There's a saying that being a strong competitor in any
sport is 80% mental with the remainder being talent, skill, equipment,
etc. The more I race motorcycles the
more I realize how true this is. June 30 – July 1 was
round 4 of the AFM season held at Sonoma Raceway. That weekend also
marked the end of 50-60 hour work weeks for the past month (I make computer games) as
well as buying a garage with a house attached to it and a few ongoing personal
complications. My brain felt like mush
and lack of sleep had me worn out like an old sneaker. Oh, and the brakes on my race bike were quite
soft and yielding.
But I love riding
at Sears and couldn’t wait to get back to racing….
Saturday:
Novice F40 Middleweight: On the start my left hand decided to dump the
clutch lever and sent my front wheel skyward. Once I collected myself I set out to make up
ground. I’ve been using the Bridgestone
R10s since last season and I’m always amazed at their performance and
forgiveness to newbie racers such as myself.
Coming out of the Carousel/T6 I was so anxious to make up ground I decided
that my markers were irrelevant and cranked the throttle way too early. My rear wheel slides out wide right resulting
in a multitude of expletive thoughts. I did some stuff with the throttle that I don;t recall and I pulled the rear wheel
back in line. The R10s gave me just enough
time and feedback to realize where the rear wheel was how to bring it back in line. Finished the race in 3rd , 2nd
in Championship.
Sunday:
Novice 600 Superbike:
I seem to have a hard time in the SB class and this race was no
different. Compounded with being
physically and mentally worn out this race just served as a reminder to enjoy
the good races when they happen and appreciate that you brought it home on 2
wheels, without the drama of the day before.
9th place finish, 8th in Championship.
Novice 750 Production:
Things are starting to get better by this point in the day. The weather was clearing up with some sun on
the track and I was finally starting to feel a bit better but still not up to
pace with the racers I normally battle with.
Finished 5 spots from the top of the box, 5th in
Championship.
Novice 600 Production:
Last race of the weekend and looking forward to going home and getting
some sleep. I managed a decent start,
hung on to the leaders for a bit and finally got to tag along with one of the fast
guys in the class, Stephen Rue. Posted my fastest lap of the weekend and a
personal best on that track resulting in a 6th place finish, 6th
in Championship.
Big thanks to all my sponsors: Jeff, Lance and the rest of the Viets Performance
crew, Jim, Nicki and Dave at Catalyst
Reaction Suspension for getting the bike dialed in, Vortex for the great hard
parts, Racetech for suspension internals and Tam bikes for helping me keep my
butt in shape. I also want to thank my
rad girlfriend/crew chief/co-homeowner Michelle Santy for her undying support
and encouragement as well as all the people I pit with. Thanks to Erich Stielger for the photos and great insurance service. And lastly Will form Mach 1 for helping me solve my brake problems.
