TornadoB8

Well I've got two more rounds in the books this season so I guess its time to share my exploits and update my peeps.

MAM (Mid America Motorplex) 5/25:
Rain the previous evening, but by morning practice the sky was mostly sunny and the track was dry. I've never been a big fan of MAM and hadn't even been on the track since OCT 2006. Man that place has gotten ROUGH since then!!! Softened up the suspension to try and keep my teeth from chattering over the bumps and found out that the entire racing line down the straight was rippled which got progressively worse in the braking zone. Ok, enough whining about track conditions.

MWSS: I completely blew the start and let 4-5 guys pass me before turn 1. My helmet was full of explicatives. I'd adjusted my clutch lever earlier and forgot to do some practice starts so lesson learned. They were all running a pretty good pace so I was able to hang on and not lose any ground, but couldn't quite make up any places either. I finished 6th grumbling in my helmet mad at myself.

MWSB: Another blown start. I was leary of my earlier launch and took it way too easy which again put me down several positions. About the second lap someone went down and left their bike on the racing surface in the chicane. It should have been red flagged imeadiately, but they let the race continue until the leaders hit the half way mark and called it a complete race. I was pissed becuse I had my head down and was gaining ground ready to make up some positions, but at the same time looking for a restart and a chance redeem myself. I got neither and finished 9th.

F-40: Finally I got a decent start and went into turn 1 in second place. Got by him on the back stretch when we both came up on slower expert traffic. After that I held the lead to the checkered for a win.

MPH (Motorsport Park Hastings) 6/21:
Weather was perfect. Mid sixties at night and mid to upper eighties during the day. This track is only a couple years old and still in great shape with nice facilities. There are no elevation changes (we're in Nebraska after all), but the layout is fun and challenging.

MWSS: Got the hole shot and never looked back. With fresh tires and some suspension tuning from practice the previous day I was flying. I ended up setting the fastest AM time of the entire day during this race. One of my racing buddies who usually runs close to my pace said afterwards that he tried to hang with me at the start and then I was 'just gone'. It felt awesome.

MWSB: Basically same start as MWSS. I built a commanding lead the first few laps then checked over my shoulder frequently to make sure I didn't have to run any harder than needed. My next race was back to back with this one and I wanted to conserve energy if I could. Brought it home in 1st to the checkered.

F-40: Sitting in hot pit waiting to got out. One of my expert buddies from the previous MWSB race asked why I waved him by. I told him I wasn't in "his" race and didn't want to get in his way. He told me I should take the opportunity to beat an expert whenever I could, but not in this race My times had been faster than him but he's a good sport so we had a chuckle over it.

I got the hole shot yet again. Heading into turn 4 I was third over all and 1st in the AM ranks. The expert in front of me had been an instructor when I got my license with CCS and I couldn't resist the urge to overtake him. Since there weren't any other experts around and I knew I wouldn't interfere with his position I passed him on the next lap between 4 and 5. He just looked over at me and shook his head as I pulled next to him on the back straight between 4 and 5, I smiled back and took him on the brakes into 5. Another very good sportsman and we laughed about it in the pits later. After that I just held a comfortable pace and made sure I kept my lead until the checkered. 1st place AM with 2nd over all.

My points standings at this stage:
MWSS: 2nd, 13 points behind the leader
MWSB: 2nd, 10 points behind the leader
F-40: 1st place with over 30 points spread to 2nd.

I'm looking forward to RA in a couple weeks, but will sure miss you guys at Grattan. Hopefully I can share some more good news from RA along with all your stories from McAddix days @ Grattan by then.

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CCS#27
Dunlop, Vortex, Vesrah, Silkolene

ND4SPD

You're still racing amateur? Cherrypicker. Nice job on the results

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TornadoB8

Yes...I covered that before. I'm looking forward to the bump to expert so I can really get my ass handed to me and learn from the fast guys. Never accumulated enough points in previous seasons due to (insert lame excuse here).

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CCS#27
Dunlop, Vortex, Vesrah, Silkolene

tigerblade

Ditto on the cherrypicker comment.

Sounds like a nice season so far!

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Seems that doomsday's come early this year

CBRVFR

All you fast guys winning races makes me feel much better about seeing you fly by me at various trackdays in recent years..


Way to go, B8!

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bwhip

VERY impressive. Congrats on the outstanding results.

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Hammer

Congrats to the Pro Novice.

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CBR929RE

how about next time you don't fiddle with what ain't broke and bring in the number 1 trophy.

congrats.

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TornadoB8

The only thing I'm changing for Road America is tires and gearing. I always start race day with fresh tires and RA is a much faster track than the others I race on so I'll be going back to or near to stock gearing.

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CCS#27
Dunlop, Vortex, Vesrah, Silkolene

CBR929RE

RTS will be in MI this coming week. I hear they have some good deals on track rubber. you should go and check it out

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if you can't fix it with duct tape, you haven't used enough.

Hammer

He probably bought more sets of tires this spring than you will go through in 5 years.

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

CBR929RE

hey pipe down over there.

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TornadoB8

I get your drift. I'd love to be able to stop by Grattan. I'll actually be in the region but on the other side of the lake. And RTS gave me a great deal on the tires I bought earlier this year. Any of you guys...edit... (or gals)... that try them are going to love the new Dunlops.

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CCS#27
Dunlop, Vortex, Vesrah, Silkolene

CBR929RE

good riddance, I'm glad you ain't coming. you just make me look even slower than I already am.

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if you can't fix it with duct tape, you haven't used enough.

ONEvcs

Sounds like you're having fun, eh?
I heard somewhere Nicky Hayden is going to Ducati next year. Have you heard from the Repsol team yet?

TornadoB8

Yes. They finally responded to my myriad of voicemail, email, and snail mail. They said to stop bugging them or they would file a restraining order.

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CCS#27
Dunlop, Vortex, Vesrah, Silkolene

ONEvcs

Dude, how come your favorite's DJ's radio Station is not your biggest sponsor? And you should be the best advertised racer out there...