Race Report

They say that for every good day of racing, it takes three bad ones. I've been doing this for a little while and I think it's a pretty accurate ratio. Well, I just had one of those good weekends, and I'm just hoping those bad ones are ones I've already had.

I got the holeshot and led all the laps of both the 600 supersport and superbike races to qualify on pole for both those events. The big bike has been naughty. Instead of "The Thousand", we refer to it as "Das Tdowsant" now. I think it needs some new fluid in the shock as it bucks wildly whenever I try to really spin up the rear tire down the long driving section out of T9 in Portland. I fought that situation all day without being able to correct it with the adjusters. It never used to do that, so I'm guessing that is it's way of declaring it's time for some shock maintenance. Best I could do with it were second and third place qualifying efforts in the morning.

Open Supersport was the first race of the afternoon, and the bike handled predictably to bring me around for a second place finish. Although I'm racing Das Tdowsant at the Suzuki paying OMRRA events, I still do not consider it my "racebike". I'm more focused on riding the 600, and I'm happy to float around safely on the big bike just to win some Suzuki money.

600 Supersport was next, and the first race that I am taking seriously. I got the holeshot and led into turn one. I maintained my lead for the duration of the shortened race. There was a red flag just after the halfway flags, so I was awarded the win. I really needed this win, as it was a Yamaha day and I've dug myself into a pretty good financial hole from Daytona and Fontana. I was very happy to take the win, but the mood was still all business.

The next event (Open Superbike) was again on "Das Tdowsant". Not really toomuch exciting to report on here. I struggled with the rear set-up for 10 laps in a row. There were three of us in the lead pack, but I really didn't have an answer for them. I finished 3rd.

Finally we take to the grid for the 600 Superbike race. I have really been feeling comfortable on the 600 since Fontana. The steering and front end grip of the R6 just makes me feel so confident. In a way it's almost bad, because I would be very disappointed in anything but a win on it. Luckily I didn't need to deal with that again this time. Some of the glory was taken out of the win this time though. My toughest competitor (and one of my closest friends), Matt Zurbuchen, had something go wrong with his transponder in the qualifying heat. Although he qualified second right next to me, they had him gridded at the back of the grid. I filed into T1 in second position. Halfway through the first lap I went to the front and quickly strung out a huge lead. I took a look back at half race distance, saw the size of my lead, and just coasted around after that.

Overall it was a very successful weekend. I badly needed a financial shot in the arm. Those race wins are going to make a big difference in my race program for the next couple events. Both Ron (from Ron's Performance Motors) and I feel that the only reason my bike is down on power must be the exhaust system. I sort of promised myself that if I won both the 600 races this weekend I was going to use some of the money for a new system. Hopefully it can save me money in the long run by removing the need to ride over my head to win at all costs (which I've sort of grown a reputation for).

A very special thanks goes out to Oxtar boots and Held gloves. Having the best foot and hand protection is critical. The best quality I find in the Oxtars and Helds is that the feel, control, and mobility are the best out there without any compromise in protection.

Thanks for keeping up with the excitement. It's nice to report on so much success. Keep posted for my report on the next round of adventures.