Race 1 Pueblo Colorado
4/25 Friday – Open Practice:
Starting the weekend off early, Friday Morning heading out of Denver around 6am; with low 30 degree weather teammate Casey and I were on our way to Pueblo. As we arrived in Pueblo the weather had picked up a bit moving into the mid 40’s. Being the first one out on the track in the morning with no rubber laid down made for slick conditions; as the day progressed the track time decreased and the ended very well.
4/26 Saturday – MRA Round 1:
After a great night of sleep waking up at 5am and starting the day off with a healthy meal at the Wingate; we headed out in order to arrive at the track around 6am to tech and get ready for morning practice. With the weather not being as warm Saturday morning I decided I would sit out 1st practice at 8am, and capitalize on my other two practices. With the extra hour of time I made sure my Rocky Mountain Kawasaki ZX-636 was checked out from top to bottom, then I headed out and felt great after the morning.
After a break in the day for lunch the races began. Being one of the first races Novice GTU in the afternoon I was preparing in my pits as in normally do; listening to my music going over the track lines, breaking points, shift points, and different gears I’m in at each section on the track continuously through my head. My first race being one of my most important race I was focused and ready to ride; recovering from an ankle injury in early January my only concern was to go out and (ride smart) get points for the weekend…. “This is a long season, THINK” As I’m sitting on the Grid ready to race Dave Van De Weert gave me a few words of advice in my helmet. Lights were off and we straight racing with a satisfactory launch off the line I dove in to turn 1 in 3rd position. I immediately made my move in to 2nd in to turn 1 and followed fellow Rocky Mountain Kawasaki teammate Gerry Signor for the next two laps. With the unbelievable grip from my Michelin tires I knew in my head I could out break and hold more corner speed; as I did in my 3rd lap off the front strait. Knowing Gerry is equally as fast, I had to capitalize so I put my head down and started riding hard. The white flag was out (last lap) leading a race knowing Gerry was trying to make a pass I road defensive lines the rest of the way. As I was right, I left a little gap open on the 3rd to last turn and he tried to come in a little to hot, holding my line I was able to re-pass him in the same corner and finish the race in 1st to win my first race ever. After arriving back in the pits the first group of people to congratulate me was Vanmar/Michelin Racing, I can’t thank them enough.(What a feeling!)
One more race left in the day, Novice GTO; now with the first race of the year out of the way I was a little more relaxed. Heading out in the open class competing with 1000cc bikes, I went in with the intention of ending in the top 5. Once again not the best launch to start the race but I ended up in 2nd and by the end of the first lap I had taken the lead and never looked back. Using lap traffic to my advantage the 2nd place finisher was roughly 1.5 seconds behind me at the end of the race. Once again I couldn’t be more pleased with how my Rocky Mountain Kawasaki Machine worked and how UNBELIEVABL my sticky MICHELIN tires were on such a cold day of riding, I couldn’t be more impressed.
4/27 Sunday-
With the weather worming up a little, I went ahead and went out for 1st practice. With only two practices Sunday morning and my first race not being till after lunch; I went out and watched a couple SuperBike races to start the day off. With my goals being set with both races to end up in the top 5 I knew my work was cut out for me. With a terrible launch I ended up in 15th by the first turn. Little by little picking away at the guys in front of me I had moved up to 9th by the last turn of the last lap. Making the wrong decision trying to pass lap traffic safely leaving the outside line wide open Jason Leleck took advantage and got a better drive out and crossed the finish line less then a bike length between us to finnish in 9th place.
With my last race being the last race of the day I was ready to race and have FUN. With the best launch of the weekend I dove from the 4th row 13th position right into 3rd as we came into turn 1, ironically Dave Van De Weert “Hoopty” was directly in front of me and we both passed the 1000CC that was holding us up by the 4th turn. Knowing that “Hoopty” and I have raced on the track together before I didn’t want to pass him early in the race to let him know it was me. After following him every lap on the very fast lap I lined him up and out broke him into turn 1 and held him off for the next 9 turns. This being the biggest WIN of the weekend it closed round 1 in a great way. Once again arriving at my pits Mark and Tammy (Vanmar/Michelin) were waiting, What great support from Michelin!
I’d like to thank everyone that was a part of my successful weekend, WITHOUT YOU I COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT. Thanks to my Team Young Blood Racing – without you guys there would be no drive to succeed Thanks Casey Ricky and David`, Vanmar/Michelin Racing – Mark and Tammy you guys are unbelievable; I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t go with the best tires on the paddock. Thanks again for all the HELP, Rocky Mountain Kawasaki – for the unbelievable support and acquiring me on the team this year (BEST MOVE OF THE OFF SEASON WAS TO SIGN WITH THEM and move to a KAWASAKI) Brother BBQ, www.urweekendtoy.com and The Sports Authority – for all the sponsorship support to help make all this happen!! Faster Motorsports – Bart, Jason, Mike, Brian you guys have not only been a support to my racing but the trackside assistance is priceless and I can’t thank you guys enough for all you have done for me over the past year. Jason thanks for all the help when I first started racing. X-BAM (Xtreme Bike Action Massage) – Bree not sure where to start… you have been such a BIG help with me getting back on the bike after breaking my neck in the winter of 06 THANK YOU!!!! Performance Imagery – Keith for all the photos that make me realized what I’ve been doing wrong, perfection is an understatement Monster Energy – thanks for coming down and supporting the entire team through the past year. Motorex Oil, Power Stands Racing, Vortex Racing, Motonation (Sidi Boots), Regina, Fuel clothing, Hot Bodies Racing, VP Fuel, and 12 VOLT Tavern – thank you for all the racing sponsorship and support through out the year.
I’d also like to personally thank Jeff Brown and Dave Van De Weert who ave helped me from the first day on the track; Jeff thanks for everything you’ve shown me from inside passing in turn 8 to a one on one day at the trackl!! And Dave for showing me how to be later on the brakes and always helping me out in the pits, you are the reason I got into racing the F3!!… Among the small things they have shown me in the past year, you guys really made me feel welcome and to the club and as a friend
