3
Short Race Report #987
First race weekend in 10 years was Round 3 at this past Classic. A previous racer (#737) in the EX class had me retire due to cash flow at status JUNIOR. Remember that?
A track experience day auction I won for $150 on my '16 R1 prior to round 2 had me hanging out at in the pits and getting the fever to race again. That turned into staying all weekend with my glamper not moving till Sunday. On Monday I looked at Craigslist and saw a used Yamaha R3 for $3700. It was mine 3 hours later. A short drive to Peter Kates GMD Computrack Boston rather than taking the bike home had me turn it over to him to get it ready for the next round. It cost me a bit more cash to have him do the work but it was totally worth it!!! Money can be acquired but time I'm short on.
Next step was the Penguin school requirement to attend. The two day was a blast and it gave me plenty of time on the track to get the R3 up to speed. Lucky for me the crew allowed me to skip over NV and go right to the AM class due to my prior racing and OK lap times with the R3.
Round 3
The K-tech rear shock let me down. With damping one click away from fully closed it was a pogo ride. Still I managed to finish in the middle of the Formula 300 class with a 5th out of 8 people.
Round 4
The K-tech was sent back to the factory and Peter Kates swapped in a JRI Spears Racing shock. It was much better but each time out I was dialing in more damping.
The Formula 300 race I made the podium with a 3rd place. Lap times down into the 1:29's
In Sunday's Amateur Ultralight Thunderbike race I got a 2nd place and was leading the race for the first lap. Starting the 300's a row behind a bunch of motards in the same wave had us all clog up in turn 1 and 1A where I was able to jump past a bunch of them where I found myself in first place. Race winner Phil O'Donnel passed me on the main straight like I weighed 70 pounds more than he does. Which I probably do. It felt great to be out front and not have anyone slowing me down and I put in my fastest lap time so far on the R3. A 1:
27.6. Then I ran into traffic and was in the 1:28's most of the race.
Next race weekend I hope to get lap times down another second and hold onto first place if I get the chance. I may do nothing but loose weight between now and then. How much weight does it take to get another bhp?