CCS @ Streets of Willows 11/30/03-11/31 Quick & Dirty Impressions Friday ------ Get up early, load up and run over to Speedshop to pick up the Ninja. It still needed a little love so, Jonah and I threw it back together, loaded it up and I drove over to Kenyon's. Repack all my stuff into Kenyon's cool-mobile and hit the road. We get to the track at about 6:30 and happily the gates are still open so, we get to pull in and start setting up the pit. It's really cold. Saturday -------- Get up early and bundle up in every stitch of warm clothing I packed. Register, tech and realize the battery on the Ninja is completely dead. Adam Fernandes gives me a jump from his truck and I let the Ninja idle for 15 minutes until my first session. That's 3 for 3 on having some electrical issue at Streets of Willows for me. Put on my thermal undies and hit the track. I haven't really had to deal with cold tires since I switched to the 17" rims early this year but, it's fun to slip all over the place for the first half a lap. They've repaved part of the track which makes it pretty dreamy compared to what it used to be. I thought I had been doing 1:36's last time I was here so, I was disappointed to come in with nothing better than a 1:37. My leathers feel too tight around my knees so, I'm constantly fighting against 'em when I'm hanging off and it starts to tire me out. I dunno if they're just tighter from the last set of repairs or if the cold's somehow shrunk 'em up a bit but, my knees are rubbed raw by the end of the session. Next session, I get down to a few 1:35's but, still feel pretty ragged. GT Lights --------- I've never done GT Lights before - It's a 30 minute race and I'm supposed to be solidly outgunned but, I've been debating competing in it next year instead of my class 'cause I'll get more track time. I'm gridded way back on the 9th row and am last going into turn 1. Damn. I briefly entertain pacing myself 'cause 30 minutes is twice as long as I'm used to but, immediately toss that idea out and just ride my best. I never click into smooth mode but, make a few passes and end up 10th behind Matt Buck. Sunday ------ When the alarm goes off Beau cracks the curtains and says, "It's snowing!!!" and Kenyon and I both leaped out of our beds, believing him for a second. Bastard. It's freakin' cold but, I feel alot better in morning practice. My leathers have finally reached a tolerably comfortable spot and I'm starting get a little closer to being in the groove. I was sliding around quite a bit more - these tires have 5 races plus practice on 'em and look really gnarly. It doesn't make sense to buy new tires for my very last race of the year with absolutely nothing on the line - my championship is secure and I'm just here to have fun so, I decide to suck it up and ride within the tire's limits. After the second session I sawed off some more peg for more ground clearance and replaced my toe sliders. Lightweight Sportsman --------------------- With my Ultralight Championship secure I decided to enter this one just for yucks. I have an outside chance of finishing in the top three for the season if I win this one. I've done it before but, it's the last race of the season and lap records have been getting smashed all weekend - trying not to get lapped seems to be a more realistic goal. The good news is the the sun popped out and brought the temperatures up to something pleasant. I over rev it in the start and miss a shift putting me firmly in last place into turn 1 again. This weekend hasn't been very kind to my ego. I see Adam Fernandes on his SV not too far ahead going into turn 4 so, I put my head down and try to keep up. I'm sliding around on every corner and figure that the tires are shot and just do my best. However, scoring had me running 1:33's which was definitely my best ever here so, I end up being really pleased with how the weekend worked out even if I never felt smooth. We load up and hit the road with the rest of the post Thanksgiving weekend traffic. When I got home I flipped through my (forgotten) track journal and found that my previous best was a 1:39 at Streets making my 33's all that more delicious. Yay! ...Is it February yet?