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Friday I woke up early to go at a court hearing for a speeding ticket in CT.
The wonderful state of CT liked me, reduced my ticket 50% to a charitable donation that does not affect my drriving record.
That would put me in a good mood if I didnt realize I had started to get sick. Oh well racing always makes you feel better... right?
Kurtz managed to hit all the traffic in CT and MA but still made it to my house in a good time. We loaded the bike and gear up and took off.
Arrived at the track a little after 10pm and a quick stop at Wendys for our traditional friday night dinne date.
we had to do some work on Kurtz's bike, Eric and Mike W were there so I did what I do best, uploaded photos on instagram while they straightened Kurtzs bike.
Saturday morning went out for practice 2 (I will never do practice 1 for the remaining of my racing career, its bad luck) and I decided I need new tires. Rear was a must but I decided to change both anyways. This was the first time I took my wheels off, put them back on, and safety wired the bike by myself and without supervision... Tony still checked the bike over before I went on the track just so we can be 100%.
P-89 happened. Biggest Grid of the weekend with John (trouble) and myself. I let him have this one since he is preparing himself for Daytona and he has been winning every single race he enters this year. You're welcome John.
ULSB I dont know what happened but I had a pretty bad start. Hit some traffic and end up somewhere in the middle of the pack with a motard holding me back pretty bad. I realized Josh Kurlon was right there with me so I new I had to do my pass quick before Josh passes both of us. I kept trying in T3 where I do 90% of my passing but the line the motard was taking wouldnt let me stick it. I decided to fall back a little in T12 and just get a better drive, that happened I went for the outside, Josh went on the inside and passed both of us. The rest of the race was an endless battle between Josh and I. Tons of fun, he is very comfortable and confident racer and I had a blast going back n forth with him. I kept braking later and later in T3 but I didnt have the power to take him or stay ahead over the hill. But I learned his lines something that came very usefull the next day.
Broke my personal best 4 times in that race with the lowest 1:23.3
I didnt find a motard or an EX to borrow so i didnt do any of the other races I wanted to do.
Adam hosted another amazing cook out, tons of amazing food, laughs and great times with the track family. Mike W fed me plenty of alcohol that was delicious but it did not hit me as hard as I was promised. Fail.
Sunday was another good day for me. I decided not do any practices and just eat all morning long.
I had one race, I decided to add LWSB in there too just so I can play with Josh again.
Worst start of the year so far for me and I go into T1 dead last with a pretty decent gap too.
Made my way through traffic and finally reached Josh on lap 7. This time I decided to make only one pass and make it stick!
I gave him no signs that I was there although I followed pretty close.
I went into T3 hard and very late on the brakes hoping to pass there, unfortunately I went too hard on the brakes so I almost lost it there, pass didnt happen. Caught up to him in T6 and decided to go no brakes and wide in 9.
It played out great since he didnt expect me there at all and I think I kinda killed his drive for T10 as well. He was right behind me for 11-12 and it was a drag race to the start finish from there which apparently I won by probaly 2".
Thunderbike happened as well. dont remember much about it. some red flag in T3 and regrid and that was it for me.
Packed, stopped at brookside with the fam for traditional goodbye dinner and made it home after enjoying some good ol dead stop 495S traffic with mr Kurtz.
Huge thanks to all my sponsors, my mom and best friend for coming up again to see me, my amazing garage mates and neighboors, corner workers and track staff, all of you who make this the best thing i have ever managed to do in my life and the most fun activity of all times. I consider myself Blessed for being part of this and I wouldnt replace those 7 weekends a year for anything else in the world.
Thank you all