Race
Report by Mike Mowett
We had about two hours of a steady
rain, then decided to break early for dinner, after a two hour dinner,
we came back to the track to set up to try and get the HILL CLIMB /
COAST-DOWN and KILO in before dark. About six or ten people got in a
KILO ride, before the rain picked up again, and caused some problems
with our pressure sensitive switches that Warren built - it was awesome
having the new system, if only the weather would have cooperated!!
Story of the day:
Sean Costin, KING OF THE HILL, Sean recovered from a drop chain /
gearing problem on the hill during the One Hour in the Coslinger to win
the HILL CLIMB with a a New Track Record of 18.6 seconds on his Stock
"Monkeyhand" - the first ever sub 20 second run on the track.
Rick Gritters had the previous record at 20.06 seconds. These earlier
runs were down with hand-timing. Warren's new pressure sensitive switch
tapes was used for this event, with one tape at the bottom of the hill,
and one at the top.
If Frank (and the Stock racers) had run
with the Streamliners and SuperStreet, they might have had even faster
times, I bet. From a historical perspective, the two hour races was our
fastest ever based on the average of the top ten speeds = 27.0 mph. In
2002, we averaged 26.4 mph. What hurt in the Hour Races, was the
temperature was a blazing 89 to 91 degrees most of the day, with high
humidity. I don’t think the air density was any less dense during the
race. A strong downpour rain started after the races.
John Simon, in his 15-plus year old Terry
Hreno built Moby streamliner has been a fixture (or Top Speed person!)
at Waterford every year. He’s won the Sprints and Hour numerous times.
He told me it was the first time he’s ever been lapped in the hour on
the track, as both Rick and Warren passed him. He asked is everyone
getting faster or is he getting slower? The answer is: Rick and Warren
have gotten faster, as John is running about the same 30 to 31 mph hour
times as in years past from a check of the records.
SPRINTS
The timing for the Sprints started having problems half-way through when
the rain started coming down again! So we took a quick poll of riders
waiting to go and decided to hand-time. Thanks to Terry Gerwick for
this. In Stock Class, on the Monkey Hand, Sean went an agonizingly close
to 40 mph (39.99 mph – electronic timed). OK, Sean we’ll round up
for you. Not bad for unfaired. Rick threw down a 41.57 mph
(electronic-timed) for the fastest of the day.
There was a three-way tie for fifth
fastest overall, at 3.87 seconds or 35.24 mph (2 were electronic, one
was hand-timing – my run). In the world of Track and Field, it is
commonly accepted in 100 meter sprint events, that automatic timing is
0.14 seconds faster than hand-timing. I exited the traps at close to 37
mph.
ROAD RACE
In years past, we had a race for “Fast group = those over 35 mph in
the Sprints” and “Slow”. This year, with participation being a bit
down on Sunday, we only had one Road race, and no streamliners entered.
Fast guys Rick Gritters and John Simon had already gone home, and Warren
didn’t race.
Sean “King of the Hill / Sprints” had
a mechanical problem again, but since he dropped behind, I was able to
make it up to second place. I averaged 25.5 mph in 30 minutes for 12.75
miles, but had it been official, it might have been faster (it seems my
speedometer is reading low at every event). Frank claims he saw me
behind him near the end because I’m up high with a bag over my head
– literally!, but I never could see him, he was so far ahead! Dennis
on his Jester was moving along well. The top five finishers were all
within a lap or two, including Wally Keihler and Charlie Ollinger.
Charlie’s looking strong!
There was a turtle crossing the road
during the road race. He made his way slowly across towards the infield,
and was there lap after lap till Warren thankfully came across the track
and rescued it. We also spotted deer and a baby fawn during the weekend.
I know everyone is looking forward to
Northbrook!
HUMAN-INTEREST STORIES
Len Brunkalla’s 27 year old son, Greg has become a photographer and
videographer. He’s really interested in shooting a documentary on HPVs.
He had some great studio quality cameras that look like the stuff TV
guys use. He took, presumably, some great action shots as we went
through the Chicane on the course. I think several of us were leaning
over him as he sat like those courtside photographers right on the edge
of the chicane. He flew in from Chicago and made it there, after missing
a flight, later on Saturday. Greg mentioned that if he could find a
production company willing to sponsor the documentary that would be
great. He would like to travel to the big events like Battle Mountain,
(I mentioned maybe CycleVision to him) to really get great footage. Greg
did some on-camera interviews with people during the weekend, and after
we had all packed up, he took a video of Sean circling the track in the
Coslinger. Dad Len was driving and Greg was shooting out the back open
hatchback of their van.
Jeff Hunn brought along a younger guy
(Luke Gilbert) who really helped out with the timing and tabulating
results from Warren’s system. Brenda Gritters helped man this system
during the races, freeing up Warren.
Ann, the lady from the Waterford Hills
raceway, spent the whole weekend with us, and I think was interested in
buying a Burley trike by the end of the weekend.
Upright Junior Racer, and State of
Michigan Junior Champion Cory Dubrish made a return appearance to
Waterford. He was there in 2002 as a 14 year old. Now 17 years old, and
about 200 lbs of muscle on a 6’2” frame, he looked impressive on his
Felt time trial bike. Cory’s dad, George Dubrish, is good friends with
Bill Frey, and I’ve also talked to him at our local bike store. George
said Cory rode 550 miles in nine days at a cycling camp in Alabama over
Spring break. He’s a fast spinner, and practices a high-cadence.
Cory was perhaps a bit overworked and his dad said being bothered by the
heat near the end, as 15-year old Charlie Ollinger took the win, with a
new Junior Hour Record!
Mike Mowett
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Race Report by Mike Mowett
