Lord willing I will be 50 years old on April 25th. One year ago I set a goal that I would race at Barber Motorsports Park for my 50th birthday as a full WERA novice. In a few days from now I will realize that goal for as of this past Sunday I am a full WERA novice. The "shirt" is finally off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I competed (I use that term loosely) in the Heavyweight solo 20 on Saturday and Senior Superbike on Sunday.
When the grids were posted for Saturday I almost fainted. I was to start the HW solo outside of the first row next to Cory Burleson. The thought of going into one with that pack of riders on my tail sent chills up my spine. I decided, after asking some fellow racers, that the thing to do was grid at the back. I got a good start and was able to run several clean laps before the leaders came around to lap me. Really, my times were worse than they had been in February, I guess I was concentrating too much on Barber and not the race. Anyway, the race was uneventful and I finished with no problems whatsoever. On to Sunday.
Sunday was better morning weather (no fog) and I suited up for practice. Crap, practice was a nightmare. The 600cc novices are a bunch of lunatics!!!!!!!!!!
I got brushed by a guy going by on my right. We literally touched shoulders. A few laps later 2 guys go by side by side on my right headed into the 90's. About 5 feet in front of me they collided. Miraculously the rider on the left made the turn the one on the right ran straight off but kept it up. I decided to pull in while I was still alive.
My only Sunday race was Senior Superbike. I was gridded near the back. At the start one guy got by but I was able to catch him a few corners later. I was thinking, "hey this guy is my speed I'll have someone to race with" but he quickly slowed in the corners and I got by. That was the last traffic I saw. Man I sure was happy to see that checkerd flag. My goal for the weekend had been to run safely and get rid of that shirt before Barber. I have achieved those goals and I'm very happy/proud.
Barber should be fun. I am very familiar with that track and Thermosman is upgrading my suspension on Friday. More to come...........
No comments:
Post a Comment