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I guess I will cross post this here even though this area is dying
Race Report: 95th Loudon Classic
Well, I feel like this was my first real weekend racing the R6. We had great weather (90 percent of the time) and I was able to race and practice on a dry and consistent race track
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Not to be denied, when I rolled wheels to tech on Friday it started to mist rain. I didn't even bring my rains, so I parked it and had to go into GTU cold. Conditions improved and At least it was dry. I took it like a practice and ended up 5th getting my first 1:16 lap under my belt.
Next I entered my bike in the 2 hour endurance race with Kris Hopkins and Peter Gaboriault. The goal was to give us all a chance to get time in on the R6, not really to compete. We gave each rider 2 stints, which meant a lot of time in the pits, but better quality laps for everyone. We were in contention for second, and tried to go for it by leaving Kris Hopkins out there longer, but we got our signals crossed and he pitted to give me the last ten minute stint. Fun was had and the practice proved helpful.
Saturday saw perfect weather. I was a bit tired in practice and wasn't fast. But F40 went pretty well. The grid behind us was huge and we were into traffic by lap 2. I had a great time carving up the amateurs without losing too much pace and it netted me a third place. I'll take it!
My final race was the main event. The 20 lap Classic. 27 entries and a pretty deep field, including some of my best buds. It proved to be a corker for me anyway! I got my usual crappy start and Peter Gaboriault BLITZED me into T1. I grabbed his wheel and thought, oh it's on! We head into T3 literally 4 wide. I got balked by Elvis, and Pete squeezed through a tiny gap to come out on top yet again. I was laughing out loud in my helmet think "you little #$%^"! I grabbed his wheel again knowing I could blast by his SV on the straight, and that's what happened.
Now it was his turn to grab my rear wheel and he did stay with me for a good while. On lap 3 another 600 passed Pete and proceeded to hit my rear wheel going into T1. It popped my wheel into the air. I was like WTF? Head down and soldier on. I reeled in and passed a couple of guys and then spent the next 12 or so laps closing a big gap to the 8 and 9th place riders.
I ran a long series of low 16s to finally arrive on their wheel with 3 laps to go. I could see that they were exhausted and struggling. I tried to go by Sam Greenwood in T6 twice, but he shut the door on me pretty hard. I should have stood him up and taken it, but I didn't. I spent the next 3 laps frustrated as Sam shut down every passing opportunity I had, and failed to make the pass himself. I crossed the line in 10th, but it was by far the best performance I have put in on the 600. Thanks to everyone helping me and cheering for me this weekend! It means a lot.