Race Report

Round 4 of the WMRC had us all show up to Mission Raceway Park for what looked to be a perfect day of racing. Unfortunately bad luck was the phrase of the day, and not just for me.

Since we had precious little time, and a “blowed-up” 750, the easiest way for me to get back in the game was to get a new bike. Thankfully Suzuki is behind me, and the guys at Orca Bay Suzuki in Port Coquitlam, B.C. are keeping me outfitted with the best equipment available – Suzuki’s dominant GSXR 750. I rode the bike home one day, began stripping it down in the garage, and showed up at the track 3 days later ready to race. Well, mostly.

Mission Raceway is located in a semi-residential area, with some extremely vocal residents. The ability of the club to operate is contingent on all bikes staying under a very low dB limit. Stock mufflers are mandatory, and sometimes require some mods to make fit. I made one such mod in my garage hoping it would work, as we didn’t have any practice time to work out any bugs. It fell apart on the second lap of the only warm-up we get for the day.

We re-attached this muffler pipe again using some more springs and wire and headed out for the first qualifier. It fell apart in the first turn. OK, I’ll have to start from last in that main event. Problem is: now I’ve only gone 2.5 laps on a track with a new configuration, and the next race I’m in doesn’t have a qualifier. It’s split between two heats that both count as main events.

During lunch we spend quite a bit more time ensuring the pipe will stay secured. We didn’t do a very good job apparently. I took the lead early in the first Pro Superbike event and began turning some quick laps. I set the new Mission Raceway Park lap record in the process at a 1:08.160 in one of the early laps before the muffler came apart once again, costing me my lead and the win. At this point I’m ready to freak out.

And freak out we did, on making sure this muffler didn’t come apart again. I should have taken a picture of all the wire and springs and clamps we hung off the thing. Talk about overkill………….but it stayed on…………

Next event was the Pro Open Supersport race, which I had to start from last cause of the earlier botched qualifier. I got off the line OK, and quickly was into second place. The races were all shortened to 4 laps due to a large number of crashes and red flags that caused huge delays in the schedule. On the first lap I screwed up the entrance to the new section of track and it cost me several bike lengths. I reeled the leader back in during the second lap, but repeated my mistake exactly (apparently the lack of practice is now showing). Now we’re already seeing the halfway flags and I still have a big gap to make up! Further – we’re going to get the last lap flag on the next lap! I keep my cool the next time around and am able to follow close enough through the new section to complete a pass at the end of the front straightaway. I pulled out a lead in the last lap to win comfortably. Sheesh! Finally!!

The second Pro Superbike went like clockwork. I took the lead early in the event and stretched it out further and further as the race wore on to secure the win.

In the end I showed my abilities, but it sure was a frustrating road to success I’ll tell you. Coupled with the previous event at PIR going wrong with my crash and the motor failure I was ready for a turning of the tides. It took longer than I thought it would, but hopefully luck is now shining on me, instead of doing other nasty things on me…….

Big thanks to the guys at Cascade Tracktime for pulling a couple key parts off of my bike to get the new 08 working properly. Also of course Suzuki and Orca Bay Suzuki for being there whenever I’m in a pinch. I’m probably the least “needy” of a rider anyone can imagine, but it’s nice to know I’ve got the support when I’m in a bind. Next event is a double organization race weekend – Saturday race in Portland, drive Sunday, Monday race in Mission, B.C. Wish me luck and stay tuned………….