I went into the weekend knowing this was going to be the race I remember for the rest of the long winter because it was my last race of the year, I thought we had the bike setup perfectly but after another shagged Dunlop after my practice I knew it was not. I finally got talked into Michelins. I have been pressured all year by everyone to try Michelins, so I figured I would give them a try. With some new tread on Saturday morning I headed off for the Middleweight GP, I got a pretty good start going into turn 1 in 1st place and held it for awhile with a pretty good battle with Benji. I finished in 2nd place. I was very happy with that but knew there was more work to do.
I was happy with the new tire choice. I was on a super soft AMA takeoff and knew it would not have all the stick I needed for the GTU but just wanted to finish upright. I ended up losing a couple of spots but still managed to get 5th place which gets me wood. After a good day with setting up the bike with help from Woody, the bike and brakes felt great! I had Woody a little nervous in practice Friday when my brakes were not doing their job and almost went flying off going into turn 1.
With new pads and new rubber, Sunday was going to be a good day. I told my Dad to put down the video camera because he was going to want to see this one in live. With Sportbike being the first race, I promised the team I would give them a show to watch. With a great launch off the line I led the entire race and held it the whole race. I was really happy with the setup and knew I had to put my head down for the next race which was the Middleweight Supersport. With some great racing and good battles I finished in third place after losing a place to my friend, Brendan Hafner, at the finish line.
The next one I was excited for the $1000.00 Unlimited Speedscreen. With all size bikes, it is usually great racing. A top racer from CRA who came over to race the purse races was in this race and I knew I was going to have to push it to keep up with him. After watching him from the stands going into turn 1 with his rear tire off the ground I knew he was amazing on the brakes. After following him closely the first lap I came out of Turn 7 right on him. The power of the 600RR powered by him down the front straight but I remembered he was awesome on the brakes. I had to stick this one. I outbraked him and made it stick. I was in first place and pumped. I led for a couple of laps and then after a bad crash the race was red flagged. We had a restart but after I had a terrible start, I almost highsided coming out of turn one. Then because the tires cooled down during the red flag delay, I lost the front in turn 4 but regained it. I was in 5th place and just keeping the pace when Brendan had a bad crash in front of me. Two laps later the CRA guy crashed in turn 7 which put me in 3rd that got me some more wood and some cash, also. I ended the weekend with another 3rd place finish in Middleweight Superbike.
What a great last weekend. I was sad to have raced my last race of the year but knew what was in store for next year! I could not have had such a great weekend without the big help from Woody and the whole Team Stumpy crew. Thanks to Jen and Pete Frazier for making the trip, Woody and Jody, and of course Aunt Judy, Mom and Dad, and Heather for keeping track of things. !
