The 2010 season is surprisingly over already and one to put down in the record books. This past season had its ups and downs but was definitely my most progressive in many different ways. I learned a lot this season about more than just riding, I learned about my bikes and suspension and how to give better feedback to my sponsors and suspension tuner Jim Cambora (Raceworx). Not only did I learn how to go faster and how to give better feedback but I met and made so many new friends this past season that helped me remember why I race, Its not only because of the speed and adrenaline rush but its the fun and people in the pits that make it such a good experience for anyone.
At the start of the 2010 season I came in with high hopes and dreams. It took me longer than I thought it was going to take for me to learn how to ride my 2008 r6 and even longer to learn how to make myself comfortable.
The first race of the season was a wet one and I ran DOT tires in which most of the top dogs were on rains and my results weren’t to the standards I was hoping for, putting me farther back on the grid for the next round than I would have liked. As the season progressed I moved myself higher up in the points and started getting more comfortable on the bike which is the big key in going faster. It wasn’t till about the 8th round of the 10 round series that something really just kicked inside my head. I had always been the one who was patient and “too nice” on the first lap to where my great launches off the line turned into letting everyone by in the first turn and having to play catch up the rest of the race. I finally just told myself going into the 9th round that I needed to just go for it on the first lap and not hold back and just keep moving forward from there. One problem which was really the only downside of my season was that Saturday of round nine I raced in the endurance and ended up high siding and landing solid on my shoulder straining my Sterno claveclier joint, it could have been worse but my Komodo K-FX suit saved me from any severe damage. The crash ruined my hopes of a top 5 finish in my classes in round 9 but it didn’t keep me from wanting to try harder in round 10. The last round of the season was one of the best I’ve had all season. The few weeks prior I had sent my bike to Jim Cambora who had ideas on changing the whole geometry of the bike to try and make me as comfortable as possible and to try and make me drop 2 seconds from the previous time we were at the track earlier this season. When I first rode the bike on Friday practice we had small issues that we needed to work out but I was feeling real confident on the new setup. Come race time Sunday I was ready to go and had the most determination I have had all season and went out and already met my goal of going 2 seconds faster and carried that through the rest of the weekend. I was very happy with my results from the last few rounds and have a very good feeling about the 2011 season and have set some goals in which I intend to achieve.
All in all this past season was more than just and very progressive season but it was also a very fun year and a very good experience. Id like to thank a few people because with them this season would have been possible, would like to thank my Mom and Dad, David Roy, North Texas Superbikes, Dunlop tires, Komodo gear for keeping me safe and stylish all season long, Jim Cambora (Raceworx), Tony Ta (house of paint Designs), Andy Castaneda, Lonestar Trackdays, and all my friends and friends I’ve made this season for making it one of the best seasons I have ever had. I’m looking forward to next season and its time to start training hard so that I can start the season off as strong as possible.
-Alan Phillips-
CMRA#62
