DPR week 8

[Jonesie]

Hey guys,

Well the 2006 racing season has come to a close and I'm friggin' exhausted! I didn't get home until late due to heavy traffic. You wouldn't believe how many idots drive from all over to look at the leaves changing. Anyways, here's a really quick recap:

GTU 7th place (Race) - 5th in Championship
HWSB 10th place (Race) - 8th in Championship
MWGP 14th place (Race) - 14th in Championship
HWSS 11th place (Race) - 11th in Championship

I was about 1 second slower than I wanted to be, but I had lost some confidence in my brakes. They were very spongy even after bleeding. I think a quick caliper rebuild will solve that problem. I had one really scary moment in practice. I had a MAJOR rear slide. I've never had a slide that big, but I kept the throttle opened and saved what would have been a major highside and most likely a trip to the hospital. I was able to put it out of my head and have a descent weekend.

I took some more on-board footage but the stupid xtra battery I bought from Best Buy gave me nothing but problems. I'll try to post what I have when I get a chance to put it on my computer. I'll have more later.

[russo]

nice job ray.
what are your plans for next year?

do you have footage of the slide?

[RCryder]

glad to hear... you saved it.... got any room in novice in DPR next year.. (after I get a new bike that is)

[JoeN270]

Nice job, good season. Def feels good to take home a few trophys

[G1K]

What a great way to end the season.
GTO: I had the championship for GTO in the bag, so I put on a soft compound front tire, and just went out with the intention of getting some track time. Got the holeshot on the start, and held 1st place until a rear wheel slip in T4 which sent me out of the seat. I dropped 4 places on that. I put my head down determined to get my positions back. I would up finishing 2nd, and beat my best ever lap time by over 1 second. New personal best 1:18.24

HWSB: Put on the super soft front that I had full confidence in. Very bad start, and I got stuck behind someone who had a lot of motor, but parked the bike in the corners. I got held up for a few laps but finally made the pass, only to have the red flag come out and stop the race. My pass wound up not being counted. I finished in 7th place. The finish gave me enough points to tie for 2nd place in the championship for the year. Had I finished 1 place higher, I would have 2nd place to myself.

MWGP: Not a spectacular start, no note worthy events except a couple of aggressive passes in T3 which were a good shot of adrenaline. I finished 8th overall, and pulled some more 1:18’s the best being 1:18.24.

Sunday practice: bumped to the blue group (fastest amateurs and experts) and went out to follow Ray and learn some things. We didn’t do any exceptional lap times, but I picked up a few things.

I decided to run Sunday also and entered HWSS. Another medium start, no significant events, pulled some more 18’s and finished 8th.

So, the last weekend of the season was a huge success! Beat my best lap time by over a second, backed it up with more 18’s. Also took home a trophy, 1st place in one championship, tie for 2nd in another and 4th place in the third. Next year I’ll be an Expert, say goodbye to the yellow plates.

Recap:
GTO: 10-7-06 2nd – 1st place Championship for 2006
HWSB: 10-7-06 7th – Tie 2nd place Championship 2006
MWGP: 10-7-06 8th – 4th place Championship 2006
HWSS: 10-8-06 8th – Not in the running


R

[BykerChik]

Congratulations EXPERT!!!

[99zx6r]

Way to go guys:)

[Jonesie]

nice job ray.
what are your plans for next year?

do you have footage of the slide?

Thanks! Next year I plan on joining WERA and CCS. I don't think I'm going to do the entire Loudon series although I'd like to. I want to do some racing at some closer tracks like Mid-Ohio and Beaver Run. Maybe summit and I'd like to get back to VIR as well.

I spent a butt ton of money this season. I've actually kept track of every penny. I'm going to post up my little spread sheet when I'm done for the year, but I have some more things to buy still.

I'm toying and only toying with the idea of selling my bike for something new for next year. However that might be too much money. I have quite a bit invested in what I have now. We'll see.