[Guest]

Just a little note regarding the prelude to the AHRMA race in Daytona that was held in Kershaw SC this past Thursday. I had a fair seat in watching Mark (wounded duc) and BCMs rider duke it out on the track this week while fulfilling my role as backmarker in the BOTT F-1 class. Watching those guys go in our practice session was cool (literally, it was mid 40s and windy) The BCM bike looked like a rocket, I saw the front wheel come up like an MX bike exiting one of the corners. Mark usually has the class sewn up but I could tell there would be a race this time. You have to expect a BCM bike to be fast but the rider looked real good too. We had so many red flags in the first days practice I was worried that the cold and the sand at CMP was going to ruin the thing. Thursday the weather got a little more cooperative and I felt like it was a good day. I started on the front row and got to see a rather exciting turn one with a good number of super moto bikes jumping into the action at the start. I remember feet on the ground and some yellow faired bike literally pushing one of the SM bikes in the corner because they were tied up so tight. It was about lap six or seven when Mark cam screaming by (yea I got lapped). I tucked in my elbows and kept the bike off the line. For about 2 seconds when the BCM 999 came by in hot pursuit. I did what I could to keep those guys in sight and it seemed that Mark was keeping that lead for the half lap where I could “watch”. Mark held on and won the race. It was a real treat to be in the company of such great people at the track. Good luck to both in Daytona!

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (NC Rick)

Good report. CMP is an awesome track. I know what you mean about the sand. You just have to put it out of your mind the best you can. Besides, it's not so much on the track as it is in the paddock.

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (NC Rick)

That's what I want to hear! Mark's bike is supersport spec right now (749R w/Termi kit) so against a 999R he probably had to ride the snot out of it. Any word on Daytona? Looks like the tables were turned down there from the results on RRW...

 

[Guest]

I'd love to hear (what's RRW?) It will be interesting to see if Stan shows with Joseph. That old orange Guzzi flat FLEW! (Road Racing World...I get it. I said I was slow

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (NC Rick)

It was a fun race! Bruce's 999R is a rocket and Robbie is a good rider, so I had my hands full. It was cool to win the first race out of the box on the 749R, considering I just picked the thing up a few weeks ago.

Robbie got his revenge and finished ahead of me in Sound of Thunder. Fred Eiker (ex-AMA Pro Twins winner on Ducati and Moto Guzzis) on a 998R beat us both for the win. Race day conditions at CMP weren't bad, but the practice day sure sucked. It seemed like I was the only guy who *didn't* crash. That was probably because I spent the most of the day just working on setting the controls up so I could ride the thing. Modifying 998 rearsets to fit might be the inexpensive route, but when you're 6'4" tall, it's not the hot setup. It felt okay in the garage, but on the track I was so bound up on the bike I couldn't even hang off. Bruce came through with a set of his BCM rearsets that saved the day for me. Thanks Bruce!

Daytona was a much tougher nut to crack. The new layout makes the track more technical, but horsepower still rules the day. I holeshot all of my races (3 times in BOT F1 on Monday due to 2 red flags!) and lead through the infield each time, but each time the big bikes would steam past on the banking. Dario Marchetti, who works for Ducati in Italy, was there on a 749R with the World Supersport Kit and I couldn't stay in his draft on the banking (Dario later qualified in the top 25 for AMA Formula Extreme, so he's a good rider as well.) Looks like the WSS kit might be the next addition if I want to keep up with the litre bikes.

Ended up fourth each day in BOT F1, and sixth on Monday and fifth on Tuesday in Sound of Thunder. Would have liked to finish higher, of course, but considering the quality of the machines and the international field of riders, I'm pretty happy with the maiden outing on the new bike. Plus, I was only passed once in the infield, so that lets me continue to fool myself into thinking it was only horsepower that beat me.

Still, my lap times were quick enough to qualify for the AMA Formula Exteme race, so I'm pretty pleased with that.

I hadn't even planned on going to Daytona this year as I didn't think my bike would be in. So when it arrived in early February, it was a crazed few weeks sourcing parts, prepping the bike, etc. Big thanks go out to JD Hord of Meccanica Corse for spending two days helping me with bike prep, getting the bike set up on the dyno, etc.; Rick McWaters (Team Yamaha AMA Pro Star Hot Rod Cruiser #1 plate holder) of Cycle Tech for chasing down parts for me; Jeff Hinds of Hinds Motorsports for getting one of the last two 749Rs in the U.S. for me; Alfred and Chris at Cycle Cat for setting me up with sliders and levers; Jason at Section 8 for coming through multiple times with last-minute parts orders and frenzied phone calls; and Art Ramos of BalSac Racing for answering about a million questions.

Next race is AMA Formula Extreme at Barber April 22-24. We'll see if this new bike can drag my old butt around that place fast enough to qualify.

Both Robbie and Fred, along with several other good riders, are planning on doing the entire AHRMA series, so there's going to be some stiff competition in that series for sure. Should be a great year!

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (Wounded Duc)

Make sure you tell us where you will be pitted @ Barber. Would like to stop by and say hi.

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (MaliciousBraham)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MaliciousBraham »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Make sure you tell us where you will be pitted @ Barber. Would like to stop by and say hi.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Look past the big factory team semis, past the smaller satellite team haulers, and find wherever they park the lowly privateer vans and you'll find me. I imagine it will be somewhere on the top level at Barber.

My AMA number is 171 (lost my two-digit AMA number since I didn't score any points last year

)

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (Wounded Duc)

Mark!

Congratulations on a great weekend at Daytona!

Pat, I and the guys at BallSacRacing where jazzed to hear you did so well in the races! Anyone can ride a UJM! Getting a Ducati to a first place podium finish is something else all together!

Especially at Daytona!

It takes a lot of work, tinkering, thinking, to get these bikes setup proper.
It's the people you mentioned above that create a community that makes running these bike fun when it seems that owning/racing a Ducati is an uphill challenge!

Once again Congratulation!

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (Hyperpasta)

Racing a Duc enters you into a strange community. I have never met so many helpful people in any form of Motorsport. In my mind the "Ball Sac Racing" guys stand head and shoulders above the rest. When I decided to convert my 749 for Racing Section8 got me the parts, and Art and Pat offered to help. When I got to Pats Garage Mike from Ball Sac was there also (mike races a 999). It was amazing...like having your own team. I couldn't even get to the bike to work on it! The same thing at the track with those guys...there is always an extra set of hands to help...regardless of the bike you ride...Everyone should visit Ballsacracing.com...and buy some of their gear...guys like this deserve our support!

As I read Wounded Ducs thankyou's I realized how lucky we are with Ducati's to have these companies that actually care....amazing!

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (Wounded Duc)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wounded Duc »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Look past the big factory team semis, past the smaller satellite team haulers, and find wherever they park the lowly privateer vans and you'll find me. I imagine it will be somewhere on the top level at Barber.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's all gonna change baby 'cause I heard in another thread the superbike team is lookin' for a new rider for '06. Better step it up!

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (jhord)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jhord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That's all gonna change baby 'cause I heard in another thread the superbike team is lookin' for a new rider for '06. Better step it up!

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Yep. I think we all know the factories are endlessly searching for 6'4", 200 lb., 43-year-old riders. Hey, I might not be fast, but if Ducati gives me a bike I'd be glad to get in Mladin's way each time he laps me. Might give Neal a shot at catching up.

Actually, I'm pretty sure it's the bike that's been holding me back. Gotta find me a good tuner. Know any?

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (Wounded Duc)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wounded Duc »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Actually, I'm pretty sure it's the bike that's been holding me back. Gotta find me a good tuner. Know any?

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I know a guy that can tune *and* ride, but it wouldn't look too good if you came into the pits complaining about the bike, then the mechanic grabs it and goes out and laps faster than you. You know? Maybe this is what Ducati Austin needs for Eric Bostrom. "Shut up and ride!!"

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (jhord)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jhord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I know a guy that can tune *and* ride </TD></TR></TABLE>

Is this the same tuner who retired after being continually humilated on the track by a certain elderly racer?

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (Wounded Duc)

Yeah, that time Pat Mooney beat me really ticked me off! Although I wouldn't call him "elderly."

 

[Guest]

Re: Update on the Wounded Duc / BCM AHRMA encounter (Wounded Duc)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wounded Duc »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Big thanks go out to JD Hord of Meccanica Corse for spending two days helping me with bike prep, getting the bike set up on the dyno, etc.; Rick McWaters (Team Yamaha AMA Pro Star Hot Rod Cruiser #1 plate holder) of Cycle Tech for chasing down parts for me; Jeff Hinds of Hinds Motorsports for getting one of the last two 749Rs in the U.S. for me; Alfred and Chris at Cycle Cat for setting me up with sliders and levers; Jason at Section 8 for coming through multiple times with last-minute parts orders and frenzied phone calls; and Art Ramos of BalSac Racing for answering about a million questions.</TD></TR></TABLE>

D'oh!! I knew I'd forget someone. Keith ("Quit kicking me -- I'm NOT Greg White!") Thompson of Superbike Specialties busted butt to get my Ohlins forks set up and track down the proper Ohlins shock for my bike on very short notice.

Thanks Keef!