CMRA Cresson August 2023

Back in the USA after two months in Africa and first time throwing a leg over the a bike in 10 weeks at a race weekend already sounds as exciting as it should. A week before I left for Africa in June I crashed pretty hard at Harris Hill chasing a PB, was in the 1:29s and just had to get more. I sprained my fibula pretty badly which impacted my training while in Africa for work but that is how it goes some times. So first time at a new track and on a bike in 10 weeks what could go wrong? “A lot went wrong.” the narrator said. Friday practice was needed for sure which did allow me to learn the track but without knowing it this is when my issues began and I wouldn’t notice until much later in the weekend. In short I was running to low of a rear tire pressure which smoked that rear tire and after a crash Friday afternoon my lap times just got worse and worse throughout the weekend. I was able to live in the low 1:28s for a little bit Friday and was chasing a 1:26 when I crashed and things just got worse and worse lap time wise. Keeping in mind too that the experts on 300s were running 1:23s! How?… I don’t know yet but working on that part. I will also add that my Woodcraft case protector saved my weekend with that crash. The low side was at about 85mph and I just slide and the bike did too, thankfully, and the case protector functioned as it was supposed to. The racing Saturday saw me get two 4ths in the sprints and then win my class and championship for the 500 Stock Solo Series in novice. Sunday I was able to pull of a 6^th and a 3^rd which only came about due to two people crashing in front of me. My lap times by the end of Sunday were in the 1:29s and that was all I could muster but considering how bad the tire was I was lucky to not crash again and still keep that kinda pace. It was a real bummer I didn’t notice this vital mistake with the rear tire earlier in the weekend as I might have been able to reverse the damage or at least not make it worse. Still though it’s pretty cool to be able to walk away with a championship! I hope to be back to Cresson as I do like the track and it reminds me a lot of Harris Hill Raceway. I was able to make to Harris Hill Raceway for Monday and able to get back into the 1:29s rather quickly and no need for a tow going CCW which I needed last time. Glad to know I still kinda have it. 😉 A huge shout out to hot bodies and woodcraft this weekend for making kit that can survive even me and my “ability” to crash. The next race for Coffee Break Liberty Racing will be my first pro-race and I’m looking forward to it a lot!