Saturday at the GP
We got the other engine in and the bike ready in time for today’s race but it only made 31 HP compared to 33 for the new engine we had yesterday and most of the field.
Peter got a great start from the front row and was 1st into turn one. At the end of lap one he was 3rd. A few laps later he was dropped to 4th by a draft pass on the front straight but Peter’s bike did not have the power to pass even with a draft. He fought for 3rd for the rest of the race and was only .25 of a second out 3rd at the line.
Peter’s best lap was his last, 1.58.903.
We did not get torn down this time.
We looked into fixing the new engine that started making noise yesterday but determined we could not. So we took some weight off our race bike, installed the up-dated air box from the new bike and changed a few clickers to help mid turn.
My helper this weekend has been Liam Shubert. Liam is an ex MotoGP tech so he knows his stuff and how to work.
Tomorrow we’ll pit a T-Rex on the bike and go for it!
Big day at Indy
We race on Saturday and Sunday here at the Indy GP but we only go on track for the race. One warm up lap then race. Therefore, today’s one practice and two Q’s are all important.
Practice went fine. The track was dusty and green but we just wanted to learn it, we were 6th with a 2.05.543. Peter told me the engine was making a noise but I blew it off thinking it was just clutch basket rattle.
When I started the bike two hours later I knew we were in trouble. This engine was new but now, not so much. After checking a few easy things we had to go with the back up bike with a tired engine and the old suspension. 7th with a 2.02.373.
With only one hour to the 2nd Q we swapped the new suspension that I had worked up at Portland onto the B bike and sent Peter back out with moments to spare. 4th with a 2.00.350.
Then to top off a long day, USGPRU decided we had to tear down our engines so they could check the valves and pistons. This after dyno and weight checks and before the races!
We’ll be back at the track tomorrow at 8 am to put an engine in our B bike and turn it into our A bike. We race at 4:30 pm so we have lots of time.
Indy weather report: very nice and the track rocks, wish I could ride!
Portland w/ Peter Lenz & Family
 
We spent Friday working in the Lenz race shop finishing the bike. On Saturday we confirmed the set up stuff we learned at VIR and Qed 2nd for Sunday’s race.
I flew home Saturday night because there is not as much to do come race day and this was my 9th weekend in a row on the road. It rained for Peter’s race and he cruised to 2nd.
Lenz day 2 @ VIR
Cool is not the right word but it was less hot on our 2nd day of testing with the California Superbike School at VIR. Peter worked on his riding skills and I fiddled with the bikes set up. I think I found something good, for sure I understand the bike now, Peter is easy to understand.
Check out the cool picture taken by Jason Zook’s wife. Peter is the little guy in front, turn 4 at VIR.
Peter Lenz @ VIR, day one.
The California Superbike School has been sponsoring Peter for five years now. We spent the day learning how to work together while Peter worked on track with his coach, James Toohey. We made good progress and will be back at it tomorrow.
VIR weather report: You guessed it, hot.
Villa x 2
Santiago took another 11th backing up his strong finish yesterday and setting himself up for more good races.
It was a tough weekend all around because of the changes to the crews but we worked through the problems and came away with one of those weekends all racers strive for.
I have tomorrow off and I plan to sleep in so don’t call me till Noon.
VIR weather report: The heat is not so bad after a good weekend.
Villa’s Best
Santiago Villa Qed 20th today and raced to 11th, his best AMA finish to date.
The race was won by Bobby Fong with Martin Cardenas 2nd by 0.000 seconds. The very definition of a photo finish.
VIR weather report: Still hot!
So far at VIR
When I got to the track today I found out that I’ve been moved off Elena’s team to work as part of Santiago Villa’s crew. Villa rides on the RoadracingWorld.com team in Daytona Sportbike also on a GSX-R600. I spend most of the time coaching but did get to stay at the track till 10 PM doing crash repairs. 😉
VIR Weather Report: HOT!
Shubie!
The final races of the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship where this weekend at Shubie. Check out the web site by clicking on my link. I have to get the truck and trailer back to Toronto by Noon Tuesday to make my flight to my next event, VIR AMA. It’s 10:57 PM here and I’m going to sleep.
Elena takes 4th
We Qed 7th and stayed out of trouble on the first lap when two others crashed just in front of Elena, crossing the line to end the first lap in 3rd. We lead the fight for 3rd till a red flag on lap 6. On the re-start we went faster on the first lap but got bad brakes in traffic and crossed the line in 6th. Riding hard and turning consentient fast laps put Elena in position to make a better drive out of turn 11 on the last lap and take 4th place.