Pictures
VIR 3/10/07 Round 1 WERA
Hey guys we just got back from our first race of the 2007 season.
We weren't sure we would even get to race since
rain was in the forecast. Since this was the first time on
the race bike in 4 months and the track didn't have much
rubber built up, I thought I would take it nice and slow. I have
been training all winter by racing a TTR-125 dirt bike
with slicks in an indoor warehouse that a couple of guys
rented out for the winter. I'm expecting this to really help
me jump up to the next level since I'm throwing the little
bike around like its nothing. To my surprise when I first
jumped on the suzuki gsxr 600, it felt tiny! I couldn't believe it
felt that way after coming off a dirt bike that weighs 1/3 the
weight of the racebike.
The first practice session went as good as a practice session can
go when the temperature is 40 degrees. Second practice was much
later that morning and I felt great. I felt like I picked up right
where I left off last winter. My times were
below 1:40 already.
I used the middleweight solo for practice on Saturday. I started
in 21st position and finished in 12th out of 40 competitors. I
video taped the race so
click Here
to
watch a 6 minute clip from the beginning of the race. My goal for
this race was to not crash since crashing sucks and my bikes look
awesome after Gilberto from Top Stop
Autobody painted them over the winter. I managed to get some great
practice and dipped into the 1:36's during the race.
Sunday was raceday. I put the suzuki away and pulled the Ducati
998 out of the trailer. I knew I would have some stiff competition
this year from Arnie Hastings since he has been given a very nice
Ducati 999 in order to win Ducati contingency money. I went out
for first practice and felt pretty good even though it was pretty
cold out. Second practice I can hardly put into words. I felt so
good and I passed guys that I couldn't hang with the day before. I
knewI went fast but had to wait for the times to come out and I
had done a 1:35.90. I was amped up for my race. I knew I had to
turn low 1:35's to beat Arnie.
Race 1 was called and I couldn't wait for the battle. I started
from Pole. My lauch was okay and I managed to lead into turn 1. I
put my head down so that I could put together
a solid lap and break away. Coming onto the straighaway at
the end of the first lap, I looked behind and Arnie was not
very far behind. The next lap, I looked back in the same
spot and he closed down a little. On the 3rd lap, he was a
little closer. On the 4th lap he passed me. I rode well to
stay right on his tail. I was feeling good about repassing
him until I stuck my knee on one of the famous gator teeth at VIR
and lost my right knee puck. Now I'm hanging on for dear life and
I couldn't catch him without my feeler. Arnie
won by 1/2 second. I came in second place and 3rd place was
25 seconds behind us. It was a two man show. I would have another
chance to redeem myself.
Race 12 was supposed to be around 3:00pm but because there were so
many accidents in previous races, we didn't get to race
until about 4:30pm. This really made me very tired and I
didn't feel very good for the race. I think I awaited the
race so anxiously that I wore myself out waiting. The race was an
exact repeat of the first. However, this time I didn't have the
fight in me. I was worn out. Arnie won by 1 second.
This sets the stage for our next race at Summit Point on
April15th. It's going to be a battle. As will the rest of the
year.
This year we were not sure what our sponsorship situation was
going to be until very late in the game. BR-111 Exotic Hardwood
Flooring is once again stepping up huge to help us out.
Maximum Hardwood floors is back as well. I want to also thank
Genesis Accounting, Pirelli, Ducshop Racing, EBC, Sobre Rodas
Magazine,
Achieve Fitness, Design by Duno, Engead, Motorcycle Leather
Exchange and Sienna Motors.
See you in 5 weeks.
DP
