jessica’s blog

Multiple Wins with 44’s

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 11:04:32 -0500

After finally having caught up on some well needed rest and sleep, I can now reflect on an awesome weekend at Brainerd.
It was the third round for the season for CRA and was my personal best weekend ever at Brainerd! I set some hefty goals for myself for the weekend and knocked most of them out.
Leading up to the weekend, I continued to tell myself “44 or bust” and fight for the win. I desperately wanted to pull times of 1:44’s and didn’t want to allow myself to finish up the weekend without one! I had clinched 44’s on my Kawi’s prior to the switch, so I had to prove to myself that my Yamaha and I are capable of doing it! Fortunately, I was able to pull off 1:44’s while chasing Robert Jensen and Shane Fletcher. As for the fight, I had to fight for the win - if I am getting passed on the last lap, last corner, I am going to get right back in there and pass back.
All in all, it was a tough battle, being I was registered for 18 sprints, of which I finished well in 16 of those sprints and then had a DNS and a DNF. I wish I could say exactly how many wins I had, but everything is still somewhat a blur with that many sprint races, but I believe it was 3 or 4. There is nothing like crossing the checkered flag after having lead a race or fought for the checkered.
On Saturday night, my body was getting quite tired and knew I needed rest for Sunday, but I’m at BIR, I want to see everyone and hang out with my friends! So, I took the opportunity to go and hang out at the worker fire, make smores and talk about racing! I love CRA weekends!!
A big thanks to all my friends and family, I couldn’t have done it without your help, love and support! I had a ton of friends come up for that weekend! A big thanks to Andy, Uncle Butch, Mom and Terry, Natalie and Emily, James and Clark, Brad, Susan and Ashley and everyone else in between! Thank you!!
I am still recovering and trying to get everything ready for MidOhio later this month, so I may add to this later on, but for now, got to go!
Jessica

Taking the Checkered Flag at BIR

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:13:38 -0500

What a weekend! Brainerd had it’s fair share of rain, winds and more for a fun-filled race weekend!
Saturday sprint races went ok, I would have liked to have finished higher, but had a few items to sort out on the bike.
Following the Sprints on Saturday, I had a new challenge - Solo Endurance! Yes, solo, just me on the bike! I rode for 80 minutes straight with one pit stop for fuel and a deep breath! It was super fun, I began the race holding strong in 2nd and finished the race 1st in the Solo Endurance GP4 (750cc+). It was a great accomplishment for myself to ride near sprint race pace for 80 minutes, considering I had to remain focused and sharp to keep those good lap times.
On Sunday, we made a few changes to the geometry and the suspension of the bike and it was on!!! In my first race after the big changes, I was on my way to second place, when it began to rain and two guys passed me on the last lap! Erhh it was close! I wasn’t going to let that happen again! So, in the next race, Heavyweight Grand Prix, I had a great start and fended off a 750 and lead the entire race to the checkered flag! It was a fun win. I had my fastest times at the end as the track dried, plus I thought I had bikes on my tail. I crossed the finish line and looked back and no one was there. How crazy!
It was a super fun race weekend. 9 Sprints and a Solo Endurance, boy I am exhausted! Thankfully, I was able to dial in my bikes more by the end of the weekend and take a few firsts, so mission accomplished!
A BIG THANKS to all the great CRA staff, my family, Abby, Andy and Uncle Butch! See you in July at Brainerd!
Jessica

Brainerd Here We Come!!

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:38:34 -0500

We are en route to Brainerd! I can’t wait. I absolutely love club racing with all my friends and hanging with everyone! I am feeling great about this weekend. It will be my full first weekend to really shake out the new bikes. We are hoping for dry, calm weather, so cross your fingers!
CRA Racer and Cool Gal, Abby Mahle, is joining us this weekend. She will be crewing and having fun!
Our first night will be a busy one! We need to change gearing and tires on both bikes and get through tech, should be fun! Stay tuned for more!

Wrapping up Roadamerica

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:42:33 -0500

What a weekend! Mother Nature prevailed once again with more than enough rain, winds and more for an eventful race weekend.
In the little time we had in the dry, everything began well. I had really hoped for more dry time, so that I could get my Yamaha’s set up and get some good seat time.
On Saturday, I qualified into Supersport and had hoped and prayed for a dry race on Sunday!
I won’t be the first or last person to say this, but I am not a great rain rider. I definitely need more seat time, training and confidence in the rain, that’s for sure. Put me on a dry track and that is something else!
Of course, Sunday came with alot of rain! As Supersport began, the rain began to lift but left a very damp track. Needless to say, a challenge was ahead. After a few laps, a red flag was thrown to delay the race. Luckily the track began to dry more and times improved. When all was said and done after the re-start, I finished 31st.
A big thanks to my crew, Steve, Andy, Pat, Jeff, Robyn and Mark and thanks too to my husband.
I can now look ahead to racing at home at Brainerd in June and have some time to actually dial in my Yamaha’s! Can’t wait!! See you at the track!
Jessica

Miller Motorsports Park

Tue, 27 May 2008 20:54:10 -0500

We are en route to Miller Motorsports Park. Mark and I left on Tuesday morning and hope to arrive late Tuesday night. We will be meeting our Crew Chief Steve on Wednesday at Miller.
I am pretty excited to ride. I have only been on my R6 once since i re-injured my knee in April, but I think it will do just fine.
On Wednesday we have promoter practice followed by practice and qualifying and racing from Thursday-Sunday!
It is always fun to go back to Utah, after having spent so much time in Utah snowboarding! So many crazy memories!
I hope to add more this week! See you at the track!
Jessica