Just had a great weekend at Summit Point and now have just over 2 weeks
to get my bike ready for the finals at Atlanta. I ran 2 races this past
weekend, WERA Vintage 5 and WERA Unlimited Twins. I wanted to win the
Vintage 5 race so that I could be in good shape going into the final
race of the series at Atlanta. The Twins race was important in that I
could wrap up the Regional Twins title by finishing in the top 10.

I was lax about getting in the registration line and was on the 4th row
for the Vintage race. I was 3rd off the line and for the first time
this year, the 750cc 2-stroke triple of Team Suzuki Yesteryear was
leading me at Summit.  I got past in turn 9 but blew the corner and he
was able to blow past into 10.  I was unable to get past him in my best
parts of the track (the slow sections) however I was able to close up
and when we hit the straight it was painfully obvious how much
horsepower I gave up to the triple when I couldn't stay in his draft.
After about 4 laps we came up on back markers at the end of the
straight and that allowed me to pass him before the slow sections and I
was able to pull 6 bike lengths on him that lap, I had 20 on him the
next lap  and he never challenged me again. It was a great race (for me
obviuosly) and many fans came up and mentioned how great it was hearing
the 2 stroke triple, the big twin and the big 4 cylinder (current
national champ was there, finished 4th) howling down the straight.
This puts me in great shape for the final in that I can finish second
to the Triple at Atlanta and take the National Title.

Saturdays fine weather was dampned by a rain storm saturday night and
sundays races were run under the threat of rain. Of course it rained
2 races before mine, and parts of the track were covered with a thin
layer of mud.  I dropped my pressures to 24# front, and 26# rear. We
all tip-toed around and I finished 3rd and took the regional title.
Wish it could have been dry as there were a number of 900ss Ducatis
that were going well and I beat all but one.  I was on his butt at the
end, but wasn't going to throw it away for 2nd place wood.

My bike needs some not so major work, mainly freshening up and basic
maintenance. My steering head bearings are brinelled and I want to pull
the trans apart to check the cush drive spring and perhaps install a
taller primary gear for a better selection of ratios for Atlantas long
back straight. I want to replace the valve springs and check for bent
valves and pushrods. I'll also change to my long track setup (long
swing arm and downforce generating strakes).  The GNF is a 5 day
extravaganza and I'll be getting track time 4 of those days.  I want my
bike to be humming.

WERA is better than CCS in that you get something for your regional
title besides just a front row position at the final.  WERA give you
half off your first race (~$25 per weekend) the whole next year for a
regional title.  Thats one reason why I race WERA seriously and CCS
only for fun. Now if I can just win a national title, I'll get first
entry free and half off my second!