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Feeling very proud of my recent track trailer build and full of confidence after picking up my bike from GMD for a suspension overhaul and setup I left Thursday just after lunch to head up to NHMS. Plan was to leave early, beat the traffic, set up camp, and do some work on my bike that evening. Miles from Street and Comp had a steering damper waiting for me and I picked up the bike from PK as it was delivered, naked. Long story short, finished wrenching about 9:00, ate some dinner, went to bed early.
Friday: Basic school is a LONG fucking day. Most of you know this. It sucks. The morning class sessions are certainly valuable in learning the rules and format of things, but the rest of the day felt like a lot of hot air and class time was mandatory. The important part, track time. Zev Ginsburg spent 3 full sessions working with me 1 on 1; following me, towing me around, talking stuff over in the pits. Dude went above and beyond to bring me up to speed. We discussed my problem areas (3-4, 9-10) and made big strides getting faster in those sections. Finished the day confident and ready to race.
Saturday
Rookie Race Heavyweight/Middleweight:
4 riders gridded up, all middleweight. I had a weak start and went into T1 in 3rd, stayed that way for the remainder of the lap and I reeled in 143X David Ruben going into 1, got a solid drive out of 2 and passed him on the back straight. Spent the rest of the lap closing the gap between 767 Greg Moeller and I. Caught him exiting 2 and made a clean pass on the inside going into 3 and took the lead. From there out it was head down and try and make some space. I wasn't challenged the rest of the way and finished my rookie race with a win.
Out lap: 1:31.325
Best lap: 1:25.132
Race 10 Rookie 2:
First "real" race. Big grid, I was in the 2nd wave, A position in the 5th row. Start was a big cluster fuck of wheelies, stalls, and zig zags. I went into 1 somewhere mid pack, held back a bit through 1A and made a hard drive through 2 and passed 3-4 riders before entering T3. I was in 6th at this point and the lead pack was a couple of turns ahead of me. Basically stayed like this for the rest of the race and I finished 6th.
Out lap: 1:33.637
Best lap: 1:24.607
Sunday
Race 1 Formula 2:
Gridded in A position 2nd row. Got a nice start and beat the leader 396 Matthew Frois into T1. I'm winning! Then I went soft into T6 and Matt got me back on the inside. He's been turning solid 22's so I figure on trying to catch a tow and see if I can make something happen at the end. I hang in there for almost a lap then we hit Wave 1 traffic around T3. Matt is able to pass a few riders entering 3, I hold off until exit, I don't get through the traffic until exiting 6 and Matt is long gone. I run the rest of the race with no hope of catching him and never being challenged for my position. Jim watches from the start/finish and gives me the "slow down" signal at the white flag. Ran consistent 25's for the most part.
Out lap: 1:27.567
Best lap: 1:25.270
Race 10 Starter 2 AM/NOV
Fucked the start. I was 3rd wave, the last row of second wave didn't leave on their flag, I'm like "wtf"?" They drop green on us and I wait for the rest of my wave to go before I do. Fuck. Goal here is don't get lapped my Jim who started in the first wave. 396 get out in front early and I could never really latch on. I run the whole race in 2nd cutting 24's and last lap going into 3 Chris Bouchard leading the Am pack passes me. I try and catch a tow but he's too fast. I get passed again crossing the finish line by the second Am. Jim apparently was reeling me in but didn't catch me before it was over, he did slide over for a fist bump going down the back straight on the cool down lap. I get back to the garage and check my phone, absolutely PUMPED to see I broke into the 23's on the 2nd to last lap!!!!
Out lap: 1:29.574
Best lap: 1:23.868
What a blast. Can't wait for next round!
HUGE thanks to all the guys who have helped me and encouraged me along the way. It's really early for me with only 5 track days under my belt before this weekend but I knew right away racing was the goal. Instructors at Penguin and Tony's were all awesome. Degsy has helped me a ton. All the guys in 10/11 North, Marcelo, Fenchy, and especially Jim. Jim is a great roommate and a great dude who has helped me in all aspects of getting started in this awesome sport. I might not always listen to him but he always enjoys a good "I told you so" at my expense! Thanks guys!!
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Originally Posted by Jim
