Here are a few shots of the lawnmower and the pit/truck/transporter.
Did I already post this pic of Bobby and his ride?
So - to the Ack Attack bike, team, and story: The team members in the pit waiting for Rocky to come rolling in from the second run of the day. Note the appearance of suspense and concern and plain ol' worry that he didn't quite make the numbers:
So -- here's the bike after Rocky's down run -- which was really the second run of his day. The bike came rolling in with engines idling, and a faint aroma of smoke. Bodywork was quickly removed (you'd be pleased if you saw how quickly and efficiently the firefighters can undo Dzus buttons without scratching the paint), and once it was off -- ah, good -- just the header's heat tape wrap was smoking.
Firemen bent over the bike in the foreground, Rocky and crew member in the back:
So if the bike wouldn't shift beyond fourth (well, one engine would, the other wouldn't -- well, what to do? While Rocky was in the pit he was brainstorming. Mike Akatiff went to the lawnmower pit (about 5 miles down course) to join in the celebration (see photos, above) and while he was gone Rocky got the idea of re-gearing so fourth would maybe do it. He called Mike, he and Mike talked to the gear guy and decided that such-and-such sprockets would be right for 385 or so in fourth, and they decided that what the heck, there wasn't much to lose if it didn't work -- and everything to gain. So they dug around in the parts boxes -- witness this stack of rear sprockets:
Did the "hail Mary" play work? Look at the smiles on Tricia and Rocky and you tell me if it worked:
Here are a few others taken at the celebration. Ken Puccio, crew chief (in the black hat that I've never seen him without) looks at the bike after it's all over for the day:
Mike Cook and Mike Akatiff thanking each other:
Other photos. You pick out who's who, hey?
Introducing Rocky Robinson, the fastest motorcycle rider in the world:
