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MMR Race Report August
As I approached my 3rd event in 4 weeks I was a bit concerned about my personal endurance. I did not feel bad, but I was a little fatigued. Friday most of my time was spent with the New Rider Class (The CRA welcomes 8 more new racers), and I only got one session for myself at race pace. That session felt pretty good and the Triumph 675 was running great.
Saturday Race Day
I was able to get my head down after a Lap #1 bobble that had me running wide in turn 4. I chased down a couple of competitors to finish 9th in Middleweight Superbike. Thirty minutes later I was gridding up again for the Heavyweight Superbike race. I got a good start was able to stay consistent for the entire race finishing in 6th place.
Sunday Race Day
I was definitely feeling the effects of the last months schedule (I am old ya know!). I decided to schedule only 2 races for Sunday and later in the day so I could have as much recovery time as possible. Middleweight GP I scored an 8th place finish, and Unlimited GP a 7th place finish.
Four Races, Four Top Tens, I will happily stick those in my pocket and enjoy much deserved 6 week rest before our August event.
Thank You 2008 Sponsors
Princess Jennife,Trackaddix, Newracers.com, Dunlop, Manley Cycle, Moto Primo, Headsweats, Momentum Photo, Lithium Motorsports, Vortex, LP usa
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MMR Race Report June 2008
Friday started out excellent as I taught 10 New Riders the ins and outs (okay, ups and downs) of roadracing at BIR. This however leaves very little setup time for myself as I switched to the Dunlop N-Tech 211 190 rear and N-tech 211 Front tires for this event.
My First session resulted in the the new front tire rubbing a grove down the middle of a brand new tire on the first lap (apparently the new front Dunlop grows quite a bit in the center at 150 mph). I went into the pits and tried to enlarge the mounting holes of the fender to raise it up. I went back on track in the last session of the day and my mod worked for about 4 laps and then came the black flags for what appeared to be a 30 foot high, 60 foot long trail of dense whit smoke as a combination of rubber and fiberglass joined in and around my bike. There were debris flags flying as I entered Turn #1 at about 160 mph coming through the fog of this mess. The rider who pits next to me (Gabe Blevins) was right behind me at the time (aware of my tire/fender issue) and knew it was not the infamous oil-inside-out trick. He said it felt like that moment in “Days of Thunder”, “You can drive through it Cole!”.
When I got back to the pits I found that not only did I destroy a brand new N-Tech (sad indeed) I also destroyed my front fender. It looked like an Alien Beast had taken a bite out of it.
Mod #2
Fellow racer, and all around good guy, Scott Ruehle was kind enough to give me a Stock street fender he had in his trailer, and said “try this one, if you break it, no problem just speak of me well when you speak of me” Speaking well of you as we speak Scott Thanks. The thought was that the stock fender in Plastic is more rigid than the Fiberglass Race Fender and would not flex as much at 150 mph and up. Well, it was a good thought but we will call it a flawed theory at this point. Saturday only has 2 practice sessions. I went out in the first session with the street fender only to smell that familiar rubber sent on the first lap (this time I pulled off before destroying another new tire).
Mod #3
Get out the Dremmel Tool!!!!!
Yep, you guessed it we cut the entire front and top off the original fender, bolted it up and tried again (1 more session before the race day starts). I head out to be tentative and just test to see if I am gonna kill another 10,000,000 mosquitos with smoke or am I gonna actually be able to race with these new fangled tires. I went out in the Slow Practice this time to check it out, and the first lap was okay, so I Hammer the throttle on Lap 2 and enter Turn 1 about 160 mph and there is no smoke, no smell, no problem, except that this is slow practice and I am closing in on about 6 bikes going 40 mph slower than me. Repeat after me, eeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I make it safely past the slower bikes (bikes not riders, don’t wanna be accused of “Hatin” on the little bikes). Go around about 6-8 other bikes in the infield, and come around Turn 10 to a clear front straight, so I just give her “the berries” and take a shot a Turn #1 full out (about 163-170mph, Bike registered 178 as a top speed this weekend on the dash computer so corrected best guestimate). I go through turns #1 and #2 and still have a clear track so I keep her pinned. I got a really clean lap and did not run into traffic until I passed turn #1 again. It was very relaxed and pleasant and Mark loves him some N-Techs. When I checked the laptimer it showed a 1:49 lap on my flyer in the middle of slow practice (PERSONAL BEST EVER LAPTIME AT BIR). 1:49 is an average lap of 102 mph on a 3 mile track with turns as slow as 40mph. Needless to say I was feeling good about racing on this day, even though I only had 1 real lap of practice.
Race Day
My First race is Unlimited Supersport (yep playin with the big boys). Man, those 1000’s get out of sight fast. I got a decent start but as I hit 2nd gear that extra 40-50 HP the 1000’s have shows as the big bikes just disappear quickly, but there are still about 7 of us on smaller machines to race. I was able to even beat one of the 1000cc bikes and a 750 to bring home the 675 in 15th position with some laps at 1:50 (average speed 101.5).
Next was a new race called the Turtle and Hare Scramble. This is a 5 lap race with everything from Ultralight bikes to Heavyweight bikes on the same grid with a handicapped start based on average laptimes put down in races from this season by the rider. It is a 5 lap race that theoretically has all participants crossing the finishline at the same time (really fun stuff). It felt like I was on the grid for ever and the little bikes would be passing me before I got a green flag (it almost was). The first 2 laps were hard fought with 2 riders from my grid, but I was able to get lcear of tehm on lap 3 and get my head down with 3 laps at 1:50. Coming around Turn 10 I had an Ultralight bike in my sights and corssed the sticks .8 seconds behind to get 3rd (if I had just got my head dodwn from the get go I may have had 1st place in sight, but I will take my 3rd place trophy and add it to the collection.
Now the tough one, Pro Solo/Team Challenge 80 minutes of rolling thunder either by yourself, or with a teammate. Gabe Blevins asked me if I wanted to run with him on his Ultralight bike, a Ducati 620 Monster that I have raced before. I said “sure”, going against my plan not to run long races because it takes to long for my body to recover. Gabe started and ran for 40 minutes and I took over and finished the race running 6 laps in a row at 1:59 on a bike with 56 HP (most guys run this bike around 2:04-2:08 laptimes) so I felt pretty good about finishing 3rd in class, and passing SV650s (lightweight), and a couple of 600s (middleweight) along the way. One guy came up to me later and said Iwas really “movin” when I went under him between Turns #7, and #8. He asked “ What was that bike, an RC51?”. I did’nt have the heart to tell him that he just got passed by a bike with 56 horsepower (he was riding a Middleweight).
Sunday
I knew there was a reason I don’t run long races anymore. Sunday morning I could not go out for practice as my body just ached too much to ride. I gridded up for the MWGP race in the afternoon. Sunny Skies and I head out on the warm up lap with about 40 bikes. As we all scream through Turns #1, #2 and come into Turn #3 we all realize that Turn #3 is a flowing river of water (yea it was raining on the back side of the course). Almost every rider was able to get through the water (hope your feeling okay Robin that was a tough circumstance), and continue around with differing conditions at every turn. The race goes off and as everyone checks up coming into Turn #3 we realize it’s now dry but now Turns #4, and #5 are now wet. Conditions change at every corner on every lap, but I brought the 675 home in 8th Place, still not felling good but hey, a bad day at the Track is better than a good day at work, so I try to mentally prepare for the Unlimited GP race in about an hour.
Unlimited GP was fairley uneventful. More of the same the 1000s burry me off the start and Finish 11th but run my last lap faster than all of the other laps beating a few guys on bigger bikes.
But wait there’s more:
Monday:
On Monday Trackaddix Northern Region hosted its first event of the season at BIR (see www.trackaddix.com for schedule).
As I taught 20 new trackday riders the “way round” and how to use these wonderful machines to their potential, I also adequately pressure tested the durability of the same Dunlop N-Tech Rear I had run 4 races and a few laps of practice on for 45 more laps. These Tires really go the distance. One of our students was turning laps in the low 2:00 minute range by mid day and had to be moved into the intermediate session (hello numberplates Chirstopher Awes!!!!).
Anywho as they say here in MN, I had a great weekend and don’t even have to unpack because on Friday I am Heading to Hastings Motorsports Park in Hastings Nebraska (a new track built last year), to further develop my N-techs and help some more riders along in their career with Trackaddix, as they host a Trackday on Saturday and CCS TRackaddix GP racing on Sunday. Until next time
See Ya at the Track.
Mark Miller Racing (MMR) thanks all of his sponsors for making this season possible.
Princess Jennife
Trackaddix
Newracers.com
Dunlop
Manley Cycle
Moto Primo
Headsweats
Momentum Photo.net
Lithium Motorsports
Vortex
LP usa
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MMR Presents #88 Mark Miller
Executive Summary
· This Proposal was developed for you, to present an opportunity for partnership in the MMR team, and rider Mark Miller.
· Mark has committed to Racing the complete Central RoadRacing Association’s 2008 series, other Regional Events, and Special/Charity Events, along with his duties as Chief Riding Instructor for Trackaddix Northern region.
· Mark is entering his seventh year of Racing with the CRA, and second year as Chief Riding Instructor for Trackaddix. Mark’s program for 2008 will include on-track instruction to new racers and track-day participants and Middleweight, Heavyweight and Unlimited class races.
· Mark will be campaigning the 2006 Triumph Daytona 675 (voted 2006 bike of the year by the world motorcycle press) in the Middleweight, Heavyweight, and Unlimited Divisions. Mark’s program is greatly expanded for 2008 providing an opportunity for you to become a sponsor.
Rider Profile
Mark Miller #88
Mark has shown steady improvement each season rising through the novice, and expert ranks. Below are some of the high points.
· 2003: 6th overall Novice, Winning the Ultralight Supersport, and Sportsman Championships .
· 2004: 51st overall Expert, 10th place Supertwins, 15th place Lightweight Superport, and Superbike as a first year Expert.
· 2005: 17th overall Expert, 5th in Lightweight Supersport, and Superbike. 6th in Lightweight GP, and 7th in Supertwins.
· In 2006 Mark stepped out of fulltime competition, only running 10 sprints and the Endurance Series. Mark scored two 1st, two 2nd, two, 3rd, one 5th, and one 7th place finish. Mark and his teammate Jake Jonnes took 1st place in the 2006 5-hour endurance race, on a ManleyCycle/Screamin YellO Ducati.
· 2007: 29th overall Expert, 19th Middleweight Supersport, 21st Heavyweight Supersport, 16th Unlimited Superbike, 7th Unlimited Supersport and 4th Unlimited GP.
Goals/Objectives
· To race the entire 2008 CRA season, along with other select regional events, in Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois.
Short Term goals: Top 10 ranking in individual Classes that I am Racing.
Long Term goals: Top 10 overall championship ranking for 2008.
Sponsors Exposure
Mark’s results and race reports will be regularly featured at several websites such as: (www.clubracer.net), and (www.triumph675.net). Photos of Mark are featured after every event at (www.momentumphoto.net). The CRA race results list all sponsors at the CRA website (www.cra-mn.com).
Mark has been a fixture in the CRA Paddock since 2002. He is well known for his outgoing nature, and for serving as CRA President. Mark is always available to everyone present, from young racers to spectators, and everyone in between and especially his students.
Mark is available for promotional appearances outside the track as well as during the race events. As one of only a handful of racers in the world that is campaigning the Triumph Daytona 675, Mark’s sponsors will receive international exposure at (www.triumph675.net).
Partnership Opportunity for your company!
Mark and his team will provide:
Motorcycles, Transporter, Leathers, Boots, Gloves, Helmets, and all Motorcycle upkeep to insure attendance at all CRA events
Promotional Materials from partners will be visible in the MMR Pit, and all promotional appearances.
Promotional Materials from partners will be visible on the Motorcycles themselves, as well as in other areas, such as transporters, and other vehicles.
Media exposure through Press releases, websites, interviews, and other promotional appearances.
Return on investment potential for partners:
Partner’s promotional materials will be placed in front of a group of individuals with buying power. This group is known to spend their dollars on goods and services that have given to their community. Mark’s relationship with Trackaddix allows for National Level exposure at 10 tracks 7 states.
Current Partners:
Level 4
§ Princess Jennife
§ MMR
§ Manley Cycle
§ LeoVince Exhaust Systems
Level 3
§ Dunlop Tires
§ Vanson Leathers
Level 2
§ Headsweats
§ Voretx
§ Sidi Boots
§ Aimsoil Lubricants
§ Catalyst Racing Composites
§ Lockhart Phillips
§ Studio299 Graphics
Level 1
§ Newracers.com
§ Momentum Photo
§ TankTredz
§ Triumph675.net
§ BrakeTech/Ferodo
§ Silkolene
Partnership Opportunities:
Level One: $250.00
Partners get sticker space on the motorcycle.
Level Two: $500.00
Partners receive sticker space on motorcycle, and patch on leathers.
Level Three: $750.00
Partners receive sticker space on motorcycle, patch on leathers, and constant exposure at the track.
Level Four: $751.00 and up
Partners receive everything mentioned above, plus a press release at www.roadracingworld.com, and www.superbikeplanet.com, and other media outlets.
Mark will be available for special promotional events representing the partnership company.
Contact information:
Phone: 651-247-6405
Email: crash_mark@hotmail.com
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Screamin YellO Race Report September, 2007
The Final event of the season took place last weekend. The Central Roadracing Association held its 5th event that included 15 sprint races on Saturday and the annual 5-hour Endurance Race on Sunday.
We only ran 3 races on Saturday because, well, I'm old! I chose to run Unlimited Supersport, Unlimited Superbike, and Unlimited GP classes. Even though I'm down on Horsepower to the Unlimited bikes I find these to be the most fun classes and riders to race against. I managed to finish with a 9th, 8th, and 11th place respectively in those races.
Sunday brings a level of stress akin of a Shuttle launch. There is a mad scramble to get registered in the morning between 7:30am and 9:00am, get a Pit assigned, and setup, and get all of the things you need in your pit to the correct area, not to mention get practice for 5 guys, then change tires to start the race at 12:00 noon. For the first time in 6 years I did not plan on running the 5-hour, but as often happens on Saturday night at the track someone needed a rider and I was recruited to run with Team RockPaperScissors. RPS consisted of Myself as Captain, Anthony Galager, Chirstian Schmidt, Nick Olsen, and fellow SYR Darren Hickey. We ran Anthony's Suzuki SV650 in the GP2 class. I started the race at noon (If you have never witnessed a standing start with four weightlcasses of bike at the same time, it is a cool scene). I rode 21 laps to start and we right up with the leaders tied for 2nd place at the first pitstop. Our next rider had a little trouble 4 laps into his stint and visited the earthen mess outside of Turn 8. We were able to get the bike back to the pits for repairs but the damage was done. We lost 50 minutes in the pits, and all of our competitors suffered no bad luck at all (that's racin!) . We finished but about 10 laps off the box this year.
As I put the wraps in 2007 and look back at a wonderful season that saw new personnal bests in laptimes, as always new skills to work on in the off-season. On a sad note I will be leaving Screamin YellO Racin after 5 years. New Opportunities that have been presented me with Trackaddix have lead to the Split. I wish to thank Darren, Pete, Jake, Nick, Brad, Sean, and Troy for a great team expereince and wish them all of the best.
2007 Highlights for Mark Miller 88
CRA 31st Overall Expert (out of 96 experts)
Unlimited GP 4th Place for the Season
Hired as the Cheif Riding Instructor for Trackaddix Northern Region
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Scremin YellO Race Report August, 2007
Another one in the books, August at BIR is usually a great weekend for racing as far as weather is concerned and this one was perfect. For the first time this year the wind wa not a factor in the ultra fast Turn One. No crosswind to pick up the bike when you are leaned over at speeds of 150 +. I was able to take another full second off from July getting down to 1:51 laptimes (a new personal best in competition). I had registered for 6 races this weekend but due to me being 3 days older than dirt I was only able to run 5 of them. The awesome Triumph Daytona 675 ran great once again with no issues, and the Dunlop Tires were hooked up all weekend long.
Friday I was unable to get much of my own practice time, as I was playing Chief Riding instructor for 13 New Racers. Welcome to the family to all of my students, and congrats on earning your roadracing license. Needless to say with limited practice time on Friday I was unsure of how things were going to go at race pace.
Saturday is Race Day. Middleweight Supersport was up first. I got a decent start but had a bobble on Lap 3 and lost the group. I recovered to finish 10th. Next up was Heavyweight SS (man, those 750s really pull me at the end of the straight), I was able to eek out a 12th place finish after a good battle with another Past Club President, Mark Dargis, and Alan Hoover. In the Unlimited SS race I know it will be tough because the Liter bikes have a 50+ HP advantage, but it is a smaller grid, and a lot of fun to see how many I can catch. I finished in a respectable 11th place.
Sunday the wind started to pick up in the morning and we had a little headwind so laptimes were about a second off. I was not feeling well in the morning so I decided to skip one of my races, and just run 2 today. MW GP started off well enough and I was able to mix it up the entire race and score 11th place. The Unlimited GP race is the last one of the weekend and has a smaller grid but a 4th lap run off at Turn 4 pretty much sealed my fate, I was able to eek out 9th place.
All in all this was a great weekend. I broke into the Top 10 twice, and was no lower than 12th place all weekend, I took another second out of my laptimes, and brought the bike home in every race.
Thank You to all of my sponsors for their amazing efforts to make this season possible. Please support the companies that support roadracing efforts.
Princess Jennife, Screamin YellO Racin’, Triumph675.net, Leo Vince Exhaust, Vortex, Sidi Boots, Amsoil, Manley Cycle/Roys Repair, Catalyst Racing Composites, LP USA, TankTredz, Vanson Leathers, Silkolene, Dunlop Tires, Studio299 Graphics, Momentum Photo, Braketech/Ferodo, Headsweats.
Mark Miller races with the Central Roadracing Association in Minnesota www.cra-mn.com, The CRA races at Brainerd International Raceway, and is the home of the fastest turn in North America. The CRA has one more event in 2007. September 14 th , 15 th, 16 th, and will be running all sprint races on Saturday and the annual 5-Hour endurance race on Sunday. Mark is also a new rider instructor for the CRA and the Chief Riding Instructor for TrackAddix Northern Region www.trackaddix.com.
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Scremin YellO Race Report August, 2007
Another one in the books, August at BIR is usually a great weekend for racing as far as weather is concerned and this one was perfect. For the first time this year the wind wa not a factor in the ultra fast Turn One. No crosswind to pick up the bike when you are leaned over at speeds of 150 +. I was able to take another full second off from July getting down to 1:51 laptimes (a new personal best in competition). I had registered for 6 races this weekend but due to me being 3 days older than dirt I was only able to run 5 of them. The awesome Triumph Daytona 675 ran great once again with no issues, and the Dunlop Tires were hooked up all weekend long.
Friday I was unable to get much of my own practice time, as I was playing Chief Riding instructor for 13 New Racers. Welcome to the family to all of my students, and congrats on earning your roadracing license. Needless to say with limited practice time on Friday I was unsure of how things were going to go at race pace.
Saturday is Race Day. Middleweight Supersport was up first. I got a decent start but had a bobble on Lap 3 and lost the group. I recovered to finish 10th. Next up was Heavyweight SS (man, those 750s really pull me at the end of the straight), I was able to eek out a 12th place finish after a good battle with another Past Club President, Mark Dargis, and Alan Hoover. In the Unlimited SS race I know it will be tough because the Liter bikes have a 50+ HP advantage, but it is a smaller grid, and a lot of fun to see how many I can catch. I finished in a respectable 11th place.
Sunday the wind started to pick up in the morning and we had a little headwind so laptimes were about a second off. I was not feeling well in the morning so I decided to skip one of my races, and just run 2 today. MW GP started off well enough and I was able to mix it up the entire race and score 11th place. The Unlimited GP race is the last one of the weekend and has a smaller grid but a 4th lap run off at Turn 4 pretty much sealed my fate, I was able to eek out 9th place.
All in all this was a great weekend. I broke into the Top 10 twice, and was no lower than 12th place all weekend, I took another second out of my laptimes, and brought the bike home in every race.
Thank You to all of my sponsors for their amazing efforts to make this season possible. Please support the companies that support roadracing efforts.
Princess Jennife, Screamin YellO Racin’, Triumph675.net, Leo Vince Exhaust, Vortex, Sidi Boots, Amsoil, Manley Cycle/Roys Repair, Catalyst Racing Composites, LP USA, TankTredz, Vanson Leathers, Silkolene, Dunlop Tires, Studio299 Graphics, Momentum Photo, Braketech/Ferodo, Headsweats.
Mark Miller races with the Central Roadracing Association in Minnesota www.cra-mn.com, The CRA races at Brainerd International Raceway, and is the home of the fastest turn in North America. The CRA has one more event in 2007. September 14 th , 15 th, 16 th, and will be running all sprint races on Saturday and the annual 5-Hour endurance race on Sunday. Mark is also a new rider instructor for the CRA and the Chief Riding Instructor for TrackAddix Northern Region www.trackaddix.com.
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Screamin YellO Race Report July, 2007
Brainerd International Raceway
July in Northern Minnesota brought the same unpredictable weather that every other month brings in Northern MN, so we won’t concern ourselves with that, and get to the racin’.
Friday Practice was interesting as I did about 65 laps (195 miles) between my own “Fast session Practice, and Instructing the New Rider Class Sessions. I did all of that on a Shagged rear Tire in an effort to save my 2 new sets for race Day. I think it helped based on the results. It’s amazing how much faster you can go when the rubber is all sticky new!!!!!
Saturday I had 3 races scheduled and my surgically repaired arm finally (first time this season) did not protest at all. I was able to go lap after lap without any numbness, or loss of strength. Middleweight Supersport was up first, I finished 11th and was very upset that I did not crack the top 10, but there were two more race to try. I did however manage to run a personal best laptime on the last lap. Heaveyweight SS brought, not only another personal best laptime but no lap was more than 4 tenths off of the others, and I was able to score a 9th place finish and break that top 10 I was looking for. In the Unlimited Race I was way outclassed by the 1000cc bikes but managed to bring home and 11th place finish, and another personall best laptime (chasin those 165 HP beasts around a 3mile track). I did however have a great race with my buddy Alex Freeman also on a Middleweight bike. We diced every corner for 8 laps. I think there was an average of 6 passes each lap back and forth. On the last lap I had a half bike lead going into Turn #6, a left handed 90 degree flat corner about 75 mph.
I had my Knee on the ground, my toe on the ground, my footpeg on the ground, and My elbow was on Alex’s Front axel. Well that was when my brain checked out for a moment and I just turned the throttle until it stopped (in hopes of beating Alex out of the corner). Needless to say excessive throttle combined with excessive lean angle, leads to excessive “HighSides” (insert you own sound effects at this point). Yep, it pitched me straight up into the air (as it should have given my ham-fisted encouragement). So there I am with my ankles above my head, still holding the bars, with a 400 pound machine swinging back and forth beneath me, and I’m looking behind me without turning my head (you get the picture). This about the time when you start mentally going through the spares list in your head, because you know there is no saving it, and you are reasonably sure it is about to be a steaming pile of (insert magic word here). Well, the Racetrack Godz must have taken pity on me, or some weird form of Cosmic Karma came into play, because I landed square in the saddle. I actually came down in perfect position. The bike was still tankslapping when I hit the seat, so I just figured I have made it this far…………, so I let go of the bars put my chest on the tank and the bike just straightend out. I was about 8 inches off the track so I eased back on and finished the last 4 corners (Obviously Alex beat me that race).
Sunday I was feeling the affects of Saturday (jammed my hip pretty good in the High-Side incident of Saturday). I still managed a 10th place in MWGP, and a 9th place in Unlimited GP, but laptimes were a little down from Saturday.
But wait there’s more
Monday I taught my first class as the Official Chief Riding instructor for Trackaddix Northern Region. The Students were great and I would like to thank them for welcoming me and learning so well. I wish them all long racing careers. Thanks Dean, Kim, Gareth, Shane, Frazer, Nick, and all of the support staff, and attendees of the event. Be sure to check out Trackaddix.com
Thanks again to all of my sponsors for making this season possible.
Princess Jennife
Screamin YellO Racin’
Triumph 675.net
Leo Vince Exhaust Systems
Vortex
Sidi Boots
Engine Ice Coolant Products
Amsoil Lubricants
Manley Cycle/Roys Repair
Catalyst Racing Composites
Lockhart Phillips USA Racing
TankTredz
Vanson Leathers
Silkolene
Central Race Tire/Midwest Roadrace Trackside Services
Dunlop Tires
Studio299 Graphics
Headsweats
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The 2nd CRA event of the season is now in the books, and here is the overview for me and my 675.
We had wind, rain, sun and heat all at the same time, but come race time it was perfect.
My first event started in a way that I have never thought possible or expected. As I completed the warmup lap and took my grid position, my visor just popped off the left side of the helmet, BOING. I started waving my arms at the grid Marshal to hold the grid so I could get out of the way. There they went while I was sitting at the gate with my Teamate Jake Jonnes punching me in the head to get the visor back in its' groove (thanks Jake, I think maybe don't hit me so hard next time!). I shot down Pit lane to enter the track as the leaders were coming thru Turn #9. I was able to hold them off from lapping me for 3 laps. but a few of teh top guys were really fast this weekend. I was able to eek out a very frustrated 29th position.
No other strangeness this weekend and I finished with decent results in some very large grids.
MWSS 29th
HWSS 24th
UNLSS 16th
MWSB 23rd
UNLSB 8th
UNLGP 10th
I was able to take an average of 4 seconds out of my laptimes this month with some major suspension work from Tom Manley of Manley Cycle (thanks Tom)
I was running consistently in the 1:54 range this weekend which is still a couple of seconds off the pace so we have some more work to do in order to develop the bike and Rider (especially the latter). My surgically repaired elbow did much better this event than last. The numbness still comes about 4-5 laps in but I am getting used to the new way my brake fingers feel now.
I wish to thank all of my sponsors for their support and making this season a success.
Screamin YellO Racin’
Triumph 675.net
Leo Vince Exhaust Systems
Vortex
Sidi Boots
Engine Ice Coolant Products
Amsoil Lubricants
Manley Cycle/Roys Repair
Catalyst Racing Composites
Lockhart Phillips USA Racing
TankTredz
Vanson Leathers
Silkolene
Dunlop Tires
Studio299 Graphics
Headsweats
Momentum Photo
Announcement:
I have accepted a position with Trackaddix as the Chief Rider Instructor at BIR. Trackaddix is a Midwest company that provides Track Days, Track Schools, Race Schools, a Race Series (Trackaddix GP), Parts, Tires, and supports growing this sport in the best way possible. Please vist their website for information www.trackaddix.com
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Screamin YellO Race Report May 4,5,6 2007
The First Central Roadracing Association event of 2007 happened and so did the May Weather of Minnesota. We had High Winds, Rain, Storms, Cold, Sun, and just about every early Spring condition possible. Going into the event I new I may have a tough time, but it went worse than I expected. My surgically repaired elbow did not like the cold temps, combined with rain. I had 4 races scheduled Middleweight Supersport, and Unlimited Supersport on Saturday, and Middleweight GP, and Unlimited GP on Sunday.
MWSS was first up on Saturday. BIR’s Starting Grid is right on the Dragstritp, (part of the Straight Away) in the cold temps the VHT (traction compound for Drag racing) gets very slick, I spun up the 675 pretty good at the flag, and lost some time. The rest of the race did not go well as I struggled with some setup issues and finished 15 (out of 23 starters).
UNLSS I was gridded in the middle of the second row (the only place on the grid with good traction today). I got an okay start, and was in the lead pack entering BIR’s very Fast Turn #1, when it all of the sudden it started pouring rain (heavy stuff). I have to give a shout out to the skills of the CRA experts here. None of us had on rain tires as it was dry until we hit Turn #1, and every one of the bikes lined up nice and neat and slowed to what resulted in a very slow pace due to the extremely wet conditions. I was able to Tour around to 6th place finish, but came away with almost no data to fine tune the bike setup, which to this point has not been good.
Ahhhhhhhh! Sunday Morning, my favorite day to race. Everything comes together, and you get results. Except on this Sunday, I woke up and could not feel my fingers, my repaired elbow was swollen to twice its size, and the bike setup still had not come around, Oh and yea, it’s still cold and wet. My races were not scheduled until the afternoon, but if my arm cannot come around it would not be safe to run (can’t feel the brake in my hand). At Lunch the tingling went away (still swollen) but I decide to ride (we’re racers, we race).
The Sun actually makes an appearance and it warms up a bit. I grid up for the MWGP race and get a decent start but again the bike is not working great in the Turns, I am having trouble picking up the throttle mid-corner. I am able to finish with a 14th place but am very disappointed in the result, but I have one more race to go and am determined to improve.
UNLGP I made a suspension change after the MW race and got a good start, I was still with the lead group as we came around to turns 7 & 8 and the riders in First and Second positions simultaneously low-side and tumble across the track together (heal up quick Jace Porter #4). This Turn of events leaves me in fifth place, and the suspension change is working quite well as I am able to go faster this time around. I finished on the box in 3rd place this time and feel like I can come back next month and have much more consistent results.
I would like to thank all of my sponsors for their efforts to make this season possible.
Screamin YellO Racin’
Triumph 675.net
Leo Vince Exhaust Systems
Vortex
Sidi Boots
Engine Ice Coolant Products
Amsoil Lubricants
Manley Cycle/Roys Repair
Catalyst Racing Composites
Lockhart Phillips USA Racing
TankTredz
Vanson Leathers
Silkolene
Central Race Tire/Midwest Roadrace Trackside Services
Dunlop Tires
Studio299 Graphics
Headsweats
Momentum Photo
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Momentum photo has joined the team, sponsoring Mark for 2007.
You can view photos at www.momentumphot.net
Jonah specializes in race track photos and has an amazing volume of work. Contract him for your event, and you will not be disapointed
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Latest Event Results
| Date | Event | Class | Result |
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| 7/21/2007 | CRA Heavyweight Supersport | AMA - Supersport Expert | 9th |
| 6/15/2007 | CRA | AMA - Supersport Expert | UNLSB 8th |
| 5/4/2007 | CRA | AMA - Supersport Expert | Unlimited SS 6th place |
| 5/4/2007 | CRA | AMA - Supersport Expert | Unlimited GP 3rd Place |
| 7/21/2007 | CRA Unlimited GP | AMA - Supersport Expert | 9th |
| 7/21/2007 | CRA Unlimited GP | AMA - Supersport Expert | 9 |
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