codzilla70
Mon 4/17/06, 11:45AM
Well here goes.:o
I’ll start this report with a disclaimer first as my memory isn’t that great sometimes and in the heat of racing its hard to remember exactly the how’s, whys and who.
I would like to thank my sponsors:
My wife, with out her my racing would be a LOT more difficult. Just ask anyone that’s seen her in action. Milacku I can’t thank you enough!
SoCal SV rider.org, for all the info I gathered from this site and the support THANKS SV PEEPS!
VP Fuels and Little Big racing for sponsoring two of the classes I raced in. Wow I actually got some money back!
And a big thanks to all those that came out to watch, it really feels good to see you guys up in the stands cheering us on. And I always try to wave on the cool down lap.
Practice on Sat didn’t go all that well for me as I was having tire issues created by ill suspension adjustments.(that’s what I get for trying to do it myself) Most of my day was spent trying to get that sorted so the rear would wear correctly and hopefully last the 20 lap Solo race. I ended up getting it set up so I was at least comfortable. Although I kept running wide in a couple turns.
On Sat. The Solo-GT lights.
I got a good start for me anyways (shut-up Kurt!) and was 4th going into T1, 1st and 2nd started to pull away immediately so I made a move up the inside of 3rd place in T4. I tried to keep in touch with 1st and 2nd but they just slowly pulled away from me, I ran 3rd by myself for the rest of the race. By the time we got the crossed flags (half way point) I was huffing and puffing down the straights to keep pace.(boy am I outta shape) Then on lap 11 we got a red flag and THANK GOD for me cause I’m not sure if I could have made it 9 more laps, at least not at the front! When I got back to my pit my wife and everyone was congratulating me and I was stoked to get 3rd. Then after a while I heard my wife say 2nd. Andy Palmer who was in front of me dropped out with a mech so I got 2nd. So I was very happy about that.
On Sun I went out in practice and just cruised I was so sore from Sat. I was gridded on the front row of FTLW and I got a decent start, 3rd into T1. I don't remember where I passed sec. I think in 3 or 4 or 5 as I'm pretty quick through those. It was one of those new Kawi 650s. Then it was me and Kurt Whittington for the rest of the race. We swapped the lead several times over the next few laps. He would get me on the front straight because he would get a better drive outta T9 and I would get him back exiting T1 then he would get me in T2, then I would get him in T5 then he would get me on the straight again. All the while splitting a lot of back markers! Both of us hoping the other would get held up just enough to get ahead. I even drug my knee and toes over 6 in this one! Weeeee! Since he would lead across the finish line when we got a red flag on lap 7 he won but it was a great race. Second never felt so good and I think I made Kurt work for that one. We got into the 32s and the wind was howling so I feel pretty good with that also two 2nds so far not a bad weekend.
Unfortunately this red flag was for a fellow rider that went down in T8 and if you’ve ever been on the big track you know this is some serious speed. There were a few tense minutes when the rider was not seen “up and walking” and then the helo showed up. Afterwards word came out that the rider would be OK and I haven’t heard otherwise yet.
My sec race of the day was 550 SBK. I was gridded on the second row but I got a good start 3rd into T1 again with Tim Martinez and Kurt right in front of me. Tim quickly pulled a small gap on Kurt and me so I passed Kurt (like it was nothing Ha Ha) and set my sights on Tim but I was unable to catch him. After running in 2nd for I think 2 laps Kurt pulled passed me on the straight again (damn it) and started to tow me along with him. He was able to reel Tim in pretty good with me in tow but coming down the front straight a couple back markers were between us and Tim. Kurt was able to make the pass on the straight just before T1 but I got held up by the 2 Buells all the way until T5. (damn those things can look wide) By this time the gap between Tim, Kurt and myself was about half a straight. I stayed about the same distance until the finish, I could gain a little through the turns but on the straight they would pull it back. Kurt ended up getting around Tim for the win. So overall I got 2 seconds and a third and I put some stickers on my bike and made 100$! 60 for the second in FTLW and 40 for the third in 550SBK. Woo Hoo! I'm looking forward to next month already but I definitely need to start working out because it’s seriously kicking my ass after 6 laps and I can't count on red flags every race!! Congrats to Kurt for his wins and Tim M for his and a speedy recovery for those who weren’t as lucky.
Cody
I’ll start this report with a disclaimer first as my memory isn’t that great sometimes and in the heat of racing its hard to remember exactly the how’s, whys and who.
I would like to thank my sponsors:
My wife, with out her my racing would be a LOT more difficult. Just ask anyone that’s seen her in action. Milacku I can’t thank you enough!
SoCal SV rider.org, for all the info I gathered from this site and the support THANKS SV PEEPS!
VP Fuels and Little Big racing for sponsoring two of the classes I raced in. Wow I actually got some money back!
And a big thanks to all those that came out to watch, it really feels good to see you guys up in the stands cheering us on. And I always try to wave on the cool down lap.
Practice on Sat didn’t go all that well for me as I was having tire issues created by ill suspension adjustments.(that’s what I get for trying to do it myself) Most of my day was spent trying to get that sorted so the rear would wear correctly and hopefully last the 20 lap Solo race. I ended up getting it set up so I was at least comfortable. Although I kept running wide in a couple turns.
On Sat. The Solo-GT lights.
I got a good start for me anyways (shut-up Kurt!) and was 4th going into T1, 1st and 2nd started to pull away immediately so I made a move up the inside of 3rd place in T4. I tried to keep in touch with 1st and 2nd but they just slowly pulled away from me, I ran 3rd by myself for the rest of the race. By the time we got the crossed flags (half way point) I was huffing and puffing down the straights to keep pace.(boy am I outta shape) Then on lap 11 we got a red flag and THANK GOD for me cause I’m not sure if I could have made it 9 more laps, at least not at the front! When I got back to my pit my wife and everyone was congratulating me and I was stoked to get 3rd. Then after a while I heard my wife say 2nd. Andy Palmer who was in front of me dropped out with a mech so I got 2nd. So I was very happy about that.
On Sun I went out in practice and just cruised I was so sore from Sat. I was gridded on the front row of FTLW and I got a decent start, 3rd into T1. I don't remember where I passed sec. I think in 3 or 4 or 5 as I'm pretty quick through those. It was one of those new Kawi 650s. Then it was me and Kurt Whittington for the rest of the race. We swapped the lead several times over the next few laps. He would get me on the front straight because he would get a better drive outta T9 and I would get him back exiting T1 then he would get me in T2, then I would get him in T5 then he would get me on the straight again. All the while splitting a lot of back markers! Both of us hoping the other would get held up just enough to get ahead. I even drug my knee and toes over 6 in this one! Weeeee! Since he would lead across the finish line when we got a red flag on lap 7 he won but it was a great race. Second never felt so good and I think I made Kurt work for that one. We got into the 32s and the wind was howling so I feel pretty good with that also two 2nds so far not a bad weekend.
Unfortunately this red flag was for a fellow rider that went down in T8 and if you’ve ever been on the big track you know this is some serious speed. There were a few tense minutes when the rider was not seen “up and walking” and then the helo showed up. Afterwards word came out that the rider would be OK and I haven’t heard otherwise yet.
My sec race of the day was 550 SBK. I was gridded on the second row but I got a good start 3rd into T1 again with Tim Martinez and Kurt right in front of me. Tim quickly pulled a small gap on Kurt and me so I passed Kurt (like it was nothing Ha Ha) and set my sights on Tim but I was unable to catch him. After running in 2nd for I think 2 laps Kurt pulled passed me on the straight again (damn it) and started to tow me along with him. He was able to reel Tim in pretty good with me in tow but coming down the front straight a couple back markers were between us and Tim. Kurt was able to make the pass on the straight just before T1 but I got held up by the 2 Buells all the way until T5. (damn those things can look wide) By this time the gap between Tim, Kurt and myself was about half a straight. I stayed about the same distance until the finish, I could gain a little through the turns but on the straight they would pull it back. Kurt ended up getting around Tim for the win. So overall I got 2 seconds and a third and I put some stickers on my bike and made 100$! 60 for the second in FTLW and 40 for the third in 550SBK. Woo Hoo! I'm looking forward to next month already but I definitely need to start working out because it’s seriously kicking my ass after 6 laps and I can't count on red flags every race!! Congrats to Kurt for his wins and Tim M for his and a speedy recovery for those who weren’t as lucky.
Cody