Tom's Race Report from Arroyo Seco Raceway
3/12/2006 Deming, NM - with ASMA
Pat and I got a late start, hit traffic, they lost
our hotel reservation and we got to bed at 2:30 am in Las Cruses. It was
cold and windy. Wanted to try the 16.5 front but never got the chance
Saturday. Was tired and not comfortable and only got in 2 sessions on
the CBR and 1 on the 749r because we were going to run it in the 2 hour
Saturday afternoon. The 2 hour was fun. I think I rode 1:20 minutes of
it with Mike riding the rest. I could ride that 749r for 2 hours, no
problem, it's just that easy to ride. We finished second behind Sergio
and Ivan, what a blast!
Sunday morning there were snow flurries! I really didn't think I would
ride, didn't do any practice sessions and it was threatening to pour. I
didn't run the first race, Unlimited SuperSport. The day keep getting
better. I got my tires changed in the trailer (with the heat on)! and
rode to the back of the grid for Race #4, F-40. Took a few laps to get
the tires warm and had a good race. The next race was Formula Arroyo,
got a bad start and was 5th into the first turn. Got up to 2nd by the
second lap and stayed there all race till the white flag (which I didn't
see) when Siminski passed me into the bus stop. I remembering saying to
myself "ok follow him for a few laps and learn something, which I did.
Now when we pass the start finish he gets the checker and again I don't
see the flag and keep racing! As we exit the mini carousel Siminski is
going slow I think he has a problem with his bike and run around him and
exit the Yucca hard on the gas only to see the guys in front rolling
slowly and then realize the race is over. Opps! Got a 3th anyway. Last
race of the day was Unlimited Superbike. Got a good start, Ivan does a
great inside pass at the first turn putting me in second where I finish
(just in front of Siminski, ha).
All in all it worked out OK. The lap times weren't down where I wanted
them but given the circumstances that's expected.
Oh the 650 spec class. It really sounded like a good idea and I know for
Pat it is a blast. He really set his mind to it and it seems to have
given him confidence and has helped his riding. Me, I'm mental. I have a
different definition of fun. We all talk about it has to be fun and my
definition of fun is 192hp bike coming out of turns and dragging the
rear into them. I felt like I would be loosing the little time I have on
the CBR every time I got on the 650. So when I rolled it out for the
first time and laid it down at the very first turn I think it was
telling me "your real bike is pissed." So the 650 is for sale and I left
it with Roger. It's all set up and ready for someone to run it in the
Spec class for the $5700 I paid for it with all the race stuff. If it
doesn't sell by the April round, I'll bring it back to Phoenix put it
back to street and Sally will get it.
As always missed Sally on this trip. Gotta thank Mike for running
the 2 hour with me and thanks Pat for the enjoyment of riding that 749r
again!
Have thank Mark Ledesma at North Valley for a great bike and all the
knowledge he imparts on me, Motorex, Michelin tires, LP and Vortex.
Tom
#151