11


Amateur GTL
I haven’t been an Amateur very long so I had a crappy grid position. Got off to a good start and just forced my way forward as far as I could get early on. I was able to keep Ben Travisano (130) in sight and start slowly gaining on him. Just past the halfway point my rear tire stepped out pretty dramatically in turn 6 and that went to my head. I started to get uncharacteristically tired and then saw Jake Vader off in turn one. The ambulance rolled and I just went into preservation mode, maintaining my position and not crashing. I kept expecting Bill Morey (my current arch-nemesis, hah!) to pass me but I never saw him. I finished 3rd and was happy with that. I turns out Bill had a mechanical issue that shut him down shortly after the start.
Amateur P-89 Lights
It was raining for this race and I was the only one in my race that had rain tires. No sense pushing it more than necessary, especially because someone else needed some parts from my bike for an upcoming race.
Amateur UL Superbike
Skipped this race so a friend could use the wheel, axle, spindle and rotor from my bike to win his first Amateur championship. Totally worth it.
Amateur LW Superbike
The Hawk was still missing the back end of the bike so I raced my SV for the first time. I made a few passes, was passed a few times and generally had a blah race. Nothing to write home about except that racing the SV helped me finally make the decision to get rid of it. It doesn’t fit my riding style as much as the Hawk and it’s just not as much fun for me. Time to pass it along to someone that will actually use it.
Overall it was an emotionally exhilarating weekend with less than stellar racing on my part. I walked away from this season without injury and having a renewed interest in racing. I’d like to thank Tony’s Track Days for the gobs of track time and the one-on-one instruction (go Gino go). Working with the staff at Tony’s has pushed me to up my game, analyzing the nuances of riding and becoming more proficient at communicating those skills to other riders. The team (family?) at Tony’s has been amazingly fun, helpful and supportive. Running Pirelli tires for the last few weekends has helped to renew confidence in my bike. The guys at Low Down Racing have been as close as family to me. I can’t thank them enough for all of the help, support and laughter. Heath, Adam, Bill, Brett and Joel you guys are awesome. Thanks to all of my fellow racers and track day riders for helping me have a wonderful season!
LRRS EX #7
Low Down Racing
- Woodcraft - Armour Bodies - Computrack Boston - Lifeproof -
Nice read. Thanks and see ya next year
I hope to be out there with ya in P-89 and UL next season (well, with Gino I guess until you bump the 1st or 2nd round) if my search is successful!
Bill Cool --- CRA EX 47, CVMA EX 478 --- 2023 NEMRR GTO Champion, 2020-21 LRRS LWSS Champion --- RSP Racing / TTD / MTAG-Pirelli / Woodcraft / Sportbike Track Gear / Seacoast Sport Cycle \ Bison
"I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"
Bikes: Ducati: 748 (Track) Honda: RC31 (Race/street)/ CRF 110 Mini Moto/ Hawk Endurance Racer Kawasaki: ZXR1200R
BOMO Instructor
EX# X
John, you are an inspiration not only in the great progress that you have made this year, but also in character. You are a role model for many of us.
Well done and can't wait to see what next year brings!
-Christian LRRS/CCS HasBeen ECK Racing
2011 Pit Bike Race CHAMPION!
John it has been fantastic to watch the progress you made this year. I know that you were stuck in that rut and you broke out of that in a big way. To see you ride with the confidence and talent that we all know you have has been an inspiration (where have I read that?).
I can't thank you enough for sacrificing your race weekend to help me realize my goals. Last race weekend you gave me a push, this race weekend a cush, LOL. I am truly fortunate and lucky to call you friend and share a pit with you. I am looking forward to more battles in the future, your caveman ability to bend metal objects, sharing good beer and bullshit stories. Thanks for making 2012 a memorable season, your the shit!
Thanks guys, feeling the love. I'm looking forward to hanging with you at the banquet for some more good stories, etc. Next year will be a fresh start and another wonderful season!
LRRS EX #7
Low Down Racing
- Woodcraft - Armour Bodies - Computrack Boston - Lifeproof -
I brought my friends up to the T6 grandstands for the GTL and you instantly became their hero. No lie. 117 is ingrained in their heads because of your slick style.
Does this mean you are part owner in Bill's championship?![]()
LRRS 878 Clapped out Gixxah
That's too funny. When I went by on the cool down lap there were some folks cheering madly on the bleachers and I got a kick out if it. Of course I had no idea that it was for me but I pretended. It must have been them. It's a great feeling to have fans!
I don't own any part of Bill's championship. He earned it. He has helped me out as much as I've helped him out, just in different ways.
LRRS EX #7
Low Down Racing
- Woodcraft - Armour Bodies - Computrack Boston - Lifeproof -
Great read, it was a pleasure meeting and racing with you this season.
And your body positioning is on point, I'm extremely jealous.
A man of many names...Jay, Gennaro, Gerry, etc.
Jay, thanks. I'm looking forward to chasing you again next season.
LRRS EX #7
Low Down Racing
- Woodcraft - Armour Bodies - Computrack Boston - Lifeproof -
What can I say? Class act for sure and one hell of an up and coming new racer to boot! Looking forward to seeing you progress through 2013 which I am sure will land you with white plates before the end of it.
Oh yeah..and still jealous of your insane body positioning!
LRRS/CCS EX #29
434Racer Performance Parts / Motul / Sportbike Track Gear / Knox / Dyno Solutions / Tony's Track Days / MTAG Pirelli / Nexx Helmets / Woodcraft / GMD Computrack
that body position has to be because of the beard
LRRS Am #331
Graphic Tailor / Woodcraft / Armour Bodies / Suomy / Cycle Performance Autobody / Shorai / ChickenHawk Racing
Shhh Brett. That was supposed to be my secret. Now next year all the new riders will be dangling facial hair out of their helmets instead of doing the Rossi leg dangle!
LRRS EX #7
Low Down Racing
- Woodcraft - Armour Bodies - Computrack Boston - Lifeproof -
I think you mean our secret
LRRS Am #331
Graphic Tailor / Woodcraft / Armour Bodies / Suomy / Cycle Performance Autobody / Shorai / ChickenHawk Racing
Good point. I've always been concerned that hair sticking out both the front and rear of the helmet might somehow upset the delicate balance though.
LRRS EX #7
Low Down Racing
- Woodcraft - Armour Bodies - Computrack Boston - Lifeproof -
LRRS Am #331
Graphic Tailor / Woodcraft / Armour Bodies / Suomy / Cycle Performance Autobody / Shorai / ChickenHawk Racing