It’s Sunday morning and I’m just sitting around waiting for breakfast at the motel (motel breakfasts – where you eat all the things that you don’t eat at home) so I thought I’d get in one last live cross before I head for the track and then hit the frog and toad for home.
Saturday was hot, the hottest day so far. They said it was 24 degrees but I reckon they threw the dart at the wrong part of the board. PI is always blockout territory but there is another wheeze to help you dodge the sun. The deep shadows from the pit garages are always on the front of the garages in the morning and the back of them in the afternoon so you try to walk there as much as you can (yes, I know that could be annoying for the riders coming out of the pit garages for their races, but, if you do it right (I do) it isn’t.)
As always, race day had its share of dramas – that’s what we go there for. Team GB was on top of their game, also as always, Jeremy McWilliams winning Race 1 of the 4 race International Challenge and taking the team out to an early lead. Australia’s Troy Corser ran the white flag up the pole on Friday night, he and team principal, Rex Wolfenden, admitting that the two Honda-engined bikes were simply not fast enough. A quick trip back to Melbourne overnight saw the ex-Chas Hern Harris Yamaha in the pit garage for Saturday, all stickered-up with #11 and ready to go. As it turned out, it was a good call with Troy being far more competitive. It wasn’t fast ENOUGH but it was heaps better.
Team USA’s Barrett Long drew the short straw this year. Both of the Dave Crussell TZ750’s at his disposal gave trouble and it looked like he would ride Eirik Neilson’s bike but Eirik’s FIM Medical Clearance arrived overnight so the bike had his #72 back on it at the start of the day. So, what would he ride? Well, local rider, Rob Ruwoldt had been drafted into Team USA (don’t ask) and he has TWO Harris Kawasakis. So, guess what bike Barrett rode? Motorcyclists are cool people.
The 2nd race of the challenge saw McWilliams being beaten by Australia’s Davo Johnson with Aussie riders featuring well in the top 10 and ending the day 6 points ahead in the pointscore, go team.
The big surprise has been the Yanks. Former MotoGp star and dual WSBK title holder, Colin Edwards really got a hold of the bike yesterday finishing in the top 10 in both races. But the star for Team USA was 2nd generation racer, Jason Pridmore. Riding Ralphie Hudson’s Yamaha, he finished 4th in both races and, in Race 2, was just two THOUSANDTHS of a second off the fastest lap. He just might win one this weekend.
On the other side of the garage it was a miserable day for Team Crussell with David being dive-bombed in T12 during the 2nd International race and sustaining considerable damage to the TZ750 (it will be fixed for today) and Lorraine having a mechanical failure on Eirik’s bike that could have been far worse (sheared rear sprocket bolts). It was a shame because she had finished 4th in her morning race.
As usual I met lots of really cool people and renewed lots of friendships. Not hard to see why I love the Island Classic so much.
Well, gotta get packed as we vacate the motel room this morning. Brekkie then we do it all again, well, someone has to!
Catch you next time. (Oh, I hope you like this picture) I published it with the following caption.
“You may THINK you’re cool but, unless you can calmly sit and read a book just before your race is due, you may as well go back to “D” grade and start again! Team USA, Marty Morrison.”