The the races in order almost tell a story. At least it has a happy ending (to me). I tried to add info in my description to kind of tell it.
Race 1: First race so you learn alot about you and the other racers. I learned me/the bike are trash off the line. I went from P3 straight to P4 before the first turn. Then a gap grew between me and the top 3. Then realized P5 at the time (white suzuki) was faster than me in the straight. I saw my chance for a podium that weekend disappear by the end of the first lap. That kind of got to my head during the race. Just disappointed in myself and the bike. Didnt help the two classes were combined for the weekend due to attendance (Limited: 75cc 2t and 100cc 4t, 21mm carb max and Unlimited 150cc 2t and 200cc 4t). I race limited. So I kind of just gave up, let the gap grow. Finished P6.
If you are curious about the bikes, looking at the lineup order in race 1: Directly ahead Honda Elite 72cc running 24mm carb (he always laps us, absolute monster of a bike and racer, running 24mm carb so he's in Unlimited), front right 125cc Aglility 4t (Unlimited), next to me 150cc chinese 4t (number 303, hes the antagonist in the story lol, Unlimited), behind me Suzuki 72cc 2t (Limited), back right Chinese 150cc 4t (Unlimited), behind suzuki 177 chinese 4t (Unlimited).
Race 2: The suzuki went home. Because my start sucked and I thought my bike was uncompetitive, I went for the inside line in turn 1 hoping to keep the position and play some defense. Wayyyy too aggressive. There is a slippery kurb there and I dropped the bike. Yay gap immediately from the start! Well I just told myself, lets see what this little Kymco can do. Pushed hard keeping track of P3 and P4 (303)'s positions in my head. By the 2nd to last lap, I had caught up to 303 and P3! Based on Race 1, I didn't think that was possible! If I pushed hard and stuck to what I thought were the racing lines, I got myself a race!! Still it seemed he had a little more power than me so it was sooo tough to get past. My last ditch effort was a (risky) pass attempt in the chicane at 6:51.
Race 3: Prior to the race, I spoke with two of the old heads who had been racing the track for years. I told them about my crap starts, but the comeback in Race 2, my inability to pass, and my lines. They gave me lots of good advice. The gist was deal with the sh** start by setting up for turn 2 rather than trying to take turn 1 by taking an outside line to turn 1, leave some gap between me and the racer ahead so I'm not forced to brake when they do and intersect their rear wheel at the exit, take slightly different lines in select turns, and keep on the gas in the long left between the chicane and the finish line. I implemented their tips as best as I could and waddaya know I was on 303's ass the whole race!! Well this was far more fun than Race 1! Despite the power difference, I even kept up with him in the straight! You can even hear the difference in throttle and brake position in the turns the new lines gave me. I could brake later and get on the throttle earlier than 303. Icing on top was taking the outside line helped me avoid the crash on the inside line of Turn 1 on the first lap. I could never get the pass but it didn't matter because I felt competitive. In the end 303 left the track early because the checkered flag was meant for the guy who lapped us, not everyone else. I had been keeping lap count and kept going. This caused me to get P2 (from P5 at the start!) and P3 for the whole weekend.
So I learned that with better technique, I could squeeze more out of my race even if I was placed with essentially all Unlimited riders. And it has given me the motivation to try and modify the bike beyond all the off the shelf options that are available (best stuff is all rated for sport not race for the Like). And yes I know this bike is totally not the best config for a racer but I'll take on the challenge.
