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I got up there around noon on Friday and signed up for practice. I did a few sessions and finished off my tires. I wasn't really working on anything, just knocking off the rust I guess. It was nice to push a little on worn tires and get more of a feel for the bike sliding around. I got teched Friday night and had some new Dunlop slicks mounted.
Saturday. I was only signed up for GTO. I skipped the first practice, and went out to work on some stuff in second practice. I managed to get into the high 15's in practice, but had a little low-side at the end of the session that ended things. I came in and replaced a foot peg, cleaned up the bike, and looked things over. There was pretty much no other damage, so I went to re-tech and then waited for my race.
GTO. I got a half decent launch and fell into 4th place. I was in fourth for a while before I made the pass for 3rd, and spent some time there. The two leaders had opened up a good gap, but hit AM traffic and were held up some. I was able to close the gap, and was at a point where I was looking for a nice spot to set up a pass for 2nd place. I help my position for a lap or two, and then the race was red flagged at about 12 minutes in. We came in and got our new grid positions, and re-gridded. I was 1C. I got off the line very good, following the leader to T1. I felt a bump from the back of the bike, I figured someone bumped tires at first, but then another bump along with my bike handling funny. I eased off the bars and pointed toward the oval, feeling the bikes were now hooked up, and hoped we could coast to a stop and get untangled. It didn't work out like that. My bike went down hard and fast, I tumbled, and got slid into by the other bike. I hurt my shoulder and both bikes were damaged, and the race was again red flagged. This time they called it. I spoke with the other rider both before and after I went to the hospital. He was OK, and neither of us was up for taking blame for the crash. I can't say much beyond I thought I was by him clean, but it honestly happened pretty quick and outside of my field of vision. Maybe I closed the door hard, maybe he harpooned me. Can't say. Doesn't matter as it can't be changed and was dealt with at the track, where that shit belongs. In that race I beat my PB with a 1:15.28, and was given credit (I think) as finishing in second place. I'm not sure if that's right but whatever.
My shoulder is separated pretty good, and I am supposed to have surgery next week. This will probably end my season, I'll know more in a few weeks. I hope not. My bike and gear took some damage, so I figure that should take two or three grand to sort out. Oh well, it's racing. I've been riding the track for 11 years now, and this is the worst injury I've had.
I have to thank all the great people around center garage 8 for loading up my bike, tools, and gear for me. THANK YOU! Not to mention the care and concern you showed for me. It means a lot to me and I hope to be able to help you guys out any time you need it. Thanks also to the corner workers and the people at the medical center.
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Originally Posted by Dove
