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The bike didn't need much attention since the last race, so not much to report regarding preparation.
The weather was gloomy and cool. I drove through a bit of drizzle on the way to the track, but the track was still dry in the morning. Dan Baisch helped me get my rain tires mounted on the spare rims, but it never seemed to get wet enough to need them (until it was too late, as you'll see below).
The morning heat races lacked any of the drama of last month. This time, I just went out, wary of cold tires on a cold track, and did OK.
The "main event" for me is the 450 Supersport race. The rain clouds had been threatening all day, but were still holding off. I got a pretty good start and went into turn 1 right behind Racer X. I kept X in sight for the first 3 or 4 laps, but he eventually pulled a gap on me. By lap 7 he was several seconds ahead, and I started to wonder if I should start looking behind me and think about strategy. However, on lap 8 Racer X and I caught up to and began lapping some novice SV650 riders. X must have been balked on a few passes, because I suddenly had him back in my sights!
On the last lap, it was Racer X, Brenda Wertman on an SV, and I going through turn 4 nose to tail. Brenda used the SV's power to get by X on the back straight, but X and I caught back up to her between turn 8 and turn 9. Racer X chose to try to pass on the inside, while I went around the outside. X ended up being somewhat blocked, and I almost got him at the line -- I was less than 2 feet from winning that one!
The 450 Superbike race ended up being no-where near as fun. The clouds finally let loose during our warmup lap, and it started raining for real. No time to mount the rain tires! I watched my bike's temperature guage start climbing while the start was delayed. I think someone crashed on the warmup lap. Finally the 125's were started as the first wave. Unfortunately, one of them spun out and fell down. My temp guage kept climbing while they moved the bike out of the way... teeth grinding, not happy, finally we started.
I spent 4 laps chasing Todd Frey around on his SV650 with brand new slicks. He'd blast away on the straights, then I'd catch up to him in the corners. On one lap, I got around him in turn 9, but of course that didn't last for even half of the front straight. Eventually, the 125's from the first wave started lapping us -- they could race in the rain even on slicks. Meanwhile, my temperature guage was telling me that the motor was still pretty warm. Finally, some SV650's started coming around me. I knew I had been hanging in 2nd place before that, but with the SV's going by, my podium hopes faded. I decided I wasn't having fun, and pulled off the track the next time around.
Unfortunately, it turned out the SV's passing me were from the 650 Supersport wave behind us -- they weren't the 450 Superbike ones. So if I had stayed out, I might have finally gotten a podium spot in 450 Superbike. Doh! Oh well, it is supposed to be fun, and I wasn't having fun at the time.
I won $40 in the Team Fight Against Tobacco 450 Supersport class sponsorship -- thanks, Dave!
Thanks to all the OMRRA turn workers, registration folks, and other volunteers who make OMRRA race days possible. The turn workers deserve a "golden broom" award for the May weekend, as there were serious oil incidents both days, which had all of them out with the grease sweep. They also had to stand around in the rain on Sunday.
Thanks also to my sponsors Bridgestone Tires and Lockhart-Philips USA.
My best and most special sponsor is my wife, Julie!
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