A Single Moment

Race Report                                    A Single Moment

My last 2 rounds of the 2011 season were eventful to say the least. Racing is not a for profit sport, not even a little profit. It can be described as burning money, standing on a bridge and throwing cash into a raging river, or whatever wasteful analogy you can think of. It should be called “taking,” that would seem to be much more appropriate than “racing.” Except it does give something back; the friends you meet at the track are like no other. People aren’t that nice in the regular world, so for amazing friends, thank you racing. Also there is a brief moment, however brief and glorious, when you win. For just a few minutes the world revolves around you. If you race, these are your moments. A moment when you know the race is yours, the moment you feel victory, for that moment, that single moment you are the best rider on track. For that moment, an indescribable moment, I must thank racing.

Friday night, Jenn helping with my stickers.

Last month we loaded up and headed to the track. We would forgo Friday practice, money and time are tight these days. Showing up late on Friday, we found a place to pit and started unpacking. Jenn and I would be on our own this weekend. Greg McCullough would be pitting with Cooley and Nikki. Friends are a big part of my racing, and not pitting with Greg was strange. We are still good friends, but he needed to try something new with his program. Jenn and I enjoy pitting close to everyone, but a little space has been good for us too. Like a fine wine, I am an acquired taste so space is good. J We were kind of centrally located to our core group of friends, so it was nice.

Saturday is the closest thing to a test day I have, although I don’t test much. It is not for a lack of effort, just the opposite. It is all I can do, not to fiddle with the bike and try new stuff. Last year I may have spent too much time playing with the bike. This year Ken Hill had advised me to quit messing with things. Yes all the fast guys test, they test any chance they get. Ken was sure that a solid setup and less fiddling, would allow me to work on me. Novel idea, working on the other half of the equation. Strap me to a Moto GP bike and I doubt I would have been any faster. So this is how I spend Saturday now, working on the other half. With my work done, we stood on the wall to watch my wife have a huge breakthrough on Saturday‘s AFemme race. Ever seen Days of Thunder? Well we just had to build her a vocabulary. I will let you read about her story in her report.

Sunday morning and with another late day race schedule, I was bored and entered the early 750SB race. Otherwise I would not race before 2pm. KFG times would put me on the fourth row and behind a pile of riders. A lap or so into the race I was in third and closing on second as we approached T9. A slight bobble on my part let my front wheel stray just off line, causing me to back out of the throttle and loading my front beyond the limits. Next thing I know several parts of my body were sliding on the ground. I held on as long as possible, hoping to minimize damage. Into the dirt we went in an ugly display of bike and body contortion. After jumping up I moved the bike and waited. Once the race was over, I was able to remount and hug the outside of the track down to T10 and exit out the back door.

Wade Bundy and Joe Hittner got my bike on a stand and Kyle Schirrmacher came over to lend a hand for a few minutes. Jenn was able to get most of the bodywork into a reasonable state and I finished the rest. Sunday afternoon would be some of the toughest races I had run. The bike was not turning left the way it should and was costing me time every lap. I pushed through the rest of the day, bruised and beat up. Round 7 ended with a 4th, 4th, and a 2nd. Not the moments I was looking for.

Leading 750 Prod Photo by Max

Fast forward three weeks and we are back for more. Round 8 and same program, show on Friday night, race on Saturday/Sunday. I had a makeup race set for Saturday and I would love to tell you it was a good race, but choosing to run a very old used rear tire would cost me any shot at a win. With talent like we have in the 600/750 classes you cannot afford to make poor decisions. Finish 4th. My day however was brightened by watching my wife bring home her very first win in the AFM. I am extremely proud of her, and she continues to get faster.

My first race on Sunday was a disaster .Results will show a 3rd place finish , leaving me just 3 points behind from winning the championship. To me it felt like it was a last place effort. After the race Tom, my former mechanic showed up and began to talk me off the ledge. In typical fashion, he reassured me about the bike and gave me something else to work on, the other half. It must have been at least a bit funny listening to me babble on about who only knows what. Tom has worked with the fastest guys in the AFM and I consider myself lucky that he shows an interest in my racing.

Race number 7 (750 prod) was mine to loose. Not for the win, but I had a massive gap back to Lenny in the championship points. Finish the race and the championship was pretty much mine. What is available from memory was an ok start from grid spot #1. Lenny edging me out for the holeshot. On his tail section in and out of T2. Then I saw it, a small gap up the inside of 3. I diced up the inside and was able to take the lead. The rest of the lap Lenny was just behind me. On the second lap and coming out of T2, I had a conversation with myself.

Self: Your leading the championship, you don’t need a win.
Self: If you crash, you are handing him the championship.
Self: Can you handle losing the championship going for the win?
Self: I can live with that, now let’s win this (deleted word) race!

At the apex, I knew I wanted the moment more than anything else. I respect the championship, but my goal all season has been to win. Staying the course even in the most difficult of moments, is what makes this win so special. Nobody would have said anything if I sat up and just rolled around for the points. The fact is I chose to race for the win, because that is how good that moment feels to me. I continued to race, watching Jenn give me signals every lap. Then as good as it has ever felt the moment came, as I crossed the checkers in 1st place and with a championship.

Tom & Jenn cheering me to the win! Photo by Greg Ignoffo

My last race was a short one. I crashed in T3 on the first lap after trying to make a pass and realizing I was not close enough to do it safely. I pushed the front beyond the limits and again found myself on the ground. Testing out my brand new suit was not in the cards for the day, but it performed amazingly. Oddly enough I was not angry, not angry at all. I tried to win and fell down. It happens, even to Stoner, Rossi, and Lorenzo. Better to have tried and failed, than never to have tried at all.

The season wrap up championship wise

2011                 2010

1st                      2nd       750 Production
2nd                     3rd       600 Superbike
3rd                      4th       600 Production
#7 plate             #10 plate

Overall points I am second, earning me the number 7 plate.
The Top five plates go to FP riders. 6-10 go to the riders with the most overall points. This year I make 4 trips to the podium and get to thank my sponsors as many times.

First I need to thank my wife. Without your love and support I would not be racing.

Sponsors are a necessity for me to compete. These people and companies have stood behind me, helped me, and win with me. They do this not for the profit or notoriety, but for the love of the sport. For that, I thank each and every one of them. You are the heroes of our sport.

FBI FastBike Ind.

Leo Vince Exhaust

Factory Body Works

Roseville Yamaha

Tech Spec

CT Racing

Motion Pro

Race Image Graphics

TEXASTEA LUBES

PILOT Leathers/Insurrection Racing

AFM Round 5 Infineon

Race Report         Ritz Racing- A New Era

So Greg and I are on a legal separation, or at least that is what I am telling people these days.  As many of you know, Jenn and I are no longer racing for Z2 Trackdays.  I want to tell the story of my weekend, but before I do some things need to be said. Shawn, Kathy, David, Vic and the rest of the Z2 crew have been my family for the last few years. Separation from the team was like leaving for college, it is sad and exciting all at the same time. I appreciate everything they taught me and for the experiences we had together. Much to the disappointment of some people, our separation comes without drama, fighting, or bad feelings. Jenn and I wish all of them the best. Now I am looking forward to racing with my wife and having fun. We are hoping our fellow racers will come by and see the new colors.

Photo by: Max Klein

We rolled in Friday with a whole new program. Trolling around the pits, we were looking for a place to park the trailer. Late Friday will limit the places to park, luckily we found a nice spot by some friends we have not seen in a while. Our new ez-up and wall panels were a quick assembly and we officially look like our very own racing team. Fluorescent red (better known as super bright orange) colors made the bikes look super sharp and ready for racing. Saturday was spent testing a new tire size from Pirelli/CT Racing. Testing was supposed to be the order of the day, but I just ended up clocking lap after lap. Each  session was one of those smile in your helmet, I can do no wrong days. With so much going on, it was nice to just enjoy riding. Saturday night was spent catching up with friends and listening to the Sarrros pit activities, it sounded like they had a lot of fun. While some may not have approved, it was good to see everyone having a good time.

Photo by:Max Klein

Sunday was a super relaxed start for me. My first race was #5 after lunch, so what does one do for several hours… I ran around the pits talking with people and watched some racing. After watching Alan Cunningham celebrate his first podium appearance, it was time to go racing. Three races has been the usual for me and I didn’t have any reason to change that. My first two races had some good moments to them, but overall a bit disappointing. Racing with what seemed to be everything I had, bikes just seemed to get around me way too easily. Not sure how to handle the situation, the wave of doubt poured in. What was wrong with the bike? I have tested the set-up a number of times and knew it was better than what I was feeling on track.

Doubt is a horrible thing, things you know to be true seem not to be. Given enough time and the right pressure points, you can make anyone doubt their situation. I have heard stories about people becoming sick just because they thought they had been exposed to a virus or toxin. The mind is an amazing piece of our bodies, but also the first one to turn against us with the ability to produce doubt when there should be none, or to try to justify the unjustifiable. I sat there looking at my bike, so sure that the set-up was right and wrong at the same time. Ready to make an adjustment, any adjustment, to validate my own riding prowess. Then I made a choice, not to do anything. Trust is paramount to any relationship, even with yourself.

Photo by: Max Klein

No change in plans a fresh rear tire and back to the set-up I knew worked. As my wife was changing out the wheel and I was assisting with axle installation, it suddenly came clear. Looking at the lines on the adjustment bar my brain started working for me, not against. Somehow over the past testing sessions and gearing changes, my axle had become misaligned. It was an easy mistake to make and hard to see. Simple lines that looked to be correct, were not. They were off by one set on the right. Sure that would be the issue of handling we prepped the bike for the last race of the day.

Last call was made, off came the warmers and down to thee hot pits I went. Watching some of thee other riders pull off to start the warm up lap, panic shot through my head. My final tire pressure inspection had not been completed. With no time, I had to choose between a warm up lap or checking my pressure. Just to be sure and knowing how good the Pirelli tires are on the first lap, my choice was made. Back to the first gauge I could find, garage #2 the Z2 Racing Team (yes I know, ironic). Pulling in and in a bit of a panic/hurry Chris V. grabbed a gauge and made the adjustment for me. A quick thank you and off I went. Up and down the hot pits would be all the warm-up the tires would get. As the field pulled around, I snuck between the wall and took my place on grid.

How to sum up this race? Well an almost hole shot, then a quick pass before T2 and into the lead. I held the lead for a few laps, then Joey Pascarella decided he wanted to lead. Not long after that and with me close enough to smell his exhaust he tucked the front end in T5. My only thought went from catch him, to not hitting him. Back in the lead, Lenny Hale was now trying make a pass on me. After spinning up the rear out of T6 a few laps later, he was able to get up the inside of me down towards T7. With only a few laps left he opened a small gap on me. Last lap, only a few corners to checkers, I was able to close the gap. T11 and Lenny had the lead with his choice of line, and some lappers he would have to negotiate. Looking into T11, my only somewhat open line was really tight inside line. Lenny went wide around the lappers and I was able to out drive him to the line. First place feels really good after a tough start to the day.

Photo by: Max Klein Jenn showing off the new colors in T4

My wife was on the wall making sure that I knew exactly what was  happening behind me the whole race. Thank you to her and all of the sponsors who have stayed with us over the transition.

Factory Body Works

Fast Bike Industries

Roseville Yamaha

CT Racing/Pirelli

Tech Spec

Motion Pro

Race Image Graphics

Leo Vince Exhaust

I would also like to thank two new sponsors that are supporting Ritz Racing

PILOT Leathers/Insurrection Racing - our new suits are on the way.

My new suit is in production as you read this!

TexasTea Lubes – come by our pits and see a great local oil product that won’t break the bank.

TexasTea Lubes

Is there a formula to winning?

 Race Report Is there a formula to winning?

Is there a formula that allows you to win, you know 2 parts working out, 3 parts bad ass bike, 1 part luck, 2 parts rider? Maybe there is this secret book out there floating around, but only a few get to read it. Yeah, it has to be something like that! How to be as great as Jordan, Volumes 1-3, or maybe it’s a kit. Yes it’s gotta be a kit, how to be Rossi for the low, low price of 49.95, but wait, call now and you get a second kit absolutely free. Maybe these really do exist and no one wants to tell me, because it’s a secret. Well not one to conform, here is my secret formula.

My formula is proprietary, so I can only give you the ingredients. Mix as you see fit.

Part 1

The easiest part to get I suppose, the bike. I am not on some crazy motor, built it myself in the garage. No porting or anything crazy, just a head gasket .45mm (available at Roseville Yamaha Parts Dept). Suspension, Ohlin’s TTX 36 and 30mm cartridge kit (available at Fastbike Ind.). Dave will sell you my exact set-up, if you want it. Levers from CRG. Exhaust system is Leo Vince, it is the stainless system, not even the Titanium, which is lighter (call Josie at Leo Vince). Kit ECU/air filter by Yamaha (call Roseville Yamaha). 520 chain and sprockets (Pit Bull Racing). Brake lines and pads (Roseville again). Tank grip (Tech Spec). I don’t think I missed anything. Pirelli

Part 2

Little victories, enjoy them. Not every race has or will result in a win, even Ricky Carmichael lost a few. Enjoy when things don’t go as planned and you still ride well. A few races back, I was at CSC round 1 and during the race my bike started really having handling issues. So I rode as hard as I could without falling down. Every lap it got worse in the corners, and people were reeling me in, like I was on one of those fishing shows. You know the one, that replaced the hour of motorcycle racing that was supposed to be on ESPN. Instead of just jumping in the boat, I fought back to get 3^rd. Turns out it was a bad valve core in the tire stem. 3^rd place with only 14psi in the rear tire, damn right I enjoyed that. I also look over my valve cores now J .

Part 3

Training, yes we need to train. I recently opened my own personal training business (Active Body Training). What I have seen after training several racers is awesome. They have all gotten faster, much faster. Sports specific training, has allowed my riders to decrease there lap times. It can be less body weight so bike goes faster, more flexibility so they can move around on the bike, or endurance so they can finish the race as strong as they started it. You also have more mental clarity at the end of the race if you are not exhausted. Let the other guy be exhausted and you can focus on the pass. Last week at the AMA races, I was actually hoping for more laps. I started 22^nd on Sunday and in the later laps, just kept picking guys off, and ended up in 6th. I wasn’t thinking about anything other than riding. I would let anyone training with me see my workouts, there are no big secrets, just hard work and sports specific approach.

Part 4

Visualization, imagine your own personal victory. A victory can be anything, a goal you are working to achieve. Imagine yourself at your best. Picture the weather, how you feel, what you are wearing, is there a crowd, is your best friend watching, what does the air smell like (race gas I hope), where is everyone else on the track. Every little detail counts. When I recently won my first AFM race, it went just like I had imagined. On the last lap my gap was big enough to enjoy the final trip around the circuit. Finished off with a wheelie for the crowd. I slowed coming out of T11 slipped the clutch and gently raised the front end towards the checkers. Did I celebrate, absolutely, just as I had imagined a million times before. It may seem odd, but the best in the world visualize winning for a reason.

Part 5

Coaching is important. Find someone that will help you get better. I personally hate being told what to do, but I have been learning to shut up and trust in someone. Ken Hill has been coaching riders for years, most stubborn just like me. He would tell me things and I would resist or question him. It frustrates a coach when you don’t listen. I believe my inability to listen when he was talking to me, slowed my progress greatly. My attitude towards coaching has changed over the last few years. The fact is the best in the world get coaching. Having a mentor or a coach guide you is paramount. Why recreate the wheel, didn‘t the first guy do a good enough job? Trust me on this, my wheel wasn’t any rounder than Ken’s and it took me a long time to build it. I am starting a new wheel and this time, I am asking for help.

Part 6

Surround yourself with good people. It starts at home for me, my wife is my motivation to be better at everything. Then we hang out with people who are positive and want to be generally happy in life. Get rid of the negative people who have nothing to contribute to your success. At the track I have a great crew and fellow race team members. Whether it is a local race with my mechanic Mikey, or an AMA race with my mechanic Nikki, I only surround myself with good people. I would rather do everything myself, rather than having people who are not positive and helpful.

Part 7

The goal is very important to success. You would never just get in the car and drive around the city, just hoping that you would eventually end up at your destination. You find out where a place is at and get directions. Well goals are just that, a destination and a direction to head in. I watch racing all the time, and guys will tap dance around questions. My least favorite tap dance is, what is your goal. They will answer with this soft generic answer that won’t offend other racers. Well I mean no offense to other racers, but I came to win. That’s it, MY GOAL IS TO WIN EVERY RACE I ENTER. I respect the other racers, and hope they do well, just behind me. If you are in front of me, I will want to beat you, we are all wired this way, it‘s why we race. Is stating this opinion going to make me popular, if last year is any indication probably not. One of my fellow racers got angry with me, because I told him it was my goal to beat him. I am sorry he took offense to that, but I have since beaten him and have every intention of doing it again, it’s my goal!

So there it is, my formula. Why would I tell anyone? It’s not a secret to me. Show up prepared mentally, physically, with good equipment, and let’s go racing. Will I win every race I enter, probably not. Can I still enjoy every race I enter, absolutely. I came to have fun and race the best guys around. If this helps you great, I will see you at the front, if not I hope you find something that does. I am prepared and ready for racing, which allows me to have fun. Having fun with my racing this year has been the key to my success!

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Race Round 1 AFM Rain in California, are you sure?

Race Round 1 AFM Rain in California, are you sure?

By now it is a well known fact that some of the races did not happen at AFM round 1. Well, improvise a bit, move some stuff around and we managed to get a few races done. So the key to the weekend, be flexible. Yes, we know everyone had a plan and a plan is good, but a flexible plan, now that is great. So all limbered up here we go with my single race report.

On the brakes.

I went down to Buttonwillow on Friday with one goal; work on my weakest areas. For most people this means T1 or T8. My weakest area is me. I spent the day just trying to fix some issues that Ken Hill had identified in the past. I have not spent a day with Ken in almost a year, but his voice echoes through my head. “Basics, basics, basics.” I did what I was told and worked on the basics. One thing about working on something is that it tends to slow me up. I spent the day watching my competitors rail around me while I focused on my issues. You want mental fortitude, well, try letting a guy go by that you fully expect to beat on Sunday.

The new paint makes us easy to spot.

Friday night, the rest of the crew showed up to find that we had a rough day. Jenn had taken a spill while entering the sweeper. She has been working on a few things and finding speed all over the track and when she links it all up, I may be in trouble. We continued to discuss the day and make plans for Saturday. Oh how the plan would change.

Saturday started the same as any other and my lap times we not stellar. I had focused on what I was doing wrong Friday, but the speed was eluding me. Knowing I had a few sessions to shake out the demons, my plan stayed the same. A bent front wheel was giving me problems in the first session, but once diagnosed Mikey got me a straight wheel mounted up. As we sat around for a slight rain delay a meeting was called and we were told plans had changed. Due to a large storm that was only hours away, seven highly attended Sunday races would be run instead of today’s normally programmed schedule. I was in 600 SB and that was now race 4.

Thanks to Kris Nicolai for the pictures.

After practice, my clutch gave me some worries and with last years problems I was quick to take a look at it. My inspection yielded little answers and I decided to bolt it back up and try to make it out for the race 3 warm up lap. With my clutch consuming a good deal of time and no back up wheel, I realized I was going to race on the same front tire I spent Friday afternoon and Saturday morning on. My warm up lap showed me the bike would survive the race and I was ready for competition.

R6 R6 R6 hmmm maybe that is the bike to be on.

A solid finish last year put me second on the grid next to Lenny Hale and Berto Wooldridge. The board went up and the flag flew. My jump was as good as Lenny, but his grid position left him leading into T1. My eyes had a wide open track and in the very tough 600 class I was happy to only be looking at one bike. I held Lenny close for a lap, but then he started to gap me out a bit. Within a moment I realized my mind needed to be on me not him. A lap later doing my own thing he was coming back to me. On lap 3, at least this is the way I remember it, a white bike came up the inside of T3. Imagine my surprise to see it was my Greg McCullough coming all the way up from P8 on the grid. He passed me and I wanted to pass back, but he clearly got up to me so I wanted to see how he did it. The next thing I know, he passes Lenny up into Lost Hills. They quickly pulled a small gap.

Is that another R6?

Do what you do and let the rest work its self out. Lap 4 and 5 were just that and on lap 6 I was right there ready to try for a pass on Lenny. I had a plan and as we headed to lost hills my plan was over, black flag, it was not pointed at any of us so we kept going. We came down to the sweeper and another black flag was out, finally we all sat up and realized our race was over. We pulled into the pits and awaited the official results. Greg had won, Lenny second, and me in third. Not a bad way to start the year. I wanted to win, but it just goes to show you every lap counts even lap 4 or 5. A HUGE CONGRATS TO GREG! We wanted to have a good race and a 1-3 is pretty darn good. Oh yeah, 3^rd on an old tire, you have to love those CT Racing-Pirelli tires!

Please remember to support the people who support racers.

Z2 Trackdays, Z2 Racing, Yamaha, Fast Bike Industries, Pirelli /CT Racing, Factory Body Works, Yamalube Products, GP Frame & Wheel, CRG Levers, Roseville Yamaha, Motion Pro, Race Image Graphics, Leo Vince, Helimot, Suomy, Sidi, Tech Spec and Ken Hill Coaching, Ink Monkey.

Round 1

600 Superbike – finished 3rd

Race Round 1 WSMC Something New

Optimism isn’t exactly what I am known for, more like a realist. Last week as we looked at the weather report what little optimism I had was slipping away. Somehow after manipulating every weather report on the internet, I convinced my wife to chance out a few days at Willow Springs. As we rolled out of Sacramento in bumper to bumper traffic, it started raining. No big deal, we are going half way down California and the rain couldn’t possibly be that bad. Four hours in and you could have wake boarded next to the freeway. Ever-so-hopeful we continued on. We arrived in Willow Springs late and parked the RV near a gas station a few miles from the track. I must have done something right in my past life, because we woke up to a blue sky. One point for hope and optimism.

We got through tech and headed over to the front straight to watch the first session. Yes it was sunny and dry, but it was also super cold. Every passing session more riders would jump out on track. I finally jumped on track in the second set of practices. The track was small and corners seemed to almost blend together as I found my footing in the first several laps. Thanks to a few local guys giving me a tow, even if they didn’t know it, the track started flowing for me. I completed three sessions before my ‘realistic side’ managed to summon the rain and they shut the track down for the rest of the afternoon.

It wasn't this bad, but it was still cold.

Every new track you go to has something you have to get used too. At the Willow Streets course, it is unusually small. Judging by the track map, it looked just like any other track and it had a finish line I could see from the parking lot. What we could not see, and was not apparent from the map, was the incredibly tight course that hid just over a small hill out of view. The new track was just one thing to consider, we were also racing with a new club. WSMC was very accommodating, new customers require a little extra effort and they walked us through the registration process, informed us at tech, and were amazingly helpful and kind over all. It was nice to feel so welcome and get that little extra guidance, since we were not familiar with how they operated. Thanks again to a great staff and very friendly racers.

Saturday night was off to an early start and Corey from CT Racing, our Pirelli tire sponsor, took us to a local racer hangout for dinner. I am amazed by some of the people we meet; Ted Campbell, the Leo Vince US Race Manager is a former AMA Pro Motocross racer and Corey has raced just about everything pro. I had the pleasure to sit we both of these gentlemen over the past few weeks and was excited to hear some of the stories they have to tell. Having sponsors who have been in the trenches fighting to make races is awesome, they know first had the difficulties that racers go through just to get a few sessions on the track. Thank you again for telling me your stories and letting me tell you some of mine.

AMA Pro Ted Cambell navigating a rut that could swallow a small car.

 Sunday the rain was gone, and the sun was shining once again. Colder than Saturday we decided not to practice the first of two sessions. After about an hour the temperature came up and the track was ready. My lap times were still dropping with every lap and I felt good. After the shortest riders meeting I have ever attended, my focus turned to race #1, 600 Super Stock. Being the first race of the day, I would not have a chance to see how the flag would drop, the best I could do was make sure everything else was ready to go.

CT Racing's Corey Neuer bending it into the corner.

Lined up on the grid, a glance to the left saw me sitting next to Fernando Amantini, a journeyman AMA rider. Another AMA racer and known local fast guy, Bryce Prince was up front, with several other local racers making up the small grid. A clean start put me side by side with Amantini into Turn 2, the chicane, but he took the position with the inside line into Turn 3. Now sitting in 6^th position this was not my dream start, I managed a couple passes and moved up to 4^th. From there, I spotted the two leaders leaving third place behind. After finding my rhythm and getting to know the other rider a pass presented itself. Down a short hill and into a double apex left turn, my inside line would allow for a block pass on the exit and place me up on the podium. The last lap and a bit of a slide due to an over aggressive throttle, I almost gave up an outside pass in the same corner. A late braking move on his part allowed me to sit up, let him fly by, and then I dropped inside and was right back in business. Pinned to the finish line, I took the 3^rd spot on the podium.

Race 4, was 650 Superbike, WSMC’s version of the AFM Formula 1 class. Jenn was out on track against a host of fast racers, all of which were on 600’s, not one 650 on the grid. I find my self like a little kid playing video games watching her ride. Sitting in the stands I lean left and right, twist the throttle, and squeeze my imaginary brakes. To be honest it’s exhausting! She did an amazing job learning the track so fast.

Racing with this guy was not easy, fun for sure just not easy.

Race 10, 600 Mod Prod was the last race for both of us. I have raced with Jenn before, but have never lined up on the grid next to her. What do you say to your wife? The nod of the head or the knuckle bump given to most riders doesn’t seem appropriate. So I pop up my visor and remind her we are here to have fun. Just then I look up to see my view of the starter is blocked, uuurghh! A decent launch for not seeing the flag put me in the mix of the group into Turn 1. The race was short lived as my 3^rd place start was all for not. A red flag came out mid-second lap as a young 600 rider, that Jenn had just passed on the front straight, high- sided exiting Turn 4 trying to close the gap.

We restated the race, and like a first timer, I lined up in exactly the same spot. Blind as a bat we launched down the road for a shortened race, only 4 laps for the restart to help keep the race day on schedule. I managed some clean passes early and was able to get up to 3^rd position, but a poor choice in lines would not allow me to capitalize on my strengths. I finished with another 3^rd place position, but this one was much less satisfying. Congrats to Luke Huff for getting the better of me in the second race. Luckily, I had a camera on the bike and will be able to review the race and learn from my mistakes.

I am excited to welcome back many of my sponsors from 2010 and also to announce that Roseville Yamaha is back into road racing supporting Z2 Racing for 2011.

 Please remember to support the people who support racers.

A whole store full of things I want and need to have.

 Z2 Trackdays, Z2 Racing, Yamaha, Fast Bike Industries, Pirelli /CT Racing, Factory Body Works, Yamalube Products, GP Frame & Wheel, CRG Levers, Roseville Yamaha, Motion Pro, Race Image Graphics, Leo Vince, Helimot, Suomy, Sidi, Tech Spec and Ken Hill Coaching, Ink Monkey.

Round 1

600 Superbike – finished 3rd

600 Production – finished 3rd

Final Saga

Race Round 7 AFM The Final Saga.

I was asked a question this weekend. It was a simple question and it came from an innocent source. My mechanic had his son at the track this weekend. Alex spends his Sunday watching his dad, Mikey, help me and my teammate prepare for racing. At his age you don’t understand everything you see, I was explaining how his dad helps me at the track and the importance of his roll.

Alex: “What’s my dad do?”
Jason: “Your dad gets my bike ready, so I can go out and try to win!”
Alex: “Why do you want to win?”

Without missing a beat he responded to me, why do you want to win? It was an easy answer for me. When you compete against the best riders on the west coast and you prevail on top, its fun! That is how I answered him, three simple words.

Because, its fun!

Winning is not the only time you get to have fun. My team, the other racers, and friends are all fun to hang out with. Saturday practice was not as much fun, though. My need to always do better sometimes leads me down too many paths. Rather than just focusing on my own riding, I tried a major suspension change. Fastbike Industries has taken care of me all year and has made the decisions for me. Saturday with a consultation to FBI, I tried to make changes on my own. He said my setup should be great, but if I was determined to try something new it was ok. I should have just listened to him, but now I know what absolutely does not work on an R6. The last session I reverted to my known good set-up and ta-dah , it worked.

4theriders getting some riders meeting shots

Saturday night we celebrated birthdays and had full on bench racing sessions. You know the ones, where we tell how it was a monsoon outside, 100 racers were on the grid, my tires were bald, the engine was running on 3 cylinders and I still managed to win. After a giant pile of “when I was” stories had been told I went to bed and got some sleep for the final race Sunday of the AFM year.

What makes the last race even a little more tense than it already is for some? RAIN, sure throw in a little rain, because apparently racing for championship points was not hard enough, lets try riding a giant slip and slide. Luckily, the rain stopped the wind picked up and the track dried out. The Oregon riders were more than willing to go dry the track out for us, crazy kids. We were sent out for a shortened practice, after which, I had time to prepare for three of the craziest races in my portfolio.

More passes than I could remember. 4the riders catching the action.

Race #5, is the 600 super bike race and I am sitting 3rd in the championship with a large point gap to both 2nd and 4th, I am just looking to have some fun and finish the race. We pulled to the line and set the first race butterflies aside. Green, green, green and we are racing. As we crested the hill out of turn one, the black flag came out. It was an early black flag that sent us back to the pits where we would just sit and wait while a bad accident was cleared and the fallen riders treated. After several minutes, we received word that the riders were going to be ok and were called back to grid. I head out for my warm up lap and as I crest the same hill the engine revs to a heart pounding 16,500 RPM, only I am not moving forward any faster. Aaaaargggghhhh, see my round 1 report, because this is the end of my race. I could loose 3rd place in the championship over a clutch. I was forced to pull into the pits and look for another bike to ride. Drama anyone?

Trying not speed, my arms are frantically gesturing the problems I have encountered. My entire team is atop the Motion Pro hauler, except Mikey, who was there to take my bike, as my eyes darted around our pits. I was screaming GIVE ME A BIKE, ANY BIKE. Lucky for me, Greg had his bike on warmers and by chance we gassed his bike when we did mine. I peeled off the front warmer, and as I looked up Shawn had exited from the Motion Pro hauler before anyone else and was already peeling the rear warmer. I got waived to the end of the pit wall just in time to make the grid. So there I was, no warm up lap on my newly stolen bike and with a different set-up than I am used to. Hey, no pressure right? Thanks to Greg for working on my bike after I stole his!

Greg's bike is fast, and I hope never to have to steal it again. 4theriders

The race went green again and it was not long before I figured out how to move Greg’s R6 around the track.
The last thing you want to do is wreck your teammates bike, wanting to push and do well was balanced by just needing to finish. That was, until Presting passed me, then something just fired up in me. Getting passed like the offering plate at church was not my idea of fun, it was GO time. Knowing a re-pass was in order I looked for an opportunity and took it. Again, he came by and I would pass back. In one lap, it was like 5 passes we made on each other. We were battling bar to bar and having just a ton of fun doing it. We were both examining places to pass or re-pass. It was true racing, making hard passes with determination. I hear we were getting a lot of chatter from the announcers because of the back and forth action. On the last lap my pass stuck and with some good drives I held him off at the line. Nice work Presting, it was my favorite race of the year.

Back in the pits Chris V., our crew chief and owner of Race Image Graphics, was surrounded and assisted by my team as he installed the new clutch pack. I had a few minutes to rest before race #7 and a chance at second overall in 750 production. My race would be one for the overall finish rather than individual race results. My 7 point lead over Neil was more than enough, due to a crash at WSMC a couple weeks earlier he would not be able to race, he was just too beat up to sling his bike around. Neil and I have become friends this year and it sucked not seeing him on the line. Kevin was 22 points behind me and that left me with one task, I would stick to him like glue, worrying less about me and more about what he was doing.

Well, the race started and my clutch was working fine. I tried a few times to pass Kevin, but he had some ferocious defense going on. My heart wanted to race for the position, but my head was screaming just be smart. I pushed several times hoping to make the pass, and almost got my front end sawed off more than once. We came into 14 with my best chance to go by yet, up the inside on the brakes, with my tires almost on the inside curbing, Kevin was going to tighten up his line. Coming from out wide he had that option, but I was out of space and he knew it. He leaned in on me to block my pass, just then my inside peg scraped the ground, rock meet hard place, hard place the meet rock! I was sure we were both about to slide across the ground, my mind immediately started telling my heart, look what you have gotten us into. My heart had little to say, as it was currently visiting my stomach. My Pirelli tires did there job and held me up as we exited the turn. As we went down the straight, my mind had a one way conversation with my heart and its desire to beat Kevin. I rode close to Kevin for the last few laps thinking of the long term goals. A solid finish would net me 2nd overall. On the plus side of things, my seat is attached to my bike better than I thought because it was not permanently mounted to me as I got off the bike at the end of the race.

Looking for a place to pass. Photo by 4theriders.

With all of my serious races aside, it was time to just have some fun. Race 12 and 600 production. The start was good and Berto rode like a man possessed. As we headed towards T5, with me currently nestled in 4th position, Berto and Tyler were having a war over 2nd. Berto had just passed Tyler in T4 and they went side by side into a very tight T5. As I crested the hill, my eyes got very big and avoiding flying debris was my new goal. Berto’s bike bounced down the steep T5 hill as I raced to pass the bike. Parts were everywhere and a red flag came to mind. Could they clean it up before we come around again? Well, race like hell and see, they may not stop this thing. The next lap and no red flag, although I just about visited the same spot as the front end of my bike tucked; my knee hit the ground, then the peg, then a quick dirt bike step with my left foot lifted the bike back on two wheels. One lap later and the red flag flew. As I crested the hill looking for Berto, Lenny Hale was there picking up his bike. Both riders were down and a question of oil on track stopped the race. Berto jumped on the back of my bike and we got him back to the pits for the restart.

Berto chasing me into T1. Photo by 4theriders

Restart we did, and we continued our battles around the track. Sebastio chased me down and passed me near the end of the race, while I was busy trying to pass Berto. Not willing to give away spots like lotto tickets at the local gas and splash, my focus turned to passing him back. We had some more tight racing and at the end of the day, I had passed one rider, but not both. Fourth place again. A lack of trophies made the weekend feel weird, almost not complete. I was faster than it showed today, but I made a plan to focus on overall finishes and stuck with it. My year can be summed up with just 4 lines;

2nd place California State Championship 600 Superbike Overall
2nd place AFM 750 Production Overall
3rd place AFM 600 Superbike Overall
Earned the #10 Plate for the AFM Overall

More than all of that, I met and raced against incredible people. I also learned things about character, perseverance, and teamwork. Thank you very much to all of my sponsors, team, and supporters. I hope we made you proud to be a part of our program and will work to improve for next year.

Last start of the season. 4theriders Photo

Please remember to support the people who support racers.
Z2 Trackdays Staff, Z2 Race Team, Yamaha, David at Fastbikes Ind., Pirelli /CT Racing, Yamalube Products, Motion Pro, Race Image Graphics, Leo Vince, Helimot, Suomy, Factory Body Works , Igartua, 4 The Riders, Sidi, Tech Spec, Ink Monkey, GP Frame & Wheel, CRG Levers, Graves Motorsports, Mach 1, and Ken Hill Coaching.

Round 7
600 Superbike – started 3rd, finished 5th
750 Production – started 2nd, finished 4th
600 Production – started 4th, finished 4th

Round 3 CSC

Round 3 CSC           Jedi Master, I am Not              Willow Springs

Ready your are not, more training you will need! Yep that is how I felt just before taking the grid on Sunday. I needed Yoda to show me the way. Not the way of the force, but the way to get around Willow Springs Raceway, fast and in one piece. (These are star wars references for those who grew up under a rock.) So how to master the fastest track in the west? Look on you tube for some fast video, and it doesn’t seem to exist. Why not, my best guess is the fast guys had to learn the hard way, so you get to learn the same way. My desire to walk home, not crutch home, as well as my desire not to play pick up sticks with my bike, meant I would take it slow and steady.

I should have showed up for practice on Friday, but like Lindsey Lohan and her court appearances, I just couldn’t make it. So late Friday we rolled in, threw some stuff out of the trailer and went to bed. Saturday, we were up at the crack of dawn as a semi trailer ripped through the pit’s at 45-50mph. Apparently he forgot the highway ended at the gate. Not so wide awake, I struggled to get things set up. Jenn and Greg, seemed to struggle as well. We tied everything down with extra weight, knowing that the Ez-up could later be a parachute for the standard water bucket tie downs. If you have not been here, it gets crazy windy in the afternoon. So with the pits cinched down and tech completed we got ready for first practice.

Never been to Willow, what’s that you say, you would love to hear a lap from my perspective, sure why not. Due to my inability to even function in the first practice or type anything but, crap, crap, crap, hold on, crap, crap, crap, I will give you a lap from Sunday. T1 you are coming down the straight at, oh lets just say pinned in 6th and your eyes pick up the braking markers. Don’t really brake here, they are more for show. Turn in crazy late after a light drag on the brakes, survey the moonscape for anything that resembles an exit marker. Your font is loaded up, skipping through the bumps, and then you see a cone. Dear god, let that cone be where it was last lap and pin it again. T2 and they don’t even have brake markers, who needs those? After all, your only in 4th gear pinned and are about to do a reverse carousel (Infineon). Really no brakes? This is what races through your mind, as you prepare to launch off track . Oh sure just bend it in and hit the gas. Look for the exit as you navigate the bumps in the half mile long T2. Cones at the exit again, yeah the lunarscape lacks reference points, so cones are a plenty. Pin it again to T3.

Hmmm, may just be me, but I starting to see a trend. Into turn 3 and my under worked brakes have there only real chance to shine. Swing wide for a late apex and up the hill, again looking for a reference point. As you crest the hill forget about the apex, swing out wide so you can get pointed in thee right direction as you descend the OMEGA. Look for some particular crack in the pavement someone mentioned, don’t worry you wont pick the right one, so just go with the first one you see. Late apex T5 and the crest a blind T6 as your back tire starts to spin up, then late apex yet again, and you guessed it, pin it. That gets you clicking the gears back up to 6th as you approach T8. Saddle up your horses, put your big boy pants on, and put the non-racing women and children to bed. We are going in wide open, again wide open. Turn any bike at speed and it is difficult, but wide open, the bike is not exactly pliable at this point. Something about centrifugal force and physics. Your mind scrambles looking for markers, your suspension compressed, and your head being smashed by the wind, you look for the line. Run out to the edge and look for more cones as T9 is coming.

T9 has a special place in my heart, which is now in my stomach. So here goes, wait until you think you should brake and then don’t. Run wide and then go wider. Prepare to grab two downshifts at top speed, while laid over. The one nice thing about T9, is that pesky lever by you right hand, wont be a bother, because you wont touch it. So, I am not down shifting when I want to, running wider than I want to, and not using my brakes. What could possibly go wrong? As you get to the last cone, turn as hard as you can and look to apex, the one that you don’t actually want to go over. Stay 8-10 feet out over a crack you can’t see and look for an exit cone. Pin the throttle at the apex and start grabbing gears. Prepare to have a 1000 suck the paint off your bike, as the power down the straight. Don’t worry about missing the giant bump on the straights, because you can’t miss it. Rinse and repeat as necessary! One lap in the bank and time to recap, pin it, don’t use brakes, and look for a cone. Congrats on your first lap at Willow, those are my lines.

If the speed does not translate in my description, do this. Set a Coke can or favorite beverage on the corner of the sidewalk. Get in your car, gas it up to lets us say, about 50mph. Drive by the can and tell me the fourth ingredient on the can. That is how fast things happen at Willow. All funny stuff aside, it is a great track and really fun. I am going back to learn as much as I can, so I may be more prepared next time I race there.

To everyone who welcomed us to there track, thank you. To Shandra and the CSC, thank you as well. This is my third trip to a new club this year. Some may have seen us as intruders, but most seem to enjoy the fact we brought more racers to the grid. Tech was super nice, registration was nice, and Willow racers were nice to us as well. It reminds me that you only get one chance to make a first impression. I am not sure what kind of impression we made on visitors to the AFM, but I hope it was good. Remember to be patient and nice to everyone who shows up at your particular club, because it’s just not fun to race alone. So thanks for having us and we hope you welcome us back.

My wife was killing it all weekend and really impressed me. The thought of going in T8 at full tilt was scary. She made that happen before me, and her lap times were very impressive. She rode smart and was able to make gains faster than I was. I may have had a better lap time at the end of Sunday, but she is ready to change that when we return. Proof positive, if a woman wants to, they can do it just as well as the boys. As for me, I enjoyed the change in scenery and took a lot of positives away from the weekend. Oh yeah and 2nd Place Overall in 600SB California State Championship.

Please remember to support the people who support racers.
Z2 Trackdays Staff, Z2 Race Team, Yamaha, David at Fastbikes Ind., Pirelli /CT Racing, Yamalube Products, Motion Pro, Race Image Graphics, Leo Vince, Helimot, Soumy, Factory Body Works , Igartua, 4 The Riders, Sidi, Tech Spec, Ink Monkey, GP Frame & Wheel, CRG Levers, Graves Motorsports, Mach 1, and Ken Hill Coaching.

New Z2 Race Video

http://www.z2racing.com/videos.php

Here is our new video. Hope you enjoy watching as much as we liked making it.

RFR Local Boys

Race Round TTP Racing Going to hang with the local boys!

Summer break! That is what we are supposed to be on, from the AFM. Lucky me Jen likes to race. We decided heading up to Reno Fernley Raceway would be a good way to spend the weekend. Have you ever heard the term home track advantage. I have and didn’t really believe in it until this weekend. I understand why at some tracks Ben Spies struggles to learn the pace of the Moto Gp veterans. Even knowing some have that advantage, those riders still have to be able to ride that track. So here we go, race with fast riders and many of them with track knowledge. No problem right?

Using the curb. Another cool 4theriders photo.

In rock star more like budget fashion we chose not to ride Friday. So we showed up Friday night after navigating the Labor Day traffic and began the unloading ritual. SPL Pirelli was already there and set up, so I meandered over and said my hello’s. Everyone was just hanging out and enjoying the weather. If you have not been out of the city lately wow, there are more stars in the sky than I have ever seen. Add in a mountain range and some wild horses and this is an awesome back drop.

Saturday morning and we get the ball rolling with the standard riders meeting. With such a long track it allowed us to run only a two group format. You know when your on the bike and everything just clicks, well let me tell you that was not how my morning started. The only thing clicking was my very old knees. 23 turns is a lot of corners to remember. Add in that at most tracks you remember where the bumps are, here you remember where they are not at. I made some minor adjustments to the Fast Bike Suspension and just kept trying to learn the track. Every session got better and my sights were set on super pole.

Yep, I said it SUPER POLE. They staggered us out of the gates so we could get a bunch of clean laps. That was pretty crazy. My times were not what I wanted, but the experience was awesome. Just before super pole started the man (Jimmy Wood AMA#37) showed up. If there is any question about his speed, he would leave none by the end of the day. His second session on track and he was already the fastest rider out there. My benefit came from latching on to Jimmy like a Paris Hilton purse dog. He patiently spent time with me explaining how to adjust to the track conditions and how to break the track down. By the end of the day I had cut my lap times to 2:35, big thanks to Jimmy for the help.

Keeping it close to the paint. Photo by 4the riders.

Sunday came and some changes in the schedule had to be made. We had a lower than expected rider turnout, but with some cooperation among the sponsors, riders, and promoters we had more than enough to run three super bike classes. There was also a crazy street bike class, which was awesome to watch and the riders did a great job the whole weekend. I entered 600, 750, and 1000 Super Bike class. We had a morning practice session to shake out any issues and get ready to race.

In addition to the super pole, they added a heat race to the day. The super pole qualified you for your heat race and the finish in the heat race gives you a grid spot for the main event. My 750 heat started great and then got off track literally. Chasing from the back of the pack, over the almost 4 miles track, I was able to get back to 4th place. My other heat races went ok and I was ready to race for real.

Not sure 4theriders knew they would shoot motocross!

Knowing your not going to win sucks like a Hoover vacuum with a V8 engine, but Jimmy was killing it and left me searching for crumbs under the podium. I also had to deal with a raging fast Andy Allen, Eddie Vigil and others. Most of the races went the same, get a good start and then get out powered to the first turn. The highlight of the weekend came in the middleweight race. Lap 2 and charging down the front straight towards turn 1, and yes I mean down hill, a 750 pulled next to me.

Turn 1 is this crazy 5th gear super fast left right left chicane You are 5th gear pinned and just let off the throttle, no brakes. Did I mention 5th gear? With the 750 coming up the inside and about to pass, I went right by my throttle let off point. I had yet to break the wide open throttle, finally the 750 slides behind me and I am left to deal with all that speed and turn 1. Yes it is that intense! Letting off the throttle the bike starts to look off track. Against every instinct I had to pin it again, so the bike would finish the corner.

4theriders making me look good.

All weekend I would roll into turn 1 sure it was to fast, only to come out the other end knowing I could have gone faster. My goal was to complete that corner just once at speed. He shoots, he scores! I am sure you can go even faster than that, but I felt like I rode a missile through that section. I look forward to going back up in October and trying to go faster. Thank you to TTP Racing, Pirelli,SPL, and everyone who made the weekend possible. On a side note congrats to David and Jen for there outstanding performances. Oh yes and for the bone head move of the weekend, I forgot to thank my wife, my biggest supporter while on the podium.

Checkers! photo by 4theriders

Please remember to support the people who support racers.
Z2 Trackdays Staff, Z2 Race Team, Yamaha, David at Fastbikes Ind., Pirelli /CT Racing, Yamalube Products, Motion Pro, Race Image Graphics, Leo Vince, Helimot, Suomy, Factory Body Works , Igartua, 4 The Riders, Sidi, Tech Spec, Ink Monkey, GP Frame & Wheel, CRG Levers, Graves Motorsports, Mach 1, and Ken Hill Coaching.

Round 6

600 Superbike started 2nd finished 2nd
750 Superbike started 4th finished 3rd
1000Superbike started 4th finished 5th

AFM Rnd 6 2010

Race Round 6 AFM My Favorite Lesson!

I have had a hundred lessons in life, most apply to racing. “Never quit trying, no matter what”. Yeah that is one of my favorites and the hardest one for me to live up to. How do you force yourself to go on when the pain is so bad you can’t imagine it any more, or when you are sure this is as much as you are capable of? In your mind you are maxed out, done, ready to give in. Sometimes it is not a physical issue, more of a mental one. This is the one I faced this weekend. Sitting in second place with a safe lead, I had to make the choice. Continue doing what I have done in the past or keep trying harder. These are some of the most difficult decisions you can make, play it safe or make the effort to be better. So with one lap to go and safe in the 2nd place, I made the choice not to quit and try to be better.

                                                Photo by 4theRiders 

Don’t you always want your reports to have a story book ending? Well this is real life and sometimes it’s messy. So laying there on the ground surrounded by corner workers, I remembered my weekend. As part of a growing common trend there was no Friday practice, and it doesn’t seem to bother me much at all. The weeks leading up to the race were mired with challenges and left me in a tough spot for the weekend, so no Friday was kind of a blessing. Friday was loading and finishing final details for round 6.

Thanks to Greg McCullough loaning me an engine, Saturday practice and race day was even possible. Like I said the weeks leading up to the race were not so good to me. A cold Saturday was a setback for many riders. For me it was time to learn how to settle the back of the bike into the corners. Backing it into a corner has its place, but I like the wheels in line. All day I worked on a new technique that would allow me to enter the corner in more control. It proved difficult and my lap times were slow at best. I can’t remember seeing my name that far down the lap times list. IN ORDER TO GO FASTER, FIRST YOU MUST GO SLOWER. That is what they say isn’t it? Well then check that one off as job done, becuase I was slower!

Trying out the flower power ride before the races.

                                                                      Photo by 4theRiders 

So with practice done an time in hand, I watched my wife race, and wow did she ever race. Her time working on basic skills is really starting to show results. Maybe I should let her coach me, she is getting faster every time she goes out. Hanging out after the races the girls got group photos, and had a crowd around that rivaled a FP podium.16 women showed up to race and made a for an impressive group. With photos done it was time for some food. Making dinner for a large group is hard, but we seem to have that pretty dialed in. I have kind of taken over food duty, since Jenn is racing. If your guys are working as hard as mine, take good care of them and feed them well. With everyone fed, bikes done with tech, and a little bench racing completed most of us sacked out for the night.

My focus has come down to just two classes. 600 Superbike and 750 Production were my main classes for the day and my first two races of four. Making some small changes to the bike and finding a brake issue (thanks to Tom), I was ready for a nice cold practice. Once on track I chased a few fast guys on liter bikes and seemed only to loose time on the straight sections. Yeah that will do just fine, as I came in impressed with my speed. Faster Sunday morning in the cold, than I was at anytime Saturday was just what was needed. I headed to the riders meeting while the team mounted new CT Racing Pirelli tires. Hey I said I felt good, but why not feel great with some crazy sticky tires.

Follow me guys, its this way to my highside.

                                                                  Photo by 4theRiders    

 Pulling up to the grid I slotted into my 3rd place starting position. With the green flag about to fly Lenny Hale let the clutch go and jumped the start. I waited to see the flag fly and off I went. My start was very good, but coming out of T5, smoke billowed from the bottom of the Hale bike. O’Hara was just in front of me and we both shut off the gas. Sure I was about to get collected in oil a line change was in order. Down to T6 and more of the same smoke. The smoke got less and less as the lap went on. They were starting to gap me out and I decided that keeping up needed to be my priority. Sadly they inched away every lap and I was left to try and protect my place from a charging Berto #115 and #74 Prince. Prince was able to make good use of lapped traffic and passed a lapper at the yellow flag, which left me and Berto watching him ride into the sunset as we waited to pass the crash. Finally we got by and pushing hard I was able to close the gap that Prince was managing well. Just after the race I did something I have not before. Went and saw Barb without being called down to grid. I was sure Prince had passed under a yellow. No corner workers called it in and Prince stated he made the pass just before he reached the flag. Good enough for me, as long as he saw the flag and was sure he passed legally I agreed that he beat me. Another rider protested Lenny and he was docked one lap for rolling the start. 3rd place overall was not a bad start to a promising day.

Digging the bike out of the air fence.

                                                                      Photo by 4theRiders 

750 Production and I was ready after 600 SB. 2nd on the grid turned into a follow the guy in front of you session. First through fifth in the points, rode just in that order. Hale checked out and left 4 of us to battle it out for 2nd place. I ran a fast pace, with a little left in the tank in case it was needed. Four laps in and 4th crashed out. Five laps in and 3rd touched tires with me and crashed out. Not knowing that we touched tires, I later found out he was coming into T3 faster than me and was trying to get around the outside. 6 laps in and a brief look over my shoulder told me I had a safe 2nd place position. Trying to get a first place requires talent and effort. Like I said at the beginning never quit and I didn’t. A 100 yards from a white flag, I exited T11 with a desire to turn my fastest lap and get in the 1:41:00 range. An over eager throttle hand and brief lack of concentration sent my ass skyward over the bike. Eventually a spectacular high side left me laying on the track with riders coming. Over the wall and flopping to the ground, my weekend shot through my eyes. Slow, slow, faster, faster, oops! Ok, so that is the condensed version.

Team building exercises:)

My hopes of racing the rest of the day were evaporating as the swelling was growing. Sitting in the pits icing my body one of the team owners came over to talk, I tried to explain my actions. Stumbling for just the right words he stopped me and proudly said, “you were still racing”. He seemed not to be upset that the I had crashed, more of an acknowledgement that I crashed while trying to be better . I am sure he wanted me to finish the race and get a 2nd versus the DNF, who wouldn’t? That said I am most proud that this is the team I race for, because everyone on the team understood. They choose to believe in me and I continue not to quit trying every time it gets difficult, painful, or as some say just too damn hard.

So I am in one piece bruised and battered, but I would race today if I could.

Loving the new suspension, thanks David.

On a non racing related note, Saturday was our anniversary. I am married to a woman who chose to go to the track, instead of a fancy party or anything crazy like that. She did this not because I asked her to, but because we both love to race. She is my best friend and we spent our anniversary with great people and could not imagine doing anything else.

She is Amazing!

Photo by Craig Sanders

Please remember to support the people who support racers.
Z2 Trackdays Staff, Z2 Race Team, Yamaha, David at Fastbikes Ind., Pirelli /CT Racing, Yamalube Products, Motion Pro, Race Image Graphics, Leo Vince, Helimot, Suomy, Factory Body Works , Igartua, 4 The Riders, Sidi, Tech Spec, Ink Monkey, GP Frame & Wheel, CRG Levers, Graves Motorsports, Mach 1, and Ken Hill Coaching.

Round 6

600 Superbike started 3rd finished 3rd
750 Production started 2nd DNF