Eddie Mulder's WCVDT Series Spring Willow Springs Race Report
Back in the States after a brief trip home, I was really looking forward to getting back on the big Suzuki again! Steve Berg picked me up at the airport on Saturday and Sunday I was racing again. I love it. This is the second time I have arrived back in the States only to be racing the next day.
I really like the Willow Springs races for a number of reasons. First of all is all the great folks: Eddie and Jodie, Digger and Karl Krohn to name a few. Then there is the track. This is one of the most fun tracks we get to ride with those big banked corners and that loose cushion surface. It reminds me of riding at home.
Besides my Suzuki, we hauled up one of Steve Berg’s Triumph race bikes just in case. Boy am I glad we did! I rode the Suzuki in practice and it just didn’t feel right. There was something wrong that I could not put my finger on. Went out for the first heat race and was in third headed into turn three for the first time and went in way too early trying to make a pass and that made my exit of four way too wide. I grabbed some throttle and got some great traction! I tried to use the entryway berm to bounce off of, but instead the bike stood up and I went off over the high side.
I was fine, but the damage to the ‘Zuk was enough that she was done for the day. Busted up the tail section and bent the rear frame loop. ‘Hey Steve, better unload the Triumph!’
Since there were only 18 Pro racers, I had a transfer to the Main, but we weren’t sure if the Triumph was ready as we had not run it yet. Eddie was good enough to let us run behind another race just so we could do some hot laps to check the gearing and such. Went back in and made some subtle changes and we were ready for the Main.
Because of the lack of a finish in my heat race, I was lined up for the Pro Main event on the third row. I got a great start and went to the outside in turn one and passed several riders. I got a great drive, found a hole and cut down through turn two and passed a couple more racers. By the second lap I was in eighth place! I stayed here and was very comfortable. I was slowly catching the racer in front of me and noticed Jared Mees had broken and was out as had Jethro Halbert and this moved me up. As we moved into lapped traffic, I was able to catch Ian Foulds and get by him just before the checkers leaving me in FIFTH PLACE! And this was on a vintage Triumph!
If you don’t know about Steve Berg and the Triumphs he builds, you should! These things are rockets! I can’t say thanks enough to Steve and Jules for their help and hospitality. Click here to learn more about Steve's bikes and how you can get in touch with him to see what he can do for you! I want to thank Digger for all his support as well. THANKS DIGGER! Another nod to Eddie and Jodie for putting on such a great event. I also had the pleasure of meeting Ricky Graham's brother and he helped me out a bit after seeing my crash. Want to say thanks to him for that!
Now I have a week to get the ‘Zuk ready for the Mile in Arizona.
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