Scooter
04-26-2004, 12:14 PM
HERO TO ZERO
So it was off to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the SMRI/Sandia races. My inside goal was to give a hard run at both the ASMA and SMRI twin championships and this race was to be a good one.
I had only raced here once before as an OK amateur last year and I tangled with a few of the twins running here. Bruce Krummel and Lee Chapman run a pair of TLR's and Bruce is fairly dominant in the SMRI Supertwin series. Funny how I showed up and people were approaching me about the upcoming twin race and how Bruce got back from Daytona with a 4th and that I didnt know the track well enough to beat Bruce on his home turf. I had at least 2 people come to my pits to tell me that I wouldnt beat him. He is capable of 54's, man, and you raced here once? Last time I came out here (middle 03) he gave me a royal spanking and sent me home sucking my thumb. I just told everyone it was "going to be a good race".
I felt 400 times better this weekend than the previous. No cold and I was feeling downright spunky. Took some vitamins, potassium pills, pedialyte, and power bars and felt great. Practice went well on extremely shagged tires and I spent most of Saturday floating the rear around corners and losing drive. But I figured that makes good practice. AMA rider David Lambert (Hooters Suzuki) was present, and I went out right in front of him for 2 practice sessions and held him off for both, so I was a happy camper. We met and shook hands and talked a little after one of the sessions. A very good practice day.
Wake up Sunday morning and drive to the track. The skies above Albuquerque were filled with hot air balloons. Absolutely beautiful sight. I was riding with ASMA #1 Mike Shreve and he says, "Thats how you know its going to be a beautiful day- the balloons are all out".
Get to the track and mount up some fresh Michelins and set out on the first session to scrub them. I felt great. I concentrated on taking a few alternate lines and testing the hook up and drive out of the corner on fresh tires. Shot past Lee Chapman during practice, but I still had not met Bruce on the track. I was ready. I even sat out the final 2 practice sessions, saved strength and went over the track on paper for about an hour.
Grid up for the twin race in row 3 slightly to the outside of Bruce/Lee who were both on the front row. Idles are raised and the lights come on (ooooh, fancy lights). Lights go out and we are off. I pull a great start and rocket to the front area. Lee is in front and Bruce and I are side by side going into T1. I have the outside with a slight wheel (like 6 inches) and I decide to start pinching off Bruce to see how he responds. He relents and lets me have it. So I enter at #2. Lee is about 2 bike lengths in front and I start reeling him in. I am patient and after 1 lap I get a better drive out of T1 and we go side by side into T2, which is a completely blind 90 degree right. You go over a hump, downhill and have to cut right immediately. We approach the hump and I turn and look at him, keeping it pinned. He shuts it down and I immediately hard brake it. It was close. With the rear still in the air from the hump and hard braking, I slap it in right and take the lead.
Time to check out... I put my head down and start smoking it. I dont even look back. I assume Bruce is right behind me and really start cooking it. The grandstands were filled with spectators from both our roadrace and a National Motocross competition next to the roadrace course, and I can pick out my fellow ASMA riders going bonkers in the stands. Mike is waving his Yamaha cap like a madman so I assume Bruce is right on my heels. What I did not know eventually is that I had dropped about another 2 seconds cold off of my practice times and had gapped Bruce by over 10 seconds within 6 laps.
I come around turn 6, a smoking fast right hander anticipating the white flag in a few seconds. I love this turn- seems like you are knee down for 7 seconds striaght and just pouring on the throttle. A look back once upright confirms to me that I am cooking it. I am running alone. I smile and set up for T7. The final lap is coming.
Brrrrr........Brrrrrr.................... Sputter...................Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Noooooooooo!!!!!! :eek: What? Am I out of gas? No, it cant be. I look up and see the white flag around the corner. Can I shut it down and coast it around the last lap? Or do I pit? The decision is coming quick at over 100mph.
I yank the bike into the pits and the sputtering gets worse, like the bike is firing on only one cylinder. I can see my friends pouring out of the stands and running full tilt to the pit area. I am yelling for gas and as soon as the can is handed to me I look at the instrument cluster. The tach is bouncing and the cluster is going on/off/on. But no fuel light.
My battery is dead. I had plenty of gas.
Silence. Everything stops and everyone just looks at me. I get off the bike with a trail of obscenities and they put it on the stand for me.
No. My first mechanical DNF. No finish. No points. No contingency. And with the rain out 3 weeks ago that means a near impossible comeback for the championship. I would have to win EVERY future race. No exceptions. A flow of emotion shoots through me, from anger to utter frustration to sadness to determination. I count up the races. 5 more. Winner (Bruce) takes 36 points. I cannot make up the difference, can I? Its like somebody punched me in the gut- having the chance of a championship taken away so early in the season. And it started off so good.
As I am sulking in the pit area, the officials come over to me. I thought I was going to be fined $25 for breaking the pit speed when I came flying in for refuel. Insult to injury, right? They start inspecting the sponsors listed on the side of my bike.
"That was a pretty noble thing to do." What? I dont understand.
"You are an AHRMA racer, right? You trashed the last lap on purpose to not disturb the SMRI Club season?" What are you talking about? My battery took a sh!t.
"Oh, we thought you were here early for next weekend's National AHRMA Battle of the Twins race- the Sandia Classic. We were timing you in the booth."
National Twin race?....... Here?....... next weekend?.... Didnt know about it. The officials just look at each other. "Well, you ought to think about it. Sorry about the bad luck. You ran a great race."
They start to walk away. "Oh, by the way- Lee Chapman pulled out of the race on a mechanical DNF also and lost #3. We have a re-write in the 2004 rulebook for mechanical DNF's that complete 75% of the race. You still get a few points. Looks like you two are going to test the waters on the new rule. At least you get some points." Then they are off.
Points? Is that fair? Should I be thankful? Will that make the championship possible? Another flow of emotions. AHRMA race here? But I was going to Vegas next weekend. What should I do? What would you guys do? AHRMA on a familiar track or CCS/Vegas to learn Vegas and take on Brian Long? Tough call. Let me know, guys. Honest opinion. I know nothing of AHRMA and the Battle of Twins. Educate me, guys. I will pretty much make my decision on your guys input.
My head is spinning.
I had been having battery problems off and on with this bike. I even purchased a new battery for it (from AF1- Ed is probably rolling his eyes at me). But it ended up in my street Mille while I was trying to sell it. I guess once it dips down so far it goes to total loss and drains it. It was the original battery. Been completely dead about 2 other times. It was just shot. I'm kinda dumb for not replacing it earlier. Lesson learned.
My thoughts drifted to the amount of support I have received this year. I felt as if I had let down a few people by getting the DNF. A lot of people have supported me from Ed/Micah/Jon at AF1 to Kruzel with great graphics, Mark at Acculign for the awesome roller bearing throttle and rearsets and MontereyRSVR for offering his hard earned funds to support club racing as an Aprilia enthusiast. And also the support from my fellow ASMA racers. Food, lodging, pit area, generator, etc. Dependant on how many points I get assigned, I may be able to make a come back for the SMRI season. It is still a long season. And I am still points leading the ASMA Twin races. It could be worse. As the saying goes- that is racing.
So, new battery will be in shortly. Just tell me where to go, guys. AHRMA and a shot at a National win? Or CCS/Vegas to battle with Brian Long and learn Vegas at a CCS event?
So it was off to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the SMRI/Sandia races. My inside goal was to give a hard run at both the ASMA and SMRI twin championships and this race was to be a good one.
I had only raced here once before as an OK amateur last year and I tangled with a few of the twins running here. Bruce Krummel and Lee Chapman run a pair of TLR's and Bruce is fairly dominant in the SMRI Supertwin series. Funny how I showed up and people were approaching me about the upcoming twin race and how Bruce got back from Daytona with a 4th and that I didnt know the track well enough to beat Bruce on his home turf. I had at least 2 people come to my pits to tell me that I wouldnt beat him. He is capable of 54's, man, and you raced here once? Last time I came out here (middle 03) he gave me a royal spanking and sent me home sucking my thumb. I just told everyone it was "going to be a good race".
I felt 400 times better this weekend than the previous. No cold and I was feeling downright spunky. Took some vitamins, potassium pills, pedialyte, and power bars and felt great. Practice went well on extremely shagged tires and I spent most of Saturday floating the rear around corners and losing drive. But I figured that makes good practice. AMA rider David Lambert (Hooters Suzuki) was present, and I went out right in front of him for 2 practice sessions and held him off for both, so I was a happy camper. We met and shook hands and talked a little after one of the sessions. A very good practice day.
Wake up Sunday morning and drive to the track. The skies above Albuquerque were filled with hot air balloons. Absolutely beautiful sight. I was riding with ASMA #1 Mike Shreve and he says, "Thats how you know its going to be a beautiful day- the balloons are all out".
Get to the track and mount up some fresh Michelins and set out on the first session to scrub them. I felt great. I concentrated on taking a few alternate lines and testing the hook up and drive out of the corner on fresh tires. Shot past Lee Chapman during practice, but I still had not met Bruce on the track. I was ready. I even sat out the final 2 practice sessions, saved strength and went over the track on paper for about an hour.
Grid up for the twin race in row 3 slightly to the outside of Bruce/Lee who were both on the front row. Idles are raised and the lights come on (ooooh, fancy lights). Lights go out and we are off. I pull a great start and rocket to the front area. Lee is in front and Bruce and I are side by side going into T1. I have the outside with a slight wheel (like 6 inches) and I decide to start pinching off Bruce to see how he responds. He relents and lets me have it. So I enter at #2. Lee is about 2 bike lengths in front and I start reeling him in. I am patient and after 1 lap I get a better drive out of T1 and we go side by side into T2, which is a completely blind 90 degree right. You go over a hump, downhill and have to cut right immediately. We approach the hump and I turn and look at him, keeping it pinned. He shuts it down and I immediately hard brake it. It was close. With the rear still in the air from the hump and hard braking, I slap it in right and take the lead.
Time to check out... I put my head down and start smoking it. I dont even look back. I assume Bruce is right behind me and really start cooking it. The grandstands were filled with spectators from both our roadrace and a National Motocross competition next to the roadrace course, and I can pick out my fellow ASMA riders going bonkers in the stands. Mike is waving his Yamaha cap like a madman so I assume Bruce is right on my heels. What I did not know eventually is that I had dropped about another 2 seconds cold off of my practice times and had gapped Bruce by over 10 seconds within 6 laps.
I come around turn 6, a smoking fast right hander anticipating the white flag in a few seconds. I love this turn- seems like you are knee down for 7 seconds striaght and just pouring on the throttle. A look back once upright confirms to me that I am cooking it. I am running alone. I smile and set up for T7. The final lap is coming.
Brrrrr........Brrrrrr.................... Sputter...................Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Noooooooooo!!!!!! :eek: What? Am I out of gas? No, it cant be. I look up and see the white flag around the corner. Can I shut it down and coast it around the last lap? Or do I pit? The decision is coming quick at over 100mph.
I yank the bike into the pits and the sputtering gets worse, like the bike is firing on only one cylinder. I can see my friends pouring out of the stands and running full tilt to the pit area. I am yelling for gas and as soon as the can is handed to me I look at the instrument cluster. The tach is bouncing and the cluster is going on/off/on. But no fuel light.
My battery is dead. I had plenty of gas.
Silence. Everything stops and everyone just looks at me. I get off the bike with a trail of obscenities and they put it on the stand for me.
No. My first mechanical DNF. No finish. No points. No contingency. And with the rain out 3 weeks ago that means a near impossible comeback for the championship. I would have to win EVERY future race. No exceptions. A flow of emotion shoots through me, from anger to utter frustration to sadness to determination. I count up the races. 5 more. Winner (Bruce) takes 36 points. I cannot make up the difference, can I? Its like somebody punched me in the gut- having the chance of a championship taken away so early in the season. And it started off so good.
As I am sulking in the pit area, the officials come over to me. I thought I was going to be fined $25 for breaking the pit speed when I came flying in for refuel. Insult to injury, right? They start inspecting the sponsors listed on the side of my bike.
"That was a pretty noble thing to do." What? I dont understand.
"You are an AHRMA racer, right? You trashed the last lap on purpose to not disturb the SMRI Club season?" What are you talking about? My battery took a sh!t.
"Oh, we thought you were here early for next weekend's National AHRMA Battle of the Twins race- the Sandia Classic. We were timing you in the booth."
National Twin race?....... Here?....... next weekend?.... Didnt know about it. The officials just look at each other. "Well, you ought to think about it. Sorry about the bad luck. You ran a great race."
They start to walk away. "Oh, by the way- Lee Chapman pulled out of the race on a mechanical DNF also and lost #3. We have a re-write in the 2004 rulebook for mechanical DNF's that complete 75% of the race. You still get a few points. Looks like you two are going to test the waters on the new rule. At least you get some points." Then they are off.
Points? Is that fair? Should I be thankful? Will that make the championship possible? Another flow of emotions. AHRMA race here? But I was going to Vegas next weekend. What should I do? What would you guys do? AHRMA on a familiar track or CCS/Vegas to learn Vegas and take on Brian Long? Tough call. Let me know, guys. Honest opinion. I know nothing of AHRMA and the Battle of Twins. Educate me, guys. I will pretty much make my decision on your guys input.
My head is spinning.
I had been having battery problems off and on with this bike. I even purchased a new battery for it (from AF1- Ed is probably rolling his eyes at me). But it ended up in my street Mille while I was trying to sell it. I guess once it dips down so far it goes to total loss and drains it. It was the original battery. Been completely dead about 2 other times. It was just shot. I'm kinda dumb for not replacing it earlier. Lesson learned.
My thoughts drifted to the amount of support I have received this year. I felt as if I had let down a few people by getting the DNF. A lot of people have supported me from Ed/Micah/Jon at AF1 to Kruzel with great graphics, Mark at Acculign for the awesome roller bearing throttle and rearsets and MontereyRSVR for offering his hard earned funds to support club racing as an Aprilia enthusiast. And also the support from my fellow ASMA racers. Food, lodging, pit area, generator, etc. Dependant on how many points I get assigned, I may be able to make a come back for the SMRI season. It is still a long season. And I am still points leading the ASMA Twin races. It could be worse. As the saying goes- that is racing.
So, new battery will be in shortly. Just tell me where to go, guys. AHRMA and a shot at a National win? Or CCS/Vegas to battle with Brian Long and learn Vegas at a CCS event?