back of the pack? c'mon, jeff. i got 4th...
in the heats i just coasted through. i got there late and got 2 practice laps. during the 2 hour lunch, i never left the track. went through 2 tanks of fuel. got the lines down, and in the final, i held third for half the race, then took a turn too wide and fast, lost a few seconds offroading, then got overtaken in the final corner, last lap and missed third by 5'.
i'll admit, i coulda been a bit more prepared, showing up late and still feeling the affects from the night before wasn't exactly the way to ready myself for a big race, then forgetting my other sprockets to gear for the track...
next time, it's a steak dinner, an early bedtime, and a full toolbox for me...
overall, i'm happy with the outcome. had a ton of fun, left nothing but rubber on the track, despite the gearing my bike worked perfect, and got to stand around in the sun and heat wearing leather pants all day...
mixing it up with johnny, who slid out when i snaked the line to pass him, and battling it out with dave? greg? (sorry bro, i suck at names) for third/fourth was great.
and while everyone else was packing up, downing some beverages, i was still on the track, riding it backwards. downhill with the wind at my back on that long straight was awesome.
oh, and jeff, you better watch out for your kid. he's fearless, smooth, and at 15, is already better than us old guys out there.
gotta thank neil for burying the hatchet and letting me race, cris from motorbike magazine for the ride, and everyone else who i talked to, and the guys who thanked me for the advice and info i paste all over this forum. it means a lot to me to know i've helped you guys out.
one other thing... no one mentioned the 5 miles of dirt road leading up to the track. if you plan on going to the grange, leave your lowered cars and trucks at home...
in the immortal words of Tanner and Lupus from the Bad News Bears, "you can keep your crummy trophy..." "and just wait until next year!"
