass on him going into turn three. Unfortunately for me the front tucked slightly and Mark was able to retake the position and hold it to the flag. A close race.

Race 2 - 600 Supersport
Weather conditions - Warm dry
Tires front / rear - soft front - medium rear
Total laps - 10
Best time - 1:11.1
Result - 2nd
Concerns/problems - None
Notes: I launched about as well as our 600 could but, again, due to the close ratio transmission, I was not able to lead into turn one. I ended up having a great battle with Al and found my way by him a few laps later. From here I set my sights on Mark who had unfortunately gotten a small gap from Al and I. In the end I wasn't able to make the ground back to Mark and held second to the checkered.

Race 3 - Super Bike Race 2
Weather conditions - Warm dry
Tires front / rear - soft front - soft rear
Total laps - 10
Best time - 1:10.8 - One tenth off my lap record
Result - 2nd
Concerns/problems - None
Notes: I started well, but again, but was not able to lead into turn one. I ended up behind Mark on his 600 and Al on his 1000. Al's 1000 was giving him fits again and I was lucky enough to take advantage of a slide he had to take position and set after Mark. Unfortunately, Mark had gotten a rather good gap but I put my head down and proceeded to reel him in. Sure enough, by the last lap I had made up the four second gap and was within striking distance. Unluckily I ran out of laps as Mark held me off to the line. Just one more lap… :o)

From here I have just two days off and then I'm headed down to Oregon for a US National SuperMoto race. To be honest, I can't wait to get down there to see some old friends, make some new ones, and race some hard core SuperMoto. Let the sliding begin.

Stay tuned

Oliver

Please click on image to enlarge
All action shots courtesy of Hugh Jervis

Our Pits	Jay & James	Our 600
Our 600	Mike Naphan	"Lollie"
Mark "Sparky" Burgess	Jay, James & I	Poking some fun at the new WMRC rules requiring stock exhaust systems
I actualy caught them working :o)	Posers	A "little" fan
	The podium	Sunset on the drive home