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Let's just get right into it, shall we?
Saturday
LWGP
So I didn't do LWGP back in Round 1 (and probably won't be doing it again unless my job situation changes) so I was gridded back on row 4. It was strange starting from back there but I had a good view of the flagger, got a great jump, weaved my way through and slotted into T1 behind FAST MAN Mike Wayant. With Scott Mullin DNSing due to a mechanical, Mike & Ricky were the only ones left in my forward view. 3rd place from row 4? I'll take it.
Mike ran a touch wide into 3 so I slipped in underneath him on the exit and made the pass as we started heading up the hill. That's about all she wrote for that race as Doucette already had a few seconds on me and he's not gonna give that up anytime soon! I managed to sneak up on him a little towards the end of the race as we worked our way through traffic but that's as much as I could muster.
After round 1's disappointing performance I was happy to see that I at least got back down into the 17's for at least one lap and was able to get back on the podium, neither of which I was able to do in round 1.
Sunday
LWSS
Due to my own dumb screw up, there was confusion on the schedule and I shot myself in the foot. I was in the garages about to get mentally prepared for my race when I heard some familiar names on the loud speaker as Bruce was announcing the starting line-up for the race going out. I walked out of the garages and saw one too many familiar bikes on pre-grid. At which point Cathy Curtain was fuckin awesome enough to get my attention and alert me to my massive screw up.... and I'm still in shorts & a t-shirt! Luckily I was fortunate to have just about everyone in the pits at the time helping me out, checking tire pressures, fueling up the bike and helping me get ready to go. It was a mad scramble, but I got geared up, on the bike, through the 3-10 split and onto the grid in time for the green.
So that was half of the battle.... super embarrassing.
Anyway I was able to get out there, gridded up 1D, made my launch and took the holeshot. I made a few little mistakes early, certainly symptoms of my massive pre-race rush. Coming out of turn 12 for the first time Ricky got out in front but I managed to power past him just after the start/finish and re-take the lead entering turn 1. I held the lead for another lap or two, closing the door on him out of the bowl and into 7 as he tried to pull along side me. But on lap 4, in his third attempt, he got under me enough that he got through at the grandstands, took the lead and that's how it would end.
Finish 2nd, fastest lap 17.2
LWSB
Made it out for this one on timeGridded 1D again and once again was able to get the holeshot. Once again, Ricky got through early, as did Scott Mullin. Scotty was determined to sneak by me and pulled a great move entering the T3 chute. He ran a touch wide so I tried shooting back underneath him heading up T4. We had a great drag race up the hill but he had a slight 1/4 bike lead on me as we drifted wider and wider towards the edge of the track... I knew he wasn't going to back off and he had the line into T6 anyway so I backed off to avoid running him off into the dirt. But man, that was some great close racing. I'm surprised we didn't touch. Always a pleasure doing battle like that with a racer like Scotty Mullz.
That's how it would stay until some dope crashed and left his bike in the middle of turn 10, triggering a red flag. THANKS Chuck!
All in all it was a great weekend. Got back on the podium, back into the low 17's and back to all my friends at the track - a much needed vaca.
As always, huge thanks to everyone that stopped by Center Garage #1 to say hi and lend a hand, it's always a pleasure having guests, helpers & everyone who cheers us on & helps us out.
Thanks to Tony's Track Days, Woodcraft for my new lever guards, Pine Motor Parts, MTAG Pirelli, On Track Media for some KICKASS PICS this round!!! Street & Competition for my brandy new Held Phantom gloves, Aesthetic Rain, Motorcycles of Manchester and everyone else who's helped me out over the years.
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Originally Posted by OreoGaborio
I am both flattered that you took the time and saddened that you can actually do that while passing me like I was standing still :-p
