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Showing posts with label Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

It Didn't Rain - Mid Ohio And Being Broody

It didn't rain. I got plenty of sleep. I had a good weekend. Oh, and it didn't rain. What a relief. With the AMA Superbike Series already in a "what is going to happen next year" mode, the thought of one more acrimonious race (or lack thereof) weekend with riders at loggerheads with the series owners it was with positive thoughts that most of us involved hoped we'd have a dry weekend. Well, without harping on about it for too long, we did. With reasonably warm temperatures (Friday was rather hot but the weather cooled for Saturday and Sunday), I was reminded of the summers we have in England, slightly humid, with fluffy white clods across a lovely blue sky, and pleasant cool breezes to keep everything in check. It was wonderful. It's odd how significant moments in your life can be attached to places and events. For me, the visit to Mid Ohio Sports Car Course during the AMA Superbike weekend will always have the memory of my dear dog Jack dying whilst I was here. The kindness shown by many of the riders and fellow photographers who knew me at that point as I without reason would burst into tears. For me losing Jack was worse in some ways than losing my Dad. Some will understand that, some won't but in someways, whenever I come here my subconscious works on a different level. I feel broody. I think this then reflects in my imagery somehow, it's not that I think I'm here, let's take something dark and sombre, but it comes out after the fact. Okay, enough of that....! Back to the race weekend...Ben Bostrom, he with the fancy new Shoei that Greg White affectionally dubbed the Pergo helmet, won the Supersport race with style. Saturday was Official Red Flag Day at Mid Ohio, three red flags interupted the Superbike race, and then the Formula Extreme race was cut short, or red flagged, due to a nasty accident on the start finish straight involving Garrett Carter (he's okay btw). The flip side of this was that the schedule was getting later and later. However, the light does improve as the sun drops lower in the sky and we're all treated to those benefits.With that in mind, I have to finish getting prepared before I head off to Virginia International Raceway near Alton where I will be covering the next round of the AMA Superbike Championship. Until then, here is Red Bull Rookie, Benito Solis aboard his KTM125 during Saturday evenings Red Bull Rookie qualifying session.More from VIR to come next week.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

AMA Superbikes in Ohio - (Almost) Night Racing

Good afternoon...

I got caught out by being busy and so I apolgise for not updating this before I left for Virginia. TIme seems to be at a premium the week before I head off to my next destination. Anyways, Mid Ohio was certainly entertaining. As is always the case, rain made an appearance, plus I got trapped in the elevator for 20 minutes. All good fun. However, the highlight of the weekend was the start of Sunday's Superbike race. After much track drying, an almost street party like atmosphere on the pit lane (it's very unusual to see all the teams and riders in one place at one time). Most were just sitting on the armco, some were watching the track drying efforts, and in general the atmosphere felt pretty good. Then it was time to go racing. 6.30pm rolled around and the big boy's hit the track for their warm up. 15 minutes later the warm up was over, then a 10 minute break, and we're racing. No grid girls, no pomp and circumstance and a hurried National Anthem was sung and it was green for go....

That race in the bag and now it was 7.35pm and the Supersport boys are heading out for their warm up. Now the light is seriously fading. Even my flash is beginning to actually light up the night...The warm up session over, Morgan (Broadhead - AMA Race Director) is going to each rider asking them their opinion on racing. Chaz Davies (Celtic Racing #157 - who was on pole) is asked how he feels about the light, and even with a dark tinted visor he's ready to go racing. However, a large group of riders is forming and much to the disappointment of Chaz Davies it is decided to call it day (or night)..

Oddly enough, as that decision is made, the generators kick in and track and paddock lights burst into life. Time for bed said Zebedee...

Next post - VIR (Virginia International Raceway)