Series: WMRRA
Date: April 3rd, 4th

Classes raced and results
600 Supersport - First
600 Superbike - No race
Formula Ultra - No race

Welcome to a new race season.

Honestly, I'm feeling a little displaced as I type this. As you'll read below there was a tragic accident at the track this weekend so I'm not in the best mindset to write a hugely positive report.

The prep.
As is always the case the amount of prep work that goes into getting our race equipment ready would baffle most, and it's here that I have to genuinely thank Dan & Dale Zlock for their extraordinary efforts in getting me the equipment I need this year. I don't really know how to express my gratitude because thank you just doesn't seem enough. Also, I need to thank our team painter, Rob Burns, for his tremendous efforts.

The crew, friends and team.
I want to acknowledge some key people and their involvement with our race program this year. Don Beck is working with me as a crew chief and after this weekend I'm looking forward to our season together. James Cyr is like a brother to me and is honestly one of my best friends. From the moment we started hanging out it's been one laugh after another, so I'm really grateful for his efforts and sacrifice. Jeff and Francie are once again following me around the country in their motorhome providing chef services to the team. Spoiled is the word that comes to mind when I think about how good I have it here. Also, I have to thank Tom Young and Kevin Graham with Pirelli tires for their continued support! Without these folks and countless others, like Brad Gua, we would not be racing!

Check out a few damp laps on the mighty Zlock ZX10R

Notes on practice:
It's almost freezing, wind is blowing, there is rain mixed with snow flying around and the forecast calls for more of the same - must be the opening round of the year. All kidding aside it was business as usual once I got onto the wet track to get my bearings and timing down. The 600 was certainly feeling good as Dan's exhaustive work had produced what I felt to be the best 600 I have ridden. Next up was my first date with our new 1000cc ZX10R superbike. Now without sounding boastful, I have had the wonderful opportunity to ride hundreds of motorcycles all over the globe, but none of them are as fast as this bike. Words fail to describe the sheer violent acceleration this bike produces and I can tell you it took everything I had, and then some, to even hold it wide open down the straight. Despite what was the most intensive off season training program I have done, this bike left me wondering how I will be able to extract just some of its potential. And even as I type this I'm smiling as the challenge this bike presents to me as a rider is exciting.

Race one 600 Supersport.
Start one.
I got a blinding start and got the lead coming out of the newly reconfigured turn two. Unfortunately, the race was stopped due to some riders crashing and unfortunately some were injured and had to be transported to hospital. With this WMRRA officials decided to move our race to the end of the day.
Start two.
I did well again to lead the first lap but lost my nerve as the rain sprinkles accumulated on my visor. Several riders passed me going much faster than I was willing to in the conditions. I regrouped, focused on riding and proceeded to put in several consistent laps which brought me back up to second place. On the last corner of the last lap I used the speed of our 600 to slingshot into the lead and take the win by a very narrow margin. A lucky win only realized by the outright speed of my bike.

Day two.
Sadly, here is where our weekend ended as a fellow rider and racer was killed in the morning practice session. He was a tremendous asset to the WMRRA organization and I can only hope that his family and friends have the support they need at this time.

With that I feel I should close this report.

Look for our next report in a few weeks time.

Stay tuned.

Oliver