Race Report

Well, I’ve been on a few winning streaks during the course of my racing career, but I can’t say that I’ve started the season quite like this one until now. Eight main event starts and eight wins. It always feels good to start the year strong. I set the stage down in Portland the other weekend winning all four classes by decisive margins, but was pretty sure that I’d have my work cut out for me at Mission.

The Saturday practice was supposed to be rained out (if you believe a forecaster). Plus I didn’t have my stuff quite in order just yet, so I arrived at the track Saturday afternoon to drop off my trailer. The weather was nice, everyone was practicing, and I showed up too late to join the party. I guessed at some gearing, left the suspension alone, and figured I’d try to work my stuff out during the morning qualifying heats.

The Pro 600 Supersport heat was first. I ended up in the lead on the first lap, but wasn’t sure of my pace. Oli Jervis passed me for the lead and began to run a bit quicker. I upped my game and followed him for most of the 4 laps before passing just before the end of the lap to secure pole for the main that afternoon. The pace felt quite slow, and I expected that the main would be much more work.

My Pro Open Supersport heat race was a bit embarrassing. For some silly reason I felt like I could count to four while riding my motorcycle. Apparently I can’t, and should leave the counting to the people with the flags. On top of that I should maybe watch the flags a little closer as I was sure the heat was over at the end of the third lap. I guess they waived the white, but I must not have been looking too closely and shut ‘er down. It wasn’t for another 2/3 of a lap before I realized everyone else was still going for it. I ended up 4th in the heat and gridded on the outside of row 2 for the main. Doh!

I was gridded on row 4 for the first Pro Superbike main in the afternoon. It’s quite a large field and a short, tight entry into the first turn. I was a little concerned about being wedged into the middle of such a large pack. It only takes one bonehead to ruin quite a few peoples’ day when you’re in that situation. Turned out everyone kept their cool and I made it through the first turn in 6th or 7th. Over the course of the next 4 or 5 laps I picked my way to the front. It took me a while to get there as I was still becoming comfortable with the track and the pace. The 750 was working awesome though, and the brakes felt like dynamite. I’ve got the front ends of my bikes dialled in just right, where they remain incredibly planted even when braking quite hard leaned over. Once I took the lead I worked a small gap and won without contest.

The Pro 600 Supersport event was much the same as the first Superbike main. I didn’t get the best start again, but found myself behind Oliver with a little gap ahead of us to the leader. Oli was running a strong pace and closing on the leader so I just stayed with him and let him take me forward. It was early in the race and, although there was a healthy gap to the lead, it was obvious we were going to close it with time to spare. One lap the lead shrunk to almost nothing by the time we hit the front straight. I was sure Oli was going to pass for the lead and I didn’t want a slower bike to get between us to allow him a chance to gap me. I charged hard into the braking section headed for T1 in anticipation of following Oli through in his pass. He didn’t quite try it, and I had to do something with all the speed I had now! I was in a situation where if I kept trying as hard as I could to brake, Oli wouldn’t see me and would turn in on my front wheel without knowing it. That wouldn’t be good for either of us, so I let off the brake to ensure I got along side him. Even if I didn’t make the turn, at least he wouldn’t be unknowingly taken out. Turns out I had something left as I was able to get it slowed with only barely running wide. I actually made the pass stick. Whoops, ……..but cool! I went on to take the lead later in that lap and stretch out a gap to win by a safe margin.

The Pro Open Supersport race is one I’d like to forget. The centre nut on my top triple clamp came undone and nullified the effects of my GPR dampener, but I didn’t know that’s what happened until I pulled into the pits. The bike was headshaking quite violently in a few sections of the track. I checked to see that the dampener was adjusted to the correct setting, and it was, but I couldn’t tell that it was just staying still whenever I turned the bars! Despite all this I worked my way up from the second row into 3rd, then 2nd, then the lead by around the halfway flag. I immediately stretched out a nice secure little gap. That was until I met a backmarker in a bad way going into the fastest turn on the track. A judgement error on my fault had me going up the inside of him while he took a tighter entry than I thought he would. The closing speed was tremendous and I hit his knee with my right handlebar. This cranked my bars all the way to the right (the turn goes left), cranked my front brake on full, and twisted my front end all up in the triple clamps. Now, don’t forget that I don’t have a functioning steering dampener at this point either! The ensuing headshake speedwobble while headed for the grass was not very graceful I’m sure. I gripped with everything I was worth to keep the bars from getting ripped out of my hands. I managed to gather it up and actually even stayed on the pavement, but gave up two positions in the process. Despite my bent front end and screwed up head I was able to regain the lead in short order and again win by a safe margin. I got a chance to speak with the lapped rider after the event. I apologized profusely and was very pleased to see he was laughing about the whole incident. It worked out OK, but I take this stuff very seriously. It is always the responsibility of the overtaking rider to ensure a safe pass. Judgement calls go bad sometimes, but it’s still a situation not to be taken lightly.

And finally the second Pro Superbike main is the only event that lacked any real drama. I got the holeshot after starting from pole position and put my head down for about 4 laps trying to make sure I broke away from any competitors that were trying to come with me. It worked, and after that I settled into a steady pace that allowed me to work through the lappers without incident and still win with room to spare.

Another flawless weekend to start the race season. This one was smattered with just a tad bit more drama, but hey. It was fun getting the practice of working through the field. I feel as though my riding is as strong as ever right now. I’m really jiving with the combination of the GSXR’s quick handling and strong drive off the turns and the super fast turning profile on the new Pirelli DOT tire and awesome driving grip from the rear. It’s a very strong combination that I’ve got a feel for now. It’s going to take a strong competitor to beat me when I’m on my game. I look forward to the continued challenge.

I’m racing the RMZ-250 in a motocross/woods event in a couple weekends. I’m really looking forward to it, as the last time out on my dirtybike we practically made sweet love. I’m having just too much fun on that dirtbike. I can’t wait to see how I match up against some of the best around here. I just wish I could get my steering dampener on it for this event! The mounting kits aren’t quite available just yet, and my riding style leans heavily on the function of a dampener. We’ll see though. After this past weekend I’m a little more practiced at riding without one. I suppose if I had to train myself how to get by without one – riding the GSXR750 with 14-47 (read: super low) gearing at a stop and go track like Mission Raceway would be a pretty good start!