Tom's Race Report from Firebird East

03/06/05 Chandler, AZ

Since this first race weekend was in town, we didn't get there late! Really wanted to start the season well. Unfortunately we had bad weather. Off and on rain Saturday morning with possibility of rain thru Sunday. Only got 2 practice sessions in Saturday (glad I got in 3 on Friday)! 1 on my bike and 1 on Mike's 750. Sunday morning rain! (yeah, this is Phoenix)! Made a bad tire decision to go with street Power's. My thought here was, if I had to run them in the dry I'd get to 80%, if it was wet 70%. On the other hand with the s2/s2 combo, yes 95% dry but 40% wet. Since it really looked like rain I went with the street tires. Ideally if I would have been able to find a second set of wheels, it's a no brainier ... mount rains and s2/s2 and put on whichever the conditions call for.

Race day; 5 races, GTO, Unlimited Superbike, Unlimited SuperSport, Unlimited GP and on Mike's bike, Formula 40.

Race 1 GTO, street Power's, good start got tired just after half way but felt good to get 3rd behind Mark Ledsema and Kane Laskey.

Race 2 Unlimited Superbike, street Power's good start 4th could not push the rear, very good tires for street but I couldn't get them into the 58's and be comfortable.

Race 3 Formula 40 back to back races, jump on Mike's 750 with cold tires and almost high side out of T2 on first lap trying to stay with Ricky, Terry, Rick and Joe. They got away by the time I got the s2/m2's heated. I really wanted to run with these guys, I know I can! CCS is the only series that doesn't allow I-4, 1000's race F-40. Wound up 5th

Race 4 Unlimited GP s2/s2's, the big boy race. Learned that nobody gives up going into T1 in the expert's!! What a blast! Felt good about getting 10th would feel better with a first, the season is young!

Race 5 Unlimited Supersport s2/s2's, Gave up 5th to Gilbert, will get to gym so I don't run out of gas and let him get by the next time!:)

All in all it turned out ok, some good races, held my own and learned I need to get much faster!

I want to thank all of our sponsors for 2005.

Tom Savoca

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