First Buell Race of 2010: Topeka

Heartland Park Grand Prix Track Map, Topeka Kansas

I started out the 2010 CCS road racing season in exotic Topeka, Kansas on April 24th and 25th. Heartland Park Raceway boasts not only a road racing track, but also a drag strip and dirt track. It was my first time on the highly technical 2.5 mile track, and forecasters called for Toto to fly by at any time.

I shared a pit and paddock area right by the finish line with five other racers: Glen Carnell (360, Buell), Ray Hofman (7, Suzuki, Honda), Jimmy Merrick (278, Honda), Jay Smith (277, Buell), and Joel Spalding (36, Ducati, KTM). We also had Jay’s mom, Joel’s parents and his wife, Cindy, Glen’s wife, Missy, and my girlfriend, Sharon, there to help us out in the pits.

Topeka racers under threatening skies. I’m on the left.

This was a Twin Sprints event, so I had twice as many races as usual, in addition to an ASRA Michelin Pro Series 10-lap qualifier and race.

I felt pretty good Saturday on my new Michelin tires. The skies threatened all day, but somehow the rain held off. The CCS races were seven laps, and I started out with lap times hovering around the 2:10 mark. I racked up a 5th in Lightweight Superbike, 3rd in SuperTwins, and a hard-fought 8th in Lightweight Grand Prix. I was feeling faster on the track, with a consistent 2:04 lap time, and had pole position for the final race that day.

At third and final call for Expert Thunderbike, I noticed two of the fasteners broke off my belly pan. I decided to go for it as is, but I was late on the track, so I had to start at the back of the grid. That actually turned out to be a good thing, because my engine seized up on the fifth lap. As disappointing as that is, at least it happened on a straightaway without traffic.

The road crew hauled my 2003 Buell XB back to the pits, and I hauled my backup bike out of my trailer. I hadn’t raced my 1998 Buell S1 in a couple of years, and a couple of laps on it told me why; old tires, old technology, suspension setup and gearing completely wrong for the track.

On Sunday, I still managed a 7th place in the ASRA Michelin Pro Series Thunderbike, an 8th in Superbike, 10th in Lightweight Grand Prix, 5th in Thunderbike and another 3rd in SuperTwins on the S1, but it wasn’t handling well. My front tire kept tucking in the corners.

Back in Chicago, I tore down the XB motor. The oil pump seized and one of the adjustable pushrods collapsed. Then one of the valves and valve guides broke in the rear head and the shrapnel impacted on the front piston. Luckily, the connecting rods are still straight and my cylinders look OK. I’m waiting on parts now to get it all ready for my next race at Blackhawk Farms on May 22 and 23. I’m ready to add to my two plaques from Heartland Park!