First order of business was picking up some new Bridgstone R10 tires and a box of AMSOIL and Silkolene goodies from Jeff Viets (http://viets-performance.com). Jeff has been giving me a hand since I got started with track days and I'm really looking forward to working with him again this season. I was stoked to be on the R10s again (medium compound) but I was really concerned about getting the motor running well after 3 months off. So Jeff threw in a bottle of AMSOIL Quickshot to help clean out the motor. Once I got some charge in the lithium battery the motor fired right up and ran flawlessly throughout the day. I even threw some Quickshot in my generator just to clean that out too.
Buttonwillow is a notoriously bumpy track and I was really glad to be running the R10s (http://viets-performance.com/Home/Bridgestone-Battlax-Racing-R1-DOT-Race-Tires). They're super smooth and forgiving which was really necessary for shaking the rust off and getting back into rhythm. this was only my second time riding this track so I didn't run a lap timer. I really just wanted to get a used to running on the track and after quick check in with Dave Moss (http://www.feelthetrack.com/) I was finally starting to relax out there. I also happen to be running in the same group as the AMA racers prepping for the Daytona race. It was super impressive being out there with them tearing it up and I learned what I could by (very) close observation.
It's always good to get your mistakes out of the way early and I certainly did this track day. And with a 2 day on-track weekend I think I'm all set to make some progress leading up the first race of the year.
