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kz2zx

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Nobody in Particular
Posts: 1166

posted March 15, 2005 03:12 PM

OT - my first race

Well, checking in after my first race weekend.

My starts suck. I need practice there - I gave up at least 9 grid positions each race at the start.

Beginner race I was 4th, by less than a bike length. I wasted a lot of time stuck behind a guy I was faster than, but not really feeling a good opportunity to pass. I got him at the end of the back straight finally, but only had 2 laps left. So then I chased third place around for almost a whole lap, and was closing when we crossed the finish line - but I took 4th.

MW Supersport I DNF'ed due to a front-end slide and a broken master link resulting from the slide that followed, so I could not reenter the race.

Formula (money race) Amateur, I finished 22nd (out of 29, I think, the results page doesn't show it), due to mental error and leaving the track a lap early (no, that wasn't MY checkered flag), would have been 15th otherwise.

I'd set the bike up with Dunlop DOTs, and switched to Michelin Power Race DOTs, this left me with geometry/ride height issues, and I could not get it resolved at the track during the practice session (after leveling the ride height the new tires highlighted the need for more rebound damping and stiffer springs). The front had been pushing all weekend, and in the second race I was in 9th, trying to close the gap with the lead group, and Wham! I was skipping/sliding to the outside of the turn, then I was in the dirt, then the bike and I were sliding in the dirt. Very little damage to the bike, but could not return to the race due to the chain coming off. And no damage to me at all, not even aches or pains. Well, it's a chance to practice up on my painting skills

I threw down some solid passes, and I identified some places I need to work on - starts fer sure, and passing on the inside off the back straight (I did a couple of good outside passes there, but inside opportunities, though they look narrower to me when I'm on the bike, are more common).

So, I got some experience. The track owner says I did well. I hope to shake out the remaining issues with the front end and win the beginner race next month, and finish top-15 in my other two classes. Then I can set my sights on top-10... then top-5...

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