Race Report

You know, sometimes I think that my life used to be so much more simple. All that really mattered to me was my racing, and anything else in my life was so insignificant that it didn’t really matter what else happened. For you faithful readers, you’ll know that I went through quite a personal experience earlier this year. I feel as though I’ve learned a lot from that, and not the least of that is my awareness of the importance of other things in my life. Perhaps that’s not all good though, because what comes from that awareness is also the realization that my actions affect others.

The weekend started out absolutely great. I spent the day on Friday guest instructing for a PSSR track day. I thoroughly enjoy working with students that are so excited and energetic about roadracing, and the people that organize and run the PSSR days are a blast to work with. I had quite a bit of work to do on the bikes in between track sessions, so I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to ride or instruct. We didn’t end up getting out of the track until late, so it felt good to finally get to bed and try to rest up for the racing the next day.

Saturday morning started out the way that I usually like them to start out. I was on pole for all of my qualifiers in the morning, and I won them all to secure pole for the mains in the afternoon.

The weather was hot and sunny (but trust me, I’m not complaining), so I knew that it would be a physically draining afternoon. I enjoy doing all the riding of running four classes, but the schedule on this day had three of my races all happening with only a race between each of them. Not much time to rest if everything goes well, but far less time to do anything else if it doesn’t go well.

The first race of the afternoon was Open Superbike, and things didn’t go well. It was really unfortunate, as it was a very exciting race to compete in, and I’m sure it would have been a spectacle to witness as well. I spent most of the first 8 laps in the lead, but still went back and forth with one of my competitors. It was obvious that neither of us were going to get away on the other, so I knew it would come down to the last lap. I had a moment while in the lead and exiting the left hand turn 3 that I’ve never experienced anything quite like before in my roadracing career. While at max lean the back end came around so far that I was sure it was going to lowside on me, but it just hung out there though. The tire was howling, I did my best to keep the front tire pointed the right way, and I knew that one of two things was going to happen; either I was going to be on my ass in another second, or the tire was going to grab and I’d most likely be on my head in another second. I braced for the latter, in hopes that I could thwart Blitzkrieg’s efforts once again to end both of our lives. It grabbed and chucked me off the seat, but I just held on with everything I was worth. It worked. I lost the lead though, and also second place! I didn’t know there was another rider that had come with us. To start the last lap I was down in third and determined to win at all costs (like that’s something new). I made the pass for second into turn 1, and worked hard for the next three turns to try to close the gap to the leader before the end of the lap. I ran it into the tight right hand turn 4 a little deeper than the front tire could take though, and ended the race pulling grass out of the fairing. Dang it!

600 Superbike wasn’t anywhere near as dramatic. I got the holeshot, and spent the race building a huge lead to win easily. I’ve been trying the new super soft Pirelli Supercorsa tires on the 600 to see if they’re able to go the distance. They really are the trick, as I’m not able to break the rear tire loose at anything other than max lean even with full throttle. Racing with that tire on the back of my bike sure does make things easier. I’ll have them for Blitzkrieg for the next event as well. I really look forward to that.

After coming up short in my attempts to win the first Open race of the day, I was very set and determined to win Open Supersport. I held the lead for the most part during the race until we started getting into the backmarkers. At one point I went up the inside of someone when leaving turn 4 to start my drive onto the back straightaway. I have a feeling that was a pivotal moment as it would have been very hard to follow me through at that location. Then, for my competitor to have to follow a backmarker through that section while I was full throttle, starting my drive, would be disastrous for track position. I took a look back with a lap or two to go and I knew that the race would be mine. It really felt good to win that one.

The 600 Supersport race was the last of the day, and pretty much a repeat of the 600 Superbike race held earlier. I got the holeshot and stretched out a large lead to win easily; Always a nice way to end a raceday. I love to win all my races, but at least being able to win the last three of four feels great. Basically, every time I stayed on two wheels I won. Including the qualifiers that morning I took 7 out of 8 chequered flags.

It was my buddy Connor Gabbott’s birthday that same night. That coupled with the fact we raced on the Saturday, and had nothing to do but drive home the next day, spelt trouble for me that night. I'm still not sure what exactly came over me that night. I’d like to recall more of it, but that’s not possible. I do remember hassling bicycle cops downtown, flinging my sandals through traffic, arguing with the security guard that wouldn’t let me sleep on a bench, and parts of the fact that I acted like a total ass to somebody that I care very much about. Parts I don’t remember that I’ve heard about include willfully smashing numerous glasses in the bar, refusing to walk or move downtown, a piggyback ride that went for blocks, throwing stuff around a hotel room, and more of making an ass out of myself embarrassing somebody that I care very much about.

Although I’ve been told there was quite a lot of comedy in my actions from that night, I still feel terrible about anybody’s feelings that I might have hurt. I can’t say what was or wasn’t going through my head, mostly because I don’t remember it, but I do realize that I’ve had my share of emotional problems over the last little while, and I have a feeling that there’s still some things bothering me that I thought were dealt with.

I got news the next day that my dog Photon had been in a fight with another dog. She’s a beagle, not much of a fighter, and I’m confident in saying she didn’t start it. She’s not doing so well right now. She’s got multiple deep bite wounds all over her body, but mostly on her rear end. I have no idea how many stitches she has, 5 surgical drains, a lot of her has been shaved, and she’s of course wearing a cone that she hates very much. She’s eating and drinking though, and most of her functions seem to be working. I feel that she will be alright, but it’s still too early to tell for sure. Couple all this with the fact that I’ve got the most tremendous head cold ever, and things aren’t that great for me right now.

Finally, to end, I’d like to thank some people that have been outstanding in helping me through things. GPR Stabilizers make a product that saved my ass exiting turn 3 on Saturday. That will not be forgotten any time soon. Suzuki has been great to me from day 1 this year, and I’m truly happy that I’ve been able to provide some great results and good times for them through the season. Gateway Powersports are behind me, and racing in general, 100%. Ron’s Performance Motorcycles puts the motors together for us, and they’ve been fast and reliable. Of most importance I want to thank my family, who not only have supported me whenever I need assistance working through things, but also playing nurse for my dog while I’m temporarily homeless and living out of my truck and hotel rooms. You guys rule.

Thanks to all you faithful readers out there. If you don’t get a chance to see me ride Blitzkrieg, then I hope I can provide some alternate entertainment for you through the reports. Stay tuned.