My luck had me catching a bad cold just before race weekend so I was feeling pretty crummy. After overdosing on Dayquil and getting the pit in order, I worked on getting a new set of race tires put on and was done with only 15 minutes to spare. The first two practice rounds went ok as I continued to get settled back into my routine while trying to reach my prior speed benchmark.

 

The new sponsor pit banner and logo’s on the bike looked great, and the pit looks awesome! Just had a new set of rims powder coated red to match the bike but haven’t gotten any photos yet. The race was relatively uneventful for me while I still continue to get the season back on track. I finished 14th!

 

Justin Thompson #343

 

Seattle 100 Charity Race - Saturday July 28

 

Thanks to all who donated this year, we raised almost $1000 for charity. This was my first time back on the bike and track since the crash in May. The first few rounds were a little rough getting back in the saddle. Everything felt wrong, the brakes too grabby, the throttle too choppy, the steering too loose. Of course none of that was true; it was about me learning to get along with my bike again. Like any good relationship that’s hit a rough patch it was going to take time.

 

Round after round I went out and felt better each time. Our title and pit sponsors came down to join in the action for the day and got to go out with us to turn 3 and witness the exhibition round with the AMA pro’s who came in. Needless to say it was pretty impressive and gave us all something to be inspired by! Along with Jake Holden of Michael Jordan Motor sports and a few others from the AMA, Ben Spies of Yoshimura Suzuki was flown out to support the cause, but due to the fact that he’s in the points lead nationally for both super sport and super bike, and moving to MotoGP world racing in 2009, Suzuki said he would sign autographs only and not set foot on the track as it was too much to risk.

 

Just getting a chance to meet him was privilege enough, but when he arrived he told them to get him a bike and he wanted to race! They grabbed a brand new Suzuki GSXR 1000 off the show room floor from a neighboring store and he put his leathers on. Included is a pic of him pulling a wheelie up the back straight and while in mid corner, and leaned over, looking back to see who’s behind him. Generally speaking, that’s everyone.

 

I was inspired watching Spies and threw a wheelie of my own at 140 mph through the back straight, which the photographer happened to catch. It was a great day for a good cause and I started my road to recovery!