Thunderhill race weekend July 20-22

Another great weekend at Thunderhill racetrack. I left for the track at 4AM Friday morning, got to the track about 7 and set up my pit next to my Portland buddies, Corey #87, and Ryan #64. Friday was open practice so we took a few minutes to show Corey around the track before Ryan and I took off, leaving him struggling to keep up. After only a few off-track excursions, Corey started to figure out "all the turns". By the afternoon I was starting to run lap times similar to my race times from the last Thunderhill race. The highlight of my day was getting to take Corey's Yamaha R6 out for one session, the difference in technology was really amazing, the R6 was easier and more fun to ride and after a few laps I was running faster on the R6 than I had been on the F3!

Saturday was a half day of practice to make time for the new riders school.

Our first race Sunday was 600 superbike, and all three of us were in it. Corey had been gifted a row 5 start while I was row 9 and Ryan was row 11. I really had my work cut out if I was going to come in ahead of Corey. My start was OK but I was pretty much stuck in a sea of bikes for the first few turns. I started passing bikes like crazy and then came into a group of three riders about my skill level. The next few laps were spent dicing with these guys.  On the white flag lap, I finally broke free and spotted Corey up ahead, I poured on the gas and road like a mad man trying to catch him but there just wasn't enough time left, I crossed the line 2 seconds behind, good job Corey! Finish: 22 out of 60, and first novice across the line!




Our pit space


Looking for any remaining rubber on my front tire


The crew - Corey, Ryan, and Greg


Photo by Ignited Photography


Photo by Ignited Photography


Photo by Gary Rather


Photo by Gary Rather


Rolling hills of brown grass surround the track.