2008 Review / 2009 Preview
2008 Race Bike: Honda RC51
2009 Race Bike: Suzuki SV650
Location: Portland, Oregon
Venue: Portland International Raceway
2008 was an off year for me. After contesting multiple class championships in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, I needed to take a break to mentally recharge and to get my finances back into balance.
Pacific Super Sport Riders Motorcycle Track days and Safety School (PSSR):
Even with 2008 being an off year, I was still at the track several times each month working as an instructor for PSSR. At each track day, my race bike and pit are set up prominently displaying all of my sponsors.
The PSSR track day events for 2008: April 22nd / May 6th / June 3rd / July 1st/ July 21st/ August 28th/ September 9th/ October 9th / November 3rd & 4th
2008 Portland Rose Festival Cup Races:
The Rose Cup Races, the oldest amateur auto racing event west of the Mississippi, has been a major event in Portland for 48 years and the largest draw for any events at Portland International Raceway in 2008. This year’s Rose Cup Race had over 10,000 in attendance.
This year the organizers of the Rose Cup Race wanted to include motorcycle racing as a way to cross pollinate car racing fans and motorcycle racing fans. My title sponsor, Vicious Cycle, wanted a presence at the race to promote his business. The expedition race was a short endurance race. I teamed up with Joe Pethoud from Vicious Cycle and entered my RC51 into the Heavy weight class. This was the first time Joe Pethoud had ridden my RC51 and my first race of the season. With my RC51 against many newer 1000cc four cylinder bikes (CBR 1000, GSXR 1000, etc), we weren’t able to fight for the win. But we were still able to put on a good show and finished the race in 10th place overall.
The race provided an excellent promotional opportunity, as we strategically positioned our pits on the main walking path. We had several fans comment and congratulate us.
2009 Preview:
Now I am looking forward to challenging several class championships at OMRRA in 2009. In November 2003 I purchased a SV650 from a fellow racer. I am working with my title sponsor to build the bike into a very strong middleweight superbike. We plan on re-working the already good SV 650 from the ground up. After we are done every component of the bike will be upgraded.
In 2009, I plan on contesting the Middleweight Superbike, and 650 GT Twin class at OMRRA. I very much appreciate all the help I have received from my sponsors over the years and hope I can continue my relationship with all of my 2008 Sponsors.