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.