Tom's Race Report from New Mexico

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

Well I wanted to go to the track Thursday nite with Allen and Mike but couldn't get out of work. Also my new rotors, and fork oil needed to be put on the bike. Thanks to my nephew Steve to get all the work done on my bike! I just don't have the time and he is actually better at working on it than me! Must be nice to have a factory ride where you just ride the shit out of it! Anyway, Pat, Brian and I went down Friday night and got there late. Saturday morning got up and did some laps on the track for the first time. I normally like new tracks but not this time. I think it was a combination of 2 buddies (Allen & Mike) having all day Friday and the new rotors and pads that I just didn't get up to speed very fast. I also knew I was just going to get Saturday out of the tires I had on so I needed to save them for the 2 races I signed up for on Saturday. All my races I started at the back of the grid since I registered late. I am starting to notice a pattern that recalling everything that happened in a race is not something I can do. I am finding that I can recall braking markers and stuff about the track, where I was slow, fast, passed someone or was trying to catch someone but none of the other details. I know I wound up with 2 seconds and a third but couldn't tell you which races unless I looked at them. I do remember getting a great start after a red flag and passing a bunch into turn 1(trying to keep that start in the memory banks!) The team sprint race was really fun, I started dead last and had a blast working up to 4th until I ran off. I had my best time of 1:15.113 in that race. The crash taught me a lot and I remember that. I pasted this guy I was chasing for the whole race and carried too much speed into cactus corner. I had the bike all the way over with so much speed it just wouldn't turn in. I hit the front brakes ( after trail braking all the way in but not enough pressure) and realized I better stand it up and run down the gravel road. As I was going down the road I realized I was going to cross the track so I hit the front brake and laid it down. I now will remember that my bike is equipped with a rear brake and it's ok to use in gravel! Thanks to Brian for coming and helping even though he couldn't ride that takes a lot of dedication. Also thanks Pat for the toy hauler filled with home cooked food from Michele. Turns out I really like the track and can't wait to get back on it. I walked it 2 times Saturday night which is something I always want to do and it helped. Thanks Ivan!

Tom Savoca

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