KRYPTONITE!

AFM round 2 at Sonoma Raceway.....Kryptonite! This track has not been good to me,  lets just say I've spent a good amount of time off my bike here and this year I will change that. I was very nervous about this weekend,as stated before I don't have a good track record here and I did not want a repeat a minor spill that happened 3 months ago during practice with Pacific Track Time. This weekend I was focused on completing my races and beating my personal best lap time of 1:52 Seconds that I received 2 years ago with my Triumph Daytona 675,I knew it would be a challenge with limited practice here over the years but I was up for it!

Saturday
Saturday practice I had a lot to think about and work on, from track lines,restructuring of my racing program, still learning the capabilities of the tires,bike and myself, even with that said Practice went well.I would like to thank AFM # 878 Rory Kamper for the tips that helped me navigate through some corners I was having trouble in and also AFM #17 Eric Kondo for staying on me and making sure I stay focused and think about the off track portion of my race program.

Sunday
Sunday Morning I felt great and was ready for some racing!before morning practice I decided to make a last minute change to my gearing. I was not sure how much it was going to affect me but coming out of the S's with my current gearing ,I would hit my rev limiter causing me to shift before braking and downshifting into turn 9.

The first race of the day was 600 SBK,I got a good start and slotted in behind AFM #615 Wiles Stapp on the first lap, the end of the first lap going in to turn 11 I ran a little deep causing me to have to run wide on the exit and also having to check up because another rider I essential had the same line and we would of ran into each other causing a couple of people to pass me. Lap 2 I would then get behind AFM #209 Frankie Mehrer for a few laps before an appearance AFM #114 Deivede Silva and AFM #404 Tomas Covinha. We would all have a nice battle until the end of the race passing each other back and forth before I finish behind Deivede Silva.

Second Race of the day was F1, This race would go horrible for me. During this race I struggled with turning the bike in the S's,front wheel chatter,missed break markers,turning in to early in corners,missed gears on downshifting and Upshifting,This race just did not go as planned and I was completely drained and tired form having to man handle the bike. After the race I took my bike to Barry and Delaney of GP Suspension to get some suspension work done to help me turn in a little better and help the front chatter when we discovered another problem. We found that my Clip-on's were to inward making it close to my body and forcing me to use a lot of my arms to maneuver the bike.After re-positions my clip-on's and making some changes to the front suspension I was ready to change my rear tire and get ready for my last race of the day which was 600 Super bike when another problem arose.When trying to change my tire I was running into trouble with clearance of the rear brake, my older brother Maurice and I worked for about a hour,struggling to get this back tire on and could not figure it out. At this time I was so stressed out,tired,sweaty and Hungry because I haven't eaten lunch yet when my good friend Adelle Came to the rescue with food!Still focusing on getting my tire on I held of on eating the food for about 10 minutes before I decided to give up and call the weekend. Before walking away from my bike Richard Coffee asked what was wrong and decided to give it a try,after a few minutes of fiddling he found the problem.I would try to explain it but I don't even know how,lets just say it was a problem with brake pads and rear brake base plate.After Richard worked his magic,fixed the problem I was  ready to eat and watch Formula Pacific before my race, THANKS RICH!

My final race of the day was 600 Production,I was tired and yet at the same time ready to race but not sure how I would hold up after the weight lifting session I had in the F1, race but it turned out to be my best race of the weekend. The changes that Delaney and Barry made worked.I got a pretty good start getting behind an unknown rider for the first 2 laps,on the second lap going into turn 1 I thought I was going to run in the back of the rider because I was carrying a little speed in to the corner so I ran it a little wide allowing AFM # Fabian Fernandez to make a pass on me going into turn 2,Fabian Would pass the unknown rider before going into the carousel and I would pass him also out of the carousel.The next few laps I would stalk Frankie Mehrer,Wiles Stapp and Fabian Fernandez making some passes on each until the end of the race,taking the checkers flag leading our group.

                                      

This weekend turned out to be a little stressful but also a success!the 600 Production race I felt the most comfortable I had all Weekend and also completed the race with my best time at Sonoma of 1:49.1 and also finished the weekend with no crashes! Sonoma Raceway= Kryptonite no more!

I want to thank all my friends and family for coming out this weekend! and of course all my lovely sponsors! Pacific Track Time,Hustle Hard Racing,Motogloss,GP Suspension,Meen Motorsports,VNM Sport Gear,Serious R&D,Eric Kondo Racing,Optimal Racing,AXO.

2016 is HERE!

2016 is here and it feel good to be racing again! After a year break I am racing, starting with AFM Round1 At Buttonwillow Raceway in Buttonwillow,CA. It's been a long year and now I'm back and ready for the sounds of motorcycles zooming,the smell of race gas flowing and the beautiful sight of the Beautiful People of the AFM! 2016 is going to bring some new challenges for me,racing after a year with no practice and racing, switching tire sponsors from Pirelli to Dunlop and changing motorcycles from a Triumph Daytona 675 to a Yamaha R6.

Saturday
Practice day! Saturday practice went good,I had started to feel more comfortable on the bike with some seat time but I still had to work on getting comfortable with the seating. The Daytona 675 seat and the R6 seat feels so much different! One bike you feel as if you are sitting in the bike and the other on top.

Sunday
Morning practice, I felt good. I picked up the pace from Saturday practice because I was now hitting the rev limiter coming out of certain corners.I didn't have time to fiddle with the gearing so I decided I would short shift in certain areas and get through this weekend

750 SBK
I got a pretty decent start, passing a couple of rider into turn one but had to check up a bit because of a rider coming in hot and going straight across the track,which allowed a few riders to pass on the inside. After a few quick appearance from AFM #714 Deivide Dasilva and a couple of other riders it turned out to be a lonely race. I finished 20th

F1

I got a good start passing a few riders into turn one slotting in behind AFM #31 Bruce Bleeker,after making a Pass out the exit of Riverside I was stalked by another rider (unknown number) until he mad a pass on me going into sunset. Lap 2 I was stalked by AFM #315 Bob Lazzarini for a few laps before he mad a pass going into turn 1. Lap 4 I would lose another place to AFM 197 Joseph Palmeri and on lap 6 coming out of the S's I made a mistake causing me to lose another place to AFM # 729 Fabian Fernandez. I finished 18th

                                     

600 Production

I had a fairly good star,all was well and then a little mishap happened. Another rider tried to make a pass on my going into Cotton Corners hitting my rear fender and knocking my GoPro from its position to facing the floor,luckily either of us went down.

                                   

600 SBK
This would be a fun race,This was the last race of the day and I began to feel more comfortable on the bike. During this race I would have a quick battle with AFM # 77 Wiles Sapp, #956 Greg Sharp,31 Bruce Bleeker and #209 Frankie Mehrer. I would finish in 22nd.

I would Like to thank all my sponsors for the support this season! I really appreciate it! Pacific Track Time,Dunlop Race Tire Services,GP Suspension,Hustle Hard Racing,Serious R&D,Meen Motorsports,VNM Sports Gear,Eric Kondo Racing,Motogloss,AXO,Forma Boots,Optimal Racing and last but not least my family and friends!

AFM RD 3 #SLIPPING

I was very excited for AFM round 3 at Thunderhill Raceway! This would be my first race at Thunderhill in a year. I was very eager to see if I would be able to drop some time and achieve my goal and get under 2:01(my previous year fastest race lap time) and possibly get as low as a 1:59 with the off season training I was doing with Pacific Track time.

Saturday Practice

Saturday practice went well, I was able to get a lot of help from Jim and Nickie from catalyst reaction tuning to help set up the bike and take out the little tweaks and twitches I was receiving from the front end of the bike under braking and movement from the rear when accelerating out of a corner. This would my first time ever making adjustments to my suspension after ever practice session and it paid off with us being able to stop the front chatter and rear moving and get the bike stable.

Race 2 750 production

I started in 12th Position and was able to make up a couple of places with a good start, I was able to maintain that position for the first two laps until being passed by AFM #140 Dan Butler going into turn one on lap three. On the third lap coming out of turn 6, I noticed when I would try to get on the gas the bike would hesitate a bit before accelerating. I Thought that I must have not been twisting the throttle fully when exiting the corner but it kept happening on certain corners when and in certain gears for the remainder of the race. I finished the race in 10th Place with achieving my goal and constantly turning lap times of 1:59.

Race 5 600 Production

I started in 21st position and was able to make up about seven places by turn 2 and one more going into turn 3 and another coming out. I was able to maintain these positions into turn 5 and turn 6. While coming out of turn 6 I noticed the same problem with the acceleration hesitating as I did in the first race but this time it was a little worse. As I continued racing towards turn 7 and up towards 8 a rider passed me going into turn 9, I would maintain this position for the remainder of  lap 1. The Next 2 laps I would lose two more places to AFM # 17 Eric Kondo and AFM #619 Jennifer Lauritzen, After Jennifer passed me the Race was red flagged symbolizing the end of our race.In the first start I was able to dom y best lap time of the weekend with a time of 1:58!!
After a 10 minute break the race would be a full restart and would not turn out as good as the first. I was able to make up a few places on the restart only to lose them by then end of lap 1 by going into turn 14 to fast, I would finish my race in this position which was 19th

Race 11 600 SBK

Before this Race I had a talk with AFM# 140 Dan Butler and explained to him what was going on with me bike, He then told me that my clutch was going out,it was slipping and would continue to get worse. I knew that It would be a struggle being competitive in the race.
I would start this race in 14th position, I was able to gain a couple of positions going into turn one and maintain them until turn 5. There would be a series of crashes in turn 5 that resulted in a immediate black flag of the race that would be restarted as soon as the track was clear.This race restart would be challenging for me, I missed a lot of downshifts, struggled with what gearing,missed apexes and brake markers throughout the race. I was able to make up 1 position on the start and would finish there. I finished in 13th place. I was scheduled to do one race more race but decided it was best to sit it out knowing that my mind was not in it and I as having bike problems

Sponsors

I would like to thank all my sponsors and supporting companies Pacific Track Time, Munore Motors, Axo, Silkolene, EDR Performance, United Capoeira Association, Oxymoron Photography, GoPro, Bell Helmets, Optimal Racing, TTF, Catalyst Reaction Tuning, Moto-D.

Last but not least I would like to thank my friends and family for coming out and supporting me! I love you guys!

2014 AFM Round 1 Buttonwillow

AFM round 1 at Buttonwillow Raceway is finally here!! After a long offseason due to no racing in 2013 I was ready to get back to racing ,stepping up with the big boys and girls in the expert classes and being around all the great people of the AFM, this would be my second race and second time at Buttonwillow Raceway.This weekend would start off ruff but finish good,Before even getting to the track I ordered the wrong size sprocket and was unable to get the right size before the races, meaning that I would be going into this weekend with the wrong gearing.

Saturday Practice
Saturday practice did not start off so good,I went into my first practice session with new front suspension and on my second lap I missed my apex and ended up tucking the front going into cotton corners,luckily there was no damage to the bike.After getting my bike back to the pits and cleaning off all the dirt and getting ready to head out for my next practice session I realized that I had a loose for peg due to the stripping of the foot peg threads,AFM #4 Jason Lauritzen was able to help me retap the treading to secure the foot pegs. I also noticed a small hole in my break hose leading up to my reservoir that was allowing my front breaks to lose pressure, with the assistance of Jason Hauns (JPH suspension), Gary Guinn(EDR Performance) and Sam Romick (AFM #787) I was able to fix the problem, with the help of all these individuals along with jim and Nicky from Catalyst Reaction Tuning for setting my suspension I was able and get my last 3 practice sessions of the day with my fastest time being a 2:03.

Race #2 750 production 
I started in 15 position, I got a pretty good start putting me in 11th place by turn 1 but lost a place going into turn 2 slotting in behind AFM#619 Jennifer Lauritzen. I spent the rest of the race chasing her down but she was able to get a gap and maintain it throughout the race. I was able to set my fastest lap time at a 1:58.2 and finish in 12th place.

Race#5 600 Production
I started in 25th position, I had a great start and was able to make up a few places going into turn 1and a couple of more heading into turn 3 behind AFM #142 Andrew Lee were I would spend the remainder of lap 1, Lap 2 I was able to catch up to AFM #140 Dan Butler and make a pass in Riverside. Lap 3 I was able to catch up to AFM #17 Eric Kondo and make a pass heading towards turn 4,I remained in front of Eric the next two laps until he made a pass on me heading up to Lost Hills. After being behind Eric for 2 Laps I was able to get close enough to him to make a pass on the breaks heading into sunset corner on the last lap and inch out the position to the start finish line. I finished 17th with my fast lap of 1:58.8

Race#11 600 SBK
I started 25th and with a good start I was able to make up a couple of places heading into turn 1, heading towards turn 2 I almost had a incident with AFM#116 Keith Stie when I almost rear ended him. I was able to avoid running into the back of him but had to run a little wide in turn 3 that allowed AFM#999 David Labree to pull a inside pass. I stayed behind David for the first lap, heading into turn 2 on lap 2 I made a mistake and went into a false neutral that allowed 2 riders to go by. Lap 3 AFM #72 Sam Richards was able to make a pass on me going into turn 4, I was able to make a pass back going ito Lost Hilss But he was able to recover the position coming out of it. Lap 4 AFM #129 Ricardo Villegas was able to make a pass on me heading into turn 1. Lap 5 I was able to hang on to the group in front of me and make a pass on AFM #211 Sergio Fernandez in riverside and maintain this position until the end of the race, I finished 20th with my fastest time being a 1:59.4.

Race #14 750 SBK

I started 15th, I did not get a good start and was near the end heading into turn 1. AFM #72 Sam Richards was able to make a pass heading up to Lost Hills. I would remain in this position for the firs 3 laps of the race. Lap 4 I was able to catch up to AFM# 140 Dan Butler and make a pass on the outside of turn 9. Lap 5 Dan was able to pass me back going into turn 1, heading up to Lost Hills I was able to get him back but he was able to get a better drive coming out and heading towards the Sweeper we were side by side, I was just able to break a little later and keep the position. I would finish the race in 14th position with my fastest lap being a 1:59.6.

Recap

All in all it was a great weekend! I was able to complete all my races and get points,do my fastest times at this track with the lovely Pirellis on my bike and the chance to be around the great people of the AFM!

Sponsors

I would like to thank all my supporters and sponsors! Pacific Track Time,CT Racing Pirelli, Munroe Motors,Axo,Go Pro, United Capoeira Association,Bell Helmets,Moto-D,Catalyst Reaction Tuning, EDR Performance,Optimal Racing,Silkolene,Oxymoron Photography,GP Suspension, TTF,Robert brittian for letting me use his go pro, Craig mason for letting me use his rear tire warmer and all of my friends and family for their support!

2014!!

2014 Season is approaching and FAST! I had a great opportunity to start off my 2014 season with being interviewed on 2 wheel podcast for the AFM 60th anniversary. This episode included interviews by Rich oliver (ex AMA champion) Eric Kondo (ex AMA racer, winner of multiple California championships and current AFM racer), Berto Wooldridge (current AFM racer and AFM President) and Steve McLaughlin (ex AMA champion, Hall of Famer, Founder of World Superbike and Son of Hall of Famer John McLaughlin the founder of AFM). I was so Excited to be apart of this, take a listen to these great interviews that take you through the history of AFM,Road Racing in America at http://twowheelpodcast.podbean.com/2014/01/08/episode-37-afm-60-year-anniversary/!!!

Go like 2 wheel podcast Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/2WheelPodcast

3 Problems

Saturday
Saturday morning, I woke up around 5:30Am excited because AFM R2 at Sonoma Raceway Is finally here! It's been a two month break with no races for the AFM, and I was excited to get back out there.

I arrived at the track around 7:00Am unloaded my bike,went through tech and started to prep for morning practices.Morning practices went well I was starting to feel a little re acquainted with the track since I have not been here in a while with each session that passed, It was also evident in my lap times.My lap times started at 2:00 and went down to 1:59,1:58....Minutes to 1:55. I was kinda of confused because I was able to get down to 1:52 last year but this year I was stuck at 1:55.

Clubman Middle Weight
Clubman Middle weight race I started from 5th position,I got a great start putting me in 4th but was quickly taken away from me due to my first problem  "A false neutral" as I shifted from first to second and pushed me back into last place. Once I was able to get it into gear I was able to make up time and pass a couple of riders, but as I was starting to get into my rhythm the race was red flagged and ended due to crashes.I finished 13th and did a fast lap of 1:52.538

Sunday
Sunday practice sessions started at around 8:15,all practice five practices groups had one short 10-15 minute practice.I felt comfortable during my practice session although the weather from Saturday to Sunday was night and day.Saturday It was warm and not windy and Sunday was windy and chilly.

Novice 750 production
In the novice 750 production I started in 3rd position,I got a pretty good start but not as good as the other three riders #822 Yovany Alvarez,#744 Manual Hernandez and #999 David La Bree that was now in front of me putting me in 4th going into turn 2.The first lap I spent chasing rider #999 David La Bree. Lap 2 two by turn 7 I was able to gain ground back that La Bree inched out in lap 1 but was unable to get close and make a pass.The end of the 2nd lap is where I ran into Problem #2 "False Neutral from 2nd gear to 3rd"I quickly put my hand in the air to symbolize to racers behind me #986 Lorenzo Rios and #923 Jahan Raissi that were now passing me that I have a problem. I tried to get my bike to shift into 3rd gear but it would not go. After about 4 kicks I finally got it to go into gear and continue my race. I was able to make a pass a few turns later on Jahan and was quickly gaining ground on Lorenzo. The beginning of lap 4 I was able to pull right behind Lorenzo,I would follow him for a few corners to see where I could pass him safely and I noticed that I could break a little deeper than he does.Going into turn 6 "the carousel" I was right on the rear wheel of Lorenzo setting up my drive into turn 7. we were side by side as we came out the bottom of the carousel,I was just able to get on the gas a little sooner enabling me to claim a position going into turn 7 but thats where problem #3 begins "Tank Slapper" as we came out turn 6 heading towards turn 7 full throttle,in split second I was in a tank slapper.The first thought in my head was do not touch the front break.... give it gas and straighten it out,before that was able to happen the handle bars started whipping back and forth faster and more violent until it threw me off of the bike.I did a few bounces and slid a good few feet and was able to run of track escaping with a little bit of bruising.This would be the end of my weekend.

Below is a video taken by Jahan Raissi as the crash happened. This crash is still a mystery to me and since the SD car that was in my camera ejected and was found but corrupted I am unable to see the video from my view.*NOTE* the broken pieces of windscreen and go pro on the ground to assess the initial impact of the accident.Its kind of hard to see the video but if you put it in 720p and full screen you can kind of see it better.

I want to thank all my sponsors Arclight Racing,Munroe Motors,Pacific Track Time,EDR Performance,Silkolene,GoPro,Axo,TTF,CT Pirelli,Woodcraft,Optimal Racing And everyone else who supports me and follow my racing. THANK YOU!

Another One Bites The Dust

AFM round 1 At Buttonwillow Raceway (also Kown as Bumpywillow ) took place March 2-3, seeing Ive never been to Buttonwillow I decided to do the Friday practice to get a little extra track time.

Friday Track day

Friday I arrived at the track with the TTF Crew (AFM # 875 Ricco Nicholas and #923 Jahan Raissi) we all had little or no time at this track so we wanted to use it to prepare for this upcoming weekend. My first thoughts on the track was "its not as bumpy as people say" (but maybe thats because some sections were recently repaved) but I liked the layout, it took me some time to get use to the flow of the track especially turn 2, 3,phil hill and the sweeper.

Saturday Practice

Saturday morning I arrive at the track feeling good after the friday track day,I go to register and find out I'm in practice group #2 when I ended last year in practice group #3. I was kind of bummed because Ricco and Jahan were in group 3 and we're all around the same speed, but I thought about it and took this opportunity to let me figure some things out with no added pressure of riding over my head and trying to stick with them or anyone else in group 3 when im not ready.The first few practice sessions my times ranged from 2:10-2:15,I was able to break the 2:10 mark and get down to 2:08 once before lunch. Druring lunch A good friend Joe from 4theriders came to check on and me and ask me how I was doing. I let him know that I was having problems with cotton corners and he gave me some pointers on getting through those turns better which gave me a game plan for the session after lunch.The first session after lunch, and applying what tips joe gave me I instantly dropped 3 seconds from my lap times and was able to drop down to a 2:05. I did not complete the last session of practices because I wanted to relax and prepare for the clubman Middleweight race that was shortly coming up.

Clubman Middleweight Race (Saturday)
I got a good start from the second row and was able to put myself in 4th place by turn 1, I was able to stay in 4th for the first lap. Lap 2 going into turn 2 a rider made a aggressive inside pass on me which cause me to do a stoppie and run into the run off area to avoid running into the back of him and or crashing trying to make the corner, I was able to re enter the race with only loosing 2 positions which now put me in 7th place. I remained in 7th place until the 5th lap. On the 5th lap going down phil hill I had a little moment where I had a minor tank slapper which allowed a rider to get around me and put me in 8th place. I would finish the race in 8th place with my fastest lap being 5 seconds faster than my practice time at 2:00.

750 Production Race #2
I got a great start and had the whole shot going into turn one but thats about where it ended. Going into turn one I went in a little to fast and with bad body positioning the back of the bike got uneasy and lost some traction swerving side to side like a snake moving across the asphalt, I had to let the bike settle down and slow down before trying completing the turn which caused me to loose 3 places putting me in 4th,As I approached turn 2 the same thing happened; I had to tell my self "Jovan settle down and relax"once I regained my composure it was time to try to make up some ground. 4 laps into the race I was able to catch up to #999 David La Bree and An expert rider from the first wave going into Riverside, at the end of Riverside I was able to make an outside pass on La Bree putting me right behind the expert rider going up Philhil,through the sweeper ,the S's and onto the front straight completing lap 4. Lap 5 La Bree would outbreak both me and the expert rider into turn one ,but  he ran the corner a little wide staling the expert rider as I made an inside move that put me behind La Bree. I would chase La Bree until we once again reached Riverside, coming out of Riverside up to philhill I was able to outbreak him,but due to anxiousness, bad body positioning and uncertainty if I would run the corner wide it caused me to loose momentum and allow La Bree to make an outside pass and regain his position and we would finish off lap 5. Lap 6 the final lap, Labree and I was able to gain ground on #744 Manuel Hernandez, we would stay this way with manuel leading, La Bree following and me at the tail of the group until we reached my favorite turn... Riverside. As we went three deep into riverside seeing this was the last lap and I felt I had a little more speed than LaBree I went for a inside pass on the exit apex of riverside that I was able to make stick putting me behind Manuel going up to philhill. I could not set myself up for a pass on Manuel until turn one of the 7th lap which did not matter because our race was only 6 laps,I was so into my zone i did not realize the race was over until completing turn 1. I would finish the race in 4th place with my fastest lap breaking the 2:00 mark at 1:59.

600 Production Race #5
Due to a bad start consisting of a wheelie and a mild tank slapper I ended up in 8th place by turn 1, during this race I was only able to make up one position which is where I would end the race in 7th place.

600SBK Race #11
600SBK would turn out to be an interesting race. I once again had a bad start but managed to get in 5th place with #822 Yovany Alvarez right on my tail. I was able to hold yovany off for 5 laps. On the 5th lap through riverside we encountered 2 riders from the expert wave. I was able to pass one expert through riverside and the other going into the sweeper putting a little distance on us as I went through the S's and the left hander at the end of them leading to the last left hand turn that leads on to the straight I make a mistake. I apexed the corner a little earlier which caused me to run the corner wide on the exit taking me out towards the rumble strips.I tried to inch my way towards the track but with my focal point being on the dirt instead of up the track, thats where I ended . I almost made the corner but caught a little dirt at the edge of the track and down I went. This would symbolize the end of my weekend.

Sponsors

I would like to thank all my sponsors - Munroe Motors,Chuck Warren & Archlight Racing,TTF, Axo,Silkolene,Pacific Track Time,EDR Performance,Woodcraft,Stage1racing,Moto-D,CT Racing,Optimal Racing and all of you for support and encouragement!