Round 3 & More Lessons Learned...
I had been to Donington Park already last year as one of my wild card rides, however, this layout was the national layout and a bit shorter. Coming into this race I had already moved on mentally from my crash and was ready to battle again. Walking into Donington, seeing all the people, tents and smell of racing was inspiring me even more.
Day one was a simple one. We arrived, greeted everyone and spent the evening with the BTC team to go over track walk and information. This stuff is nice to do especially for a traveling racer cause they do provide some really good information. I tend to write a lot of it down on my map and then as I ride the track I make my own changes to it as needed. Its a great exercise to help me see the track differently and find those advantage points over the others.
Day 2 is practice day. The weather was a bit chilly in the morning for FP1 but I knew I had to get into a rhythm quickly or I would lose touch with the faster riders. By the time FP2 came around the weather had no idea what it wanted to do. It was sprinkling on one end of the track while dry on the other and cold all around. I picked and chose my way around knowing the weekend would be dry. This way no need for mistakes or unnecessary moments during a practice session. Once all the riding was completed, we say down for the team debrief. The telemetry was looking very promising...We discussed the areas that I could squeeze some more time out of. Sector 2 was my weak point. That blind downhill switch back had me hesitant at times and the data showed it. So it was one of my goals to conquer that sector by the end of the weekend.
Day 3 was qualifying in the morning. I made some good pushes early on and then came in to see how we stacked up. I was floating between the top 5 so for the last 2 mins of the session I made a hard push and just went after sector 2. I had the fastest sector time in that section and managed a P3 qualifying position. I was super stoked for this and was feeling awesome going into Race 1.
Race prep is a bit of the same for me. I get some good food in me for fuel, I spend some time going over the data and then I just rest. I turn off my mind, turn on some music and just zone out to work the race in my mind. Once we get closer to race time I start loosening up my body and getting the blood flowing. All in preparation for what's to come.
The entire race was a dog fight. We bumped into each other, we pushed each other wide, we ran all over that track trying to get an advantage over each other. This is the racing I had never experienced before back home and I was starting to get used to it. I am feeding on it. My mindset is prepared to see it, witness it and achieve it and that is all thanks to Mr. Michael Torres and his process. I finished P6 which may not seem like a great result but after that race it felt like a win to me. I kept it on two wheels after all that struggle and got some good points to move me up in the championship.
The same went for Race 2 on Sunday. The battles were much more intense and I was in it. Mixing it back and forth but got swallowed on the last couple of turns and finished P8 in this one. Still holding to P6 in the championship and feeling good.
The team truly provides an amazing machine and I can't thank them enough. The knowledge of every there and how we all share it is what makes us such a strong team. All three of us finished in the Top 10 with a couple podiums as well. I am inching closer and closer to my victory but I can feel it and I know its coming.
Next race we head to Scotland for Knockhill. My parents and brother will be present for this one and I am so excited to see them. Looking forward to preparing for this event and keep the progress moving forward.