Did my first race weekend at NOLA this past weekend, and it went better than expected. I was nervous as a kid about to get his first kiss on Saturday morning, but made friends with the guy pitted next to me. We were both on our provisional race weekend so both new to everything. My first race that weekend was C Super Stock. I was able to walk away with 4th place after the world's worst start where I did two wheelies that I'm surprised I saved. On my second race in C Super Bike I was able to take 2nd by a fraction of a second. I was on cloud nine. On Sunday me and my gf decided to not race but to enjoy the sites in New Orleans. We woke up, got some coffee, and some beignets. Then we walked around for a bit before heading back. We arrived just after the rider's meeting and decided to race. I hurriedly signed up for C Super Stock and C Super Bike and got the bike ready. Once again I was nervous, a little bit less so this time around, but this time there was water on the track as it had rained the previous night. I lined up at the waiting area with my pit mate and waited for our sighting lap. I gained a bit more confidence after that lap and took note of where the puddles were, pretty much everywhere. I lined up in the back of the grid, because I signed up late, and waited anxiously for the green flag. As it dropped I made my way from the back of the pack to about the middle before the first turn. After several laps I had picked up 3rd and was keeping my pit mate from taking it from me. He nipped at my rear wheel every turn but I was able to somehow keep him off just enough to pull away. On the last lap in the last turn he was no further than 5 feet behind me as we came out of long right hander. I was able to throttle on early enough where I pulled away enough to secure 3rd. In C Super Bike he and I battled it out again, but this time for 4th. In the same right hander on the last lap he and I were drag racing with another racer for 4th, 5th, and 6th positions down the front straight. We were all close enough we could have held each other's hand if we wanted to. We crossed the finish line with me losing 4th by .04 seconds and taking 5th by .026 seconds. This was probably the most exhilarated I've ever been. My entire goal this year was to walk away with one podium. This weekend I was able to grab two. I know all the fast guys probably weren't there, and it was Superbowl weekend so maybe some stayed home; however, I'll take what I can get and walk away with a smile. I have to thank STT. You guys have no idea how much you have taught me over the years. This has been my dream ever since I first started riding 6 years ago in the California mountains. You guys helped mold me and never have failed to answer a question, no matter how stupid or repetitive it is. There is still so much for me to learn and I can't want to get out there and ask you guys some more. I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon. Thanks Garrett
Great start Garrett - and congrats! I bunny hopped my first race last year so bad that when I got back to my pit the Pirelli guy came over and asked who the Wheelie King was.... Stay away from a Solo 20, I swear to God they make you run 28 freaking laps! Look forward to seeing you at WERA events. Look up the Amish Racing team - I'll be somewhere in the middle of that pit!:rawk::rawk: HJ
awesome man!!! I am hoping to enter my first wera race in a year after getting more track experience and guidance from STT.
No, it's my g's bday and apparently she doesn't want to spend it at tally. I've tried to convince her, but I don't think it'll happen.
Thanks man. I tried that too. I told her we could go do Saturday and be home by 8 and still go out. Didn't work. lol
Eh, she's a keeper. We woke up Sunday with no intention to racing. When we got back from eating bengiets, she went up and bought two races for me that day and told me I better place a podium. lol