Home
-
WERA Round 1 – Nashville Recap (Don’t Look Back in Anger)
This is racing. It's easy to say that things could always be worse when an incident happens; mainly because it often could be. However when you have a lot of time on your hands sitting bandaged and broken, it's not difficult to think of what could have; and should have been – and how much a silly mistake potentially costs.
Take Nashville for example. We won the 20-lap race on Saturday rather easily. Old tires and a comfortable pace, winning by a controlled five-second margin. We were the only team in the 1:04 range with the next closest competitors in the 1:05's. Sunday morning came and we were the fastest bike initially. A 1:05.2 early in the morning on the same tires, knowing that a good practice session on new tires would easily yield mid-low 1:04's. Once racing would begin, I was confident we'd be pushing Taylor Knapp's fast lap from the previous year of a 1:03.6 and be down in the mid-low 1:03 range. After all, compared to last year, Taylor's fast time was a mid-1:05 in the Saturday race and we were already into the 1:04 range. Throw in continuing to learn the track, new tires and the good race fuel – I didn't feel this was too outrageous or unrealistic to expect. Of course we didn't make it that far.
Looking at the results of the Sunday races, the fastest laps were low 1:04's with one rider doing a high 1:03. Rain later came and slowed the pace of the latter two races we would have been in – but given that I like the rain, it's safe to say we would have had a chance to clean house and win all four races on Sunday.
Next up: Nelson Ledges which was this past weekend. My prior fast time on the old bike was a 1:08.6 and I was in the hunt with those times. Taylor Knapp and Brent Bennett were the headlining names in attendance (with respect to Sam Gaige, Jeff Agnes and Bill Stranahan, all of whom are fast but were dealing with mechanical issues or settling into a new bike). Taylor and Brent's fastest times of the weekend were high 1:08's in the 600 Superstock race, with Taylor doing a 1:08.3 later in the day. Anyone who follows our racing knows the level of talent both Taylor and Brent have and to be able to run with them in any capacity is an accomplishment. I have a great deal of respect for both of them as they are both excellent, top-tier riders.
Would I have cleaned house at Nelson? Maybe not, but I would have had an advantage being gridded up front for the start of each race, where the two of them had to start from the back because they hadn't accumulated any points yet. With the 20+ bikes gridded up, that would have been significant. It also wouldn't have been unrealistic to expect a good second out of the new bike just in the technological jump it's taken from my old bike. If I had been able to race at Nelson, I would have gone into Sunday's races with the expectations of being in the 1:07 range – which are the fastest laps that have been done around Nelson on a 600cc machine. That would have surely been competitive.
Have I learned from my mistake? I suppose so, but I knew better already. I will guarantee it won't happen again though. So then what does this all mean? Well, absolutely nothing really. Unfortunately woulda, coulda, shoulda doesn't fly in racing. There's so much that can happen and so many variables, it's not uncommon to see someone's potential derailed due to any number of circumstances. There's no excuse that justifies what you might have done or should have accomplished. Racing goes on without you and someone else wins the race that you felt you should have won. It's part of the game and part of what makes racing so difficult. It's why it's not always the fastest or most talented rider that wins a race. It's surviving, persevering and pushing through the challenges that make it all worthwhile when you take that checkered flag.
I knew all this going into the season, when everything had been falling into place near perfectly. I never became too excited because I've seen what can happen – high expectations with something coming out to spoil it all. While I knew about what could happen, ultimately I was unable to do anything to stop what I all-so-much wanted to prevent from happening.
It's not always easy to stay positive. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the sick feeling and pain I have is from the collarbone or from something deeper. Rather than sitting here with a number of race wins and a load of points, I've got one race win and new titanium in my body as the trophy. I'm waiting to get back out there and give everyone fits once I can get back on the bike. I'm mad about what happened. I'm frustrated I made such a silly mistake. I'm pissed that I'm that guy who crashed and lost out on part of his season. I'm not supposed to be that guy. I'm mad on letting my sponsors down; along with the full potential of both the bike and myself. I want to make up for it … And I wish I could do it right now …
5 Comments on “WERA Round 1 – Nashville Recap (Don’t Look Back in Anger)”
Have Your Say:
* We don't spam. Your email address is safe and secure.
About This Entry
- You're currently reading "WERA Round 1 – Nashville Recap (Don’t Look Back in Anger)," an entry on Witchkraft Racing.
- Published: 05.7.08 / 6am
- Category: General, Race Reports
- Arai Helmets
- Ballistic Performance
- Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers
- Dynojet Research
- Evol Technology
- GoPro Cameras
- Hoffer Performance
- Honda East of Toledo
- Millennium Technologies
- Motion Pro Tools
- Moto Everything
- Motul Lubricants
- NGK Spark Plugs
- Pirelli Tires
- RS Taichi
- Spiegler Performance
- World Wide Bearings
- Yoshimura R&D
Well said. WE have your back. Count on it.
everyone is off to bad start.. Sam and his mechanicals, Agnes and Blake crashing, Drew and his mechanicals kept him from the first 2 rounds…
keep your chin up and im sure you;ll be back asap.
Thanks guys .. Yeah it has been a bit of an odd start to the season for a handful of guys …
On a slightly different frustration level…I do understand how you feel, or should I say I understand how your Dad feels. You know Brent one of my son’s. He is the wrestler. He started out getting his varsity letter his freshmen year of wrestling and has gotten progressively better each year eventually rising to a team leader as a senior this year. Everything was stacking up perfectly for him to make it to States. He was ranked second in the state for 152 pounds…second in the state!!!! Well in the Livonia City Meet which he won he did some major damage to his stomach muscles. After pinning this kid and winning the meet he could barely get up off the mat. His season and career was over. Two surgeries later he is finally getting better. But the remaining part of the season leading up to states he had to watch these guys that he had beat in the past advance. As a dad I was crushed from him. I knew he could beat these guys and so did Brent. It was quite a learning experience for him. Like I said his career is over, yours is not. These things happen. People understand that, other riders understand that, sponsors understand that. You will heal but the pain and frustration in your gut will be a hard one to deal with knowing you could be beating these guys on the podiums every week. You will be back. But speaking as a dad, your not the only one feeling the pain here. This is also hard on your dad…OK fine your mom…and lets not forget Gina. All these people close to you also feel the frustration of not watching you on the podiums. Hang in there dude… Like I said earlier, my kids and I are looking forward to Mid-Ohio in the fall.
That is a major disappointment for Brent – I didn’t know that had happened. I’m really sorry to hear that. You’re completely right though. This isn’t something that should end my racing career, and I do need to remember that. It’s just a rollercoaster of emotions sometimes …
Thanks for the comment and hope to see you guys soon.