OK, so in Round 4 at Pacific I had a big off coming out of turn 8 and I haven’t been able to get my bearing since, until this round…
I had been thinking of a few areas I wanted to really focus on in back at Round 4 and turn 8 was one of them. I also had made a significant change in my setup by shortening my chain to get the bike to tip in easier. This is a lesson in “don’t get too excited early in the morning”. Friday’s AF day was going to be great! I had a few “work calls” to make during the day that would keep me off the track mid morning, so I wanted to get a few good laps in early. Not a good idea when the track is cold, even if your tires are hot.
Well… four laps into the first session of the morning and I’m just feeling fantastic. I’m trying to stay on the throttle through T8 and I sure did this time. Exiting the apex, on my knee, and still on the throttle, the rear starts to spin up and out it goes. I tried to shove my knee down and keep it up, but it just washed out and spun around and dragged me a bit before ripping out of my hands. LUCKY for me, I had already completed the corner and just slid about 100′ past the end of the airfence following my 600. I watched it catch the edge of the track and go spinning through the air before I hit the dirt and rolled to a stop filling my leathers and helmet full of dirt… ugh
No broken bones, but that really messed with my head. I got back out that afternoon, but wow did my hands hurt. I pretty much sat out that round. I also missed the second Spokane round and still didn’t feel like myself for round 6.
Friday’s AF was dry and sunny and I got to work my lines, but couldn’t get my times down very far. Still a lot of fun and the AF crew are all great guys & gal. I felt like I was getting back to my old self, although slowly.
Saturday I woke up to rain. Bummer! It took me until about 945a to commit to try out the rain tires and I am glad I did. I forgot how much fun it is to ride in the rain! Yes, I prefer the dry, but it was great practice and the Bridgestone Rains were great. Managed to get my knee down in T3 & T4 in the second practice. It was drying out quite a bit, so back to DOTs for the race.
Now, I’ve got to say how GREAT WMRRA is here. They went out during the lunch and drove their vehicles around the track to dry it out. All lunch long they were driving. That’s dedication!!! Thank you WMRRA volunteers!!!!!!
Finally got to the 750SS race with an okay start and an okay run around the track. I am not happy with the result at all and way too many racers passed me that I’m not used to, but… I got out there and pulled my times down a bit closer to my previous time. Started in 19th and finished 21st with a 1:32.8
Looking forward in the 750SBK race:
Looking back in the 750SBK race:
Sunday was much better. I got a better start and managed to hang with the pack for a couple of laps. I did feel much more comfortable. I had a nice little battle going on for the first 5 laps before breaking away and circulating by myself. Started in 19th and finished 17th. I’ll have the video ready soon, so keep an eye out for that.
Thanks to Eric Featherstone for all the help! And Congrats on 2nd in the championship! Pretty much Eric and me left representing for our PNWRR drinking team. Hoping the rest of you guys can make it for Round 8. Thanks to Bridgestone Troy for sorting me out with those slicks for Sunday. They were awesome and confidence inspiring! Thanks to Barry for the suspension adjustment, helping me to keep my wheels on the track. Pacific Raceways = Cheese Grater Raceways…
More fun soon…
