Race Report

I’m breaking records in every aspect this year! Even for the longest time between race weekend and race report! Especially considering that I’ve got nothing but good news to report, you’d think I’d be all over that. I’m going to bring you way back to the double header weekend of the last two rounds of the WMRC season.....

Saturday morning rolls around and we’re getting all set up. I’ve got a total of 4 races over the course of the weekend, and I need to make some solid finishes in order the secure the overall championship and #1 plate for the 2010 season. Coming into the weekend I hold the points lead, but because I missed round 1 of the championship due to a conflict I only had a small lead.

Race #1 rolls around and I’m hoping to kick the weekend off with a win. Well, my competitor Ken Lalonde had some plans of his own! He came out of the gate running really strong, and I simply didn’t have anything for him that race. I don’t know if I had to blow some cobwebs out of the system, or what exactly, but best I could do was 2nd. He got a gap on me in the first 1.5 laps, I held it from there, but couldn’t bring him back to me.

I had my goals set up for race #2. I couldn’t afford to finish 2nd all weekend, that wouldn’t be enough to secure the championship, so it was time to pull my head out and twist the grip. I got the start I was looking for, established a small lead in the middle of the race, and won by a safe margin at the end. This race was really big for me, as the way the points worked out, it allowed me some breathing room for the two races the next day.

I had a good night’s rest, and was all prepped for the last day of racing at Mission Raceway Park for 2009. The bike was working well, and I was amped to get things going.

The way the points were laid out between myself and Kenny I could finish 2nd and 3rd to secure the #1 plate, but not 3rd and 3rd. Interesting fact is that the only other racer that runs the pace of Kenny and I is Kenny’s teammate Mark Kruger. My intentions for the day were pretty obvious. Get my second place done early in the day, then coast home in third for the afternoon, all the while leaving the biggest safety margin on the table as possible. I raced hard through the year to establish the lead, especially considering I started with such a deficit of missing the entire first round of races, and wanted to take full advantage of that points lead – by riding as safely as possible to secure the plate.

Drama hit hard Sunday morning though, as best laid plans are often the ones to not be followed. When they dropped the flag for Race #3 for the weekend things were working well. Ken was leading, I was running a safe 2nd with Ken’s teammate Mark right behind me. We were running a moderate pace, and when I got the white flag indicating we were on the last lap I knew things would go my way. Turns 1, 3 and 7 are the only real passing opportunities at Mission (for position anyway, lapping is another story), so I knew I had to get into those sections well, and the rest would be history. You can imagine my surprise when I get T-boned in turn 5! I’m steering for the outside of the track with my rear tire kicked out due to the impact, hoping I can keep it on two wheels. The push stopped for just a short while, the bike came into line, and I thought I’d just go around the outside of the turn and give up the position. Well, the push comes back – and hard! The back gets swung back out again as I’m basically falling off the inside of the bike. I’m sideways headed for the gravel and can now hear the unmistakeable sound of fibreglass on asphalt, as Mark’s now crashed and his bike continues to shove me to the outside. I rode it right off of the track and into the gravel before the wheels finally came back into line. I gathered things back up, hit the throttle, and maintained my position to finish second in the race. Obviously I wasn’t pleased about the whole deal. Thankfully, people maintained reason through the whole ordeal though, and I got through it unscathed. Enough said.

Race #4 was a snoozer. I could finish as low as 3rd to bring it home. There was a red-flag and restart part way through the race, but other than that I just left a big safety margin on the table and brought it home in 2nd to secure the championship and the #1 plate once again for the WMRC Series.

For this one I want to say a huge thanks to my buddy Wayne Webster who’s come out to the races, twirled wrenches, and hung out with me for the last number of years. It’s pretty hard to find someone you can trust with your equipment and is fun to hang out with at the same time. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all your help over the years, Wayne. Also, many thanks to my friends at Suzuki and specifically Orca Bay Suzuki. I’m very grateful for your support over the last number of years, and I wouldn’t be where I am today as a racer and champion without it. I also want to thank all the volunteers and organizers of the Westwood Motorcycle Race Club. You all really put on solid events. The club and members have been really understanding of the racer’s needs during times that could have gone a lot worse. I think back to the call of cancelling one of the last couple races for the day back in 2008. A wind storm spun up and dumped wet leaves all over the track. Another time when a sports car from the day prior puked oil all over the racing line – they made that race day into a practice day so people wouldn’t have to push any harder than they were comfortable doing. It’s very comforting to know that the organization you’re racing with is going to make the right call when the rider’s safety is potentially compromised. Thanks guys, and keep up the great work! Finally I want to thank all of my local sponsors from British Columbia. Flexi-Glass bodywork has been outfitting me with product for 6 years now. Trevor there has looked after me whenever I needed bodywork or painting done sometimes at a moment’s notice with tight deadlines. I can’t say enough, Trev. And also Jamie and crew at Pazzo racing. You’ve been very accommodating, and although I haven’t worked with you for quite as long – it hasn’t taken long to see how professional you run your program – and the quality of your products are second to none. To my boys at OGIO and Pow gloves: booyah!! The quality and style of your products speak for themselves, so I just want to give a huge thanks on the way you guys at Rampion have been looking after me. You’re good peeps.

Finally thanks to all my sponsors. You guys rule! Along with thanks, I also wish to congratulate you all on winning the WMRC Overall 2009 Championship along with me and again securing the #1 plate for the 2010 season!