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A bit late but here it is.
I did some work to the SV over the winter. SV Racing parts GSXR caliper spacers, aluminum front fairing, and I trimmed the stock steel subframe to save some weight. New paint and I was ready to go.
Friday Practice was eventful to say the least. It was cold as balls out friday morning so I decided to skip morning practice sessions until it warms up and to save a little bit of money. Come to find out, there is no half day practices any more. After some griping, I ponied up and paid the bills to go get some seat time with my SV. This was only the third day that I've been able to ride it. First practice session is cold and I'm way out of the groove. Second practice session is going better. Bill #868, said he was tooling around with 27's in the second afternoon session and I was ahead of him so I know I was getting back into the pace of this when WHAM!!! I went down in T1A. It was post apex, when my front tire made contact with the cleanup line that was left after the track was oiled in the morning. Combined that with cold tires, cold pavement, and input at the wrong time, I left the track tumbling with my SV in the tire wall. $70 and a skipped 3rd session and I was back in the game until there was a crash on the outlap for session 4 in T3. With that red flag, I decided to pack it in for the day.
Morning practice on saturday was cold as well. I got a few laps in but was definitely set back by my get-off in T1A. 35's and 36's.....awful.
Race #3, GTL: This was my first GTL race ever so I was glad it was shortened by 5 minutes. I got a decent start and ended up in front of Brett #226, Bill #868, and Jake #214 (i think). I held it for a few laps before I got gassed and started losing some time. Brett was gone, Bill and Jake stayed around a little longer. I decided to cruise to a finish of 10 out of 15 with a best lap of a 30 during that race.
Race #8, LWGP: Again, start wasn't bad, but my head got the better of me I think and I was left by the pack in the first lap. I focused on my line, and tried to be smoother and more relaxed while I had the track to myself. Got passed by Gino at one point in 4/5. I was able to hang with him through 6/7/8 until he started gapping me in 9 and 10. By 11 and 12, he was gone. Finshed 8 out of 10 with another best lap in the 1:30 range with a couple 32's and 31's.
Overall, it was cold, I was cold, I got taken down a peg or two and lost a little confidence. Looking to make a big comeback in Round 3 (have to miss round 2 because of work) with new tires and lower lap times. I left last season in the 23.4 range as a PB so I was definitely disappointed by this round. Couldn't have been happier to hang with the LDR guys in T1A. Had a great time and can't wait to go back.
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