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Well, the bad news is, "The Streak" has ended... I'm not sure what the official race count is, but I think this weekend marks my first crash related DNF since 2007 (I'll have to double check that though). Regardless of the details, I've had incredibly good luck over the years when it comes to keeping my bike on two wheels (or at least one) during my races and taking the checkered.
The GOOD news is, I was virtually unhurt, the bike came out of it in very good shape and I was able to return to form for my other races. All the bike needed was a new clutch lever & left side foot controls. The Woodcraft frame sliders, rearsets, spools & clipons did a phenominal job of keeping the vital bits off the pavement & sliding flat on the ground.
MORE good news, is it didn't hurt me in the LWSB points chase
Anyway, more details about that soon. On to the races.
The "Spoilers":
LWSB - DNF
LWGP - 2nd
GTL - 3rd
LWSS - 2nd
The Details:
Saturday
Race 2, LWSB - I got a good start, but so did Scott and we had a great drag race to T1. I barely edged him out but a minor mis-shift exiting turn 2 opened the door into 3 and he took advantage. I tried getting up underneath him as we went up turn 4 but he held me off. On lap three a false neutral into the bowl allowed Ricky to get around the outside of me as I struggled to find the right gear. On lap 5 I got a great drive out of 12 and was closing the gap on Scott Mullin was by then in 2nd place and as we peeled off the wall for T1 I took position on his right and "took a peek". I wasn't going to force a pass, but if it happened it happened. My goal was primarily to show him a wheel and "feel out" whether or not I could make a move there later in the race. As we came off the NASCAR oval onto the banking I pulled about 1/2 a bike length ahead, but pointed a little more to the right than I wanted to be as we passed the orange box. Knowing the pavement transition was approaching, I wanted to get my bike pointed a little more towards 1A than I was so I could get the bike a little more upright before the bump. I think what happened then is I EVER so slightly added a steering input and the front immedately started pushing and washed out before I could recover. My bike missed the grass (thankfully), skipped ALL the way to the cornerworker stand (scattering the cornerworkers) and stopped just a few feet before the wall. I bounced up, ran to the bike as I did an "injury awareness check" but knew my race was over when I saw my clutchlever on the ground, a broken shift rod and only an inch of footpeg remaining. It's possible I could have rejoined the race w/o either, but it would have proved to be very difficult to get going again so we didn't make an attempt.
When the race ended, I coasted onto the infield, put it in 2nd gear by hand, pushed the bike, keyed the starter, rode back to the pits and immediately got to work. Huge thanks to all that helped in the garage to get me back out there with so little time - my teammates, Chuck Boucher, Tony of Tony's Track Days, Mark (TLR Man) and a few other helpful handsWith a new clutch lever, shift lever, rearset & footpeg, she was ready to go in a jiffy.
Race 6, LWGP - The 1 board tilted and the flagger was slow pulling the trigger, which pulled Scott Mullin off the line early. He wasn't penalized however, because he stopped his momentum once the green came out and everyone blew past him. I got the holeshot, took the lead into T1 and turned a 1:19.4 out lap - the fastest of my career, I believe? Rick one-upped me, however, by passing me early & turning a ridiculous 1:18.3 in the process. That's the way it would stay, from start to finish, with minimal drama in between.
To be perfectly honest, the first time or two heading into T1 I had the butterflies goin, especially when I saw those tire marks from my crash in my peripheral, but I stayed relaxed, let my training & technique take over & things worked out just fine. In fact, I turned my best lap of the weekend on lap 2 with a 1:16.686, just over a tenth off my personal best (1:16.578) which felt awesome.
Sunday:
Race 2, GTL - I got a great jump off the line and had a GREAT drag race to T1 with Scott Mullin, who edged out. Rick showed me a tire a couple of times until he finally got by a few laps in when he got underneath me exiting the bowl and I could only watch as he and Scott slowly drifted off into the distance. There were a few times where lap traffic held them up, but I knew I wouldn't have had a chance to get either one of them, so I played "goodie two shoes" and was nice to the lappers while turning 18's and 20's for the rest of the race to conserve my tires and my energy for LWSS.
Race 8, LWSS.
After a VERY LENGTHY storm delay, complete with torrential downpours and an amazing cloud and lightning show, LWSS got under way under wet track conditions. I got an AMAZING jump off the line and had a good 4 bike length lead into T1. I led for the first lap until Scott Mullin snuck along side me and pulled a classic block pass into T3. The Wet Weather Magician then worked his magic, turning a best 1:25.9, which out-paced my low 27's. Each time I came down the front straight I could see Gino & the guys giving me signals that Rick Doucette was RIGHT on my rear tire. I didn't dare look back. I just kept my head down, rode some defensive lines, hung off that bike as much as possible to keep it upright and let the tires talk to me. I got some GREAT luck with traffic during the shortened 6 lap race and Rick got held up on lap 5 which gave me a nice gap... a gap that I needed when I spun up the rear somethin fierce exiting the bowl. I hung on and finished 2nd, ahead of Rick Doucette for the first time in my carrer. Great way to end the weekend.
Huge thanks to Tony's Track Days, MTAG Pirelli & RSP Racing for all their help & support, to Woodcraft for keeping my bike off the ground, Street & Comp for having all my replacement parts on hand, Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists & Jette Painting for not yelling at me when I scuff up the bike, AestheticRAIN for our website & OnTrackMedia for the awesome pics! (which I'll post up later)
And of course to all of the cornerworks whom I rarely get to see out on the track and to all of our fellow racers, friends & family that show up to support the local racing organization & cheer us on.
Oh and I'll try & get some video up later![]()
Last edited by OreoGaborio; 08-24-11 at 11:17 AM.
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
Great turnaround after the off. Most people wouldn't shake it off that quickly. I have photos of the slide after the bike was down, which Annalisa got, if you wanted to see them. I didn't post them, just in case you didn't want to. (Some of us don't like to see what can happen.)
The rest of the weekend was typical Oreo. Smooth and predictable. It's always a pleasure to watch you. Unfortunately, most races you run, I'm also in as well, so I only get to see the SS race.
I'm really liking pitting with you guys. I'm learning a lot!
Here is a photo of Pete's awesome start in LWSB though...
![]()
Noice man.
Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
Great weekend speedy.
Gino
HAWK GT Racer Expert #929
2012 CCS LRRS ULSB Champion
2012 CCS LRRS P89 Champion
2008 CCS ULSB National Champion
ECKRACING Bridgestone Street & Competition Woodcraft MOTUL On Track Media Pine Motorparts Vanson Leathers
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
Congrats Pete on the last three finishes. Sorry about the DNF, but glad we had what you needed in the trailer.
Thanks man!
Sorry I didn't come by afterwards to say thanks & settle up.
I'll stop by next round to go over the particulars. Think I've got one part that I didn't use and can return.
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
Awesome stuff! I just love you guys that take the time to write up a good race report.![]()
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I dont think the folks that aren't racers can appreciate how huge this one line is:
"I hung on and finished 2nd, ahead of Rick Doucette for the first time in my carrer."
Simply amazing, and to do so after an off is even more incredible. I simply cant get my confidence back that fast but you show us how it is done! My hat is off to you sir!
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
Thanks, guys
Still haven't put any video together.. haven't had time to sit down & do it.
Still gotta get some vid from TTD 1-on-1 vid up on youtube as well (Sorry Dave!!!) so I wanna do that first.
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
you crashed in T9 during practice when i was still racing. or does that not count because it was practice. im pretty sure you didnt race that sunday
When I start my KTM in the morning, rules are broken. Its inevitable...
01 SV650S (RC51 eater)/07 690SM /03 300EXC/14 XTZ1200
TRACKS:Firebird/NHMS/VIR/Calabogie/California Speedway/NJMP/MMC/NYST/Palmer/Thompson/Club Motorsports
Last edited by OreoGaborio; 08-24-11 at 10:52 AM.
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
jus axin...dam!
i wont mention that ive never crashed out then
then again...ive never finished ahead of RD either. came close once, a big THANKS to Sandy for fucking me out of that one
Last edited by SVRACER01; 08-24-11 at 10:45 AM.
When I start my KTM in the morning, rules are broken. Its inevitable...
01 SV650S (RC51 eater)/07 690SM /03 300EXC/14 XTZ1200
TRACKS:Firebird/NHMS/VIR/Calabogie/California Speedway/NJMP/MMC/NYST/Palmer/Thompson/Club Motorsports
I enjoy the 3 way battles you guys get going in every race. Some of the most fun to listen to the announcer and watch.
awesome job finishing ahead of Rick
LRRS Am #331
Graphic Tailor / Woodcraft / Armour Bodies / Suomy / Cycle Performance Autobody / Shorai / ChickenHawk Racing
Yup. First time in T8 was a Sunday morning practice
Second time was at a track day (late in the day, wasn't really instructing)
Both times I was trying slightly new things... Obviously it didn't work out as planned![]()
They each had their own secondary causes that contributed it, but I think the primary cause of both crashes was that I was still adding a steering input under the treehouse.
Last edited by OreoGaborio; 08-24-11 at 11:56 AM.
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
LRRS Am #331
Graphic Tailor / Woodcraft / Armour Bodies / Suomy / Cycle Performance Autobody / Shorai / ChickenHawk Racing
Mike K. - www.goMTAG.com - For Pirelli tires, Moto-D tire warmers, and Woodcraft parts
LRRS/CCS Expert #86 / RSP Racing / Woodcraft / MTAG Pirelli / Dyno Solutions / Tony's Track Days / Sport Bike Track Gear / 434racer / Brunetto T-Shirts / Knox / Crossfit Wallingford
R.I.P. - Reed - 3-23-2008
I would really like to say that I hope to make that a 4 way battle but first I have to man up enough to catch and pass Coolbeth which I think is a long way off.
As for recording Bruce, that is an AWESOME idea. I wonder if the track would let us record the feed for our own personal use (like youtube videos, etc). I will look into that
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
Can use the headphone jack on a scanner to plug it into a computer with an input point? Record it to an MP3 or something?
Guessing most laptops wouldn't have an input point or microphone jack though, huh...
Last edited by OreoGaborio; 08-24-11 at 02:34 PM.
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
LRRS Am #331
Graphic Tailor / Woodcraft / Armour Bodies / Suomy / Cycle Performance Autobody / Shorai / ChickenHawk Racing
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
Oh hey, look at that... my laptop has an audio input
Thanks, Paul![]()
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg