Blackhawk Farms race report

Race Report
Volume 3, #1
Blackhawk Farms, June 1, 2008

After not being able to attend the Topeka or MidAmerica rounds I decided to attend the Blackhawk Farms races, Sunday, June 1, of the MidWest region to get some track time in since Blackhawk is the closest track to me.
Blackhawk Farms races on Saturday and Sunday but Sunday’s races include Lightweight SuperSport that I had planned on racing this year.
The weather looked to be perfect so Troy Walbaum, Buell XB12R, #143 and I headed out early Sunday morning. After getting through registration I headed to my first tech inspection of the year, the bike breezed through so it was time to get on the track for the first time of the season!
As I went out for the first practice session I was a little apprehensive and excited at the same time. About half way through the first lap I started to get comfortable on the bike again so I decided to get on the gas and get up to speed, then NO POWER!! What??!! As I rolled off the throttle the bike picked right back up but there was nothing at full throttle!
I decided I’d better not hurt anything on the first laps of the year and headed for the pits. After several minutes of checking for wiring connection or fuel problems I thought I’d go out on the last warm-up session to see if anything has changed. Unfortunately the full throttle gremlin was still on board.
While the thrash continued to diagnose my dilemma in the pits, Troy was out getting up to speed on the track. Several other Buell racers pitted by us gave me ideas and offered to help but it became obvious I wouldn’t be able to fix the trouble at the track.
The first race, Lightweight SuperSport, was called and I decided to try to get a few laps in even with less that 100% power. Since I was gridded on the back row I would not be in anyone’s way and the bike ran great until I got to the front straight. It was very frustrating but I figured I’d stay out as long as I wasn’t in anyone’s way. I had to work on corner speed and being smooth but eventually the first of the Expert riders came zipping by so I called it a day and headed to the hot pit and back to the trailer.
Troy ran well in both classes and I got to watch all my competitors from the pits during the Lightweight Grand Prix race.
The race bike has been so reliable that I’m more surprised than angry but I’ll get it to the dealer and hope it turns out to be something simple as I’m heading to Hastings, Nebraska, June 21-22 for a race school Saturday and the Great Plains region races on Sunday hosted at that track. Since it’s Great Plains points I’m chasing I’m really looking forward to going to this round. Attending the race school should help me get around the track a little bit quicker since I’ve never been to the Hastings track before.
I hope to have better news in a few weeks, stay tuned!!

Ralph Longus