Team Daemon Racing

Race Report: August 17-18, 2002

Welcome to the all Dane, all the time channel! For one reason or the other, Dane was the only TDR rider to venture out on this hot, hot weekend. Nils was off gallivanting around Alaska, having a grand old time, and Paul decided that he need a week off, and concentrated on just working the fuel truck and cornerworking. Scott has taken the rest of the season off. With no one to get in his way, Dane took the opportunity to click off his fastest times ever, but 2 seconds! Way to go Dane!

Dane's race report	Nils' race report
Paul's race report	Scott's race report

Find all of the weekends race results at the LRRS web site here.

Dane's report

Friday - 08/16/2002
Working long hours all week, I packed up the race van Thursday night in preparation for driving to the track on Friday. The garage was a bit lonely, but provided a nice place for me to setup my tent and bike.

Saturday - 08/16/2002
Both Amateur Yellow practices are quite crowded so I decide to just take it easy and focus on my lines and some turn in points. I run fairly good 1:30s throughout practice.

Race #6: GP-Singles - 2/4 entries (3 points)
After racing with a bad clutch last weekend I was looking forward to getting a good position and getting enough points to advance to junior in this race. I got a HORRIBLE start, last into turn one by ~6 bike lengths. Right that moment I put my head down and decided to get as many positions as possible. I passed the fourth and third place amateurs, two juniors, and then came up on my super-tuner, Yukio. He was behind the second place amateur and I wanted that spot. I passed Yukio going into turn three and then drafted by the amateur in turn one. Unfortunately, Yukio drafted right by me as well into turn one!!

I passed Yukio again in turn three and put my head down, running a 1:26.8 (fastest lap time yet) to ensure my lead!! Yukio was still hot on my trail for the next lap. I was psyched as I had not yet been lapped!! Coming out of turn 12, I saw the starter holding the checker - I wanted to not be lapped!! I tried my best, but Dale Greenwood got me by maybe a bike length at start finish!! I had a great time dicing with Yukio and ran a couple of 1:26s, meeting one of my goals for the weekend! I felt good finishing in front of half my field, 4 juniors, and one expert.

Sidebar: It was HOT.

Sunday - 08/18/2002
Once again, I took it easy in practice, working on my lines and corner speed. I ran consistent 1:30s and 1:31s.

Race #1: GTL - 14/22 entries (0 points)
After running a 1:26.8 on Saturday I wanted to run strong in GTL and get some more points. Unfortunately, my start was even worse than on Sat! I was last into turn one by maybe 10 bike lengths. I HAVE to check the clutch again and/or practice practice practice my starts. I decided to run as hard as I can to make up all my lost positions. I made a run almost to my original position on the grid when a red flag came out.

I want to thank everyone who came out to pre-grid with water bottles, wet towels, and umbrellas. The whole pre-grid crew, Joe Melchionda, and my own umbrella girl Brian Murphy. The weather was HOT and after running for 10 minutes to make up for the bad start, I was HOT. We got our new grid positions (I was one row back from my starting position), and we took to the track again.

This time, I had the worst start ever and watched people stream by me to turn one. I had to make time NOW. I put my head down and spent the next 20 minutes trying to catch up to everyone in front of me. I ran my best lap ever of 1:26.3 making time. I feel I could have done a little bit better if I had gotten a better start. Next weekend I have to get my starts sorted out so I can dice for better position earlier in the race instead of spending all my energy trying to make up lsot positions.

Next race weekend: good starts, 1:24s, and the endurance race on an RS125 with team Chef Boyardee.