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First time on the motard, had a good weekend.
Penguin basic was a good time. Crashed in the bowl in one of the later sessions, which is kinda embarrassing, but I got over that real quickly. After talking to CEO, I figure that I was not getting on the gas soon enough, allowing my footpeg to dig harder into the pavement, slowing me down, causing me to lean even more, thus putting me on my ass.
Rookie race, third wave, last grid spot. I ended up in like 3rd or fourth into T1. Adam Butler was long gone, but I ended up passing another SV (not sure who) to take second, running 1:29.6.
I signed up for all the novice/rookie/starter 4 races, which are the ultra lightweights.
Race 9 on Saturday got pulled from the grid because I was leaking water. I was bummed, but after some help from PK, a talk with CEO, and some brain picking of a crew of CRF guys a couple bays down from me, I decided to just replace the outer water pump seal, as it was installed backwards...I had spares to replace both inner and outer seals, the shaft, and bearing, and was debating doing so, but I didn't want to take the right side of the case off, nor did I have the gasket for it. The shaft looked good, so I went with just the seal, and it was fine. Adam, thanks for responding to my message. I had it fixed by the time you called back, I was just looking for some more input.
Sunday practice, set a new PB of 1:29.4, but never saw another time under 1:30 for the rest of the day.
Race 4 Sunday, gridded last, took first into T1 by out-braking everyone, never saw anyone again, rode alone the whole race until I passed some people in the wave in front of me, and a couple am lightweights passed me (Chuck Boucher, and someone else in a black sweatshirt) who I couldn't even come close to staying with them. Ran 1:30s that race.
Race 9 Sunday, initially was red flagged from the first wave. Re-gridded and again, took first into T1 by riding a wheelie through 2.5 gears, and then out-braking everyone into T1. Passed a few from the wave in front of me, and then the race was red-flagged in like lap 5. Again, ran 1:30s.
The rear of my bike was "hopping" considerably up the hill in 4-5 on Sunday, but It was never really sliding, need to figure out what that's happening. Also, front would kinda do the same down 9, on occasion. Never really out of control, but its stopping me from going into those turns harder. My front end is also all over the place over the hill in 5, and then making the flip from 7-8. Guess a steering dampener is my next purchase.
Overall, fun weekend. Happy with 2 first places, but was expecting my times to drop more on Sunday. Next race weekend I'm going to run with the lightweights, because going by times (and since Adam will be bumping to am), I should still be very competitive, and riding with faster people is only going to make me faster. Looking to get that bump to Am sooner then later.
Big thanks to everyone that helped me this weekend. Penguin school, corner workers, ECK guys, PK and his crew, CEO, everyone in the garage next to me, and so many more.
Oh, and Adam Butler, you are absolutely FLYING out there, great time talking to you, keep it up!