Author Topic: Last race of the season.... (Read 4067 times)

JoePA · « **on:** October 15, 2013, 12:28:30 PM »

This past Saturday was the last race for the 2013 season and I had to make it out for the last one since I missed so many. As with any race weekend preperation seems to start the day after your last race, well my last race was back in june and unfortunatly Ole Girl sat ever since. With a quick check over she was ready to go but I managed to score a Sparks MX pipe and silencer and it was just tearing me apart not to try it. So, Thursday night I decided to throw the pipe on but noticed it doesn't mount up as clean as my ProCircuit pipe and it needed a homemade bracket. It was late and decided to call it quits for night. Firday I scrounged up some metal at work to make a bracket so i could throw it on and get some test passes in the yard before the race. Well, I get home and Ihave to help a friend out. Long story short I don't get home till late to fab it up and then I still need to figure out jetting.....I hate last minute but what fun would it be if I was prepaired...right?! I Changed the main jet from a 162 to a 165 and said screw it's good.

Sat: Got up early and got the truck packed, trailer packed everything is good to go and I still have a few hours before we have to leave. My girlfriend says...Did you try that new pipe out to make sure it's OK? I said it will be fine and not to worry. After about an hour or so passed I said I better check that pipe out and do a few runs through the yard. Thank God she's in my life cuz after the second pass the clutch decided it's season was OVER. Now I'm stuck with a quad that is jetted a tad on the fat side and clutch that is toast! Scramble time! Managed to dig up a used clutch that I kept for just this purpose and thanks for ESR and their clutch cover as that baby was swapped out just in time to make it to the track for sign ups.

The racing was pretty much a follow the leader. With not throwing a leg over the quad in months then try to compete with guys that have raced all season.....even a big bore wasn't going to help me! First moto was a wash as I was just pacing the leader to get an idea for his speed plus he was jumping things he didn't earlier in the season and I wasn't going to even attempt it. Second moto...Gate drops and mange to get second till the first set of double and I'm not attempting those so i went from second to last in a hurry. I could catch them afterwards but I was riding my butt off just to make up those seconds and that just wore on my as the laps passed.

All in all it was a great night racing and seeing old friends. The Sparks MX pipe is a very smooth pipe even with a bone stock cylinder and head. very nice bottom and mid and better overrev than the PC even with it not jetted properly. Managed to score a very, VERY generous sponsor for next year so I can't complain at all.

Thanks again to everyone here on the site that helped answer questions and tips on keeping the R running strong as well as the other racers that I enjoy reading your or your son's progress.It keeps us motivated and it makes us feel like family. Most of all got to thank my girlfriend as she supports what I do 100% from hanging out in the garage while I wrench, cleaning the quad, packing or unpacking the trailer to letting me know what I forgot or should do!!
Looking forward to next season as the planning for next year has already begun......

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2093[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]2094[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]2095[/ATTACH]

red88r · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2013, 12:41:02 PM »

Nice write up...I always enjoy reading these. Oh I remember the last minute tuning and wrenching....especially on both of my brother's quads. Remember changing out a clutch between heats at Red Bud. I we didn't have a Hinson quick change. Very stressful becuase you never know how much time you really have between your heats especially if you are running more than 1 class.

rablack21 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2013, 01:27:38 PM »

Thanks for the write up Joe. Yes, it sucks to try to get everything ready last minute. It sounds like you had fun though, and that's the most important. And I will add, it is very difficult to beat people who are jumping things that you are not. I ran into this problem earlier this year in the season. I tell ya, the practice really does make the difference, although I know you weren't able to go much this year. Now that the season is over, it's time to plan whatever rebuilding you are going to do during the winter and be back better for next season.

JoePA · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2013, 01:38:05 PM »

It's now over and I sit here thinking...what do i do now!!?? The part i enjoy about it the most is...well....every damn part of it!! It's an event that we go to enjoy and share. I bring everything i can think of and more. My friends laugh till they need something or standing there licking their chops as we are grilling between motos. All in all it doesn't matter if it's MX, XC, the drags or hanging out in the dunes as long as we are around these machines and doing what we love to do.

scawn · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2013, 05:38:07 AM »

Awesome write up Joe and those pics are great as well. Just be glad it was a quick change clutch that gave out and not your body (I'm sure you are). You definitely have a lot to be thankful for. My wife doesn't hound me about my quad but she doesn't support me the way I wish she would. She spent the day with me once while I worked on it but 8 hours wore pretty thin and that put an end to that. Definitely envy ya man!

JoePA · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2013, 07:32:56 AM »

scawn,
Thanks! My body was hurting the next day but that good burn. My ex-wife wanted no parts of quads or racing and that made things difficult but I'm to blame as I was spending a LOT of time riding and working on them. It's always a balance between family time and racing.

American Opel,
You had a long season and a few breakdowns and that wears on you and your pocket book. As with anything when you are ready for it to be over, as soon as it is you're planning for the next season. My good friend and sponsor was over last night and we were discussing next seasons plans. He kept bringing up "so what are we going to do to the engine?" I don't know where he was going with that but I'm OK with a BB kit!!

rablack21 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2013, 08:11:20 AM »

Joe, it's definitely big bore time! They aren't near the cost they once were. At the very least a 310 kit would get you up and going without a lot of bank.

JoePA · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2013, 09:32:32 AM »

A big bore is a possibility for sure. Is your 310 a PV?

rablack21 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2013, 09:44:26 AM »

Quote from: JoePA;15597

A big bore is a possibility for sure. Is your 310 a PV?

Yep, and I like it.

jamieg45 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2013, 08:10:23 AM »

Nice write up Joe and great pics, My ex fiancé was good about hanging out with me while I worked on the quads and she did a lot for me with the racing through the whole week. Even after a few good scares I gave her on the track as well, she stuck by me the whole time and supported me a ton. But then I grew up and bills and a house was a more important than racing and so on, as soon as I get back on my feet and find a job, I am hoping to be racing and practicing a lot in 2014 for the mx season. I feel wore out everyday I get up it seems rite now, I always feel better after riding and or racing.
I will be 39yrs old next year and I am so ready for a full race season if it was affordable like it use to be and yes a BB with a pv is the way to go for mx.