|
Series: OMRRA
Date: May 22 - 23
Classes raced and results
600 Supersport - 2nd
Formula Ultra (Superbike) Race 1 - 2nd
600 Superbike - 2nd
Formula Ultra (Superbike) Race 2 - 4th
What a weekend - honestly
one that pushed even my envelope for weather. As you'll read
and see in the pictures, we had and extremely trying weekend
in terms of riding conditions, but all in all we managed to
come out of it unscathed except for getting a bit wet and
having some messy hair.
Step one - thank the team.
In what only can be described as heroic, Dan and Dale toiled
for over three days straight to get the Competition Motors
sponsored ZX10R Superbike running for this weekend. I won't
go into excessive detail, but they (And Don Beck) worked their
asses off and I'm sincerely grateful for their efforts. Also,
I need to thank Jeff and Francie for their amazing hospitality
and cooking. And last but not least I need to thank our sponsor,
Richard Lerud (TYRSOX)
for his continuing support.
Onto the races at hand.
Race one - 600 Supersport
Remember that weather I mentioned earlier? Here is where it
bites us in the ass for the first time this weekend. I lined
up to the grid on full Pirelli
rain tires, however the track was now bathed in sunshine (the
only sunny spot for miles by the way) and was drying up our
relative advantage by the second. Naturally my competition
had opted for dry tires so I was going to just have to make
this work the best I could. I got a great start and slotted
into second going into turn one. From here I managed to push
for the lead and take it a few times only to lose it once
I got into turns one, two and three. I simply couldn't make
the rain tires work in these conditions. I did my best to
keep things going and luckily managed to slide it around for
the second step on the podium.
Race two - Formula Ultra Race One (Yes,
F.U. for short)
Another decent start saw me in third going into turn one.
From here it became a good scrap with Alan Schmidt #1. I did
my best and we had a good race until the second to last lap
when I lost the front going through turn eight yet somehow
managed to stay on the bike. With this (ahem) error, I wasn't
able to contest for the win but luckily still got second.
Race three - 600 Superbike
First start.
I'll keep this brief as the first start to this race was possibly
the worst conditions I have ever ridden in. There was so much
standing water (see pictures) that it was almost impossible
to keep the bike upright in a straight line, yet alone navigate
turns. Seriously some of my least enjoyable laps in racing.
Thankfully the organization realized this and red flagged
the first start.
Second start.
To be completely honest I messed up this race and I need to
apologize to the team, and especially my crew chief Don Beck.
I ended up in a great battle for the lead which by the half
way mark I knew was going to come down to the last lap. I
had my timing down and where I felt I was stronger but I misjudged
a lapped rider in the last few turns and completely blew it
handing the win away. Frustrating for sure knowing we had
the pace for the win but I didn't capitalize on it.
Race four - Formula Ultra Race Two
Guess what? The weather played havoc with us in this race
as well. Surprised? Again a drying track but we opted to put
me out on my 600 on full rains in order to capitalize on the
mixed conditions in the back section of the track. I did well
off the start and actually made my way to the front leading
for a few laps. Regrettably that was the best I did in the
race as the now rapidly drying track was destroying my rear
tire and its ability to keep me upright (see pictures). I
ultimately slid my way back to an eventual fourth place finish.
Not where I wanted to end up, but at least we kept it upright
in these challenging conditions.
So there you have it. Thanks again to everyone
for their support and tuning in! Next race is next weekend!
Oliver
|
