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June
19-20 WSMC I came to WSIR in June
looking for
a better setup. So far, I'd been using a 600 lb rear spring and after
discussions
with Dave Hodges of GP Suspension, felt like a 650 pounder would help
me
deal with what was ailing me. Fortunately, Dave decided to drive down
for
the June round. Unfortunately, he only had a 625 lb spring for my shock
with
him. I decided to try it and was encouraged by my initial results. Also this weekend, I got to try a new rear tire, a 190/65 16.5 instead of a 190/60. I had spoken with a few other racers all over the US who are racing the 2004 Aprilia RSVR, and found some similarities in their chassis geometry, but thought I'd try the new tire before I made some big changes to the chassis. Wish I would have now. Saturday felt better, but
after a few sessions it was apparent that although the spring rate was
a bit better, it wasn't enough. The new tire was definitely better than
the 60 series version, and felt great all afternoon. I normally fit my
new set of tires for the weekend
up on Sunday morning, but since the tires I had on the bike were toast
when
I got to the track, I had the new set fit up for Saturday afternoon.
Then
I started focusing on everything else and forgot about it. |
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| Sunday
BOTT Heavyweight was first up, and I lined up on the Pole, which is a
nice
confidence booster. What wasn't making me so confindent was Kenny
Kopecky
deciding that racing twins looked fun and buying a new 749R and
entering
it in BOTT Heavy. The start was pretty bad, and I ended up fourth or
fifth
into turn one. I knew I needed to set off after Kenny and not get
balked,
so I made a couple early moves and ended up in second by the end of the
first
lap, staring at the back end of a very fast 749R. Kenny looked back a
couple
of times and I started to reel him in, over the next couple of laps,
thinking
I'd get a shot at the lead before the end. Then Kenny pulled off! He
later
told me that since WSMC will not allow you to race up, and the 749R is
legal
in BOTT MIddleweight, he only entered Heavy for some additional
tracktime
on a new bike, and pulled off so as to not interfere with "our" race. I
assured
him I wouldn't have protested, as there have been others on 748s, but
thought it was very cool to be concerned. Oh, did I mention I won? Formula Twins allowed me a better start, and I passed into third in turn two. By the end of the first lap I started thinking I might be able to get second, having realized I wouldn't have anything for Claudio (I plan on beating him before the year is out, doggonit). That positive thinking only lasted for a few turns, and was replaced by that uh-oh feeling. The rear tire, having more laps than normal, decided to give it up, and begin to go off in big way. Then Richie Headley went by, placing me fourth behind Claudio, Kenny and Richie. I was limping along in big trouble, though, crawling around, and then Bob Setbacken came by, relegating me to fifth. That was the finishing order. Looking at my rear tire after the race, the right side was worn flat. a dumb, very rookie move. Of course, I am a rookie, essentially, so there. Thanks to Peanut, after a frustrating weekend for her (see her race), and to California Race Services for continuing to help me work on bike setup with the various great Pirellis they keep supplying me with. Also: Laz, keep fighting, keep improving, we're rooting for you. |
 I'm fresh out of
photos
from this weekend, so here is a pic that Rich took with his phone at
dinner.
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