Finally, after months of cold, wet, and waiting Team Coriolis went racing! Buttonwillow Raceway was the scene of the opening round for the American Motorcyclist Federations 2010 season. Hundreds of racers, vendors, spectators and fans showed up to turn the paddock into a family friendly and color-filled extravaganza. Racing fans were not disappointed as the racing excitement kicked off with pitched battles for podiums in several racing classes.
Team Coriolis Rider, James Minenna, began Saturdays practice with setting dialed in from the two weeks previous practice sessions. Almost immediately he was lapping Buttonwillow fast; setting person bests his very first session out. A new Michelin rear tire and his lap times fell even further. "The high levels of grip we're getting from the Michelin is just incredible," Said Minenna, "I have the feeling I can just push and push whenever I want. It's incredible."
Saturdays end brought the first two races of the weekend with Clubman Lightweight and Formula 40 Lightweight.
James gridded up in the last spot on the grid for Clubman as gridding was based upon AFM numbering and not actual times but got a fantastic start and immediately pushed up to 8 overall (from 25th place). James picked his way through the traffic and eventually ended up a very respectable 5th. (*Edit by the Rider: Due to a boneheaded move by myself I was eventually DQ'd from that result by the Race Director. I made an error in judgement and the DQ was justified. New Racer error for sure.) "With the level of the riders here and the talent and machinery, I'm happy to have finished with such a good result. Of course we'd like to be on the box, but you have to be steady and consistent to win championships. We are going to be strong this year." James commented after the race.
Formula 40 had twenty five very experienced entrants. Coriolis once again gridded at the back of the pack but in no time James Minenna was up there scrapping hard for every spot he could. In an intense and sometimes close battle James managed a 15 overall to take points in the class and ultimately satisfy his goal of finishing in the mid pack. "This was going to be the hardest race of the day, "James told me, "There are some really fantastic riders here and some very fast motorcycles. In the end we got by some of the toughest riders and fastest bikes to take our position. I'm happy to have been so competitive." Positive to the last, James Minenna, grinned from ear to ear with enthusiasm. "Nothing like racing with friends. My family and sponsors really stepped up for me and took care to see that I had the gear and the track time to get the job done!" He said.
Saturday night brought a once-over and a thorough cleaning of Team Coriolis' race machine. The stout little Honda NC30 showed that it has what it takes - being both a Honda and a thoroughbred racing machine - to work it's way through fast laps with rock-solid reliability.
Sunday began bright an early with a short warm up session and then it was on to the most important race of the weekend for James; AFM 450 Superbike. Competing in this class is a dream come true; some of the most experienced and fastest riders compete here. "It's been described as a hardcore 'gentlemen' class." Said Minenna, "It's where I have wanted to be for a long time now. We scrap together on the track, and are friends off of it. It's the best parts of racing all wrapped up in one."
Again a back of the pack grid position but as he has become accustomed to James got a great start and ended up in 7th place before the end of the second lap but the race was cut short due to a red flag incident; a crash in turn 7. The restart of the race saw James in 8th place and fighting a hard fought battle for 7th. Finally managing to make the pass stick James began to reel in hard for 6th place; lap times dropping to his new personal best but alas it was not to be. "The race ended two laps too soon." joked Minenna, "But racing is full of 'if only' and 'I could have's'." In the end a 7th was where he ended up but that was good enough for a big hug from his wife and family and a typically big smile.
James said, "Thank you to my sponsors, without my Honda Motorcycle, Michelin Tires, Catalyst Reaction Suspension Tuning (making the bike a dream to ride!) ,Chicken Hawk tire warmers, Dainese, Aplinestars, Arai, Sidi, and support funds from Composure Photography this successful opening round would not have been possible. My wife Dawn has been so fantastic; you'll never understand fully how important you are to me."
We had a great time in Buttonwillow; we are all looking forward to Round 2 at Infineon Raceway. We hope to see you at the races!
Team Coriolis.
Sunday began bright an early with a short warm up session and then it was on to the most important race of the weekend for James; AFM 450 Superbike. Competing in this class is a dream come true; some of the most experienced and fastest riders compete here. "It's been described as a hardcore 'gentlemen' class." Said Minenna, "It's where I have wanted to be for a long time now. We scrap together on the track, and are friends off of it. It's the best parts of racing all wrapped up in one."
Again a back of the pack grid position but as he has become accustomed to James got a great start and ended up in 7th place before the end of the second lap but the race was cut short due to a red flag incident; a crash in turn 7. The restart of the race saw James in 8th place and fighting a hard fought battle for 7th. Finally managing to make the pass stick James began to reel in hard for 6th place; lap times dropping to his new personal best but alas it was not to be. "The race ended two laps too soon." joked Minenna, "But racing is full of 'if only' and 'I could have's'." In the end a 7th was where he ended up but that was good enough for a big hug from his wife and family and a typically big smile.
Team Coriolis.
Good write up. I might have to take an example for myself. Now enter that little Honda in Formula IV, and come run with big boys :)
ReplyDeleteHa! I did just that - I'll be there for FIV this time.
ReplyDelete