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The Witchkraft Files – WERA Round 2, Grattan Raceway

By Doug Cornett:

Witchkraft Racing (Eddie and Joe in this case) spent the day at Grattan on Friday, May 15 instructing for Sportbike Track Time's Pro School. Eddie said he had a good time so I have to believe him because I was not there to verify. The junior member of the team (me) showed up, ever so leisurely, at Grattan's paddock on Saturday morning. But I got there before Joe and Eddie – big thumbs up for me. Thank goodness for small pats on the back although self inflicted.

Eddie's first practice session on Saturday was early – just as he took to the track the fog got heavy and changed the color of the track from usable to useless – it rained! So we waited for the track to dry. Grattan weather is always changing and Saturday was no different. Gradually the clouds broke up as the wind picked up and the track dried. The wind was the feature of the day. I know I'm whining but grabbing onto the canopy instantly as the wind threatened to carry it away, being cold all day and constantly suffering a whipping by the wind was fatiguing. I'm sure Eddie was feeling it too on the track although he never mentioned it. Well now we know for sure who is the tougher.

The races were successful in that we learned more, validated what we suspected and helped Eddie improve his lap times.

One instance was a nice bit of race craft. Eddie fell into the clutches of a long time racing rival – he got passed during the race. Well Eddie kept in touch and started to move back into position as the laps click off. At the white flag, showing the last lap, Eddie was near but not close. Eddie closed the gap over the distance of 10 turns and the connecting straights on that last lap to where he was in the draft of the rival as they entered Grattan's long straight. It was text book on how to use the draft to the trailing riders advantage plus having a strong motor…Eddie slipped past to claim 5th place at the line! Very cool.

Every race has it's moments, high lights and disappointments.. Each race is a learning experience for the rider and crew. The mark of a good team is they take what is presented and forge ahead. I like to think we are a good team because we are getting better at what we do. The results show it. If the finishing position is not what we hoped for we find success in improving lap times. We find success in understanding the complicated interrelation of chassis dynamics and rider input while being subjected to the random nature of the racing surface and weather conditions.

Our practice and pre-race routine is question Eddie on how the bike feels – make changes and send him out with the best setup we have for a race. Eddie never lets us down in the end. We have little setbacks and our momentary hopes are dashed but when the races are over…our rider has made it all worth while by his stamina and determination. This is fun.

UPDATE – A big thank you to Aaron Bagwell for being with us this weekend. It is so much easier with another set of hands and some good laughs. Plus Aaron ran strong and was on the box in all of his races – very nice results indeed. Congrats.

Monday, May 18th, 2009 | POSTED AT: 8:38 AM
FILED UNDER: Race Reports

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Published: 05.18.09 / 8am
Category: Race Reports