3rd Race Update

Rode down to Nashville with great expectations for big fun. Weather forecast looked great; I'd sorted out some bike changes, and was ready to concentrate on my riding.

Well, things didn't quite work out that way. Spent $75 for half a day practice Friday and was only on track for one session. However, better to be sorting out bike issues on Friday than on race day. Gas pouring out of the left carb, oil puking out the breather & filling the catch can, stripped out primary adjuster plug, leaning out on the left cylinder, and wouldn't pull top gear. Bleh. Got everything except the top gear sorted - was pretty sure that I was jetted too rich but didn't want to risk a meltdown. It was good enough to ride.

Practice Saturday morning was more productive. Bike still grinds on left handers and the brakes still suck, but lap times were coming down and I was able to focus on riding a bit. My consistency lap to lap as far as a racing line isn't where it needs to be but I've been fighting bike issues too much to concentrate on my technique. Right hand turn clearance was fine, as I started touching my knee down in turn 3 consistently.

The calls came for race 1 and we gridded up. I had the pole position in 500GP due to my points and preregistering. I got a good launch and followed Doug Bowie's Ducati and James Walker's Honda through the first turns. I managed to keep Walker in sight but Bowie was gone. Jack Houman on his 350 Honda came around me about mid race so I had to wake up and get a move on. Passed him back within a lap and brought it home in 3rd.

Soon it was time for the V1 race, where my buddy Steve and I would finally get to race head to head. He was late getting to the grid and I could hear his bike wasn't running right. I gave him the "What's up?" gesture and he returned the "beatsthefugouttame" shrug. When the flag dropped, I got another good launch and took off. Seemed to me like Steve bogged off the line because I never saw him.

Now, some friends were spectating and shooting pictures in Turn 3. Soooo, of course I started showing off a little, hanging off and dragging a knee for the camera. I had a solid 3rd, and knew I couldn't catch the really fast guys that day, so what's wrong with a little harmless fun?

Next to the last lap, coming on to the front straightaway, here comes Steve driving like a maniac past me on the inside. What the!!???!! I cranked it up a couple of notches for the pursuit. I was on his tail for the last lap. He gained a little on the fast entry corners; I made it up in the tight stuff. Mike Wells was smoking up the chicane on his 305 SuperHawk as it expired. Steve got around him smoothly while I was held up a touch.

Coming back onto the front stretch it's a drag race to the checkers. Steve's motor was going soft and mine wouldn't pull in top gear, but we were giving it all they had. And Steve got best, beating me by .12 seconds at the stripe.

His motor died right after the cool down lap. Welded the cam to the cam bushing. Apparently, one of his two kill switches was partially engaged when he came to the grid. Halfway through the first lap, he hit the switch and the bike took off. He rode like never before, and catching sight of me, vowed to catch me or blow the motor up trying. He did both!

Great weekend overall. Steve pulled 3rd's in V1 and V2 and I got a 3rd in 500GP. Bike's still got issues but who doesn't?