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RACING UPDATES
& INFORMATION
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UPDATES
September 29, 2003..... TH, TH, TH, That's all folks! I'm officially retired from racing. I've had more fun and more dreams come true than I could have ever imagined. 2 LRRS Championships, 5 times LRRS Championship runner-up, 2 2nd place finishes at AMA Grand Championships and a 3rd in Formula USA Thunderbike at the Loudon Classic races. Racing at venues like NHIS, Bridgehampton in NY, Pocono International in PA and Daytona! Riding handlebar to handlebar with the likes of Rick Doucette, the Woods, Ted, Tony, Vahan, Bob and so many others I could list them forever. My heart will always beat faster and stronger having been part of the experience. I will forever be proud to say I raced, and raced well, with the LRRS, Formula USA and the AMA. My sincere thanks and love goes to everyone who helped out. From the folks who came to cheer us on, to Kim, Ben, Kate and Pete who were all so vital to the team, I will be forever grateful. Peace and love to all, John
September 10, 2003..... Sorry for the delay in posting all the info. I took a small vacation hiking with my good friend Frank across the Presidential range in NH last week. It was a great trip and a good break after a busy racing weekend.
On Friday Frank took the Penguin school and I helped him with bike set up and with his racing lines. If you wish to improve your riding, the Penguin school is the place to go. And it all costs less than one of those big speeding tickets!
Also on Friday, my Mom celebrated her 80th birthday with a couple laps around NHIS! The Penguin gang was nice enough to donate a Vanson suit and boots to the cause. Maggie came through with a helmet and gloves for Mom. Then Frank let us use his Ducati Monster because we required a bike with buddy pegs. Thanks all! Mom looked fabulous in her suit (with MOM written across the back) and she had a thrilling ride for 2 laps before we pulled in and Frank jumped abord the Ducati to join his classmates on the track. Lloyd, my brother, got the whole thing on video and took some stills of Mom in her racing suit! I hope to be able to post them here soon. Mom was laughing like a school girl when we came off the track. She truly had a good time. I am so very proud of her intrepid spirit. Happy Birthday Mom! May you have many, many more...
The racing was tight and exciting. We locked up 2nd place in the LWSS championship and there is an outside shot at the championship. Thunderbike is real close at the top with 5 riders fighting for the podium spots. With one weekend left in the LRRS season, the final event will guarantee suspense and excitement.....
August 19, 2003..... Back from another LRRS event and there is lots to think about. I wanted to do something to honor my friend Francis Reed so I rode this weekend with the initials F.R. on the back of my leathers in his memory. There was a sustained, heartfelt and very moving round of applause in his honor at Saturday's riders meeting. I looked around and noticed my eyes weren't the only damp ones. By decree of the LRRS officials, the annual pit bike races will now be named after Francis! I can't think of a better memorial than a race that generates so much laughter, joy and good fun. Francis, we will miss you and, we will not forget you.
In Friday practice there was a scary moment when a rider entering turn 6 at over 100 MPH lost the brakes and crashed into the air fence there. I arrived on the scene to assist and discovered, to my dismay, my friend Tony Pags on the ground. Tony's a tough dude. And, though sore and bruised, he'll be fine after what we hope will be a short break. I sure am glad for those air fence sections LRRS and the Bahre's have installed.
On Sunday I stayed at NHIS and offered my help as a cornerworker. I was in turn 6 and got to see some great racing all day. If you want to watch thrilling racing up close, I highly recommend it. It's very rewarding work that's fun and exciting. No doubt it's the best seat in the house.
The racing was exciting, as always! And you can read all about PTC Racing's exploits on the Schedules & Results page. 'Till next time, keep the shiny side up.....
July 26, 2003..... I had hoped that vacation would rejuvenate me and help me be focused and ready for the rest of the season. But, I got a stomach bug and would have to race in a weakened condition. Time to "suck it up" and do our best. The LRRS standings show your intrepid reporter in 2nd place in both our classes. Thunderbike gold is a long shot at this time. But, the LW Supersport win is a possibility. Good rides and a little luck is all we need. We got a bit of both this weekend. Check out the Schedules and Results page for the deets!
July 4-5, 2003..... Suzi is fixed and ready to go! It's now the halfway point in the season. Time to see who is going to challenge for championships. We're currently 2nd in LWSS and 3rd in Thunderbike. Good results are crucial this weekend. Hot and humid weather would make the racing a bit uncomfortable. But we were up to it! Check Schedules and Results for the deets!
Friday night saw some of the LRRS regulars showing off their expertise with fireworks! It made for quite a display that was enjoyed by all in attendance. Too bad the local residents didn't have the same appreciation for the celebration. Apparently the local constabularies were called to calm down the festivities. I think all the rockets had been fired by then anyways! Thanks for the show guys!
June 6-7, 2003..... All the weather forcasts promised that LRRS race #3 would have dry weather on Saturday. Well, welcome to New Hampshire folks! Where things can change in a short minute. Just before racetime the skies began to leak yet again and the racing was wet all day. This created a big challenge as everyone had the bikes set up for a dry day. Steve and Brian at the Dunlop garage were very busy swapping lots of DOT tires for the rain version. Turning personal best lap times garnered the PTC Racing team a 2nd in LW Supersport. But, in Thunderbike I pushed a little too hard on the last lap crashing our Suzuki in turn 1. I got back up and rejoined the fray. The transmission only had 1st and 2nd gear and I limped home 9th. Looks like some repair work is on tap before we return to NHIS for the July 4th weekend.
May 17-18, 2003..... Race weekend #2 of the 2003 season was held under the most beautiful of conditions. Blue skies, light breezes and 70 degree temperatures were a wild departure from the 1st LRRS event. And the track was fully repaired and back in wonderful condition.
Saturday will be the only race day at LRRS events for PTC Racing in 2003. The 2 classes I will be running will be Lightweight Supersport and Thunderbike. And I'm looking forward to the options this presents for Sundays for the rest of 2003.
Penguin school and practice went well on Friday. The students I was assigned were attentive and fun to work with. I also got some good laps in that afternoon and felt fast. Most importantly I felt comfortable and smooth. There was good karma this weekend.
Saturdays racing was truly intense! I saw nothing but a +0 on my pit board throughout both the LWSS and Thunderbike races. We came away with a win in LWSS and a 2nd in Thunderbike! Boy, did it feel good to be riding well again! You can read more on the Schedules & Results page.
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