Was watching the weather all week and it looked to be kind of miserable. We lucked out and had most of our races in the dry with only my last rain being full wet.

Before I get going on the report. Wanted to share a very cool thing that Kevin P did. He set up a booth to help a friend from school's nephew, Jake Kennedy Derring. Jake was born with an extraordinarily rare syndrome called Otopalatodigial Syndrome Type II. Please read more and if you can contribute here http://www.jakesake.com/ The response from OMRRA was great and reminds me of special people that I get to race with.

Onto the report. Thanks Mike Gray, John Kim, and Amy for help in the pits this weekend. Special thanks to Mike Gray, Brian Pinkstaff, and Dave Salmi for helping me at the last track day. I think it definitely helped towards some progress on track.

Thanks to sponsors Acme Motowear, Zlock Racing, Zupa Travel, Lockhart Phillips, Cycle gear, and Competition motors. Thanks to friends Dustin, Mark & Elaine, Jeff Brooks, The Pinkstaff's, Oliver Jervis, and Dale Zlock. We were without the presence of Dan Zlock as after so many years racing...he wanted to take a weekend off. You missed an especially entertaining dinner with Oli.

450 Clubman - 1st place

Wanted to take note that this is going to Jeffery Thomson's last race. It was/has been a pleasure getting to know and race with him the past two years...he'll be missed on and off the track.

He got the jump on me at the start...but I kept on the gas as I couldn't afford to give him the lead into 1. We were joined this time on the grid by motard riders Tyson Silva and Justin Watkins. I knew they were going to be added competition as they are both fast riders. Unfortunately we caught the wave ahead of us very quickly...like Turn 3 of lap 1 and I was immediately being held up by slower Middle weight riders. Was able to pick my way through some...but I lacked some confidence to pass in 7-8-9...which was something that Justin and Tyson took advantage of. We diced it up a bit throughout the race...at times I think their passes might have been a little risky for a Clubman class...but I put it out of my mind and focused on getting ahead of them. I wasn't turning any real fast laps on the SV500...but I was able to hold them off for the win, but they didn't make it easy.

450 Superbike - 6th place

This is my best finish in this class. Unfortunately it was really due to Dustin crashing...I'm glad he's OK and was able to get the bike back together to go racing again later in the day for what would be his first win. Congrats! I got a slow start...as we headed into one Dave Wallway was just ahead but so was David Lane. I took a very fast outside line into 1 and went around Dave L. to ensure I could stick with Dave Wallway. It worked and I was able to race with Dave W. He was stronger than me in 7-8-9...but I'd pull right up on him in T1. Within lap 1 Mike McDonough came from the back of the pack and was able to get into the 2nd group of bikes to start battling. About mid way through the race I was able to get by Dave and was holding him off. Greg Levin was just ahead and I was trying to put sometime down to catch him. Although I was very strong this weekend into 1 and 2. My turn 3 speed and exit out of turn 9 seems to have regressed. I need to make sure to work on that this next trackday. If I sort that out I think that will at least get me right behind the 2nd lead group. Which I hope will help bring my times down further. I'm also very happy that this time I set consistent times down from the beginning. Normally I'm off pace the first 3 laps. But this race I was able to consistently put down 18's and 19's right from the beginning. Which is encouraging for me.

Lightweight Superbike sponsored by Vicious Cycle - 2nd place

Thankfully this was going to be a full wet race. We didn't have the stress of tire choice and last minute changes. We put on a new set of wets and headed out. About 3 laps in it started to rain. From the beginning I wasn't fully comfortable in the rain. So Travis was able to slip away quickly. I was left fending off Tyson. He was able to pass me once but I passed him back and then got a little more comfortable and was able to put some faster times down. I think fast lap in the rain is 1:33...which for me I think is a personal best in the wet. Considering I stayed up...I'm not complaining at all with finishing 2nd.

It was...as is always FUN. This time we elected to stay with Kecia A. who opened up her house to wayward Zlock racers. So thank you Kecia (and friends) for the hospitality!

Thanks to the ever fun pit presence of the Pinkstaff's, the Zlock's, Oliver Jervis, Mark & Elaine, and Brent Prindle. We were also joined from recently graduated Novice Cameron T. for his first race weekend in Seattle. Unfortunately he had discovered a tranny problem and made the trip only to get 4 laps in.

Thanks to Amy for making the trip to pit crew for me. Her level of organization and skill is being noticed as Oliver is threatening to hire her for any future national races he attends.

Thanks to sponsors LP, SB motorsports, Competition motors, Zlock racing, and Acme Motowear for the support all season.

Results:

650SS twins - 7th place (1:40.3)

Formula Thunder - 8th (1:40.9)

MW GP Twins - 11th (1:41.4)

The good....I did get a good start in 650SS. Was right behind the lead bunch going into 5 where I gave up a bunch of ground. I was able to apply the line in 2 that I learned in the Sullivan school...and the result is that I reel in the folks I race with in 3 and 4. I'm catching an extra gear coming down the hill into 3 which means I'm getting lined up for a good drive down the hill at the top. Oliver gave me another good tip here and it helped. I think i understand the line going into 6...but am having trouble executing because of my line in 5. It is just really hard for me to catch a downshift and brake up the slight rise. Challenging to say the least. Additionally Kevin helped me make a geometry change where we increased the ride height and I think it helps. The bike didn't have the tendency to run wide exiting 3.

The bad. Not the results I was hoping for. If you remember my goal was to try and break 1:40 this year. I'm really having trouble in T5 and the "bus stop". Oliver and Kevin talked me through some of it, but I think lack of track time this year is definitely hurting me. This weekend was marred by foul weather (it really felt more like October) and some bad crashes which cut practice down to basically 1.5 sessions. I most likely will not be able to come back up to Seattle due to some scheduling so will have to be content for this year and attack 1:40 next year.

The ugly. Two very scary moments. The first was in 650SS when Danl Knowles crashed coming out of T2. He high sided in what looked like a very ugly crash. Thankfully he's OK and thankfully I was able to miss him as this happened literally right in front of me. The 2nd was the last lap of the last race I thought I could really give Scott Mcnees, Todd Sparrow, and Crystal Platt a race. I went in to T2 right on their tails....but mid corner T2 I got a slide front and rear. Was able to recover and decided to just finish.

So again small progress made in a number of areas. I just need to put it together and become consistent both here and in Portland.

The good is that I won a race, I turned some of my fastest laps, and after my incident was OK. The bad is that I ended up crashing in one race and ruining my chances at challenging for the class championship.

Thanks to Amy for taking time off of pottery to help me during the 1 day Saturday race. Thanks to all the usual suspects for their help. Zlock's, Oliver Jervis, the Pinkstaff's, Mark/Elaine, Matt/Connie, Dustin/Miriam, Jeff Brooks....again always making it a fun weekend. Mike Gray unfortunately had business trip so his company was missed this weekend.

Very special thanks to Dan, Dale, Brian, and Kevin in helping me get the SV500 back together and re-tuned. We had a little motor maintenance during the break.

Thanks to sponsors..Zlock Racing, Competition motors, Acme Motorwear, Lockhart Phillips, Cyclegear, and Zupa Travel.

Results

450 Clubman - 1st Place

I got a pretty good start, but I knew Jeffery T was right there with me. We immediately got into some traffic from the previous wave. I could tell at times it held Jeffery up thankfully to me. I almost got boxed in at turn 3. But luckily was able to make it through and keep my position. After a few laps I got lucky with the traffic and ran into them where I could pass easily which enabled me to put some time Jeffery. I ended up setting a new class lap record at 1:21.4.

450 Superbike - 7th place

I was very encouraged with my riding in this class today. Although the results don't show it I did some small things that indicate some progress for me. First my start wasn't horrible and even going into one I was aggressive in getting in front of Dave W. and Geoff F. I was able to hold Geoff off...but Dave came back around me into 4. Matt G and I were able to stick with Greg L, Dave W., and Mark for a little while. I passed Matt on the draft and was trying to stay with that group in 4~6th position. Again traffic started to play a big role as we started to catch the wave ahead of us early...and I lost some time in places trying to keep up. Soon the distance was too great and I started to go 'backwards' a bit. On lap 10 Matt G. came around me...so I knew we had a race to end. I was able to put my fastest lap on 650 yet at 1:18.043 to get around him and then hold him off to finish 7th. Again I'm feeling good that if I can just latch onto that group ahead of me and force myself to be consistent I can stick with them.

Vicious Cycle Lightweight Superbike - DNF

This was the race that hurt my pride! I was feeling very good and went into the start of the race with a strong mind set. I got the jump on Travis at the start...looks like he might have had a problem. He was still able to lead going into T1. I was encouraged as I was gaining on him in certain sections and thought I could give him a race. 2nd lap he pulled me down the straight...but again i was able to make some time up in certain sections and get back on his tail again. He'd then gap me down the straight again. On the third lap I got a little too greedy trying to make up distance in T9 and through what is most likely a trail braking mistake on my part I lost the front end. The bike and I slid into the air fence. I was physically OK...but I was really mad at myself for doing something so stupid early in the race. I still had 10 laps to make up that distance. Again looking on the positive side...I turned my fastest lap of 1:20.8, I'm unhurt...and the bike isn't horrible damaged. I should be back ready to ride by the next race.

1st. Rear shocks came off and went to GP Suspension for rebuild. Dave Hodges is the undisputed master at suspensions. Immediately on walking in we discovered 3 problems with the 2 shocks I have. The SV650 (aka SV Medium) shock was the wrong one (too long) and was sprung too stiff. The SV500 (aka SV Small) was sprung too soft. So those problems have been addressed. I had a chance to run the SV650 at the PSSR Track day yesterday...and it felt totally different. No more unstable rear end under braking. The bike is super stable and confident in the corner. I found I could actually make the bike the turn with slight inputs on the bar. Also I could actually feel the front end when i was trail braking into the turns. I think it will require some adjustment in my riding...but overall times should improve.

2nd. SV500 (Small) was in bad need of a fuel injection map. Brian Pinkstaff took the bike up to Zlock racing and mapped it for me. A minor issue popped up with the bike that Dan is working on....but hopefully barring any more unsuspected surprises should be back up and running by the 8/2 race.

As far as results.

OMRRA...1st in 450 Clubman and 2nd in Lightweight Superbike on the SV 500. 8th on the SV650 in 450 Superbike. Fastest times this year is 1:19.5 on the SV650 and 1:21.6 on the SV500. Overall I'm comfortable with the results and progress. Matt Gougler has been kind enough to share some of his race video which shows me some of what I need to work on. Kevin, Brian, and Mike G. as always are providing some good suggestions. I just need to implement them and results should start to come.

WMRRA...I'm disappointed in what I have or really haven't done there this year. My plan was to run the entire season except the conflict weekend. But unfortunately I was hoping for a top 5 in 650SS twins...but I crashed out of the first race...and was sick the 2nd weekend. So I've basically missed half the season. I'll attend the last half because its good racing and I like riding the more challenging track. As far as times....I think my times will improve. My target was to break 1:40...after the Sullivan school I think I can.

So overall a pretty good year. Also figure that myself and none of my friends have been hurt..knock on wood!

Thanks to Amy for pit and mechanic help. She is fast becoming a well respected crew chief in the pits. The June race without her was definitely harder.

Thanks to Mike Gray as always for helping out when possible and for constant guidance...perspective during the pursuit of racing.

Thanks to Oliver, Dan, Dale, Brian, Kevin, Dustin, Matt, Mark, Jeff, Cameron, and the rest of the Pinkstaff's for making the first half of 2008 a fun race season. Time in the pits, dinners afterwards, bicycle rides off track...etc. Makes for a fun time.

Thanks to sponsors. Lockhart Phillips, Cyclegear, Michelin, MotoBitz, Zlock Racing, Acme Moto Wear, SB Motorsports, and Competition Motors.

On to the 2nd half of the season!

Thanks to Mike Gray for help in the pits on Sunday during races. Thanks to Amy for help in the pits on Saturday during practice. Thanks to her parents for coming out and seeing what I do.

Thanks to sponsors...Competition Motors, Michelin, Acme Motowear, Zlock Racing, Lockhart Phillips, Cycle gear, SB motorsports, and Moto bits.

With this being a conflict weekend with WMRRA we were without the presence of Dan, Dale, and Oliver. Your company was definitely missed this weekend. Hope all went well in Seattle.

Now onto to results.

450 Clubman 1st Place

First race of the day...and it was a fun race for about 4 laps. Jeffrey Thompson was super motivated to give a race (a) he was feeling really good from Saturday practice and (b) Phil Holden was down from Canada. Phil is the former LS Champion who hasn't raced here in like 4 years and his bike is very similar to Jeffrey's. So he got the jump on me at the start. Like I've stated before when he's motivated he can definitely put some good lap times down. I was able to pass him when he went a little wide out of 4...but back he came on the front straight. We diced liked that for about 4 laps and it was just flat FUN...when in T4 when I was right on him trying to get a good drive down the back...he lost the rear. He spun out of the way but his bike was RIGHT in front of me...I put on the binders. Realistically I was thinking I was going to jump his bike...but at the last second it spun out of the way. Thankfully he was unhurt and the bike suffered little damage. I went hard for a few more laps until I could see no one was really behind me so I stepped it back and brought it home upright.

450 Superibike 7th

Got a decent start and was with Matt Gougler and Geoff Ford for the first few laps. Mark and David were just ahead of us...and I was thinking we could possibly catch up with them. But they broke contact as they started to dice with Greg Levin. It was a fun race going back and forth with Matt and I was able to hold him off at the end.

Lightweight Superbike 2nd

My goal this race was to try and keep contact with Travis...but he dusted us first lap out. I ended up dicing with Matt Taylor from the Smallbore classic grid. There were a few moments there when I wasn't too sure this was the smartest thing since we both are racing from different grids...but it was fun so we kept going at each other. I'd pass here...he'd pass me back there. His bike had a little motor on me...but I'd gain through 2 and 3. It came down to the last lap and I was able to put a pass on him into 1 and make it stick. It wasn't for position...but it was definitely fun to run with someone. This is the fastest time on the SV500 of 1:21.806. Unfortunately the rest of the lap times were in the 1:23 range...so I have a lot to do to catch up with Travis. But a few track days and hopefully I can maybe give him a race next time around.