Race Report

Aahhh, it's nice to write a report for a weekend where nothing went wrong. I'm hoping it's a trend that's going to continue well into the race season.

We did a little bit of practice on Friday afternoon trying a few different things. Even though it's the same bike that I rode here last year there were so many changes to it (new motor, new valving in the rear shock, etc.) that I spent most of my time trying to get gearing and suspension settings sorted out. The track was also very "green", as obviously there must not have been much rubber laid down on the racing line in the last while as the times were pathetically slow for everyone. We tested a new prototype clutch from SMI Motorsports as well, with partial success. It worked fairly well but needs some minor revisions. I look forward to using it in the future when we get all the bugs worked out.

Saturday went a little better with the lap times coming down a bit and getting a few tidbits sorted out with the suspension.

Raceday started out fairly well except for a few little generator/tire warmer problems that had me going out for a couple of qualifiers with cold tires. This isn't so bad as long as you know they're cold, but when you figure they're all warmed-up right up until the time you bend it into the turn, that gets your attention.

Not much to report on the morning qualifiers, I got the hole-shot in both of them, led all the laps, and took pole for both my mains in the afternoon.

750 Superbike was my first race in the afternoon. I messed up the start a little bit and gave the holeshot to my competitor, John Dugan. We circulated together for about 5 laps or so at a reasonable pace before I tried a couple of passing attempts. John was riding really well as the first couple of tries I made were unsuccessful. Finally on about lap 8 or so I drove up around the outside of John on the exit of turn 3, giving me the inside line for turn 4. John saw my position at the last second, and rather than tucking in behind me, let off the brakes to try to stay in front. It was a desperation move that was complicated by the fact that there was a lapper we were closing on very fast. The lapper was almost at the apex when John tried to go up underneath him. I'm not so sure if John intended on trying to pass him, or if he was forced into trying to pass him because of all the extra speed he was now carrying into the slowest turn on the track. Either way, it was obvious to me that it was not going to work. John's front wheel washed out, the two came together, and they both slid out of my way in a shower of sparks. I had a pretty good view of it. Some scrap of something even hit me in the facesheild! I took a long look behind to see there was no one in sight, and cruised to the easy win.

750 Supersport started out a little more to my favour, as I got the lead into turn one. Basically I just rode around the whole time, never looking back once. On lap 7 or 8 or something there was a red flag which stopped the race. I led all the laps and was awarded the win for the shortened race.

Formula Unlimited was the final event of the day. I did not have high hopes for this race, as there are many GSXR 1000's in the event that did not think I would be able to run with on my 750. My hopes were absolutely squashed on the starting grid where I made a total mess of the launch. I wheelied and tipped to one side, and while wrestling with the machine to get it straightened out without touching the front wheel down, I got it tipped the opposite way. I must have looked pretty silly. Finally I got it into second gear and thought the drama was over when it popped out of gear. I must not have gotten a full tug on the shifter while playing monkey on top of the bike. This KILLED my drive and about 3/4 of the field motored by on their 1000's. To make matters worse, everyone lined up side by side for the brakes for turn one and I could only pass 3 or 4 riders. I finished lap 1 in 5th place. The rider in front of me way loosing time to the lead group very fast and I had a tough time getting by due to the speed of his machine on the front straight. He made a mistake driving out of a turn that forced me to take evasive actions to miss him. By this time (I'm now in 4th place) the gap to 3rd was approximately 1/3 of the straightaway. I wouldn't even be in this race if it weren't for the fact that it was the only event that paid any money, and I have to pay the bills. I thought about just circulating in 4th to collect a cheque, but the racer got the better of me.

I decided to give it 3 laps to see if I was closing the gap to second and third at all. Sure enough I was. I kept charging and ended up getting the both of them a couple laps from the end. I ended up a surprising second place.

I feel great going into the next race at Sears Point. It feels good to get some miles behind me on my home track, get a couple wins under my belt, get the confidence up for the Nationals, and get used to how the bike feels at 10/10th's. I'm totally stoked for my trip to Sears, and look forward to painting some black lines out of the carousel there.

Of course, all of my sponsors are much appreciated, but for this event I'd like to give a special thanks to Pirelli Tires, SMI Motorsports, Gericke, and Helimot European Accessories. Watch for me at Sears - I'll keep it interesting .....