SD's Blackhawk...

[Super Dave]

I'll start with this...

The MACC Fund, the pediatric cancer foundation that I'm trying to help, posted my press release on their sight.

http://www.maccfund.org/news/story.cfm?ID=118

They are going to have it also in their next newsletter.

Thanks to everyone that bought a shirt or a sticker from me!

Back to racing action....

And a one, and a two, and a three...[/b]

Dave Rosno managed a win at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in Middleweight Grand Prix.  Against some of the fastest Yamaha Contingency riders in the nation, Dave took respectable finishes of second in Middleweight Superbike and third in Middleweight Supersport.  Unlimited Grand Prix still found "Super" Dave in the money with eight place.

The whole Blackahawk Farms experience started with Dave's Visionsports Racer University on Thursday.  "It's a modification of our previous programs.  Basically, it's me and eight licensed road racers.  The weather was a bit sketchy with some rain.  During those moments, we did some talking about motorcycle chassis.  Most people will never build a chassis, unlike my attempt to finish my H1 two stroke triple vintage bike, but if you can understand how and why motorcycles are so unique, you can make up answers for the problems that one has when riding."

Friday, "Super" Dave skipped the practice at the track to do some other work.  "You know, I'm a motorcycle racer.  Doesn't seem like a lot of people know about what I do.  So, last year, I did a little program at my local elementary school for career day.  Months ago, I was approached about doing it again.  I had fun doing it, so I jumped on the opportunity to do it again.  I think I had the most kids sign up for my presentations."  During those times, Dave talked to the kids about safety.  "I wouldn't race without my Suomy Helmet.  The kids can relate to that with riding a bike without their helmet.  But I show them all the other things that I protect myself with:  Oxtar Boots, Suomy Gloves, Vanson Leathers.  But if I can arm the kids with the idea to really look for people that aren't paying attention, maybe they can keep out of trouble."  Dave's Sportsman's Park/4&6 Performance/Michelin shod R6 was there too.  "The bike is something they can relate to.  It's got two wheels like a bike.  They see them on the road.  Now they know a little bit more about it.  And the kids are sharp.  They ask question about the knobs and stuff on the purple thing...my Hyperpro Shock."

More....

[Super Dave]

Racing action resumed on Saturday, but rain did too.  "I didn't know what to make of it, but I decided that there wasn't a whole lot of value in practicing in the wet.  I know my Michelin Tires hook up in the wet, and I know that I have a major advantage with the rising rate Hyperpro springs with my 4&6 Performance set up bike."  Dave lined up for the Solo GTU event with a not so pleasant feeling about the track.  "I think there was some dampness, but not bad.  That would really be my first time of opening up the bike in anger since Road America, so I wasn't expecting anything spectacular."  Dave managed a fair start, but faded a bit.  My right arm is a bit beat up from racing through three decades, and I think I just abused it too much by holding on too tight.  I decided to pull in after a few laps and relax myself and put on a newer rear tire for Middleweight Grand Prix.

Middleweight Grand Prix went well, to say the least.  "I got a pretty good start.  It was funny, as the front carried most of the way down toward one...I love what Jim and Shawn at 4&6 did with the fuel injection on my bike...and I was in second.  I moved around one of my former students, "Stumpy", and then made tracks.  After about three laps, I looked back, and I was just gone.  So, I cut back a bit and just enjoyed the ride.  I had time on the last lap to sit up going down the front straight.  Nice to have a little gimme at Blackhawk.  Tom Mason, my good friend and Michelin tire guy, celebrated with friends with some good Chinese food that evening."

Sunday would be the big races.  Yamaha still posts good money for contingency, but you've got to win to get it.  "I'd have my work cut out for me with fellow 4&6 rider Shawn Conrad and fellow Michelin rider Robert Jensen on the grid looking for cash too."  Practice went ok.  I was looking for a bit better set up."  Dave made some changes that felt decent.  Middleweight Superbike would be first up.  The weather turned wet a couple races prior, and that played into the mix.  "At the last moment, I went for the dry DOT's.  I think most of us did.  Robbie went for a set of intermediates.  He got a good start, and I jumped in behind him.  I figured I'd let him see if there was good traction there for us.  It was really apparent that they weren't the way to go, but that was fine if I could control some of the race from the second position.  I'd be happy to keep everyone behind me."  Deciding to get around and make a break, Dave made his move and looked to put some space between he and the other riders.  "I guess Jensen pulled in after that.  Shawn came with me, but, at some point, I made a mistake in four where I went a little wide.  Shawn took advantage of it and got by me."  "Super" Dave held on to second.

[Super Dave]

Unlimited Grand Prix would be the only cash purse race for this weekend.  "My qualifying didn't go like I wanted to.  My timer wasn't working, and I didn't have anyone working with me for the weekend.  I missed out, and my grid suffered."  Starting from near the back, Dave had to contend with a group of 1000cc bikes that would power out of the corners and slow down too much mid corner.  "It's a classic problem, and I'm to blame.  I did the best I could on my 600, and I took eighth."

Dave's last race was Middleweight Supersport, again a Yamaha contingency race.  "Good start again; I was leading.  Robbie and Shawn got by, but Robbie got a meatball flag.  I guess he crossed the line entering onto the track on the warm up lap, so he was getting penalized.  I picked up the pace to keep ups with Shawn, but I started getting some slides on the rights.  Seems as though when Morgan Broadhead took me out at Road America a couple of weeks ago, my mid pipe on my Micron Exhaust got bent.  It was dragging real bad, and it was levering the bike up a bit."  Dave fell back behind Dr Jeff Purk, DDS, but he tried making a run at him in the last two laps but came up a few feet short.

"All and all,"  Dave states, "things went really well.  I could have used the Yamaha money to keep the program float a bit better.  I sold quite a few shirts to raise awareness about pediatric cancer and raise some funds for Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer.  I think those things are important."

Dave Rosno is sponsored by:
Sportsman's Park Yamaha, 4&6 Performance
Mason Racin' Tires, Vanson Leathers, Michelin
Sliderphoto.com, MotoSliders
Vesrah, Micron, Hyperpro
Woodcraft, Suomy, Power Mist, Oxtar
Gillette Body & Paint, Midwest Golf Cars

Next Events
Formula USA Summit Point, West Virginia – May 28-31
WADE Suspension Clinic – June 12
Formula USA Loudon, New Hampshire – June 18-20
Formula USA Danville, Virginia –June 25-27

Super Dave's Race Against Childhood Cancer raises
awareness about pediatric cancer and raises funds for
Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, Inc., the MACC Fund.

[StumpysWife]

Great report, Dave!  

It was great to see you back take that win!

Heather

[SliderPhoto]

[StumpysWife]

We refer to that first pic as "Freight Train"
 :D

[StumpysWife]

I think we have onboard footage of that race, too.

Heather

[Protein Filled]

Yeah, freight train it is! look at Robbie on a rain front on a fully dry track!

Great riding Dave!

[Super Dave]

Robbie got a good start.  He was slower mid corner, but could control everything from where he was.  I figured I was in control of everyone behind me while I was behind him.  Worked pretty good until...

Well, read the thing above.

Regardless, it was fun.  

I'll miss being at Blackhawk over Memorial Day.