0
Well for round 6 I rebuilt the top end on the motard with a new cylinder and piston because of predetonation I was experiencing using pump gas. So for this weekend I would be running C12. Well I had put it together in the dark because we had no power for the week before and it wouldn't start. When I got to the track KB and the team tore into the bike and KB found that 2 wires from the stator were connected wrong. DOH! It started first kick using 93 octane since VP fuels wouldn't be open until the morning.
I miss first practice on Saturday morning because of switching tires, but manage to get out for second practice to break in the new motor and new rear Pirelli from MTAG (which I forgot to adjust pressure in so I was probably at about 45 psi).
My first race on Saturday was Super Singles. I was gridded all the way in the back which happens to be my favorite place to start. Nothing like going into T1 3 or 4 wide. I get a pretty good start and end up 3rd into T1. As I exit T2 I get on the gas and the rear starts to slide out. I am sure that I checked the pressures before the race and it is a brand new rear, so I am wondering why I can't hook up. I go into T3 and get on the gas hard to try to make up time when again the rear spins up. By this point I have lost all confidence in the rear and start to slow down. My mind is everywhere and I have lost concentration. Eric Shaw passes me before T3 on that lap and pulls away. I watch him slip into the distance as I exit turn 9 into T10 and I find myself making my own course in the grass. Chip and Cavanaugh pass me and I find myself in 6th. Now that my bike has warmed up I also find that my midrange and top end are both suffering and my bike pops when reaching high rpms down the front straight and stumbles in the midrange. Great. On the second to last lap Martin Hanlon passes me in T3. I gain on him in T9 and have caught up by T12. I get a great drive on him coming down the front straight and pass him and a 125 in front of the white flag. I manage to keep him behind me for the rest of the race and manage 6th place.
The next race is ULSB in which I am gridded up with Gino (who will disappear.) I did not have time to dig into the bike so I am quite certain the motor problems will persist. I also learned that since I am running a harder compound rear than before I need to drop my rear tire pressure by 2 pounds hot. Done. When I grid up I notice that Doc is right in front of me...which brings a new goal into mind..BEAT DOC. The green flag drops and my front wheel flies into the air as I pass Doc. Bye.I get a decent start and find myself mid pack in a HUGE grid! A few laps in a Ducati (Joel Taylor 719) motors by me on the straight and I outbrake him into T1 and pass him back. Again this same thing happens over and over until he finally makes it stick. Then Trevor Chappisi passes me in T9 after stalking me for a few laps and my motor is starting to get really pissed at me. I try to chase him out of T10 but when I get on the throttle the bike bucks and he starts to pull away. Again another Ducati passes me going up into T3. I catch him going into the bowl and stalk him. After a few laps I realize that his weak spot is T12 and I could beat him if I get a better drive. The white flag flies and I know I have one more shot. I gun it out of 12 going into 12a and my wheel lifts up while I flip. I turn it hard to get inside and never let off the throttle as I drift outside. I look over at him as we are side by side...and then he sees me and twists his Ducati harder. He accelerates and finishes just ahead of me. Man. What great race. 10th out of 16.
Saturday night was the pitbike race. I had borrowed by friends TTR125 to use and I pulled out a W.
The flat track motard race was also that night. I was running in 4th place behind Shaw and Chiappisi when I come around to see both of them on the ground and the bus rolling. Crap. We pull in and both riders get up...relatively ok. We start again and I settle into 3rd behind Heath. Heath goes a little wide in the second turn and I take him inside clinching second for the checkered.
Sunday...my bike wouldn't start.
I would like to thank KB as well as my team mates, MTAG Pirelli, Woodcraft, Tony's Track Days, Street and Comp, EMA USA, Motorsports Nation, and everyone else who helps out ECK Racing and myself.
Reply With Quote
