5
It’s tough to begin this one. Hopes were very high for this season. The bike was fresh, the plan was fresh, and as a rider I was more prepared than ever. The weekend started well. I arrived Thursday night, and unpacked. The goal of Friday practice was to shake off the cobwebs and not crash. In fact, not crashing and self control were on my mind the entire weekend. I skipped the first session and completed the remainder of the practices of the day. the bike felt good, if not a little slippery, but I assumed it was because of the cold.
Amateur GTL:
This is probably my favorite race. It was shortened to only 20 minutes because of the cold, and I was indifferent to that change. I got a good start and held first place for a few laps. Brian 345 passed me, followed by Kyle 609 and I fell into a slow rhythm trying not to crash with a best lap of 1:24.9. The front tire was sliding much more than I like so I didn’t try to catch them. #345 ended up crashing out on the last lap and bumped me to second place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gfOf5C-iBU
Amateur Lightweight Grand Prix:
I was not happy about this race. I got a good start but there was a red flag and we all came back in. The second start was garbage and it put me 3rd or 4th back into turn one. I got hit and passed in the melee in turn 1A, then fell into place behind 938 Mike Wankum and finished in 6th with a best lap of 1:29. The front end of the bike still didn’t feel 100% so, my brain told me to take it easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Virhg2zyf5o
Sunday brought a little warmer temperatures and I had high hopes for my three races. I also discovered Saturday that my tire gauge was reading 2 psi high compared with the Dunlop one. It explains the lack of front end confidence from saturday.
Amateur Lightweight Superbike:
This was a bit of a strange race. It was the last race before lunch and we had a crash involving 3 people and ambulances. It all happened behind me so I was lucky to not be involved. We restarted after lunch and I took the wholeshot into turn one. I held it and rode easy 1:24’s to my first amateur win. Woo hoo!!
YouTube
Amateur Lightweight Supersport:
This is my race, not fancy fast ducatis, or built motor SV’s to fight. There is a relatively equal playing field and I’m riding my high from my first win. THe rain starts just as we are doing our warmup lap, never a good sign. Ignoring the rain for now, I get a mediocre start, and let 103 CEO, 345 Brian, and 613 Doug in front of me. The track doesn’t feel slick so I decide to pass 103 into 1 and put my head down to catch the leaders, who have got about a 10 second gap on me now, but are closing on the novices. I’m hoping in the mix I can catch them. So I’m passing a novice on the outside of turn 6, and she looses it. Her sliding bike hits mine, and knocks me off line. I didn’t hit the deck immediately, which at the time I thought was awesome, but I did get pointed into the rocks. About 20’ into the gravel trap my bike stopped riding on top and sunk into them. The bike cartwheeled launching me in the air and eventually landing back on top of me pinning me underneath it. I ended up with an injured foot, hip, and a broken humerus, that’s not funny, and possibly rotator cuff tearing. I kinda wish the bike took me out and I could have slid instead of being a human catapult. That was the end of racing for me that weekend, and depending on what the ortho tells me, I may not be back until June.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh17cdlBmj0
Thunderbike: DNS
Thank you to all my sponsors, friends, and Family. Without you this wouldn’t be possible.
IBEW Local 104
Computrack Boston
Dave Consalvo and Team Amsoil
Woodcraft CFM
Armour Bodies
Dunlop Race Tire Service
EBC Brakes
LRRS and NHMS
Where can I find some pictures of the weekend?
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by maxim_X
99 + 02 SV650 ex-race - 91 FJ1200 street - 03 KDX220R woods - 12 WR450F motard/ice
My thought exactly!! For now at my speed, the only way I'll see myself is if I beat him to the grid or he laps me. LOL
. But, I should be back for June. 