TRACKDAYRIDERS.COM :: Aug. 31st SUMO Race: Tom, where are you?

Well, preparation for the race was very stressful.
After picking up the newly mouted tires from European Motorcycles, I found out that the new Michelin Pilot Race tires stuck out a little more than the old tires, and severly rubbed against the chain - so I had to tweek the wheel crooked to not rub the chain.
I wasn't sure if the bike would even be rideable at speed - but I only get to do 2 races per year, and had no time to get another tire, so I just crossed my fingers and rode it that way.
Surprisingly, the bike still rode OK, even with a crooked wheel!

I had no idea what pressures to run on the new tires, so I used the same as I did the last time 22 or 23 pounds, and they stuck very well in the morning. My lap times were enough to get me first place, and I even placed first in the first race heat.
But, the final race wasn't until 5pm, and the day got very hot. So, by the time for the final race, the tires weren't sticking as well, and had to tone it down a notch.
Also, they had us race with a faster race group - by starting our group behind the faster group. The big down side to this, was that we all got jammed up in turn 1. After it was all said and done (and avoiding several near collisions) I was in 3rd place in my group coming out of turn 1. That, combined with me running slightly slower lap times, I wasn't able to pass the 2 riders in front of me, and accepted my fate with a 3rd place.
I think that if I want to progress any further in the standings, I'm going to have to learn how to ride MX style, and switch from elbows down / knee out... to elbows up / leg out. (not an easy transition for me, since I'm so used to sport bike track days).

As for the other races - they were some of the most exciting races I'd ever seen. There was a race group that was racing for money (not sure which group it was), and one of the racers got a false start. So they grided everyone back up, and sent him all the way to the back of the grid. But, this guy was good... each lap he was passing more and more riders... and with only 4 turns left in the race, was able to pass the 1st place rider. He rounded the last turn, and road a 1-handed sky-high wheelie, with his left hand pointing "number one" in the air, as he crossed the finish line to take a 1st place. What an exciting race!
(I've got a lot of learning and practicing to do for next year)

(hope that was 700 words!)