Brian's Race Report from Arroyo Seco

10/9/05 Deming, New Mexico
 

Well, I caved into the temptation and opportunity to win a class championship. I haven't been able to make it out to Arroyo all year because of other commitments and financial reasons, so I was glad to finally be making it out there. I always have fun there, and really want to support ASMA.

Mike and I were supposed to travel together to Arroyo once again, but this time Mike had some family stuff come up and was not going to make it. I hitched a ride with Pat and Tom and have to thank them for making room for me....even though it was on the floor :-p Sleeping on the floor is HARD!

We actually got out of town at a decent time and made it to Deming with time to drop my bike and the trailer off at the track before heading to the hotel.

The next morning, we got to the track early and started getting ready. It has been about a year since I was here before, and last time I crashed early in the day. Basically, I'd be starting from scratch trying to learn the track this direction. I missed the first session of the morning getting the pits ready and getting myself ready. The first session that I did make it out, I immediately remembered how challenging this track is and how tiring it is. Very technical track...much more than any other we ride. I didn't throw a lap timer on all weekend because I really didn't expect to go fast, but I know I was going slow. It took me to the end of the day to get somewhat comfortable out there, but I was still off the pace of the fast guys by a long shot.

Bryan Land showed up from Las Vegas, as well as David Siminski from Tucson. Those guys are FREAKIN FAST and also fun guys to hang with. Saturday night we went to dinner with Bryan and Ed Oporto and just hung out for a while. That was a good time.

On Sunday, I only entered 2 races....Heavyweight Superbike and Heavyweight SuperSport. Actually, I added Formula Arroyo (the money race) after Roger (the track owner and racer) asked me to enter to give enough entries for contingency. Also, because we were basically guaranteed to make our money back.

The first race of the day was Heavyweight SuperSport...a good practice session for me as Heavyweight Superbike was the more important one. I was gridded in 2nd spot, first row for this race because ASMA grids by points and my CCS points were included in this weekend. I actually got a decent start and went into turn one in 3rd place behind Ivan Garza on a borrowed RC51 and Mike Shreve. It didn't take long for Bryan Land to get by and chase off after the 2 guys in front, but what I was really happy about was how I was able to latch onto those guys. I was within a couple bike lengths for a couple laps, which was awesome. I got to watch Bryan Land try repeatedly to get by Ivan and repeatedly go WAY wide in turn 1 before finally getting by and chasing off after Mike. After a little while, Bryan and Mike pulled a lead and left Ivan about 5-6 bike lengths in front of me, with David Siminski about 10-15 behind me (he had a bad start). I actually was pulling Ivan in and started to think I'd be able to catch him if I kept my head down!! That's huge as Ivan is VERY fast and races AMA pro events! I know it was because he was on a borrowed RC51, but it still felt good. Shortly after 1/2 way, I looked back and saw Siminski 10-15 bike lengths behind me, then a couple laps later I looked back and he had cut the distance in half! With only a couple laps remaining, I knew I could probably hold him off and I still thought I could catch Ivan, so I pushed a little harder....too hard. Going into turn 1, I over cooked it ... at least I thought I did. This is the same corner I crashed in last time here, and I really didn't want to crash in this race, so instead of throwing it into the corner and hoping for the best I just rode off into the dirt. Siminski later told me I totally could have saved it, but I just didn't want to risk it at the time. Unfortunately, by the time I came back on track I had lost Siminski and finished in 5th behind him. Double bummer as I probably would have been able to make a go at getting by Ivan, and because later Siminski would step it up and actually win the money race! A little pissed at myself, but happy I didn't crash, I came back to the pits. Because of this finish, all I have to do is start the race in November at Firebird West and I'll win the Expert Heavyweight SuperSport title! Pretty cool.

The 2nd race, Heavyweight Superbike, was supposed to be my last for the day, and was right before lunch. After race 1, I was really excited about riding with the fast guys. Unfortunately, I got a bad start and went into turn 1 already making up ground. Just that quick I lost the bit and was not able to tag on again.  Roger Heemsbergen (the track owner and former AMA racer) was in this race and was trying to chase down Bryan Land. The three of them (with Mike Shreve) checked out. Ivan was a little behind and Siminski was chasing down Ivan. I ran a somewhat lonely race and finished in 6th place. I felt like I ran slower times, but don't know. I was basing that off Siminski checking out from me, but later learned he picked up his times that race.

Heavyweight Superbike is where I had to do good to keep my super slim chances alive to win the title. To be honest, Bryan Land is behind me in points (barely) and much faster than I am. He's going to win the #1 plate for CCS Southwest this year. He "should" win the HWSB title, but then again, that's why we race...you never know what will happen. If I push hard enough, I can finish a couple spots behind him and still win it.

The last race, for me, was Formula Arroyo. My plan was to start this race and see if I could tag onto the leaders and have some fun. Unfortunately, since I added the race last minute, I was gridded in last place. Going into turn 1 I was in last place I think, right behind Pat. The guys in front were banzai, going 3 wide and bumping all over the place! On the exit of turn 1, Pat's foot hit the ground funny and actually ripped his foot off his peg and sent his leg all backwards and funky almost throwing him to the ground! I had a close up of that and had to check up to not hit him. He saved it, but by then we had both lost about 5-6 bike lengths on the next guy. I got past Pat on the straight when he got a bad drive one lap, and then pulled a small gap. After a couple laps I noticed he had pulled off, and realized I was way too far behind Tom to catch him, so I pulled off too. I had no desire to push on as I had already accomplished my goal of getting the guys contingency money and getting my money back...or so I thought. Still not sure why, but none of the guys who quit in the middle of the race got their winnings. This is different from CCS where you just have to complete a few laps to get your winnings. That kinda sucked as I ended up paying for a race I didn't expect to pay for and didn't plan to race in. Oh well.

I learned a lot this weekend, thanks to some of the guys. Pat kicked my butt into gear on Saturday telling me where I was slow (thanks Pat). I learned that I'm much better and keeping up with fast guys than I am at going fast by myself. I seem to use them as brake markers and speed markers. Kinda the mentality "if they can do that, so can I". Also, I learned a lot by watching Siminski and talking with him all day. He had major setup issues in the morning and finished barely in front of me in race 1. By the end of the day, he had his suspension dialed and won a couple races including the money race!! That proved to me that it's important to understand suspension setup and adjust your suspension to make it better. I have not touched a screw on my bike all year and wonder what I'd have been able to accomplish if I had. I also knew from the first session that my gearing was wrong for Arroyo, but I don't like to touch things so I rode around it, which I know cost me at least 1 second per lap. I should have just changed the gearing. Lessons learned. In the off season, my goal is to learn the impact of making specific suspension adjustments.

By attending the racing at Arroyo this weekend, I basically locked up the Heavyweight SuperSport title, and leave the remote possibility of winning the Heavyweight Superbike title. That's a pretty good weekend I'd say.

I want to thank Pat and Tom for all their help this weekend, for carrying my bike, letting me stay in the hotel room on the floor, the food and gas they paid for, and for making it fun. I also want to thank my sponsors. Motorex USA, Vesrah, Vortex, Sidi, LP Team Privateer, Chicken Hawk, SpeedyMoto, All Out Graphics, Helmet Harbor, Pipe City, Desert Truss, Savoca Construction, and VaporBlue.

Brian Kirkland #34