TLN Motorsports kicked off the 2011 racing season this past weekend April 2nd-3rd at Maxton NC. It was so good to be back at the race track. We didn't have the showing we liked, but with all the work that was done to the bikes this off season, and absolutely no testing time, the results were not that bad.
We have made a change this year in the way we approach things. We will no longer chase multiple class records. The expense and stress of trying to set and defend multiple class records is more than we want to take on this year. We are a normally aspirated gas team and those are the records we will be fighting to maintain.
This past weekend has taught us a valuable lesson. It was said by someone much wiser than myself, that you reach a point where you have done all that you can without some help, you have gone as fast as you will without some help. I watched a good friend blow his engine again trying to take a turbo 600cc motorcycle past the 200 mark in the mile. As he said, he can make that engine last all year for 8 seconds at a time, but 27 seconds is another story. With some help that team could make history. We fall into that catagory. 190 mph on a Normally Aspirated 650cc Motorcycle on the 1.5 mile backed up with a 189 pass. 184 mph on the mile, backed up with a 182. 203 mph on a Normally Aspirated 1000cc Motorcycle on the 1.5 mile 4 passes in a row. 201 on the mile backed up at 199. The stress we put on the engines is unbelieveable. It takes help to go any faster. People to build one off parts, sponsors to donate parts. The needed spare parts list is enormous. You reach a point where you just can't do it yourself.
I have the greatest respect for land Speed Racers. They work other jobs to pay the bills. They don't get much sleep because they are working on the race vehicles after the regular job. They ask sponsors for help, fight with the delivery person, spend the house payment on the race team and somehow find a way to make it work. They are the smartest people I know and will always find a way to overcome the obsticale.
While the fan sees the rider on the motorcycle and thinks that is cool, what it takes to make that pass is never seen. The work by so many for that one pass is never realized. Those who freely give of their time and energy is what makes it happen.
I am as lucky as they get. TLN Motorsports made it this far because I have a wife/Team Owner that sacrifices for the Team, I have friends that give their time, I have supporters that find ways to help and inspire me and I have fans I can't even think of letting down.
Yes we need help and are cutting back on our schedule this year because we simply can't do it all without help. We are not sure if we will run again before Loring in July. Loring is our #1 focus for this season. We want to put the speeds on the board there. We were going to Texas next month, but simply can't without help. We may not see Maxton again until September without help. It's just the way it is.
All of that said, you can know that we are 100% committed to record breaking runs this season. Loring in July is a go and our will is strong. The fire is burning hot and we are still in the Chase. The fun is back and we are going to enjoy every second. You never know when the ride ends.
Thanks to all who have supported us in the past and continue to do so now. Thanks to Vortex for standing by us. Thanks to Kevin Hunt and KWS Motorsports for all the hard work and support. Thanks to Powerbronze for the support and belief in us. Thank you Monty Spears and Run 1 Racing Motorsports for helping us in so many ways. Thanks to Laynie, Donna, Lorraine, Darryn and all who have been there from the start.
While 2011 may be different for us, more limited, more focused. Look for big things this year. We aquired the data we needed this weekend. 175.2 on the 600 and 197.7 on the 1000. Nothing to write home about, but impressive from where we started. Our confidence is high. TLN Motorsports will make a mark again this year.
That said, if you know someone that may want to help a race team. We certainly are a good option. We do a lot with little. We have been published in magazines for 3 consecutive years, and we carry your banner in a professional manner.
Chase is on. The God of Speed and TLN Motorsports have a meeting at Loring in mid July.
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