Okay, I confess...I used the subject line to get you big fishes in the boat! I had a swell - if marred by a DNF in the 2nd PV moto - time at the Broome Tioga "au natural" grass track on Saturday with a small, but dedicated, turn-out of riders for our final MX regional event.
I gotta get on a jet aero-plane for Detroit this afternoon, so I'm keeping it short. But let me just mention that compatriot Bob Shofstahl once again opened up a can of whoop-ass on me in the 2nd moto of our PV Race 5 before I killed my bike in a slow turn with an "up" mis-shift and she wouldn't re-start. Yes...some consolation in that I had beaten Bob in the first - very slick - moto. And some consolatipn in that (we) were both leading Loren Westcott, our Husky-riding nemisis, in the second moto. Bob got to the line well ahead of him (by a lot...), I obviously didn't. BUT...he finished in front of both of us in the first moto.
Angel Bettancourt's MC-5 didn't make the event -it's in Pre-Op scheduled for a clutch replacement.
I dubbed the event "Grand Prix of Wales" based on the 100% fine morning mist/overnight downpours that greeted us on this Southern Tier hillside on Saturday morning. The grass/mud combo that loaded up the bikes was suitable for one thing only - adobe hut construction! It did clear up at lunchtime for the second set of motos but the damage was done. I elected to leave the Six Day in the trailer, just because I knew I would NOT have the time to clean up two bikes this weekend and I figured (correctly) that my MC-5 would be little more forgiving in these conditions.
I'm really hoping Bob speaks up and chimes in this time around to talk about his most excellent 2nd moto ride (he let me know he had read and appreciated the racing thread from Allen's Farm). BTW - my neighbor/fellow Oswegonian Joe Vanella, who has raced motorcycles just about forever, kicked everyone down pretty seriously in both Race 5 motos on his Red Rocket Honda CR480.
Dan Killian stopped by and helped, and - attention please - Dennis Foley is alive, well, and almost kicking. If you recall, Dennis broke his leg in a very big way at Allen's Farm in May of 2008. He's just about ready to swing a leg over one of his (10?) Penton's sitting in his basement. It was a pleasure to make his aquaintance and have him offer yet more advice/TLC on caring for my 250.
30 minutes of high-pressure washing, a half of can of WD-40, and I think I can leave my MC-5 alone for now while I go work for The Man. Later!
As Bob reported, the "Grand Prix of Wales" was quite a challenge. The persisent drizzle left a course that became very muddy. Bob deserves a lot a credit in his ability to adapt to these conditions. He soundly kicked my butt in moto #1 PV Historic 250. I really struggled with maintaining control and in keeping the bike upright.
Regarding our second moto the skies started to clear a moto or two earlier and the track started to dry out. I got lucky with these improving conditions and felt more comfortable and was able to let the bike run as it wants to. Was sorry to see him sitting along side the course when his bike stalled on him. Regaining confidence in where the bike was going made this moto way more fun than the first. And as luck would have it the afternoon weather was better yet!
It took two wash sessions to get the MC5 cleaned up after this race. The first was at a car wash and the second at the house to get the thick mud off the bike. Guess we made up for how little was needed after Lawton.
It was a pleasure to meet Dan "ThrownChain" Killian. Likewise it was great to see Dennis & Rhonda Foley again. Hope to see Dennis back on the track next year after his long recovery from Lawton '08.
Rob Shofstahl
Rob! Great to see your post. And now, ladies and gentlemen....I proudly add one more post because of a very late-breaking development. A fellow NE AHRMA racer has posted a 26 second YouTube video of the start of Moto 5, Race 2. Watch the guy in the yellow rain pants and blue MS rain jacket. If you look closely, you will see that in fact there was a SHOCKER at Broome Tioga:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWBmZWlBSe4
That's right. I got the holeshot. Sort of. Viva Viagra!
Of course, it was all downhill from there as I slid (literally) backwards thru the ranks. Three of the Big Boys passed me on Grand Prix Opens, Rob was by me on Lap 2.
But for about 30 seconds, I had the 2-5-0 figured out. See ya next season, compadres!
Thanks for the slippery footage.