WERA West Road Racing RD3 Race Report From Tyler O'Hara
Las Vegas, NV
April 10-12, 2009
Hey everyone,
My weekend in Las Vegas started on Saturday with a 20-lap endurance race. My plan was to use the race more for practice then an actual race. This was easier said than done, about half way through the race I caught myself pushing harder and harder trying to get to the front. After working my way to the front about 3/4 of the way through the race, my shifter bolt came loose, and forced me into the pits. We made a quick fix and were back on track to finish out the race a few laps down.
On Sunday, with some thread lock on my shifter bolt, and my first set of new matching tires, I was ready to make a statement.
My day started with a second row grid spot in the prestigious 600cc Super-stock class. After nailing the whole shot and leading the first two laps my lack of seat time on a sport bike started to show threw. After out breaking the rider in second place going into turn 1 everything I gained entering the corner, I lost on my exit coming out. Just at the start of lap three with the pack of riders still close together, losing my exit coming out of turn 1 allowed a frate train of riders to pass me. After slipping back into the frate train, I was running in about tenth place. After playing the game of cat and mouse on the brakes, I finished the 600cc race in 8th place.
After the 600cc Super-stock race and a quick lesson on breaking, I had a front row grid position for the 750cc super-stock race.
With another whole shot on the start, I was leading the race. Now in the lead on a smaller 600cc bike, I had my work cut out for me. Leading the pack, as the race progressed, I found myself being passed on the straight-aways. Although it was tough, my corner speed had become noticeably faster, and I reached my goal of running a 1min 21sec lap time.
I rode consistently and finished the race in 6th place, which put me third overall in points and has given me a shot at a championship.
Sponsors- Mach 1 Motorsports, Jay and Bills Tire service, Camel Bak, Arlen Ness, Sheehan Construction, SupermotoUSA, E$Engines, SPS, LTD racing, Supermoto Engineering, Dirt Digits, Arai Helmets, D&W Images, Vizzo Racing, Moto201's Channel, Will Penington, bpracing, Jet Tunning, Browns cycles.
Tyler O'Hara #9 "Livin' The Life"
