6
Racing is usually a great time... some days are just better than others...
I arrived at the track Thursday night. There were not that many people up there.
My teammate Chris Dove had recently arrived as well. We helped each other unpack and set up our garage. Jimmy arrived a bit later too. We helped him unload some bikes and his massive toolbox and went to bed a bit after that.
Friday I woke up in a bit of a weird mood. I purposely stayed out the first two sessions as i didnt feel like riding. My good friend Sam Greenwood #228 crashed right by my trailer and garage while testing his brakes on his motard and that shook me a bit.
After lunch I felt much better and went out to see how my brakes were after I bled them and and how the bike is behaving in general. Everything felt great and i was able to push and try a few new things in some turns.
I felt amazing and I was able to help Isaac Maycotte with some stuff in one of my sessions. Ended the day with a tasteful dinner and lots of laughs with some great people.
At the end of the night I received the greatest news I have in a very long time. My application to become a United States Citizen has been approved (finally). Shared the news with my awesome friends and teammates and went to bed in the greatest mood ever.
Saturday:
I woke up in a fantastic mood. Went and bought breakfast for everyone in the garage. Spend some time enjoying the sun and thinking of my strategy for the day. I went out for Practice #2 and was able to turn in some very low 18s while I was not pushing at all and i was actually scrabbing the new tyres in. Pirelli really makes my favorite tyre, there is no doubt about it. I love the feedback and how they operate.
As I went to check the grids, I noticed an error was made and they had me in GTU instead of GTL. I went in to our wonderful ladies in registration and within a few minutes the error was fixed and we were ready to start the day. A very emotional, yet powerful riders' meeting took place and I headed over to change into my gear, the gear that would very soon come in extremely handy.
Race #2 GTL
This is one of my favorite races. The 25 minutes give me the chance to try different things and also once I hit that level of extreme exhaustion my body turns into auto pilot and I ride very relaxed and smooth, as a result I get my best times and consistency.
I was gridded in second row all the way to the left. I dont really care about where i am any more on the starts as long as the guys in front me hold their line. I got a phenomenal start and went into T1 in 2nd place right behind Pete G #81. I was able to stay on Pete's rear tyre for a couple of laps until Scott Mullin #24 passed me in T3. Something happened a lap or two later and Scott blew T1 and put me back in second place. The usual suspect Rick Doucette #6 hadnt passed me or even showed me a wheel yet at that point, which made me realize I am moving faster than I ever have on the track. Around lap 6 or 7 I blew turn 3 really bad which allowed Seth Hahn #91 go by me and he really was going after the leader right away. I was able to keep them both within a couple of seconds, until Rick Doucette #6 decided to show me WHY he has been track champion 5 years in a row in T11. As always Rick's pass was very clean and safe. I knew my chance for new best time was to keep Rick as close as possible and learn from him. I put my head down and focused on him pushing my markers everywhere. My tyres were providing great feedback and staying so close to Rick made me realize how comfortable I am with much increased corner speed. Soon enough Rick passed Pete G and went off to battle out with Seth Hahn. That left me and Pete battle for 3rd position. Typically Pete is significantly faster than me, but as the time was passing, I noticed I am closing the gab between us pretty quick. A slower AM in T12 messed with Pete's drive into the straight which allowed me to be within inches of him with 5 laps to go. Coming into T3 I tried to take the inside line but I didnt have enough (balls?) to stick the pass. I did notice Pete getting tired so I knew I had to make my move. As we approached T6 I noticed 2 amateur riders in front of us. I have noticed that Amateurs tend to run T6 wide and drop the bike in late at the Apex. that meant that if Pete went for the outside pass he would get stuck and I would easily be able to go in the inside and get him. Unfortunately that is where things went very wrong. One of the Amateurs stayed inside as the other one went outside. That forced Pete to run wide and drop towards the Apex, I was already on the gas while Pete was still slowing down and ended up right in front of me. I clipped his rear tyre which cause my back to fall and throw me over the bars. as i was tumbling towards the gravel one of the amateurs (Phillp O Donnell) ran me over with his bike. Everything happened very quick and violently, there is nothing Phillip could have done differently, as we were so close to them.
When I stopped tumbling i was already at the gravel on the high end of T6. I saw my bike and I tried to get up to go check it, at that point I realized extreme pain on my pelvis and back and I just collapsed. I immediately signaled to bring in the ambulance. The awesome corner workers of T6 came to me asking about my head. I knew my head was fine but the pain on my back was so intense I could not say anything other than FUCK (several times) and asking hows my bike. They had to put me on the stretcher and I have to give those guys props, for how much pain I was in, they did it super smooth.
I took the ambulance ride to the medical room where we discovered I had a pretty deep hole in my left elbow. Worried about a broken pelvis and internal damages i was adviced to go to the hospital. I couldnt leave before cracking some jokes to my friend Stephanie though who had crashed earlier and hurt her shoulder. The medical staff were awesome to me. They salvaged all my gear, kept me in high spirits, cracking jokes and giving me great advice. Huge thank you from my heart to all of you.
On the way to the hospital the great lady with me in the ambulance called ahead and gave them all the details about my condition. I was seen immediately by a doctor. He was able to diagnose that my pelvis was not broken, but he still wanted some Xrays. Xrays came back clear. as time was passing I noticed the pain was moving from my pelvis area to my back. Once I notified the doc about that he was worried about kidney damage. We immediately did a full MRI, urine and blood tests. everything came back clear. So the conclusion was a) i am a tough cookie (lol) b) muscle damage and bruising on the right side with no broken ribs or other bones c) external not serious scratches on right elbow, d) deep tissue hole in my left elbow (non threatening), e) bruises on both shoulders, lower hip area.
It was around that time that i wanted to know how well I did in the race. Mike Kurtz responded with the great news that I did a couple of 17s in that race with a new PB of 17.4 and 4th place in the race!!!
They gave me some pretty awesome drugs and started the paperwork to get me discharged. My awesome family was there every step of this adventure. They advised no work for a week, no sudden movements or lifting for 10 days minimum. I went back to the track with my family and to let everyone know I was ok. My friends and teammates packed all my stuff and we headed home.
I decided to not take any painkillers since I was already feeling better. That would also help me understand better exactly were I am hurting and how long it will take me to be 100% again. I woke up this morning (Sunday) feeling pretty decent for what happened. The pain in the kidney area is still pretty serious when i try to move. Also all the bruises are now starting to show. But nothing that I cannot deal with. The bike is not in the greatest shape either. Luckily I have great friends and sponsors and I believe we will be able to get it up and running in time for the last round of the season in 3 weeks.
A quick look immediately points out: Bent clip on, destroyed master, frame slider, rearset, bent exhaust, damaged steering damper. Bike will turn on but nothing happens when i hit the starter button. Maybe a wire or a sensor somewhere?
The SuperSport SV has gifted me with some of the greatest moments of my life and several best lap times in several tracks. We have over 100 races together in the last two seasons and this was our first crash together. Hopefully 6ZerO Speedworks finds some time to assist with the repairs and parts. Central Mass PowerSports will of course be taking care of that "patient" and help me refresh my gear. Everything is in pretty good condition. The gloves are fine, the boots are fine, helmet didnt hit the ground. Suit has 4 or 5 holes and I am not sure if I will be able to get it repaired in time. I may get an off the rack suit from CMP or maybe consider a custom option? we will see. I am sure CMP will have the perfect solution for me.
Important thing is I am fine. I still am planning on attending the last round of the year for Loudon Road Race Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and make my way down in Daytona for Race of Champions.
I did miss my chance of placing in a championship in GTL, LWSB, Thunderbike and SuperTwins but thats how racing works sometimes. I do not consider this season a waste, I learned a lot about my bikes and myself and I am faster than I have ever been.
I have awesome friends and family, I wouldnt change them for anything!
We have amazing staff at NHMS. EMTs, Paramedics, Corner Workers, officials, you guys really rock. Thank you for everything from the bottom of my heart.
All my sponsors of course, Central Mass Powersports, Alexander Academy, Butler Performance Machining, Jonathan Dixon from Advanced Traction and his incredible work on the Kawasaki, TSS Graphics for making the Ninja very beautiful (and patriotic), Bill Tansey and ZerO SpeedWerks, Scott Mullin from SVM, Gregg Spears, DNA High Performance Filters,Eric Wood from Woodcraft and Penguin, Pirelli Tires, GoPro.
All YOU guys. God I am blessed to have you all in my life. I received so many phone calls, texts, messages, etc over the last 24 hours. I really appreciate it and it only drives my passion to continue doing what I do. Thank you all for being part of this.
may you all stay safe and smile every day
Love,
Sav #508
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Originally Posted by tsorfas
99 + 02 SV650 ex-race - 91 FJ1200 street - 03 KDX220R woods - 12 WR450F motard/ice
