wertman94
04-16-2008, 10:46 PM
WMRRA Race report #1 3/30/08
The long wait is over after being put on the injured reserve list at the beginning of last year. Although I was doubting my abilities after such a long hiatus, the new Kawasaki ZX10R had my excitement level at a high that had not been felt in some time. The previous version of the 10 made huge horsepower, but just did not have the chassis to match. Even though I had not ridden the current rendition yet there had been nothing but praise for bike from all of the recent tests. Unfortunately my excitement was somewhat dampened after arriving at the track Saturday morning to find wet conditions and just above freezing temperatures. Also the first race of the year grid is formatted depending on the previous years points which ensured I would be near the back (but I had no idea there would be two waves). Deciding not to panic, my goals were quickly restructured to accomplish top five finishes that would ensure a front row start next month.
600 Supersport
A fairly decent start put me in 12th position on the first lap. The three riders directly in front of me were riding very erratic, so I hung back for several laps until they somewhat settled down and than started my forward progression. At the halfway point I could no longer feel my fingertips to the point where I actually missed the brake lever a few times but managed to stay upright. Holding on until the checkered flag rewarded me a fourth place finish, right within my goals. After the race as I warmed my hands, they physically ached which must have bordered on frostbite!
Open Supersport
The temperature rose almost twenty degrees before the Open SS race but the track remained wet but starting to dry. I was not familiar enough with the new ZX10 for these conditions (the bike was only ridden once to break the motor in), so I decided to race the 600 with rain tires. A great start put me in 4th place following the top three 1000cc bikes. The strong EDR built motor kept the damage on the long front straight to a minimum and I would make up the loss in the back section. This lasted for more than half of the race until the track started drying out and I wasted the rear tire pushing so hard through the back. Another goal rewarding 4th place finish was realized though!
As we arrived at the track on Sunday we were greeted by one inch of snow and below freezing temperatures again. There was even a snowman constructed at registration! Figuring I would not benefit much from practicing in these conditions, I stayed in the warmth of the truck and watched movies until lunch when things warmed up and the track dried out.
600 Superbike
Another second wave start and a dry track had me pushing a little harder than the day before. However, the race was red flagged just after the halfway point allowing me to only work up to 7th position.
Formula Ultra
The track now being fully dry, it was time to try out the new ten. The front suspension was still stock, so I assumed it would just be a little mushy. Shortly after the start I realized that even new model front suspension is a far cry from being race prepped. Instead of being soft, the front of the bike was literally a jackhammer! The steering damper was adjusted too light, but not knowing which way to turn the adjustment knob I left it alone as not to make is worse. The combination of the two gave me extreme arm pump after only two laps and it was all I could do just to hang on. This turned out to be a disaster placing me in 9th at the finish. I was able to come to the conclusion that once the suspension is complete, this will be one fantastic bike! It turns in like a 600, keeps a laser straight line, and has great tractable power on the exit. Even though the engine is stock except for an Akropovich exhaust, the thing is blindingly fast. Now I am really excited for the next race!
The long wait is over after being put on the injured reserve list at the beginning of last year. Although I was doubting my abilities after such a long hiatus, the new Kawasaki ZX10R had my excitement level at a high that had not been felt in some time. The previous version of the 10 made huge horsepower, but just did not have the chassis to match. Even though I had not ridden the current rendition yet there had been nothing but praise for bike from all of the recent tests. Unfortunately my excitement was somewhat dampened after arriving at the track Saturday morning to find wet conditions and just above freezing temperatures. Also the first race of the year grid is formatted depending on the previous years points which ensured I would be near the back (but I had no idea there would be two waves). Deciding not to panic, my goals were quickly restructured to accomplish top five finishes that would ensure a front row start next month.
600 Supersport
A fairly decent start put me in 12th position on the first lap. The three riders directly in front of me were riding very erratic, so I hung back for several laps until they somewhat settled down and than started my forward progression. At the halfway point I could no longer feel my fingertips to the point where I actually missed the brake lever a few times but managed to stay upright. Holding on until the checkered flag rewarded me a fourth place finish, right within my goals. After the race as I warmed my hands, they physically ached which must have bordered on frostbite!
Open Supersport
The temperature rose almost twenty degrees before the Open SS race but the track remained wet but starting to dry. I was not familiar enough with the new ZX10 for these conditions (the bike was only ridden once to break the motor in), so I decided to race the 600 with rain tires. A great start put me in 4th place following the top three 1000cc bikes. The strong EDR built motor kept the damage on the long front straight to a minimum and I would make up the loss in the back section. This lasted for more than half of the race until the track started drying out and I wasted the rear tire pushing so hard through the back. Another goal rewarding 4th place finish was realized though!
As we arrived at the track on Sunday we were greeted by one inch of snow and below freezing temperatures again. There was even a snowman constructed at registration! Figuring I would not benefit much from practicing in these conditions, I stayed in the warmth of the truck and watched movies until lunch when things warmed up and the track dried out.
600 Superbike
Another second wave start and a dry track had me pushing a little harder than the day before. However, the race was red flagged just after the halfway point allowing me to only work up to 7th position.
Formula Ultra
The track now being fully dry, it was time to try out the new ten. The front suspension was still stock, so I assumed it would just be a little mushy. Shortly after the start I realized that even new model front suspension is a far cry from being race prepped. Instead of being soft, the front of the bike was literally a jackhammer! The steering damper was adjusted too light, but not knowing which way to turn the adjustment knob I left it alone as not to make is worse. The combination of the two gave me extreme arm pump after only two laps and it was all I could do just to hang on. This turned out to be a disaster placing me in 9th at the finish. I was able to come to the conclusion that once the suspension is complete, this will be one fantastic bike! It turns in like a 600, keeps a laser straight line, and has great tractable power on the exit. Even though the engine is stock except for an Akropovich exhaust, the thing is blindingly fast. Now I am really excited for the next race!