Slo-Moe Racing: News

OMRRA Round 6 - Final round End of year report

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:24:29 -0500

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.

OMRRA Round 5

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:47:10 -0500

The penultimate round of OMRRA...for those of us who aren't schooled well...that means next to last.

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.

WMRRA Round 4

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:55:31 -0500

I had not raced in WMRRA as much as I had planned this year. Crashing out the first race and getting sick on the 2nd weekend hasn't really motivated me to make the trips up North that I was planning. As a result my progress hasn't been what I wanted it to be either and I can only blame myself for that.

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.

OMRRA Round 4

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:53:17 -0500

Today was a day of mixed results for sure.

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.

Mid Season report

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:05:42 -0500

There is an unusual break in racing this summer for July. No races at all. I decided to do some much needed maintenance on the bike.

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!

OMRRA Round 3 Report

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:17:56 -0500

I am T-I-R-E-D!!! Luckily we had good weather but there is something about the heat that takes it out of you. So I'm beat. I'll keep this short for now.

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.

OMRRA Round 2 Report

Mon, 12 May 2008 08:47:13 -0500

The race conditions were not ideal to say the least. Its never fun to be on a bike when its in between wet and dry...much less trying to go really fast and put a knee down. Too wet really for DOT's....too dry for rains tires. I think I'm just thankful this weekend I didn't go down.

Thanks to John Kim for coming out an helping me in the pits during Saturday morning practice. Thanks to Amy and Mike Gray for helping in the pits on Sunday. Doing tire changes last minute are never fun.

Thanks to sponsors...Michelin, Lockhart Phillips, Acme Motowear, Zlock Racing, Motobits, Zupa Travel, Silkolene, SB Motorsports, Michelin, Motobits, and Competition Motors.

Having taken a trackday on Tuesday I was feeling really good at my chances going into the weekend. I made a lot of progress on turn ins...drives out of 4 and 9...and being assertive when passing. Its generally a good measuring stick for me when I take the SV498 out in B-group track day and pass stock SV's with good riders.

Going into Saturday practice the progress continued. The first sessions was more of a throwaway just to get warmed up. But after the 2nd session I felt good that I could pass people where I was previously hesitant to. Turn 9...into 4...in between 1 and 2. Since there was an endurance race the practice day was half day and I headed home feeling pretty good. Sundy morning practice was pretty good...I got a little over anxious in T7, but I was proud of myself when the rear end slide out...the tack went sky high as I backed it into 7 a little sideways for what must've looked cool to the person behind me...luckily my reflexes are slow and I did nothing...the bike settled down and I completed the turn.

Results:

450 Clubman - 1st place

Going into the 1st race the weather seemed to be holding. Luckily there were going to be enough guys on the grid to make a race (you need 3) so lined up against Jeff Thompson and Frank Bertold. Before the start Frank had an issue and ended up rolling it over to the wall...Jeff and I started. I'm infamous for bad starts but this time I got a good one a put my head down. I never looked back as I know when Jeff is motivated he can be a fast rider. I was then confused on lap 5 or 6 I was coming around them both. I'd come to find out later that Jeff also had a problem...pulled off and then pulled back on with Frank when Frank got is bike started. It was still somewhat dry so I kept going a bit...only backing off slightly as it would be dumb to crash 1 lap ahead of your opponents. It then started to rain...and get slick. I was having some fun chasing down SV's from the previous wave...when in T3 I had a little slide...OK back off completely. It felt awkward to push myself to go that slow and smooth...but holding off would be a theme of the day.

450 Superbike - 8th Place

Although it rained the track seemed dry for this race so with the exception of Chris Burgess we wall went out on DOT's. Going into T1 of the siting lap...sprinkles. Great! So it started to rain when the race started and well tip toed around in the corners. Within a few laps it was full on wet. I made a pass on the group I was running with on the back stretch...I could just see Brian P leading a small pack with David Wallway, Geoff Ford, and I think Maurice (39) when in T9 I had what would be 1 of many slides in the race...I put my foot down to 'save' it and kept it up right. Matt Gougler assures me he has the whole thing on tape and it probably looks less impressive than it felt or sounds. I proceeded to try and give a race to Matt, Mark, and Chris...but after a few more slides felt better about staying up right and finish.

Vicious Cycle Lightweight Superbike - 3rd

This race turned out to be the opposite of the 450S race. It was wet and we went with rains. It then proceeded to dry during the race. So the tires then got too slick. After one big slide in T8 on the 2nd lap where I again put my foot down to 'save' it. I proceeded to have little slides in different spots. Credit Travis because he rode consistent and pulled away as I slowed down. Tyson Silva then got up to me on his motard...I could catch him down the straights...but when i pushed in 4 to try and get a good run on him down the back stretch...the bike slid again. We think maybe the tire pressures were slightly too high for those conditions. I'll have to consult with Rick Salmon concerning wet tire pressures for intermediate conditions. Nonetheless...staying up right being I finish 3rd...keeping season points in mind I think it was the better choice than pushing hard for 2nd and possibly crashing.

OMRRA Round 1 4/13

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:07:17 -0500

The sun came out and we were lucky to get some excellent racing in.

Thanks to Amy for coming out to pit on Sunday. Cooked lunch. Took care of the bikes. Enabled me to worry about just racing.

Thanks to Zlock Racing, Acme Moto wear, Lockhart Phillips, Competition Motors, Motobits, Cyclegear, Michelin, EBC, and Silkolene.

Thanks to my pit mates. The Pinkstaff family, The Zlock Family, Mark & Elaine, Dustin & Miriam, Matt G & wife, Oliver Jervis, Brian Pinkstaff, Kevin Pinkstaff, Cameron Templeton, Mike Gray, Dale Zlock, and Dan Zlock. You all make it fun to hang in the pits regardless of results.

Now...onto results.

1st 450 Clubman

7th 450 Superbike

1st Vicious Cycle Lightweight Superbike

These are my first race wins and I couldn't be more happy about it. It was a very exciting race in Lightweight so read on.

450 Clubman

Started from the back this time around since I have no season points from last year. Squirrel and Jeffrey got the jump on me so I'm into T1 behind them. I'm carrying some corner speed on Jeffrey and its a race into T3...luckily I was able to get the inside line and keep it. Made some gains up to Squirrel on T4 and thought I could take advantage in the back. He's just so much faster into T7...so I wait for the front stretch. He had some motor work done...so i draft and pull even with him. But couldn't make it past him. So I tuck behind him for another lap. I get a good drive out of 9 and this time I'm able to take him into 1. I put my head down to try and put some distance on him and I'm able to do to so. Luckily Kevin came around me since he's in the wave ahead of me to end the race early at 9. The new 12 lap race format is going to be a killer.

450 Superbike.

I get a decent start. Not great as normal some guys come shooting up past me. I just tuck in and try to turn some consistent laps. Matt G. was around to dice with so that was fun. There was another guy that came up to that I didn't recognize. I knew Mark was back there as I think he got a bad start...sure enough he came around me. It was a fun last two laps as we went back and forth a bit. I tried to draft him to the finish and was just short by half a bike length. It was fun regardless.

Lightweight Superbike. Sponsored by Vicious Cycle

This was THE race. As most of the class was the same as 450 Clubman...I knew I could do well against most of the class. However the complication of other bikes on the grid...OV, 5V, Smallbore classic, etc. Would create a challenge as I'm not good in traffic. But as Kevin was telling me on Saturday practice....be assertive.

ALSO #440. Travis Ohge...was riding the bike from Vicious Cycle that won the class last year. So not only does he have more power...I give up 100lbs to him (I don't really know how old he is I think he's 12~14?). At any rate the start goes and I'm 4th into T1. Not good. I pass Jeffrey in T2 and I'm behind Squirrel...meantime Travis is starting to walk away. Just like Joe did last year. I get past Squirrel and I keep Travis in sight...I'm trying to reel him in and I 'think' I'm making progress. In fact I know it as he starts to run into traffic. Soon I'm on him and I get him into T1. I keep him at bay but he re-passes me in T7. I do it again into T1. This time he waits and in T1 he passes me. Back and forth for several laps we go. Weaving through lapped traffic. I gain here...he gains there. I'm pushing as hard as I can to stay with him. I finally get a good run into 1 on the last lap and I try to hold him off. In the end its a drag race to the finish and we cross the line looking at each other...bar to bar. I don't know who got it...but I really didn't care as it was FUN, FUN, race. Afterwards I'm told I got it by 0.001 seconds. I'm super impressed with Travis...for being so young riding well and going through traffic...he did so cleanly and sportsman like. It is going to be tough to get another 1st place in this class with him riding.

WMRRA Round 1 report

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:49:03 -0500

What a COLD and WET weekend! It was so cold my fingers during the first day hurt!

Let's get THANK YOU's done. Thanks to my friend Brian for letting me and the team impose for two nights. Thanks to my team (Amy and Mike) for making the trip. Thanks to the regular suspects for making it a fun weekend. Kevin, Brian, Oli, Dan and Dale...Mark and Elaine from Acme...you guys are the best. Especially THANKS to Kevin and Brian for getting my bike back together after a body work paint snafu delayed it.

Results:
650 SS - DNF
Lightweight - 9th
Middleweight GP Twins - 8th

The weekend started out very rough. As I was driving up with my pit help (Mike) an hour outside of Portland I forgot my rain wheels. To his surprise we turned around as I knew it would be a requirement this weekend. We pulled into Renton about 11:30PM. THANKFULLY I'm able to cut budget by staying with my lifelong friend Brian Le who lives in the area. He's minutes from the track.

First day we arrive. Its wet. Its cold. Everyone is generally in a salty mood. We get into practice and its miserable. My hands hurt so much. People are going down left and right. There was a trail of oil spots all over the track. I endure and I'm tiptoeing throughout the track. I've never been comfortable in rain and it shows.

First race of the weekend is 650 SS. I get a decent start and stick with the lead group for a little bit. I'm able to stick to run down #36 Homie. I'm chasing and chasing until lap 6 where I can make the pass between 1 and 2. So far we were pretty evenly matched up. I was faster in some sections...he was faster in others. I know where I was making some gear change mistakes so I focus on hitting everything right to make sure he doesn't repass me where I'm weak. I go into 5 and make the transition to 6...KABAM...the rear end comes out. I'm on my back sliding across the track. I'm know he's RIGHT there so I'm trying to move and gain control so I can get out of the way. I look up and he really is right there. Thankfully he's heads up and checks up until all the commotion stops and he safely makes it by. I watch the rest of the race from the T5 station.

Get back to the pits with the bike and damage is minor. Foot peg, lever, and clip on bar later. The bike is ready again.

Day 2. Go through tech and get ready to roll. There is SNOW and ice on the ground. Apparently I missed quite the snow ball fight since the team was running behind schedule a bit.

We skip practice and it shows in the first race. Its still wet. I'm still tentative from the crash the day before. I try my best to put it out of my mind and go out. Again OK start...but the group starts to pull away in T2. I'm just not comfortable. I just put my head down to just try and finish. I do so 9th. Last place. I'm not happy about it, but I've been here before.

The sun comes out and things start to dry off...its still cold. Dry tires go on and I head out for the next race. I get a horrible start. The guys in the rows behind me all beat me into T1. I have to work my way up through a crowd of 2 or 3. I then lock my sights on #36 again. I work to try and catch him...and I do. Probably lap 8 or 9. I'm able to hold him off to finish in 8th. About mid pack.

Overall...a long weekend. I'm glad I did it as it knocked some of the cobwebs off I think. The crash was a learning experience. The lap times were about where I left off in the low 1:40's. So not too horrible considering I still felt tentative and can see where I can improve.

Next stop. OMRRA in 2 weeks.

Slo Moe Racing Pit crew

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:34:02 -0600

Slo Moe racing was lucky enough to be able to get support this year in the pits from several folks joining the 'team'.

Mike Accuardi - Long time friend will be a regular pit crew member in Portland on Sunday's. Sometimes making the trip to Seattle.

Amy Maule - Will be regular pit crew in Portland and sometimes in Seattle.

John Kim - Will be pit crew support on Saturday's when available.

Thanks for joining the team to make this year both fun and successful.