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Series: WMRRA
Date: June 10th - 11th
Classes raced and results
600 Superbike - 3rd
600 Supersport
- 2nd
Before I begin, I need to thank some people for their efforts
this weekend. First, I have to thank the Gua family for their
always amazing hospitality and friendship. I also want to
thank Dan, Dale and the team for all they do.
Notes on practice:
I don't know what it was, as it seems hard to explain in
words, but I just felt completely at home on the bike during
the two practice sessions on Saturday. I was so pumped just
to be riding around Pacific Raceway, and with the bike running
incredibly strong it was wheelieing over the crest out of
turn four in my very own "Kodak moment". It just
felt great to be alive and going fast.
Race 1 - 1st start
600 SuperSport
Weather conditions - warm & dry
Tires front / rear - soft dot front - medium dot rear
Total laps - 1/3
Result - 3rd
Notes: I was gridded on the 8th row alongside Mike Sullivan
in a field of 59 riders. We were so far back because WMRRA
arranges their grids based on the points that you have in
that respective class, and as I didn't have any, and for some
reason Mike didn't either, we were at the back of the pack.
Right from the start this race had carnage written all over
it. For some reason the guy two rows up from us left his bike
in neutral on the start and almost collected several of us
as we went by. Then the absolute worst thing happened - as
I hit the small bump on the exit of turn two the bike went
into what I thought was a false neutral. When I selected the
next ratio I knew things were not right as the bike didn't
accelerate. Somehow our chain had derailed and I was helpless
and without power. This was a very dangerous situation. I
threw my hand in the air to warn the dozens of riders behind
me, but it was too late. Nanoseconds later I felt a bike slam
into the rear of mine sending the poor guy (Troy) smashing
down on the ground (unfortunately he broke his collarbone
in the crash). I looked back in horror as dozens of bikes
scattered everywhere to avoid the carnage, while I could do
nothing but attempt to pull off the race line. Quite a sickening
feeling I assure you. Somehow I didn't fall off and managed
to keep the bike on two wheels. Unfortunately, several other
riders weren't so lucky, and as a result WMRRA had to postpone
the race until later that day.
Race 2
600 Superbike
Weather conditions - warm & dry
Tires front / rear - soft dot front - medium dot rear
Total laps - 10
Result - 3rd
Notes: This was definitely a better race for us. I got
a decent start from row three and worked my way into second
position by lap two. Eli Edwards had gotten a fantastic start
and had gapped us by about three seconds, so I put in some
quick laps to hopefully reel him in. Unfortunately for Eli,
he tucked the front going into turn six (thankfully unhurt)
handing me the lead. From here it became a three way dog fight
between Mike Sullivan, Brian Mussleman and me. We traded positions
throughout the race but on the last lap Brian managed to squeeze
by me going into turn three. I decided to be a little patient
and just pressure him for the remaining lap hoping he might
make a small mistake. He did going into the last turn, however,
when he shot back onto the track to correct he ended up right
in front of me. My options were to either hit him and take
us both out or take action to avoid an accident. Obviously
I took the latter, but in the meantime Mike, the ever opportunistic
veteran he is, shot through on the exit taking the win while
I was suddenly relegated to third. Ahhhh racing. One second
you're leading the race, the next you're licking your wounds
with a third on the podium. :o)
Race 1 - restart
600 Superbike
Weather conditions - warm & dry
Tires front / rear - soft dot front - medium dot rear
Total laps - 10
Result - 2nd
Notes: This was by far the best race of the day for us.
Mike and I were again on the eighth row with nothing but a
good start on our minds. I got the best start of my life and
was in second place by the end of lap three creeping up on
Eli Edwards who once again got a phenomenal start and a small
gap. Unfortunately for Eli, he tucked the front going into
turn six (again thankfully unhurt) handing me the lead. From
here it came down to another battle with my good old dancing
partner Mike Sullivan. I know I've said it before in other
reports, but I love racing against Mike. With his years of
experience the guy just knows what he's doing, and even when
we're both really fighting for a win, there are never any
close moments or dirty riding going on. Mike was able to pull
a slight gap on me, primarily on the exit of turn two, and
I was unfortunately unable to retaliate by the checkered.
Nonetheless, we were both surprised that we had made it to
the front from row eight.
In the end, I really needed this weekend to work on my riding.
Dan and I have noticed a few things that required improvement
and this weekend I was able to focus on a few of those areas.
Like everything else in life, my riding is constantly evolving
as I learn. It's an endless learning process which is part
of what I love about racing. There's always a challenge, and
you can always go faster.
From here I actually have next weekend off from racing so
I'm really looking forward to spending some time with my family
and going fly fishing. Right now nothing sounds better.
Next stop - Calgary for the National.
Stay tuned…
Oliver
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