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Well friends, its finally happened. I competed in my first official races this weekend with CCS SouthWest!
Im running an R6, AM #225, and had one of the best weekends at the track ever! I got my license at the last round at INDE Motorsports Ranch, which is our "local" track, (Firebird is about 2 hrs away, and not nearly as nice a track or facilities) but I didnt race, opting to take it slow and provide pit support.
This time around I was about as ready as I could be, so I pre-registered, attended the track day on the 17th prior to the races to get my feet back under me, which I needed, swapped tires that night for a new set of 211 GP-A's and tried to get some sleep.
I entered MW Supersport, GP, and Superbike and judging from the times some of the other AM's I would be running against, I was prepared for some good racing, but wasn't really thinking that I would do better than 4th or 5th at the least. INDE is 2.75 miles with 21 corners and a 2200' front straight. Sprint races are 5 laps, and the Grand Prix is 7 laps. Average lap times for AM is in the 2:03-2:05 range with the fast guys running sub-2:00. I didn't break 2:04 at the TD, and was wicked nervous all morning...just trying to keep my composure in the pits, and trying to stay occupied so as not to have a panic attack.
Apparently though, once I grid up, get my eyes down track and let the clutch out, I zero in, and calm down.
Results
MW SS: 3rd
MW GP: 3rd
MW SB: 2nd
I felt cool, calm and collected as I proceeded to surprise my team mates, my sponsors and myself!
My lap times were back in the low 2:00's and Im still waiting for the results to post for my fast times.
Super Sport was a good race, figured out my starts suck, and how to not get stuck behind slow people becasue then you can't catch the guys in front. I was late for the GP, missed the warm-up lap, got a poor start, and proceeded to pass 8 people for 2nd place, only to get passed on the last lap! I was gassed, and wasnt going to risk a crash. In Super Bike I got a better start, passed 3 people on the first lap for 1st, which I held till Lap 4, and got nipped by the same guy in the same corner as the GP! Thought I could catch him with a lap and a half to go, but it didn't happen. The MW GP was the best race by far. I was super focused and calm, and all I could do after the race was laugh, it was so good!
My good friend Tony Scott and I are forming an official race team next year, and are going to try and run the whole CCS CW series for points. The next race is Firebird Main up in PHX for double points, so Im thinking about going up there to upset the local boys!
I have lots of support and people to thank out here, but would not be where I am now without NESR and the VT Bike Night Crew. So, a very heart felt thank you to Doc, Trouble, Mr. Bread, Slyder27, TimTim, Sandy, Tony's Track Days, Boston Moto, Degs, Scottie, JC Bell, Brett, Firebolt Eric, Peter Kates, Miles Hubert of MotoFab, Cyclewise, Roadside Marine, and those of you who had to put up with my antics and crashes! Looking forward to the day I get to ride and race back at NHMS!
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