AFM Round 1 2011

What a crazy build up to round 1. It all started way back in October when I crashed and did some serious damage to my race bike. In December I came across a good deal on a theft recovery Kawasaki EX650. I decided to buy it with the idea of turning it into a production race bike. Lots of people had suggested I should race production, instead of the Formula classes. For my non racing readers the Formula classes allow unlimited modifications to the motorcycle as long as it stays in it's displacement category which for me is 650cc, while the Production classes severely limit modifications to make it cheaper racing. The idea being that it's a more even playing field. Since I've never been able to afford a rocket ship engine it made sense. So I pushed this bike around my garage for a couple of months before I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to race production. Even though it made sense, and really would be in my best interest I just didn't want to race such a limpy wimpy bike. I like fiddling with my bike. I like looking for ways to make it better. I like being a bit of a David up against a field of Goliaths. So with about 30 days before the first round I made the decision to fix up the old crashed race bike, and get thee to Buttonwillow. First the bike went to Gerry Piazza to straighten out whatever had been bent, and the list was not short. Both inner and outer fork tubes on both forks were bent, as well as both wheels, the upper and lower triple clamps, and the front axle. When it was done I picked the bike up and took it to KC at BRG to have a new sub-frame made, mine looking like a crushed aluminum can. Once I got the bike home off came the forks and shock to get refreshed by my long time sponsors Dave Moss of Catalyst Reaction. When I had the bike reassembled I began the dance of fitting the new freshly painted bodywork (Thanks to all the contributed). I have to say if anyone is considering getting into racing I highly recommend buying a used prepped race bike, and not building one from scratch just to avoid the lengthy and annoying process of trying to fit race bodywork. Getting all the last minute parts ordered and delivered to me in time goes to the credit of Gina at Werkstatt, who fit my urgent parts requests into her busy schedule, including adding new dealerships just so I could get a special part I wanted. As a typical racer I put the finishing touches on the bike the afternoon it was to be loaded onto the truck. When my trusty racing partner Kate got home from work off we went to the fabulous resort of Buttonwillow Raceway Park.

Here's a pic of the new sub-frame all mounted up, and waiting for the bodywork

Here's the bike all freshly painted, and ready to race

Friday morning was busier than normal. I needed fresh tires as I was switching tire vendors this year. That's a big change for me as I have been riding on Dunlops for 6 seasons. Alex Florea representing Michelin had courted me last year, but I was nervous about switching and Terry from Sport Tire had always given me a deal and taken care of me, but when things changed at Dunlop and Terry wouldn't be doing tires anymore it was time to give Michelin a try. Tires fitted, warmers on, and suited up it was time to hit the track for the first time in 6 months. I spent the first couple of sessions trying to recover from Cerebral Rectumitis, otherwise known as getting my head out of my ass. I was trying to remember which way the track went, what gear to be in, even how to sit on the damn bike. In the afternoon I finally started to get my rhythm back and feel like I knew what I was doing. I was still desperately slow, but at least I knew where to go, and what I wanted to do. Friday night kinda sucked. Usually the race paddock is a vibrant place filled with colorful characters eating, drinking, and making merry, but on this Friday the place was eerily silent as a storm was approaching. Many, like myself, had packed up their pit spaces tight and found shelter in motor homes, backs of pick up trucks, or hotels. Kate and I spent a lovely evening with my parents who had brought their camping trailer. It was nice and warm, and cozy in there.

Saturday morning we arose to a cool overcast day. The weather forecast was not good, and I wanted to get as much track time as possible in case of the eventual cancellation. After a few more sessions I was starting to feel like a racer again. At lunch Barbara, the race director, made the announcement that we would  be running select races on Saturday afternoon because the weather forecast for Sunday was so bleak. This was unusual and a bold move something different for the AFM. I would get both of my races on Saturday. This news energized the paddock like nothing else. Where there was before a sort of lull that went along with the cool overcast sky was now replaced with the frantic race preparations as people had to quickly decided what their afternoon strategy would be. This news caught many off guard. Tires had to be swapped, fuel tanks filled, and so on. I was very glad to have made the choice to practice on Saturday as some had not, and would no be racing with only the warm up lap to get their heads around racing.

Race 1 650 Twins. I was gridded in an excellent position on the 2nd row, and I had a good plan on where I wanted to put my bike when the flag flew. I executed that plan flawlessly driving even with the front runners as we left the line. Then my plan failed. Racing is about pushing the limit. It's about finding your comfort zone, and going past it. That's why we race. As we got close to turn 1 I grabbed the brakes at the point I felt comfortable, and about 8 guys went past me. That's what 6 months off the bike does. Cursing at myself I knew I had my work cut out for me if I was going to have at least a respectable finish. I knew I would be strong on the back section so I allowed myself to just relax knowing they would come back to me. Over a couple of laps I made some passes on the outside of Riverside trying to be brave on the throttle, setting up for an inside pass on the brakes into Lost Hills. I think I was running as high as 8th when I tried a pass in Sunset. I had the pass, but the rider took either a brave, or stupid move and completely sawed off my front wheel forcing me to tighten up my line, and stand the bike up. I hit the dip on the inside of the corner and that bounced me off track. Next time I'm going to hold my line, and bounce him off track, but again lacking seat time there was no confidence for a move like that. Out into the dirt I went, but unlike normal Buttonwillow the dirt was nice and firm, and I easily got the bike under control, turned and while still in the dirt back on the gas. I took a long look over my left shoulder and merged back on the track determined to make up a place or two. I managed to make up 1 spot and finish a disappointing although fun and exciting 10th.

FIV I was gridded a little further back, and when I entered T1 there was a waving yellow flag so I slowed up a little and several riders went past. Naughty Naughty riders, no passing under any flag conditions. I made note of the riders with the intention of protesting them at the end of the race, but it didn't matter because as we rounded Riverside #211 Everett "Ducky Fresh" lost the front end in a dramatic fashion crashing big time bike tumbling through the air. I was 2 bikes back, with Dave Sapsis in front of me. Dave stood his bike up and ran wide trying to miss Ducky. I think if Dave had held his line like I did he might have not gotten caught up in Ducky's crash. As we came around the final corner the black flag came out, and we all pulled off track. When the race restarted I was determined not to blow the start again, and I managed to suck a little less, but still far from spectacular. This race was a lot less fun. The 250 super bike race which is made up of little 250cc ninja 250's started in front of us, and it took us all of the first lap to get into them. So my race became a game of who was willing to take the biggest chance, and stuff the most Ninjette's at a time. At first I was bound and determined to stay with my competitors using the little 250's as rolling berms. I can tell you some of those guys and girls could smell my BO I passed them so close. I lost a couple of spots because I just wasn't willing to torpedo someone. At one point I had a great battle with Evan #898 with him coming out on top. This Time.

We packed up said out goodbyes on Saturday night, and began the long wet drive back to SF. It was great to be back on the race track. 6 months is too long to stay away from some of the weirdest, and greatest people on the planet. Motorcycle Racers.


Thanks to the people that help me go faster.

Jennifer at Werkstatt Motorcycle Repair
Dave Moss of Catalyst Reaction
Michelin and Alex of AFMotorsports
Julio from Tommy's
Paul Fine of Fine Design


Beware. Ugly dolls are wathcing