I'm okay. A bit bummed that I missed out on 3rd (and all that contingency dough -- $110!), and instead have to scramble to repair the bike.
I'm fine. My leg is a little sore, but really fine. A *big* thanks go out again to Helimot for making gear that held up 100% and kept me unharmed.
I was hauling in 3rd place. Got off the line "okay" -- in 5th through T1. Going into T2, I was side by side with Brendan Walsh on a 1098, the same guy who held me up for 4 laps at Buttonwillow at the beginning of the year. I just said to myself, "I will not brake until AFTER he does" and reclaimed 4th spot. I sat behind Nick for a couple turns, but was able to get by him as he bobbled coming over the top of 9. From there, Craig and Rickey had already gapped the field. I decided to put my head down and grind out some good laps. My first lap (from a standing start) was 1:57. The next two laps were both 1:54.60. I saw the crossed green and whites and thought to myself "I want to see what I can do -- I've got open track" -- I made the conscious effort to continue pushing.
Coming out of 9 I got a monster drive. I coupled that with trying to hold off on the brakes just a *little* longer. I tipped it in and was a little hot, and the combination of trailing a little harder and some extra lean angle caused the front to wash out on me. At least, that's the best I can piece it together.
I had a slight warning from the front -- but it was the first time I'd encountered it and didn't know what it was or how to react. It might have been possible to save it.
*sigh*
Lots of little damage to the bike. The big bummer is my ultra-light tank has re-opened a crack and is leaking fuel. I will probably have to abandon that tank for the rest of the year.
I'll slip to 4th in Open Twins, and probably be out of the running for 3rd (unless Nick DNF's in the final 3 rounds).
I'll move up the 7th in 750 superbike (I think)
I'll maintain 8th in F1 (keeping it on the second row -- whew!)
Steve
