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.