I know, I know, but WERA has the best BBS and CCS, well they don't even have one Short Version: The field Saturday afternoon was 19 bikes (10 GTO and 9 GTU) We entered my MZ Skorpion (45hp) in the GTU class (all 600cc inline fours except for our MZ and one SV650). I took the green flag and was last into turn 1 (big surprise) but passed one bike before turn two. The plan was for me to ride to the half way point then come in for fuel and a rider change. By lap five I was into a good groove and just tried to ride smooth and relaxed. Around lap 20 I had serious doubts if I could make it to lap 39, our planned time to pit. I sucked it up and finished the 1 hour and 10 minute stint. Our pit stop went really well for newbies, with 4 gallons of fuel and a rider change in 40 seconds. Trent Thomas went out in the bike and tried to find his “zone”, but unfortunately on his 13th lap out dropped the bike. Without the assistance of a crash truck we were unable to continue. Luckily Trent was unhurt and the bike wasn’t damaged too badly. So how were we doing on the thumper before the premature end? 8th overall and 3rd in GTU. My fastest lap was a 1:47.6, with four laps in the 1:47’s, 12 laps in the 1:48’s, 9 laps in the 1:49’s, and rest in the 1:50-1:52 range. Trent was also riding well and put in a quick lap of 1:49.7 right before he and the bike parted ways. Thanks to all who made this a fun “thumper” weekend! Longer version; From: madmotomike (Mike Morely) the backroads racing team came up a little short of victory but surprised many after our showing in the ccs 200 mile team challenge at vir on Saturday riding an MZ Skorpion meticulously prepared by Bruce Brown; riders Trent Thomas and Bruce Brown forced the MZ up the leader board . they ran as high as third in GTU and ninth overall out of 29 teams. this accomplished on a bike that was down as much as 100 horsepower to some of the competition! the race took place in oppressive conditions. track temps over 100 degrees and humidity almost off the scale made it tough on every one , especially the riders. Trent and Bruce rode incredibly well in the heat. laptimes were well under 1:50 which is as fast as the MZ had previously run at vir! not only did they turn the times but they did it for up to 40 laps a stint!!! ironmen!! the brilliant one stop strategy combined with well conditioned riders helped a lot as other teams struggled to find people that could take the heat. our race ended at the 3/4 mark as the bike got flat side down. rider not injured but the bike was unable to continue cause of crash is unknown. so while we were thrilled to be in the game ...we came up just short. on to Savannah!!! a track that favors singles with high cornering speeds and good fuel mileage. I wish to take the time to thank all who worked so hard on this event. the "crew" Rick Greene for finally figuring out the watch thing. Derrick Bueschler , Chad miller, bill mace for helping with the pit board and pitstop details, madmotomike for not pulling the refueling rig all the way over....the staff of backroads triumph for picking up the slack so that Rick and I were able to attend the race. special thanks to Bruce Brown for donating his bike, riding like a hero, providing a great base camp, and reminding us about what makes this sport so intriguing.... and demonstrating a level of sportsmanship that is unsurpassed! more special thanks to Trent Thomas for being willing to wrap himself in leather in oppressive heat and ride like the devil was after him! Trent's ingenious refueling rig which he constructed with "mcgivver" resourcefulness gave us an advantage in the pit ....and a psychological advantage over the competition. this rig would flow 4 gallons of fuel in mere seconds. earning us valuable seconds over our competition. Trent and Bruce collaborated on much of the "brain" work that must go with a race of this type, questions of fuel consumption, lap times, strategy... these all had to be considered and accounted for. kudos to Bruce and Trent! more thanks are due to rich Quinlan. the great bikeless one! a VFR enthusiast, rich is good with tools and willing to help. he is also blessed with a quick wit . I appreciate his contribution and companionship. he was very much the "utility infielder" stepping into action and filling in where needed. thanks bud! last but not least...I cannot express the thanks that is due Kelly Brown. she created the most wonderful pit atmosphere..... she is an excellent and exciting food preparation specialist! Kenny Roberts wishes he had a hospitality area like Kelly and Bruce provided for us!! the meals were plentiful and stimulating! the beer was ice cold and especially welcomed at the end of a long hot day. it was a most fun time with some really great people..........it is truly one of the things I love about motorcycle racing! those of you who couldn’t attend; you missed a fine time with some great people. I hope each of you can join us at the track or on the track in the near future! madmotomike ps: I would like to point out that the MZ proved to be quite the weapon. our riders , Bruce and Trent were able to consistently operate closer to their bike's potential than the competition. in sweltering conditions our times reached a low of 1:47! only two of the competition could lap in the sub 1:40 range ... this with in some cases a 100 horsepower advantage!! maybe...just maybe...."less is more"!
Bruce, By the way, on my first stint we were in 2nd in GTU and I chased you down but it took a looong time. You were running quite well. We were on a new GSXR 600. I would venture to say you were running consitant 1:47's when I was chasing you. By the way, our slowest lap time of the race was a 1:50 on my first lap ever on the bike. Our average lap was a 1:44 and they scored us 3rd, then changed it to 4th officially. Suffice it to say even with transponders they couldn't get it right. Chuck [This message has been edited by bfkidd (edited 08-11-2001).]
a lot of people were under 1m40 sec in that race.we placed 3rd in gto with a 600,and our times were under that.at least two teams in the gtu class were under that too. p.s. chuck,the problem was you had a transpoder on your bike,you should have had a transponder! [This message has been edited by brad wilson (edited 08-10-2001).] [This message has been edited by brad wilson (edited 08-10-2001).]
Chuck & Brad, Thanks for the info! Also thanks for not running over me on the straights since the MZ only gets to about 110 or so Bruce
When is CCS going to update their website on the TC points and standings? Damn!! The last uupdate was for the race back in May. CMP from the beginning of June still isn't posted! Anyone know if teams running these TC events will be able to run the ROC at Daytona in October? I guess the first question should be, will there be a TC at the ROC?
Hey Glenn, CCS is a little slow to update results on their website, however WERA & AHRMA do a really good job. I think the TC at the ROC will be held under the Formula USA banner. Call Stacy (she's very helpful) at SFX to confirm 1-817-870-9151 ext# 110.
Brad, You sound very upset about your times. Don't worry, you'll get fast some day. ------------------ JKHobson
i remember you JK you were the guy on that big bad new suzuki 750 that i kept passing on my R6 in turn one.by the way did you ever find that valve you dropped?sorry to hear about your herpes.
I found the valve, Thanks. Some day when you have a machine with more than 50 horsepower you'll know what it's like to blow a motor. By the way, I wore protection when I was with your mom so I didn't get her herpes this time. ------------------ JKHobson
Actually, if I remember correctly, I was at that race. Brad kicked ass. If they had taken two -or maybe even one- less pit stop, then they would have gotten first instead of third. Just wait until next season. I bet if they do some endurance races, they'd make some additions to their trophy/plaque collections...
holy smokes batman. i have a fan out there. i must find them as they are hard for me to find on this bbs.
Hey JK whats up with the Herpes. I had my dog tested after you house sat for me and it came up positive so I had to shoot it. You owe me $2.00 for the bullet.