nocontrol
04-14-2008, 10:27 AM
Well, the weekend has come and gone. It was hot and windy at California Speedway on Saturday, and just hot today.
Yesterday, we were sorting through different problems with the track and Anthony's understanding of it. Go figure! He hasn't been on that track since last November. A fresh set of Michelins were also on the bike. More to figure out. This was the first set of tires other than his Dunlop's, but we figured "we'll give these a whirl!" So, first session out, he was complaining of tire slippage. Told him to get off the bike more and they wouldn't slip. A couple more pointers like not slowing down in the carosel and taking a different line in both 7 and the 11/12 combo would speed him up from his 1:17... lap times. By the end of the day, he was running solid 1:09's, just a second off the fast kids.
Today, however, was the nightmare. Last night we re-jetted down to a 100 from a 110. Thinking that was too much, we found a 105 and slid that in. Out he goes. He's still a little slow at 1:12's, but the track and tires are cold. In the pits, and we change back to the 100. The plug was still looking a bit fouled, and it still wasn't detonating. During the pocket bike practice, one of the little'uns went down and the ambulance had to be rolled. No more practice for us. An hour later, and the ambulance returns. Daryl tells everyone they'll do a 4 lap practice, and roll right into the mains. Anthony comes back in and complains the bike is a bit down on power, and insists he wants the 110 back in there.
First heat race begins, and another rider by the name of Joe goes down in turn 1. Bad. Once again, the ambulance is rolled, but to a different hospital 90 minutes away. 3 hours later, and it returns. Restage for the main race. Green flag drops, and they're off. 3 laps into it, another rider goes down causing the ambulance to roll for a 3rd time. The organizers call the race without Anthony getting to the grid at all seeing as his race was #4 :hammer: . Oh well, there's always next month!
Written by Thomas for Anthony Walsh #14 50cc lite
Yesterday, we were sorting through different problems with the track and Anthony's understanding of it. Go figure! He hasn't been on that track since last November. A fresh set of Michelins were also on the bike. More to figure out. This was the first set of tires other than his Dunlop's, but we figured "we'll give these a whirl!" So, first session out, he was complaining of tire slippage. Told him to get off the bike more and they wouldn't slip. A couple more pointers like not slowing down in the carosel and taking a different line in both 7 and the 11/12 combo would speed him up from his 1:17... lap times. By the end of the day, he was running solid 1:09's, just a second off the fast kids.
Today, however, was the nightmare. Last night we re-jetted down to a 100 from a 110. Thinking that was too much, we found a 105 and slid that in. Out he goes. He's still a little slow at 1:12's, but the track and tires are cold. In the pits, and we change back to the 100. The plug was still looking a bit fouled, and it still wasn't detonating. During the pocket bike practice, one of the little'uns went down and the ambulance had to be rolled. No more practice for us. An hour later, and the ambulance returns. Daryl tells everyone they'll do a 4 lap practice, and roll right into the mains. Anthony comes back in and complains the bike is a bit down on power, and insists he wants the 110 back in there.
First heat race begins, and another rider by the name of Joe goes down in turn 1. Bad. Once again, the ambulance is rolled, but to a different hospital 90 minutes away. 3 hours later, and it returns. Restage for the main race. Green flag drops, and they're off. 3 laps into it, another rider goes down causing the ambulance to roll for a 3rd time. The organizers call the race without Anthony getting to the grid at all seeing as his race was #4 :hammer: . Oh well, there's always next month!
Written by Thomas for Anthony Walsh #14 50cc lite