WSMC Report, June 2009

WSMC Report, June 2009

First off, I would like to give thanks to Ed Milich of Guzzitech.com/bimotacagiva.com, Mike Curtis of Fleetserve.com, Pierre, Kara Harrington, Jesse, Eric Orr, George Beavers, Friends, Cretins Motorcycle Club, LA 2 Wheel Social Club, The Alazzurra List, and the Pantaheads Club for supporting my racing career. With out your support and help; I wouldn’t be racing.

Well, it’s the middle of June, five months into the WSMC racing season, we are ahead in points in Vintage Lightweight with 60pts and Russ Stranger, Honda Hawk 650, close behind us with 40 pts. In Vintage Heavyweight we are barely hanging on with 46pts due to Charlie Barnett’s (33pts) last two month’s wins on his Honda Hawk 750. This is racing and I want to win!

In the past month, Ed once again did a valve adjustment on the blue Ducati, and I have been working on our red bike “Ultimazzira.” (another 80’s Pantah with some trick parts)I have been doing some custom fabrication to Ed old race bike. Rear sets with brackets made by Eric Orr of Strictly Regimental, upper faring including mounts, Bub exhaust with some custom fitting, and a few other things. We are building another lighter bike in hopes of catching the 750 Hawk, and gaining at least a second on Russ’s Hawk. Another great announcement for this month: A Tire sponsor! Fleetserve has donated a nice sum of money to help with the cost of tires which can be up to almost 400 bucks a month. Thanks Mike Curtis for your generosity! Check out their web site:
www.fleetserve.com
Also, I have to thank Kara Harrington and Ed for sponsoring a needed set of Vanson Leathers. These leathers are no joke! They are thick, perforated holes, and they match my bike colors. Haha

Jesse and I headed out early Saturday morning since my Cretins Racing member, Eric Orr, is coming out to join the WSMC on a FZR 400, and my neighbor Mark Duncan is joining and taking the new racers school on another FZR 400. I wanted to be there early to claim a spot next to them and help with needed assistance with Mark with his first time out. We rolled in and ironically Eric was coming in on a chase truck. Damn Cretins Racing! Haha. This is the first time Eric has had this FZR out since it has sat for several years waiting for a racer to bring her back to life. Saturday started out with a pinched fuel line and next was over heating; which in turn made it an unsuccessful weekend for Eric, but at least he is out there. Next month buddy! I spent my first hour safety wiring up Mark’s bike, new tires, and made sure he had the correct tire pressure. YOU HAVE TO CHECK THAT before you go on the track. There was over 40psi in those tires after the new ones were installed.

Saturday practice was like battling the winds in the North Sea except it was hot air. It was horrible. It made life in the pits annoying, and the track miserable. Most everyone was running several seconds over their usual times, and wrecks were happening as a result of it. Old Blue felt great; therefore, I allowed Ed to take her out for a spin. I focused on Ultimazzura. Well, things didn’t go so well. I had mounted the wind screen to close to the tank making it impossible to put your head behind the windscreen, and the bike was having some engine issues. For some reason, it was missing around 7 grand and felt like it had no power on the top end. I move the wind screen forward 4 inches making it super comfortable, but the engine problems persisted. I wouldn’t be surprise that the new light weight battery may not have had a full charge now as I think about it since it runs on a total loss system. We finished the day feeling good, but some rest was on my mind.

Ed rented us a room at the Antelope Inn, and I was blessed with bunking with farting and snoring Jesse as Maggie got to snuggle up with Ed. Eric and Mark got a room and apparently Mark snores pretty bad as well. Note to self, let Mark and Jesse get a room next time for snoring out loud!!
Sunday morning. Shitty continental breakfast with crappy coffee. Maggie and Ed stayed behind to sleep in as us racers took off to the track. I always get that feeling inside when we get close to the track. Seeing the Omega up the hill as we turn into Willow Springs always gets me going. As we set up our pit and got the bikes over to tech; I realized that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Racing! Which I realize just about everyday especially when I’m at work at 8AM opening work related emails.

Heavyweight race was first. Lined up on the front row outside with Russ and Charles. Green flags drops and Russ and Charles take me on the line with Charles out in front as usual. Go into one on the outside of Russ and I hold the throttle fully open and pop into 4th just before turn 2. I pass Russ and set my sites on Charles. Ran into 3 as usual and got right up on his tail. As soon as we got to 7 he started pulling away and by the time we got down the straight away to turn 1 he was ahead of me by 10 bikes. I late break into 1, throttled around 2, and caught up to his tail again going into 3. I seemed to be faster through the omega but he had more top end hp to pass. We went for several laps, and he slowly stretched his lead. It seemed like I was starting to catch up to him around lap 6. Charles was about 12 bikes ahead of me. I remember thinking I was going hit 9 just right and start trying to draft him. I popped down to 4 at the top of turn 8, and sure as shit would happen. False neutral! Tried to pop it into gear and the tranny was stuck. Pulled up and down and it was locked. I made it through the turn but was quickly slowing down. Finally, I was able to unlock the tranny and find 4th. Slammed it into 3rd and grabbed 4th by turn 1. I was afraid that I was going to give up second to Russ; so I kept my head down and didn’t look back. Took every turn like it was a race for first place and two laps later I passed the finish line with a second place. It was good race, intense, and a bit frustrating. I wanted to try and pass Charles on the last lap. Haha

Vintage Lightweight. No Charles to compete with, but Russ was there and the RZ 400 must have had engine issues in the previous race because he wasn’t on the line. Eric was lined up right behind me. Green flag dropped and Russ and I went into turn 1 together. I kept my head down and was able to pull off into first again. The bike slid hard around turn 2 and I tackled the omega blocking lines for passers. I was thinking as I went around 8; I wonder if I can lap Eric. Haha. Although, that wouldn’t happen because on lap 3 his modified radiator cap blew off! He was lucky he didn’t get burned or and didn’t go down. The race was a battle with the wind. When you would come over turn 6 it would almost push you off the track, and I tried a couple of different lines to help adjust. I remember being inches from the edge at one of the quickest parts of the track, but it didn’t really seem to bother me that much. Weird. We finished with a 1st place with over a half a lap lead on 2nd and it felt great!!

After the race I talked with Russ. He was battling the wind more than me since he has a full faring bike and decided to take a quite 2nd. Perhaps next month “Windy Sands” will be back to its original name “Willow Springs.”

In the next weeks to come, Ed and I hope to get the red bike running better and get it in the next race. I will inspect the oil in the blue bike and see if there is anything that can show why we are having transmission problems. 3 months in a row of this false neutral in 4th is getting really old. It’s starting to pop out on the up shift to 4th as well right at the top of turn 6.

Next month I hope to get some better pics with our new sponsor “Fleetserve.”
Thanks Jared of www.visceralstudios.com for the great pics.

Thanks again to all that helped make this a great race weekend. Until next month,
Rick Carmody aka “Highside”
#394 1986 Ducati Cagiva/Alluzzurra/Pantah


Victory beer! haha
photo by www.visceralstudios.com

Eric loading up after his radiator blew off.
photo by www.visceralstudios.com

Eric's FZR 400. Nice stickes bro! haha

Mark excited after his first race ever! haha

Maggie giving kisses to Mandy. thanks for coming.
photo by www.visceralstudios.com

Ed Milich doing his thing. Thanks buddy!
photo by www.visceralstudios.com

Ira and Katie watching me race.

photo by www.visceralstudios.com
That's some nice tail!

photo by www.visceralstudios.com

Photo by Richard Behrle

Photo by Richard Behrle

Check out those new leathers. Vanson baby! Thanks Ed and Kara. Your the best!

First and Second place finish!

Something cool posted on Youtube. Ari and I racing each other on our CB's in AHRMA , and then I crash! haha Enjoy.

"Utlimazurra"

The bike has been coming along. Countless hours of paint, fabrication, and modification. We hope to have the bike ready for this weekend, but the heads are still not done for the new motor. So, we will test the bike out this weekend at the races and see how she feels.


The fleet. I think I need a bigger shop. haha








Bub exhaust and custom design rear set brackets made by Eric Orr.


Dual front disk with better forks


Mono Penski Shock, aluminum swing arm, and 180 rear tire with Astro light wheels. Sweet!


Old blue next to Utimazurra


Custom paint and sticker done by yours truely, and of course our new sponsor "FleetServe" sticker.

New Sponsor added today. Super Thanks!!!

Today, Ed and I gained a sponsor called Fleet Serve. This will help with race tire expenses for the 2009 Season.
I added their web site to this blog sites sponsor list. Check it out! The company's name is Fleet Serve.
FleetServe is your first choice in fleet service and maintenance. At FleetServe they service your fleet vehicles and gas/oil field service equipment during off hours ensuring regular maintenance and peak fleet performance without costly equipment down time. From regular oil and filter exchanges to more complex maintenance and inspections, FleetServe gives fleet managers and owners peace of mind without costly down time.

Thanks Mike Curtis!

A video I made on my CB 450 during practice at Willow Springs

Building "Ultamazzera"

So, Ed and I are building another Pantah to Race in the WSMC. It has some really nice upgrades that my current bike doesn't have. It has lighter wheels with a 180 rear tire, NCR frame, Mono shock(Penske)with a aluminum swing arm, better front end, and we are currently building another 650 motor for it. I'm working on cosmetic stuff while Ed builds the motor. I have changed the set up from bars to clip-ons, moving the rear sets back, and adding a upper vintage faring. Of course, I have to add my "Rattle Can Rick" paint and graphics. haha Here are some pics of our progress.








Custom fabricated faring stay. Fancy aye! Clip-ons mounted.



Before, This is how Ed had it mounted. I had to fix that first thing. haha

After


So, I was trying to put a little vintage pantah flava to the bike, and that is why I'm painting the upper faring this way.



I still need to pin stripe between the white and red plus add some numbers.
More pics to come.

WSMC May 2009

1st in Vintage Light Weight
2nd in Vintage Heavhy Weight

Leading in points in both classes. Kara,my trophy girl, and I

WSMC Race Report May 2009

First off, I would like to give thanks to Ed Milich, Pierre, Kara, Jesse Pompilio, George Beavers, Alice, Jeff Tigert, Friends, Cretins Motorcycle Club, LA 2 Wheel Social Club, The Alazzurra List, and the Pantaheads Club for supporting my racing career. With out your support and help; I wouldn’t be racing.

It was hot, sunny, hot, clear skies, and hot at Willow this weekend. Let’s just say it was hot. In past few months racing has been a constant addiction and dedication as well as probably the most challenging and rewarding time in my life up to date.

Since last month, In WSMC, losing to the 1990 650cc Honda Hawk, Russ Stranger, has pushed me mentally, physically, and required me to make my bike faster. This was the mission for Ed and I. Ed, of course as always, has given up his time to help me up keep the valve lash, lighten the bike, and replace worn or broken parts to the Ducati.
In the last race at the AHRMA, the two weeks before, I had no clutch and the transmission was mission 4th on the down shift going into turns. So, a good used race clutch was installed with the proper free play, a new master cylinder was replaced, and I adjusted the shifter inner linkage. Ed and I insisted on making horse power this month, and we took some measure to help improve that. Nothing drastic, but some things that would get us faster before next month. It seems as though Russ and I have a race on hands as well as a few RZ’s that have been showing up each month. Beating him this month and getting a first place finish was all I thought about since last month’s losses to him. Russ is no longer a guy running three seconds behind me; he’s running just as fast as or faster than me. I know that his bike probably has many advantages and hp on the old ducati, but skill and persistence can help finish first. Right?
Well, I was stressed out up until the green flag drop and the checkered flag flew.

George Beavers allowed me to borrow his electric roller starter for a few months, and so here is a big thanks for that. Pushing that Ducati would suck in this heat and plus it would be pretty hard to do. Brian Catterson gave me some good pointer to think about while practicing around Willow that Saturday before the race.

Friday the night before my girl, Kara, flew into town for the races. Jesse was willing to ride up on his bike, since no one else wanted to drive the 90 miles up and I only have a two seater. Saturday morning, we over loaded the S-10: the duc and the CT, Kara and I, Maggie on the floor, and Jesse Rolling up on his Gsxer. As soon as we got over the hill; you could feel the heat of Antelope Valley. It is summer time, and this is what makes men out boys.

Saturday practice, the bike was sliding in two around the apex and the exit. It was also sliding at the apex of 8 and in through 9. It was kind of scary especially when both tires slid at the same time. I would just slightly let back on the throttle and keep it on the edge.
We experimented with tire pressure by adding a few psi because the track was so hot. The tires were gaining more psi on the track than usual there for causing the tires to almost over heat. You don’t want much more than 20% increase in psi from cold to hot.

After a frustrated and hot day at practice and the shifter falling off during the last practice, Kara and I took off to Lancaster to the Antelope Inn. Once we got there; a needed cold margarita and some chips/guacamole was on the list for things to do. The Antelope Inn was quite and felt remote since the no one was there, and the pool and hot tub was appealing. Later that night we coasted in the lounge were we ended up hanging out with the time keeper Dennis and his son who was doing the announcing Later, more WSMC officials rolled in and apparently buzzed, and it was a lot of fun.

Sunday morning, cold eggs and bacon from the continental breakfast provided by the hotel. Aargh!
Starbucks and away went toward the track.
Jesse stayed at the track that night before; he fixed our broken shifter and the pits were all set up and ready to go. A much thanks to him! Good job buddy! I went out in practice and ran my best lap time of a 1.36.08! This was good because it gave me needed confidence for the race. Jesse found out that Russ was running slicks today, and that kind of bothered me. I purposely did not run a transponder during practice, and I notice Russ did the same that morning. The race is on!

We ran the Vintage Heavy Weight race first. I started on the front row on the outside. The 750 built Honda Hawk and the Russ’s 650 Hawk had more low end off the start, and they entered turn 1 ahead of me. Next thing I knew a fast RZ 400 came around me before turn 2. The guy was driving like a maniac. He ended up passing Russ as well. I kept my eyes on Russ and tracked him through the first lap. Braked late into 1 and pass him on the outside. The RZ wasn't too far away, and Russ was on my tail. I passed the RZ on the outside of 8, but then soon enough he passed me again. All three of us were dicing while the 750 took off ahead. Through out the race Russ and I diced for third, but by half way through Russ seemed to have some engine problems or maybe gave up. I pass the RZ again and never saw him again. So, we ended up finishing 2nd place. It was a great feeling.

Vintage Light Weight. No 750 Honda in this race, but ones again, Russ and the RZ were lined up. There were about 4 more bikes in the race as well, but I never saw them accept when I lapped them later in the race.
Into turn one again behind Russ ahead with the RZ on my tail. I followed Russ through 2 and the RZ passed me on the inside going into 3. The guy had no consistant line and was changing his lines from left to right. I almost hit him couple of times. Another lap or so later, the RZ was ahead of me. About lap 4, all three of us were still running tight and dicing. As we ran around 8 I was drafting the RZ and was building momentum. He went wide out of 8 and I was about to make my pass on the inside through 9, but then he seem to miss a shift or something and I thought he was going to run into my line again so I held behind him. Russ went on the inside and passed us both! Gutsy move going through 9 Russ and I’m glad you didn’t crash in front of us. I went into 1 again, hot and late braking, pass them both! Took 2 on the edge and felt the rear sliding. The RZ ended up crashing into 3 behind me. Russ was on my tail again. He passed me again on the straight, and was slapping his butt like he was on horse. I ran into one even faster and passed him in a fury. I then started to block lines through 2 and 3. I kept my head down. Slid through 9 and kept the pace right to the edge. After about two more laps; I finally looked back and no more Russ. I don’t know what happened to him. Maybe he was having problems, but when the checkered flag flew…. I was in first. It was amazing! It was one of the best races I had ever been in. We must have changed leaders 4 times or so. I was so relieved. All my stress of not winning was over. All the time Ed and I spent working on the bike to make it better paid off. My constant strives to the end paid off, and we finished first. What a great weekend!!!!
I had run my lap times in 135’s which was over a second faster than two weeks before. In fact, 135.07 was my best time. That’s apparently pretty fast for an old pantah at Willow. Haha

Well, Ed and I are working hard already for next month. We are building up another Pantah that has some really great race components and is lighter, but we may not have it done for the next race. We will just see. It’s going to be another month of being broke and saving for tires. Haha I started this blog site; so that, maybe we can get a sponsor.

Thanks again to all that helped make this a great race weekend. Until next month,
Rick Carmody aka “Highside”