WFO!!! Komodo #58
CMRA Endurance – Eagles Canyon Raceway
2nd in Class – A Super Stock8th Overall Big Bike Endurance
WFO!!! Komodo STRIKES AGAIN!
Ottis Lance and Wayne Wilder raced in the 6 hour CMRA Endurance last weekend at
Eagles Canyon Raceway on a 2005 Suzuki GSXR 1000R.
Eagles Canyon is a new 2.5 mile race course that is known for being technical
with some fast straights that we estimate are good for around 140mph, maybe
150mph. The track offers 70 ft. of elevation and has 11 turns and 6 straight
aways. Bring your “A” game because this track should be a lot of fun, but also
be physically demanding.
The biggest challenge we would face was enduring 3 hours each per rider. Also,
let’s not forget tire life was an unknown. This was WFO!!! Komodo’s first time
to ride/race at Eagles Canyon Raceway. This was true for the majority of the
riders who were racing that day, which meant it would be a good indication of
how Komodo would match up against some of the faster and more experienced
teams.
Otter and I decided to ride one full hour each, pit and switch riders. After
speaking with Otter, he mentioned the first session/hour was pretty much
getting to know the track, where to break and learn which gears to use for
certain parts of the track. One thing WFO!!! Komodo learned at Eagles Canyon
was that the faster you went, the smoother the bike rode resulting in less
physical effort required to get around the track. If you slowed down, the
track demanded more of the rider. When I was into my second session I found my
“rythym” and was able to keep my head down and focus on my lines. It was a lot
of fun. I really enjoyed the track and my times showed improvement.
The bike was running well even in the 90 degree temperature. One thing we
noticed was how well the Michelin tires were holding up. We were watching the
tires carefully because we didn’t want to put ourselves or the bike at risk
for a crash; again, it was our first time at the track and had no reference on
how the tires would hold up. We shouldn’t have been surprised because our
tires also help up extremely well at MSR-Cresson, which is famous for being
very hard on tires. 
I was wearng the new K-LT race suit and was very pleased with its performance.
Being able to race really helps me identify areas of our race suits that perform
- or find areas in need of improving.
The new K-LT design uses some patterns taken directly from the proven K-FX suit;
(the K-FX is the same race suit Ty Howard races in) and allowed great mobility on the race bike.
There were a couple of times where I had to make some quick transitions on the bike and
change my line immediately to prevent hitting another rider in the corners.
One thing that is important is that your race leathers need to be snug, but allow you to
move as needed without compromising your safety while at speed.
The K-LT passed the test with ease. In addition, it also ventilated extremely well while
on the race bike; I could feel the air flow into the race suit and it did make a difference
in keeping my body temperature more cool.
Into our last sessions, it was clear we were losing time due to fatigue.
However, we still managed to hold onto 8th overall and also maintained our
current standing of 2nd in class (A Super Stock). We were very pleased with
our results considering it was a two man team.
Racing requies a team effort and WFO!!! Komodo would like to extend our thanks
to the CMRA staff for making this endurance race a great experience.
Additionally, the staff of Eagles Canyon were very helpful and showed us
around the facility, which was quite impressive. Let’s not forget our friends
who supported us in the Hot Pit; Joel, Terry, Mikey, Joey, Greg and Sarah;
“Thank You” for your time and helping us make some very quick pit stops.
Without you guys supporting us, we would not be acheiving our goals as a race team.
Dave Hirsch at Michelin deserves some respect for supplying WFO!!! Komodo with some great tires. I would like to mention that we completed all six hours on one set of tires! Now that is performance. If you have been considering Michelin as your choice of tires,
you will not be disappointed.
See you at Texas World…
WFO!!! Komodo
FACTORY DIRECT
