The pressure was on for this weekend as I received a phone call stating..."Since blood was spilt putting that motor together you have to race." Since you can't really tell the Zlock's no I didn't have much of a choice but to be sure I show up. The stakes went up as I found out that the Pinkstaff brother's wouldnt' be attending...which leaves Zlock racing to be represented by the 'factory' rider, Oliver Jervis, and the 'satellite' rider...myself.

At any rate the weekend started out with me thoroughly disappointing Dan as through the first two practice sessions there are several issues discovered with the installation of the motor. Thankfully Dale took pity on me and helped me solve those issues so at least the bike was ready to race. As for me...I wasn't so sure. I started out the day tentative in the two practice sessions. I still can't get the right line into/out of the bus stop to get a good drive down the front straight. I still was having issues with the entrance of turn 5. I seem to be able to find the 'Sullivan' line into T6 at a much reduced pace. And lucky for me what Oliver showed me a few years ago in T2~4 seems to still stick in my head so I'm not just tip-toeing through there. In addition to the mental issues I was in some pain as I jammed my left big toe a few weeks back and it still was sore. I came to find out after the race weekend it was broken.

650SS Twins (8th Fastest lap 1:41.4)
I didn't get a very good start to this race. But I slotted in behind Brian Schilt. Just put my head down to stick with him. Size him up and see where I was stronger and where I was weaker. He would get in and out of the bus stop smoothly, but while I was focused on trying to keep in his draft Devon McDonough stuck a wheel up on me going into the chute. Great pressure from behind. We kept position for a few laps. I tried to pass into 3 but felt I was forcing it so didn't push my way through. I got a good drive up the hill and passed him just as we crested the hill. Apparently Devon came with me because a few laps later he got by me. On the last lap I was closing the gap on Devon into 3 when I got my last down shift and the tach went dead...I pulled up thinking there might be something wrong with the motor. By the time I realized everything was fine he was long gone...so I just finished the lap making sure that I didn't get passed at the end there.

Lightweight Superbike (4th Fastest lap 1:41.3)
I got a slightly better start to this race. It felt weird going sans tach...so I had to listen in several key areas to make sure when to shift. As I missed shifts going down the front straight I could only imagine Dan shaking his head. Brian Schilt found a few seconds from Saturday and we ended up having a really enjoyable race going back in forth. He passed me into the bus stop...I got him back in T3. It came down to a drag race to the flag that I got by less than a tenth of a second.

Middleweight GP Twins (9th Fastest lap 1:40.2 PERSONAL BEST)
I got what felt like a really good start in this race. Finally was getting used to the light system I guess. I tried to stick with Brent and was somewhat able to do so until T5 where he pulled away. I put my head down....and was expecting a pass attempt from either Devon or Brian at some point. As I was doing so I started to see the line into T5 that I was told about and started to work on going a little deeper in that section. I still have a lot of work to do, but I think the light bulb went off and at least I can see what to do now. Sure enough Devon made a pass on me and then pulled away. I started to try to reel him in. He was definitely stronger into and out of the bus stop and it paid off on the front straight as he seemed 'way' out there. I was able to catch up to him a few laps later into T2 and make the pass in T3. I basically started running for my life as I knew he would counter attack. I was lucky in that it sounded like after the race when we talked there might've been an exhaust problem which caused him to slow down a bit. Which enabled me to hang on for 9th. Somehow I don't think me finishing in front of Devon is going to last too long so I'm going to enjoy this.

So what started out as an apprehensive weekend turned out to be one of the funnest. In addition to fun on the track. There was a fantastic dinner put on by Rocky Zlock and Francie Lemarche that took place under an absolutely beautiful sunset. Four kinds of dessert!!! I was able to visit with friends Kecia and Rick (thanks Rick for letting me stake out floor space at your house!). Lisa came up on Sunday and she is always good for belly laughs as she gave Oliver and I "Spotted Dick".

Thanks to the Zlocks (Dan and Dale) for helping me out in the pits despite myself. Thanks to Oliver for showing me how a pro goes about racing and helping me with my bum foot. Thanks to James Cyr (Oliver's pit crew from Canada) for stepping away from the demanding Oliver to help me out and for making me crack up in general.

Thanks to Jeff and Francie for the pictures and help in the pits. Thanks Brent and Vick for the ice packs and helping me adjust the rear sets to help alleviate the pressure on my foot.

After a trying season at OMRRA plagued with too much responsibility...it was fun to 'just race' and hang out with such incredible people. Now I just want April to get here sooner.

The forecast was for 100 degree temperatures as we approached July 25 and 26th. I was not looking forward to being in that weather. But that's racing.

Special thanks to Jeff and Francie Lemarche for help in the pits and spoiling us with dinner, breakfast, snacks, and those oh so wonderful things soaked in ice water that you wear around your neck! Thanks to sponsors like CycleGear, Lockhart Phillips and Rivals Fantasy Games. Very special thanks to Zlock Racing and Competition Motors for the support this weekend in the heat. And finally Thanks to Geoff Ford again who generously is insisting I race his motor until mine is rebuilt.

I set up Saturday morning. I was somewhat concerned because the track day earlier in the week I was showing a strange tire wear. I resolved to start with the basics and re-aligning the axle and this seemed to make a difference. With the tire not getting any worse I put on a new set of tires and the wear pattern was back to normal. I probably should've practiced more, but the heat was starting to ramp up so I decided to park it and try to stay cool. Was mostly successful between standing in front of fans and misters that other people had and drinking plenty of fluids. The evening was capped off by an excellent meal hosted by Jeff and Francie Lemarche. The spoiling for the weekend began. Chips, salsa, and home made guac. Grilled artichoke hearts, salad, and pork chops with a fantastic red onion peach salsa(?). Was absolutely delicious. After an evening of good conversation with the usual suspects I headed home to try and sleep through the heat.

Sunday I head out in the morning warm up session. Things are feeling fairly decent. Turn 7 is starting to come around where I can feel comfortable enough to work on things again. It was an overall good warm up. I'm unconcerned with times and happy with just feeling comfortable on the bike again for the first time in awhile.

Middleweight Supersport (9th, fastest lap 1:20.148)
I got a really good start. I 'm slotted in 5th or 6ht going into T1. I find myself getting passed on the second lap and unable to keep the pace so I move backwards. Essentially with no one to race I'm not really pushing and I luckily end up holding off a late race charge from David Lane to retain 9th. Again with a lot of my results this year my times are off (this is 2 seconds off fastest laps last year) I know why and obviously something I'll continue to work on.

450 Superbike (8th 1:19.305 fastest lap)
Again. I get an excellent start and I'm 7th going into T1. Sam Bogess comes around me and again I just can't keep his pace. I put my head down and turn a string of 19's. The good news is that feeling more comfortable on the bike I can not only see where I'm giving up time, but now I can formulate in my head how to attack those areas which is a good sign.

Overall progress on recovery being made. Which is good. Also this weekend maybe due to the heat, there seemed to be less 'drama' associated with the Referee duties. Which is a load off my mind for the day. I'm encouraged heading into the last race of the year that maybe I can at least get back to some consistent 18's. But we'll play it by ear. There will be less time for practice as August is a double header weekend with racing on both Saturday and Sunday.

This race season has been hectic to say the least. The race weekend has been generally filled with a lot of work as I volunteered to be referee. It has been enjoyable….or maybe entertaining is a better word, but it does take up a lot of my race day. This race report is going to be LONG since I missed the last race report from May. There was a lot of things going on towards the end of May both race and personally…so my mind was on other things. Another week before I hear back on one thing….the other thing will take me awhile to get over.

To add to the craziness this year I’ve had a run of bad luck with mechanicals. The first race weekend the SV500 failed. Dan and I agreed that due to time and budget it would be better to target next year for bringing that bike back. That is now in the works as Dan showed me the connecting rods…or more accurately what’s left of them. Followed by my favorite phrase of his “Surprisingly…..”. Keep in mind the Zlock’s have been in the business for like 30 years including winning national championships. You should get nervous when they say things like “Surprisingly…” or my other favorite “I’ve never seen anything like that before….”

Anyways….on Monday 6/15 at a track day the SV650 developed a problem. Having Mike Gray and Brian Pinkstaff’s help at the trackday to diagnose the problem we are thinking it’s a bearing, but the motor will have to come apart to check it. That left me without a ride for this weekend….something originally I was comfortable with. After Brian helped me remove the motor on Tuesday night…the realization of how addicted to this sport I am set in and with Brian encouraging me to ride, I concluded to try and figure out a way to race this weekend. So I placed a phone call, text, and email to one of the guys it has been my pleasure to get to know to hopefully ‘borrow’ a motor since he has offered it before. Geoff was just getting back from China on Wednesday when he called me back and he only had two questions….(1) Which motor did I want (a bone stock one or one that was built) and (2) when was a good time for ME so he could bring it over. I’ve said this before….the people you meet doing this are some of the best people around. I could not have raced this weekend without Geoff and Brian’s help and encouragement. Thanks guys.

So Thursday night Geoff and Brian come over to help me install the motor. There are a few complications since we are fitting a first generation motor into a second generation bike… but between their technical knowledge and me not breaking anything too badly….the job gets done.

I spend Friday night buttoning up the motor. I try starting it expecting some sort of problem… and it lights off on the first turn. I pack everything up and head to the track on Saturday to finish things off. Body work, safety wire, etc. No time to practice since its Vintage Day so I’ll just race not having really ridden for about a month.

Sunday rolls around and the prospect for rain is high. I hate racing in the rain, but with the added incentive of not being able to face Brian and Geoff after all the work they did to help me if I didn’t race I tried to get my mind ready to get out there. Getting my mind right has been tough as the referee duties include bike inspections in the morning and handling the various ‘issues’ that tend to pop up. While I note that some of the people you meet doing this are the greatest (luckily my circle of friends are great) the other group of people you meet are a whole host of other descriptive terms towards the other end of the spectrum from greatest and as referee I get to deal with them. But as my college professor said "Such is life...and bitching doesn't get the job done." Besides I volunteered.

Fortunately for me the weather worked out and I had good conditions for both races. As far as solid race report I can say the 2nd race of the day felt good. I ran some consistent lap times and my weak areas were the same as last year. Into 7 and out of 9 I give a lot of time up to my competitors. This year I’ve tried changing my line into and out of 4 with varying success. So I’ll have to continue working on these areas hopefully with some more track time. Additionally my fitness has been lacking. I’ll be the first to admit I did not prepare myself in the off season as hard as I should have and I’m definitely paying for it with the results.

May Results:
MP (12th place; 1:20.2 fastest lap)
4S (12th place: 1:19.6 fastest lap)

June Results
MP (9th place; 1:18.7 fastest lap)
I started this race slotted in 3rd row outside. I get an OK launch but not great as Kevin (who is gridded next to me) shows me how's its supposed to be done. I get in behind Sam Boggess. Mike gets around me on the back stretch and i start to give up some ground. I'm not really riding really smooth...I can feel the lower and exhaust start to drag and that makes me pick the bike up and make adjustments. So I go through T1~3 making little adjustments which makes me lose a lot of ground. Mentally I have to try to start to lean off more to stand the bike up...but making this adjustment during the race proves a bit difficult. On about lap 4 or 5 unfortunately i come around T2 to see Mike's bike off in the grass to the left. He's not around and there is no red flag so he must be OK...so I press on. I end up racing with Jeff Lavalee a little and David James Moore who gets me at the end. I'll have to ask him if he has some film as it looked like he had a camera on the back of the bike.

4S (11th place, 1:19.1 fastest lap)
I get a better start in this race. Going into T3 I see Dave Salmi who seems to have gotten a horrible start...so I try to show him a wheel into T4. He ends up passing me around the outside but it was a moment that made me laugh. I was happy as I was able to put in a consistent set of 1:19's on this race and keep some of the front group guys in sight a bit longer. I've still got some places where I can make up time and hopefully get back to 1:18's. I could swear I think I was almost there...but I'm blaming the head wind on this one. Unfortunately the race was cut short by Red Flag incidents...it does not sound like anyone is hurt too badly which is fortunate.

Next race is July 25/26th so hope to see some of you out there. Additionally the last race of the year will be August 22/23 and this will be a double header meaning races on BOTH days.

As usual let me get my Thank you's out of the way.

Mike Gray...thanks for your help in the pits Friday and Saturday. Of all the weekends I don't think I would've gotten through this one without you.

Amy...thanks for help on Saturday. Packing up everything single handed while I was off dealing with Referee duties was above and beyond.

Thanks to Pinkstaff's, Zlock Racing, Oliver Jervis awesome to see everyone doing well out of the box.

Thanks to Mark, Elaine, Dave & Laurie, Dustin, Jeff Brooks, Amber, Jed, Do, Maurice, Amy...and eventually Tom Young...others in the pits for stopping by and seeing if I was OK. (Everyone else keep reading).

Geoff Ford...Thank you for being an unbelievable sportsman and friend. Every incident and issue I've ever been involved with or seen...you are generally one of the first in pit to see if the rider was OK...and then offer whatever help you can (including a replacement engine) to get someone back on track. Thank you.

Well...onto the story. I'm promised pictures from Amber so stay tuned for those.

This season start 'snuck' up on me in a way. Without a preceding track day...'all of a sudden' it was practice day. I was expecting to be rusty so I did not have any expectations for practice other than ensuring bikes worked. First session on the SV500 was 'OK'. The brakes were a little squishy so I didn't push hard at all. During lunch Mike Gray and I changed pads, new set of tires, and we bled the brakes. They felt rock solid as I headed out to the first session after lunch.

At this point its important to note that the morning included a conversation where Dan Zlock and I were discussing how reliable and great the SV500 was. And how we were both really happy with what a great bike it turned out to be. OK...back to the story.

So first session after lunch...I head out with the intent of putting down some decent laps. Checking lap time I did...first session I turned 1:30. This session I was turning a 1:24...which was practice time on this bike last year. On lap 9 or 10 as I was going into 7 (fastest turn on the track) I was just releasing the clutch on my 2nd downshift and the rear end locked up. The rear end of the bike came around on my right...caught...then I went over the bike on high side. It is interesting what runs through you mind at these moments.."Oh Shit"..."This could be bad"...as I was tumbling alongside the concrete wall...I distinctly remember as my helmet hit the wall the first time..."Ooooh..this is going to be bad." I felt my pressure on my left knee and I remember reaching up with my hand to stabilize it (I've dislocated it before). I continue tumbling and the helmet scrapes again "Yah...not good". Eventually I come to a rest facing the sky.

The corner worker is there and asks if I'm OK...I say yes...he asks if I want help up. I say..give me a minute. They decide to roll the ambulance. I get up under my own power but obviously a shaken. I get my gloves and helmet off. I lean against the wall and look back at what is an impressive black mark on the track and my trashed bike.

The ambulance team gets there...gives me an initial check out. I get the short ride to 'point' where they continue to check me out. Nothing is broken...but my shoulder, legs, neck and inner thigh are sore. ASIT gets there and gets me back to my pit. (Tom Young...NOTE I'm not publishing your part of this story)

I get back to the pit...drink water..and eventually my bike comes back. The right side is trashed...the left side looks almost like nothing happened. We set about trying to figure out what happened...eventually pulling the side cover off we figure out the motor seized and some fashion...at which point it decided violently that it didn't like me on it anymore. We pull the motor so Dan Zlock can take it back for further analysis and possible repair...but due to finances I am undecided on if it will be repaired this season...if ever.

Initially after the incident...I wasn't going to race the rest of the weekend. But after sleeping on it...I decided that it would probably be best for my psyche to get back out there...which I do. My times, my confidence, and assertiveness were definitely off...I haven't really checked how I finished. Frankly I don't really care at this point...it was about survival and getting back out there.

In conclusion...I'll be racing different classes this year on the SV650 only. For now I have a lot of work to come back from this incident in my head...which I'll do. Quite honestly after scraping the wall with my head I'm glad I can remember my name much less be able to ride a bike again. So thanks to Arai for that.

Wow!!! What a final weekend!!! Old friends back on the track. Great races. It was a fantastic time.

Thank you sponsors for the great support all year. Zlock Racing, Lockhart Phillips, Cyclegear, SB Motorsports, Michelin, Competition Motors, Acme MotoWear, and Zupa Travel. Thank you friends. Connie and Matt Gougler(#35), Dustin Ranck (#77), Elaine and Mark Bothe (#43), Dave Salmi (#40), Brian Pinkstaff (#121), Oliver Jervis (#125), Kevin Pinkstaff (#21), Dan and Dale ZLock, and the Pinkstaff Family. Special thanks to Mike Gray #49...it was good to see you back riding a bike in 'anger'. Hopefully this means you're back out there next year. This weekend we were without Oliver Jervis and Dan Zlock...they were able to finalize the WMRRA #1 plate a few weeks ago and with that they called it a season. Congrats...although they missed one helluva race weekend full of some of the most exciting racing I've seen in person.

Thanks to Alan Schmidt (OMRRA #1 x 5) and Mike Sullivan (#74) for putting on a show in 600 Supersport. What an awesome race that was! Then not to be outdone Alan Schmidt, Kevin Pinkstaff, and Brian Pinkstaff put on the best race of the season in my opinion in Middle Superbike. Alan proved why he's OMRRA #1 plate holder by putting down a blistering 1:13.7 on a supersport SV that he's never ridden before. But I'm proud to say that Kevin Pinkstaff held him off for the win and Brian Pinkstaff kept him honest at a close third. Awesome job!!!

Finally before I get to results. Congrats to all the TomaterHaters for a great season. So much hardware I can't keep count. Mark, Dustin, Kevin, Brian, Dave S., and Oli...great results I count myself lucky to be able to draw upon your experience.

Results:

450 Clubman 1st place - CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP

This was a sleeper class for me all year, but early on Travis Ohge's (#440) (Lightweight Superbike nemesis) mom said that Travis was going to run this class today. I knew he'd give me a handful so I started to get my mind ready to race. The green flag dropped and I got a really good launch even with a nice power wheelie...Travis pulled ahead of me in the chicane area...but I made up my mind early that I was going to be assertive. As we went into Turn 1 I took the inside line and went WAY DEEP for me to take the hole shot. I held him off until the back stretch where he pulled ahead of me going into 7 when a red flag came out due to someone crashing. So we re-gridded for a re-start. The 2nd start was similar to the 1st...he got a little ahead of me...but I kept on the gas going into turn 1 and took him inside again. I led until the back side where he passed me and took the lead onto the front straight. He pulled me down the front straight and made some time on me...but I tried to go really deep into Turn 1 and so I took him again there. The next lap he came around me again down into 7 and lead me onto the front. This time I followed him into the corners into Turn 3 where I passed him inside. I got a really good drive into and out of 4 and was holding him off. From there I put down some solid laps never looking behind me. I made my fastest time on this bike of 1:20.1 So great progress for me. I came to find out later that on about lap 6 Travis' bike was having some sort of fuel problem. But I was absolutely pumped with those first few laps. I knew all year I could give him a race if I could just put my head down and stick with him.

450 Superbike - 8th (7th for the season)

I was not super motivated to race the 650 today. What can I say I just wanted to really hold position. Get a little faster if I could, but my head wasn't really around riding this bike today. I had some fun dicing with Matt Gougler and Maurice...but in the end my times were not down where I know I can get them to be. In my heart I think I was already thinking about next year on this bike.

Vicious Cycle Lightweight Superbike - 3rd (2nd Class overall)

Encouraged by my earlier race with Travis I was excited to show that it wasn't a fluke. We both got about even starts when out of now where Dave Heinricks on some 250 that Cedric Smith built him took off. He built a fast lead from the start and left Travis and I to start dicing it up. The pattern was I'd get him either in T3 or T4...he'd pass me on the back stretch. We'd go back and forth like that for a few laps...I was able to get a lead and I was holding him off for awhile. He came back the last few laps and we were dicing again. I'd brake deep into 1 to make up the gap he gained on the straight. It was a BLAST!!! In the end he held me off. But it felt good when afterwards we talked about where we were both strong and weak. The fact that I gave him a race made me happy. Afterwards looking at times we were gaining on Dave Heinricks too. So I'm looking forward to next year in the class if more bikes come out to race. I truly think breaking into the 19's on this bike a real goal for me.

In the end. The season wasn't perfect. But I'm happy with the progress I made on the SV500 and with the progress I made on my racecraft. Definitely some things to work on for next year.

I really want to put out a special thanks to Mike Gray who has helped me all year with advice on race craft along with Kevin Pinkstaff. I also have to especially thank Dave Salmi and Brian Pinkstaff for helping me a ton during the last track day. I think my line in 7-8-9 still needs work...but at least I feel like I have a good base to improve on.