First off, I'd like to thank DesmotoSport without whose tireless efforts this week, I would not have gotten out on the track at all. Desmoto diagnosed a motor that was blowing compression (read: "not at full power") and fixed the main issue. While they were examining the motor, they also noticed that my piston rings were bad. Due to a mistake caused by Fast by Ferracci, Desmoto did not get my replacement piston rings until Saturday. Fortunately, they got my bike together lickety-split and got me on the road.
After rolling up to the track late on Saturday (I had a small 3-hour detour to return home and feed my cats), I had just enough time to change my tires with my No-Mar tire changer.
Knowing what issues I had with my bike, I had a very strong hunch something else was waiting to go wrong. I decided the next likely culprit would be my clutch, as it's caused plenty of problems in the past. Sure enough, when I inspected it, the stack height was too low (35.95mm, rather than the 36.0 - 36.5mm that is "spec"). I swapped out one of the drive plates for a thicker one and jammed it all back together just as the lights were going out for the evening.
Sunday Practice
Demsoto's instructions were to "take it easy" on the warmup while the piston rings got a chance to seat, I did just that. I kept it under 9.5k RPM most of the session, and was astonished at the increase in power. I was hitting hte same top speeds on the main straight without going full throttle, and was carrying a full 10 mph more through turn 8 on the back section of the track. Not only was I carrying more speed through 8, I could continue accelerating to turn 9, which wasn't happening when the motor was blowing compression. So while I couldn't "ring the neck" on the bike, I was able to build some confidence that the bike would be more than capable when the time came.
Fastest lap: 2:11.0
Race 1 -- Open Twins
Fortunately, this race was the second race in the morning because the forecast called for 108 degrees. On the warmup lap, I got out at the front and took advantage of the open track. The bike felt great, and was pulling strong.
For once, I got a great pull off the line. Unfortunately, I had the inside line, and got squeezed in turn 2. That ended up sorting out most of the race, the pack of 3 liter bikes I was stuck behind was the task before me. I followed for about 3 full laps, making a couple small moves trying to get around them, but I couldn't manage. On lap 2 or 3, one of the 3 bikes had trouble on the brakes and ended up running off straight. One of the two riders in front of me stood his bike up briefly, and that allowed me to close the gap. On the next lap, I found my place in turn 2, sensing that I was carrying more speed than the rider on the Aprila Mille. I started coming around the outside and was about even with him on the exit of turn 2, with me on the right (inside) for the upcoming turn 3. Unfortunately, I was set up impossibly tight for the righthander of turn 3 so I jammed on the brakes and prayed he wouldn't try to pass me back on the outside. Fortunately, I think he remembered the previous guy crashing in front of him in 3 and backed off. On the next lap, I made a move and lined up the next guy in turn 8. I got a great drive and came right up the inside and ran the rest of the race to the flag alone.
Result 16th
Best lap time: 2:03.1
Race 2 -- 600 Superbike
This race was much less eventful. I think everyone wanted the race to just be over with, because it was so damn hot. The ambient temperature was about 108, but I imagine it was even hotter on the asphault. I got a great start, and this time set up wide going in to turn 2 to avoid getting squeezed. The rest of the race was basically single-file, and I was unable to put a move on anyone. On the last lap of the race, I put a move on Dave Moss heading into turn 10 passing him on the brakes. I was getting ready to pass a second rider on the brakes when I saw the yellow flag was up, so I ended up letting him back by. :( On the back straight, I happened to look at my temperature readout, and saw 244 degrees. Poor bike! I tipped in in for the last turn and tried to get a good drive coming on to the main straight, but I wasn't going to pull Dave's 675 Triumph. Alas.
Result: 25th
Best lap time: unclear -- possibly a 2:05.2
Again, I'd like to thank Desmoto for getting the bike back up and running. It was really impressive what a difference it made to have the bike holding compression, and there was NO WAY I could have pulled in a couple liter bikes without their help. It was a great result -- no real practice time and yet I dropped another second off my track day times from a few weeks ago. I'm excited to see what I can do at Sears the next race.