Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive


Subject: RE: How did Ken do at races

Author: Ray Hale

Date: Oct 9, 2003, 2:19 PM

Post ID: 1714813063



Ken,
Sounds great! At least it sounds like you're still having fun at it and
that counts for a lot. I plan on getting some pics of you and your bikes
when I see you, so watch out.
Got your message today. Already found my answer... Copal shutters. Will
call you when we hit Cruso on the 17th. Leave some time so we can ride
and share a meal, Sat or Sun.
Ray

Ken Pitts wrote:
 
tom short wrote:
 
So, anybody hear how Ken did at the AHRMA races??

 AZ MGNOC Rep
Phoenix, AZ

I just returned home from back to back race weekends, first at
Barber's Motorsports, then Talladega GP the following weekend, visiting
family & a work trip.

The dyno time paid off at Barber, the jetting was dead on & the bike
was running great with the exception of a coil failure on practice day,
luckily I had a spare. Changes to foot position & the addition of a
fairing took quite a bit of track time to get used to. Three to fours
guys dominate the class I have bumped into, I kept them in sight for
about two to three laps & watched as they steadily pulled away. I ran
the race pretty much by myself & finished a distant 4th behind the fast
guys & well ahead of 5th place. I'm very happy with my finish, its the
best I could have ever expected for my first race in this class.

The Barber track itself is fantastic, 2.8 miles with lots of elevation
change, a couple of blind hills with turns & something like 14 or 15
turns total.

Having time on the bike at Barber, practice the following weekend at
Talladega felt really good. I was getting used to the new riding
position & my lap times were showing it.
By mid afternoon Friday, much to my surprise I had almost smoked through

the tires that I was planing on running all weekend. With no spares
(that will teach me) I sat out the rest of practice. Saturday I only
went out for 4 laps of practice & saved the last bit of tires for the
race. The race went pretty much the same as at Barber, the fast guys
took off leaving me in 4th place. Worried about the tires, my pace was a

little off from Friday & the guy in 5th showed me his front wheel one
time, I was able to hold him off & finish in 4th again. After Saturday's

race the tires were totally shot & I ended up not racing at all on
Sunday.

All in all a great time on the track with a couple of ideas that will
make the bike even better for next season.

Ken
Asheville, NC

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