Road Freaking America, YESSSSSS!
Yes, yes, yes. It was a yes kinda weekend. My mechanic was superior, my bike was amazing, everyone at the track was intensely rad, the conditions were kick ass (I love the rain), everything just fell into place!
I qualified on Saturday with wet-ish conditions on DOTs (my least favorite). But Matt and I managed to get my head straight & plugged away at my lap times until we accomplished the neccessary. What fun. I learned soooo much (yayyy).
By Sunday I was an absolute nervous wreck. I did my disco rain dance in our pits until all the teams around us thought I had lost my mind (I probably burned over 1000 calories before the race), and then reallized I danced a little too much when the races nearly got cancelled from too much standing water on the track. HA, that rocks.
When race time came up everyone was helpful, cool, calm, collected and prepared for a good race...all but me. Gridding for my first real pro race was freaky, especially with live TV coverage. Then I realized I have the best crew, the raddest sponsors and great conditions to do well...duh, this is just another race. All my friends I have raced with for years were all around me on the grid, I just had to beat them like I normally do and it will be no different than any other race. And I did...
I got a good start, played in the rain, kept it up & saw the checkers wayyyyyy to soon. I could have stayed out there another 10 laps, it was just that fun. But, it wouldn't have been fun without the people that were there. The biggest help of all was Matt Prentice, my mechanic...whoa, yeah, the BEST! Not enough good words, ever. He made my life so easy this weekend & I fell into a comfort level I have never experienced. Of course my Mom & Roger got my leathers done in the nick of time for her little Pookie, and they were outstanding! Mike Grandinetti, one of my best friends came out and worked his photography magic. Lithium Motorsports always has a great pit area for me to work out of, and makes sure I have all the amenities I need. Hooters Suzuki, Matsushima Motorsports, Graves Yamaha and KWS were great for feedback and some much needed parts on my machine...brakes are important (so are energy drinks, in moderation)! Without NESBA , I wouldn't have had the time to get my bike dialed in...thank you Garth!!! And, as always, the AMA put on a tight show.
The biggest thank you of all goes to Sam West, the man behind the scenes. Wihout Sam I would never have even gotten close to this opportunity. He makes sure I have all the neccessary elements in place to run a successful race program...I owe this all to Sam!
Of course there was mad celebrating at Seibkins to cut loose & have some fun...always goodtimes. Thank you to everyone that made this opportunity happen, and I always forget to mention someone but I never forget anyone!
Totally loving it and goofing around.
Matt Prentice keeps my brain and my bike screwed together straight. Best mechanic, ever.
Jason Farrell and Matt on hot pit before qualifying. Yipes, nerves.
Look at those sweet custom Spyder Leatherworks leathers...HOT!
Netti is my personal photographer, been that way for 15 years.
Roger, Mumsie and Sam...the most important people behind my racing career.
Damn, my paint job looks great, even when it's wet and dirty.
ALL PHOTOS DONE BY MICHAEL GRANDINETTI!
My sponsors, I couldn't do this without them:
Sam West
Michelin
Leo Vince
Lithium Motorsports
Spyder Leatherworks
Spiegler
Esjot
SBS
Komodo
EK
MSP Suzuki
Moto-R
Thermosman Suspension
Arai
Ohlins
Café del Mondo
King Avenue 5
Photographic Creations
The Speed Factory
Mirror Images
Pro Line Race Prep
BeFit4Riding.com
WIMA USA
