Race Report: June 14-16, 2002
79th Annual Loudon Classic
What a great week! Spent 10 days at the track, well, 9, I took Monday off to head home and try to recover from being on the road for 2 weeks. The week started out on Tuesday, heading up to the track nice and early to get set up, and to help with the Penguin 2-day Pro/Street school.
I had brought up the XX for the school and spent most of the day on it, saving the F4 for the 200 mile race. Tuesday was a nice day, over cast, cool, but the rain held off until the last 10 minutes of the day. Spent the day leading student around, and at the same time taking the opportunity to work on my reference marks. Wednesday was not nearly as nice a day, raining almost the whole day. So, I took the F4 out with the rains. Despite the weather, I found myself on the track most of the day, since the rain did very little to discourage the students!
Thursday - 06/13/2002
Open practice. Galen was coming up to get some miles in on the F4. I was expecting him early, but he did not show until early afternoon. HAving spenmt the last 2 days on the track, I opted for a day
off, and instead helped Jack Askel with his practice and working the fuel truck. Galen showed up, signed up for practice, and went out on the F4. I watched from the turn 3 stands and took time. I was
a bit worried at first, 1:38's. Uh oh. But those soon became a memory as Galen got used to the bike, and was soon lapping in the low 20's. Whoohoo.
Second practice comes around, and Galen headed out again. This time he was in the low 20's right away, and consistent. Life is good!
After practice we get registration all sorted out, get the bike teched, and basically get all the paperwork out of the way.
Friday - 06/14/2002
Race day! The weather was over cast and cool, rain threatening. Not good. Galen went out for the first morning practice, and was immediately in the 20's. I took the bike out for the second practice,
just to make sure all was good, and it was, running 19's and 20's. now, the great debate. What to run for tires. The weather could go either way. Would one set of DOT's last? Would a set of rains
last? I only have 2 sets of rims, so we would have to make a choice, and go with it. After consulting with Street and Comp, we
decided one set of Green Pirreli's (Soft compound) should do the trick. New tires get mounted up, and we set up our pit on pit road. I also took the time to go over the bike to make sure everything
was good to go, changing the oil and filter, and checking all the bolts, basically everywhere, to make sure there were no surprises. Made up a spares kit with levers, footpegs, etc., "just in
case".
I want to pause right now to give a big thanks to everyone who helped out. Jack Askel (of Axljak Racing) was the pit chief, calling all the shots, and he ran a tight ship. Bruce drove up to run the pit board and to help with the bit stops. Doug from Bikeworx, Mike, and Dot also helped with the pit stops and took some photos. We could not have don it without all the support from these guys. Thanks!
OK, race time. The tire warmers were on, the bike was gassed up and we were ready to go. We decided that I would take the bike out for the first leg, staying out for 45 minutes, then I would come in, swap with Galen, and gas the bike.
We line up on the pre-grid, then go out for 2 sighting laps, wish is different from regular LRRS weekends, and kind of nice. Let's you go into turn 1 hot once before the race. We come around to start/finish for the second time, and grid up. I am in GTU, the second group, so there is one row between us and GTO, who is gridded ahead of us. GTL is gridded behind.
I see Mike Martire and Gus Holcomb up ahead, and my goal is too hang with them. The flag drops and we are off. I get an Ok start and get into turn 1 mid pack, and try to work my way through the traffic. I immediately begin to wonder if we made the right choice putting me out first, since my starts are not very good, but I just put my head down, and go to work getting through traffic.
Mike and Gus start pulling away from me, while I get stuck is some traffic. I tell myself it is a 200 mile race, just take my time and don't do anything stupid. :) I get into a groove and just run my race. I get the signals from Bruce on the pit board and see that I am running 19's and 20's , and feeling good.
On about lap 27, I come through turn 11 and see a bike off in the grass. I soon see that it is Gus. Uh oh. I see that he is up and OK, good.
On lap 34, I see the pit in board. I give a thumbs up and get read to come in. I pit in and hit the mark. Shut the bike off and open the gas cap. Bruce steadies the bike, while Jack re-fuels. I get off the bike, and Galen gets on. Fueling is done, and Galen is off. All in about 20 seconds!
I find out we are running in the lead, battling with a few other teams. I make note of their numbers so I know who to watch out for on the road. I get a drink and try to cool down. Galen quickly gets into a groove and runs 20's and 21's. We watch the standing on the monitor and see that Galen is doing well. We toy with the idea of bringing him in and sending me out a bit early when we notice one of the other teams is catching us, but opt to let Galen run the rest of his laps.
On lap 70 we bring Galen in. The stop goes like clock work and I go out for my next session. I get out right behind T-Bone Racing. I know that we are racing with them, and am not sure if I am a lap up on them or if we are on the same lap. I make a run up the inside of 3 for a pass, but miss a downshift and run wide, they get the position back. I remind myself, 200 mile race, and just relax.
After what seems forever, I am waiting for the "pit in" board, but never comes out. I soon see the Hooters Team up in the distance. Once again, I have no idea is we are on the same lap, so I put my head down and work on catching up. Soon enough, I catch up, and make the pass. Soon after that I get the "pit in" sign and come in. The pitstop goes well, and Galen heads out for the last leg. Once I get off the bike, Jack tells me that when I passed the Hooters bike, I put them 3 laps down. They were in second, we were in first. :) Turns out Jack left me out there on purpose when he saw that I was catching up to the Hooters team. He wanted to put them down another lap.
Galen went out and was running a bit slower, 22's and 23's, but still had a good lead. As the laps wound down, Galen dipped back into the 21's and 20's. On the last lap, we watch him go into turn 1 hot, on the outside, around another rider. What is he doing?!? We are up 2 laps!! Jack can't watch. I watch, and watch, and watch, and finally see Galen head up the hill in 4. Phew.
Out comes the checker, first place!! Fifth overall. We head into victory circle for the ceremonies. My first time! I was a bit nervous and completely blew the speech. Oh well. After that, we were whisked away to the media center for a press conference. Wow, the big time!
I want to thank everyone for their help and support during the race. Especially Jack for running the pit, and Bruce for running the pit board.Also, bid thanks to Dot, Mike, and Doug for all their help running the best pit out there! Also, major thanks to all out sponsors, without whom we couldn't have done this. Special thanks to Peter and Mike of GMD for all their help setting the bike up, it worked like a champ. Also thanks to all the guys at Street and Comp for their support every weekend!
I spent the rest of the weekend either cornerworking or just watching the races, bust mostly enjoying the fact that we had won our race. It felt GREAT! Now I think we will have to do the rest of the FUSA series, to defend out win!
Thanks again to everyone for their help and support, I can't wait for the next race weekend!