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So here is a summary of the first weekend of 316.
I hadn't gotten any track time since the last race weekend last year, so to say the least I was very uncomfortable going onto the track for first practice. Went out for first practice and got around the track once, before in turn 1a my exhaust decided that it wanted to be heard. I thought that I had lost a silencer because it was so loud so I pitted in. Found out it was only a gasket between the 2 headers. Missed the rest of the practice. Went out for 2nd practice and really got it back. Gained back most of my confidence that I had during penguin and started to get consistent with my lines. First race rolls around for Production Twins. I get a good start and make the pass for first in 1a. I am pretty sure that he had a few more teeth than i did on the rear sprocket, because he passed me on the back straight before turn 3. Keeping up was a lost cause and he just pulled away. Kept 2nd for the rest of the race and finished posting a PB of 01:32.237. Ended up getting a trophy in my first race, I was pretty psyched to say the least.
Day 2.
Went out for practice 1 and felt great. I was surprised that I did not notice any difference between a cold track and a warm one. Started to get braking reference points down track. For practice 2 I ended up behind the same EX that had pulled away from me the day before. I was pretty much dead set on trying to keep up with him. I managed to accomplish this and even gained some ground on him until turn 3. I had finally caught up to him and was trying to find a way to get around him (yes I know this is practice, I am just stupidly competitive). He goes into turn 3 and apex's early, so I go a little wide and apex late to try to get on the inside of him. I felt my knee hit the pavement and then felt the exhaust scrape. Before I could even react my rear started to slide out and then suddenly hooked back up again. The bike straightened up and I was pointed to the inside of turn 4. Before I could do anything my bike jumped the curve and threw me over the bars. I saw a blur of sky and air and ended up on the pavement on the track. I checked for traffic quickly and ran over to the bike to shut it off. A corner worker ran over to me and asked me a few questions. I thought I answered all of them correctly, but he said otherwise and I went for a ride in the ambulance. I had never been in one before, so it was kinda cool. Went to the medical center and got all checked out and such. Then went to take a look at the bike. Front forks were...a mess to be kind, front brake line had a chunk out of it, front fairing stay was bent to shit, front fairing was in many pieces, and triples are probably shot. Pushed it back to the pits and was about to load up when KB came over and told me he was going to fix it. Man everyone came over and helped and got the bike back into operating shape. Bent back the forks, put on a number plate with numbers, fixed my throttle (it would rev if you twisted it forwards or backwards), and screwed the throttle to the bar. They did all this and got me out for race 1. I also want to thank Jim for helping with tech and numbers, and Keith for letting me borrow his spare helmet. I wouldn't have made it in time without you guys.
I made it to race 1 in time and got all sorted. In GTL I got a great start and was 2nd into the turn 1. Was taking it easy because I didn't know how the bike would handle with the mangled front end, so a few people passed me. I was in 5th when the race was red flagged. Re-start was with 11.5 minutes left. I got a good start again and was 3rd into turn 1. Again got passed by a few people over time, but ended up with a solid 4th out of 8. I did also managed to improve my PB to a 01:32.237, but I was not as consistent. For LW Sportsman I got a great start and managed to get into the corner 1st or second, I don't really remember. Damn Erik Boos and his big bore Buell. I was behind him for most of the race. Finally caught up with him and made the pass in 11a. But of course, me being me, I forgot to gas up before the race and ran out in 11. I couldn't find reserve until I was stopped and got back on the track. Couldn't catch up for the rest of the time, which was all of 2 laps.
I just want to again thank everyone from RSP racing for all the help that they extended to me, and for the food on Sat night. Also want to thank the cornerworkers. You guys are awesome! And a special thanks goes out to KB. Man I would have never have gotten that fixed if it wasn't for you.