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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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