CYCLE JAMMIN'... 

   Round 7 of the WERA Northeast region racing season took place over August 5-8, 2010 at Virginia International Raceway during the WERA "Cycle Jam", a big old festival of speed where racers from just about every region converge to, well.....get their race on : )

   After spending a couple of days back home from Summit Point relaxing and trying to convince my better half that my racing efforts were in fact noble, it was time to pack up the rig once again and head down to VIR. This time I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by the entire crew, including Tim (who was returning to racing for the first time since being banzaied by a deer in June), Frank (who was looking to trim some serious time off his laps), and Jeff (who'd started racing this year and was doing pretty damn well with it).

   Rolling in Wednesday evening, our first observation was that nothing had changed since the last time we'd been there in the summertime; Virginia was just as hot and humid now as it was in August 2007. Although the thermometers were only reading 98 degree, the heat index was a balmy 110 - time for some ice cube sandwiches.

   On Thursday the action began with a practice day, which was good to have as it allowed us to refamiliarize ourselves with the highly challenging circuit. I have to say, every time I turn a wheel at VIR I learn something new, and this time was no exception. The track surface was in great shape, the grip was excellent, and the tires were wearing well - the only obstacle to performing over the weekend would be the riders.

   Once practice was finished and we were done getting dialed in, the evening was spent enjoying the paddock camaraderie while a series of intense thunderstorms rolled through. The winds were so strong that our camper was rocking back and forth, and if you listened carefully you could hear the 'Gilligan's Island' theme playing in the background.

   Come Friday morning there was one more practice session, then it was time to kick back and watch the Endurance racing taking place over the afternoon. I have to say I was impressed with the whole Endurance event; it was very cool watching the eclectic mix of hardware and riders circulating through the afternoon, and I could easily see the appeal in doing it - something to consider for 2011.

   After spending the afternoon relaxing and then getting rained on once again in the evening, it was time to get a good night's sleep in preparation for the next day's racing.

   Waking Saturday morning, the weather was slightly cooler then previous days and we were looking forward to getting back out on the track. This was a day for 'regional' racing, where the results counted towards the points totals for the regional classes being contested. Since it was Shake 'N' Bake time, we started off by mounting some fresh rubber on the steeds and made sure everything was ready to go, as demonstrated here by Tim and Frank.

   After lunch the first race of the day was 'A' Superstock. As had been the trend this season I was gridded on pole, and was looking forward to trying for a decent launch and laying down a respectable pace from the very start. Heading out for the warmup lap, everything felt good on the Honda and I took my position on the grid to wait for the green flag to drop.

   Watching the number board count down, I saw the flag drop and then lurched forward, falling straight back into my 'mediocre at best' takeoff routine as the clutch slipped and laughed at the lack of revs on the dial. Watching a boatload of bikes fly ahead into Turn 1, I then put my head down and tried to gain some positions back but frankly couldn't find enough places to make clean passes . The six laps were over before they began, and next thing I knew I crossed the finish line in sixth.

   Dammit. I need a better launch.

   A short time later the races were stopped due to an incident involving a fallen rider, which we were told later on had resulted in a fatality. I have to say as much as I enjoy motorcycle racing, it's times like this when the realities of what can happen when things go wrong hit home. Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Rob Gette, #897 - Godspeed racer.

   Once racing was resumed later in the afternoon it was announced that the six-lap sprint races would be shortened to four laps as a result of time constraints. This added an interesting dynamic to our racing strategy, as it was quickly realized that the four laps offered precious little time to make up for any mistakes on the start line or opening lap, and that the first rider into Turn 1 would most likely have the greatest advantage by far.

   Next race up for us was Senior Superbike, with my buddy Frank and I gridded up front for the novices and Tim gridded in the first wave with the Experts. While circling the track on the warmup lap, I focused on getting as good a start as I could possibly muster, and once the grid assembled I waited patiently for the flag to drop. Number board sideway, flag down...BOOM - time to GO. 

   Getting a good launch, I was able to dive deep into Turn 1 as the first novice and began my charge forward, concentrating on clean lines and smooth throttle input. Only problem was, after the first lap was completed the red flag came out and we were directed back to the paddock.

   Rolling back in, I couldn't help but wish the race was able to be run through since it was now going to be a three-lap dash to the finish - and I quickly realized that however I entered Turn 1 would probably be where I finished off if I didn't get a good start.

   A short time later we were called back to the grid for the restart. Once the flag dropped, I charged ahead once again into Turn 1 and was able to make my way to the front, laying down a series of consistent laps while staying ahead off the other heavyweight-class novices. Crossing the finish line in first place, I was ecstatic - not only because of the win, but because I realized that with this win and points I'd accumulated so far this season I had secured my first ever WERA championship. The season of hard work and learning was starting to pay off : )    And right on my tail was Frank, crossing the finish line in second place to grab himself the next podium position - excellent!

    Next race up was the Formula 1, to which I was again gridded up with Frank and twelve other novice racers. Once the green flag dropped, I got a decent launch and was able to grab the holeshot into Turn 1, but ended up running wide on the exit allowing two other bikes to get past. Head down, I worked on stringing together some clean laps and was finally able to cross the finish line in second with Frank grabbing sixth.

(Click picture for video of opening laps of the Formula 1 race. Video courtesy Brandon Schweitzer #816 - I'm the dude in the black leathers)

   As the afternoon was quickly winding down race control decided that the last three races of the day would be carried over to Sunday morning; as a result, we settled in and spent Saturday evening talking about the day's events while preparing for the last day of racing.

   Come Sunday morning it was time for a quick practice session and then the 'A' Superbike race. Lining up on pole for the novices, I was feeling a little tired going on the fourth day of track action so early in the morning, but figured I'd do my best to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

   Once the flag dropped I got a pretty good launch and proceeded to chase the two riders in front of me through the second lap, where I then made a classic rookie mistake; going across the start-finish line and around the kink at well over an indicated 160 mph, I decided that come hell or high water I was going to make the pass on the riders up front going into Turn 1. Approaching the first brake marker, I didn't even finger the lever as I watched the other two riders slow down sensibly while I drifted past. Seeing the third brake marker go by, I figured that was as good a time as any to start braking and proceeded to squeeze the front lever - hard. The front tire then dug in and howled while the rear began wagging side-to-side under the weight transfer.

   It seemed like my great plan was going well, right up until I saw the area where I'd normally start my turn-in pass by in an instant as the front brakes continued to struggle shaving off speed. Determined not to flick it in at the risk of tucking the front under trail braking, I continued to ride it out until I was slowed down enough to confidently make the turn - with all of about a foot of tarmac remaining. Turning my head to the side, I quickly looked through the turn and watched a number of other racers ride through the barn-sized door I'd left open.

    Ugh.

   And with that I went through the turn and accelerated ahead, working my way forward. Passing a couple of riders, I was able to regain a little ground during the remaining laps but not enough, crossing the finish line in sixth. Yup, I wasn't too happy with myself other then the fact that I'd been astute enough not to wash the front end out.

    Afterwards came the 'B' Superbike race, which Frank had entered with his GSXR 750. Watching from trackside, once the flag dropped I saw Frank get a hellacious Evel-Knievel wheelie of a start and proceed to work his way forward...

    Running second for a majority of the race, his motor cut out during the fifth lap but he was able to get it to fire once more at the cost of only one position. Crossing the finish line in third, it turned out to be his second podium of the weekend - well done, man!

   After the morning races it was time for lunch, during which I thought about those sections of the track where I needed to carry more speed; I knew where my strengths and weaknesses were, and was looking forward to one last run to see if I could improve in some sections before the weekend ended.

   Sunday afternoon brought the WERA National races, to which I'd signed up to run in the 'Open' Superstock class.  Given that this was only the second time I'd entered a National and wasn't concerned with points, I figured I'd go out, ride for fun, and try to do well.

   Sitting on the novice grid in fourth starting position, I was pleasantly surprised at who was gridding ahead with the experts - there were a number of AMA racers lining up whose names I quickly recognized,  and I suddenly became very enthusiastic to try and charge up front to see these guys enter Turn 1 from the best seat in the house.

   Watching the number board in the tower count down, I anxiously waited to launch forward. Green flag down, I got a good start with a hard slipping clutch and rocketed towards Turn 1, just in time to see some excellent late braking and drifting action from the professionals up front. It was one of the coolest starts and Turn 1 action I'd ever seen in person.

   And with that, I put my head down and charged forward. Watching a pretty fast novice rider I'd raced before get ahead of me, I was determined to try and keep pace with him and started inceasing my speed, getting into a rhythm and maintaining my focus on retaining the position I was in at a minimum.

   Seven laps in, I was pleasantly surprised to see I was still running in second with one lap to go. Approaching the bridge and Turn 7, I prepared to throw the bike on it's ear and head up the hill, at which point I heard what I could swear at the time was another engine coming up along the right-hand side. Thinking that I was about to get passed, I accelerated that much harder up the hill and gassed my way through turns 8, 9, and 10.... at which point the front end decided it'd had enough and tucked in fabulous style, throwing yours truly on his backside for a splendid slide along the tarmac and grass at around 75 mph.

   After rolling a couple of times and coming to a stop, I jumped up and ran over to the bike which was now laying on its side like a beached whale.  Looking around, I saw no one else going past - and suddenly realized that the sound I heard was probably my own engine echoing off the embankment before the bridge. I'd say I felt stupid, but that would be putting it lightly.

   A cornerworker then came running over and asked if I was okay, however it seemed that he quickly surmised I was based upon my now heaving the bike back onto it's wheels. Explaining I wanted to finish the race if the bike was still able to, he nodded in acknowledgement and I gave the starter a couple of stabs until the bike fired back up. Hopping back on, I flashed a thumbs-up and continued my trek along the last lap, determined to cross the finish line.

   Entering hot pit lane, I let the post-race tech inspector know I wanted to cross the finish line and was directed to it. After finishing, I limped the bike with its missing windscreen, bent rearset and mangled fairing back up to our pits and placed it back on the stands while the 'Wide World of Sports - Agony of Defeat' song played in my head.

   A short time later I went to the tech shed to take a look at the timing sheets and see what kind of laptimes I'd been running, to which I was pleasantly surprised to find out that not only had I finished the race, but I'd still managed to finish in second! I was totally happy, and even more so when another cornerworker approached and gave me the windscreen to my bike that they'd recovered : )

    And here I am later on trying to figure out just how much gum it'll take to reattach it...

   And so ended our weekend at the Cycle Jam. Frank, Tim and I were glad to have been able to race and get some decent results, enjoying our time on the track and in the paddock with the WERA peeps.

   But in all honesty, I would gladly return it all for a fellow racer to have had a better outcome.

   To be continued... 

   Many thanks once again to the fine folks at WERA, the always appreciated cornerworkers and to our racing compadres.