WMRRA Round 8 - FINALLY TOOK THE TOP STEP OF THE PODIUM!
Posted 10-18-2009 at 11:54 AM by TaurusRacing
WMRRA Round 8, Last Round of the 2009 Season – Pacific Raceway and Adrenaline Freaks Track Day – Oct 2-4
Wow, what a year! I was able to achieve all my goals I set for this year…AND THEN SOME! The weather held out for EVERY round this year! I didn’t have one single rain race this year. I missed one round out of 8 and still was able to place in the top 20 overall in the WMRRA championship points. Over the year I competed in 3 classes. In all three classes I finished in the top five. I am so incredibly pleased for the outcome. In the 650 Supersport I finished 2nd, 3rd overall in the 600TFS and 5th in Middle Weight GP Twins.
Round 8 Race results:
650SS – 5th. Didn’t do as well as I hoped. Pushed hard and almost paid for it!
MWGPTwins – 6th. What can I say??? Need to step it up.
600TFS – 1st. FINALLY made the top step! Granted Josh Ellingson didn’t make the grid.
Pic by Jason Howard
Before I even get started I really need to thank all my sponsors and thank those who helped me get through this incredible year. In addition to the below, I want to thank each-and-every volunteer at WMRRA. You guys rock! I also want to thank my teammates for all their support. Kevin Klemmer…what can I say, you were there through thick and thin every weekend. Chris Fratini and Randy Bailey…we had some great racing. Chris Sarbora…thanks for the support in the pits. And Katie…thanks for all the team support!
GP Suspension North – Barry Wressell (Thanks for all your help on and off the track)
SpeedDealer Motors – Dave Lanigan (Absolutely incredible motor)
Troy McCrae of Pennell Powersports - Bridgestone Tires (Missed you last round!)
MorePower Racing (Thanks to Brian)
Halpin Custom Sportbikes (Thank you Shawn for all your help and advice)
Adrenaline Freaks Track Days
Motorex USA
Vortex
PNWRiders.com
Adrenaline Freaks Track Day – Friday
Well, I was somewhat worried about the weather holding out for the last round…the entire year ended up being perfect for racing. We have had a few wet Fridays and track days but they just led to perfect weekends. The last AF day was kind of wet. I left the rains on and did some very easy sessions. I did push it just a tad but didn’t want to wad up my bike before the last round.
WMRRA Saturday
I now get fairly nervous for the 650SS races because I know that I should be getting on the podium. Well it didn’t happen but I knew I needed to protect my second in the championship too!
650SS – We grid according to our season point position so I was second on the grid. In the past I have never really mentioned much about the starts I get. I typically get the holeshots in most of my races and can lead through the first few laps of the 650ss. Well, this race was no different, however, DeLong was there along side me again going into T1. This race Finken had a great start and ended up coming around me wide on T2. I thought the race was on! We battled along with Wressell for a few laps until I had a major moment in T4 and almost highsided coming out of the turn. It rattled me a bit so I started to back off some. Finken, Wressell and Delong got by me. Eventually I was also taken by one more rider and finished 5th. Not my best showing but again, looking at my lap times, I was turning very consistent times. I was thrilled that I finished 2nd overall in the 650ss Championship. Congrats to Nick Finken for taking it.
WMRRA Sunday
I knew Sunday was going to be a blast. Weather was perfect and I was excited to finish the season as best as I could…with a WIN!
MWGPTwins – My grid position was, in my opinion, the worst place someone could be at. I was on the front row but in 5th position up against the wall. I knew I had to get a smoking fast start so that I didn’t get pinched in. Oh boy did I have a great start! I actually beat everyone into T1 and didn’t get passed until we turned into T2. If I could get a mentor to help me cure my need to brake earlier, I might be able to hold these guys off for a few more turns. Anyways, I was passed by the usual people but ended up having a great race with “Factory” DeLong. He is doing great and will be up with the fast guys in whatever class he chooses. We went back and forth for laps and apparently we were the race to watch here in MWGPTwins.
600TFS – This was technically the last race of the last day of the year, however, since there was a major crash in the 750SBK they were pushed back to the end of the day. I am so glad that everyone was ok, including my teammate Kevin since he was heavily involved. Josh Ellingson secured the 600TFS championship and decided to sit this last race out. That gave me the opportunity to possibly win the final race. I was worried that, because there were only 5 on the grid, I may not get any class points that would move me into 3rd overall. Not to be…only 3 need to be gridded to get class points. Well the race was on…I was going to push it for the top step of the podium. I was gridded in 1st and got another great start. We were in the second wave since Formula Thunder was in front. I stayed in 1st throughout the race and was getting signs on how far the guy was behind me. That allowed me to not push too hard but slowly pick off some guys in the race in Formula Thunder. I ended up taking my first 1st place ever. I was so extremely thrilled.
This, being my second year racing expert, was by far the most exciting year I have ever had. I improved on my laptimes and actually started taking podium finishes each race weekend. I am well aware of where I need help to improve my laptimes and be consistently on the top step of the podium. I am going to work very hard on my braking zones so that I can pick up some very valuable time. I really appreciated Barry Wressell giving me some great tips on lines. My goals for this next year will be to break into the 1:34 laptimes, take the 650SS championship, and to finish in the top 10 overall in points.
Again thanks to my sponsors:
GP Suspension North – Barry Wressell
SpeedDealer Motors – Dave Lanigan
Bridgestone Tires - Troy McCrae of Pennell Powersports
MorePower Racing
Adrenaline Freaks Track Days
Motorex USA
Vortex
PNWRiders.com
Wow, what a year! I was able to achieve all my goals I set for this year…AND THEN SOME! The weather held out for EVERY round this year! I didn’t have one single rain race this year. I missed one round out of 8 and still was able to place in the top 20 overall in the WMRRA championship points. Over the year I competed in 3 classes. In all three classes I finished in the top five. I am so incredibly pleased for the outcome. In the 650 Supersport I finished 2nd, 3rd overall in the 600TFS and 5th in Middle Weight GP Twins.
Round 8 Race results:
650SS – 5th. Didn’t do as well as I hoped. Pushed hard and almost paid for it!
MWGPTwins – 6th. What can I say??? Need to step it up.
600TFS – 1st. FINALLY made the top step! Granted Josh Ellingson didn’t make the grid.
Pic by Jason Howard
Before I even get started I really need to thank all my sponsors and thank those who helped me get through this incredible year. In addition to the below, I want to thank each-and-every volunteer at WMRRA. You guys rock! I also want to thank my teammates for all their support. Kevin Klemmer…what can I say, you were there through thick and thin every weekend. Chris Fratini and Randy Bailey…we had some great racing. Chris Sarbora…thanks for the support in the pits. And Katie…thanks for all the team support!
GP Suspension North – Barry Wressell (Thanks for all your help on and off the track)
SpeedDealer Motors – Dave Lanigan (Absolutely incredible motor)
Troy McCrae of Pennell Powersports - Bridgestone Tires (Missed you last round!)
MorePower Racing (Thanks to Brian)
Halpin Custom Sportbikes (Thank you Shawn for all your help and advice)
Adrenaline Freaks Track Days
Motorex USA
Vortex
PNWRiders.com
Adrenaline Freaks Track Day – Friday
Well, I was somewhat worried about the weather holding out for the last round…the entire year ended up being perfect for racing. We have had a few wet Fridays and track days but they just led to perfect weekends. The last AF day was kind of wet. I left the rains on and did some very easy sessions. I did push it just a tad but didn’t want to wad up my bike before the last round.
WMRRA Saturday
I now get fairly nervous for the 650SS races because I know that I should be getting on the podium. Well it didn’t happen but I knew I needed to protect my second in the championship too!
650SS – We grid according to our season point position so I was second on the grid. In the past I have never really mentioned much about the starts I get. I typically get the holeshots in most of my races and can lead through the first few laps of the 650ss. Well, this race was no different, however, DeLong was there along side me again going into T1. This race Finken had a great start and ended up coming around me wide on T2. I thought the race was on! We battled along with Wressell for a few laps until I had a major moment in T4 and almost highsided coming out of the turn. It rattled me a bit so I started to back off some. Finken, Wressell and Delong got by me. Eventually I was also taken by one more rider and finished 5th. Not my best showing but again, looking at my lap times, I was turning very consistent times. I was thrilled that I finished 2nd overall in the 650ss Championship. Congrats to Nick Finken for taking it.
WMRRA Sunday
I knew Sunday was going to be a blast. Weather was perfect and I was excited to finish the season as best as I could…with a WIN!
MWGPTwins – My grid position was, in my opinion, the worst place someone could be at. I was on the front row but in 5th position up against the wall. I knew I had to get a smoking fast start so that I didn’t get pinched in. Oh boy did I have a great start! I actually beat everyone into T1 and didn’t get passed until we turned into T2. If I could get a mentor to help me cure my need to brake earlier, I might be able to hold these guys off for a few more turns. Anyways, I was passed by the usual people but ended up having a great race with “Factory” DeLong. He is doing great and will be up with the fast guys in whatever class he chooses. We went back and forth for laps and apparently we were the race to watch here in MWGPTwins.
600TFS – This was technically the last race of the last day of the year, however, since there was a major crash in the 750SBK they were pushed back to the end of the day. I am so glad that everyone was ok, including my teammate Kevin since he was heavily involved. Josh Ellingson secured the 600TFS championship and decided to sit this last race out. That gave me the opportunity to possibly win the final race. I was worried that, because there were only 5 on the grid, I may not get any class points that would move me into 3rd overall. Not to be…only 3 need to be gridded to get class points. Well the race was on…I was going to push it for the top step of the podium. I was gridded in 1st and got another great start. We were in the second wave since Formula Thunder was in front. I stayed in 1st throughout the race and was getting signs on how far the guy was behind me. That allowed me to not push too hard but slowly pick off some guys in the race in Formula Thunder. I ended up taking my first 1st place ever. I was so extremely thrilled.
This, being my second year racing expert, was by far the most exciting year I have ever had. I improved on my laptimes and actually started taking podium finishes each race weekend. I am well aware of where I need help to improve my laptimes and be consistently on the top step of the podium. I am going to work very hard on my braking zones so that I can pick up some very valuable time. I really appreciated Barry Wressell giving me some great tips on lines. My goals for this next year will be to break into the 1:34 laptimes, take the 650SS championship, and to finish in the top 10 overall in points.
Again thanks to my sponsors:
GP Suspension North – Barry Wressell
SpeedDealer Motors – Dave Lanigan
Bridgestone Tires - Troy McCrae of Pennell Powersports
MorePower Racing
Adrenaline Freaks Track Days
Motorex USA
Vortex
PNWRiders.com
Total Comments 7
Comments
-
-Jereme
#946Posted 10-18-2009 at 09:42 PM by odin544
- yay! Great weekend Eric!Posted 10-19-2009 at 07:28 AM by Mic
- Thanks Guys. Absolutely amazing year! Thanks for all your help in the pits Mike.Posted 10-19-2009 at 09:03 AM by TaurusRacing
- Way to go, Eric. We look forward to seeing you at the banquet!
Becky (and Kenny)Posted 10-19-2009 at 02:34 PM by vtxrider - Congrads dude!!Posted 10-19-2009 at 03:06 PM by beansbaxter
- Congrats Eric! Way to stay on it!
Think Dave Lanigan's a great bike preper too.
Bought my 03 from him back in '03. Good stuff.Posted 10-19-2009 at 08:35 PM by DaveS - BADASS :DPosted 10-22-2009 at 01:01 AM by tophyr
