Kendall
06-25-2001, 03:43 PM
Two words describe this past weekend at CMP for me....exhilaration and exhaustion.
I had been looking forward to turning some laps with the SV in competition since the track day in April at CMP. This being my third race weekend (1st on SV) since getting my WERA license two years ago really had me nervous. I had planned to make a full practice day Friday but the trailer lights had other plans and Amy, my fiancee, and I arrived around 12:30 to a hot and muggy CMP. The great WERA folks were kind enough to let me in for the half day special price and we proceeded to tech. After tech I got all dressed up and somebody's engine blew and spilled oil all over turn 11 and we waited for the clean up. Man it was hot....Finally got to go out for my first practice which was combined with the 600's and everthing was feeling ok except for the Michelin rear that decided to start loosing grip about midway through the first practice. Had some fun with the 600's even though they would pull me down the straights making it hard to pass....then worked on my horrible set of turns 4, 5, 6, 7. Got in one other practice session before Ed closed shop and we packed up and proceeded back to Fort Mill. Saturday we had a previous engagement to drink frothy beverages with friends at the lake....little did I realize the importance of being at the track Saturday if you don't have points or have pre-registered.....
Sunday the big day is here and we head out to meet our Performance Honda friends at the track. We arrive and Andrew helps us out big by letting us share some shade under their canopy and we rush to make registration/tech and first practice. Little did I know the real rush was going to be trying to change tires during the break between practice one and two. Since the Performance boys swear by the new Pirelli's I removed the wheels and headed up to trackside. As my luck would have it he was completely sold out of my size in DOT's and slicks....The good guys at Buzz's cycle helped out with a new shiny set of Michelin Pilot's which I had been running already. I guess next time I should call ahead and order the Pirelli tires before the race weekend....lesson learned. The Michelin guys explained to me that the tires would take a few laps to get sticky and I was greatful for the info as this was the first time I had ever purchased tires.
Got back to the pits proceeded to remount the wheels which is alot of fun within 10 minutes of practice time...thanks Andy and Amy for the help. Got dressed up and just made third call...went out and just as the guys had said I slid around for the first few laps and then the tires started to grip and felt much much better than the worn out previous set. After lunch and the riders meeting I walked over to get my grid positions and that's when I got the great news.....dead last (row 19) in all three of my races! Well at least I felt good that I would'nt hold anybody up.
F2 race 1, row 19...wow everybody looks small up there...hey is that Chuck with a flag? Can't remember if he said this was a two wave start....ok everybody just took off so I guess not. Into turn one 2nd to last...bike feels good so I passed some people and ended up 14th.
Next race, LT weight twins, starting last...two wave start...experts go...then back to Chuck..he waves for novices...I get a good start, jump up two rows and somebody throws their arm up...stalled....quick lean to the left missing him and I'm off. Into turn one about 16/21...make some clean passes and finish 10th. I'm excited my 1st top ten finish!
Last race D superbike...I tell Amy I've got to get a great start if I hope to run up front. Chuck gives us the eye, tosses the flag and I launch hard getting a great start (for me) and into turn one maybe 15th. Pass as many as I can and can see two others in front of me having a good battle so I try to run them down on an empty track...few drops of rain on the back stretch...making progress....but out of laps. Later I check the board and I finished 8th...another top ten and I'm happy about my progress this weekend.
Man what a rush....
I would like to thank the following people who helped me out in getting ready to race:
Amy - Thanks for your understanding in letting me play motorcycle racer....a dream I've had my entire life.
WERA - Thanks for doing your best to keep this dangerous sport as safe as you can.
Andrew Mueller - Thanks for the advice, the shade, hamburgers, and most of all the encouragement.
Andy Caldwell - Thanks for the tire swap help and proof that dedication to your riding will improve your lap times.
Performance Honda/Suzuki of Charlotte - Thanks for seeing the benefits that racing brings to your dealership and for helping us beginners out.
WERA BBS - Man the things you can learn on here about racing....and hamburgers, cheeseburgers, JU, AMA, etc.....
Various SV racers - Thanks for the advice on gearing and tires...and of course the great racing.
....and for all you first timers out there, make friends and don't be afraid to ask questions. All of these fast guys/girls out there were 1st timers and most will go out of their way to help you out.
Take care and happy racing,
Kendall
WERA 326
I had been looking forward to turning some laps with the SV in competition since the track day in April at CMP. This being my third race weekend (1st on SV) since getting my WERA license two years ago really had me nervous. I had planned to make a full practice day Friday but the trailer lights had other plans and Amy, my fiancee, and I arrived around 12:30 to a hot and muggy CMP. The great WERA folks were kind enough to let me in for the half day special price and we proceeded to tech. After tech I got all dressed up and somebody's engine blew and spilled oil all over turn 11 and we waited for the clean up. Man it was hot....Finally got to go out for my first practice which was combined with the 600's and everthing was feeling ok except for the Michelin rear that decided to start loosing grip about midway through the first practice. Had some fun with the 600's even though they would pull me down the straights making it hard to pass....then worked on my horrible set of turns 4, 5, 6, 7. Got in one other practice session before Ed closed shop and we packed up and proceeded back to Fort Mill. Saturday we had a previous engagement to drink frothy beverages with friends at the lake....little did I realize the importance of being at the track Saturday if you don't have points or have pre-registered.....
Sunday the big day is here and we head out to meet our Performance Honda friends at the track. We arrive and Andrew helps us out big by letting us share some shade under their canopy and we rush to make registration/tech and first practice. Little did I know the real rush was going to be trying to change tires during the break between practice one and two. Since the Performance boys swear by the new Pirelli's I removed the wheels and headed up to trackside. As my luck would have it he was completely sold out of my size in DOT's and slicks....The good guys at Buzz's cycle helped out with a new shiny set of Michelin Pilot's which I had been running already. I guess next time I should call ahead and order the Pirelli tires before the race weekend....lesson learned. The Michelin guys explained to me that the tires would take a few laps to get sticky and I was greatful for the info as this was the first time I had ever purchased tires.
Got back to the pits proceeded to remount the wheels which is alot of fun within 10 minutes of practice time...thanks Andy and Amy for the help. Got dressed up and just made third call...went out and just as the guys had said I slid around for the first few laps and then the tires started to grip and felt much much better than the worn out previous set. After lunch and the riders meeting I walked over to get my grid positions and that's when I got the great news.....dead last (row 19) in all three of my races! Well at least I felt good that I would'nt hold anybody up.
F2 race 1, row 19...wow everybody looks small up there...hey is that Chuck with a flag? Can't remember if he said this was a two wave start....ok everybody just took off so I guess not. Into turn one 2nd to last...bike feels good so I passed some people and ended up 14th.
Next race, LT weight twins, starting last...two wave start...experts go...then back to Chuck..he waves for novices...I get a good start, jump up two rows and somebody throws their arm up...stalled....quick lean to the left missing him and I'm off. Into turn one about 16/21...make some clean passes and finish 10th. I'm excited my 1st top ten finish!
Last race D superbike...I tell Amy I've got to get a great start if I hope to run up front. Chuck gives us the eye, tosses the flag and I launch hard getting a great start (for me) and into turn one maybe 15th. Pass as many as I can and can see two others in front of me having a good battle so I try to run them down on an empty track...few drops of rain on the back stretch...making progress....but out of laps. Later I check the board and I finished 8th...another top ten and I'm happy about my progress this weekend.
Man what a rush....
I would like to thank the following people who helped me out in getting ready to race:
Amy - Thanks for your understanding in letting me play motorcycle racer....a dream I've had my entire life.
WERA - Thanks for doing your best to keep this dangerous sport as safe as you can.
Andrew Mueller - Thanks for the advice, the shade, hamburgers, and most of all the encouragement.
Andy Caldwell - Thanks for the tire swap help and proof that dedication to your riding will improve your lap times.
Performance Honda/Suzuki of Charlotte - Thanks for seeing the benefits that racing brings to your dealership and for helping us beginners out.
WERA BBS - Man the things you can learn on here about racing....and hamburgers, cheeseburgers, JU, AMA, etc.....
Various SV racers - Thanks for the advice on gearing and tires...and of course the great racing.
....and for all you first timers out there, make friends and don't be afraid to ask questions. All of these fast guys/girls out there were 1st timers and most will go out of their way to help you out.
Take care and happy racing,
Kendall
WERA 326