Post by Brockman on Aug 2, 2011 1:13:34 GMT -5
What a great track! Super smooth and wide. The weather was hot with humidity that was off the scale. The only comfortable air was when we were at speed on the track. We had limited practice time on the track with just 3 laps in the first round and 2 laps in the second so figuring out the clay and the sweeping corners were a top priority for me since this was my first mile. My gearing was real close thanks to a few phone calls to our local pros.
For the second practice I only had to add a tooth to the rear and Chance and I headed out for a 2 lap draft practice session. Yes they held us to 2 laps. We started the heat races and Chance had a big group of 450s to fight off and he held his own. He did a great job turning some fast lap times in a fast heat. My 451 group was a little smaller
but had some of the 450 mod guys from Chances group mounted on big bores. Yep they were fast, it was fun and a great experience for the next heat, I finished in fourth.
The Vet 30 class had a little mix of everything in it. Rotax, Yam, Honda, and Kawasaki. They drew my name first so I was placed at the bottom of the track in the loose stuff and was ready to go. I spun it up on the start a bit and drove it a Little deep in the first turn trying to play catch up. I tagged on the back of a Kawi and let him know I was there for a couple corners. The heats were 4 laps. White flag ... time to make a move. I set up wide in turn one and brought it back down at the apex to exit tight to the rail. That worked great and pulled in his draft right off the corner. I let the bike run a up a little on him and pulled out just in time to finish the draft pass over the top into turn three. I kept on the gas and held him off to the flag for third. As you can tell I enjoyed it and it wont be my last mile!
When they said at the riders meeting to race the heats like they were the main they weren't kidding. A storm front swept in and the rain came down. Race called and your position in the heat was your final spot. I would have liked to have gotten a better start and had a chance to run up in the lead but Ill take the podium step.
A great big thanks goes out to TeamKurts. They are great people and I was proud to pit next to them. I want to say thanks to Aaron Lindfors and Tim Lindfors (T&R racing) for putting in the time with me and my 450 to help get everything ready. Thanks guys. Hope to see you at Stockton.
Jeff Brockman
#33
P.S. I have fantastic front number plate video footage from the Mile. I will get it posted as soon as I can.
For the second practice I only had to add a tooth to the rear and Chance and I headed out for a 2 lap draft practice session. Yes they held us to 2 laps. We started the heat races and Chance had a big group of 450s to fight off and he held his own. He did a great job turning some fast lap times in a fast heat. My 451 group was a little smaller
but had some of the 450 mod guys from Chances group mounted on big bores. Yep they were fast, it was fun and a great experience for the next heat, I finished in fourth.The Vet 30 class had a little mix of everything in it. Rotax, Yam, Honda, and Kawasaki. They drew my name first so I was placed at the bottom of the track in the loose stuff and was ready to go. I spun it up on the start a bit and drove it a Little deep in the first turn trying to play catch up. I tagged on the back of a Kawi and let him know I was there for a couple corners. The heats were 4 laps. White flag ... time to make a move. I set up wide in turn one and brought it back down at the apex to exit tight to the rail. That worked great and pulled in his draft right off the corner. I let the bike run a up a little on him and pulled out just in time to finish the draft pass over the top into turn three. I kept on the gas and held him off to the flag for third. As you can tell I enjoyed it and it wont be my last mile!
When they said at the riders meeting to race the heats like they were the main they weren't kidding. A storm front swept in and the rain came down. Race called and your position in the heat was your final spot. I would have liked to have gotten a better start and had a chance to run up in the lead but Ill take the podium step.
A great big thanks goes out to TeamKurts. They are great people and I was proud to pit next to them. I want to say thanks to Aaron Lindfors and Tim Lindfors (T&R racing) for putting in the time with me and my 450 to help get everything ready. Thanks guys. Hope to see you at Stockton.
Jeff Brockman
#33
P.S. I have fantastic front number plate video footage from the Mile. I will get it posted as soon as I can.