Savin the bacon

      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 3^rd , 2^nd 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.  9^th place finish, 8^th 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, 5^th 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 6^th place finish, 6^th 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.