2008

2008 - A Year Of Change

Looking forward to 2008 I proposed a rule change to allow the FZR600 motor in the FZR400 frame to be legal for the Thunderbike class. It seemed simple as similar bikes from the same era are allowed. When the new rules came out I was stunned. Not only was my proposal refused but also the Suzuki SV650 was being moved to Ultra-Light. It was obvious that most of the bikes currently in the class were obsolete. This came with no warning and left little time to prepare for 2008. A large group of riders sent letters of protest to CCS. While waiting for the results of this protest, I found a good deal on a race prepped SV. If you can’t beat them, join them. So I did.

CCS listened to the riders and delayed this change for one year. This is fair as people can now plan what they will do. Now I need to figure out if I will race the FZR, SV or both. It should be a fun year.

VIR - Alton, VA

March 23/24, 2008

A rough start on the new bike. Handling as a major concern. First session was like riding on ice with no confidence in the front end. After lowering the front end things were a little better. Playing with the damping improved it a little more. Once that was worked out it became obvious the gearing was way off. The good new is that the last for laps of racing were the fastest laps of the weekend. Each almost a second better than the previous but still slow. At least I gained a little confidence in the front and resolved some of the issues.

23rd out of 28 in Lightweight Solo (mini endurance)

20^th in LTWT Superbike

Virginia International Raceway

Alton , VA June 21 & 22, 2008

Our second visit to VIR this year. Things have definitely improved since March. While still not fully up to speed I’m starting to get a feel for the bike and it’s differences from the 400. For the first time I had a knee down on the 650. A small accomplishment but at least I am getting the bike leaned over on the tire. Still running the Michelin rear without the problems I saw from the Michelin on the front. In Saturdays Mini-endurance I was 21^st of 26 in class. I also ran Thunderbike against the Buells and BMWs. It being a national weekend many of the pro riders were present. I finished last of 14 in the Thunderbike race against people like Brian Estock, Nate Kern, Dan Bilansky and Bryan Bemisderfer.

On Sunday it was LWF40. There were only 4 entries in the expert class but I did get third for my only podium so far this year. I learned more about the bike and have some adjustments to make before CMP next month

CMP, Kershaw sc

April 12-13, 2008

The 2007 Awards Banquet was held during the races this weekend. The bike was a lot better but I was still slow. It is going to take a little more time to get up to speed but I made good progress. It rained on Saturday and I had to run DOT's because I do not have spare wheels yet. Two of my friends and I were having a ball battling back and forth for 10,11,12 in a field of 26 in a downpour. We all passed each other at least once and our order changed every lap. On the last lap something got wet and my bike started to die so I pulled off. I ended up 20th and those guys were10, 12 as they got split up. The bike seemed to come back so I went out for Thunderbike against the 1000 Ducatis, 1200 BMWs and Buells. I actually got a decent start and went into one on the inside of a 1000 Duck. He chopped me hard and I had to check up. I drafted even with him on the back straight and got inside on the way into eight. It was a game of who would back off first. The track was still wet and I was about to let off when he did. so I got the position. I held it until the last lap when the bike started to die again. He and several others went by and I got last but I did finish. I took the bike apart that night before the banquet and did not see anything obvious. It was time to party so I left the body-work off so the air could get to it and went to the banquet. It was a great time. We had a beer or five and a lot of laughs as we heckled each other getting our awards. It's a good group of people. We see each other six - ten times a year but it is like a family. Sunday was dry and cool. Someone went down in practice and went out on a life flight. I have not heard how they are but the bike was destroyed. My bike ran well in practice. Impressed with my start on Saturday I tried to replicate it in Sunday’s race. I managed to stand the bike on the rear wheel as everyone went by. I ran my best time of the weekend but was still in the rear part of the field with ninth in class. All in all it was a very fun weekend.

Carolina Motorsports Park

Kershaw, SC July19 & 20, 2008

This is the weekend of WERA’s only visit to CMP each year. Temperatures are always near 100 and the sand reflects the heat making it feel even hotter. This year was no exception. Electricity at the track is always spotty and as soon as the heat of the day set in the breakers began to trip and we had to run generators the rest of the day. The generators just add to the noise and the heat. Scott Edwards and Scott Conrad, two fellow SV riders camped next to us.

Since the VIR round I changed the brake pads to EBC and raised the fork tubes in the triples 3mm, effectively lowering the front of the bike.

In the first practice I realized the brake pad change was a huge improvement. After practice I put on a new set of Bridgestones. The Michelin that came on the bike was still on the rear. DOT’s were not available so I ran a slick rear and a DOT front. I am finally getting comfortable with the front and did not want to introduce another variable. I ran the mini-endurance race on Saturday. It was 16 laps and the heat definitely wore me out. The bike ran very close to boiling for much of the race but did not use any water. I finished 7^th out of 10 in class. I was building confidence in the bike but realized the front end changes I made after VIR had gone a little to far and raised the front back up by 1.5mm.

Sunday’s practice was cut short by a red flag but I had fun with my friend Scott Edwards as we repeatedly passed each other and help push each other. In the LWSB race I got lazy in the heat and fell back after I lost touch with the lead group. When Scott E. passed me I picked up the pace and ran my best lap of the weekend, a full six seconds better than my time in the spring. I still ended up 10 out of 11 in class. I ride much better when I have someone to chase.

All in all, a good weekend. My son had a friend come along. They rode the pit bike, took bicycles out on the track, and had a guitar hero marathon. I also met Chuck D from the 400 board. He has a beautiful FZR400 with nice custom modifications.

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