I had a great weekend even though I finished last in my first race and DNF in my second (tip-over sensor problem). I picked up another .2 seconds from last month and again set a new fast time for myself.
The biggest gain I made was in my confidence. I felt as though I was really starting to ride the bike, being more aggressive and making a plan of action then making it happen. I was off the pace from the veterans mostly on built 1098's and a 1098r in the mix and Shawn Higbee was out again on his 1125r showing us all how its really done.
I knew I was down a second or two in my pace but I knew how well Im able to get off the line so I made a plan. I decided I was going to try for the best start I have ever made and stick it to them in T1. I was gridded up third and put in a hard warm up lap to insure my tires where up to the task. I hold the clutch with two fingers, position my arms wide elbows straight out and pull my self as far up the tank as I can. My left foot forward holing the bike from creeping forward as I preload the clutch some. My right foot over the rear brake (just in case I go for the sky). Throughout the morning I was studying the starter and mentally timing his actions. He would twist the number board about a quarter of a second before waving the green flag. With this in mind I rev the RC up to 6 to 8 K and start to feed the clutch just a moment after the number board goes sideways. The front end picks up about a foot and carries slowing rising as I fully release the clutch. The revs are up to maybe 8 or 9k now, I snap it in to second and the front continues off the ground, Im now having to feed English in to the bike to keep it going strait down the track. I hit third and feel the front skim the ground then snap inline as I was a bit crossed up when I landed. I started to leave the bikes to my right behind and only had Shawn Higbee to my left. Side by side neither of us brake but Shawn stays on the throttle more then I. Shawn enters T1 just ahead of me and I do my best to follow the guy who consistently turns 1:23 on a 143HP Buell.
I cant believe it! Im in second behind Shawn Higbee! HOLLY SHIT, IT WORKED! I do my best to follow "The Man" through T2 where I have always been strong and then to T3. Erik Nolen on his built 1098 came around the out side of me forcing me to the curb but hey, I was running up front with the fast guys so I have to expect that kind of close passing.
I did my best to hold the rest of the big Ducs off but in an 8 lap race and even though I was running the best times I have ever run, one by one they got around me. I had a blast! I road the bike hard and built up a ton of confidence and came home in one piece, what more could you ask for.
Oh yea, they finally got some good photos of me out on the track. I guess they only TRY to shoot the front runner LOL.
