Parts Canada Superbike Championship

Caribbean Report Four (after spending a week lost in cyberspace)

Race Day: We Knocked ‘em Out

Simply put the WCC racers put on a great race, a great show, and the rabid Dominican fans responded in turn.
           
On a number of occasions through each of the two ten lap races the large crowds could be heard clearly above the high pitched howl of the racing motorcycles. As well between contests the girls stayed busy interacting with the fans in the paddock shaking hands signing autographs and having their pictures taken, often as not with a young fan perched on the motorcycle saddle. Franklynn Dominguez had told them of the D-R fans enthusiasm and he certainly did not exaggerate. The girls were very pleased and so were their smiling admirers.

As anticipated Marie-Josee Boucher was the class of the field setting a pace than only Genevieve Lesieur could mimic and then only at a distance. In the first round Boucher established an eight second advantage before slowing her pace towards the end.

We took the time to talk with our top five.

Round One:

Marie Josee: "That was tougher than I thought it would be for only ten laps. They stopped us on the grid for the anthems and it got really, really hot. It bothered me but didn't bother my bike. I got a good start, a good lead and then I slowed down when I got my signal. That was fun. These fans are unbelievable, so friendly, they're great."

Genevieve: "I couldn't see the flag and I messed up my start. I went to go and then stopped, I didn't want a jump start. Then they all went and I was still stopped. I just wanted to keep it on two wheels. I was slipping around and one time I nearly high sided so I slowed down a bit after that. On the start I went into one very hot and nearly ran into Marie Jo so that didn't help things."

Natalie Catherine: "I was down on power compared to Gigi and I just couldn't pull up on her. I was on the brakes big time trying to make up some distance and then the heat started getting to me. I got signed that someone was coming but that I had a good cushion so I just cruised home"

Vanessa: "I messed up my start and they got away. I was catching Natalie towards the end but I didn't have enough time to catch her. I'm happy, it was a good race. I didn't think I would come that close. Next time out I'm going for it."

Josee: "I did my best lap ever here but I was racing by myself and that's no fun. I could see Vanessa going after Natalie and I could see Roxanne, Anissa and Kana and Maude and Manon when I went through the carousel and I knew they were having a close race but I was all alone. My back tire was slipping a bit; a lot, I touched my knee on the ground for the first time. I don't think I can catch them next time so I'll go out and race against the clock again."

Round Two:

Marie-Josee: "What can I say? My Honda worked so good, Alain did his magic again. I just put my head down and went to work. On the cool down lap I could hear the fans and see them. I did a nice burnout in front of the grandstands and they went crazy so I stopped in front of the infield stands and did another one and the same thing, they really liked that."  

Gigi: "That was a better start, more excitement. I saw the flag this time. I have had better starts but I've had trouble with my front brake sticking so I wanted to be careful going into one. I closed the gap at the end but I was exhausted. I improved my lap times but most important I had fun. We did so well here, no crashes, no incidents, it was great. This was an experience that I, that we all, will remember for the rest of our lives. This has made our group closer. We were already close to one another and this keeps us together."

Vanessa: "It was awesome. I got a much better start but then gave away my line going into the first turn. I pushed very hard this time and I knew I could get her in the turns. Once I got in front I just left her. Now the bike is all sorted out and I did my best lap time....this is where I should have been all year in Canada. I think the girls all had a good time, we have to remember we're in a different country here, a different culture. I'd call the weekend a success with glitches. I hope we can come back, I know the fans want us back, but you know I'm ready to go home now. I'm looking forward to going home; I want to see my dogs."

Natalie Catherine: "I rode well, I'm pleased. I worked on my body positioning and that helped. I made no mistakes, I felt confident although my lap times weren't as good as race one I still felt good. The tires are soft because of the heat so there was some slipping but not too much. This track is great but its so hot here and I'm a bit out of shape. I'm very happy for Vanessa to finish third, she deserves it. And yes I too am looking forward to going home this has been a great experience, not a holiday but still a lot of fun, but I'm ready to go home."

Anissa: "The strategy worked. I didn't plan it from the start I just waited for things to unfold. I stayed close to Kana for a while but I knew I had to make a move on her early or Maude or someone else would pass us both. Once I got in front I took a defensive or blocking line so no one could pass me. It was good. The key was I was relaxed."

At completion of such a hectic weekend it seemed appropriate we get a quote from the event sponsor George Butler the country's FIM rep and president of the D-R racing federation and owner of Moto Butler motorcycle shop in Santo Domingo.

George: "It was a wonderful spectacle. For the amount of advertising it was a very good crowd and as you saw they enjoy these women, these girls. They were very excited. This city is crazy for motorcycle racing and they've had a wonderful day of it. The weather was perfect the temperature from 25 to 28 degrees and the track temp around 32 degrees so the girls didn't need their tire warmers. All the girls started both races and all but one (Josee Bouchard mech DNF after four laps) finished. No one crashed and I think they all enjoyed themselves. This is a very unique form of racing for us and we are very happy that you all could come, we are grateful to you. Your girls, I should call them ladies because they were absolutely charming. They are colourful and very fast. They have created a large fan base here and I hope you can come back again next year. If I don't bring you back I think the fans will kill me. I also hope that what they've seen here this weekend will inspire young Dominican girls to try it, to realize what they can do if they want to."

It takes a lot of work to make an event a success and on the infield side of pit wall no one worked as hard as WCC race director Ken Pieschke. Ken in turn had a lot of help from others including Joey McCrae, Michel Sabourin, J.P. and Andrew McCormick.