Well it has been a long week but I made it and even managed to drop a few seconds off my lap times... For a few weeks now I have been planning to attend the AFM Round 6 at Sonoma. It was all dependent on whether or not I got the bike going. I had all the parts it was just getting them fitted and the bike running. Its been 22 months since I last rode so I also thought it would be smart to run the Friday track day. Roland Cushway came over and helped me prepare the bike on Thursday. I signed up for the track day late and it was full so I was on the wait list. I was sort of hoping I would have another day to prepare so I wouldnt have to work late into the night/early morning so if I didnt make Friday I was OK with that. I checked the web site on Thursday around 2 and realized I had made the B- list so now it was go-time. We hustled throughout the day to get the bike ready and I was up until 2:30 am loading the truck and trailer. A few hours sleep and then I was off to Sonoma. I ran all day Friday and had a great time being out on the track again. I ran the new top end in during the first two sessions then moved up to A group and started making some decent lap times. Roland was at the track with me so we tuned the new cylinder head, pipe, reed combo and got the bike making some good power. Friday evening I moved into the garage Id be sharing with my friend for Saturday. We put the bike up on the bench and checked it out making sure it was ready for Saturday. I had dinner with my friend and headed home but I was so tired I had to pull over and close my eyes for a while. I woke up around 1 AM then booked home and was back in bed at 2 AM. Saturday morning I was up at 5 AM and headed back to Sonoma. I took my time missing the first two practice sessions so I could get the bike ready and the rear tire changed out. I went out in the third practice in Group 1 and found myself amongst slower riders. Knowing I wanted out of this group I fought my way into the clear and turned a 2:02 the would surely move me into Group 2. After the lunch break I went back to tech and confirmed my lap times, they move me up to Group 2 and I ran the rest of the day there. Towards the end of the day I was really feeling tired. With the lack of sleep and all the riding I was beat! I was considering skipping the last practice to run the F40 race or run the last practice and skip the race. My fellow racers all gave me a hard time about skipping out on the race so I buckled up and decided to give it a go including the last practice. We only ran a few laps of practice as there was a red flag so I got some extra time to rest. I gridded up for the Formula 40 Middle Weight race in the last spot since I havent raced at all this year. I got a good start and managed to make up a couple places then slotted in behind another two stroke rider. I rode my own pace and was a few seconds off most of the pack but was having fun! The crossed flags (half way) came out quickly and with another four laps to go I was doing fine. I think I was lapped by the race leader (Heavy Weight bike, 1000 cc) on lap 6 so I go the checkers on lap 7 instead of 8 but I was done. I was last in class but finished and that was really my goal. I ended up running a 1:59.792. It felt good to get under 2:00 but I am still far from my 1:52 best time there. Guess I cant complain too much as I finished, didnt crash and had a great time.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 07:15:05 +0000
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