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

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