Continued success for Mike Morgan at Mid-Ohio Race

Posted on July 19, 2012 by

RIM Racing

The fourth race of the year for RIM racing’s Mike Morgan took place at mid-Ohio sports car course. Going into the weekend’s race everything seemed to be in order but unfortunately it was not.

Mike Morgan:

“After the Barber round I noticed a small oil leak coming from somewhere in the motor and I thought it was a simple fix. Unfortunately after the first round of practice I noticed that there was still oil coming from an unknown area of the engine. So that sidelined most of the first practice and al of Q1. After making an assessment and actually finding where the oil was coming from the team tried to repair the engine but we were unsuccessful and the weekend seem to be done before it even began. But a couple of things fell into place and we were able to race both races on a Triumph Daytona 675. So a special thanks has to go out to Richard and Teddy from Apex Manufacturing for letting me use their B bike! The weekend was also made possible by Gene from ZipLine and my mechanic Jeff! ”

After missing the first qualifying session and trying to repair the damaged motor before Saturday mornings second qualifying session I had my work cut out for me. Unfortunately the repaired did not fix the motor and it again continued to leak oil. I was able to post a good enough time to make the field but it was far off the pace that I had expected to run. This resulted in starting from the last row on the starting grid. The problem wasn’t so much starting from the back but to actually find a new motor or a loaner bike. After asking every other team that ran Suzuki in my class with no success the generous people at Apex offered to let me ride a Triumph. Once the decision was made to ride the Triumph I had absolutely no seat time on the bike before Saturday afternoon’s race. I had two laps to get accustomed to the bike before the start of the race and at this level that was very difficult to do. The only adjustment made the bike was the clutch lever position and I pretty much used the race as a practice session. Once the race was underway I lost touch with the riders in front of me and the race was fairly boring for me because I was essentially in last place. But by finishing the race and other rider’s misfortune I finished 19th, to my complete amazement.

Once I knew what other adjustments needed to be made to the bike, the simplest thing like the shift lever was way out of position for me and it was very hard to get the bike into the correct gear during the first race. But once we were able to change that stuff Sunday morning’s practice session went much better and I was able to get comfortable on the motorcycle and make some small suspension adjustments. I was also running on used tires for the first race and Sunday morning’s practice session. I figured there’s no reason changing to new tires when I was probably not going to be competitive.

Race two had a much different tone to it and I was able to push a whole lot harder than I did in race one. For being a mainly stock bike it performed extremely well. I was able to lap mid-Ohio in the 1:32-33 range and that was about as quick as I went on my Suzuki the previous year! That speaks volumes for the potential for this motorcycle. There was easily another second in lap time with some more adjustments made to the motorcycle to suit me better which would’ve put me at an all time best lap time around mid-Ohio. Now the race was a lot more fun because I actually got to race and I put several riders behind me in the opening laps. The race was red flagged but that was not a problem for me as I was still learning the bike and every lap I gained more confidence in. The restart of the race was pretty much the same and I was able to navigate by several riders in the opening laps. Unfortunately I was not able to stay with the other two riders in front of me who gradually pulled away. But not knowing what type of lap times I was running and using somebody else’s motorcycle I did not want to push too much harder. The race went really well and the bike was phenomenal as testament to finishing 18th in race two on a bike I had never ever ridden before!

Thanks to all the sponsors, fans, and the people who made the weekend possible!

RIM Racing is sponsored by ZipLine, Barnett clutches, Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, Motul oil, TCX boots, Yoshimura R&D, EBC brake pads, World Wide Bearings, Kenwood, NEXX helmets,  Superior Body Works, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Spider Grips, Advanced Auto Parts, Pilot leathers, Held gloves, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips

Catch RIM Racing at New Jersey for round 10 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.

For more on RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan please visit www.mikemorganracing.com

Mike Morgan

ZipLine RIM Racing

#11

www.mikemorganracing.com

Posted in Race News 2012 | Leave a comment

Mixed Results for Mike Morgan at Barber

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

RIM Racing

After the first 2 round of the year the season has been good for RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan.  With 3 top 20 finishes out of 4 races the bar had been set for round 6 at Barber Motorsports Park.  Barber is a very demanding and technical track that pushes even the best riders to the limit.

Mike Morgan:

“Barber is a difficult track for me, I have always struggled with setup and confidence here.  I dislocated my hip here a few years ago and that always seems to be in the back of my mind.  But you have to get past those things when you ride at this level.  And this track is a lot different than the other 2 tracks I have been to this race season.  The other tracks where much faster and flowing.  Barber has a mixture of stuff that takes lots of skill.

I didn’t qualify very well here and ended up in 24th position near the back of the grid so I knew I had my work cut out for me to be in the top 20.  And the pace this year was faster than it has ever been.  I did best my lap times from previous years but it didn’t seem to matter.  The start of race 1 was exciting again as several riders in front of me checked up in turn 2 and I made contact with the rear tire of the guy who stood up a bit and was just inside of me.  I was able to keep the bike upright thank the Lord.  I was locked in a good battle with 2 other riders and was able to stay with them until one made a mistake and handed the position to me.  So that left David White and me to fight over 22nd till the end of the race.  He was able to take the position from me with 1 lap to go and I was not able to get back by to finish 23rd.  I was not very happy with being outside the top 20.

In Sunday morning practice we did try a few more setup changes to the bike in preparation for the race that afternoon.  Those changes helped and it would have been great to have that setup in the beginning of the weekend.  But so goes racing.  I had a good start but blew it in turn 5 as I ran off the track when the bike got sideways under braking, all my fault.  In dead last place I was not happy with myself and commenced on setting the best lap times I have ever done at Barber to catch back up and take some position.  I was able to catch the same 2 riders I was racing with on Saturday and pass them.  Several other riders made mistakes and I was able to capitalize on their mishaps and finished the race in 19th!

Thanks to all the sponsors and fans!  Look forward to seeing everyone at the next round in Ohio.

RIM Racing is sponsored by Barnett clutches, Zipline, Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, Motul oil, TCX boots, Yoshimura R&D, EBC brake pads, World Wide Bearings, Kenwood, NEXX helmets,  Superior Body Works, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Spider Grips, Advanced Auto Parts, Pilot leathers, Held gloves, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips

Catch RIM Racing at Mid Ohio for round 7 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.

Mike Morgan

Autolite RIM Racing

#11

www.mikemorganracing.com

Posted in Race News 2012 | Leave a comment

Good Results for Mike Morgan at Road America Race

Posted on June 14, 2012 by

RIM Racing

The second race of the season for RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan took place at round 5 of the AMA Go Pro Daytona Sportbike race in beautiful Road America Wisconsin.  With a better base after Road Atlanta and a fresh motor, solid results were expected by Mike.

Mike Morgan:

“The bike was pretty good right out of the gate.  After Road Atlanta several small things were sorted out so we were able to get up to speed a lot faster this round.  After a few suspension changes I was feeling pretty good”.

Qualifying inside the top 20 put me in a much better position to finish well.  I did botch the start by pulling a monster wheelie so I had to be a little more aggressive in the first few corners to regain my 19th place starting position.  On lap 2 things got a little exciting when one rider blew a motor right in front of me on the front straight.  I was lucky because there was one other rider between me and the rider with the engine failure.  So I was spared most of the oil spray.  After the pack spread out I was engaged in a battle for 20th with other rider that had a very fast bike.  Even in the draft I was not able to pass the rider.  We traded the position several times and in the end I ended 20th in race 1.

Race 2 provided a lot more excitement and racing.  Starting inside the top 20 really helps and I need to continue this new trend at the next round.  I was able to stay with 2 other fellow riders I knew with one other rider for a 4 way battle that was great fun, this time fighting for 17th!  It was a great race and no one could really break away from the others because the draft at Road America is so important.  The forth rider in the group made a mistake on the brakes after the middle straight.  He got sucked into the draft and missed his break marker trying to pass me.  So he blew the corner and ran way wide.  This left the 3 of us to fight it out.  I made one mistake on the last lap that blew my chance of regaining 18th after running as high as 17th.  I was planning to draft by the others on the run to the finish but almost ran off the track loosing to much ground to use the draft.  Ending in 19th was still a good result and happy with 2 top 20 finishes.  Thanks to all the sponsors and fans!

RIM Racing is sponsored by Barnett clutches, Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, Motul oil, TCX boots, Yoshimura R&D, EBC brake pads, World Wide Bearings, Kenwood, NEXX helmets,  Superior Body Works, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Spider Grips, Advanced Auto Parts, Pilot leathers, Held gloves, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips

Catch RIM Racing at Barber for round 6 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.

For more on Autolite and RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan please visit www.mikemorganracing.com

Mike Morgan

Autolite RIM Racing #11

www.mikemorganracing.com

 

Posted in Race News 2012 | Leave a comment

Race News April 2012

Posted on May 13, 2012 by

Autolite RIM Racing Carrying momentum

April 2012

 

RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan took to the track for the first time in 2012 at round 2 of the AMA Go Pro Daytona Sportbike race in Road Atlanta. In a very deep field Mike was able to secure solid finishes in both races and made improvements with every outing.

Mike Morgan:

“It was good to be back on the bike after such a long time off. But with no test time and some new parts we had a lot of work to do, so every time out we were making improvements. But we should have a better baseline for the next round at Road America. I have to thank my family, sponsors, friends, the fans, and all the great riders that I get to race with on these weekends. And RIM Racing’s crew for all the hard work that has goes into the weekend.

Race 1 went well and got a good feel under race conditions for the bike with some new Ohlins suspension parts. I was able to stay with two other riders as we broke away for the others. I was not able to capitalize overtaking them and a few mistakes cost me. Finishing 22nd was an ok start to the year after qualifying 27th.

Race 2 provided a lot more excitement and racing. Still starting in 27th, not a great grid spot I knew I had my work cut out for me again. Getting a bad start did not help, but I was a little more aggressive in the opening laps to make up for the bad start. This got me into a good position and a 4 way battle that was great fun. Slowly I passed a rider or two at a time until I was the leader of that group. One pass I made during braking off the back straight, the rider I passed locked up the front and flipped the bike end over end right next to me. The rider was ok and no red flag came out. The Ohlins suspension and EBC brakes worked perfectly. And the Barnett clutch really put the power to the ground and took a lot of 1st gear corner abuse so I could get the drive I needed out of the corners. Ending the race with my first top 20 of the year was a great feeling. So the bar has been set and top 20 results I will expect from myself.

RIM Racing is sponsored by Barnett clutches, Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, Motul oil, TCX boots, Yoshimura R&D, EBC brake pads, World Wide Bearings, Kenwood, NEXX helmets, Superior Body Works, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Advanced Auto Parts, Pilot leathers, Held gloves, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips

Catch RIM Racing at Road America for round 5 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.

 

Mike Morgan

Autolite RIM Racing

Racing Daytona Sportbike

#11

 

 

Posted in Race News 2012 | Leave a comment

Race News 2011

Posted on May 13, 2011 by

Autolite RIM Racing Carrying momentum

Aug 2011
Carrying momentum from the previous round at Road America Autolite RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan was looking forward to round 6 at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. Mike did not disappoint with a solid finish in the first AMA Pro Racing Daytona Sportbike class race on Saturday. But Sunday’s race was short lived.

Mike Morgan:

“I really need to get some better qualifying positions. It makes it really hard to get up to the guys I’m racing with and on Sunday it bit me. In race 1 I got a terrible start and had to make my way through a few riders to get into a comfortable rhythm. On the first lap I was able to get by several riders and was in the top 20 right away. The bike was handling great and the changes we made before the race worked. I was able to hang with some faster riders and we made a break from the rest of the pack. This also allowed the group to catch some other riders that were out front running by themselves. As the laps wound down I was running with another rider and waiting to make my move for 15th. He made a mistake and I was able to easily make the pass. But on the last lap a slower rider hindered my braking off the back straight and the rider I just passed made an aggressive move up the inside on both of us and retook 15th. I was not able to retake the position before the finish and had to settle for 16th. Race 2 was very short after being taken out in turn 1. I had a great start and was able to get by a few people when all of a sudden I was sliding on the ground. The other rider was injured and I checked on him until the ambulance arrived. The team worked really hard to make the repairs needed to restart the race but we ran out of time. So I have to thank them for all the hard work this weekend! And my great gear from Nexx helmets, TCX boots, Held gloves, and Pilot leathers kept me safe in both crashes, crashed in Sunday morning practice, and I walked away with no harm.

RIM Racing is sponsored by Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, Motul oil, Barnett clutches, Yoshimura R&D, EBC brake pads, D.I.D chains, World Wide Bearings, Kenwood, NEXX helmets, Race Tech suspension, Superior Body Works, TCX boots, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Advanced Auto Parts, Bazzaz electronics, Pilot leathers, Held gloves, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips

Catch Autolite RIM Racing at New Jersey for round 8 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.
Mike Morgan
Autolite RIM Racing
Racing Daytona Sportbike
#11

 

Autolite RIM Racing following good results at Road America in Wisconsin

July 2011
Following good results at Road America in Wisconsin Autolite RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan was looking forward to round 5 at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds Alabama. Mike did not disappoint with solid finishes in both AMA Pro Racing Daytona Sportbike class races.

Mike Morgan:

“I didn’t qualify as good as I wanted to and that put me a little further back than I wanted for the start of the race. Both races went well and I was able to make up some ground on the starts. Race 1 went well and there was no real drama. I ran a good pace and was able to make my way up to 15th by the end of the race. Race 2 was a lot more work. Right away I was in a 5 bike battle. Each rider took a turn at the front but everyone was just a little faster in different parts of the track. Once the two brother got together they were able to make a break away from the pack, which left 3 of us to dook it out for 14th. I was able to hold onto 14th for some time but made a mistake and the other rider got by me. So I had to settle for 15th at the end. I gained some good points and I look forward to Mid Ohio in a couple of week’s time. I would like to thank the fans for coming out and my crew for putting a great bike under me! And of course all our great sponsors.”

RIM Racing is sponsored by Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, Motul oil, Barnett clutches, Yoshimura R&D, EBC brake pads, D.I.D chains, World Wide Bearings, Kenwood, NEXX helmets, Race Tech suspension, Superior Body Works, TCX boots, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Advanced Auto Parts, Bazzaz electronics, Pilot leathers, Held gloves, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips

Catch Autolite RIM Racing at Mid Ohio for round 6 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.
Mike Morgan
Autolite RIM Racing
Racing Daytona Sportbike
#11

 

Autolite RIM Racing is on the gas in Wisconsin

Wednesday 6/22/2011
Autolite RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan was on the gas entering into round 4 at Road America. Starting off the year right where he left off 2010 and finishing both races in the top 20. Race 1 came down to pure man power to cross the finish line. Race 2 saw Mike get a fantastic starts on all 3 restarts of the race gaining valuable positions and avoiding some turn 2 incidents.

Mike Morgan:

“It was an amazing weekend for me running both the Daytona Sportbike and the Vance&Hines XR1200 classes. I have to thank my family, sponsors, friends, the fans, and all the great riders that I get to race with on these weekends. I need to thank Autolite RIM Racing and their crew for all the hard work that has gone into the last few years, and all the friends that just lend a helping hand or share ideas to help us get to where we are. This year we are fielding another great team and is one of the strongest I have ever been a part of. It may not sound like much, but when you finish one of these races in the top 20 you have done a good days work. We finished 19th on Saturday and gave up one position on the last lap due to a fuel miscalculation. But I was able to push the bike the last 25 yards across the finish line! It was great hearing all the fans and pit lane crews cheering me on to finish the race! Both races were a ton of fun and Sunday was a real barn burner. Battling with a Ducati rider most of the race was great fun and good hard racing which is what you always want. I was able to capture 15th place on the last lap in part to the Race Tech suspension and the EBC Brakes being flawless. What a great start to the season on the Autolite RIM Racing Suzuki GSX-R600”.

RIM Racing is sponsored by Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, Motul oil, Barnett clutches, Yoshimura R&D, EBC brake pads, D.I.D chains, World Wide Bearings, Kenwood, NEXX helmets, Race Tech suspension, Superior Body Works, TCX boots, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Advanced Auto Parts, Bazzaz electronics, Pilot leathers, Held gloves, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips

Catch Autolite RIM Racing at Barber Motorsports Park for round 5 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series. For more on Autolite and RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan please visit www.mikemorganracing.com
Mike Morgan
Autolite RIM Racing
Racing Daytona Sportbike
#11

Posted in Race News 2011 | Leave a comment

news 2010

Posted on May 13, 2010 by

Sponsors of Autolite RIM Racing

Wednesday 10/27/2010

Mike Morgan:

I will be conducting an interview this week with the very accredited Road Racing World about our racing endeavors over the years. This will be a great opportunity to tell our story and how good sponsors help make our racing effort possible.

I will be sure to let everyone know what issue the interview will be in.

Mike Morgan
Autolite RIM Racing
Racing Daytona Sportbike
#811

 

Autolite RIM Racing finishes 2010 season with solid results

Tuesday 9/28/2010

After a hard round at NJ Autolite RIM Racing bounced back to finish the season on a positive note.  Autolite RIM Racing’s rider Mike Morgan moved up in the points standings to finish the season in 22nd overall while only attending 6 out of 10 rounds.  Saturdays race ended with a 16th place finish and Sunday’s wet race Mike Morgan rode a solid race and with excellent skill finished 18th.

 

Mike Morgan:

“What a great year for our team and sponsors!  The fans, tracks, competitors, and AMA have all been awesome this year.  This has been our best season ever and I can’t wait until next year.  The off season will be busy but long.

I wanted to bounce back after NJ’s not so good weekend here at Barber, and that is what I did.  We got the bike ready and the new Yoshimura exhaust worked great.  One of my goals this year was to be faster at every track and I have been, the results have proven that.  The first race went well and we found a few things in the race that we were going to try in Sundays practice but it rained and I couldn’t try the new settings.  The race was good and the boys kept me honest up to the very end, it was good fun and satisfied with 16th place.

Sundays race was more about survival and getting into the top 20 to gain some points with the wet conditions.  The red flag helped me out and the second part of the race was better.  There were no major moments and I wanted to bring the bike and me home in one piece.  I can’t say enough about the crew and their hard work this year.  Without them I could not have done it.”

RIM Racing is sponsored by Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, EBC brake pads, D.I.D chains, Kenwood, Motul oil, Race Tech suspension, Barnett clutches, Shark helmets, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Advanced Auto Parts, Bazzaz electronics, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips, Permatex, Yoshimura

RIM Racing  will return next year and look forward to competing in the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.

Mike Morgan
Autolite RIM Racing

 

 

Autolite RIM Racing has mixed results in New Jersey

9/ 4 & 5 / 2010

Following a very successful round 8 at VIR, Autolite RIM Racing had a difficult weekend during round 9 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike held at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Both races involved crashes but Mike Morgan soldiered on in race 1 and finished a solid 21st after rejoining the race.  Race 2 positioned Mike in a 5 bike battle for 12th and the race came to an end in a high speed 100 mph crash in the last turn but with 19 lap complete Mike still finished 19th.

Mike Morgan:

“We had some issues this weekend and it just didn’t come together for us this time, but we’ll go back to the shop and get everything organized for the next round.  The Autolite RIM Racing crew had to work a little more this weekend and I have to thank them for their hard work.  Race one was going well and a low speed crash took me out of another top 15 finish.  The Vortex components did a great job protecting the bike and I was able to continue.  If we would have gotten a red flag during the race I would have been right back in the hunt.  The second race was going great and the pace was fast but comfortable.  That crash was a real surprise and definitely one of the fastest I have had.  The Shark helmet, Pilot leather, TCX boots, and Held gloves did an amazing job and all I walked away with some bumps.  We have great sponsors and everything will be 100% by the last round at Barber in a couple of weeks.  I look forward to a top 10 before the year is out and I will be giving it my all.”

RIM Racing is sponsored by Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, EBC brake pads, D.I.D chains, Kenwood, Motul oil, Race Tech suspension, Superior Body Works, Barnett clutches, TCX boots, Shark helmets, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Advanced Auto Parts, Bazzaz electronics, Pilot leathers, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips, Permatex, Yoshimura

Catch Autolite RIM Racing September 25-26 for the final round 10 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.

 

Thank you,
Mike Morgan

Autolite RIM Racing delivers some spark in Virginia

Tue 8/17/2010

 

Mike Morgan of RIM Racing on the track in Virginia. ©2010 GrBird

As hoped Autolite RIM Racing delivered sparks and excitement by achieving their highest finishing results to date during round 8 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike held at Virginia International Raceway. Brought on by nothing more than pure determination, passion, and skill. Autolite RIM Racing’s rider Mike Morgan left VIR with a 14th place finishes in the AMA Pro Racing Daytona Sportbike class. After a race long battle with 5 other riders on Saturday rider Mike Morgan had to settle for a 14th place finish that even saw him running as high as 11th at one point in the race.

Michael Morgan:

“It was an amazing weekend for me. I have to thank my family, sponsors, friends, the fans, and all the great riders that I get to race with on these weekends. I need to thank Autolite RIM Racing and their crew for all the hard work that has gone into the last few years, and all the friends that just lend a helping hand or share ideas to help us get to where we are. This year we are fielding a great team and is one of the strongest I have ever been a part of. It may not sound like much, but when you finish one of these races in the top 20 you have done a good days work. Now we are running well within the top 15 and inching ever closer to a top 10. We have two more chance this year and we are doing all we can to achieve the goal of a top 10 finish. Saturday and Sunday’s races were a ton of fun! We tried to work on the bike every time we went out and we improved every lap we turned. A big part of that was the Race Tech suspension being flawless. Both races were hard fought and we lost 2 spots right there at the end on Sunday, but that is how it goes when you have limited passing opportunities and are surrounded by some of the best riders in the US.”

 

Mike Morgan of RIM Racing on the track in Virginia. ©2010 GrBird

RIM Racing is sponsored by Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, EBC brake pads, D.I.D chains, Kenwood, Motul oil, Race Tech suspension, Barnett clutches, Shark helmets, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Advanced Auto Parts, Bazzaz electronics, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips, Permatex, Yoshimura

Catch Autolite RIM Racing September 3-5 at New Jersey Raceway for round 9 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.

For more on Autolite and RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan please visit www.mikemorganracing.com

 

Thank you,
Mike Morgan

 

Super Cycle Weekend

Autolite/RIM Racing continues forward momentum at Mid-Ohio

July 16 – 18

The Autolite/Rim Racing team went to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for round 6 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series. After a dismal qualifying session the team knew they had some work ahead of them. Working hard to keep their string of top 20 finishes in order rider Michael Morgan did all he could do during Saturday’s race to hold on and finish 21st despite some small issues. However, back in form and ready to battle the team came back strong on Sunday and finished 18th after a race long battle that could have easily put them in 14th.

Michael Morgan

Saturday finished 21st place   &   Sunday finished 18th place

“We are making great strides with our team on every outing. I am so pleased to be part of a great organization with great sponsors like Autolite. We worked hard all weekend to try and get ourselves the best starting position to help us continue our top running form, however I made some small mistakes that just kept costing us from achieving the times we were looking for qualifying 25th. Every lap it seemed like I was trying hard, and maybe too hard but I will take what I learned and do better for the next round. In Saturday’s race we had a good start and I was trying to settle in and wait for the end of the race to gain some spots.  But it was really hot and very difficult to maintain a fast pace and I just missed out on 20th.  We made some big changes on suspension for Sundays practice and race, which proved to be a step in the correct direction.  The bike was easier to ride at a fast pace.  On Sunday we got a great start and got involved in a 5 bike battle that was a lot of fun. There were some moments with riders crashing right in from of me but I didn’t need to make any major corrections to avoid them.  Towards the end I may have burned the rear tire up a bit and just couldn’t dice as hard as I needed to move further up the finishing order.  Josh Herrin crashed on the final lap of the race and when he came back on the track he took his normal race line and I almost ran into him when I passed him.  After seeing the pit board on the final lap I decided to bring the bike home in one piece and settle for 18th. It’s nice to know that we are making progress and can run in the top 15. Now I will need to work to be able to finish there. I want to thank my sponsors, team, and my family for coming out and helping RIM Racing and showing their fire.”

RIM Racing is sponsored by Autolite spark plugs, Fram oil filters, EBC brake pads, D.I.D chains, Kenwood, Motul oil, Race Tech suspension, Barnett clutches, Shark helmets, SRP Graphics, Vortex components, Zola acai drinks, Advanced Auto Parts, Bazzaz electronics, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips, Permatex, Yoshimura

Catch Autolite/RIM Racing August 13 – August 15 at Virginia International Raceway for round 8 of the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series.

Thank you,
Mike Morgan

Road America – Race Report

June 4th – 6th

Fan walk on pit lane.

Building on the positive results from the first race in Atlanta, Road American was the best AMA race weekend we have ever had!  And this being only the second race of the year for us is very gratifying.  Qualifying the Autolite RIM Racing bike in 18th position put me in the best starting position I have ever had!

The decals were gone Saturday afternoon this time thanks to Road Americas open track layout for fans.  Thanks Autolite, Motul, Barnett, Vortex, DID, EBC, and Hotbodies!  The fans really enjoy them.  And the DID key chains went over very well for the few lucky fans at the autograph session.

Race 1

Starting from 18th was great.  I knew my goal of top 20 was within reach if I could stay with the row in front of me.  But the weather for race time was not good.  It’s best to race in totally dry or totally wet conditions, but it was starting to rain just before the race started.  The problem with RA is its size, at 4 miles it can be raining in one part of the track and not in the other.  But my suspension guru, Lenny, calmed me down a bit and we go underway.  The new Barnett Cryo clutch I was trying worked great and helped me get a good start.  Then the EBC brakes, both pads and rotors, helped me get slowed down and continue to impress as they gain my confidence each time I go out.  They are just amazing!

On the first lap someone blew an engine to make for even more excitement but they got off the track well and no one crashed.  Knowing that staying with someone or a group of riders at this track is important for drafting purposes I hung on for a few laps to the guys in front on me.  This worked well until some of them started to make some really aggressive passes on each other.  But that worked out well for me.  I just let them make the mistakes and took advantage of them.  My awesome mechanic, David, was informing me that I was in the top 15 with the pit board.  So I was super happy with that and could hardly believe it.  So I was well within the top 20 goal.  But 2 laps from the end of the race the weather got worse.  I saw someone behind me and I tried to keep a good pace.  The other rider got by me and on the last lap.  But after the weather continued to get worse I slowed down because crashing was not what I wanted to do and ruin my good finish.  After a nice 2 wheel slide, first the rear end let go then the front, that lasted a good meter or so I was done trying to repass the other rider!    David was waving me to slow down on the last lap because no one else was even close to me.  That helped out a lot and I cruised home for my best AMA finish ever!  You have to see below.

Race 2

After beating one of my friends the previous day he was all whiney about it and that it was going to be a fight today in the race.  It was all good fun and I told him to bring it on!  At the start of the race I pulled a monster wheelie that just killed my start.  But it was total chaos on the first few laps.  Riders running wide in the turns, dive bombing the slow turns, and drafting each other.  I got a double draft off 2 riders’ dooking it out side by side down the front straight trying to see who had the faster bike.  They were literally elbow to elbow.  So I just went on by.

Then along come Domonic and I knew he was going to give it his all because I don’t normally beat him.  I was just out of reach of another group of riders in front of me and trying to catch them.  But then Dom and I started going at it.  He would pass me going into turn one, but would blow his exit by going wide.  So I would just re-pass him.  This went on for 3 laps or so and was great fun!  Again David was telling me I was in the top 15 on the pit board, but I don’t have a fancy pit board that tells me the exact position I’m in.  Dom got around me on the last lap and my plan was to stay close to him and beat him to the line using the draft.  Well the tires or something is not working well this year.  On the last lap both of us slowed down and I could see his rear tire was chewed up to.  The last corner Dom ran wide and ran off the track a little and I thought I had him, but I did not get the drive because of the tire going off.  The drag race to the finish was his by ½ a bike length!  We both rode well.

One final note, the products that I use on the bike work so well that some fellow competitors seemed to think we were cheating.  So the AMA kindly asked us to tear down the bike after Sunday’s race.  I found it funny and upsetting all at the same time.  Funny because I know we are not cheating and mad because I was not feeling well and that now because we have some support and can do stuff better that they are sore losers!  And I run my program on about ¼ of the costs they do.  I hope they can get use to it!  Because this is only the start!!!

 

Finishing positions 16th & 16th

Thanks to everyone!

Mike Morgan

Sponsors:

Autolite, FRAM, Motul, Race Tech, SRP Custom Graphics, KENWOOD, Zola drinks, Shark Helmets, EBC, Advanced Auto Parts, Vortex, Yoshimura R-D, Permatex, Turn One Motorsports, Superior Body Works, Barnett Clutches and Cables, DID Chain, Impact Armor, World Wide Bearings, Yoshimura R-D, Lockhart Phillips, Hotbodies, Bazzaz

Road Atlanta – Race Report

April 16th & 17th

Finishing position 21st & 26th

The new Autolite Extreme Sport spark plugs helped my privateer bike post the fastest MPH during qualifying at 166.98 mph. Unfortunately that didn’t transition into a stellar overall lap time, but I will work on that. Qualified 24th.
The decals and autograph session went over very well, several fans come back year after year. The new posters were great and we will be changing the pictures with the new ones we got this weekend. As usual the decals were gone by the end of Sunday. Thanks Autolite, Barnett, Hotbodies, and Motul. We will do the same in Wisconsin. The fans love it and are surprised when a smaller team does stuff like that! Our 6 year old daughter does a good job of getting people over for some free stuff. Plus looking forward to OTT (On The Throttle) video interview they did with me this weekend.

Race 1

This year the AMA has reverted back to standing starts for all classes, which is very good! And a fast bike makes for an easier lap time and I knew I could use that as an advantage. The opening laps went smoothly and we maintained a good pace for the opening race of the year for us. I gained a few positions and then settled in too wait for the battle I knew would come towards the end of the race. Another rider was able to capitalize on a small mistake I made but I just waited and followed him around until we got closer to the end of the race. Then I made my move and passed him with one lap to go and pushed for my fastest lap of the race. Finishing in 21st to equal my best finish from last year. This is a great way to start the year. Plus a little TV time that I got on Speed was good also.

Race 2

Feeling good for the 2nd race I got a great start and muscled my way through the turns 2-4 section at the start of the race and was in about 18th place. This set me up well for the rest of the race and a good finishing position I thought. But then on the 5th lap my quick shifter stopped working! This complicated up shifts and I had to do twice as much clutch work with my left hand than normal. So I had to remember how to shift without a quick shifter and do it old school. I was not able to maintain the race pace I knew I could do. But was able to turn some good lap times and finish the race. Not having a Q.S. made for a real long race.

Thanks to everyone!
Mike Morgan

Sponsors:
Autolite, FRAM, Motul, Race Tech, SRP Custom Graphics, KENWOOD, Zola drinks, Shark Helmets, EBC Advanced Auto Parts, Vortex, Yoshimura R-D, Permatex, Turn One Motorsports, Superior Body Works, Barnett Clutches and Cables, DID Chain, Impact Armor, World Wide Bearings, Yoshimura R-D, Lockhart Phillips, Hotbodies, Bazzaz

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