There is a reason why closed-circuit motorcycle racing is one of the most popular and exciting disciplines in motorsport, and in the world of competitive sport as a whole. There is a connection to the brand and especially to the riders that you hardly find in four-wheeled competition as he they are clearly visible, out there, wrestling their motorcycles for every thousandth of a second, while using every inch of asphalt available at speeds many would be too scared to come close to.
It is a race towards the limit and beyond, which generates a wide range of emotions that spikes in all directions and keeps fans glued to their seats (or couches). It can deliver excitement that is second to none. But it also comes with a flip side.
We have been making history in the Super Hooligan National Championship for one and a half seasons now, and we were wondering when that time would come. It happened to many others up to this point and finally, it happened to us to.
Yes, we did experience our first DNF due to technical reasons – in what was our fourteenth individual race in the series.
The good news is that the Eva Ribelle RS KCC has once again proven to be a solid package, capable of consistently racing in the top ten in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan National Championship – against top-tier ICE manufacturers. It was evident at the Ridge a fortnight ago, and it was quite clear here at Laguna Seca. Racing is a competitive sport (no pun intended) and when there is a hiccup, there is also a chance to bounce back.
And so it happened that, after an eighth-place finish in race one, Stefano Mesa’s race was cut short due to a technical issue experienced just over half of the race, which is currently being investigated by the crew as we write this race report. The 31-year-old from Medellín, Colombia, was in the battle for eighth place until well… he wasn’t.
To push the boundaries of what a package is capable of is a risk worth taken, and it is the both the essence and the ultimate reason why racing was born and still strives after more than a century.
Yes, this is racing. Does it suck? Sometimes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
See you at Mid-Ohio.