This round was not about exciting
videos. This round was not about cool pics. This round was not
about fancy GPS laptimers. This round was not about chasing
a "new best" laptime. This round was not about winning
a race. The reality was that after one of the most terrifying
crashes of my life only 3 days earlier, this round was simply
about showing up. That is it. Just show up.
You see, I was at this same track
just a couple days earlier when I went charging into turn one
at about 150 MPH only to find that I had zero front brakes.
The result was a GSXR 1000 that was literally broken in half
and my best Superman impression as I was launched "up,
up and away!"
Here's the vid:
During chapel service on Sunday
morning, Don Elfstrom talked about the highs and lows (or peaks
and dips) that we all experience in this life. No where is the
struggles of life more closely paralleled than on the race track
week in and week out as we seek to compete for an ever elusive
"championship" over the course of a long full race
season. Don encouraged us to "lean into the dips",
not forgetting the prize ahead but also not missing the journey
along the way. Living one day at a time, not just enjoying the
peaks, but also learning, embracing and "leaning"
into the dips.
Saturday, July 26
Morning Practice
I really did not
want to ride. It is as simple as that. I just felt terrible,
I was miserable. I was sore all over, knee all banged up, swollen
and hard to bend, wrist sprained and all swollen up, miscellaneous
bumps and bruises all over.
But the real problem
was my head. My confidence was shot. I had no idea why my front
brakes had just went out all of the sudden on Wednesday and
I was having a real hard time with the prospects of diving head
long into turn one again at almost 150MPH, hoping and trusting
that the brakes would be there when I grabbed them.
The dreaded time
had come and it was time to get back on the horse. After laboring
to get in my leathers and gear, I gingerly got onto the bike
and headed out to practice. The first time into turn one was
simply terrifying. I just couldn't seem to get past the memory
of Wednesday's high speed crash. I came in early, thoroughly
frustrated with myself. At this rate, I was a danger to myself
and everyone on the track. I might as well just pack up and
go back home.
GTO (25 minute) - 4th Place
The red mist. That crazy insanity
that settles in as the flag drops and racers go head long into
turn one on that first lap. My hopes were that the red mist
would help me get back up to pace. And if the red mist didn't
work, then my selfish pride would surely be my downfall and
cause me to twist the throttle at the fear of embarrassing myself
in front of everyone. :-)
But seriously, I knew I had to
make a clear decision to either trust the bike or choose not
to ride. I may have actually just went back home, but the ball
bearings in the axle on my trailer burned up on the way to the
track and the trailer was DOA until we could get it fixed (when
it rains, it pours right?) So, nothing left to do but man up
and race.
I got a pretty good start to
the race and fruitlessly chased Rob Jensen for the first lap.
As I watched Mr. Jensen quickly disappear running a ridiculous
track record 1:08.6 pace, I realized that I was back up to my
pace and I was actually feeling pretty good on the bike. I continued
to run in second until Andy came by set sail in search of Rob.
I held onto 3rd for the next
5 or so laps until arm pump set in and I started to fade a bit.
After 19 laps, I was able to manage a 4th place finish. But
more importantly, I had my confidence back.
As I brought the bike back into
the pits, my enthusiasm was dampened considerably when I noticed
the bike was smoking pretty badly. I had noticed that the bike
was stuttering a bit during the last couple of laps but I wasn't
sure what was wrong. Something was definitely not right with
the bike, but for now that would have to wait cause we had a
trailer axle to fix.
Sunday, July 27
Unlimited Supersport - 5th
Place
I got a good start
off the line, but the bike was just not up to the task. I dropped
back to 4th or so before we even got into turn one. I struggled
to hang, but the bike was getting worse every lap. The best
I could do was 5th place.
Unlimited GP - 7th Place
Same story as before,
only difference is that more guys lined up on the grid to chase
the money. Frustrated and flogging a dying bike, I sunk back
in the field to 7th place before the last lap was done.
Unlimited Superbike - 3rd
Place
Same story as before,
only difference is that hardly anybody was on the grid for this
race! I again flogged my dying bike to 3rd place before the
last lap was done.
Summary
I love racing. But this past
weekend was not any fun at all. Racing hurt just sucks. Flogging
a dying bike fruitlessly also sucks. I did the best I could
so no room for any sour grapes, right? But believe me, I am
looking forward to healing up and getting the bike fixed and
hopefully having a better weekend next round.
I am honestly just glad to be
alive and relatively healthy. I guess God is just not through
with me yet, thank goodness. In the end, I was able to bring
home some badly needed points and got through the whole weekend
with no further injuries. I'll take it.
