Home  2007 Race Report
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A Season of Change
With 2008 now upon us, it is time to reflect on the lessons learned in 2007 and the “season of change”. There is simply no other appropriate title for all that has taken place in the last year. Late December of 2006 I sent a request for sponsorship to numerous companies requesting any form of support for a racer with big dreams and no experience. I was astounded at the response I received and was blessed to begin the 2007 season with six supportive vendors willing to put their trust in my ability to represent their products well both on and off the racetrack. I’d like to say thank you with all sincerity to Motul USA Inc., Galfer Braking Systems, Regina USA Inc., Sharkskinz Race Bodies, Powerstands USA, Catalyst Reaction Suspension, Drive Systems Specialists and DC Decal. Without your support I would certainly not have been able to compete.
The 2007 American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) season began in Buttonwillow California on March 24. With a budding passion for the sport and eyes as wide as a four year old in a toy store, I arrived in the paddock ready to take my place with all the other novice racers on the grid. As with any novice racer on a new track, most of the practice day was spent learning a new track. With my heart pounding in my chest, the novice race began shortly after 3pm. Roughly 5 &Mac184; laps later, my precisely calculated measure of fuel was exhausted while running in eleventh position. With every failure there is a lesson and as I sat on the side of the track watching race two of the day, I came to the realization that my machine burns more fuel during a race than during practice. I had accomplished my goal of qualifying for the Formula III race, however without completing the race I was sent on my way home less than sixteen hours after arriving.
Round two, was spent rebuilding my transmission at the track after many sleepless nights preparing for the race. Round three at Infineon Raceway, brought precious experience with a fourth place in the Lightweight Clubman (novice race) and an eleventh place in the Formula III race.
The largest change of the season came in early June with a new position as a project manager and a move to Truckee California. Immediately upon unpacking into our new home, my wife and I found out were expecting a baby girl in March. Anna Grace LeDuc will be our first child and we are greatly excited about parenthood. I have yet to convince my wife that little ladies can make great racers.
Round four at Thunder Hill brought an eighth place finish in the Formula III and a ninth for Clubman Lightweight. August took the AFM back to Infineon for round five. Saturday’s practice and Clubman race yielded a fourth place finish. Race day dawned with high expectations and a newfound group of friends for fan support. Much to my chagrin, I suffered a mechanical failure when one of my reed pedals failed with &Mac184; a lap left in the race.
September took the AFM back to Thunder Hill for round six and our final round at the venue. While battling 95+ degree heat, I accomplished my most impressive finish of the season. I took a fifth place finish by beating three time AFM Formula III champion and legendary two stroke tuner, Kevin Murray with a clean pass on the outside of turn eight. It was at this point I can finally say I was getting competitive and things were starting to click.
The penultimate round of the season brought us back to Infineon for our final chance to concur the circuit. As with any racer, I was looking to add a first place finish to my resume for the season so I signed up for the Clubman Lightweight race one last time. As can be expected, I suffered a normal start for a 125cc two stroke against the SV650’s in the class and dropped 5 or 6 positions from pole. With Infineon being a tight & technical course, I easily made up ground on the first lap and was in second position before the second lap. I set up my pass on the outside of the rider in first place and made my move in the breaking zone for turn two. To my dismay, the rider swung wide before turning in and we collided. It goes without saying that a bike with considerably less mass doesn’t make much of an impact into a much larger machine. Needless to say, I went flying and my bike took the all the damage. The rider I collided with actually rode over my entire bike and went on to win the race. With a swollen knee I made the difficult decision to sit out the FIII race thereby giving up on my goal to complete the requirements to obtain my expert license for the 2008 season. The final race of the season took place at Buttonwillow raceway and resulted in a sixth place finish and a twelfth place in the overall Formula III championship.
There is a quote I like that says, “Experience is what you have, immediately after you needed it.” The accomplishments of the 2007 season will soon be forgotten but the lessons & friendships never will be. As the winter months attempt to stifle my excitement for the upcoming season, I am diligently preparing for 2008. I am also pleased to announce that Agape Racing has become a legitimate team effort with many friends & partners helping to launch www.agaperacing.com
I am greatly thankful for the support of all my sponsors & friends during the 2007 season. I would be pleased to represent your company at the race track an online for the 2008 season. You will find my contact information below. Once again, I sincerely thank you for your support during the 2007 season. I could not have competed without you.
Sincerely,
Peter LeDuc
Agape Racing |
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