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WERA Round 4: BeaveRun Recap (Keeping the Pace)

On a less than happy note, my grandfather passed away late last week. He had battled a number of serious health problems over the past several years - lung cancer being the latest. Without getting too in depth of everything that had gone on the past several days, he was a World War II veteran, raced both bikes and cars when he was younger, was an optometrist and an avid golfer for as long as I can remember growing up. He was married to my grandma for over fifty of his 85 years and I think once she passed just nine weeks ago, it was more of a reason for him to join her. He fought for a long time and will definitely be missed.

Given what had happened, our plans for racing at BeaveRun were completely up in the air. Unlike our normal Thursday night travels to the track, we ended up being able to head down Saturday afternoon and would only be racing on Sunday. This normally doesn't bode well, as we typically need the practice to get up to speed and be ready for the main races on Sunday (as illustrated last weekend at Nelson). However the weather for Friday and Saturday had rain in the forecast, so we would be fortunate in that everyone else wouldn't have much practice time either.

Gina, Maggie and I made the trip down with Doug and Tom meeting us at the track. My dad was staying at home with my mom (for good reason), so we'd be racing the following day without our crew chief. Past statistics showed things didn't go well when he wasn't there, so Doug would have the added pressure of helping run the show. Gina was prepped as well by my dad on signs, gaps and how to help show bits and pieces of how each race was going to me. There was a good group of fast guys present, led by Sammy, with Wrobel, Agnes, Dressman, Blake (Kelly), Dillinger, Spector, J.B., and Rob Hancock (who has really been improving) all there, among a number of other Northeast riders who I don't know quite that well. There were also a few of the younger guys who have been running the AMA Supersport series this year and moving real well – primarily Kyle Wyman who's a fast kid.

Sunday morning practice was short to say the least. There were a number of crashes and red flags – everyone wanting to get up to speed quickly after damp conditions and slower times on Saturday. I felt relatively comfortable early on, as I was able to start right where I left off after riding at Beaver a few weeks ago. Right away I was into the 59's and by the third practice (which was only three laps after an incident and red flag) I did a 58.3 chasing Sam and Dillinger – improving on my overall best lap time of a 58.9 from last year. The last practice was also in the 58's, which was a good sign.

I can't say enough good things about Pirelli's new green front tire. Up until last year, we had always run blue fronts and as of this year, we found they were borderline too soft for me. I didn't realize it at the time, but the blue tire would flex, causing the front end to feel sketchy and vague. Last year we tried to tune that out, thinking it was suspension related, but since running the green this year – all those issues have magically gone away. I've always been a corner speed-type rider, so speed at the apex is important. The new green provides the grip of a blue, with a stiffer feeling compared to the blue that doesn't flex quite as much. It took most of last year to figure out, but I can now ride through a corner smoother and faster than I could before. It's more confidence inspiring, as I can get on the gas sooner as well. I feel like I'm starting to carry the corner speed I use to carry back on the SV and that works well considering that's what I learned to race on. Sam had often tried to get me to run the yellow in the past (stiffer than the green) instead of the blue and I just haven't been able to come to grips with that tire yet – but the green so far has been great.

We had good grid positions in all four of our races. Inside front row for three of them, and middle of the front row for the other. Interestingly, pole position at BeaveRun is the outside of the front row, but I didn't mind the inside. The first race was 600 Superbike. I had a good launch and was able to lead into T1. I didn't see it, but Sam had wheelied a bit off the start, so he had to play catch up early on to move into second. I think I had a built up a bit of a lead by then and was able to finish out front. James (Dillinger) ran into both Wrobel and Dressman in that race – almost knocking Wrobel down and pushing Dressman off track and into the grass. After the race, a number of people said something to him and I think James realized what he had done and felt pretty bad about it. I don't think he had any issues the rest of the day after that. As for times, my fastest lap of the race was a 58.1 and I think that was the fastest 600 lap of the weekend as well.

Second race was 750 Superbike. I botched the start, taking off in 2nd gear again somehow and was 4th heading into T1. Wrobel, Dressman and Hancock were in front of me after the first lap and I was able to get by Rob on the brakes into T10. The following lap Nathan lost the rear end coming out of T10 (there's a dip there that can make the rear step out) and that let me get the drive on him leading onto the front straight. Into 2nd and I followed Jeff into T4, ran a wider line entry than he did so I could square the turn off and get a good drive into T5. I did that and barely got by, just showing him a wheel and braking a touch later into T5. Problem was I ran it deep, trail braking the entire time and thought for sure I was going down. I was leaned over, on the brakes, but had the added positive uphill camber of T5, which might have helped save it. I only ran a bit wide and was able to stay ahead of Jeff. Did I mention I like the new Pirelli front tire? After that small moment, I was able to lead both of them to the checkered and win that race. Our fast lap of that race was a 58.4 I believe.

600 Superstock was up third after a bit of a gap in the schedule. Making sure I was in 1st gear, I led into T1 and had Sam chasing the entire race. Gina was giving me the sign that someone was close and I didn't know it was Sam at the time. Although after a couple laps, I could see Sam's guys giving him a sign right as Gina was doing it, so I figured it was him. And the gap Sam was getting was a large one, so it looked like we had a good gap and wouldn't have to worry about anyone else for the moment. It's great being able to race with Sam, so this was probably the most fun I had all day. He was close the entire race, up until one point where Gina's gap-sign went from nothing to small. I knew something had to have happened and it turned out he caught his knee puck on the T5 curbing, which is pretty rough and almost pulled him off the bike. Unfortunately that ended the fun. We both finished doing low 58's and I think his best time was faster than mine. Two weekends in a row where we set our best time of the weekend chasing each other. Good stuff.

750 Superstock was the last race of the day. Gridded in the middle of the front row, the third bike didn't show up, so it was just Jeff and I. Off the line, I felt I had been timing the flag really well and was able to get the holeshot – with Jeff close and chasing for the first 3-4 laps before he lost the front and went down in T10. He got right back up and still finished the race which was good. After that though, there weren't as many bikes in this race and we were able to win. Lap times were slower and rear grip less, where I think the fastest lap was only a 59.1.

Overall it was a great weekend. My dad was extremely happy to hear how everything went and I was glad to finally do well without him there (although I'd rather not make a habit out of it). I think Doug was relieved of the added pressure as well. :) A sincere thank you to Doug and Gina – who were a big help all day. Also thanks to Garry. While he hasn't been at the last few races, he's still responsible for helping us setup the bike properly and is always available for advice and feedback whenever we need it. And as for other forms of help, who knows - one of the newest guys upstairs might have been watching over us as well.

All the work we've done so far is paying dividends. From the meticulous bike prep in the winter, to practicing at Jennings, to dyno-tuning the bike to get the most out of it, to practicing starts, and to working to be on the pace from the very start (which is the one thing I learned in our AMA experience last year). It's all trickling down to more confidence on the bike and other little things, like better grid positions and just bits and pieces that are all part of putting together a program that is competitive. When we can go out and be in the front, it makes pushing and finding bits of time that much easier; and for me, it makes racing fun again.

Thanks for reading ..

Monday, June 22nd, 2009 | POSTED AT: 10:14 AM
FILED UNDER: Race Reports

2 Comments on “WERA Round 4: BeaveRun Recap (Keeping the Pace)”

Tim O'Toole wrote on 22 June, 2009, 5:58 PM
My condolences to you and your family for the loss of both your grandparents.

Awesome weekend at Beaverun. I am just sorry I was not able to be there to watch you race.

Hope to see you at the track soon

Tim
Eddie wrote on 22 June, 2009, 7:12 PM
Thanks Tim. Appreciate it. See you at the track soon I’m sure ..

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You're currently reading "WERA Round 4: BeaveRun Recap (Keeping the Pace)," an entry on Witchkraft Racing.
Published: 06.22.09 / 10am
Category: Race Reports