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| January
17-18 WSMC I missed the last WSMC race of the year in December due to a bent front axle that was discovered the night before Saturday practice. I had been racing on it and actually done decently (Third at WSMC in November, and a 1st at CCS Nov-Dec) even though getting on the brakes hard meant upsetting the bike. Now, you may ask how I didn't figure this out earlier...well, I had not been racing for 6 months due to a broken leg and I wasn't sure if it was me or something wrong with my bike. So this was to be the start of a great season for Little,Big Racing. I had my sights on the 125GP championship sand the Aprilia Cup Challenge Championship and knowing my competition, I knew I would have to make 11 races if possible. One month is already out for a honeymoon in Jerez, Spain (yes, at the GP, and yes, with Dr.Know). We were still planning on it being a great season even when the clutch never came for my RS250. Down to one bike before the weekend even started, I wasn't fretting yet, as there are 12 whole glorious Southern California months to race at WSMC. I banked on the fact that nobody makes it to all 12 races. |
 My bike must must have enjoyed last year's number choices much more... |
| Around midnight, with my top-end still to be replaced and Dr.Know's bike far from being race ready, we toyed silently with the idea of skipping the January races, each of us not saying anything but the thought was palpable in that garage. Being the junkies we are, we said nothing and pressed ahead, and by 3am we crawled into bed for a little 3 hour nap. We arrived at 10am and set up. I just made the last lightweight practice before lunchtime. When I started the bike I heard a rattle in the motor and was concerned so I stopped and restarted the bike. It seemed to be gone and the bike felt ok...I went out to break in the new top end, keeping it under 10k for the session. I don't get out much at WSIR going that slow so it was rather interesting riding the outside of that track. You see a lot of things you otherwise don't have time to see, all kinds of bumps and cracks in the tarmac, not to mention endless little bike bits that have been sacrificed to the race gods in the name of late breaking. |
 This should not be happening during your practice sessions |
I did wick it up a little for the last two laps, couldn't help myself. I really wanted to feel the suspension changes that Pat Hickman at Circuit 1 did for me. So far so good, the high speed bumps felt a lot better but the butt end of my bike needed to be a lot stiffer. I came in and adjusted the suspension, changed my tires and was ready to go out for my second session when.....the bike wouldn't start. Felt like a fouled plug, compression was way to low...uh oh. Now, I don't know about you but when you have had three hours of sleep after rebuilding your motor all night (especially when it's the first time you do it), this is not a good feeling. I must admit I was pretty upset and the fact that I didn't have my other bike to ride didn't make it any better. What I found was heartbreaking. A demolished piston. A banged up cylinder, ruined head, and then a piece of steel lodged in the crank. My motor was toasted. I sent my poor little bike home with Kevin Murray and after a few frustrated tears, changed into my pit crew hat and went out to help Dr.Know prepare for his first win at Willow. |
 See if you can guess what the problem my be... |
