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Race report
The weather finally decided to Agree with us this weekend. While it was incredibly hot and humid, it didn't rain during my race or practices. I had a previous family commitment on Saturday so I was not able to practice or race.
I got to the track at 7:15 on Sunday and had to wait in line to register for AM Supertwins, Race 1-A. it seemed to take forever and I was a bit anxious because I still needed to Saftey wire the bike from a tire change. Heath was kind enough to help me off load the bike and borrow some saftey wire. Thank bro. I got the bike teched but wound up missing my first practice. Chicken Hawk being a few weeks behind in fulfilling their orders, has left me borrowing tire warmers again. Steve Larochelle was kind enough to let me use his spare set of Tyre Sox. I went out for my second practice. The bike felt great and the new michelins were AWESOME! I did a track day on them last Tuesday and was amazed at the amount of grip they still had. I was a bit upset when I came in from practice however. I found that my Transponder did not record any lap times. Apparently when post entering the day of the race the transponder info is not sent into timing and scoring until 11:00 AM. I was unsure of how slow I was going. The bike felt awesome and I felt fast-(er) but that typically means I am going slow.
I went out for my only race at 12:20 and just made the false grid in time to check the transponder and then get cut loose for the sighting lap. I staged in Row 6-C 2nd wave for our own race. I completely blew the start. I was not hunched over the front of the bike far enough and almost fell of the side when the front end picked up. I got settled in the seat just about the time to start braking for turn 1. I made into 1 on the outside and snuck up a position in 1-A. I got a good drive out of 2 and was able to keep it. I started chasing a Ducati and SV-650 up the hill out of 3. I was staying with both of them but just could not find a away past either one. I kept passing the SV on the main straight only to be passed again in T-1. As a group we caught up to another SV-650 and the ducati and SV were able to get passed this other SV going into 1. I got stuck and had to wait until 3-4 to power past up the hill. At this point the SV and ducati were just outta reach for the rest of the race. on lap 6 I check under my shoulder going past start finish and had clear track behind me. I tipped into the turn 1 chicane and at 1-A hear a loud rumble to my outside. I figured it was the expert leaders. I held my line and sure enough on the outside of T-2 Jesse Sandoz on another (new) Aprilia went by me violently. I went another lap and half before I was passed again by any others out of the expert class. Needless to say Jesse won rather handily. I took 5th in race and posted a best of a 1:25:6. Not my best but not bad for having not been out there in a while.
I can honestly say that I learned a lot. More than I have in years past. I have a new approach into 9 and was getting more agressive in 6. The tires were fantastic and I hope to be in the low 20s by the end of the season.
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