Anton Brown Racing

OMRRA - PIR Ma 21 & 22

AFM - Infineon May 7-8

After a week of vacation with my family in Northern California I headed to Infineon to race with AFM.

Friday track day

I felt great about already having some time on the track on my r6 2 years prior, but that soon went away after barely being able to turn 1:58s on my gsxr 1k. I only ran 3 sessions at the end of the day and ended the day thinking to myself "What am I doing here should I just pack up and crack coronas open the rest of the weekend, and watch people who know how to ride?"

Saturday Practice

I got the bike teched early and headed out for practice, the bike was handling like garbage on the brakes the front end was so stiff under braking I was running off in turn 9 every other lap LOL. After two sessions I decided I was going nowhere fast only getting down to 1:53 lap times which was not even close to being competitive in the open classes. So with two more sessions I decided to work on my corner speed and braking but still I wasn't making much improvement.

Sunday Practice

I talked with Barry and told him I was struggling, I brought the bike over after tech and he worked his magic while also stating my stock front end was not helping the situation but he would do his best. I went out in the morning warm-up and magic I could actually brake hard without feeling like I was going to flip over the bars!!! Just that little glimmer of progress changed my attitude.

Open Superbike

I gridded up in 30th due to not having any points. The flag waves and I'm off! I get an ok start but the front runners were out of there, two rows up I notice someone about to high side, so I check up a little to prevent me from getting involved. Well nothing happened so basically I gave up my position and ended up having to work past as many people as possible but Infineon is a track where you need to get a good start or you will have a long race ahead of you. finished 24th fastest time 1:49.

Open Grand Prix

So I decided I was going to be a little more aggressive this race and make some passes. I gridded up in 27th, the flag waves and I make a decent launch but turn 1 was nothing but rush hr traffic. I was on and off the throttle looking for a way pass. I'm not sure where I ended up but I had bikes in front of me and decided to put my head down and do some work. Corner after corner lap after lap I would close in on people and pass when I could. I felt great and rode strong. I got passed with 2 laps to go, and knew I was faster so I just hung on and waited for any sign of weakness. Coming into turn 11 (a 1st gear corner) my competitor was on the brakes hard and so was I, he ran a little wide and I took advantage coming up underneath him on exit. I knew he would try a pass back so I just pushed as hard as I could. Finished 14th fastest lap 1:48.

All in all good weekend, hit my initial goals but deep down I wanted to hit 1:47s so I would be able to race Formula Pacific. I have a lot more improvements that I know will knock off 2 seconds easily but just needed some more seat time.

Again thanks for the new support from Jason Merrit's Summa Realty

Huge thanks to EDR Performance, Barry/April KFG Dunlop, Motosport.com, and Western States Arboriculture for their continued support!

OMRRA Round 1

First round of Omrra nothing but sunshine. I woke up Friday morning after some good sleep which is rare for me on a race weekend. Merab and I packed up food and headed for the track. For me there is just something that can't be described in words about how a racer feels when they enter the track early in the morning. The air is cold and calm you enter a place where you will be faced with your own fears, comradery, and will to be the best.

Saturday practice-

I was not happy. The bike felt terrible which put me in a horrible mood. I had very little time on the 1000 in the dry and it was really showing in my setup. After 8 laps I came in sat down and just stared at the bike thinking where to go and what to do because in just a short time I was going to be gridded up with some of the fastest motorcycle racers in the northwest and I came with a tricycle... a rusty tricycle. I immediately pulled the warmers and headed down to see Barry/April with KFG and explained what was happening, Barry immediately helped me out, working his magic screw drivers. I have nothing but great things to say about Barry and April they are always willing to help even us racers with a small budget. The next round of practice was up and I was so mentally down about first practice I didn't know what to do, but I trust Barry so I went out and just put my head down. The bike felt way better and I came in with a better attitude and focused on being smooth and working out the bugs.

Race 1 Formula Ultra:

Wow! I felt unprepared, but I decided to focus on getting a good start like I normally do and just be smooth and run a solid race. I pulled up to the grid and took a look around and thought to myself that everyone was nervous because it was the first race and they were probably apprehensive. This was the best motivator for me, so I closed my helmet raised the revs and feather the clutch until I could feel the bike leaning forward. I got a great start slipped the clutch and was able to pass the front row riders directly in front of me splitting them up and at this point I knew this race was up to me. As we entered turn 1 I did not want anyone coming on the inside of me so I went in deep and kept a tight line. I figured I was in 6th or so and I tell you what being able to be in a single file line WITH my most respected competitors like Alan, Tony, Kevin etc. it felt great and all I kept think was keep on the gas and stay smooth. Well... that lasted until turn four and they checked out so damn fast I couldn't even see them by the bend of turn 6. So I focused and put in a great finish. 5th

Open SS-

I had a great grid spot and ruin it right off the line... instant wheelie and the field passed me by. I played catch up and finished a solid 6th.

Sunday practice-

WOW REALLY! 2 nights of sleep on a race weekend?? Yep 5hrs again... amazing. After Saturday I felt good about my finishes but still wanted more. I went out to scrub in a new rear tire and get a focus for the day. The bike felt good but I felt a bit off just tired from work the past few months but I felt like I had something to bring to the table.

Formula Ultra-

I started in B1, which I was really happy about because I felt I earned the chance to get a start and make a run for the front. Not wanting to repeat what happened on the start from Open SS I came up to the grid taking a deep breath. Look at my competition to the right and told myself you are faster than them now it's time to show it. The green flag raises and I see a gap I release the clutch and off I go and it felt great. UNFORTUNATELY I got a good start and everyone else got a GREAT start. I kept on the gas deep into one but it didn’t make a difference.  I tried to tip in but everyone was passing me up the inside forcing me wide. I felt like I was in last place by turn 1A and it really was hard to swallow because I knew the faster bunch up front was going to build a gap. In the past I would give up mentally and not push but this year it's a new Anton, so I put my head down and ran my own race. I was able to get around a couple more bikes but time was up and I finished 6th.

Open SB-

I'm not a person to make excuses but I had been struggling with brake issues all weekend.  I was pulling the lever to the bar midway through every race. I bled them once more so I could finish the weekend. After talking a lot of shit with Steve Suitor all weekend it was time to show him the speed I had to put the nail in the coffin for the season. We grid up and I get a great start and filed in somewhere good LOL. I was focused on nothing but pushing all 12 laps. Well, my brakes were fading and I knew I needed to conserve them so I decided to start letting off early for 7 and 1. At lap 5 I knew I was consistent but didn't know how many or who was behind me. Around that time is where I was passed like I was standing still by Suitor. I couldn't let this happen so I decided to match his pace and immediately followed him. By the next lap I could tell he must have pushed to pass me because I quickly found corners where I would close in on him. His drive out of 5 and 9 I could not match but I would close in on him easily (with no brakes go figure) by turn 1 and 7. Only a few laps left and I knew where I was stronger and had more in the tank, so I set him up for a pass in one but just couldn't get the edge not wanting to take us both out so I file back in behind and regained my position. As we came down the back straight I knew I had one lap left to make this happen. I came in close to him by turn 7 making sure I didn't get to close so I could setup a good drive out of 9 but coming out of nine I couldn't get the power to the ground so I got right on his tail and drafted him down the straight. I thought to myself where can I pass him to make it stick, I knew I was strong in one but with brakes no where near where I needed them I decided to hold off on T1. I let off early and coasted in right on his tail and accelerated hard into T2 pushing me wide so I could setup a block pass in 3. SUCCESSS!!!!!!!! I got him so I hammered the throttle towards 4 and protected the inside. I got a shitty drive out of 4 but thought to myself the only way he could pass is the outside of 6 and that would take some stones........ mid way through 6 I'm full throttle slidin the dunnies knowing that he could be near and just out of my left eye I see a tire and I immediately gave the position knowing I could not safely have a braking duel. I down shifted feverishly so setup one last attempt in 9. My plan WORKED I was able to come up on the outside of nine right beside him! I leaned on him and got on the gas but the outside just was not the right position he was able to hold me off down the straight.  I finished 7th.

All in all great weekend and great racing. I can't say enough about the support I receive from Eric/crew with EDR Performance and Barry/April with KFG Dunlop.

Thank you to my sponsors and supporters- New Sponsor Jason Merrit's Summa Realty

EDR Performance
KFG Dunlop
Motosport.com
gf Merab

A special thanks to Tony Porter- whom I know had a tough weekend but has been a mentor for me for two years now and my results reflect that. I WILL be a top 5 competitor in Omrra wet or dry see ya next round :)



Wmrra Round 1

Excited for the race season to begin, I made sure I slept 0 hours the night before :)  I woke up at 2:50am to eat some breakfast and prepare the last few items and load up the trailer. Three hour drive later I'm at beautiful but cold Pacific Raceways. I am always in a rush to get tech'd and registered. Wmrra has a great structured environment and I was ready to go.

Practice- I was confident going out in the rainy practice because I had attended the 2 fast event a couple weeks prior. I went out and felt very comfortable with the bike, I thought about changing the gearing to something a little more snappy on the bottom but figured with more rain coming being smooth through the corners would be more important than torque. I went out side by side with Marcel Irnie testing out a 750, my goal was to keep up with him and that's just what I did. Irnie was not pushing but I figured since he knew the track I could try out some lines. I came in and was mentally prepared for the afternoon.

Practice 2- ummm why is the sun out? I quickly change my tires to dots just in time to make the first call. I took it easy on the first lap and start to push on the second, but I could tell the track was not going to build much heat in the tires so I focused on smooth acceleration and deep braking.

Practice went great and I got ready for the afternoon, the sun was out and everything was good.... Until it started to rain one race before mine. Luckily Wmrra pulled the grid and allowed them time to swap tires, which gave me just enough time to change mine to rains.

Open Supersport- I felt really good about gridding up in the rain.  My goal was to try and follow "2Fast's" Mark Degross because he is simply spectacular in the rain. On the warm-up lap I felt great and approaching the grid still confident. As I waited for the fellow racers to grid I tried to get my bearings right for my start but couldn't get good feel for the clutch. Board goes sideways my revs are up and the light goes out!!! I had an ok start but backed off the throttle a bit because I was slipping the clutch too much; it seemed everyone was a bit rusty LOL. I quickly gathered myself and laid back into the throttle tipping into turn 1 in last place I felt great on the brakes in 1 all day so I decided to make a statement and went in deep taking 3rd position by turn 2 Mark and Scott were right in front of me and I was right where I wanted to be, we scream down the hill braking into turn 3 and I feel I was good on the brakes but their mid corner and exit speed was just plain better. We exit turn 4 and they quickly pulled a gap, I went into five feeling great on the brakes one again, but to no avail they still were pulling away little by little. I decided to focus on staying smooth and in control.  We make our first round into the bust stop which I had been messing up all day. I laid on the brakes deep downshift into first and the rear just locks on me so I covered the clutch with a little pressure and tipped in looked up and grabbed a handful of gas and ripped down the front straight. I see Barry on the wall give me a gap back to fourth so I nodded and put my head down!!!

The rain steadily was getting harder but I still felt great then all of a sudden I go down into 3 and I hear a bike high in the revs, I really felt I was in solid position but apparently not. Little did I know Nico had been stalking me, every corner all I could hear is him closing in so when I came around to the front straight I laid on as much power as I could to try and pull a gap but he continued to close in. Finally turn 3 mid way through he came up on me on the inside, I usually let this happen and learn but not this time. I hit the gas hard to pull up along side of him in 4 but quickly got on the brakes because he had the position but I felt I made my presence known that I wasn't going to just let it go without a fight. Lap after lap I could close in on him in the brake zone and felt great. At this point the rain had fallen so hard that the track was turning into a damn lake.

Now let's pause for a moment and go 3 days back in history, I went to EDR to change out my slicks for rains. When I picked them up Jay tells me dude the front is shot. Me being the know it all brags how I raced on them last year in omrra and got a 5th place finish. He politely says but dude they are done..... Here is the lesson... listen to people who know their shit. While going down the front straight hitting the puddles the bike would violently go into head shake due to the huge wear down the middle, and I had to go no more than 1/2 throttle. I pressed on and while trying to reel in Nico I see him tip into 5 and bam sliding into the rocks, I was glad to see him get up before I passed by but at that moment I felt as if I was just going to have to finish the race. Body completely cold fingers so numb it was as if I didn't have hands. By the last two laps I was shivering from the cold rain and I mean shivering uncontrollably. The last two laps I came into the bus stop... Not a sole watching the race except my girlfriend, I could see the blue umbrella patiently watching... At this point the racer in me was so disappointed because of my poor tire choice, I was coming down the front straight barely doing a 100. It felt as if I was cherry picking the finish. Shit happens though and loading my bike in one piece at the end of the day is always my goal and that's why I'm in year 5 of racing.

Sure we didn't have a lot of starters but we did have attrition and the conditions were anything but great so I'll take this podium any day of the week... :)

Huge thanks to my sponsors/supporters- EDR Performance, KFG/Dunlop, Motosport.com, and Brand new sponsor "Summa Real Estate Group Broker/Owner Jason Merritt"A special thanks to my girlfriend Merab who is the one in the pits dealing with the endless highs and lows of racing!!!