You can also download one at http://cmraracing.com/forms.html. Note: An ..... is
one to watch. After roughly half a season on a Suzuki SV650, he is now a.
The Inside Line
December 2011, Issue Number 10
There’s A New Number One In Town!
C M RA • P O
B o x 10 117 7 • F o r t
W o r t h , Te x a s
7 6 18 5
• 8 17 - 5 7 0 - 9 7 7 9
Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association PO Box 101177 Fort Worth, TX 76185-1177 Office Phone: (817) 570-9779 FAX: (888) 334-0166 www.cmraracing.com
2011 CMRA Officers and Staff BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Orchard, President -
[email protected] Harry Tomlinson, Vice President -
[email protected] Norm McDonald, Treasurer -
[email protected] Ted Phillips -
[email protected] Ty Howard -
[email protected] Steve McNamara -
[email protected] Bill Syfan -
[email protected] STAFF Nancy Selleck, Administrator and CMRA Secretary -
[email protected] Walter Walker, Director of Competition -
[email protected] Barry Nichols, Chief Corner Working Marshal -
[email protected] Roxana Nichols, Awards Official -
[email protected] Kim Walker, Electronic Scoring -
[email protected] Fred Chapman, Track Chaplain -
[email protected] Steve McNamara, Riders School Instructor -
[email protected] Linz Leard, Chief Technical Inspector / Newsletter Editor -
[email protected]
On the Cover: Celebration time! Mitch McGinnis gives Danny Kelsey a champagne bath after Kelsey wrapped up the 2011 CMRA Overall Number One plate at Texas World Speedway. Photo: Linz Leard/NineSevenImages.
2 0 1 2 EVENT SCHEDULE
17 – 19 February MSR Houston (MSRH) Angleton, Texas Friday: CMRA Member Practice and CMRA License School Saturday: F4 / Mini Solo 30 (F5, 6 & 7) / ESS / Jr. Motard / 2-Hr Mini Endurance / 5-Hr Big Bike Endurance Sunday: CMRA Sprints 24 – 25 March Texas World Speedway (TWS) College Station, Texas Friday: LSTD Track Day and CMRA License School Saturday: F4 / Mini Solo 30 (F5, 6 & 7) / ESS / Jr. Motard / 6-Hr Big Bike Endurance Sun: CMRA Sprints 14 – 15 April Eagles Canyon Raceway (ECR) Decatur, Texas Friday: LSTD Track Day and CMRA License School Saturday: F4 / Mini Solo 30 (F5, 6 & 7) / ESS / Jr. Motard / 3-Hr Mini Endurance / 4-Hr Big Bike Endurance Sunday: CMRA Sprints 18 – 20 May Hallett Motor Racing Circuit (HMRC) Hallett, Oklahoma Friday: CMRA Member Practice and CMRA License School Saturday: F4 / Mini Solo 30 (F5, 6 & 7) / ESS / Jr. Motard / 2-Hr Mini Endurance / 5-Hr Big Bike Endurance Sunday: CMRA Sprints 9 – 10 June MotorSport Ranch (MSR) Cresson, Texas Friday: LSTD Track Day and CMRA License School Saturday: (1.3 mile course) F4 / Mini Solo 30 (F5, 6 & 7) / ESS / Jr. Motard / 4-Hr Mini Endurance (1.7 mile course) group practice / 4-Hr Big Bike Endurance Sunday: CMRA Sprints 20 – 22 July Hallett Motor Racing Circuit (HMRC) Hallett, Oklahoma Friday: CMRA Member Practice and CMRA License School Saturday: F4 / Mini Solo 30 (F5, 6 & 7) / ESS / Jr. Motard / 2-Hr Mini Endurance / 5-Hr Big Bike Endurance Sunday: CMRA Sprints 25 – 26 August MotorSport Ranch (MSR) Cresson, Texas Friday: LSTD Track Day and CMRA License School Saturday: (1.3 mile course) F4 / Mini Solo 30 (F5, 6 & 7) / ESS / Jr. Motard / 4-Hr Mini Endurance (1.7 mile course) group practice / 4-Hr Big Bike Endurance Sunday: CMRA Sprints 29 – 30 September Eagles Canyon Raceway (ECR) Decatur, Texas Friday: LSTD Track Day and CMRA License School Saturday: F4 / Mini Solo 30 (F5, 6 & 7) / ESS / Jr. Motard / 2-Hr Mini Endurance / 5-Hr Big Bike Endurance Sunday: CMRA Sprints 10 – 11 November Texas World Speedway College Station, Texas Friday: LSTD Track Day and CMRA License School Saturday: F4 / Mini Solo 30 (F5, 6 & 7) / ESS / Jr. Motard / 2-Hr Mini Endurance / 4-Hr Big Bike Endurance Sunday: CMRA Sprints
CENTRAL MOTORCYCLE ROADRACING ASSOCIATION
2012 FEE SCHEDULE COMPETITION LICENSE · $145 – Annual; $105 after June 10th; $25 after September 30th · $25 – One-Weekend (one time per year) · $25 – Junior Motard ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP · $70 – Annual; $40 after June 10th CMRA LICENSE SCHOOL · $75.00 · No charge for Junior Motard School SPRINTS · First Entry - $80.00 · Second Entry - $60.00 · Each Additional Entry - $40.00 · E Superstock - $55.00 MINI SPRINTS · Mini Solo 30 - $70.00 · Formula 4 - $45.00 JUNIOR MOTARD · Entry - $15.00 ENDURANCE · Big Bike - $50.00 per hour · Minis - $40.00 per hour OPEN PRACTICE · Saturday practice fees vary depending on venue and available time. · Friday - Hallett Motor Racing Circuit (HMRC) - $125.00 full-day; $70.00 after lunch. · Friday – MSR Houston (MSRH) - $140.00 full-day; $80.00 after lunch. · Practice fees are per racer for sprint; per bike for endurance teams. TRANSPONDER · Purchase - $420 · Rental - $50.00/weekend ($420 deposit). 50% of rental fees can be applied toward purchase during same calendar year. Rental receipts required for discount. · Rental - Junior Motard – No Charge ($420 deposit). MISC. ENTRY FEE INFO · Expert Sprint Class Champions – $40.00 off one entry for each championship · Big Bike Endurance Class Champions – $50.00 off one entry for each championship · Mini Endurance Class Champions - $40.00 off one entry for each championship · Post-Entry Fee (At-Track Entries) $10.00 per entry form Note: A Full Membership is the required membership level to race CMRA events and includes all of the perks of an Associate Membership, plus riding privileges - race number, awards, prize money, etc. Applications are available at race events or request one via email at
[email protected]. You can also download one at http://cmraracing.com/forms.html. Note: An Associate Membership allows volunteer participation as a race official along with a host of benefits, subscription to The Inside Line, the CMRA's official newsletter, voting rights and racer discounts at participating local motorcycle shops and with participating vendors
Board of Directors Election Results Are In! Thanks to everyone who stepped up to run for the Board of Directors. It is a (mostly thankless) volunteer position that requires a lot of personal time and sacrifice by those who take on the job. Congratulations to those who won and thanks again to those who ran. The ballots have been counted and recounted and the results are as follows: 1. John Orchard - 180 2. Ty Howard - 169 3. Ted Phillips - 153 4. Harry Tomlinson - 102 5. Craig Montgomery - 93 6. Bud Johnson - 85 7. Jesse Davis - 80 Per the amended by-laws, the two who received the most votes (John and Ty) will be serving a three year term, while the other two (Ted and Harry) will serve a two year term. 232 ballots were received, of those only 228 were eligible. Of the four which were not eligible, one had five boxes checked instead of four, two had no name or signature and one was a ballot from the 2010 election. That's a first, for sure! Thanks again to all who took a few minutes to vote for the folks who will be helping to direct the CMRA into the future. Ted is new to the Board for 2012, Harry is returning after a brief hiatus, and John and Ty have been re-elected to serve another term. John, Ty, Ted and Harry will be joining our current Board members: Norm McDonald, Steve McNamara and Bill Syfan. Christopher Corder and Ronnie Hay will be leaving the Board at the end of 2011 and we would like to thank both of them for their commitment and devotion to the betterment of the CMRA. They continue to be valuable assets to the club in many areas and especially in their service on the Board of Directors. Thanks, Christopher and Ronnie! The new members joined the current members at the Board of Directors meeting on November 12, 2011. An Open Membership Meeting was held the same day at the Edom City Limits. After the new Board members were seated, officers were elected. John Orchard returns for another year of being CMRA Board of Directors President, and Harry Tomlinson was voted into the Vice President position.
Transponder Purchase Information The CMRA has transponders in stock. If you are interested in purchasing a transponder, please Nancy know as soon as possible. For those CMRA members who participated in the Rent-To-Own Program this year and wish to use your rental credit toward purchasing a transponder, your purchase must be made in 2011. Mail your rental receipts to the CMRA office. Go here to learn more about the Rent-To-Own Program: http://www.cmraracing.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=89815#Post89815
Competition License Renewal Information License renewal forms became available online on Tuesday, November 15th. An email with all information and links was sent to all 2011 CMRA members when the forms were posted on the website. Unless specifically requested, renewal packages will NOT BE MAILED. THE COMPETITION NUMBER RENEWAL DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT, SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012. In order to retain your 2011 competition number, forms must be received in the CMRA office on or before the January 1, 2012 midnight deadline. Beginning January 2, 2012, all numbers that have not been renewed by the deadline become available first-come, first-served based on the date the license application is received in the CMRA office. New number assignment information will not be available until after January 9, 2012.
TOP-10 EXPERTS (NUMBERS 1 through 10) - The top-10 overall 2011 Experts are encouraged to use number 1 through 10 based on their 2011 final season overall ranking. *If you choose to use your top-10 number in 2012, your 2011 number will be reserved so you can return to that number in the future. For eligibility, please see the 2011 Expert Overall list at: http://www.cmraracing.com/Results/2011/event41/n1/index.html
Please note that Top-10 number users must still renew their license by the January 1, 2012 deadline to keep your 2011 number.
NUMBERS 11 through 99 - Two digit numbers are reserved for Expert Racers.
NEW EXPERTS - Congratulations to our new 2012 Rookie Experts! Please check the list in the Announcements section of the Message Board at
http://www.cmraracing.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=160384#Post160384
TOP-10 ENDURANCE TEAM NUMBERS - The top-10 overall 2011 Teams in each series (Big and Mini) are encouraged to use number 1 through 10 based on their 2011 overall ranking. *If you choose to use your top-10 number in 2012, your 2011 number will be reserved so you can return to that number in the future. Please note that Top-10 number users must still renew their license by the January 1, 2012 deadline to keep your 2011 number. Please see the 2011 Big Endurance Overall list at: http://www.cmraracing.com/Results/2011/event41/be/50points.html or Mini Endurance Overall List at http://www.cmraracing.com/Results/2011/event41/me/40points.html to see if your team is eligible. If team ownership changes between 2011 and 2012, the team must use the 2011 name for the team to use the earned top-10 number.
COMPLETE ALL FORMS - Read all instructions. Print carefully and legibly. Fill out forms completely. Minor Racers: The CMRA Minor Release Form requires the notarized signature of both parents. The form has provisions for one parent to attest if there is only one person with parental rights or only one Guardian of the Person for the minor. Applicants under the age of 18 at the time of application must include the CMRA Minor Release Form. 10-Year Members receive 50% discount on license renewal (or free Associate Membership). 15-Year Members receive free license renewal (or free Associate Membership). If this is your first year to apply for 10 or 15-year membership, proof of paid, continuous membership must be included with application. This is required. No exceptions.
CONFIRMING RECEIPT OF YOUR FORMS - Please do not email or call asking if your forms have been received. Use the confirmation page from your FAX machine to ensure that you sent your forms right-side-up and that the page count confirmed for delivery is correct. Watch the announcements forum on the Message Board for the status of received applications.
WHERE TO GET YOUR LICENSE - License Cards and Rule Books will be available at the track for you to pick up. Our Insurance Company requires that you must complete a special, 2-color original release form. You will be required to sign that form when you pick up your license.
MINOR LICENSES - One (NOT BOTH) of the parents who signed the notarized CMRA Minor Release Form submitted with a minor’s application must also sign an original 2-color minor release at the track when the minor picks up their license.
NOTE: Checks and credit cards will not be deposited/charged until January 2, 2012, so there is no need to delay getting your renewal in. Please be sure that your card information is current and there is an available balance on January 2nd. Declined credit cards will move your license renewal out of line and into the pending folder.
NOTE: There are never any available 2-digit numbers after January 2nd. We have over 300 Expert status racers and only 89 2-digit numbers, so they go quickly. There will be a request waiting list for 2-digit numbers well before the January 1st renewal deadline. If you want one, you will need to send your license renewal in quickly.
Congratulations to the Following Riders on Their Advancement to Expert Status for 2012! Richard Bevis Joseph Caruso David Canzoneri Mike Canzoneri Dean Dufrene Guillermo A. Gonzalez Karl Hansen Josh Henke Peyton Inge Ryan Max Johnson Rune Medhus Sammy Olivarez Carl Price Richard Scott Jose Silva Craig Thomson Joseph B. Toner Matt Vastine Mark Windham Eric Williams
The 2011 CMRA Rule Book states that Novice riders finishing in the top five (5) in final season point standings in all CMRA Novice and Combined (no Expert/Novice differentiation) sprint classes will be considered for promotion to Expert status at the end of the racing season. In seasons past, the entire top 5 list was posted for review. This caused a fair amount of confusion among those who appeared on that list and led to a large number of appeals. In an effort to avoid that confusion this time the BOD decided to trim down this year's list to those riders who are most qualified to be advanced to Expert status. This list started with the top 5 in all Novice and combined classes. We then applied additional criteria that included individual finishes, lap times, safety records and the ratio of rider results to the number of competitors in their classes. Both the BOD and our Director of Competiton believe that this final list of riders is the most deserving of advancement to Expert status for 2012. Please note: Any rider who feels that there were extenuating factors that contributed to their advancement may submit an appeal per the 2011 CMRA Rulebook. Appeals are to be directed to
[email protected]. Do not contact Board Members or the Director of Competition directly. Novice status riders who were not on the bump list but wish to be moved to Expert status for 2012 may submit a request to
[email protected].
Congratulations to all of the CMRA 2011 Season Champions! 2011 was a long, hot, hard-fought season. There were many challenges along the way, including weather and the
2nd Place – NORDCO Racing
economy. Many racers persevered in the midst of it all and
1. Todd Larson
achieved their goal of winning one (or more) championships.
2. Michael Rochester
The CMRA thanks all its racers for competing, because
3. Brandon Young
without you, there would be no CMRA. The following is a list of riders and teams who received awards at the Annual Awards Party on Saturday, November 12th. Each rider listed on an endurance team received an award.
3rd Place – WTF Racing 1. Donny Baker 2. Tomas Godula 3. Michael Humphries
EXPERT OVERALL #1 PLATE – Danny Kelsey
4. Vincent Riggins
ROOKIE EXPERT AWARD – Adrian Marquez
5. Shane Spencer
BIG BIKE BIKE ENDURANCE
C SUPERBIKE
OVERALL WINNER
1st Place – Village Idiots
Quadwealth/SCRC
1. Brandon Cleland
1 Ryan Andrews
2. Blake Cochran
2 Ty Howard
3. Chris Headley
3 Jeremy Louder
4. John Orchard
4 Derek Wagnon 5 Bryan West
2nd Place – Lone Star Track Days 1. Andy Galindo
A SUPERBIKE
2. Gabe McClendon
1st Place - Quadwealth/SCRC
3. Mark Niemi
1 Ryan Andrews 2 Ty Howard 3 Jeremy Louder 4 Derek Wagnon 5 Bryan West
3rd Place – ST II 1. Chris Fields 2. Kenny Smith
FORMULA 2
FORMULA 4
1st Place – Faltless Racing
1ST Place – RG&D Racing
1. Eric Falt
1. Dustin Dominguez
2. Robert Bradlaw
2. Aaron Gore
3. Bill Erzal
3. Austin Gore
4. Ted Phillips
4. Alan Phillips
5. Clayton Schutz
5. Clayton Schutz
2nd Place – Hellcat Racing
2nd Place – Howlie Boyz
1. Christopher Corder
1. Jason Swan
2. Aaron Gore
2. Jim Swan
3. Blaine Johnson
3. Dean Thimjon
4. Kier Johnson 5. Tad Murley
3rd Place – Davis Rod and Cycle 1. Ryan Andrews
3rd Place – Team Kamikaze Lone Star
2. Jesse Davis
1. Ulug Bayramoglu
3. Stephen Guynes
2. Ronnie Hay
4. Derek Thomas
3. Bud Johnson
5. Derek Wagnon
4. Darrell Ricks 5. Frank Shacklee
FORMULA 5 1st Place – Top Dog Racing
CLASSIC
1. Tim Johnson
1ST Place – Hypercycle
2. Joy Size
1. Gilbert Lee Epperson
3. Sid Shaddock
2. Hector Garza
4. Ricky Parker
3. Rolando Nandin
5. Taylor Myers
4. Kelly Weber 5. David E. Wilson
FORMULA 6 1st Place – Perpetual Motion
MINI ENDURANCE OVERALL WINNER RG&D Racing
1. Lindsey Leard 2. Jay Newton 3. Derek Delpero
1. Dustin Dominguez 2. Aaron Gore 3. Austin Gore 4. Alan Phillips 5. Clayton Schutz
FORMULA 7 1st Place – Spider Monkeys 1. Jonas Valentine 2. Cooper McDonald
MINI SPRINTS
Ryan Max Johnson
FORMULA 4
1st D Superstock
1. Eric Williams
1st D Superbike
2. Brandon Altmeyer
1st Lightweight Twins
3. Ryan Max Johnson
1st Formula 2 2nd E Superstock
FORMULA 5 1. Jay Newton
Peyton Inge
2. Ryan Warren
2nd A Superstock
3. Roger Albert
2nds C Superbike 3rd B Superstock
FORMULA 6 1. Jay Newton FORMULA 7 1. Dylan Holman NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS
3rd A Superbike 3rd Formula 1 Patrick Kelly 2nd B Superbike 2nd Heavyweight Twins 3rd Formula 40 Heavyweight
Will Boldt 3rd C Superstock
Jerrett Martin 2nd Clubman
Mike Canzoneri 3rd D Superbike
Rune Medhus 1st Heavyweight Twins
Randolph Del Greco
1st Formula 40 Heavyweight
2nd Unlimited Motard
2nd A Superbike
Guillermo A. Gonzalez
2nd Formula 1
2nd Formula 40 Heavyweight
Carl Price
3rd A Superstock
3rd Heavyweight Twins
Karl Hansen
Noah Reese
1st Formula 40 Lightweight
2nd D Superbike
Josh Henke 2nd Formula 2
2nd Lightweight Twins 3rd Formula 2
3rd D Superstock 3rd Lightweight Twins
Frank Rodriguez 2nd D Superstock
David Hildebrand 3rd C Superbike
2nd Formula 40 Lightweight
Jose Silva
Ryan Andrews
1st A Superstock
2nd HW Twins
1st B Superstock 1st C Superstock 1st A Superbike 1st B Superbike
Conner Blevins 3rd B Superbike 3rd C Superbike
1st C Superbike
Robert Bradlaw
1st Formula 1
3rd Unlimited Motard
Craig Thomson
J.C. Camacho
2nd B Superstock
1st 125 GP
2nd C Superstock Brandon Cleland David Tipton
1st C Superbike
1st Unlimited Motard
2nd C Superstock
3rd Formula 40 Lightweight
2nd B Superbike
Mark Wall 3rd B Superbike Eric Williams 3rd Clubman EXPERT SPRINT CHAMPIONS Daniel Adams 1st D Superstock 1st D Superbike
3rd B Superstock John Deuser 2nd Formula 40 Heavyweight Gilbert Lee Epperson 3rd Classic Unlimited Bill Erzal 1st Formula 40 Lightweight 1st Classic Unlimited
1st Formula 2
Eric Falt
2nd LW Twins
2nd Formula 40 Lightweight
Shawn Adams
3rd D Superstock
2nd D Superstock
Austin Gore
3rd LW Twins
1st Lightweight Twins
3rd D Superbike
2nd D Superbike
3rd Formula 2 Sean Gurevich Brandon Altmeyer
2nd Rookie Expert
3rd E Superstock Steven Isenhower Ryan Ambrose
2nd Classic Unlimited
1st Clubman
3rd Formula 40 Lightweight
Danny Kelsey
JUNIOR MOTARD PARTICIPANTS
1st A Superstock
Max Black
1st A Superbike
Gabrielle Harber
1st Formula 1
Adin Jose Brett Munoz
Carlos Lescale 1st B Superbike 2nd B Superstock 3rd C Superstock Adrian Marquez 1st Rookie Expert 3rd Formula 40 Heavyweight Craig Montgomery 1st Heavyweight Twins 3rd A Superbike John Orchard 1st Formula 40 Heavyweight Alan Phillips 1st E Superstock Darrell Ricks 2nd Formula 2 Landon Talley 3rd Formula 1 Eddie Thornton 3rd Rookie Expert Harry Tomlinson 3rd A Superstock Derek Wagnon 1st B Superstock 1st C Superstock Ryan Warren 3rd Heavyweight Twins
Logan Roy Collin Schultz Bryce Svatek Trey Walker
‘Tis The Season: 2011 Season Recap, 2012 Season Preview
John-O’s Page
By John Orchard, President, CMRA Board of Directors
Our off-season is in full swing and we’ve had a busy couple of months with a successful TWS season finale, the annual awards banquet in Ben Wheeler TX, the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Dallas and all of the other ‘normal’ CMRA off-season activities such as license renewals, rule book updates, and the general anticipation of the upcoming season that goes on! First of all, I’d like to welcome the newly elected Board members, Ted Phillips, (brand new to the Board) and Harry Tomlinson, joining Ty Howard and myself (both re-elected), Steve McNamara, Bill Syfan and Norm McDonald. There is already a great dynamic among this team and I’m looking forward to working with this group throughout the coming year. The CMRA awards banquet hosted just over 200 members who celebrated the 2011 season together, and judging from the buzz throughout the evening, everyone had a good time. Melissa Tomlinson, Marian Orchard and Nancy Selleck did a fantastic job of organizing the event, but there were many more volunteers who also stepped up and assisted to make the event a success. Thank you to everyone who pitched in and made it possible. Also, thank you to Brooks and Rese Gremmels for again welcoming the CMRA to Ben Wheeler and for the continued support of the CMRA. In December, the CMRA returned to the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Dallas as part of our effort to ‘get the word out’ and to continue bringing awareness to local motorcyclists about the CMRA. This was made possible by the outstanding response from the membership who volunteered throughout the weekend. In fact, the response was so strong, that not everyone was able to participate. Our target at the IMS was clearly focused on new riders and raising awareness. Professionally prepared informational folding business cards were put together by Melissa Tomlinson, along with various
other photographs (thank you Barry Nichols and Linz Leard), graphics, signage and material available as handouts. Each informational card included a discount to the CMRA Licensing School which will enable us to track the number of new racers the IMS generated. Additionally, Walter Walker held a CMRA classroom style 30 minute informational seminar with approximately 15-20 attendees who were there to learn more about the CMRA. Again, thank you to the volunteers, along with Bill Syfan and Harry Tomlinson who helped drive this, along with Walter and Nancy Selleck who made sure everything went well all three days. Finally, on a more serious topic, over the past year or so we’ve seen various racing organizations around the country struggle with continually declining single digit entries, lower attendance, cancelling scheduled events, in some cases, cancelling events midway through a weekend and very recently we’ve seen CCS Southwest close its doors for 2012. The CMRA has experienced some of the same trends, but to a lesser degree. Our 2011 entries and income decreased from the 2010 levels. To ensure that appropriate measures are taken prior to reserves levels falling below acceptable levels, we are aligning our spending with recent income levels. As a result, a comprehensive review of the CMRA operating expenses is underway with a goal of achieving an appropriate balance of spend without compromising the quality of service and safety that we are committed to as an organization. Our core objective is to ensure that the CMRA is in good financial health, to enable us to hold our scheduled races each year. All other aspects of the event weekend will be structured in a manner that can be scaled up or down as appropriate with our income levels. We’re working hard not to eliminate things our racers enjoy, but some things that are not core to our race day event, may be scaled back to a degree until further review. These reductions will be coupled with a moderate $5 per sprint entry and $5 per endurance hour fee increase across all classes. I want to emphasize that these steps are being taken as an appropriate precautionary measure, with conservative assumptions about our projected income. This approach will help us ensure that the CMRA continues to be in a good financial position, with the appropriate financial flexibility. We will continue our efforts to generate more income opportunities within the confines of our not-for-profit status, but we will not assume those gains will be realized until they are a reality. An additional level of detail and communication on this topic is forthcoming on the CMRA Message Board member’s private section within the next week. Thank you again to all of the members who support the CMRA in every way. That level of commitment is critical to our continued success. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Walter, Nancy or any Board member with questions about the CMRA. I look forward to a great 2012 season with some new tweaks and adjustments to the race weekend program, designed to make the CMRA an even better place to race!
See you at the races! John-O
Story by Peyton Inge Photos by Barry Nichols/foto41.com
First to the grid were the minis with a final two hour marathon between 20 teams to finish the season. Never one to keep the field waiting, the starter released the group of
October 22, 2011
miniature speed demons, most of whom zinged down the front
Texas World Speedway
straight like so many oversized, hyperactive turtles.
College Station, Texas
The top two teams once again prevailed - RG&D Racing (Aaron Gore, Austin Gore, Dustin Dominguez, Clayton Schutz,
Folks, the fat lady has officially sung at this point, but such Alan Phillips) and Howlie Boyz (Dean Thimjon, Jason Swan, was not the case at Texas World a few weeks ago. As if on Jim Swan) have both been on fire all season long. Harder cue, the clouds and wind blew themselves away Friday charger Scarey Racing (Greg Anderson, Sam Carey, Ricky morning, leaving mild 80 degree temps and clear skies in Parker, Chris Carey, Matt Hall) rounded out the podium. The their wake – pure racing heaven after the broiler of a results at TWS were a fine season finale, as RG&D Racing summer. And the timing couldn’t have been more perfect crossed the line only one lap ahead of Howlie Boyz. Overall, because championship podiums were up for grabs in on the season, RG&D Racing and Howlie Boyz handily nabbed virtually every endurance division.
the coveted first and second place championship trophies, while Davis Rod and Cycle
(Jesse
Ryan
Davis,
Andrews,
Stephen Guynes, Derek Thomas,
Derek
Wagnon) got third. When asked “why minis,” one racer said, “Look, it’s the cheapest way to race, short of daddy buying you a ride someplace. It’s a ton of fun, wicked cheap, and it’s not as tiring as riding a big bike. Hell, even non-racers love it!” I’m RG&D Racing (69) completed a stellar season at Texas World Speedway, by winning the Mini endurance race and staking claim to the Mini endurance championship at the time. Here they lead Davis Rod and Cycle (87), who suffered a bad day at the track, but still finished third overall in the Mini endurance championship.
sold
–
where’s
my
mini!? And then came the big bikes…
by
the
overall
Big
Bike
Endurance race team each year,
Dustin
Dominguez
dropped the hammer for Moto Ace (Joe Prussiano, Shea Fouchek, Dustin Dominguez) and settled on Wagnon’s tail within a lap. By lap three, the usually unflappable Wagnon was checking his six to see where Dominguez was lurking – yup, about ten feet off ‘yer tail, good buddy! Dominguez Howlie Boyz (1) rode hard all year long like the champions they are, but came up just 25 points shy of retaining the Number One plate. It’s hard to stay at the top.
would steal the lead shortly thereafter, but lose it just as fast when he overcooked Turn 3. Not to be dissuaded, he cranked the bike over and took
In layman’s terms, the phrase holy crap! pretty much the scenic route through the grass parallel to the track in third sums up the year and TWS was no exception. Twenty-eight gear for 150 yards, clearing an unused portion of the racetrack teams hit the tarmac for the final 6-Hour Big Bike Endurance in a spectacular jump in the process, before rejoining the rest event of the season and provided some of the most insane of the field ON the track. Forced to retire by mechanical racing imaginable for about 11 laps.
Speedster Derek issues a few laps later, the race went on to finish with a
Wagnon took the holeshot for Quadwealth/SCRC (Ty dominating performance by Quadwealth, who also clinched Howard, West, Louder,
Bryan Jeremy Derek
Wagnon,
Ryan
Andrews) on the mighty KTM RC8. Comically starting from the back of the grid, however, was a heretofore unseen
GSXR-
1000 rocket ship piloted another
by
yet
CMRA
bred AMA rider. Sporting
the
number one plate, an honor earned
Derek Wagnon on-board the Quadwealth/SCRC KTM (35) during the 5-hour endurance race at Texas World Speedway. The team captured not only the race win, but also the Big Bike endurance championship.
Village Idiots (2) could muster only a lowly 87 laps on the day, which killed their hopes for a shot at the overall title.
The second unsung hero of the season was Faltless Racing (Eric Faltless, Robert Bradlaw, Clayton Schutz, Bill Erzal, Ted Phillips). Known around the pits for their good humor, speed, and sportsmanship, Faltless started on Row 2 outside, an excellent position. Eric Falt led off on the RaceworX-tuned machine, and after a great launch, the bike jumped out of 2nd gear, twice! Instead of getting into Turn 1 in the top 10, Faltless entered Turn 1 around 15th or so. Faltless spent the next three hours
the championship with the win.
Team Ridesmart (Dirk leisurely averaging mid 1:56s on their mighty SV before an
Anderson, Brandt Dillon, William Guthrie, James Caraballo, impromptu rabbit hunting trip caught Clayton Schutz whilst in John Willenborg) and GMAN Racing (Harry Tomlinson, Garet the middle of a battle with DJ Ricks of The Dirty Heads Tomlinson, Michael Guillot, Danny Dominguez) Team Ridesmart (19) had a very strong race, grabbing the second step on the podium.
would finish second and third, respectively. Each of these teams put in stellar performances
all
year
long.
Quadwealth/SCRC rode in a league of its own for most of the season. Realistically, only a bad fuel pump and flawlessly ridden slate grey R6 could have slowed their roll at most tracks. Lost in the melee between big names, however, two teams quietly soldiered on all season long to finish top six overall. NORDCO Racing (Todd Larson, Michael Rochester, Brandon Young) was always a threat to finish on the podium (Michael Humphries, Alexandra Humphries, Alan Phillips, and managed a solid top 4th place finish on the season.
Matt Vastine, Darrell Ricks). The easy lowside removed the shifter lever, but Wild Bill Erzal and Rob Bradlaw managed to bring the now-ragged (but Faltless!) bike in for a 13th overall finish! Faltless Racing won the Formula 2 Endurance Championship for 2011 and managed an amazing 6th overall for the season. Looks like they get to keep the #6 plate for 2012!
When asked, Eric said,
“Praise the Lord and thanks to our sponsors that made it all happen.” Well done, guys! Lone Star Track Days (4) narrowly missed the overall podium in the race, claiming 4th place, but the team still finished first in the C Superbike class.
2011 may be over, but 2012 is gonna be a barn burner! See ya there!
Story by Peyton Inge
were up for grabs, technically or otherwise, and folks turned
Photos by foto41.com/Barry Nichols
out with a vengeance to contest the final few points available on the season.
October 22 and 23, 2011
Saturday morning kicked off with surprisingly speedy Mini
Texas World Speedway
racing. Eric Williams, Collin Schultz and Taylor Myers all
College Station, Texas
managed to capture overall wins in the Road and Track Suspension Formula 4, K&N Motorcycles Junior Motard, and
Racers of all ages traipsed into Collage Station two the OnRoad OffRoad Suspension Formula 5 events, weeks ago to attend the CMRA season finale, hosted at respectively. Each young star has distinguished himself over Texas World Speedway. And grand it was as riders of all the course of the season – Lord knows what records they’ll be ages took turns blazing through the challenging 1.8 mile breaking next year! Williams, in particular, is one to watch. (Mini) and 2.9 mile (Big Bike), 12 turn road courses. The After roughly half a season on a Suzuki SV650, he is now a track offers a bit of everything – high speed, flowing corners, serious contender in any Twin event, a fact he proved on a double apex ‘er two, and a nifty section of whoop-sized Sunday by winning the Fastline Motorcycle School D bumps in the backfield that would do any dirt track owner Superbike and Road and Track Suspension Formula 2 events. proud. A favorite with a majority of the CMRA faithful, Texas (More on the success of the CMRA’s twins guys later.) World was a fitting battleground for the multitude of
In the Expert divisions, Danny Kelsey would reign
championship dogfights (easy there, Vic) that unfolded over supreme, on the season that is. While Kelsey was winless on the course of the weekend. More than half of the events the weekend, he earned sufficient points over the course of the season to capture
the
individual number
one
plate, reserved for the Expert who earns the most cumulative points. Entering the
season,
many
thought
that
perhaps
Darrell Bill Guthrie leads over Danny Kelsey, Billy Gonzalez and Brandt Dillon in the Formula 1 Expert race. Guthrie would win the race, but Kelsey would get a podium and claim the class championship.
Ricks
“DJ” would
challenge Kelsey for the plate; however,
Superbike
events,
posting a weekend best time of 1:43:410, an awesome time, but off the
motorcycle
lap
(owned
by
record
Howard) of 1:41.415 at TWS, set back in 2009. Derek
Wagnon
captured a race win on the day, clinching a championship
in
the
process. Wagnon was unstoppable
Brandon Cleland (5) leads from Ryan Andrews (481) and Carlos Lescale (224) in the Island Racing Services C Superbike Expert race. The trio would cross the finish line in this order covered by only 0.364 seconds.
in
the
212Decals B Superstock event, where he posted a
1:44:653
on
his
it was not to be as a mid-season crash, closely followed by RaceworX-tuned GSX-R600. Though he finished off the the demands of work, slowed DJ’s roll towards the top. In the podium once on the weekend (in the South Central Race end, Kelsey’s speed and work ethic left his would-be rivals Center C Superstock race, Wagnon handily won the B and C far behind in the points chases. But as soon as the TWS Superstock Championships. weekend was completed and a big Number One affixed to
Brandon Cleland and Carlos Lescale have provided race
Kelsey’s bikes, one could already hear war drums in the fans with numerous memorable battles over the course of the distance for next year.
season. These two are literally neck-and-neck at most tracks
As you might expect, Ty Howard (who, incidentally, – TWS was no exception. Entering the weekend, only a returns to the Board of Directors for another stint),
turned
in
a
dominating performance for the weekend. Similar to DJ Ricks, Howard is a strong favorite in every race he enters – you’ve just got to convince him that racing is more fun than gainful employment testing the latest and greatest KTM monster! Anyway, Howard handily won the RaceworX A Superstock 212Decals.com
and A
Craig Thomson (141) leads from Jose Silva (704) in the Moto Liberty C Superstock Novice race. Thomson would win this race, but Silva would capture the championship in this, and six other Novice classes.
season (unless my protest is granted, of course). Fate too, took a hand in the melee, by blowing motors and jamming Bill Erzal (129) and Eric Falt (8) duke it out in Formula 40 Lightweight. Erzal would win by a little more than two seconds.
K a w a s a k i transmissions. Said Rune Medhus, a victim of a blown motor in his front line racer, a Ducati 1198s,
“The
competition David Rice (140) leads a group of racers that include Hunter Morgan (59) and Briar Baum (197) in the 212Decals.com B Superstock Expert race.
definitely got stiffer at TWS. I would like to have seen what would
have
handful of points separated the pair in the B Superbike unfolded if my motor [1198] hadn’t blown in practice [on championship. Lescale would capture the race win, as well Friday].” Medhus had to employ his B bike, a relatively stock as the championship, but lose to Cleland in the C Superbike and, these days, somewhat dated Ducati 999, to race on event. Cleland hounded Lescale all weekend and managed Sunday. Medhus’ dead 1198s may have allowed Guillermo to claim a solid win the Island Racing Services C Superbike A. Gonzalez, who was smokin’ on the weekend, to sneak past race as well.
Medhus in the Formula Geriatric, er, Formula 40 Heavyweight
In the Novice divisions, a plethora of unknown (to the race. Medhus still managed to do pretty well on the season, CMRA, anyway), freakishly fast Provisional Novices however, claiming wins in the Heavyweight Twins and descended on the weekend to ruin best laid plans a
n
d
championship hopes for some CMRA regulars. Call
them
slackers,
late-
comers, or track specialists if you will, but there is no question that a few of these guys are quick enough to win titles next
Ryan Ambrose (275) drag races Randolph Del Greco (784) in the combined Clubman/Unlimited Motard race. Ambrose would DNF with a flat rear tire while Del Greco would card a third in class.
Formula
40
Heavyweight events. In the end, Jose Silva cleaned house. Silva won six races on the day, clinching seven championships in the process
on
his
RaceworX-tuned Kawasaki. Silva,
“I
Intoned think
I’ve
learned as much as possible
[from
the
Novices]
and
am
looking
forward
to
moving
up
Expert
ranks]
[to
the next
season. They better look
out!”
Craig
Thomson was the only
Thomas Delaney (552) leads Patt Hagens (206) and others in the Formula 40 Heavyweight Novice race. Hagens would eventually get around Delaney to finish 7th. Delaney would finish in 10th spot.
racer who could have prevented Silva from claiming seven Superstock race (which he lost to the crafty Silva by a slim titles, but he won the wrong race; Thomson won the Moto 0.268 seconds). Liberty C Superstock novice race (by a scant 0.057 seconds)
Also finishing the season in Silva-like form, resident
when he should have won the Lone Star Track Days B CMRA dentist Ryan Max Johnson took the weekend off to relax and enjoy his D Few people have more fun racing than Lori Miller (954). She’s been MIA for much of 2011, but made a much welcomed appearance at the last round of the season at TWS.
Superstock,
D
Superbike, Lightweight Twins, and Formula 2 championships, which he had sewn up prior to TWS. When asked for a comment on his success season,
on
the
Johnson
shrugged
his
shoulders and simply said “that’s how I roll.” Well said, Sir! Speaking of hauling butt, Johnson, Eric Williams, and DJ Ricks flat out dominated the
Ross Vivion (884), brother of CMRA racer Scott Vivion, is one of the feel-good stories of the year in the CMRA. Vivion was diagnosed with cancer late in 2010, but with aggressive treatment, has so far beaten the disease. Too sick to ride most of the season, he felt well enough to race at TWS, so his family flew him into Texas from his home out of state. Unfortunately Vivion’s bike suffered a mechanical during the day, causing him to DNS some of his races. Regardless, Vivion’s smile could not be erased from his face.
WERA Grand National Final Championships the weekend racer finished in first or second place all weekend in the three after TWS. Williams and Johnson did so well that no WERA Novice SV classes. Williams won one race and RMJ won two. DJ Ricks, of course, won all of his Expert races. Said Eric’s Williams’ dad, Mitch Williams, “It was awesome to watch the CMRA guys on their busted up bikes (Eric’s was covered in duct tape and spray paint) top the local WERA favorites.” Looking
back
over
the
season, we’ve seen some awesome racing, in both the expert and novice divisions, and one can only wonder what next season holds. One Kansas City, Missouri resident, John Deuser (671) closed out his season with a win in the Formula 40 Expert class on his Suzuki GSX-R 750.
thing is for sure, though - it’s gonna be a blast! Come be a part of it!
The ‘Racers Write’ column is intended for racers, or family members of racers, such that they can provide a first person perspective of their racing activities. The ‘Racers Write’ column is open to any racer who wants to submit a thoughtful, wellworded story about their race day activities. The Inside Line encourages racers to submit race day reports, and will, at its discretion, publish any story it deems worthy of print as long as content minimums (more than a few sentences, in story form, somewhat entertaining, etc.) and submission deadlines (not later than seven calendar days after the event) are met. I’ll even include photos of you if I have some, or you can submit your own, just be sure to credit the photographer. You can mention sponsors in your write up, but pure press release formats will not be accepted. You can submit your first-hand perspective at
[email protected]. I can’t guarantee that you will get published in The Inside Line if you do submit an article, but I can guarantee that you won’t get published if you don’t submit an article. - Ed.
to forego the last round of the endurance series, but Jay would still get Mini endurance seat time onboard the Team Green Machine Ninja 250 in the Formula 4 Mini endurance class. The weather Friday was unlike anything experienced all season, and was welcomed by all the participants – for a change it wasn’t scorching hot or unbearably humid. The breezy, cooler air carried over into Saturday, and made for a pleasant race day. Again, Jay opted to run only the little Ninja during race day warm-up, and looked right at home on the newest addition to his race bike stable. He stated that he felt he could run in the upper half of the ESS class, but before he would have a chance to show his mettle in ESS, Jay had the F5 and F6 Mini races to deal with. After the CMRA’s opening
Racers Write
ceremonies, the call to the grid came for the F4/F6 Mini sprint classes. Jay took to the track for the sighting lap, placed his NSF on the pole spot on the grid, and launched to a great start with the wave of the flag; he was riding quite well, and running
By James Newton, Photos by Linz Leard
down some F4 bikes ahead of him. Jay and good friend, Taylor Myers, who was riding his Honda RS65, had a great battle
The CMRA rounded out its 2011 season at Texas World Speedway the weekend of October 22 - 23, and with several championships on the line in many classes, the stage was set for some epic racing action. Lone Star Track Days kicked off the weekend by hosting their usual Friday practice day, and Jay Newton used the LSTD day to put in some seat time on his new Kawasaki Ninja 250, on which he would make his
E
Superstock
Having
already
secured his Formula 5 and Formula
6
Mini
championships
at
sprint the
previous round at ECR, Jay opted to leave his trusty, modified Honda NSF100 on the stands until the races the next
day.
Perpetual
was here that Jay used his track savvy to make his way through the traffic quicker than Myers, and forged forward to take the checkered flag, 1st in class and 7th overall out of a combined field of 17 riders. It was an exceptional way to end his F6 season. Jay knew, however, that he would have a tougher
debut
during the Saturday race program.
going on between them until they came upon lapped traffic. It
Additionally, Motion,
the
Formula 6 Mini endurance team Jay rides for, had mathematically captured that championship, and decided
Jay Newton (314) made his last appearance on his quick Honda NSF100 at Texas World Speedway in October.
battle on his hands in the F5 race as he noted how quick stripe. At first it was Jay who would be declared the victor by Myers’ Honda RS65 was. Additionally one can never count the CMRA’s electronic scoring, but a number of officials noted out Ryan Warren on his own Honda RS65 Formula 5 bike.
how close the finish was, and the CMRA deferred to manual
After the F6 race, Jay would have a few minutes to relax scoring. Ultimately race officials reversed the decision, citing while the Jr. Motard racers were on the track, but he was that Myers’ 17-inch front tire crossed the finish line before the thinking of what he would need to do in the F5 race, and smaller 12-inch front tire on Jay’s bike did. Not agreeing with where he would need to do it. This was to be Jay’s last race the decision, but respecting it, Jay settled for second place, on the NSF, and after the sighting lap, he placed his Honda which allowed Myers the win by a difference of only .004 on the pole position for the combined F5/F7 race. As the seconds according to the official results. The margin of victory green flag flew, Jay wheelied a bit too much, which was not created further controversy. After all, how is a margin of the start he needed. Myers was well ahead of him by Turn 1, victory determined when electronic scoring is overruled by but Jay made up ground in Turns 1 and 2 and went by Myers manual scoring? and into the lead by Turn 3. Myers, however, would latch onto
Next on the agenda for Jay was his race debut in the ESS
Jay’s rear wheel and together these two young racers would class. With no time between the F5 and ESS race, Jay and make this a race to remember for those watching. The two his crew were in a hurry to get him on his Ninja 250 and back were neck and neck the entire race, and traded turns at the out onto the track. In the rush, Jay’s crew forgot to switch the front several times. With Ryan Warren’s RS65 running poorly, transponder from one bike to the other, but luckily Jay realized and the rest of the field being well off the pace as well, this this and came back to his pit to have it put on. This, race became a two-man battle for the win. As the pair of unfortunately, made him late for last call, and he was unable youngsters came out of the last turn on the last lap, Jay was to get his warm-up lap. Jay went straight to his spot on the only slightly ahead of Myers, with Myers well into Jay’s draft. grid, which was the last row, and waited for the remainder of It was a literal drag race down the front straight as Myers the class to grid up. When the flag waved, he got a good start, slingshot from the draft to pull virtually even with Jay at the settled in, and rode a solid race, crossing the line in the 5th spot. Jay’s final duty of the day would
be
to
ride the second leg of the 2hour
Mini
endurance race Team
on
the
Green
Machine Ninja 250 with team owner
David
Tiede
and
teammate Nick Doolan. Each rider would see Jay Newton (314) and Taylor Myers (112) had a titanic battle in the Formula 5 race that was literally decided by a wheel.
a 40 minute
session.
ECR round,
The
first
Jay
stint
was
ready
was to
manned by
ride. Again,
David, who
he
put in the
several
fastest lap
friends and
of the day
family who
for the team
had
come
b e f o r e
out
to
turning over
watch, and
the controls
he did not
to Jay. At
want
the
one
disappoint
hour
and
t w e n t y
Jay Newton (85) drives through Turn 3 during his stint in the Mini endurance race for the Green Machine team.
m i n u t e
had
to
them. The call to the grid for
point, Jay pitted, letting Nick finish the race for the team. All the Formula 2 Novice class was announced, and Jay rolled the team members rode well, and they were able to place his TZ out of the paddock and fired up the 2-stroke machine. themselves in the number seven spot out of a 20 bike starting Taking his spot on the grid, Jay got a great start, but the race field.
was soon red flagged due to a crash in Turn 1. On the re-start,
With his race day being done, Jay would change from young Jay got his best start by far this season on his 125 GP racer to spectator, and watch as the big bikes would finish machine, but the little bike was no match for the top end speed their season with a 5-hour Big Bike endurance race, and he of the Suzuki SV650s also in the class. At the checkers, Jay was wishing he could be out there. At the end of the day and was only able to garner an 11th place finish, and said after the after the awards ceremony, Jay spent time relaxing with family race that his bike seemed to be down on power. With a couple and friends who had come to watch him race, and had a great of hours before the 125GP race, Jay’s pit crew inspected the time at the pit party in Garage 3, but he was also getting his bike and discovered that the spark plug was backed out mind on his Sunday sprint classes.
partially causing a loss of compression and power. The crew
Jay awoke Sunday morning to dreary gray skies, and the was puzzled, as this had never happened before. Remedied threat of rain was looming in the air. He skipped the first by a new spark plug, the bike was again ready to go. lightweight practice session to allow his tires more time on Additionally, gearing changes were made for better top end the warmers. Watching the skies closely, he went out in speed on the long front straight at TWS. Now confident that practice session two, but came back into the pits shortly his bike was ready, Jay spent some time with those who came thereafter and said that it was raining a bit harder on the back to watch him that day, and to grab some lunch. half of the track than on the front half. Jay’s Yamaha TZ125 Jay had been anticipating this 125GP race for a couple was wearing full slicks and, Jay said, this led to no grip at all. of weeks, mainly because he likes the long track at TWS, and So the bike went back on the warmers in hopes that the because this too, was to be his last race on the TZ125 as it weather would clear up, and before the third practice session, was scheduled to be sold after the event. Lining up with some it would; the track was completely dry by the time the first race tough competition, and being the only Yamaha in a field of was called. Though he did not get much track time that Hondas, did not faze Jay at all. At the start, he rocketed off morning, and this was the first time on his TZ125 since the
of the front row to an even better start than he had in his and he reflected on realizing his goals of winning the Formula previous race, and led the first lap. He was able to stay in 5 and Formula 6 Mini sprint championships, the Formula 6 very close proximity with James Camacho and Rodney Mini endurance class championship, and a 3rd place finish in Barkalow the first half of the race, and they traded spots the 125 Grand Prix class, as well as a solid 8th place finish in between the three of them. However, as they came up on the Formula 2 Novice class, he was pleased with his results some backmarkers, Camacho and Barkalow were able to get for 2011, and has already started preparing for 2012. While through, but Jay ended up getting pinched off in Turn 3, Jay’s plans for the Sunday Big Bike sprint program are still allowing the other two riders to gap him. Once through the undecided, Jay does plan on running in Formula 4 and E slower riders, Jay tried his best to catch Camacho and Superstock during the Saturday Mini program next season. Barkalow again, but once he lost his momentum, there was Jay is also hoping that his accomplishments this season have too much distance to make up. Though he ran his personal caught the eye of an F4 endurance team seeking a rider. best lap time, he would cross the line in the third spot after This has been an outstanding season, and Jay would Camacho and Barkalow respectively. There was, however, like to thank all the CMRA staff and all the corner workers for a decision made by the race officials to disqualify Camacho their dedication to the sport. He would also like to thank his from the race after he supposedly put an aggressive passing fellow racers for the great competition throughout the year. move on Barkalow just before the finish line. This would The last mentioned, but certainly the most important, a huge change the standings by moving Barkalow to the number one thanks to all his sponsors for their fantastic support in 2011. spot and placing Jay in second place. When asked about the Jay looks forward to an even better 2012. scoring decision and the race, Jay commented, “It was a ALCO Automotive, Apex Manufacturing, Arai Helmets, close race until I got held up. I think I had the pace to hang Bridgestone Tires, Hercules Sealing Products, Impact Armor, with them, but it just did not work out for me. I hated to see Jay's Trackside Gear, OnRoad OffRoad Suspension, South JC (Camacho) get disqualified. I did not think that any of the Central Race Center, The Holeshot, WRW Racing, Motul, VP passes were too close, even the finish line pass, but I was Race Fuel, P1 Racing, Yamaha, Next Moto Champion, back a bit by then. I think he was just trying to keep the other GoPro Cameras, Safer Moto Vest, Arlen Ness and Colin guy from getting a draft. I passed him (Camacho) in almost Edwards’ Texas Tornado Boot Camp. the same spot in the same way in an earlier lap. As for me, I trust JC, and he has never done anything for me not to trust him. He is a friend, and has taught me a lot on the GP bike.” Barkalow, too, reportedly commented that he had no issue with the pass, either. Ultimately the decision had no impact on the season points, and JC Camacho still won the 125 Grand Prix championship. As the season finale came to an end for Jay,
Jay Newton’s (314) first foray into the E Superstock class was a solid one.
The ‘Racers Write’ column is intended for racers, or family members of racers, such that they can provide a first person perspective of their racing activities. The ‘Racers Write’ column is open to any racer who wants to submit a thoughtful, wellworded story about their race day activities. The Inside Line encourages racers to submit race day reports, and will, at its discretion, publish any story it deems worthy of print as long as content minimums (more than a few sentences, in story form, somewhat entertaining, etc.) and submission deadlines (not later than seven calendar days after the event) are met. I’ll even include photos of you if I have some, or you can submit your own, just be sure to credit the photographer. You can mention sponsors in your write up, but pure press release formats will not be accepted. You can submit your first-hand perspective at
[email protected]. I can’t guarantee that you will get published in The Inside Line if you do submit an article, but I can guarantee that you won’t get published if you don’t submit an article. - Ed.
was not a conscious decision on my part but a subtle change in my psyche. I sold my Ducati ST3 because my wife and I are not in the proper stage in life to be taking off on trips. We have two children who require us to be around on a regular basis. It turns out that it is fine because my wife Dawn enjoys riding on the track too. I am a lucky guy. I started attending track days because a good friend of mine – Mark Andrews, who owns The Euroshop of Waco, told me that I might like it. That’s when it started – two years ago. I attended my first track day on my ST3 and my female instructor in the novice group said, “Follow me, I’ll go real slow.” I thought she was crazy as fast as she took off, and she disappeared around a corner. Several more sessions of round
Racers Write
robin did nothing to ameliorate my terror! Later on that day, I ran off the track but did not go down as I have been riding motorcycles in some form or fashion since I was little. As a side note, I have been riding motorcycles on the street since 1993. I joined the CMRA as an Associate Member earlier this year with racing as a distant but persistent thought. I first
Story and photos by David Sprague
arrived at the track in February at TWS with Ryan Andrews
Hi, my name is David and I’m a track addict. My last and the Pierobon F042 for fun but started realizing that I would day on the track was Sunday, 23 October at Texas World like to participate. However, I didn’t want to race because I am Speedway. It is now the Friday after and I am reflecting on what led up to this moment. I rode into work today on my Ruckus - the one with all the stickers on it, which I use for a pit bike at track days
and
races.
I
stopped at the corner store for a drink and noticed that people look at me funny. What they don’t know is that to get the same rush on the street like I get on the track would lead either to the hospital or jail. This
David Sprague suits up for a track day. The thrill of track days led Sprague to get his CMRA competition license.
so slow and did not want to upset anyone while on the track. seat time. Now my bike was nekkid! I wanted to make sure How many times have I heard negative comments about that LSTD’s man in charge, Steve McNamara, knew I didn’t some Provisional Novice getting in the way or not holding a crash but that my body panels had just come off. I later heard line or some other thing? And usually that is followed up by from another instructor that it was impressive watching me a comment from one of the more experienced members that, down the straight when all of a sudden, BLAM! Pieces went “…that’s racing. Move on and get over it.” Another reason I everywhere! He said it was cool looking and I replied that I wanted to participate is to support the CMRA. I love this club. was happy he got such a kick out of it. The strange and scary I have met some really nice people here and it really feels like thing about it was that I had no idea until much further down a family.
the track. I was way more than embarrassed now. I am slow,
I finally took my CMRA licensing class with LSTD the I don’t have any clothes on, and I don’t have my yellow t-shirt. day before TWS (but didn’t get a yellow shirt due to some m
i
s
s
e
At risk of being ridiculed by my friends and peers but
d
communications on my part). To further add to my standing out I a crowd was that I was getting faster on the track and went fast enough on my 2006 Ducati 999s
that
my
excessive
speed
ripped
fairing
the
right off the bike on the main straight! It wasn’t until Turn 3 when
I
wondered
what that strange scraping noise was; I
David Sprague on his Ducati at a track day. Sprague hesitated to get his CMRA racing license for a while, but eventually decided he’d simply give it a go.
looked down right before Wheelie Hill. “Holy crap!” I said. “My fairing is dragging in homage to honesty and openness, previous to this outing the ground! I’m that sound!” An instructor passed me and at TWS, my best time was 2:27. In the first session this time furiously waved at me and I wanted to give him the finger out however, my best lap was a 2:22. Now, later in the day, my of sheer embarrassment! I pulled off the right side of the track best time was a 2:14. Man, I couldn’t believe that I was going at Turn 4 and looked down to see what the heck was going so fast! After my last session, I went back to the pits and was on.
quickly shooed away by my pit help, Ryan Andrews, Jesse It turns out that I had forgotten to install fasteners at Davis, and Lauren Woodruff, because the mock race was
the top of the fairing and they were only being held in by the going to start. Jesse told me that it was like this: “You race, press in tabs. Now the fairing was torn and there was no hope we mock!” Haha! of fixing it. So I started stomping. The cornerworker looked
I made my way to the pit out area and completed the
somewhat confused as I started kicking the plastics off the warm-up lap. I made my way to the grid and was promptly bike. I wanted to get back on the track and get some more halted by Ryan Rutkowski, a CMRA official, who asked what
It’s true that David Sprague is a motorcycle enthusiast, but he also has a day job. He’s the Chair of the Biotechnology Department at the Texas Bioscience Institute. Like all of us, Sprague has other interests when away from the track as well. In this photo, Sprague is traveling with his son William in Scotland. Sprague says, “We were outside of Doune Castle where they filmed a lot of Monty Python and the Holy Grail! We played with the coconuts available in the Castle!”
the heck I was doing there. I told him I was a Prov Nov without time there because every time previously I had gone in too a shirt and he should to talk to Steve. I was eventually let onto slow to the Gravity Cavity. I went in faster and caught up with the grid and the race was about to begin. I had never the other Prov Nov rider and was on his tail by the Horseshoe. performed any starts before and quite a few bikes got past We wound our way around and it was a sprint to the finish me at the beginning. I remembered that there may be some line. I was moving down the banking and pushed the naked bunching up around the first corner so I took an outside line 999s as fast as it would go. The bike hit the rev limiter, and I to pass some people and settled in to no one in front of me. had a brain fart – I forgot how to shift! Wow! What a rush! I had no idea where I was on the track. Was I last because I
Something changed that moment. I felt calm beyond
certainly wasn’t first? I just kept going until I saw someone on calm. I was so calm in fact that the guys were asking me if I my last lap. He was just going towards the transition when I were okay. I said that I didn’t know and it took me a while to was getting onto the straight from the last turn. Then it figure out what I was feeling. There wasn’t jubilation at my happened. Target acquired.
position on the track although my best lap time had dropped
All of a sudden a neural pathway opened up which to a 2:06. I wasn’t jittery from overly pushing myself or the had not been used since my equestrian days in my teens and bike. There was just a pleasant empty calm of completion and bicycle racing in my 20s. With clarity I saw how I could go the realization that this was only the beginning. faster without risking anything by making more efficient use
Why do I want to race? It’s pretty simple – to learn to
of the track. I knew I could catch my prey. We made our way be a better rider and to support an organization I believe in. to the back straight and I knew I could make up significant
I thought it might be fun to include, when time, space and material permits, something from the past that helps illustrate the rich history that the CMRA has enjoyed since its inception in 1974. This “something” may be educational, informative, whimsical or just plain kooky fun, but its intent is to provoke reflection, thought and, hopefully, paint a better picture of where we’ve been so we can better know where we’re going. If you have something from the past, especially a photo, and you’d like to submit it for the Flashback feature, please send it to
[email protected] and make sure you provide details regarding the item (the who, what, when, where stuff). I can’t guarantee that you will get published in The Inside Line if you do submit a “something”, but I can guarantee that you won’t get published if you don’t submit a “something”. So return with us now to, as they say, to those thrilling days of Yesteryear and, unlike when you were in the 7th grade, enjoy some history! - Ed.
The Fine Art of Looping a Motorcycle! The Inside Line doesn’t travel back in time very far for this month’s Flashback, only going back to August of 2010. But that doesn’t mean the content isn’t educational, informative and, to some, slightly embarrassing. The location is Hallett Motor Racing Circuit and it’s the end of Race 11, the
combined Heavyweight Twins Expert / Road and Track Suspension - Heavyweight Twins Novice race. Ronnie Hay, mounted on a Ducati 1098, edged out Craig Montgomery’s Triumph Daytona 675 triple by a mere 0.822 seconds at the finish line. After taking the checkers on the front straight, Montgomery and Hay were virtually side by side coming over Hallett’s Wheelie Hill when it struck Montgomery to perform a stand-up wheelie in celebration of a hard-fought race. The trouble began soon after when Montgomery lofted the front end of his Triumph a bit too much and, at the crest of Wheelie Hill, looped the bike in spectacular fashion. Rene’ Vivion was on-hand to capture the action, much to the chagrin of Montgomery (who was, by the way, unscathed in the incident). Craig Montgomery’s Triumph 675, sightly worse for wear, was parted out soon after this crash, but his pride
only
was
bruised, not broken, and
Montgomery
continues to race with the CMRA. In fact,
Montgomery
won the Heavyweight Twins
Expert
championship
in
2011. Anyway, on to the visuals and thank you Rene’ Vivion for submitting photos!
these
