RJH_5150
05-04-2004, 01:31 AM
What a weekend. It was very unusual to have a trip to a race and not have a problem with the Bus. We all arrived at the track Thursday night and unloaded the bikes into the tech building and put the trailer in its place. I suggested walking a lap to give Steve and Mike a better idea of the layout (I also wanted to see the new pavement up close).
The next morning it seemed like someone hit fast-forward because Mike and Steve didn’t even have time to eat breakfast. After their first session I threw Steve a banana and Mike a Mountain Dew and they were good for a while. Later that afternoon I got to play a “tree” in one of their training exorcises. That really didn’t go as planned because no one was allowed to pass and the trees were going faster that the slowest person on the track. So basically no one got to test there passing skills.
Ah, race day. The boys had there usual rush in the morning just to find out they had to sit in the class room and listen to Bob talk for ever. In a way it was a good thing because I got a chance to take the Yamaha out for a little while. Once the boys finally got out of their “talk session” we all got to go out and play for a while during open practice. Mike decided to test his limits in turn 12 and created a detour to the front straight. Except of course for that rut he hit (how’s that shoulder feel?) :D
The weather gods decided to let the rain fall as soon as the riders meeting started and continued until about 15 minutes into the race. I was able to launch the bike ok considering the conditions and jumped out ahead. All I can say is that Nelsons is one scary track when it’s wet. I felt like Aaron Yates (minus the kicking and the head butting) a couple of times sliding through the Kink. I also noticed that the Witchkraft bike started on unscuffed tires (I saw the sticker on his tire when I went by). It finally started drying up and my lap times got better. It sure was hard figuring out what was dry going that fast. My hour was up and I gave the bike to Mike. We had a great pit stop thanks to our modified quick release gas cap (Thanks Dr. G!) Mike got to ride a little in the dry before the heavens opened up and caused a red flag. With about an hour and 10 minutes left the race “officials” signaled for a restart. I made sure the tank was full of gas and we threw Mike out there for a restart. We just about got taught a lesson in rain tires this weekend. We brought Mike back in with about 45 minutes left in the race so Steve can take the checkered flag. During the red flag Witchkraft had switched to rain tires and started charging, hard. Steve road his heart out cursing the DOT tires every time Witchkraft passed. Luckily for us they threw the flag and we won by 2 laps, third over all. Great job guys!
We had a great race weekend. I want to send a big thanks to Bill and all of the Localriders who came out and help us and all our other teams in the pits. You guys did one hell of a job keeping all four of our team’s bikes out on the track through all of the mishaps. :thumbsup
I hope everyone takes the time to check out our sponsors.
Holeshot Motor Sports (http://www.holeshotms.com/) – You guys are great! Thanks for taking care of us.
Worldwide Bearings (http://www.worldwidebearings.com) - Their ceramic bearings did one hell of a job. Thanks Dave!
Ferodo Brakes (http://www.ferodo.co.uk) – Wow! Best brakes in the world.
J&J Sport Shop (http://www.jnjsportshop.com) – Our shirts look great!
PW Designs (http://www.pwdesignsonline.com) – Best looking bike on the track. Thanks for the vinyl.
Localriders.com – We all know how great that is.
The next morning it seemed like someone hit fast-forward because Mike and Steve didn’t even have time to eat breakfast. After their first session I threw Steve a banana and Mike a Mountain Dew and they were good for a while. Later that afternoon I got to play a “tree” in one of their training exorcises. That really didn’t go as planned because no one was allowed to pass and the trees were going faster that the slowest person on the track. So basically no one got to test there passing skills.
Ah, race day. The boys had there usual rush in the morning just to find out they had to sit in the class room and listen to Bob talk for ever. In a way it was a good thing because I got a chance to take the Yamaha out for a little while. Once the boys finally got out of their “talk session” we all got to go out and play for a while during open practice. Mike decided to test his limits in turn 12 and created a detour to the front straight. Except of course for that rut he hit (how’s that shoulder feel?) :D
The weather gods decided to let the rain fall as soon as the riders meeting started and continued until about 15 minutes into the race. I was able to launch the bike ok considering the conditions and jumped out ahead. All I can say is that Nelsons is one scary track when it’s wet. I felt like Aaron Yates (minus the kicking and the head butting) a couple of times sliding through the Kink. I also noticed that the Witchkraft bike started on unscuffed tires (I saw the sticker on his tire when I went by). It finally started drying up and my lap times got better. It sure was hard figuring out what was dry going that fast. My hour was up and I gave the bike to Mike. We had a great pit stop thanks to our modified quick release gas cap (Thanks Dr. G!) Mike got to ride a little in the dry before the heavens opened up and caused a red flag. With about an hour and 10 minutes left the race “officials” signaled for a restart. I made sure the tank was full of gas and we threw Mike out there for a restart. We just about got taught a lesson in rain tires this weekend. We brought Mike back in with about 45 minutes left in the race so Steve can take the checkered flag. During the red flag Witchkraft had switched to rain tires and started charging, hard. Steve road his heart out cursing the DOT tires every time Witchkraft passed. Luckily for us they threw the flag and we won by 2 laps, third over all. Great job guys!
We had a great race weekend. I want to send a big thanks to Bill and all of the Localriders who came out and help us and all our other teams in the pits. You guys did one hell of a job keeping all four of our team’s bikes out on the track through all of the mishaps. :thumbsup
I hope everyone takes the time to check out our sponsors.
Holeshot Motor Sports (http://www.holeshotms.com/) – You guys are great! Thanks for taking care of us.
Worldwide Bearings (http://www.worldwidebearings.com) - Their ceramic bearings did one hell of a job. Thanks Dave!
Ferodo Brakes (http://www.ferodo.co.uk) – Wow! Best brakes in the world.
J&J Sport Shop (http://www.jnjsportshop.com) – Our shirts look great!
PW Designs (http://www.pwdesignsonline.com) – Best looking bike on the track. Thanks for the vinyl.
Localriders.com – We all know how great that is.