Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
EMRA round 5
Round 5 of the Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association was a complete success. The racing day started with the Senior Open, a class that the team had previously dropped out of due to the incredibly stiff competition and the litre bikes that make it difficult to perform in with a '96 600.
The team squeaked out a 14th place finish with a time of 1:07:415 while only getting lapped in the dying seconds of the race. Lead rider Rick Newcombe made a grevious error when he pulled over to let the race leaders through, when at the same time arch rival Nigel Cook snuck through ahead of Pete DeGraff. It was a hard lesson learned that cost the team a position and a point. During this race the brake pads on the CBR got completely cooked off down to and in one case past the pads to the steel! The pads were replaced between races and the team owes a big thank you to Blair from SV Racing Parts for stocking pads for the '96 CBR600F3 and for being at the track to make them available. We all owe Blair a great deal of gratitude for him driving all the way from Vancouver for every round of the EMRA season!
Next up was the intermediate 600 supersport race in which the team placed 8th with a time of 1:12:710. This was a great finish as the race was challenged by intermittant rain. In fact, one end of the track was dry while the opposite end was wet. It took all the skill Rick could muster to keep the bike settled in these difficult conditions. The winner's best time was only 5 seconds faster than Rick's and 51racing managed to come in ahead of some much faster dry riders like David Kendall and Alexandria Cohen. The team picked up 8 points and was very happy with rider Rick Newcombe who explained "I only had one or two scary moments in some of the wet corners, when the little CBR stepped out in the rear".
The final race of the day was the Sportman race where the team placed 7th picking up 9 points with a best time of 1:08:350.
The team squeaked out a 14th place finish with a time of 1:07:415 while only getting lapped in the dying seconds of the race. Lead rider Rick Newcombe made a grevious error when he pulled over to let the race leaders through, when at the same time arch rival Nigel Cook snuck through ahead of Pete DeGraff. It was a hard lesson learned that cost the team a position and a point. During this race the brake pads on the CBR got completely cooked off down to and in one case past the pads to the steel! The pads were replaced between races and the team owes a big thank you to Blair from SV Racing Parts for stocking pads for the '96 CBR600F3 and for being at the track to make them available. We all owe Blair a great deal of gratitude for him driving all the way from Vancouver for every round of the EMRA season!
Next up was the intermediate 600 supersport race in which the team placed 8th with a time of 1:12:710. This was a great finish as the race was challenged by intermittant rain. In fact, one end of the track was dry while the opposite end was wet. It took all the skill Rick could muster to keep the bike settled in these difficult conditions. The winner's best time was only 5 seconds faster than Rick's and 51racing managed to come in ahead of some much faster dry riders like David Kendall and Alexandria Cohen. The team picked up 8 points and was very happy with rider Rick Newcombe who explained "I only had one or two scary moments in some of the wet corners, when the little CBR stepped out in the rear".
The final race of the day was the Sportman race where the team placed 7th picking up 9 points with a best time of 1:08:350.
EMRA rounds 3 & 4
We're late to post due to time constraints on running a motorcycle racing team.
The EMRA "Double Header" which included rounds 3 and 4 along with round 2 of the Western Canadian Championship, was a weekend not to be missed. 51Racing did well enough as they continue to battle with low horsepower and a lack of rider skill.
Lead rider Rick Newcombe is progressing with continued personal best times however team manager Rick Newcombe is disappointed in his lead rider. The team expected Rick to be riding faster by this time of the season. In his defence Rick is quoted as saying "this is only my third year racing and I feel I'm only now coming to grips with what motorcycle racing is all about. The first two years were on the mighty Honda RC 51 whereas this year we've switched to a 1996 CBR600F3. I love the way Honda's handle and perform overall, but they are two completely different motorcycles. As I watch the clubs top riders, I believe I'm starting to learn a thing or two about how to get a motorcycle around the Stratotech race track in the quickest possible manner."
In round 3, Intermediate 600 Supersport, the team posted a 17th position with a time of 1:07:936
Open Sportbike, the team posted a 24th position with a time of 1:07:764
The dumbass rider missed the Sportsman class due to sitting in the stands yakking too long and was unable to make the grid.
In round 4, Intermediate 600 Supersport, the team posted a 16th position with a time of 1:08:205
Open Sportbike, the team posted a 21st position with a time of 1:06:527
Sportsman, the team posted an 8th position with a time of 1:07:855
The weekend racing was hampered by severe weather when on Saturday racing was postponed for approximately an hour while a hail storm passed over the track.
Overall the team is making progress
The EMRA "Double Header" which included rounds 3 and 4 along with round 2 of the Western Canadian Championship, was a weekend not to be missed. 51Racing did well enough as they continue to battle with low horsepower and a lack of rider skill.
Lead rider Rick Newcombe is progressing with continued personal best times however team manager Rick Newcombe is disappointed in his lead rider. The team expected Rick to be riding faster by this time of the season. In his defence Rick is quoted as saying "this is only my third year racing and I feel I'm only now coming to grips with what motorcycle racing is all about. The first two years were on the mighty Honda RC 51 whereas this year we've switched to a 1996 CBR600F3. I love the way Honda's handle and perform overall, but they are two completely different motorcycles. As I watch the clubs top riders, I believe I'm starting to learn a thing or two about how to get a motorcycle around the Stratotech race track in the quickest possible manner."
In round 3, Intermediate 600 Supersport, the team posted a 17th position with a time of 1:07:936
Open Sportbike, the team posted a 24th position with a time of 1:07:764
The dumbass rider missed the Sportsman class due to sitting in the stands yakking too long and was unable to make the grid.
In round 4, Intermediate 600 Supersport, the team posted a 16th position with a time of 1:08:205
Open Sportbike, the team posted a 21st position with a time of 1:06:527
Sportsman, the team posted an 8th position with a time of 1:07:855
The weekend racing was hampered by severe weather when on Saturday racing was postponed for approximately an hour while a hail storm passed over the track.
Overall the team is making progress
Monday, June 21, 2010
EMRA Round 2 results
Round 2 sponsored by Pointe West Honda of Edmonton, wrapped up successfully over the weekend. Racing was close in all the classes 51racing entered and the results are slowly improving.
In Sportsman class, the team finishd 7th out of 10 riders with a best lap of 1.07.894.
Intermediate 600 SuperSport provided a 17th place finish out of 22 riders with a best lap of 1.07.569.
The team is still waiting for the results from the Senior Open which should be available later today.
In Sportsman class, the team finishd 7th out of 10 riders with a best lap of 1.07.894.
Intermediate 600 SuperSport provided a 17th place finish out of 22 riders with a best lap of 1.07.569.
The team is still waiting for the results from the Senior Open which should be available later today.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
EMRA Round 2 just around the corner
Round 2 is coming up June 18-20. Race teams all over Alberta and western Canada are anxiously preparing to do battle at Stratotech park. With a new clutch installed in race bike #2 51racing is looking forward to a much more productive round of racing. The team may even have time to practice on Saturday!
See you at the track!
See you at the track!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
EMRA Round 1
Round 1 of the EMRA club championship is complete. Racing was fast and furious all day long and the weather was warm and windy. Some of the top riders in western Canada were present, fighting for their share of the points in the six round championship.
We all enjoyed seeing young rider Royce Maclean, out tearing up the track on his race-prepped Yamaha R6. Royce had his hands full trying to stay out front of other talented riders like Pete DeGraff, Justin Knapik, Dave Sushynski, Ian Wall, Todd Yakimoski, Steve Robertson and many others.
51racing had their challenges when the clutch on the team's race bike gave out during the initial practice laps. Chief mechanic Rick Newcombe did a miraculous job of replacing the clutch just in time for Sunday's races. The team has a long way to go in getting lap times down and were generally "a little disappointed" with the weekend's results.
Check out THIS LINK for full race results.
We all enjoyed seeing young rider Royce Maclean, out tearing up the track on his race-prepped Yamaha R6. Royce had his hands full trying to stay out front of other talented riders like Pete DeGraff, Justin Knapik, Dave Sushynski, Ian Wall, Todd Yakimoski, Steve Robertson and many others.
51racing had their challenges when the clutch on the team's race bike gave out during the initial practice laps. Chief mechanic Rick Newcombe did a miraculous job of replacing the clutch just in time for Sunday's races. The team has a long way to go in getting lap times down and were generally "a little disappointed" with the weekend's results.
Check out THIS LINK for full race results.
Friday, May 14, 2010
2010 Season opener
This time has come to begin the 2010 EMRA racing season. Round 1 starts on Saturday May 15 with practice sessions scheduled to commence around 9:00 a.m.
Team 51racing is looking forward to success in 2010 aboard the "NEW" 1996 Honda CBR600F3. This venerable old bike has supported many EMRA riders over the years as it has passed lovingly through the hands of at least 2 other noted riders.
The good folks at Vicious Cycle Motorsports have completed a tune-up and found several problems that needed correcting. Top mechanic Chris Stratichuk and his team isolated and fixed an ignition problem that was manifesting itself in only 3 cylinders firing. The team expects lower laptimes as a result of the dramatic improvement in power that will result from the fix. Our thanks go to Chris and his team at Vicious Cycle Motorsports, here in Edmonton.
Come out an enjoy the racing action on Sunday, May 16. Approximately 120 riders will be competing for points in the EMRA six round club championship. All races take place at Stratotech Park near Fort Saskatchewan. Stratotech can be found through Google Maps and is located a very short drive north on highway 825 off highway 37 just after the lights on highway 15. Racing action usually begins at 11:30 a.m. sharp with a break for lunch and goes through to 5:00 p.m. culminating with the Expert Superbike race at 4:30 p.m..
Team 51racing is looking forward to success in 2010 aboard the "NEW" 1996 Honda CBR600F3. This venerable old bike has supported many EMRA riders over the years as it has passed lovingly through the hands of at least 2 other noted riders.
The good folks at Vicious Cycle Motorsports have completed a tune-up and found several problems that needed correcting. Top mechanic Chris Stratichuk and his team isolated and fixed an ignition problem that was manifesting itself in only 3 cylinders firing. The team expects lower laptimes as a result of the dramatic improvement in power that will result from the fix. Our thanks go to Chris and his team at Vicious Cycle Motorsports, here in Edmonton.
Come out an enjoy the racing action on Sunday, May 16. Approximately 120 riders will be competing for points in the EMRA six round club championship. All races take place at Stratotech Park near Fort Saskatchewan. Stratotech can be found through Google Maps and is located a very short drive north on highway 825 off highway 37 just after the lights on highway 15. Racing action usually begins at 11:30 a.m. sharp with a break for lunch and goes through to 5:00 p.m. culminating with the Expert Superbike race at 4:30 p.m..
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Test and tune results
The May 2 EMRA test and tune went well for 51racing. The team managed to get 147 km of track time. The new bike is off the race pace, however the team focused on suspension adjustments rather than lap times.
Race season round 1 opener is May 15. Come out to Stratotech Park to cheer on the team.
Race season round 1 opener is May 15. Come out to Stratotech Park to cheer on the team.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Test and Tune Sundy May 2
Fans are welcome to come out to Stratotech race park to watch the members of the Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association, get ready for the 2010 season.
New Race Bike for the team
Here are a few pics of the teams new race bike. This is a 1996 Honda CBR699F3
Sunday, March 14, 2010
2010 New Season
2009 is all wrapped up in the history books. 2010 holds all the promise of a new season and a new motorcycle. The venerable Honda CBR600 F3, 1995 version will be the new race bike for 51racing.ca. The team hopes to gain track time at Stratotech to learn the new motorcycle and fine tune its racing capabilities.
Here's the 2010 EMRA race schedule for 2010:
Race School - May 7-9
Round 1 May 15-16
Round 2 June 19-20
Round 3 & 4 July 23-25
Round 5 August 28-29
Round 6 - September 10-11
Here's the 2010 EMRA race schedule for 2010:
Race School - May 7-9
Round 1 May 15-16
Round 2 June 19-20
Round 3 & 4 July 23-25
Round 5 August 28-29
Round 6 - September 10-11
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Round 6 mechanical failures continued
Round 6 was not any better for team 51racing. After weeks of "wrenching" and repair on the motorcycle, the left side radiator which was plugged and repaired, failed completely during the first morning practice session.
The team had little choice but to withdraw from racing for the protection of the other racers as the team was not willing to risk spilling fluids on the track.
The overall result was again, zero points for the team.
The 2009 season turns out to be a disaster and all the team can do is look forward to next year.
On bright note, with the age of the RC51, the team is now eligible for Sportsman class which includes bikes that are at least 10 years old.
See you all next year.
The team had little choice but to withdraw from racing for the protection of the other racers as the team was not willing to risk spilling fluids on the track.
The overall result was again, zero points for the team.
The 2009 season turns out to be a disaster and all the team can do is look forward to next year.
On bright note, with the age of the RC51, the team is now eligible for Sportsman class which includes bikes that are at least 10 years old.
See you all next year.
Round 5 disaster
Round 5 of the EMRA race season was a disaster for 51racing. A low side in turn one at the start of practice eliminated the team from the entire weekends race schedule as a critical component, the clutch reservoir could not be repaired or replaced in time.
The overall result was zero points for the team.
The overall result was zero points for the team.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Round 3 & 4 Double Header - roundup
The weekend battle is over and all the big guns were there! Bodies were bruised, egos were deflated and there were most assuredly champions racing in every class. Courtesy of the volunteers of the EMRA, the motorcycle fraternity met up just north of Edmonton at Stratotech Park for two days of racing in 17 different classes of motorcycles, featuring round 3 of the WCC or Western Canadian Championship.
It's middle of the season and hump race all in one wild weekend. We're now in to the home stretch for each of the class championships. Just like in MotoGP, the top guns took a real physical pounding this weekend while fortunately, none was severely injured. Hospitalisation was required in several circumstances. Our wishes go out to the racers for a speedy recovery...which doesn't mean a race to come back!
Team 51racing came out of what should have been a glorious weekend, with mediocre results. The team was forced to miss the "Big Race", the Intermediate Open Superbike due to time constraints imposed by sponsors. We simply had to absolutely, positively be there on time...
The team's nemesis and best racing companion Joe Peskunowicz of DucatiDaddiracing was in excellent form clocking some personal best laps in the Sportsmans class before bad luck...uhm...bit him in the %$$, when he was rammed from behind after the checkered flag dropped,. Fortunately team associates assured us Joe was OK...although looking for blood...Ducati RED blood.
Formula Thunder was the highlight of the day for the fans and the team as they managed to be competitive in this big event for bikes of various engine displacement and style. The team pulled down a 7th place finish and collected a mitt full of points in the championship! Racer 51 said after the race that he was inadvertently letting the others pass, by "not keeping the door closed using my usual blocking style". Racer 51 went on to say "...even when Pete De Graf was coasting and casually revving the mighty CBR1000RR on the clutch while I raced him trying to lap me in T7, racer51 said he never lost his composure and "I let him pass me" into T8. Little did Pete know racer51 probably has a lot more experience being lapped, than he does! "Pete could learn this skill from me" said racer51.
Other highlights included blocking Trina as much as possible and following #21 on the new purple RC51. I somehow suspected it was me limiting the bike...now I know as I watched him roar away from me.
We caught up with the team in the pits. "I figured that changing from worn out old tires with three weekends of racing on them would do the trick but the mid-event tactics proved fruitless", said "Crank", Racing51's head mechanic. Crank went on to say that the new fast tent performed very well going up and coming down very fast.
Looking at the race in retrospect, we asked team manager "Manny the brains" Barlock for his comments. He said among other things he was, "glad to get away from the awesome double header without damage to the motorcycle", and later added "We learned a lot from pitting with the DucatiDaddiracing team so we'd like to make sure everyone recognises what superstars they are over there."
The whole team here at 51racing sends "get well soon" wishes to all the injured riders and especially thanks all the volunteers who helped with this spectacular event.
Full results are linked off the team's main website at 51racing.ca
It's middle of the season and hump race all in one wild weekend. We're now in to the home stretch for each of the class championships. Just like in MotoGP, the top guns took a real physical pounding this weekend while fortunately, none was severely injured. Hospitalisation was required in several circumstances. Our wishes go out to the racers for a speedy recovery...which doesn't mean a race to come back!
Team 51racing came out of what should have been a glorious weekend, with mediocre results. The team was forced to miss the "Big Race", the Intermediate Open Superbike due to time constraints imposed by sponsors. We simply had to absolutely, positively be there on time...
The team's nemesis and best racing companion Joe Peskunowicz of DucatiDaddiracing was in excellent form clocking some personal best laps in the Sportsmans class before bad luck...uhm...bit him in the %$$, when he was rammed from behind after the checkered flag dropped,. Fortunately team associates assured us Joe was OK...although looking for blood...Ducati RED blood.
Formula Thunder was the highlight of the day for the fans and the team as they managed to be competitive in this big event for bikes of various engine displacement and style. The team pulled down a 7th place finish and collected a mitt full of points in the championship! Racer 51 said after the race that he was inadvertently letting the others pass, by "not keeping the door closed using my usual blocking style". Racer 51 went on to say "...even when Pete De Graf was coasting and casually revving the mighty CBR1000RR on the clutch while I raced him trying to lap me in T7, racer51 said he never lost his composure and "I let him pass me" into T8. Little did Pete know racer51 probably has a lot more experience being lapped, than he does! "Pete could learn this skill from me" said racer51.
Other highlights included blocking Trina as much as possible and following #21 on the new purple RC51. I somehow suspected it was me limiting the bike...now I know as I watched him roar away from me.
We caught up with the team in the pits. "I figured that changing from worn out old tires with three weekends of racing on them would do the trick but the mid-event tactics proved fruitless", said "Crank", Racing51's head mechanic. Crank went on to say that the new fast tent performed very well going up and coming down very fast.
Looking at the race in retrospect, we asked team manager "Manny the brains" Barlock for his comments. He said among other things he was, "glad to get away from the awesome double header without damage to the motorcycle", and later added "We learned a lot from pitting with the DucatiDaddiracing team so we'd like to make sure everyone recognises what superstars they are over there."
The whole team here at 51racing sends "get well soon" wishes to all the injured riders and especially thanks all the volunteers who helped with this spectacular event.
Full results are linked off the team's main website at 51racing.ca
Friday, July 10, 2009
Let's go racing
It's time for the EMRA double header race event at Stratotech park. Come out and see some very exciting motorcycle roadracing. All the top riders from Western Canada will be in attendance for the third round of the WCC or Western Canadian Championship.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Motorcycle racing rounds 3 & 4 - July 10-12 Edmonton
Team 51racing reports that preparations for this weekend's double-header are complete and that testing was a complete success. The team is preparing with a new pit-tent that is said to be "performing at top levels". With the new tent in place, higher race standings are being anticipated. "This raises the whole level of competition for the team" reports the team manager.
The Honda RC51 is running like a Swiss watch and the motorcycle will be using brand new fuel this weekend. The buzz in the new pit tent is that the new fuel is probably going to help the motorcycle go faster.
The team did not report which gas station will be the source of the new fuel but insiders assured readers they'd "grab some new fuel on the way to the track". Sponsor Fat Franks will not be able to attend the VIP activities scheduled for all 51racing sponsors.
The EMRA double-header will feature round 3 of the WCC series so riders are expected to be in attendance from around western Canada.
The Honda RC51 is running like a Swiss watch and the motorcycle will be using brand new fuel this weekend. The buzz in the new pit tent is that the new fuel is probably going to help the motorcycle go faster.
The team did not report which gas station will be the source of the new fuel but insiders assured readers they'd "grab some new fuel on the way to the track". Sponsor Fat Franks will not be able to attend the VIP activities scheduled for all 51racing sponsors.
The EMRA double-header will feature round 3 of the WCC series so riders are expected to be in attendance from around western Canada.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Round 2 results are in
The official results for round 2 of the EMRA 2009 racing series are in. Team 51racing continues to excel at being middle of the pack.
The team posted the following results:
Formula Thunder - 7th
Intermediate Open Sportbike - 12th
Intermediate Superbike - 10th
Senior Open - 12th
The team now stands as follows for the season:
Formula Thunder - 5th - 12 points
Intermediate Open Sportbike - 10th - 20 points
Intermediate Superbike - 10th - 12 points
Senior Open - 11th - 8 points
51racing would like to thank their sponsor Fat Frank's for their continued support.
The team posted the following results:
Formula Thunder - 7th
Intermediate Open Sportbike - 12th
Intermediate Superbike - 10th
Senior Open - 12th
The team now stands as follows for the season:
Formula Thunder - 5th - 12 points
Intermediate Open Sportbike - 10th - 20 points
Intermediate Superbike - 10th - 12 points
Senior Open - 11th - 8 points
51racing would like to thank their sponsor Fat Frank's for their continued support.
Monday, June 22, 2009
EMRA round 2 - huge success
Round two of the Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association's six round series, ended in great success for 51racing. The team's primary rider, Rick Newcombe rode to a personal best laptime of 1:06.18 on the mighty Honda RC51.
There were some epic battles witnessed by the race fans between the RC51 of 51racing and the powerful Ducati 916 of Joe Peskunowicz of Calgary's DucatiDaddi racing. Joe is an extremely talented racer whose bravery is almost unequalled in motorcycle racing. He valiantly rode his 916 wheel to wheel with Rick Newcombe on the RC51, with the two riders displaying their various skills for all the thousands of fans in attendance to see. It was said that the two provided the most entertainment for the fans by "duking it out" in almost every corner. Joe's exceptional skill kept the under powered Ducati in the hunt for a podium. Both riders added valuable points to their season totals. Rick Newcombe was quoted as saying "That Joe Peskunowicz is an amazing rider, he pushed me to a new personal best as I had to struggle to use every skill in my arsenal to try and stay ahead of him". Rick went on to add "His bravery is something I look up to and aspire to achieve". Joe was heard saying "Rick is a fun rider to race with. If he ever learns how to ride that farm tractor he calls a motorcycle, he'll be even more fun to race against!".
51racing pulled off a seventh place finish in the Formula Thunder class collecting 11 more points for the season. If all the other riders would take a holiday and miss the upcoming double-header, this may be the teams best season ever!
More details to follow!
There were some epic battles witnessed by the race fans between the RC51 of 51racing and the powerful Ducati 916 of Joe Peskunowicz of Calgary's DucatiDaddi racing. Joe is an extremely talented racer whose bravery is almost unequalled in motorcycle racing. He valiantly rode his 916 wheel to wheel with Rick Newcombe on the RC51, with the two riders displaying their various skills for all the thousands of fans in attendance to see. It was said that the two provided the most entertainment for the fans by "duking it out" in almost every corner. Joe's exceptional skill kept the under powered Ducati in the hunt for a podium. Both riders added valuable points to their season totals. Rick Newcombe was quoted as saying "That Joe Peskunowicz is an amazing rider, he pushed me to a new personal best as I had to struggle to use every skill in my arsenal to try and stay ahead of him". Rick went on to add "His bravery is something I look up to and aspire to achieve". Joe was heard saying "Rick is a fun rider to race with. If he ever learns how to ride that farm tractor he calls a motorcycle, he'll be even more fun to race against!".
51racing pulled off a seventh place finish in the Formula Thunder class collecting 11 more points for the season. If all the other riders would take a holiday and miss the upcoming double-header, this may be the teams best season ever!
More details to follow!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association - Round 2
Motorcycle race fans from all over western Canada will be gathering this weekend at Stratotech Park for round 2 of the Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association's second round of racing. Come out on Saturday June 20 to catch the action in the practice rounds as well as racing in the Alberta Wildrose Cup and the Open Women's category. All other racing is on Sunday starting at 11:30 a.m. with the Senior Open.
Gates open at 8:00 a.m. Full concession services to feed your hungry appetite.
The best (and only) motorcycle racing in the Edmonton area. Bring your friends and family and come out to see some very exciting motorcycle racing. Drop into the pits and visit with the Fat Franks sponsored 51racing team.
www.stratotech.ca
www.emra.ca
www.edmontonmotorcyclescene.com
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