Four Days of Racing!

Four days of riding his road racing motorcycles is a dream for Blake and thanks to N2 Track Days, WERA, and Pittsburgh International Race Complex (Pitt Race) that happened this weekend. Friday, N2 Track Days Organization hosted a track day, allowing Blake to get some practice on his Yamaha R3 motorcycle.

N2 Track Days’ Friday Track Day Event

N2 Track Days Track Event Blake had practiced at Pitt Race on his Yamaha R3 one other weekend. He was supposed to race also, but in the first lap he crashed out. So, this track day was giving him some time on the track he wanted. As it seems, he has gained experience because his first session out he went faster than he did previously and by the end of the day he had done a 1:59:7 which was incredible! Right off, Blake’s rear tire was coming off the ground when he was braking so Mike adjusted the front suspension. Blake’s times were improving but he wanted Mike to adjust the gearing as well. Mike knew that would not be good, but wanted Blake to feel how the change would affect the motorcycle. Blake went out for another session and Mike saw that Blake was right, the gearing change was necessary. Once again, proving that Blake is “one with the motorcycle”.

N2 Track Days/WERA Endurance Races

Saturday N2 Track Days along with WERA hosted their first round of their Endurance Series. Blake and his friend Owen Fairbairn entered the 2-Hour Ultra Lightweight class as team “Herrin’s Hooligans”. The Herrin Compound is where Blake and Fairbairn spend a lot of time racing, training and having fun and wanted to give credit where credit is due. They were going to be racing Blake’s “B” bike, the 2015 Yamaha R3 motorcycle. Read more “N2 Track Days & WERA at Pitt Race”

June 1-3, 2018

 

WERA’s annual “Cycle Jam” at Road Atlanta did not start off too well but boy did it finish well. Blake and Mike got to the track Thursday night. That meant Blake would have all day Friday to practice on his motorcycle. Well, that wasn’t exactly how it went down.

Friday’s Motorcycle Practice

As Blake was getting ready to go out for his first practice session, Mike was going over Blake’s 2016 Yamaha R3 (“A” bike) motorcycle and saw that the exhaust was split. So, he quickly went to Blake’s “B bike” (2015 Yamaha R3) and was going to pull the exhaust off of it to use on his “A bike” when he saw that, it too, was split. Ugh, these are M4 Exhausts; the best of the best. What happened?

The good thing was Mike had noticed a race shop just outside the track. So, he and Blake went over there hoping they would be able to weld it and they did. Even though their shop was for cars and Mike and Blake wanted help with their motorcycle exhaust, they were quick and kind. Blake was able to get back in time for his last two practice sessions.

Stickboy Racing is the Bridgestone tire dealer at the WERA events. “Stick”, the owner, helps Mike and Blake figure out which tires would be best at what pressure under various circumstances. Based on where Blake finishes in races he receives contingency money that Stick accepts, reducing tire costs. Stick suggested Blake try a new tire for the weekend’s races, Blake agreed. And based on the two practice sessions he had he thought the new Bridgestone’s were fine. Read more “WERA Cycle Jam 2018”