Brian's Race Report from New Mexico

6/12/04 - 6/13/04 Arroyo Seco Motorplex - ASMA

Hi all,

Well, at the beginning of the season I targeted this weekend as the time we would be able to attend an ASMA event at Arroyo Seco Motorplex with Helmet Harbor's Team Bling. With my crash at Firebird 2 weeks ago, I am on doctor's orders not to ride for another 4 weeks. Even though I was not able to ride, I decided to go with my teammates to help out the team. I would be the honorary pit crew for the weekend.

Pat, Tom and I left for New Mexico Friday night after work and arrived after midnight. Mike and Allen were already there with Pat's toy hauler because they left Thursday so they could do the track day on Friday. We talked a while, but pretty much went to sleep right away as we were all beat and had a big weekend ahead of us.

On Saturday morning we got up and started working. My job as pit crew was to really help the guys out however possible. I took a couple hours and set up the pit by re-organizing it, arranging the bikes, setting up the canopies, etc.

ASMA does things a little different and has races on both Saturday and Sunday. Everyone did really well in their races. During the races I worked the pit board giving the guys messages of how far they were ahead of the people behind them. Unfortunately, I was unable to really help in the pit between races because the place I worked during the races was quite a ways from our pit.

Pat had to ride a borrowed 99 GSXR 750 (scary bike in my opinion), so he was unable to ride to his fullest potential. He's now 4 for 4 having ridden 4 different bikes at the 4 race weekends we've had so far. Hopefully his 996 or new 749R will be back and available for Buttonwillow in July. Tom had a good weekend and made Team BSR proud by taking a few podiums. Mike (Pat's brother in law) rode really well on the 999 he just bought from Pat. Next time we're going to make Pat pull a spark plug or two before selling Mike any bikes. Allen was very fast on his 750 and will be a force to recon with if he comes out to CCS (we're working on him).

All in all, I had a good weekend. It REALLY SUCKS not racing, but it was nice to see a new track and hang with the guys. It was also nice to see Todd and the guys from Helmet Harbor. They are a fun bunch of guys who really ride fast!!

ASMA is much different from CCS, with the biggest difference being the family atmosphere. Everyone knows everyone else, helps out, etc. It was fun and we're planning to be back at their next round in September.

A special thanks to Tom for driving, Pat for cooking and the use of his toy hauler, and Pat's wife for the great food. Thanks to all the guys for the fun ... or as much fun as you can have at a race without racing.

Cya,

Brian Kirkland CCS Southwest #34