Sponsored Rider Tania Davidson WSMC Round 2 Race Report
Here is Tania's unadulterated race report for Round 2 WSMC. Go visit her myspace to check on the first round and see how our Senior Expert is faring and cheer her on!!
February 15-17, 2008 Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA
This weekend was especially unusual for several reasons. First, none of my team was able to be there, so I was alone in the garages, save for our friend, Micheal Gougis, his wife Sandy and their two adorable dogs. Second, I had no Saturday practice as I usually do, because I decided to celebrate my Valentine's Day birthday on Friday and mosey out to the track Saturday afternoon. Third, the weather was as perfect as it could possibly be at Willow Springs. In February of 2006, when I took my New Racer School, it snowed. February 2008 consisted of 70 degrees, clear, sunny skies and no breeze. Track records were set, most notably a lap time record made in three classes by Micheal Gougis. Way to go, Micheal!!
As was the case last month, my transponder was a dead duck, and I had neglected to send it back to AMB. There it sat in the top compartment of my toolbox, just where I'd left it after the previous round. (sigh) Realizing this just as I was starting to pack the trailer, I instead threw everything in ASAP and raced to the track, making it to the Timing and Scoring office with 20 minutes to spare until they closed. As luck would have it, there was one rental transponder left and I gratefully paid for it. Thank you, Dennis! One less thing to worry about.
The races were trouble-free, until the third. Once again, Formula 40 and the 600 Superstock were scheduled back-to-back, but by the race after these (Formula 2), my fading rear Dunlop let me know that its time was over. Now. I was able to make it through the race easing her into the corners (slid each time through T2, T4 and alarmingly, T9), and with Michael and Sandy's benevolent help, got a new rear tire on in time for my last race of the day, 600 Modified Production. Thank you also to the guys at Sport Tire Services who put me at the front of the line to get me back on the track in time! It was very gratifying to be treated as "important" even when I'm not winning races or even sponsored by STS. The fresh 209 NTEC felt like a breath of fresh air, and I was confident to push it as far as I could.
The outstanding conditions resulted in good finishes (I was near the middle of the pack in 600 Superstock!), even with people like Josh Hayes and Steve Rapp on the grids. I set a personal lap record this weekend, with a 1:32, getting faster every round! My esteemed trainer, Mara, is to thank for her superior work out program that allows me to physically make it through four races without needing a wheelchair afterward. Thank you!! Thanks to Vortex for the sprockets and other parts, Chicken Hawk for the tire warmers that are still going strong despite consistently tripping the electrical breaker in the Willow Springs garages. Thanks to Hazardous Sports for the cool gear, to North County House of Motorcycles, my home shop, for having my back, Suomy for the fantastic lid, and Race Tech for the suspension. Thank you also goes to Dave Moss, of Catalyst Reaction suspension for being there this year at Willow Springs and getting my set up tuned right!
Results
Formula 40 LW: Finished 6th
600 Superstock: Finished 13th
Formula 2: Finished 13th
600 Modified Production: Finished 12th
Total Points to date: 22
Overall Rank to date: 57
See you all at Willow Springs for Round 3 March 14-16!
February 15-17, 2008 Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA
This weekend was especially unusual for several reasons. First, none of my team was able to be there, so I was alone in the garages, save for our friend, Micheal Gougis, his wife Sandy and their two adorable dogs. Second, I had no Saturday practice as I usually do, because I decided to celebrate my Valentine's Day birthday on Friday and mosey out to the track Saturday afternoon. Third, the weather was as perfect as it could possibly be at Willow Springs. In February of 2006, when I took my New Racer School, it snowed. February 2008 consisted of 70 degrees, clear, sunny skies and no breeze. Track records were set, most notably a lap time record made in three classes by Micheal Gougis. Way to go, Micheal!!
As was the case last month, my transponder was a dead duck, and I had neglected to send it back to AMB. There it sat in the top compartment of my toolbox, just where I'd left it after the previous round. (sigh) Realizing this just as I was starting to pack the trailer, I instead threw everything in ASAP and raced to the track, making it to the Timing and Scoring office with 20 minutes to spare until they closed. As luck would have it, there was one rental transponder left and I gratefully paid for it. Thank you, Dennis! One less thing to worry about.
The races were trouble-free, until the third. Once again, Formula 40 and the 600 Superstock were scheduled back-to-back, but by the race after these (Formula 2), my fading rear Dunlop let me know that its time was over. Now. I was able to make it through the race easing her into the corners (slid each time through T2, T4 and alarmingly, T9), and with Michael and Sandy's benevolent help, got a new rear tire on in time for my last race of the day, 600 Modified Production. Thank you also to the guys at Sport Tire Services who put me at the front of the line to get me back on the track in time! It was very gratifying to be treated as "important" even when I'm not winning races or even sponsored by STS. The fresh 209 NTEC felt like a breath of fresh air, and I was confident to push it as far as I could.
The outstanding conditions resulted in good finishes (I was near the middle of the pack in 600 Superstock!), even with people like Josh Hayes and Steve Rapp on the grids. I set a personal lap record this weekend, with a 1:32, getting faster every round! My esteemed trainer, Mara, is to thank for her superior work out program that allows me to physically make it through four races without needing a wheelchair afterward. Thank you!! Thanks to Vortex for the sprockets and other parts, Chicken Hawk for the tire warmers that are still going strong despite consistently tripping the electrical breaker in the Willow Springs garages. Thanks to Hazardous Sports for the cool gear, to North County House of Motorcycles, my home shop, for having my back, Suomy for the fantastic lid, and Race Tech for the suspension. Thank you also goes to Dave Moss, of Catalyst Reaction suspension for being there this year at Willow Springs and getting my set up tuned right!
Results
Formula 40 LW: Finished 6th
600 Superstock: Finished 13th
Formula 2: Finished 13th
600 Modified Production: Finished 12th
Total Points to date: 22
Overall Rank to date: 57
See you all at Willow Springs for Round 3 March 14-16!
posted by Mara@befit4riding.com at
5:52 PM
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