Central Mass Powersports Round 7 #123 ~ chasing championships ~
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I arrived early evening Thursday night, set up the garage and got the bikes ready for Friday practice. Friday morning came around and we had a beautiful day! Warm sunshine, clean laps – ready to rock for rd. 7.
Saturday, race 4 – AM Super Singles – KTM (2nd) 1.28.0
It’s Saturday and first up for me is a wet AM Super Singles race. I am 20 points ahead of 2nd place Sam Lakas (#969) so I just need to finish. I got a great start and took the holeshot lead into turn 1. Jeff Blake (#919) took a jab at me and I let him go, that was tough - discretion is the better part of valour. At the checkers, I was second place to Jeff (congrats on your first AM win) and the new 2014 AM Super Singles Champion! Wheelies for all!
Saturday, race 11 – AM Ultralight Superbike – KTM (1st) 1.33.7
I knew going in this was just a fun race. Roland had too much of a head start on me from earlier in the season when I was a novice. I went out with the intentions of not stacking and having a little fun. My rain tire was smoked after the earlier race so I focused on getting way off the bike and keeping it on the meat of the tire. Checkered flag and another win for 2014, I finished second in the championship to Roland. Congratulations on your championship, Roland (#763)!
Saturday, race 12 – AM Middleweight Grand Prix – KTM (14th) 1.31.1
Another fun race with no real implications on any championships. I chose to run this race on the KTM rather than the GSXR as I already had wets mounted on the KTM. Good times, finished a respectable 14th and brought it home in one piece.
Saturday night now and it’s Christian’s (CMP #316) moment to shine. Low Down Racing was hosting a Halloween party with a costume contest. I’ll just let this picture tell the story…
Sunday morning comes around and it’s gorgeous out! Woohoo – dry weather racing!
Sunday, race 3 – AM Lightweight Superbike – KTM (7th) 1.23.2
Pretty unmemorable but FAST race. I battled with Rick Kaeser (#444) for a bit and brought it home in 7th. Another fun race with little to gain by pushing, gained more experience and set my focus on the upcoming AM Motard race.
Sunday, race 5 – AM Motard – KTM (1st) 1.22.2
I had this race highlighted on my schedule, a must win. Sam (#969) is only 11 points behind in 2nd place. On the grid, his bike stalls and won’t restart. Poor Sam worked all night the night before repairing his Yamaha to no avail. I was gutted watching him walk off the grid. A little pressure relieved, I set off with the holeshot into t1 and never looked back. I took the checkered flag in first and celebrated with a fist pump ala Lorenzo. With CMP’s help, we’d now secured our second championship for 2014 - AM Motard!
Sunday, race 6 – AM Middleweight Supersport – GSXR (crash) 1.19.1
Final race of the season for the GSXR. As this year was a building and learning year for the GSXR, none of the races were for championships – just experience. I was feeling a little chipper and decided to hang it out a little. A few laps into the race and I’m passing people I’ve never seen in a race before. I made it as high as 4th and was on my way to the podium when I pitched it into t1 at 100mph+…it didn’t stick. I ran out of talent right at the apex and found myself skipping along on my back. Tuck the arms, keep the legs together and we’re good. Bike wouldn’t restart (broken clutch lever) so I watched the finish from t1. I know what I did wrong and got the experience I was looking for. Good to know this thing is a ripper for next year, game on. New personal best of 1.19.1 and a big smile on my face.
Sunday, race 8 – AM Lightweight Sportstman – KTM (1st) 1.22.7
Final race of the season for the KTM, so bittersweet. Holeshotted t1 and never looked back. Ran a quick spirited race but kept it in check. I took the checkered flag in first and that’s a wrap for 2014! Big wheelies all around and a little burnout for the lady in the treehouse – thank you for keeping an eye on us all season!
Credit to all the amazing support we received this year from Central Mass Powersports in Lunenburg, MA. Gary Pescatore (CMP GM) and I met last December ’13, we had mutual experiences and friends. What a ride it’s been – I told you we’d give ‘em hell, thank you for believing in me! The CMP crew – Al, Todd, Jimmy, Ethan, Will, Dave, Jon, Seth and anyone else I’ve forgotten – thank you. Pirelli tires (Mtag/Tony/Mike) kept us glued to the track all year while TSS graphics kept us looking as sharp as a pro AMA team. Jon Dixon at Advanced Traction twisted the clickers that Peter Kates (GMD) built and the bikes were dialed all season. It’s been an amazing race season that far surpassed my expectations and goals, none of it possible without your support. Thank you and we’ll see you (hopefully with white plates and new challenges) in 2015!
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Originally Posted by tsorfas
