July 28th Race Report
July Race Report
Date: July 28th, 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Venue: Portland International Raceway
Series: OMRRA
Class / Finish Position:
Open Twin Supersport / 2th
Open Twin Superbike / 5th
750 Superbike / 16th
750 Supersport / 14th
This was the last race of the OMRRA 2007 season. The season was cut short this year because Portland International Raceway was closing the track down early to start a much needed repave of the entire track surface. No one likes having their season shortened but all of us are happy to have a new surface to race on in 2008
750 Supersport – 14th
The 750 races are always tough for me. The old RC51 just isn’t much of a match for the new 750’s. But I put my head down and put in my best effort. As usual, I got a pretty good start and was able to gain a few positions only to give them back up on the long front straight as the race progressed.
Open Twin Superbike – 5th
This was the last race of the day for me, and an interesting thing happened on lap 2. I’m shifting up through the gears and after I get to 6th, I look down and notice that one of the two bolts that holds my steering damper on, is rattling around, backs itself out and falls out. I am thinking “Oh Crap! This can’t be good.” I look down again and see my steering damper bobbling around. Do I pull off, call it a day? The steering damper is about to fall off. Having something that big fall off, can’t be very safe for the racers behind me. Then I just decided to go for it, I want my points! So I grab it and chuck it off in the braking zone for turn 1. Keep in mind that all of this happened in about 1 second, while I am trying to slow down from 165mph to 100mph. Adrenaline is an incredible drug!
For the next lap or two, a few things came to mind. 1) I just tossed a $500 steering damper. Was this one race really worth it? 2) The RC51 is a pig. Having a steering damper is probably a good thing for this bike. 3) Oh well, its too late now, might as well go fast.
After the race I pulled off at turn 1 to see if the corner workers could find it. As soon as I pulled up, the corner worker says “Hey, I found your damper. Here! And wait, I think there is another piece, let me get it.” I was SO happy.
750 Superbike – 16th
This was very similar to the 750 Supersport race. I was able to get a good start and pass some of the fast guys until we got to the front straight. But I was happy to put in some decent and consistent laps.
Open Twin Supersport: - 2th
This race started out good. I was in 3rd place after the first lap and started putting in some good laps. The first and second place racers pulled a gap on me, but I was really determined to put in some fast laps to see if I could pull them back in. I did put in some good laps and on the last lap I could see that I was catching the 2 place racer. I put my head down and on the last turn before the checker flag I made the pass. I knew he was right behind me but I was able to beat him to the line and take 2nd place.
Now my racing season is over, but I do have 3 more track days in September and October where I am instructing. Then I need to get ready in the off season for next year.
Thanks for all your support this year and you will be getting my application for sponsorship in 2008 soon.
Thanks again. Without the help I get from my sponsors I would not be racing.