Had a one-der-full weekend. I was really amped up to get out there and win enough contingency to get a set of tires for daytona, unfortunately I was told dunlop does not pay out for novice. Oh well, wasted weekend of sandbagging. I'm sending the E-mail today to hit up to AM for the last weekend to feel it out, then decide what class I'm going to focus on for a championship next season.
Got up to the track friday night, registered, had a bottle of wine and watched faster on the e10 foot by 10 foot projector that Mike brought up. That was AWESOME. I hope you can bring that all the time. We had a big crowd over at the low down pit area watching on the side of dan's trailer. I think we had some people watching from as far back as the bathrooms too!!!
So to the racing. I sat out first practice on saturday morning. I knew my tires were going to have trouble lasting the whole weekend with 5 races and 4 practices so I decided just one practice a day. Ran pretty well. More of a warm up to get loose, stretch and put my lines in my head. Got out for my first race, race #2 HWSS, got a decent start, from row 3 I believe, but there were a couple guys coming in a little sketchy, so I gave up the holeshot for a wider line, and eased up through 1A for the crazies and just got 'em lined up. Layed into the track and got into first place and held it for the race finishing the race with a full 4 second lead!
Got back out there for race number 4, MWSS, got a bad start due to a couple cris cross wheelies and shakes in front of me and ended up coming into T1 and literally having to push a guy off my right side with my knee as he had the bike pointed at the apex coming into the turn way too early. No wonder there are so many T bones in that turn in our class with people taking lines like this guy. I settle in 5th place with a tight pack of riders leading the pace. I'm running easy, pacing for a good safe pass since I'm all over the two in front of me and don't want the leads to pull away with him holding me up. Coming into 11A he goes wide and off the track through the grass, I see him catch a foot or two of air as I'm dropping onto the straight and starting my drive. Then as he lands back on the track he slams the front brakes so that he's stopping directly on my line. His rear comes up a bit and I start shitng myself (not litterally). I stand the bike up quick and get on the brakes, all my weight back, arms and shoulders extended and locked. My rear still comes off the ground and I roll a foot high endo straight at this guy. Thank god he got off the brakes that instant as my front tire just taps his rear. I got back by him coming into turn 1 but I was not a happy racer. I pushed to catch the leads but unfortunately they had made too much time by then, I ran a 19.84 chasing them, my best time ever and my goal for the season.
Race number 11, MWSB, Jim and I head to the hotpit only to find out that we have to start from there.
They were moving everything fast I think because of the delays from some crashing throughout the day. They start the race and then they start us from the hotpit. I was pissed at first because I had a decent grid, but as soon as I came out in the back of that pack it was on. Passing 2,3, and even 4 bikes in some turns and just really cranking all together. Felt like everyone was standing still, rode to have a good time and practice passing as much as I could, just shooting to pass anyone in front of me. Get back to the low down pit only to find out that I got fourth place. From the hotpit!! That was AWESOME.
Fast forward to the next morning, again I just hit one practice, warm up, loosen up, feel out the tires, buzz Heath on the outside driving out of two(tee-hee-hee), umbrella bitch for Deb D. so she can rip up the Miss race.
Get out for race numero cinco, HWSB, get a good start running second place and stalking the first place like glue. Get red flagged pretty early. Restart with the same grid possitions, hit the restart and I'm off running first place leading the race by FAR, pass the halfway flag and then the red flag comes out. Instead of sending us back and ending the race, they re-grid us according to position. I get pole, which I didn't want. I'd rather be in the 2B/C area where I was as appose to any A slot. Get a good start, 2nd into the shot and chase Ali Jones, who I've been doing some great racing with. He leads the race but I'm on top of him, untill about 2 laps from the end where I go for a drive out of 4 and light up my rear tire, the bike stays in line pretty well but the tire was lighting up. Strange that the right side went before the lift. I Keep a good pace of flat 21's and high 20's but Ali puts a little distance on me and I take 2nd safely. Tires were spent so I sat out of race rather than rushing around to get a rear mounted for just one more race of the weekend and having to scrub it and such, which I'm still a little nervous about starting on a fresh tire after 'last time'. Had a good time up there, can't wait to feel out the AM races next time. It's gonna be a blast to have Jeff and the others screaming by me like a rocketship.
09-06-05, 10:28 AM
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