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So, after a long hiatus from racing, I decided to line up on the grid for the USCRA vintage race event last Monday. I wrote a blog post about my impressions of the vintage racing scene. Read it here: http://www.ridinginthezone.com/vinta...e-road-racing/
But, I left out any real race report, so here it is:
I was originally going to borrow my ex-racebike (MZ Scorpion) from Dan, but it is now a street bike and I had no time to make it race ready. So Steve Heider offered me his backup EX500 Ninja, which isn't really vintage, but USCRA has a couple of classes it can run in. There were a fairly large number of EXs on the grid. If anyone wants to race cheap, this is the way to do it.
On my way to the track on Sunday, I get a call from Steve saying that Eric R. had just crashed the bike in turn 1a. After a brief conversation, I decided to continue on in hopes that the bike can be made track worthy for my races the next day. Steve worked hard to get it back together and I was ready to roll.
Even though I had not raced in 7 years, I was not very nervous. Looking at some of the nicely prepared bikes compared to the "Rolling Dumpster Fire" that I was riding, I had no idea whether I was going to be competitive or not.
Formula Middleweight: First place
One wave. I was gridded 3a (Ugh). Johnny B. drops the green flag and the woman just ahead and to my right bogs completely and drifts in front of my> I keep the throttle on and swerve around her, but the field is well ahead. I'm about 5th (of 7) into turn 1. Then the group in front practically comes to a stop. Not really, but these guys aren't used to hard driving starts into turn 1, so I patiently (not really) wait to throttle by in Turn 1a. I normally would get myself to the outside, but I wasn't going to be all aggressive among these more polite racers.
I pass everyone ahead by turn three. But, Mike Drescher on his BEAUTIFUL Hawk 6XX had gotten the holeshot and was cresting turn 5 before I was into turn 3. Knowing he had a faster bike and a really big lead, meant I wasn't sure I could catch him in time. But, having his as a rabbit made the race fun. I was still trying to sort out the EXs shift points, but pushed pretty hard and caught Mike on lap 4. We drag raced down the straight side by side, but I went around the outside of turn 1 and then took off. The Dunpster Fire is a great bike.
Period IV Formula 3: First Place
This was a 2 wave grid with the F1 and F2 guys on their bigger superbikes ahead of us. My race had all sorts of machines, built RDs, a KZ550, a few EXs, a few Hawks, etc. After being sunny all day, the Loudon weather gods decided that we had had enough dry weather and started sprinkling rain down upon us on the grid. Not enough to cause real problems, but still, enough where you had to turn up your traction meter.
The flag dropped on our wave and I got a decent start, but was still in about 4th place (of 12 bikes) and once again the guys ahead practically came to a stop in turn 1. I dispatched them by turn 3 again. But, someone took off in a big way, so once again, I had a rabbit to chase. This time though I saw the leader disappear as I rode conservatively to avoid sliding on the damp track.
Mike D. was feeling a bit more confident than I on his Hawk (with slicks!) so he passed me in turn 6 and started to gap me a bit. But, he had a small moment (as did I in turn 2) with the wet pavement, so I was able to reel him in. Then we came upon a really, really slow rider in turn 9. Mike actually put his hand up to warn me about her. Mike is a really polite and considerate guy, but I am not, so I passed him on the inside and then crawled through turn 9 as the slower rider closed my inside line. Once past her, I turned up the pace and kept Mike at bay.
At this point, I figured that the leader was so far ahead that I was settling for second place. Next thing I know, I am catching the first wave and passing people left and right. I enjoy passing in places where it is illegal at track days. On the second to the last lap, I pass maybe 4 guys into turn 3 and then get repassed by a first wave fellow on a fast RD. He beat me to the checkered flag by a bike length.
I assumed that I had finished second until I saw the final results where they had me placed in first and Mike in third! What? I eventually figured out that I must have passed the leader who was among the gaggle of first wave peeps. I just couldn't tell who was who.
EDIT: I'm now told that I finished second after all and that the guy who had re-passed me on the last lap was indeed in my wave. I assumed he was not in my wave so didn't push too hard for the win. Lesson learned: Always race to end very end, because you never know.
In the end, it was a blast. Really nice people and relaxed atmosphere. Maybe some of you retired racers would want to come out and race. Think about it.
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Originally Posted by hondarider102
Very impressive entry into vintage!
99 + 02 SV650 ex-race - 91 FJ1200 street - 03 KDX220R woods - 12 WR450F motard/ice
TTD
