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Cliffs:
LWSB - 3rd
LWGP - 4th
GTL - 3rd
LWSS - 2nd
Best dry lap - 1:17.2
Best wet lap - 1:29.3
Saturday:
Race 2 - LWSB
Gridded 1-C, finished 3rd
My first race of the weekend turned into a great back and forth battle with #16 Brian Kent. I got a decent jump off the line and had some fun going into turn 1 THREE WIDE with #24 Scott Mullin and #80 Bill Tansey. Scott and #6 Rick Doucette both made their move early as usual and managed to put a little gap between them and us and slowly drifted off into the distance. Rick, I believe, led the race pretty much from start to finish once he got out front on the lead lap, with Scott right in tow.
Brian and I had a great back and forth battle. I settled into 3rd early, but he got me under power down the main straight a couple of laps in. I took the position right back going deep on the brakes on the outside of T1 but he returned the favor by pulling along my right side going into T3 to re-take once again. I got my nose right back underneath him post apex and we rode side by side up turn four into the bowl but he had the edge into Turn 6. At that point, we settled into a rhythem with me on his rear tire, studying his lines, strengths and weaknesses. Late in the race we caught some lap traffic, but we both seemed to work through it equally and it proved no advantage/disadvantage to either one of us for the most part. I did have a couple of chances to make a pass LATE on the entry to 3, but wasn't quite close enough or in a position to make it work. On lap 7 however, Brian was held up slightly between T10 and 11 and I was able to stay close enough to him down the main straight to get somewhat of a draft and stay just within striking distance. I made my move into T1 on the white flag lap as we peeled away from the wall. I pulled up on his right, got a wheel in front and nearly leaned right on him as we came onto the apron and onto the new pavement. We both drifted a little wide post apex but I held my ground, got on the throttle and made the flip for 1A in 3rd place. I put down a 01:17.240 (season best) on the last lap and held 3rd to the checkered. Epic battle and a great way to kick off the weekend!
Race 6 - LWGP
Gridded 1-C, finished 4th
I got a good start and things were super tight going into T1. As always, Scott and Rick both got out front early and battled it out for 1 and 2 with Rick winning the war.
On the opening lap I caught a false neutral (wimpy shift input) into the bowl and couldn't keep it tight on entry, letting Brian Kent sneak up the inside to put me back to fourth. I made a move into T1 on the following lap and moved back up to 3rd, but once again, entering the bowl I made another wimpy shift input and found that false neutral for a second time which let Brian AND #80 Dan Frisby up the inside, putting me back to 5th. A couple of laps later I got past Brian once again into T3 and worked on reeling Dan in. I was making good progress but each time we came up on traffic I would loose JUST enough ground to keep from me making a move. In the end, Dan was able to fend me off & take the last podium spot, relegating me to 4th, but it was a great race and it put a big ole smile on my face seeing three generations (Dan, his Son-in-law, Scott, and baby Mini Mullin) on the podium for the awards ceremony.
Sundayyyy, rainy Sundayyyy:
Race 2 - GTL
Gridded 1-B, finished 3rd
Super wet! I got a great launch, took the holeshot and held 1st for a few turns until Scott and Rick both got by (surprise, surprise), Scotty in 3 and then Rick over 5 and into 6. The race was red-flagged a few laps in and we headed back to the grid for a re-start. GTL V2.0 was similar to the first but I entered T1 in 2nd behind the #24 of Scott Mullin. Once again, Ricky got past and that's how it would stay. I started getting pressured late in the race by former ECK teammate #724 Jason Hillsgrove, but I was able to lay down some good and consistent laps towards the end, capping things off with a 1:29.3, my best in the rain from what I can last recall.
Race 8 - LWSS
Gridded 1-C, finished 2nd
Lightweight Supersport started off with a drizzle but a few laps in it REALLY started coming down, making certain areas a little more slick than others as standing water and little rivers REALLY started forming up. I got a good start and as usual, found my place in 2nd position behind Scott. Rick passed me up the inside of the T2 exit which meant Mark Dages was right behind me "batting clean up". Scott ended up encountering an unexpected dismount in what looked like the exit of turn 2. He was up and okay and tried re-entering the race, but was unable to rejoin due to what looked to me like an issue with his shift mechanism. I stayed safe and consistent, keeping a watchful eye on the gap from me back to now 3rd place Mark Dages and held 2nd to the line. Definitely a war of attrition with the rain coming down in sheets during parts of the race.
All in all, a great weekend and lots of fun. Great seeing everyone as always and a big thanks to my ECKRacing teammates and all of our sponsors, especially Tony's Track Days, Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists and Woodcraft for the new paint & bodywork, Street and Comp and MTag-Pirelli!!!
Special thanks to all of those that braved the threatening weather on Saturday and the rain on Sunday to come up and watch... and to Tony for the entertainment and hospitality on Friday night
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