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Ill give my hand at this since I had a pretty eventful weekend. Started off last Monday by throwing out my back, and got sick on Tuesday. I was sick enough that I took Wednesday off of work, and I haven't taken a real sick day in 2 years. I get to the track late on Friday, and miss practice so im pretty discouraged about the weekend.
#1 Goal for the weekend-DON'T CRASH, my girlfriend has had enough with me crashing and Ive replaced enough foot pegs this year.
#2 Goal for the weekend-Keep my index at over .5 so I can move up
Saturday
I get a set of Rains from Miles and manage to get them on and do practice for about 10 minutes. This was my first time on rains, and I have to say I actually really like riding in the rain. Luckily I got stuck behind an expert on an EX and followed him around for a few laps watching how smooth he was. I was actually looking forward to this day.
Race 3-MW Grand Prix
Somewhat large group of about 12 starters (considering the rain). Looking at the grids I didn't recognize anyone, so I'm thinking maybe ill have a chance at getting a trophy this weekend. I had been trying to get a trophy all year and thought this would be a good chance. We take off at the start and I go into T1 in second place. I stayed there all race long, and didn't want to chance it so I let him go. Finish with 2nd with a best lap of 1:30. I was pretty happy with the time considering the conditions, and my first race of the year my best lap in the dry was a 1:34. Good enough for me as I am eligible for $75 of certs from Bridgestone with this and i'm happy.
Race 12-HW Superbike
Rescheduled for Sunday due to an SV that blew its load all over the front part of the track.
Sunday
Decide not to do practice and sleep in. I had three races, and had the make-up race for 12 from Saturday that I planned to use as my practice.
Race 12 Make-up-HW Superbike
There were only 5 starters, and I knew I was faster than at least 4 of them. Tanner Ose, who beat me in the rain race was in it was my main competitor. Go out for the warm-up lap, I am right behind Tanner, and he goes FLYING into T6 and crashes on brand new tires. Ok, lol I said. We line up for the start, and when I launch I completely lose grip, and put my foot down to keep my bike upright. Meanwhile, I get passed into T1. I follow this guy around for a few turns waiting to see how the track conditions are. Hes going way slower than he needs to and I say fuck it and pass him. I'm worried about someone passing me so I pick up the pace. Hold it in first until the second to last lap, when I take a look at my GF standing at T1 with her arms stretched out as far as they will go. I slow down a lot to try and save my legs for the rest of the day. Finish with a 1st, with a best time of 1:25 and had a 15 second lead over then next guy. LOL, cheap win, but I should be eligible for $100 from Bridgestone if they go by entries.
Race 3-MW Superbike
I was Gridded in 1D, which is my favorite spot.I get a shitty launch, and go into T1 in 5th. I was more amazed by John from RSP's 12 o'clock wheelie down the straight after the launch. I was following my buddy Leo (531) and we both pass the 4th place guy pretty easy. Leo is pulling some good laps, and I am kinda pushing to keep up with him. I saw Dave and John from RSP in the lead and knew those two were going to be flying trying to beat each other. Knowing I still had another race after this I decided to let them go and set my sights on Leo. I patiently watch him for 6 more laps and know i'm much faster into T1, and better on the brakes in T3. Last lap, I try going around the outside in T1 and failed. I could have stuffed it in 1A but thats going to be a close pass, and I didn't want to risk it with Leo. I missed a shift down to 2nd so I managed to click it into second just before T2. Good thing I did this as I would have missed my next passing opportunity. Go into three and I grab a fist full of brake and endo the bike into T3 and make the the pass. Held him off for the rest of the lap and finish with a 3rd. I was much happier about this race, since I felt like I had to earn it with a 1:20.6 fastest lap. Also eligible for another $50 from Bridgestone.
Race 13-MW Supersport
This should be a fun race. Got my pit buddies Kevin (692) and Leo, then Dave from RSP and all of us were pretty close in our times. I was gridded in 2A, which I don't like. I get another shitty launch, and go into T1 in 6th behind Kevin and a MOTARD. all I could think is WTF is a motard doing out there. He crashes in 2, right in front of Kevin and we have to dodge this guy. We pass a guy, and I set my sights on passing Kevin. This is the first time all year ive had a good chance at mixing it up with him, and all I wanted to do was make a clean pass on him since I crashed in front of him earlier in the year and took him out. I planned on waiting until the last or second to last lap to pass him and take 3rd (which I would have been completely happy with). I knew I was better on the brakes then him and when I see Dave from RSP up a head I said fuck it. I pass Kevin on the brakes into T6, which is awesome because his wife and my gf have become friends and were standing at T6 rooting for us . Should be fun when we get back to the pits.
Next I work my way up to behind Dave and get a good solid lap to follow him around and pick a spot to pass him. When he saw me behind him after T2 he picked up the pace and I did as well. I follow him up the hill, and notice he takes this funky line going into T6, that would push me to the outside. Last lap I knew I would get him there and knew exactly how I was going to do it. Last lap going into T3, he brakes a little too much and I saw an opportunity to try here going up the hill even though it wasn't planned. I try going on the inside up the hill and hes getting on the gas pretty good to try and keep me from passing. I couldn't have given it anymore gas as my tire was spinning all the way through T4. All I could think was I love the fucking tires, would have been a sure highside if I was still on Michelins. Im still right next to Dave, and I see him glance to his right to see if I was still there right before we brake for three. We brake hard, and he drifts to the right and I move to the outside, trail brake a little later, square up the turn, then cut in behind and pass him on the inside coming out of T6. I FLY through the last part of the track making sure I hit every line perfect and don't make any mistakes. I knew Dave is a competitor and would turn on the jets to try and make another pass. I just hold him off and pass the finish line in 2nd. I had used up every ounce of energy I had to pull this off and could hardly sit up on the bike. Dave's doing stand up wheelies everywhere. I didn't even know who was in 1st, and was so focused on my own lines that I didn't even realize we finished just a little bit behind the 1st place guy, which was Leo! when I saw him in front of me in the cool down lap, I was pumped for him because I knew he really earned that win. So I earned another 2nd, and eligible for another $75 from Bridgestone. Also did my personal best that last lap at a 1:20.07.
So I went into the weekend sick, and sore, with low hopes and finished with 4 trophies, $300 for more Bridgestone tires, a personal best, and one of the best times Ive ever had hanging out with all my friends in the pits. Its going to be a long winter!