Tom's Race Report from Firebird East

11/14/04 Chandler, AZ

Last race weekend of the year! Loaded up Friday night at Pat's and met Jason from Section 8 Superbike. Jason knows his business. He tore into Pat's 999r and got busy changing triple clamps and some other stuff like I know how to drink a beer. Anyway, got to bed early and to the track by 5:15 to get a paved pit spot. I have been thinking about this weekend for a while and wanted to finish the year on a good note. Bragging rights in the Ball Sac pit is what helps push all of us and I knew Brian has been instantly quick on his 750 and Pat has proven he'll push to win or crash. Saturday I rode the CBR 1000rr all day because the tires on the 51 needed changing and I need to get more comfortable on the CBR. Lap times were ok in the 1:01's and I think the last session I did a 1:00.7 on Pat's 996. I was really sore at the end of the day (guess it was the cold), so I went right home, rested, and got ready for the races.

Sunday, 6 races with 3 on the CBR and 3 on the 51. First race was GTO. Had another bad start on the CBR! Just before I finished the first lap Mark Ledesma passes me!! Now I'm thinking "holy shit, I have to race expert next year and I'm so slow I'm getting lapped the first lap, this sucks!" It really screwed me up. Then I was was just watching the "backing it in" show he and Scott Jensen were putting on. Turns out Mark stalled on the line and I missed it. Still, I was pissed at the start and the lack of concentration.

Next race was Unlimited SuperSport. Had front row and a good start! Led the race for 5 laps trying to catch an expert that started in front of us. Caught him and got around the 6th lap. Just after passing him I made a mistake that cost me the win. I ran wide out of 2 and he came back by me and David Stone who was on my ass the whole race (I can never seem to look back and had no pit board) went by both of us. Now I had to get back by the expert guy that was just a little bit slower than David and I and catch David. It took me 3/4 of a lap to get by and after David. I knew David was getting better drive onto the straight and I needed to get 3 bikes on him before there. On the white flag lap I out broke him into T1 but was too hot and ran off. Came back on and tried to get him on the brakes at te carousel and ran off again! Settled for second and did my best time of 59.5. Really got the CBR to work well sliding the rear. This was a fun race. I would slid the front once in a while in T5 where Brian Land went down. It was real slick there over the ripples.

Next race was on the 51, Heavyweight Superbike. A rare bad start on the 51, went into T1 around 10th and battled back to 4th. After passing a few bikes I saw the 2nd(Brian Kirkland#34) and 3rd(Eric Pelley #69)place bikes and set out after them. I finally caught them at the last turn before the finish straight. I stuffed Eric inside and ran a little wide almost pushing Eric off the track. Man, I gotta give Eric credit... he just pushed me back with his knee instead of letting me go and since he was on the outside, was already driving to the line and beat me by 1/2 a bike! Way to go Eric! If I was only on my CBR! :-)
 

Very next race was the Unlimited GP. Got a great start on the CBR! Brian Kirkland was on the outside of T1 and I was on the inside. Was just about to go around Brian on the outside of T2 and just before I flicked it, Brian Short gets pushed from behind and nails me in the leg. I had to stand it up and do some off road riding. I came back on in dead last. As I come into the carousel, I see 4 crashed bikes! The next time I come around, on the exit of the carousel I see Brian Short and Ted Rich have crashed and Ted Rich is doing his Aaron Yates impersonation! I finished 7th in all the mayhem.

Next race is the Ball Sac Racing SuperTwins! I knew I needed a good start in this one. My plan was to get in the front and stay there! If I saw a wheel push as hard to stay in front, they both would beat me in a drag race to the line. I made sure my tires were perfect for this one so I had confidence in them. Got a great start and led wire to wire (what's up boys? :-)

Last race was Formula 40. Got a good start but Tom Boge just pushed his way through T1 (good job Tom!). I think I passed him somewhere on the first lap and set out after the expert F40 boys Terry Embery, Ricky Herd, and Rick Stratten since I'll be racing with these guys next year. I won the race and the expert guys were in the 59's which makes me feel good cause I did 59's just not in F40.

All in all I had a great season finale. Lowered my times got more comfortable on the CBR. Again, thanks to all the sponsors and friends that help and support us. Please read the season ending reports that will be up soon. Thanks!

Tom Savoca

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