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The Reduction in classes for the FZR400 in CCS and the expansion of the FZR400 classes in WERA has forced us to look
at making a change. This season will probably be a combination of both series. The season start was delayed due to an
achilles tendon tear that had me in a cast for three months.
WERA Homepage
6/5 - 6/6/04 Roebling Road - Savannah, Ga.
A low turnout and rain left me as the only novice on the D-SS grid. Not the best way to get a first win but I will
take it. You have to be in it to win. D Superbike yeilded a second place finish. I was able to lower my personal best lap
time by 2 seconds, and run close to the experts in D-SS so I had a good weekend.
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7/3 - 7/4 Road Atlanta, Baselton GA.
With no prior experience at this track an not being able to make it to the Friday practice day this weekend was essentially
a long practice session. Lap times improved each session on the track although race results were not memorable. A rain shower
on Sunday afternoon convinced me to pack it in early and skip the DSB race. The experience will help come the GNF in October.
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7/24 - 7/25 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
Many problems plagued the team on Friday night and Saturday. A lost wheel spacer and slipping clutch were the main concerns.
The V6 LW race on Saturday was a test session for the new clutch installed just before the race. All went well and promise
was shown for Sundays events. Sunday went much better as I had a third in DSS and a second in DSB. During practice I was able
to keep pace with some of the experts and learn from them. Both races were competitive with passes made and being passed on
many laps. In the end a great weekend after a rocky start.
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Grand National Final
Road Atlanta
October 12-17, 2004
The season ending event was a mixed result. The rain began to fall during the group just before our practice group on
Tuesday. 8 riders when down as soon as the track was damp. It seems the Lemans event run a month earlier had worn out
the patches in turns 5 and 7. The corner workers were actually able to take 2 steps and slide about 20 feet on the pavement.
Rain tires were installed for the first session and the track dried enough for slicks in the second session. The slick conditions
destroyed my confidence and I was slow to recover. On Wednesday I placed 8 of 12 entrants in DSS and 9 of 12 in V6LW.
My times were very slow on Wednesday so much soul searching was done that evening. I started Thursday with a plan for where
I could make up time. My first lap in practice was the fastest lap I had run at the track to date and times continued to drop
all day. The first lap of the DSB race was a full 10 seconds better than my previous best. I lost the draft for the remainder
of the race but was still 6 to 7 seconds better than the previous days times. The result was 9 of 12 entrants but the
bigger result was a boost in confidence to end the season. COME ON 2005!!
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VIR Alton, Va. 5/19 - 5/22/2004
The 2004 season has finally started. One week after getting the cast off I was able to participate at the WERA Cycle Jam
at VIR. Thursday offered a full day practice which was great to get used to being on the bike again.While I was not able to
improve on my prior best times for the track, I did match it and started to feel comforatbles again at speed.
Friday offered a single practice before the 4 Hour event and I was pleased to be close to my Thursday times. Saturdays
very full race schedule left time for one practice in the morning but forced postponement of my last lace of the day. My first
race, D SS, was a great race for me. My start was one of my worst ever and I only placed 8th but was able to shave two full
seconds from my previous best time. I had a great battle with another rider on a Ducati 750 that included passing him
and being repassed by him in the same corner on two consecutive laps. I was eventually able to make the pass stick and
held him off for several laps and crossed the line less than 1/2 second ahead. It was great to be back on track and I am looking
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Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC August 28-29
An excellent weekend despite the effects of tropical storm Gaston. Saturday practice was clear and dry. A personal best
time was established for this track. In the V6 LW race on Saturday the race was red flagged on lap three after an oil down
from a crash. Before the stoppage I was running in a group of five riders in 4th through 9th place and feeling competitive.
Heading back to the pits a noise was detected. Unable to find the source of the problem, the race was restarted in a cautious
manner leading to an eighth place finish. A thorough check on Saturday night revealed the chain as the culprit. A good cleaning
and lubrication solved the problem. On Sunday we awoke to the arrival of Gaston. After the installation of rain tires both
practice sessions were used to get comfortable in the conditions. The first race of the day was D Superstock. A dash into
the first turn yielded first place in class and I was able to stay there until the finish, passing several expert riders along
the way. D Superbike was next. Riding Superstock equipment in Superbike means that you will be outgunned. First was out of
reach but I was able to finish 2nd in class after a spirited battle with another rider that featured 5 or 6 passes and an
exciting 3 wide run through a flooded turn twelve. A soggy but great weekend.
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