posted on August 21, 2010 22:31
WMRRA Round 6 - Pacific Raceways (August 14th - 15th)
We had another very successful weekend despite the challenges from the extreme heat in the Pacific Northwest. Along with this, I managed to re-learn a valuable lesson in keeping a level head when mistakes are made during a race. Here's a summary of what happened:
600 Supersport: I spent the first part of the race in a heated battle for 4th place between my teammate, Nick Finken, and Team HDFFC's Brad DeLong. As the laps wore on, I was able to pull away a bit, only to almost crash in the last corner on the second to last lap! As the front wheel started to tuck, metal parts hit the ground. However, the bike managed to right itself with a violent shake. I ended up crossing the line with my best finish to this date in 600 Supersport. Results: 4th Place.
750 Superbike: I chose to use this race to test out a new shifting point between Turns 5, 6, and 7. I had gone faster during the previous weekend by not shifting at all, even though the bike lacked quite a bit of power heading up the hill towards Turn 8. My thought was that if I could get it done quickly, the added drive up the hill would improve my times. Well... it didn't work. I felt significantly slower while trying to manage a downshift between Turns 6 & 7. The amusing part was that even though my competitors were climbing all over me through this part of the track, I kept them behind me for the entire race. Thus, we once again ended up with another personal best finish for this class. Results: 6th Place.
600 Superbike: The initial start couldn't have gone any better. I was right behind Brad DeLong on the first lap, ready to make a pass for 4th or 5th place. However, a multi-bike crash in Turn 9 brought out the red flag and a restart to the race. My second launch off the line was terrible. By the time we reached Turn 2, I found myself far back in the field, desperately trying to make up ground. The last time this happened to me in Spokane, my desperation put me ON the ground. You would think I had learned from this incident. However, the "Red Mist Syndrome" kicked in as I clawed my way through the pack. I managed to catch up to Nick Finken at about the half-way point. My target was Marcel Irnie, who was starting to pull away. I kept telling myself, "Be patient... you can pass Nick down the front stretch." However, I decided to take a chance and go for a pass WAY too late on the outside of Turn 3. As I came charging down the hill, I slammed into Nick HARD at the turn-in point. Fortunately, he made it through the turn unscathed. I, however, bounced off of him and lost control of the bike's trajectory for long enough to leave me no other option but to take the exit road. This earned me a 30 second penalty. My race was over for the most part, but I decided to continue to circulate in attempts to salvage a few points.
Immediately after the race, I pulled into the pits and apologized profusely to Nick for what happened. He shrugged it off as a "racing incident" or an "accident" / a "mistake." I did not feel the same. The choice I made was not "an accident" or a "mistake." I had a safer option in that race to pass Nick, but I made a poor decision instead. This is a sport where you must seriously THINK about what you are doing out there because there are potentially serious consequences if you choose not to. I chose to ignore this during the 600 Superbike race, and I could have caused my teammate harm - I have been participating in this sport long enough to know better. When all was said and done, I went to Josh Wieand, WMRRA's Race Director, and asked him to have scoring disqualify me from the race.
We all understand that this is a dangerous sport, and we accept the fact that accidents will happen, mistakes will be made, and racers will get hurt sometimes. Likewise, everyone knows that it is not uncommon for folks to occasionally rub elbows in a heated battle. However, there is a difference between close "clean" racing, and reckless racing. Furthermore, we have to realize that what we might be able to get away with at a track such as Fontana could very well land someone in the hospital at Pacific Raceways. This is club level racing - we all have loved ones, families, and jobs to go home to at the end of the day.
You bet the points mean a great deal to me this season - more than ever before. Yet, the points will NEVER outweigh how much I care for the well being of my teammates and every other racer on that track. I do not expect everyone to agree with my decision. Furthermore, I am not suggesting that other racers should follow suit and voluntarily disqualify themselves under similar scenarios. However, it is my hope that what I have to say will at least get people THINKING about what they are doing out there on the track - THINKING about racing smarter. The end result will hopefully improve the safety (to some degree) of our racing environment.
Mind you, I will continue to race hard, and I have no reservations about racing close when the situation warrants it. However, I will never again put my fellow racers in jeopardy by consciously making a poor choice to win a battle over season points.
I'd like to thank all of my sponsors and everyone in the pits that have helped to keep us going each weekend. Our success this season would not be possible without your support!
The final round of the 2010 WMRRA season is September 11th and 12th. This weekend will include the 600 Superbike and 750 Superbike make-up races from Round One. It will be a fight till the very end, but we are ready as ever! Stay tuned!
Cheers,
Wendy Kristen Leber
fourwindsroadracing.com