Race Report

Well, 2009 is turning out to be a year of much unexpected change – but I’m pretty excited about it all, and quite looking forward to a fun filled year.

Since I stopped travelling the AMA National schedule full time about 5 years ago I’ve always had this concept where I was kicking things back a notch or two. Although my riding has never suffered, and my motivation has been as strong as ever, when you stop travelling as much for the races and also only compete at the second tier of racing in North America you can’t help but feel like you’ve backed off a bit. Whenever asked why I wasn’t racing the AMA’s for the past few years my answer was always something like “I’ve done that”, “I burned out on that”, or “I’d only do it again if the situation was just right”. Well, the situation is just right.

I was approached by Latus Motors to campaign the AMA Pro Racing Daytona Sportbike class on the Buell 1125R. When initially proposed the idea I have to admit I was a little sceptical. I’d spent my entire racing career on Japanese inline 4’s, and the idea of riding a big V-twin in competition was very foreign to me. However, after getting a chance to meet George Latus, realizing the professionalism and realistically positive foundation he was looking to build the team on, I became that much more interested. Then after chatting and getting a feel for the type of program he was looking to put together I really wanted to try the bike.

We did a couple pre-season tests at Fontana and Vegas to start getting the bikes working the way we’re going to need them to. I’ll say we found our share of bugs to work out, but we sure solved ourselves a lot of problems we would have had during race weekends. We have Mike Fitzgerald from Ohlins Suspension helping us get the bikes to handle, and Ronnie Saner from RSRacecraft looking after engine building and crewchief functions. My confidence in our efforts has been growing ever since I first met George Latus.

So there you have it. I’m once again travelling the AMA Circus. Keep in mind though; I haven’t turned my back on the other half of my program I’ll be running. I’m still on board with Suzuki Canada and will be competing locally in both the WMRC and OMRRA series aboard my 2008 GSXR 750 and 2009 GSXR 1000 which I’m soon to take delivery of. It should prove to be an interesting year to say the least. I’ll keep you up to speed throughout the year with my usual updates. Stay tuned, and wish me luck!!!!