I went out today to sort out the suspension of the superstock bike. After that was done I took 2 sessions on my superbike just for fun. By the final session I was so tired I could barely hold onto the bike, but I set my fastest time of the day. This is the last ride with the #1 plate. Next month a new novice champion will be crowned and I'll be back to running 553 next year.
I got a horrible start and was about 15th into turn 3 (the first real turn at Fontana). I made up a bunch of positions in the first few turns and ended up behind Shandra who was doing very well except in a few corners where it's just not easy to go around (turns 1 and 9). This became a 4-way battle as two other riders joined us. I finally got a good run through turn 1 and passed three of them into turn 3.
I found myself behind the lead novice racer who I could likely have passed, but it was hundreds of yards up to the Neil who had checked out and ran away. Knowing I couldn't make up that much ground, and really wanting to stay upright for this race, I cruised around behind the novice racer and took second place in Expert.
Practice was good but hard work. It was very hot, so I wanted to spend all of my time laying in my car relaxing in the air conditioning, but unfortunately my bikes needed a lot of work.
I spent most of the day testing my superstock bike. I kept running out of front suspension travel, but every time I stiffened up the front, the back would start to cut loose. It became a balancing game. I got a little faster every time, but not by much.
In comparison, my superbike felt wonderful right out the door. I swapped the throttle for a 1/5th turn and that felt awesome too. I actually had to remove some stiffness from the front, but that was it. It just went go.
And I stayed upright all day, no trips on the ground this time -- first time this season. That's a nice change.
This picture was taken one session before my Infineon crash, right about where I crashed. I came through here carrying just a little more bit speed and lean angle and... yeah, don't do that.
I crashed again this morning. Just about 100mph again at the bottom of the carousel (fast 5th gear 5 story right hand drop). I was carrying a bit more speed and lean angle, hit this little compression bump at the bottom and felt the rear start to come loose. That was enough to push the front and we just slid a few hundred feet.
No damage to me at all, not even sore. The bike needs a replacement clipon, toe peg and foot peg - that's it. I'm out riding the superbike now.
After a full weekend in Reno, I repacked and headed out to Thunderhill for a racing school. I have to swap tires and replace broken windscreen and rearsets in the morning before practice so sleep bekons...
