AGV GP-Tech Rossi Misano ‘12 “Boxer” Limited Edition Helmet

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Valentino Rossi traditionally brings a custom helmet to his home race of Misano, and the 2012 round was no different. AGV has released this helmet, dubbed the Boxer, as a limited edition for the GP-Tech.

The Aldo Drudi design depicts Rossi, who was nearing the end of his run aboard the Ducati at the time, as a boxer that is on the ropes, yet still optimistic. Despite the bruises, bandages and a black eye, he is still seen asking the question “Come vado?” (How am I doing?). The back of the helmet shows his two ever-present bulldogs, Cesare and Cecilia, in boxing gloves and sporting a black eye each. His Sun & Moon logo is also found on the back, with Marco Simoncelli’s number next to it as a tribute to his late friend.

The AGV GP-Tech Rossi Boxer helmet is limited to just 1500 worldwide, but we also have plenty of other Rossi helmets available if there’s another one that you’re looking for. If you’re interested, just give our knowledgable sales team a call at 866.931.6644 and they’ll be happy to help. Is email more convenient? Feel free send one to support@ridersdiscount.com and we’ll get back to you right away!

The Aldo Drudi design depicts Rossi as a bruised boxer that is on the ropes.

Despite being bruised and cut, he is still asking “Come vado?” (How am I doing?)

Like on most of his special helmet designs, Rossi’s bulldogs make an appearance. The pair are depicted with black eyes and boxing gloves.

The design also features Marco Simoncelli’s number as a tribute to the fallen rider.

Each helmet is an individually numbered and the release is limited to just 1500 worldwide.

Shoei X-12 B-Boz 2 Helmet

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The new Ben Bostrom “B-Boz 2” graphic is now available for the Shoei X-12, and you can get yours from Riders Discount. This Snell M2010-approved helmet is made with five different shell sizes to fit their entire size range from X-Small to X-Large for maximum safety and an ideal fit for every user. The Shoei X-12 B-Boz 2 comes with a quick-change anti-fog visor mechanism for easy faceshield changes to suit any riding condition. There’s also a chin skirt included for cold-weather riding and a well designed adjustable ventilation system which efficiently flows air from the outside, to your head and out the back, taking moisture with it to keep your head cool on the hottest of days.

If you’re interested in the X-12 B-Boz 2, or any other Shoei helmet, order online or just give our knowledgable sales staff a call at 866.931.6644. They’re happy to provide you with expert sizing advice and to assist you with placing an order. You can also send an email to support@ridersdiscount.com and we’ll get back to you right away!

Shoei is well known for the excellent quality of their paint jobs, and the X-12 B-Boz 2 doesn’t disappoint in this area.

The top and back of the helmet feature some excellent pin-striping.

Here’s a closer look at the details found on top.

The X-12 B-Boz 2 is shown here with an optional dark smoke shield.

MSRP – $839.99

Bell Star Carbon Airtrix Laguna Helmet

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Bell’s top of the line Star Carbon helmet is back for 2013 with new graphics, like the Airtrix Laguna, and a revised shape. The new shape is based on the RS-1, which was introduced after the Star, and featured an extremely well fitting intermediate oval headform. Other than the shape, the Star Carbon goes relatively unchanged, and retains all the features that made it so popular to begin with.

As with the previous Bell Star Carbon helmets, this version uses an outer shell that is made from 100% carbon fiber. Bell spent a great deal of time engineering the shell to be not only lightweight and strong, but very aerodynamic as well. What they came up with was an angular shape with a uniquely contoured spoiler, both of which make this helmet extremely stable and resistant to buffeting. Air is also directed into the variety of strategically placed vents at the front in order to push warm, stale air out through the exhaust vents at the back. All vents are independently adjustable so that you can dial in the ventilation for a variety of conditions.

Another feature that goes unchanged is the shield system. The Star Carbon uses their fog and scratch resistant NutraFog II face shield in order to keep your view clear. It’s also treated with a potent anti-UV coating so that you don’t have to worry about your face being burnt red after a day’s ride in the sun. Bell’s 3Mode Shield allows you to quickly lock the visor down, crack it open for added ventilation and swap out faceshields with no tools required. And don’t forget to ask about a Bell Transitions SolFX Photochromatic faceshield. These visors have the same great benefits of the included unit, but also change their tint based upon lighting conditions. They darken quickly (~10 seconds) when the sun is out for squint-free daytime riding.

The new Bell Star Carbon comes in three different styles – the most eye catching of which is the Airtrix Laguna. Designed by Airtrix, this graphic features a combination of brash design elements that complement each other and flow together without clashing.

Interested in the Star Carbon Airtrix, or any other Bell helmet? Order online or feel free to give our knowledgeable sales staff a call at 866.931.6644 for more information, sizing advice, or to place an order. If email is more convenient, feel free to send those to support@ridersdiscount.com and we’ll get back to you right away!

The Bell Star Carbon Airtrix Laguna is shown here with an optional dark smoke shield.

Open spaces in the paint reveal the carbon fiber shell beneath.

Shoei GT Air Helmet

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Shoei’s newest offering for 2013 is the GT-Air. This helmet was designed with the street in mind, and therefore excels in being quiet, comfortable, and feature-rich, in addition to the providing the excellent protection that Shoei is known for.

The most noticeable new feature for the GT-Air is the internal sunvisor, which is a first for a full-face, non-modular helmet for Shoei. This sunvisor is fully retractable and gives you the ability to ride in varying light conditions without worrying about packing an extra shield or stopping to put on sunglasses. A large, easily located switch on the left side of the helmet allows you to operate the visor on the fly. When retracted, the visor slides smoothly into the recess between the EPS liner and the outer shell. The outer shield is the new CNS-1 that debuted on the modular Neotec helmet. It features a larger field of vision and comes equipped with the Pinlock fog free system. The helmet also comes with a Pinlock lens, so there is nothing you need to add in order to have the best in fog prevention.

The shape of the GT-Air’s sturdy outer shell was developed through the use of extensive wind tunnel testing, and this resulted in a highly aerodynamic profile with an integrated spoiler at the back to reduce lift. A large part of the design process was focused on noise reduction without sacrificing ventilation because, generally speaking, more ventilation in a helmet equals more wind noise. This is not the case with the GT-Air. This helmet moves a lot of air around the head while remaining extremely quiet.

Inside the GT-Air, a multi-piece EPS liner uses different densities of foam to help absorb impact energy progressively. It is also channeled to allow air to flow through from the outer vents. The final layer is the 3D Max-Dry system of ultra-plush pads and lining. This fully removable system is washable and will absorb and dissipate heat much faster than standard liners. In the event of a crash being handled by emergency workers, Shoei’s EQRS (Emergency Quick Release System) allows them to safely detach the cheekpads from the outside so that the helmet can be removed from the rider without putting any additional strain on an injured rider’s neck.

If you’re looking for a comfortable and quiet lid that you won’t tire of wearing on a long cruise or a short ride, we recommend considering the new Shoei GT-Air. For more information, sizing advice, or to place an order, you can give our knowledgable sales staff a call at 866.931.6644. If email is more convenient, feel free to send those to support@ridersdiscount.com and we’ll get back to you right away!

The Shoei GT-Air is pictured here in the Journey TC-2 (White/Red/Blue) graphic.

Shoei_gt_air_journey_tc2_wht_red_blue-1 Its aerodynamic features are clearly visible when viewed from the side.

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Here’s a look at the internal sunvisor. Note the large switch under the left base plate for raising and lowering the visor.

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The sunvisor easily retracts up into the helmet when not in use.

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The GT-Air has some of the most effective ventilation available. The large vents are easy to adjust with a gloved hand and, when open, move a great deal of air very quietly.

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A view from the back shows the exhaust vent that helps pull warm air out from around the head.

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Mechanical Woes Lead To Less than Perfect Daytona 200 For Joey Pascarella

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The 72nd running of the historic Daytona 200 is in the books, and despite a promising second row start, previous Daytona 200 winner Joey Pascarella’s race didn’t go as planned. He and his Riders Discount Triumph Daytona 675R got off to a good start, but an unfortunate issue with the shifter forced him to return to the pits at the end of the opening lap.

“I was feeling good on the grid, and I was more than ready for things to get going,” said Pascarella after the race. “I had a good start, and things were going well through the first few turns, but that changed when I had to downshift for the Horseshoe. I downshifted once, went for the second, but it wouldn’t happen.”

Pascarella returned to the pits for repairs and was able to rejoin the field 4 laps down. “I wanted to get back out there and keep going even though I knew I was down 4 laps already. It was at least a good way to get more experience on the Triumph and blow off some steam.”

Despite this less than perfect start to the 2013 AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike season, Pascarella and Riders Discount Triumph are optimistic about the rest of the season.

“Looking back, Daytona wasn’t all bad for the team and myself,” Pascarella went on to say. “Even though the race didn’t go the way we wanted, we learned a lot and I feel like we got some bad luck out of the way early. I can’t thank the Riders Discount Triumph Team enough for supporting me and I’m really looking forward to bringing the new 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R out at Road America.”

Brian Gibson, Riders Discount Triumph team owner, had this to say about the weekend, “I am disappointed to say the least to have our first race end with one single bolt working its way out of our left rear set, but I am happy to say we left with Joey healthy, and with a strong motivation to redeem ourselves at the next round. I want to personally apologize to Joey for the mechanical and thank him again for staying out on the track representing our sponsors and showing what true grit and determination he has. We are going to take that single bolt and use it to build a solid foundation for the rest of the season. We will be back and I am positive that our fans will see the results the Riders Discount Triumph team is capable of.”

Bree Poland, team manager added, “We obviously didn’t get the outcome we wanted at Daytona, but this race is always a tricky one. We are naturally disappointed that we left the first round with no points, but that just makes us want to work even harder heading to Road America. Big thanks to all of you who came and supported us this past weekend!”

Joey Pascarella would like to thank his sponsors: Riders Discount, Triumph, Speed and Strength, K-Tech, Shoei, Akrapovic, Dunlop, Motion Pro, Zero Gravity, Vicci, Maxima, Saddlemen, Sidi, Forcefield Armour, Full Spectrum Power, Renthal, Andrew Swenson Designs, Hanshaw Engines, GB Covers, Brembo, Cap-It Tire Warmers, Spiegler, Attack Performance, Sharkskinz, Drippinwet, Pitbull, Fastbikes USA

About RidersDiscount.com: RidersDiscount.com is an online retailer of quality powersports gear, apparel and accessories. A company founded by racers, RidersDiscount.com ships equipment for every riding style to customers worldwide, backed by knowledgeable sales team and excellent customer service.

Triumph Motorcycles (www.TriumphMotorcycles.com) is the British motorcycle marquee that produces a wide range of sport, cruiser, adventure and touring motorcycles. From the storied Bonneville to the class-leading Speed Triple and Daytona 675R, Triumph offers a blend of design, character and performance that result in truly distinctive motorcycles. First established in 1902 and now located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, Triumph has always set the pace for category-winning machines. The company is solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd. and its North American operations are based in Atlanta.

*If interested in being a partner/sponsor of Riders Discount Racing, please contact bree@ridersdiscount.com for more info.*

Photo by Brandon Bones of Studio 819

Joey Pascarella Lands Second Row Spot For The Daytona 200 After Qualifying Cut Short

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Final qualifying for the 72nd running of the Daytona 200 may have been cut short due to a competitor’s mechanical failure leaving a streak of oil on the track, but this didn’t stop Riders Discount Triumph’s Joey Pascarella from landing a spot on the second row of the grid for Saturday’s race.

Pascarella and his #52 Riders Discount Triumph Daytona 675R completed the 3.51 mile course in a time of 1:52.213, which made him the fastest of the four Triumphs in the field, and put him in seventh position overall.

“Today wasn’t too bad,” said Pascarella following the second qualifying session. “I’m happy that we’re on the second row. We managed to get the Triumph dialed in a little more after the cold morning session where I ended up fourth. I was feeling comfortable with the bike in final qualifying, but it was red flagged before I was able to get a good lap in with the new tires. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow and can’t thank the team enough.”

Team owner, Brian Gibson, was pleased with the day’s results. “The temperature during this morning’s first qualifying session had me thinking I had never left our headquarters in Michigan, so I was glad things started warming up for the second session. I can’t complain about a second row start, and with Joey’s talent we know he has what it takes to bring home a podium finish.”

“Today started off much better,” commented Riders Discount Triumph team manager, Bree Poland. “Even in the cold and slick conditions of the first qualifying session, Joey got his bike dialed in and ended up 4th. Things were looking really good in the final qualifying session as well, but the red flag cut things short just as we thought he was going to put the bike on the front row. Overall we’re happy with a second row start, and we are good going into tomorrow’s race. Joey is feeling confident with the bike, and he has the memory of winning last year fresh in his mind, so we’re all hoping for a return to the podium.”

About RidersDiscount.com: RidersDiscount.com is an online retailer of quality powersports gear, apparel and accessories. A company founded by racers, RidersDiscount.com ships equipment for every riding style to customers worldwide, backed by knowledgeable sales team and excellent customer service.

Triumph Motorcycles (www.TriumphMotorcycles.com) is the British motorcycle marque that produces a wide range of sport, cruiser, adventure and touring motorcycles. From the storied Bonneville to the class-leading Speed Triple and Daytona 675R, Triumph offers a blend of design, character and performance that result in truly distinctive motorcycles. First established in 1902 and now located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, Triumph has always set the pace for category-winning machines. The company is solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd. and its North American operations are based in Atlanta.

*If interested in being a partner/sponsor of Riders Discount Racing, please contact bree@ridersdiscount.com for more info.*

Picture by Brandon Bones of Studio 819

Joey Pascarella and Riders Discount Triumph Are Ready For Daytona

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It’s been a long winter for Joey Pascarella and the Riders Discount Triumph team – both of whom are ready to get back to racing in the 2013 AMA Pro Racing season. Thankfully that will be happening sooner rather than later, as they will be taking to the high banks of the Daytona International Speedway during the coming weekend for the Daytona 200.

Pascarella, the defending Daytona 200 race winner, returns to Daytona after a productive offseason that included a new track record in Las Vegas last month, and is looking to carry this success into the AMA season. He’ll be doing so aboard his #52 Triumph Daytona 675R, which made its way down from the Riders Discount headquarters in Holland, Michigan, with a pit-stop at the Barber Motorsports Park for testing.

“I am feeling really good about everything going into Daytona,” said Pascarella. “I know I have what it takes to win after doing it last year, and with the Riders Discount Triumph team behind me, I know we have a good chance of a repeat performance. I can’t wait to get back on the banking with my Triumph 675R and to get the 2013 season under way. I want to thank the team and all the sponsors for giving me the opportunity to do what I love to do – go racing.”

“Joey’s an incredibly talented rider and we’re lucky to have him on board for the Daytona 200, and the rest of the 2013 season,” said Brian Gibson, Riders Discount Triumph team owner. “I know he has what it takes to win and I can’t wait to see what he can do on the Triumph. We definitely have a solid team, and to say that we’re looking forward to Daytona would be an understatement!”

Team Manager, Bree Poland added, “We are beyond excited to get to Daytona and see our Riders Discount Triumph out on the high banks of Daytona. Joey has been training hard all season and we were able to get a test in before heading south. The team is super excited to have last year’s Daytona 200 winner riding for us and we are hoping for another win. We can’t thank our sponsors enough for helping us this season!”

*If interested in being a partner/sponsor of Riders Discount Racing please contact bree@ridersdiscount.com for more info, stay tuned for a full list of 2013 team sponsors.*

Triumph Motorcycles (www.TriumphMotorcycles.com) is the British motorcycle marque that produces a wide range of sport, cruiser, adventure and touring motorcycles. From the storied Bonneville to the class-leading Speed Triple and Daytona 675R, Triumph offers a blend of design, character and performance that result in truly distinctive motorcycles. First established in 1902 and now located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, Triumph has always set the pace for category-winning machines. The company is solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd. and its North American operations are based in Atlanta.

Gage McAllister – AFM Buttonwillow Race Report

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Race Report for Gage McAllister #715
AFM Roadracing Round 1, Buttonwillow CA
March 2-3, 2013

Totally pumped after my race weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway! My weekend preparation started on Thursday prepping my Honda crf450 before heading off to Harley Davidson of Rocklin where my Folsom Harley Davidson XR1200 is stored. We made some changes on the bike since the last time I rode it (the weekend before). We’re heading down Thursday night to get a feel for the changes we made. I was trying out a new Motion Pro quarter-turn throttle, shorter bars, new rear sets, and a stiffer clutch to help my bike stay stable under downshifts.

We arrived late Thursday night and unloaded early Friday morning. Friday practice ran smooth and I was getting more comfortable on the bike we were constantly messing with the rear shocks to make the handing better. By the end of Friday practice I had dropped my lap times 3 seconds from the weekend before when I road a track day there.

Saturday was another day of practice with a few Clubman races at the end of the day. I was still running the same times all day Saturday as I was Friday because I was running the same Dunlop spec tires as I ran Friday. After Saturday practice I was forced to race a Clubman event due to the fact that it was my first ever road race weekend. I signed up for Clubman Lightweight on my CRF450 and Clubman Heavyweight on my XR1200. I decided to scratch from the Clubman Heavyweight race after taking a look at the rulebook and finding a more appropriate class for the XR1200 to race in. I figured the Clubman race would be easy considering I had plenty of race experience I was just new to the road race scene. Just as I thought, I started on the very back row and was almost in the lead by the time we entered the first turn. Since my CRF450 is a lightweight supermoto bike it pulls pretty much any bike of the start. I took my time before making the last few passes because I didn’t want to rush things my first time on track after getting into within two laps I began to pull a bigger and bigger gap each lap. The race is only six laps, but the track is long so it is easy to forget how many laps have gone buy and how many you have left. I finished up my first race with a win and a pretty big gap. Later that day I talked to a few of the AFM staff about having me move up to expert rather than keep me in novice, they allowed me to move up which meant the next day I would be racing in all expert races. Saturday night we decided to try a different brand of tires and put on some Pirelli’s to see how they compared.

The next morning we were up early getting the tires warmers on the bike and getting checked in, I had expected to be running in the expert races but we I went to sign in they had changed there mind because I did not have my AMA license with me so they were unable to allow me to move up; I was stuck in the novice division for all my races. There was only one practice session in the morning before the races start so it was critical for me to be ready for practice to try out the new tires. First I went out on the 450 to get comfortable on it because it was the first race of the day, then I took the Harley out immediately after. As soon as I got out on track I noticed the bike handling very different and it was having a hard time staying stable through the turns and under acceleration. After pulling in early I could only come to conclusion that the tires were making it handle worse since we hadn’t made any other changes on the bike. Had we wanted to run the Pirelli’s bad enough we could have adjusted the suspension around the tire but sense we are using Dunlop’s in AMA we decided it would be best to put the Dunlop’s back on and develop the suspension around them. Unlike Supermoto where there is a heat and a main, Road Racing is different in that you just line up once so the morning warm up very important to get up to speed so you are confident going into your first race.

I was the first race out on the 450 for 250 SBK lined up on the back of the grid on the novice wave. The flag waves are about 20 seconds apart. So by the time the novice grid left, the experts were already 20 seconds ahead. I got a good jump from the back row and shot into the lead by the first turn. I was certain that the novice riders would give me no competition so I set my sights on catching up to as many expert riders as possible. Little by little I began picking expert riders off and before I knew it I was behind the top three expert riders, I was able to get around them with ease considering I was able to catch them from so far back. I passed the front expert rider and began pulling away with a few laps remaining. I was not expecting to win the overall let alone by a decent margin, but it definitely gave me confidence for the rest of the day. After my first race I didn’t have another race till after lunch time, so I got to hangout with some of my fellow racers and watch my friend Tucker Lancaster tear it up!

I was the second race after lunch break and it was my first race on the XR1200 which was Formula 4. I started in the back and got the holeshot then going in to turn two I made a mistake and downshifted too early and the bike started swapping underneath me, I thought for sure it was going to buck me off, but I held on and didn’t get passed. After my little moment I recovered and began working my way towards the expert riders. I picked my way through multiple people then got stuck behind a group of riders for a few laps, while passing that group I was behind a bike that was smoking and spraying oil all over the front of my bike. I tried to make my pass as quick as possible and get away from the group to get some clear track. After I got around the group I was able to put my head down and turn my fastest lap on the XR1200 of 1:59.0. I had one race in between my next class so I had time to take a small break.

Up next I was back on my 450 for the last time in the single class, once again I started in the back of the novice grid. The race had multiple classes within it and the singles class was the second wave. I got the holeshot from the novice row and passed all the experts before the first turn. I was quick to catch the wave ahead of me but before I was able to make any passes the race was red flagged. The situation was resolved and I repeated the same start as I did the start before, I began working my way through the wave ahead of me when the race was red flagged again on the second lap because of Kenny Anderson’s horrific crash. After re-griding I was able to replicate the two starts that I got on the first restart and the original start. I had already passed a few of the riders from the wave before mine by the end of the first lap and continued to pick people off until I was in the overall lead. I had a comfortable lead all race and was able to win the overall with ease.

My final race of the day was the second to last race of the day and it was the Formula Twins class on my XR1200. I started from the very back and since there were so many riders it was all one wave. I got a good start, but was forced to check up because the riders in front of me had bad starts. I was mid pack going into the first corner and got stuck behind a group of decent riders which made it difficult to find a way around. By the time I got my self around the small group the riders ahead of me had pulled a gap and I was sure I would not be able to fully catch them within the small six lap race that we were given. I won the novice class no problem and ended up getting around 6th overall.

I want to thank everyone who helped make it happen, my Mom & Dad, Folsom Harley-Davidson, Intents Racing, Supermoto Schools, Tim & Ian Champness, Josh Chisum, Arai, Hareline Graphics, Rundall Productions, Riders Discount, Alpina Wheels, Leo Vince, Works Connection, Oakley, and D&W Images.

Joey Pascarella – Ready to Start 2013!

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Over the past month a lot has been going on. I flew to Riders Discount in Holland, Michigan to meet up with everyone and pick up a lovely Triumph 675. From there I drove all the way back to Las Vegas, Nevada to race the second round of Wera west and get used to the bike. Needless to say I had a great weekend and had so much fun on the Triumph and was a great boost of confidence knowing I enjoyed the bike. Afterwards, I went home and back to the daily grind of work and training for a couple weeks. Recently this week I had to do the great long drive again back to Riders Discount. I made it finally and it is great to be back at the shop watching my beautiful Riders Discount Triumph 675 R being built and seeing everyone that I will be working with for 2013. So right now i am sitting in RD kicking back relaxed writing this blog realizing how lucky I am to have such a great group of people behind me and how excited I am to get racing.

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Joey Pascarella – WERA West round 2 race report and first time out on the Triumph

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Hi everyone. Since my last update, a lot has happened. I flew out to Michigan to have a meeting with the guys at Riders Discount about preparation for Daytona and the fast approaching season. Then, I loaded up Brian’s (owner of Riders Discount) personal Triumph Daytona 675 and all the spare parts so I can become one with my new ride. From there I started the long drive from Michigan to Las Vegas for the second round of the WERA West series.

Friday’s track day morning was my first time out on her and it went well. But it was damn cold in the low 50s and a dirty track, so I took it pretty easy. Came in and Barry from KFG suspension made a ride height adjustment by lowering the rear for me to slow down the turn in.

The second session I went out and gradually got up to speed on her. The change was definitely the right direction by making the bike not so active overall. Barry lowered the rear some more for the third session.

In the third session my lap times came down quite a bit, and again the change was spot on. For session four we added some preload to the front and some compression too. Basically we were trying to take out the “stink bug” effect (rear way high and the front feeling like its under the motor) out out of it. That set up just doesn’t wok with my riding style, I prefer to steer the bike myself rather than the bike turn itself. Its purely rider preference.

Fourth session was much better, but still making the adjustments. Before session five we decided to make spring changes both front and rear to get the balance better. So on the front we went one step stiffer on both forks to keep the front from diving under hard braking and one step softer on the rear to add grip to the rear under acceleration.

Session five I was down into mid 1:17s (my track record was a 1:15.965) so I was feeling pretty good and all the the changes are spot on (Barrys knows his sh!t). Before the last session of the day we made only some clicker changes to the shock again trying to utilize the awesome torque of the Triumph.

Sixth and final session of the day I went out and rode some fast laps with the legend Jeremy Toye (on a liter bike) and threw down a couple 1:17:1s. That’s only 1.1 second off my track record and the fastest of the day.

I was extremely happy with my first day on her and our incredible progress Barry and I made on the setup. That evening Barry and I decided to try an offset change of the Attack Performance adjustable offset triple clamps, so we moved the offset forward 2mm again to slow down the turn in of the bike.

Saturday morning was still cold, about 48 and with wind gusts up to 27 mph. So I sat out the first two sessions hoping the temp would get little warmer. It did, so I went out tested the new offset. Wow what a better feel, my lap times were in the mid :17s but much easier and a smoother feel.

After lunch I had planned to race once that day in the middleweight (600cc) expert solo 20 laps. I started on row 5 and had my boy Tucker right behind me on row 6, I told him to stay right on my wheel off the start. When the flag dropped I got a good jump and plowed my way around everyone and I exited turn two in the lead and with Tucker right on my wheel just like we talked. LOL I put my head down and rode hard and basically went faster every lap (set my fastest lap on lap two at a1:16:429) till I ran into lappers about lap six. I was occasionally able to peak across the track to see Tucker holding down second. I was turning high 1:16s pretty easily and when I got some clean air on the 16th lap I did my 2nd fastest time a 16:496 on a tire with 16 laps on it, that’s pretty good! I also lapped up to 4th place and won by 32 seconds.

I pulled in from that race and instantly decided to race the heavyweight (1000cc) expert solo 20 lapper, the bike is so fun to ride and I felt AWESOME!!

I had to start from row 15 in the very last position because of my late entry. I had my work cut out though with a pretty stacked field with AMA Superbike riders David Anthony (holder of the overall track record at a 1:15:265 set the same day I set my 600cc record and AMA Superbike top 10 regular), Jeremy Toye on his Kawasaki ZX10, Cory West (now on the RSR EBR 1190 and my teammate last year), Dustin Dominguez (now Cory’s teammate on the EBR and the winner of several AMA Supersport races), fast club racer Cory Sarrors on his liter superbike, as well as AMA DSB racers Jake Gagne and JD Beach on their Yamaha R6′s all in front of me. I got a really good jump and was up into the top ten after turn two and made some gnarly passes into turn three.

By lap 5 I made way to third place with Toye and Anthony close in front of me. As we started lap 6, Toye pulled in to make suspension adjustments (he was using the the solo to tune for the sprint races) and left it to me and David to battle. It was so much fun! I was much faster in the tight stuff being on the smaller bike but he was killing me on the long back straight. I made the pass for the lead on lap 7 and pushed hard trying to get away but when I caught up to lappers it really hurt my tight section speed and he was able to get close enough to blow by on the back straight. I stayed close and on the following lap was able to pass him again and pulled a slight lead but once again the backmarkers played into him getting close enough to go by on the long straight. But this time about lap 16 I abused the tire way too much and just keep that pace in the tight stuff and had to settle for second. I did have the fastest lap of the race at a 1:16:242 and was stoked on the race and knew that tomorrow I could beat my lap record.

Sunday morning was slightly warmer about high of 52, and we had sprint races. In practice I took it easy and just got warmed up.

First race up was the 600cc superstock, I started on pole (being points leader) and had Bryce Prince to my left and Tucker on the very inside. I got a good jump but Tucker and his light butt got the holeshot but I inside outed him in turn one and tried to check out but there was a red flag due to Tyler Linders crash (heal up soon Tyler – broke his collar bone). So we lined up again and this time I got the holeshot and put my head down and set out to brake my lap record and on lap 2 I did a 1:15:424. I did it!!! I felt awesome. I knew with some adjustments I could even go faster. So Barry and I made some changes and I had my sights set on the overall track record!!

Race 2 was 600 superbike again on pole I was focused, got the holeshot, and pinned it and on the start of lap 2 leaving turn 1 I used a little too much track and dropped the rear off the edge of the track and spun sideways then it caught the asphalt and hi sided. It was a good one LOL Just a little bump on the knee but I’m fine. It was a real bummer because I knew I had it.

So that was the end of my weekend. But what a weekend, the bike is freaking awesome and this season is going to be so good. I know I have a great bike, team, an owner that wants to win as much as I do, and the support from all of you that are just as excited as I am about this.

This coming weekend I’m going to Willow Springs to ride and then Monday at Buttonwillow, I’m going to get even more one with the Triumph.

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

Joey