Chris Peris Las Vegas Report 4-13-10
Once again I would like to thank Evan & Phil from ESP and John & Jen from Iron Horse BMW for making it possible for me to race the ESP/Iron Horse BMW s1000RR in the WERA West round in Las Vegas and ASMA round in New Mexico. Additionally, it could not have been possible without the help of Dave from USmegamax.com, Attack, Armor Bodies, LeoVince, Ohlins, Kyleusa.com, ASR, Peris Riding School, Helmet House, Cortech, TCX and Shoei.
This weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was another great weekend on the BMW s1000RR –another track record! We arrived this weekend with a new Brembo Master cylinder, and some Carbone Loraine pads, (thanks Dan Kyle!) which reduced brake fade and gave the brakes a better feel on the track. There were no other changes made since Fontana. After the first practice we were already doing times in the low 17s. After the first practice we made a slight change to the springs. We made the springs stiffer because the BMW was running a bit wide on the exit of the corners (rear spring) and a bit low in the stroke under hard breaking (front springs) but the grip was not an issue. After the two practices we entered the 20-lap race using it mostly for track time and to gain more knowledge about the BMW s1000RR. Incidentally, we won the first race while lapping up to third place and running in the low 16s.
Since we had great results on Saturday we did not make any changes to the bike for Sunday. On Sunday morning we had a quick warm-up and put on a new set of Dunlop tires for the first of two sprint races. During the first race we came from the third row and took the lead during the second lap from Jeremy Toye. We battled for the lead for the rest of the race –in the process I achieved the new lap record of 1:15.50 and won the race. We went on to win the next race –finishing the weekend with 3 wins and a new lap record.
The following Tuesday I went to Tucson, AZ to attend the Iron Horse BMW Open House. John and Jen were great hosts: they set up a group ride, Team ESP/Iron Horse BMW were in attendance as was BMW stunt rider Chris “Teach” McNeil who put on a stunt show, and also Nate Kern who is a long time BMW racer and fast guy.
Then we were off to New Mexico for the ASMA race weekend. I taught the Peris Riding School on Friday and Saturday during the ASMA practices. Only after three hot laps on the BMW s1000RR we qualified on pole with a time of 1:06.9. The BMW was working unbelievably for just rolling it out of the trailer. Sunday morning practice we lowered the rear ride height in an effort to gain more grip. We also put on a set of new Dunlop slicks for the first race. Starting from the second row we took the lead during the first lap and we also claimed the new Arroyo Seco lap record at 1:06.5 in addition to winning the race. Later in the day we won the Premiere Formula Arroyo race, with times in the mid 1:06’s.
I am blown away every time I get on the ESP/Iron Horse BMW s1000RR! In the last month we have had 5 race wins and 3 new lap records. We have made a lot of progress with the bike and we are looking forward to making it to a few more AMA rounds this season.
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