Well, I'm gonna toot my own horn here and give a quick synopsis of the weekend. Previously my best lap time from round one was a low 1:08, so I was wanting to get into the 1:07s mainly because the conditions appeared that it would be more suitable for better lap times (warmer and less wind). Within the 2nd practice session I had met that goal, with a mid-1:07. We have 4 practice sessions and 1 race on the Saturday. Just before we were called to grid for our race, we had a torrential downpour for about 5 minutes. When it ended the grid call went out -- so no rain, but a wet track, and no time to change to rains. So out I went on slicks, on a damp but drying track. The conditions spooked some obviously, as by the end of lap 1 I had a lead, mainly due to the ability to be able to go through corners motard-style, with dangling legs. It was challenging to stay upright, but in the end I had gapped 2nd place by 15 seconds, and was coming up to lap 3rd place. Things were WAY stretched out after that. My first win in awhile. It was tainted a bit due to the conditions, but as we all know, the rain is the great equalizer.
The video I posted above was race 2 on Saturday. I had a front row start due to the points I had earned from Round 1, with the other 7 riders in class dispersed around me. It was a fun battle, and I did end up in 2nd as the race was called due to a backmarker's crash. It did result in a delay due to the ambulance being dispatched and so the race was deemed complete after 6 laps to save time. Another podium and a cheeky pass on the ex650 going into turn 3.
Race 3 was a bit of a procession -- I got solidly into 2nd and followed #43 (last year's class champion) around for 10 laps. The gap at the line was just over 2 seconds, and we both were stringing together 1:07 laps throughout.
Finally, the last race of the day -- again to save time they gridded us at the back of 600 supersport due to time constraints. The top SS experts took off, but I was able to get past a novice 600 rider and chase after the leader. I harried him for most of the race, but on lap 8 I came by on the entry to turn 3 and was able to hold him off for the rest of the race. The gap at the line was 0.5 seconds, and I did my fastest lap of the weekend on the very last lap -- a 1:06.8! It was also the fastest lap of the weekend in class. Thrilled with the lap time and of course the result against a bunch of 650 twins and a ducati 900ss. I have now moved up to 2nd place in the championship with 3 rounds to go. Still 22 points behind the leader, but we all know how luck can play a factor either way... another wet race and things could really get interesting, although I am very happy that win 2 came in ideal conditions... a legit result, with no excuses for the weather.
The tire wear actually improved and the rear looked better than after rd 1 -- I adjusted the pressure and the warmer temps helped. I've got the bike back home with the head off for inspection. Valves still on the looser side of specs (0.13mm all around), so no changes needed yet. Camchain tensioner probably set a tad too tight, and the plugs look pretty decent -- a pale tan color (maybe a bit lean?) I'll knit it all up this week and treat the bike to a set of filters, new oil, a quickshifter, and a rear sprocket. You can't tell in the video, but there are 2 turns where I am tapped in 5th and bouncing off the limiter -- one less tooth in the rear should get me some more speed through there without needing to shift up. Roll on July and Round 3!