March 17th Race #2

Race 2:   I didn’t race today because the weather was so bad at my house and assumed it would be cancelled.  It rained and hailed so I didn’t bother.  I was packed up ready to go, but decided to stay home.  Anyway, there was a race and I missed it.  Enuf said…..

April 21st Race #3

Race 3:   My 4Runner was out of comission with a blown heater core.  I had it in pieces all over the garage so my brother was going to pick me up.  He woke up late and we arrived at the track just in time to register and catch the 1st morning practice.  I got one lap in on the Grand Prix course and only 2 laps on the 2nd practice session because my brother's bike had problems with a leaky carb. Anyway, I did not expect much today and just hoped not to crash out.  I didn't practice on Saturday and got a few laps in on Sunday's 2 practice session.  My goal was to have fun and ride my favorite track setup. Heat 1:  I was gridded 10th on the start.  I had a sweet start and was 6th going into turn 1.  I passed one person before turn 4 and was 5th throughout the race.  I was riding reserved because I was testing out this new chain lube that was throwing oil all over the left side of the tire.  In back of my head I was thinking the back would wash out because all the turns at PC are left handers.  Heat 2:  I was gridded 6th on the outside of the track.  Most of the racers grided in the front were newbies so I was confident I could beat them off the line.  I wheelied of the starting line and almost veered off the track  because I used my left leg to help me go faster on the start.  I was able to correct the bike's stance when the front wheel touched down and led the group of 13 YSR's into turn 1.  It was a rush and I was consumed by 3 fast riders before the 1st lap was over.  I held on and finished 4th.

Here I am trailing in 5th position after the start.

Main:  I was gridded in 5th place.  I had a great start but so did the other 4 in front of me.  I didn't get passed at all during the race and hung on the the 4 riders in front.  On the 2nd lap, the leader low sideed on the back part of the track and thought I could trophy with a 4th place.  I pushed harder and felt my wheels slide around most of the turns.  I felt confident and was not fazed by the sliding tires.   Then by lap 5 I saw the leader slow down and pull over to the right.  I later found out he ran out of gas.  I was stoked and knew I had to keep it on two wheels for 3 more laps.  I checked to see how close the riders were behind me and noticed I had a pretty good lead.  I slowed my pace a little bit to insure a podium finish.   I finshed 3rd and trophied.  It was my first trophy and my first tech inspection.  At the pits, the top 4 finishers were teched for bore, stroke and carbs.  My bike passed.  My brother trophied too with a 5th place finish. Notes:  I ran a new pipe today and tested the new rings I personally installed.  To my amazement the engine held together and the bike felt faster.  I used the Team Calimari pipe and will use the Toomey Racing in Race 4.  I noticed the TC pipe pulled better and had a wider range of power than the DG pipe.  They are equal in power from the low to mid rpms.   The TC felt  like it pulled more in the upper than the DG.