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Well, bike didn't get the top end re-fresh like I planned, tires also had 2 race weekends and a track day on em so I knew their life was starting to come to an end, but I was excited to try out some of the new stuff Paul showed me at last Tony's day.
Past two weeks of work have been crazy, hence my bike not getting the top end rebuild. I've been working pretty much 8-9am to 2-3am with the occasional night out at 9pm to recover. Actually just got off a call...on labor day at 11pm. All the work paid off as I was able to leave at 7pm on Friday and only answer emails over the weekend. I headed off to my Dad's house to get everything loaded up and packed.
Arrived at the track Saturday morning a little after 7. Got out for practice 1, alls good. Get ready for practice 2 and Marco noticed my right fork is leaking. Off to Kates for a front end re-fresh. Also replaced my front pads as well and my bike was back together just in time for race 5, Super Singles. As I'm checking pressures pre race I notice that my rear tire warmer is no longer working. Only 3 of us so we start with the experts. I get a start in behind some of the experts and end up running consistent 22s, until my 7th lap I ran 1:21.877, new PB down from 1:21.9xx. Finish first in the Ams, somewhere towards the back of the experts, happy with my awesome consistency (all 22s except my out lap and a 21). New front end felt AWESOME, but my rear was everywhere.
Next race was ULSB, which is highly competitive for me. I was able to borrow a warmer from Michael next door for this race, so big thanks there! Sadly, Ben Travisano was hurt from a crash earlier in the day, and Jake Vader, who had hit teens in practice, was pulled off the grid due to a front brake issue. So my main competition was Bill Morey and John Linn on their Hawks. I get the hole shot and never look back. Run consistent 22s with one 23 and take another victory. Bill and John actually had faster best laps then me, but I put on some distance at the start and managed to hold it to the end.
Sadly, my motor had been feeling tired all day. We checked the top speed using Lou's fancy lap timer and it was decreasing bit by bit as the day went on.
I sat out the pit bike race as after my unexpected front end fix cost me some dough and the malfunctioning tire warmer will eventually cost me so I let my teammate take my Vespa out. Sadly, he managed to knock himself out with a really scary crash during the race and got carted to the hospital. Big bummer to end the night. But he was back the next day to spectate, in rough shape, but he was there.
Next day I skip first practice to save some time on the motor, and turn a few laps during second practice feeling really good.
First race of the day for me was LWSB. I was pumped for this race, as always, as there is great racing due to the differences in bikes. I'm gridded 1d, my favorite. Also in the race are Shane Lewis on Pole, Kurtz in the row behind me, and Bill Cool and Jake Vader decided to try this race for the first time so they were in the back somewhere. I take the holeshot, and hold it for 4 laps. Right as the 5th lap started, Shane passes me on the straight and is able to hold me off into turn 1. I knew it wasn't an easy pass for him as it took him 4 laps so I know I have some time to feel him out. I show him a wheel a few times, and on the 7th lap, I take him on the outside 11, with some help from a lapper. He battles back down the front straight, passing me, but I am able squeeze by late on the brakes on the outside of 1. I knew if I kept the lead, it would be a run to the line because as you can see from the video below he had a lot of motor on me with his SV. I decide that I need to put as much distance as possible to stop this from happening. I brake late into 3, didn't seem too hot but the front end went out causing me to crash on the last lap while in the lead! I get right back up, start the bike and end up finishing 7th. I thought it was finally my time to win this one, but guess I'll have to wait until October. It was a great battle, most fun I had all weekend for sure. Outlap was a 24.1, four 21s, two 22s, and a 41 on my last lap. New PB of 1:21.370!
Last race was Motard. This was terrible as I was the only Am so I took first. I started with the experts but still am not quite fast enough to hang with the lead group so its a lonely race. Also, they used tight 10, so any lap times were useless. I used the race to practice a couple things and that's about it.
I think I personally had a good weekend overall. Big thanks to Adam, Dave, Lou and their families and friends. Michael for the warmer. Fun times with ECK and RSP next door. Met a lot of you guys this weekend as well. Looking forward to October.
Shane's first pass is at 5:30, my pass back is at 9:20, and my crash is at 10:05.
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Originally Posted by PainfullySlow
