728 racing with AHRMA at NJMP

[Paul_E_D]

AHRMA race report from New Jersey Motorsports Park, Thunderbolt: What a blast! This event falls on my birthday and it is becoming a tradition to travel down to support Kerry Smith and Team Giannini, plus do a few races of my own.


AHRMA is a national series focused on vintage, and unique modern race bikes. I don't have a bike that fits their structure, so I have to borrow one. This year Isaac Maycotte came through with a generous offer to let me race his SS prepared SV650. This was my first chance to race one, and I see why they are the standard club racing bike. Incredibly easy to ride, and pretty darn fast too. Isaac's is an extremely nice example.


AHRMA repeats their entire schedule saturday and sunday. I entered 2 races on saturday and just one on sunday. Sound of Thunder 2 which is a serious challenge on the SV facing much bigger bikes, and Sound of Thunder 3 which is the SVs proper class.
SoT2 was first up and I was gridded at the backof a 40 bike grid. I got a great launch and headed into T1 maybe 10th? I put my head down and chased some faster bikes hard for a few laps, dipping to a 31.5 before overheating the front tireI had some big smeary slides, so I backed off and brought Isaac's baby home in 6th. The lap time was better than I had hoped for, and Things were looking good for SoT3.


Saturdays SoT3 race was perhaps the craziest of the weekend. I was gridded at the back again and got another solid launch. Kris Hopkins got an even better one though and I slotted in behind him in 5th? place into T1. After a few passes and some battling, I came through the kink in perfect position to get a serious draft. I tucked in tight for a bit until I had a good head of steam and pulled out into the wind. I whipped past Kris, the bike in front of him, and what the hell, I can get all the way to the front on this one!


I was in DEEP and HOT into T1 and the front tire did not hold. I was clearly not going to stay on the track surface, so I stood it up and off roaded from T1 to T2. As the lead pack went by I looked over my shoulder, and there is Kris Hopkinspassing me, IN THE DIRT ALSO! lol. I throttled up through the whoops and came back on track in 4th with all the work to do again.


I settled down and started to work my way forward. About halfway through I had the leaders coming back to me when first place crashed and second place followed him a little wide. I swooped under them into the lead and managed the gap to take the win.


Sunday SoT3 went more to plan. I got the hole shot, did a few fast laps, and managed the gap to take a flag to flag victory with Kris Hopkins on my heels.


By far the best part of the weekend though was watching Kerry Smith's incredible ride in F250 on saturday. I will let her tell that one though.

[sdog30]

You are seriously impressive, my friend.

[loudbeard]

How does Issac feel about your using his SV as a dirt bike?

[Zolden]

Great report read. My buddy has been racing in AHRMA on a CB350 for years. I finally made it down as a spectator Saturday this time and had a blast. I will likely go for the license through AHRMA and try to grid up next year, but the RSVR only fits into SOT1 which the likes of Nate Kern and Duc 1299's were running in. Still I'd love to do it for the experience.

[Paul_E_D]

How does Issac feel about your using his SV as a dirt bike?

After a little therapy, I think he's OK with it.

Great report read. My buddy has been racing in AHRMA on a CB350 for years. I finally made it down as a spectator Saturday this time and had a blast. I will likely go for the license through AHRMA and try to grid up next year, but the RSVR only fits into SOT1 which the likes of Nate Kern and Duc 1299's were running in. Still I'd love to do it for the experience.

Do it! A buddy of mine runs an RSVR and has a blast. I raced against Nate on the SV! LOL.

[nt650hawk]

Congrats!

[tsorfas]

Nice write up and results.
That Jersey T1 is tricky and sure inspires added confidence, add the extra mph from draft and the desire to pass everyone and you are def going dirt biking. Done that a couple times myself chasing bigger bikes there.
Jersey is my least favorite track but the people there are awesome.

[isaac_]

How does Issac feel about your using his SV as a dirt bike?

When he told me he went off-roading, he was short in details and I did not think much of it because he told me he won that race. He failed to mention it was going into T1 with a double draft!! Kudos that he was able to keep it upright. I've had my coffee and therapy. I'm good now.

[Paul_E_D]

Jersey is rapidly climbing my list as a favorite race track. It's fast, flowing, linked, and slightly technical in spots. Your mistakes follow you a long way. It also rewards big brass balls in the 3 100+ mph corners.

[MUZ720]

I agree NJ is a great track fast as crap and has a flow that's cool. Love the place . Congratulations on your wins !!! This old man wishes he had his air cooler Ducati instead of the 748 and a cranky KZ650 for the weekend, but still had a blast. Can't wait for Barber...

[Paul_E_D]

Ah, yes, I didn't mention that the goal of this weekend was to qualify to race Barber this october... PUMPED.

[theducman]

Paul, I was watching the live timing on race monitor. You were flying. I was at the ccs round the weekend before, best I could do was a 1:38:3 nice job!

[Paul_E_D]

Paul, I was watching the live timing on race monitor. You were flying. I was at the ccs round the weekend before, best I could do was a 1:38:3 nice job!

Oh, thanks man. I love the race monitor app. Sometimes it can be super fun to follow that way and imagine how the race is playing out.

[isaac_]

Oh, thanks man. I love the race monitor app. Sometimes it can be super fun to follow that way and imagine how the race is playing out.

And sometimes it can bring on panic induced anxiety seeing your rider drop like a brick!