Final round of my first race season… how exciting! The final chance to test the new R6 in race conditions before 2014. With some exciting new mods, I was stoked to get out to Thunderhill for the Z2 track day and round 7 of AFM for 2013.
Thanks to my amazing new sponsors Leo Vince Exhausts, my beautiful Yamaha now sounds as bad ass as it looks! With exceptional improvement to the bikes performance, my confidence on track was again increased, which reflected in my consistent decreasing lap times. You couldn't wipe the smile off my face all weekend!
A stunning day at Willows CA for the Z2 track day on Friday! With some sticky new Pirelli SC1's thanks to CT Race Tires I was ready to put the new Leo Vince exhaust system to test. Thanks to Alex from Fastline Cycles for again tuning the bike and installing the exhaust… as usual amazing results!
Saturday Oct 5 - Race Day 1
Pitting with Alex from Fastline and past AFM champion Chris Siglin was a huge confidence booster going into day 1 of Round 7. I feel incredibly blessed to have such an incredible team of sponsors and supporters! As I look around at my surroundings I become fully aware of how far I have come in just one (incomplete) season filled with opportunities to not only improve my racing but build quality relationships and friendships with the amazing people who dedicate their life to the sport and industry.
With a few practice sessions under my belt in the morning, it was time to get focused for the last Formula Afemme race of the season. With 7 women on the grid for Novice Afemme (9 total Afemme Grid) it was sure to be a fun race!
As the green flag dropped I was able to get a decent launch keeping me close to Experts Sara Probert and Joy Higa into turn 1. As Joy started to pull away, I was focused on keeping with Sara for a couple laps. With 6 Novice women behind me, I was motivated to keep the lead of the Novice grid. As Sara got just a little out of reach towards the end of the race my "seek & destroy" mentality died down a little enough to let #808 Brittany Chabino make a sneak pass on the inside of turn 3 of the 2nd last lap. Passing her back coming out of turn 15 and on to the straight away, I was able to hold her off to take the Novice race win & place 3rd over all (including experts) on the Afemme grid. Finishing the season with a win in Afemme was a goal I set out to achieve and was stoked to bring it home! This also put me in 3rd place for the 2013 NV Afemme Championship… not bad for a half season.
A HUGE Thank you to Ron from East Bay Auto Spa, Alex from Fastline Cycles, Chris & the team at CT Race Tires, Pirelli, Leo Vince Exhausts, Forma Gym and Johnson Chiropractic Group for your support and help, without these amazing individuals, it perhaps wouldn't have been possible! Thank you #488 Chris Siglin for your guidance and TJ for your encouragement and advice.
It was an amazing day at the track not only racing but hanging out in the pits with the likes of the amazing crew above. I also met some great people including the talented Eric Bostrom and getting tips from the man Shane Turpin.
With day 1 down, it was time to get rest and prepare for the 600 Production race the next day.
Sunday Oct 6 - Race Day 2
Eager to try out some new things on track after some tips from Turpin & Siglin the day before I was at the track early and ready to go!!
With one practice session, I was more than happy with the improvements and couldn't wait to launch off the line for the 600 Prod race.
600 Production featured a large grid of talented riders with 20 starting on the Expert grid and 18 Novice racers all launching in the same wave this was the kind of racing I loved to do…. Fast & action packed!
Starting mid pack in 9th position on the Novice Grid I had a much better start than the day before and launched in front of a few of my competitors. Trying my best to apply the things I had recently learned proved difficult under race conditions. By the end of the race I had some fun battles with those who I passed on the start to finish in my original grid position…. 9th place!! Stoked with a new PR lap record at Thunderhill of 2:04 and my first top 10 finish in (Nv) 600 Production.
After the race was over, I remained at the track to watch more action packed AFM racing! What an awesome way to end the race season.
From my experiences that weekend, I was able to create a plan of attack for the 2014 season and areas of focus for improvement.
Every day I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity to follow my passion and race motorcycles in America. For a young woman from rural-coastal Australia, it truly is mind blowing to see how dedication, determination, sacrifice and hard work can turn your dreams into reality.
See you at the Awards Banquet in 2014!
xo Monica xo
East Bay Auto Spa
Pirelli / CT Race Tires
Fastline Motorcycle Performance
Leo Vince Exhaust
Johnson Chiropractic
.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
AFM Round 6 2013 - Sonoma Raceway
My first weekend riding the Yamaha R6 and it just so happens to be race weekend!!
Sonoma Raceway being my current "home track" I felt at ease knowing that the first time I would be testing the R6 was on a familiar track. My bike looked sensational and ready to go thanks to the assistance of my amazing sponsors - Ron from East Bay Auto Spa, Alex from Fastline and Chris, Jeff & Corey from Pirelli CT Race Tires. With such an amazing support crew, I was confident knowing that it would be a smooth transition to the Yamaha.
It felt amazing simply being back at the track after the unforeseen midseason break. I had my sensational pit-hand Trisha by my side on the way to the track, just two girls and a race bike.... What a great feeling!
The day before race weekend was a Z2 trackday at Sonoma, a chance to test the bike and become familiar with the R6. Bonding time with machine that would soon become an extension of myself, as we become one on the track.
Taking it somewhat easy for the first few sessions, it wasn't long before I was feeling quite comfortable on the Yamaha. There were a few issues regarding handling effected by the suspension set up and the stock exhaust system was proving its downfalls. Completing lap times already consistent with that of my best Suzuki times, I was looking forward to future improvements.
With the bike still sprung for a 180lb rider, Barry from KFG Racing and Alex were able to dial it in best they could at the track in preparation for the race day which proceeded.
Saturday Aug 31- Race Day 1
During the practice sessions throughout the morning I was pleased with the improvement in handling and performance (thanks to Barry and Alex!!). With my lap times improving over the 3 sessions on track, I was ready to race!
My first race for the weekend was Formula Afemme. With the Novice and Experts racing in the same wave, I was sharing the track with some incredibly talented women such as Joy Higa and Jen Lauritzen. With my first race-start on the R6 on race day, my launch was far from perfect, but kept me up front of the novice competitors. I was able to maintain the lead throughout the race to take the win for Nv Formula Afemme with a new PR lap time of 1:55.
Sunday Sept 1 - Race Day 2
Waking up feeling refreshed and ready for the 600 Production race on day 2. I love this class as I get to dice it up with men and women with a large grid of Novice and Expert competitors. Unfortunately with a larger grids come more chance of crashes, flags and race delays, this day was no exception. We started the race and this time my launch was much better. A couple of laps into the race and the red flag was waved we were all stopped on track and were waiting quite some time before we were able to get off course to restart. With two large crashes in the race, the time we waited before restarting was longer than usual, however we were given another warm up lap and finally restart the race. Again my launch was better and I was able to take 11th place with a new PR lap time of 1:53.
My first race weekend on the Yamaha R6 was a personal success which had me leaving the track inspired and excited for not only the next race but seasons to come.
A HUGE thank you to my amazing supporters including-
East Bay Auto Spa
Pirelli CT Race Tires
Fastline Motorcycle Performance
KFG Racing
Z2 Trackdays
Sonoma Raceway being my current "home track" I felt at ease knowing that the first time I would be testing the R6 was on a familiar track. My bike looked sensational and ready to go thanks to the assistance of my amazing sponsors - Ron from East Bay Auto Spa, Alex from Fastline and Chris, Jeff & Corey from Pirelli CT Race Tires. With such an amazing support crew, I was confident knowing that it would be a smooth transition to the Yamaha.
It felt amazing simply being back at the track after the unforeseen midseason break. I had my sensational pit-hand Trisha by my side on the way to the track, just two girls and a race bike.... What a great feeling!
 |
| My amazing pit assistant - Trisha & I |
The day before race weekend was a Z2 trackday at Sonoma, a chance to test the bike and become familiar with the R6. Bonding time with machine that would soon become an extension of myself, as we become one on the track.
Taking it somewhat easy for the first few sessions, it wasn't long before I was feeling quite comfortable on the Yamaha. There were a few issues regarding handling effected by the suspension set up and the stock exhaust system was proving its downfalls. Completing lap times already consistent with that of my best Suzuki times, I was looking forward to future improvements.
With the bike still sprung for a 180lb rider, Barry from KFG Racing and Alex were able to dial it in best they could at the track in preparation for the race day which proceeded.
 |
| My amazing mechanic Alex supervising Trisha's work. |
Saturday Aug 31- Race Day 1
During the practice sessions throughout the morning I was pleased with the improvement in handling and performance (thanks to Barry and Alex!!). With my lap times improving over the 3 sessions on track, I was ready to race!
My first race for the weekend was Formula Afemme. With the Novice and Experts racing in the same wave, I was sharing the track with some incredibly talented women such as Joy Higa and Jen Lauritzen. With my first race-start on the R6 on race day, my launch was far from perfect, but kept me up front of the novice competitors. I was able to maintain the lead throughout the race to take the win for Nv Formula Afemme with a new PR lap time of 1:55.
Sunday Sept 1 - Race Day 2
Waking up feeling refreshed and ready for the 600 Production race on day 2. I love this class as I get to dice it up with men and women with a large grid of Novice and Expert competitors. Unfortunately with a larger grids come more chance of crashes, flags and race delays, this day was no exception. We started the race and this time my launch was much better. A couple of laps into the race and the red flag was waved we were all stopped on track and were waiting quite some time before we were able to get off course to restart. With two large crashes in the race, the time we waited before restarting was longer than usual, however we were given another warm up lap and finally restart the race. Again my launch was better and I was able to take 11th place with a new PR lap time of 1:53.
My first race weekend on the Yamaha R6 was a personal success which had me leaving the track inspired and excited for not only the next race but seasons to come.
A HUGE thank you to my amazing supporters including-
East Bay Auto Spa
Pirelli CT Race Tires
Fastline Motorcycle Performance
KFG Racing
Z2 Trackdays
Sunday, September 15, 2013
AFM Racing 2013
The 2013 AFM season, as my first has been a truly remarkable experience.
The withdrawal of my major sponsor from the AFM in July left me with out a ride / bike which left me unable to compete in rounds 4 & 5 of AFM at Thunderhill.
With such an intense passion for the sport, I was not going to let that stop me from getting back out there on track! So I purchased an 06 Yamaha YZF-R6 and with the help of my amazing sponsors & friends - East Bay Auto Spa, Fastline Motorcycle Performance Center and CT Race Tires (Pirelli) I was able to convert a somewhat stock R6 into the race bike I had envisioned.
With only 2 race weekends remaining in the 2013 AFM race season, I am excited to hit the track and finish the season I started. Additional track days will be on the calendar to continue testing and tuning ensuring the bike is dialed in for 2014!
With the start of my very first season on a sponsored ride (Suzuki K5 GSXR 600) I experienced some of the highs and lows of racing....
The excitement and joy of placing 2nd in NV Formula AFemme at Thunderhill in June, improving my lap times consistently and making new connections and friends with great people in the sport.
The disappointment of receiving a "Meatball" (Mechanical) flag ending my battle for 1st (& ending my race) with Josie at Sonoma Raceway in May.
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| AFM Round 3 Photo: Got Blue Milk Motorsport Photography |
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| My 2nd race weekend and a 2nd place! |
The withdrawal of my major sponsor from the AFM in July left me with out a ride / bike which left me unable to compete in rounds 4 & 5 of AFM at Thunderhill.
With such an intense passion for the sport, I was not going to let that stop me from getting back out there on track! So I purchased an 06 Yamaha YZF-R6 and with the help of my amazing sponsors & friends - East Bay Auto Spa, Fastline Motorcycle Performance Center and CT Race Tires (Pirelli) I was able to convert a somewhat stock R6 into the race bike I had envisioned.
 |
| From this..... |
 |
| And this.... |
 |
| To this... |
 |
| This.... |
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| And finally...this. |
With only 2 race weekends remaining in the 2013 AFM race season, I am excited to hit the track and finish the season I started. Additional track days will be on the calendar to continue testing and tuning ensuring the bike is dialed in for 2014!
A special thanks to -
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Welcome!
Welcome to MLP Racing Updates!
This blog & my website www.monicaleepaige.com are currently under construction.
Thank you for your patience.
MLP
This blog & my website www.monicaleepaige.com are currently under construction.
Thank you for your patience.
MLP
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