13
Cold was the word of the weekend. I rolled up Thursday night with the intent of doing Friday practice. I dragged my feet all morning and finally registered after lunch. The first session went well enough for me but my teammate, Bill Morey visited the turn 3 corner workers. During the next session I added to the artistic array of scrapes in the turn 1a asphalt. The Woodcraft foot peg and hand guard absorbed almost all the damage. It didn't even scratch the paint. Digging into the parts bin got me back out on track for the next session. Friday night I picked up a fresh set of Pirelli's to start off the season properly.
P-89 Lights
A good start (finally) on my part lead to an early lead. I cautiously pushed through the first couple laps and then started looking back. Nobody was in sight. I was getting the cue at the halfway point that I had a huge lead. With the cold conditions I eased up a little expecting to coast into first place. On the last lap going into turn 6 BJ Worsham smoked by me going into 6. I did the double take to confirm that really did just happen. Crap! This can't happen! I twisted the throttle and closed within striking distance as we caught up to Noel Guidone going into 9. BJ lined up for the outside pass and I made the split second decision to drive up the inside. I made the pass before the apex but went into 9 fast and off line. The pucker factor was intense but the fresh tires held and I finished the race in first.
Ultralight Superbike
I went into this race expecting a lot of competition and wasn't let down. Despite having pole I think I went into turn 1 in about 5th. I picked off a few other riders on the first lap but still had Andy Hull and Eric Shaw in front. Eric and I swapped positions back and forth for the next 5 laps but neither of us could find a way past Andy. On lap 7 I squirted up the inside going into the bowl passing Andy and opening up a lead that I was able to maintain until the checkered flag.
Overall it was an amazing weekend. My team mate, Adam Clark, separated his shoulder Friday afternoon. He found strength from within and not only made it to the grid but completed all three of the races he was scheduled to compete in. Bill Morey, another teammate, made a solid showing after an abysmal last season. I have confidence both of them are going to be a pain in my ass as the season continues. Thanks go out to Woodcraft for the parts that kept my bike pretty despite its close proximity to the asphalt, Computrack Boston for the fresh front end that kept me rubber side down when I wasn't doing something dumb and MTAG/Pirelli for the rubber that stuck despite the cold conditions.
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99 + 02 SV650 ex-race - 91 FJ1200 street - 03 KDX220R woods - 12 WR450F motard/ice
