October 7 - 8 Results

GT Light 12th

LW SuperSport 13th

LW Grand Prix 12th

UltraLight Superbike 7th

Formula 40-Light Crashed Out

This final Loudon race weekend was my comeback weekend from broken ribs. After four crashes this year, I was not looking for any more. But I found the biggest one of the year. I was part of a nine bike pile-up in turn 7 which ended the season for a number of people, and created some very serious injuries for a few of them. A Suzuki SV650 crankcase in turn 6 was the culprit that spewed oil all over the track right at the point where bikes are generally fully leaned over going 60-80 mph. I watched three riders slide off the track as I rounded the turn. The two others I was still chasing were next. I followed but slid up the track. Everyone else slid off the track into a tangle of bikes and riders in the grass all the way up to the tire barrier wall.

Crawling as fast I can to safety. My Aprilia a little further up track.

On Saturday, I put in my fastest race lap ever at 1:23:016. So it was a year of improvement.

My bike is spent. A full season on its two worn pistons. A gear box which does not want to shift. I became faster and faster as the bike became slower and slower. Its exhausted. It's time for a new top end. Its grossly under-powered in its classes at Loudon. But its also destined to become the "B" bike. A very well sorted 1998 Aprilia RS250 has been located for sale, that has been raced Nationally and successfully by Daniele Lenarduzzi and tuned by James Hillis. This will be the "A" bike for me to compete in SuperBike and GrandPrix at Loudon next year. This winter I will rebuild the "B" bike and compete with it in SuperSport and Formula-40 Light, although by the end of the season I will be competing in Formula-50 Light! I turn 50 next year and I am just getting started in roadracing.

Its been a terrific season. I could not ask for a better garage mate and neighbors. Met so many interesting people who race. And I'm not nearly the oldest guy out there by a long shot. So what's next? Well the North-South Challenge on December 3rd at the Miami-Homestead Speedway in Florida. Every year the Loudon racers get to challenge the Florida racers in the last race of the CCS season. I will debut the new "A" bike and try and keep it off the pavement. A red Aprilia! Will give my final report for the year after MIami-Homestead.

The 2007 "A" Bike: 1998 Aprilia RS250.