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Project K Racing Team
Race report Springfield, Ill - X’s 3
9-3-08
Another great race weekend in the books for the 2008 season and we are very pleased where we stand at the present time. Every weekend we get closer to putting the big KTM 950 in a Grand National Main event. I was so close in times this weekend that I could taste it.
We started the weekend at the short track. That race was tough as the IMDA threw a real barn burner at us. I have never raced a short track that was so fast but you had to shift for the corners as they were so tight. We struggled with our old Hondas and did not put it in the main but it was fun and got me loosened up for the miles.
The mile was super fast and we were hoping for good things. We spent most of the first day getting the setup working and showed well rounding the day inside the top thirty. The second day I took a full second off my lap times and quailified much better. We were still inside the top thirty but just as the first day I was telling Dave that the bike felt “lazy”. Well we found nothing wrong so we were stuck with what we had. I ended up finishing the day with a bad run in the semi because I shifted one to many times and ran sixth gear for a half a lap. My times were super close to the mid pack main event riders so that made us pretty happy.
So then we went to The Indy mile for the test and tune on Tuesday. We had to start the day by putting the bike on the dyno and we understood why I was saying the bike was “lazy”. The bike was really down on horsepower, I mean 11 hp down from normal !!! We were jetted for our tempature and elevation, and not Illinois !!!!! Duh!!!! If nothing else it made me feel better knowing this cause I know I was riding my but off. This was defiantly our issue as Springfield is a big motor track. It’s a real bummer but its again an R&D season for us and we have to take it in stride. As far as the test goes we were real fast with the new restrictors they made us try and I think with the Harleys getting slowed down we are going to have a great season next year. I ended the test as the fifth fastest rider only .5 seconds behind King Kenny Coolbeth…!!! I cannot wait for next season to start!
So now were are getting ready for Montecello, NY on Saterday so log as the rain holds off. Please come check us out in the pits, stop and get a poster, picture with me or the bike, whatever you may be interested in. we are working on new products to be given away at the race track so stop by , you never know what we may have.
What a great weekend we had! We had a ton of fun, we talked to ton of people and made new fans. We also turned some serious heads on the big mile race track. We even got our pictures taken for a magazine and our race shots were posted on AMA pro Racing’s website, www.amaproracing.com. All in all we are very pleased with the weekend.
Thanks for the continued support!
RJ Overholt #97
Project K Racing Team
Race report Springfield, Ill - X’s 3
8-29-08
It’s been awhile since the whole team has been to a Grand National twin’s race together due to the AMA schedule and my recent much needed vacation with my loving wife. We are making the journey to Springfield Illinois for the biggest race weekend of the season. Three races and a test session in five days!!! WOW! The Springfield facility is awesome and holds a Short Track event on Saturday night and the Twin mile races on Sunday and Monday. The Monday race is actually the rain date from Memorial Day, but nonetheless what a weekend. The test session we are attending is at the Indy mile where we will be racing in a couple weeks. We were personally invited by Mr. Mike Kidd, the head of DMG which will be running our series next season. We are super excited to be part of the next chapter of Grand National Dirt Track Racing.
I have not made a main event thus far this season which really puts the pressure on me for this race weekend. One of my personal goals was to get back the National Number 97. I can say I have only raced the big bike class so far this season and with all the R&D we have been doing it’s been tough. I really think we have a great chance on the mile track this weekend as we have all the needed power and this track is so wide that I should be able to match those damn Harley’s corner speed. The short track is a great opportunity also as I have made many main events at this track in the past and I’ve even been on the front row for the main. So needless to say I am on a mission! This is my weekend, and I am not holding anything back. Please don’t give up on me quite yet, we are getting closer every week and this team is working so hard.
I will be trying to update the site all weekend so please stay tuned for more news and results. Also check out www.amaproracing.com for live scoring and up to date pictures.
July 19th Greenville Ohio
Project K Racing
Race Report :
Greenville, Ohio 7-19-08
We went to Greenville Ohio with a new setup and a fire in our eyes (as usual). We have had some great results on the rookie bike so far this season but we were just off the mark of the rest of the field. Dave has been trying every avenue to make the bike better for me and just make it more competitive. He ordered some more custom “one off” parts for the bike and was excited to see if they were a move in the right direction.
Greenville is a great race track and a perfect place to unleash the Beastly KTM 950 Motor. We were expecting a good showing but we never expected to be as good as we were. We started the show with a great qualifying run and ended the session in 21st…!!!!! That’s right off
the truck. I felt great on the bike and the new additional power was awesome. During the day we worked on the setup some more to adjust for the slippery conditions and learned some much needed new tricks. We ended up having an interesting heat race as we were moving forward but a red flag stopped the music. We had a single file restart and when we took off I about ran into the bike in front of me. I had to get out of the gas a by then the back row went flying by. We went forward a few positions but I was not satisfied with the result compared to the qualifying, we were going for it in the semi!!!
This is one of the weekend’s highlights… We started from the back row in the semi and I was not happy about that. I was looking for a great night and this was not a good spot to be in for that kind of result. I got a great back row start and went to 6th. I was working on 5th when he
went high and I made my move. Later in the race his bike broke along with almost every other bike toward the back. Not us though, the KTM was on fire and running strong. As a matter of fact I was catching a great running Harley toward the end and that bike also let go giving us 4th!!!! THE BEST FINISH AT A NATIONAL SO FAR!!!
We did not make the main this time but we were leaps and bounds closer than we have been in the past. I am super excited for the next race at Hagerstown, MD this coming week, so we can make sure it was not a fluke. I really believe we are making progress and if results are the tell tale sign then we are in. I really want to thank the Project K Racing team and all its supporters for their support and never give up attitude. Unfortunately it’s easy for a rider to get down and out as the riders job is to produce on the race track. My team has been great and very understanding that this is a new and unchartered endeavor that may require some more time than others. I cannot wait to reward the team with a great finish...
Keep tuning in for more for the race team and our progress… Thanks for the continued support and keep the dream alive… Thanks for the visit ans thanks for the photos JG...
RJ Overholt
Friday July 18th :
Well we are headed to the next round of the Grand National Dirt Track circut in Greenville Ohio. We will race Saturday night and I will do my best to get the update out ASAP...
Watch the scoring live at : amaproracing.com
Wish us luck...
Sign the guest book....!!!!!
Thanks for the support - RJ
Project K Racing Race Report
Crusaders Motorcycle Club, Medina NY. 6-22-08
The team returned to the Crusaders motorcycle club for their second race of the season on Sunday. We did not go the the second Round of the AMA Grand national twins series due to some very exciting changes that are being done to the KTM 950 Flattracker. We are getting some new parts and we will be ready for the next two rounds on June 27th & June 28th at Bedford, Pa and Lima, Ohio. We are very excited about these two tracks as Bedford will be our first clay track and Lima is my favorite track!!!
The day started out looking bleak as far as the weather is concerned but things turned around and it was another stellar race day! Dave raced the senior class and I again rode the Open Expert class both on our Honda 450’s. Dave had to change out the motor on his bike since I blew it up at Rochester, NH a couple of weeks ago. His bike was not running right all day and he struggled to find the problem. We tried to even change his gearing to change the rpm range he was in, but nothing seemed to work. He rode a great main event considering the bike situation and ended up 6th, not to bad with a sick motor!!!!!!!!!!!!
I on the other hand I had a great heat race coming from the back row and having a great battle with Bryan Newman. I came out on top but not by very much... In the main event I got a great start and started to pull away for the win, my dad always stands at the bottom of the second hill and he was giving the “big lead” sign. I started to relax and make sure I did not throw away the race on the slippery track, but in the mean time my little brother started a charge. I had to pick the pace back up on the last lap or two and came home with another win.
The grand prix was going to be interesting as Ryan Wells and his 125 were on fire. He gets about a half a lap head start and I knew he was going to be hard to catch. I also had to contend with the other experts that were on 250’s namely Jeremy Higgins who was also on fire today. At the start I caught the 250’s quick but on the 4th or 5th lap Cody Johncox went down hard and the red flag stopped the race. He was ok and would continue but due to the staggered start of this final race they have to start the race over with all the laps to make it a fair race. Now we were doing 20 laps instead of 15…GRRREAT!!! We restarted the race and I was again on pace but the track got very rough and slick and the 450 was just a handful to say the least. No excuses but I was wiped. Ryan Wells got his first Grand Prix win, and he may be the youngest to do it on a 125..??? He will be a hard one to catch but I am up for the challenge, I have to rebuild the bike during the three week lay over and I’ll be ready to get after it with a fresh RLJ motor!!!
The track workers did a great job once again putting on a great show and beating Mother Nature as they do from time to time. I am looking forward to getting back on the big bike and riding some fast ½ mile tracks again. I hope to be writing the next report fresh from our first GNC main event appearance!
Till next time…Gas on Feet up!!! RJ
Project K Racing Race Report
Crusaders Motorcycle Club, Medina NY. 6-15-08
 
The team went to the famed Crusaders motorcycle clubs first TT race of the season and had another stellar time with some great results. The track is tucked in the heart of Orleans counties farm community and has a great turn out of both riders and fans.
We were not riding the 950 KTM at this track but we are a team and Dave Waters the team owner has helped me at this track since I started racing motorcycles. I rode my 04 Honda crf 450 and Dave rode the Rockets rmz 450 loaner bike.
I started the day running late due to the lack of sleep from our big trip to Rochester NH, so I signed in late and got put on the back row for the heat race. I ended up finishing third which was bad seeing how that puts me on back row for the main. I got a great start in the main and worked my way into second with two laps to go. I tried everything I could to pass the leader but without a little rough racing it was not going to happen. Since it was father’s day and the leader was my younger brother Ryan, I thought it would be better to stay in second and give my bro his first big bike win at our local track, besides it gave Dad a great father’s day gift!!! Plus It was a great battle and the fans were going nuts so we did our job…
In the Final Grand Prix race of the day (where the track allows amateurs and experts to race together giving the am’s a head start and the experts have 15 laps to catch them), I got a great start and finally passed Cody Johncox on the final lap for the win!!! He rode great and I think he’s going to be one hard kid to beat later in the season.
Dave’s day was much simpler, he rode the barrowed Suzuki to an easy second in the heat and won his final going away! The team owner got another win for the season and we both had a great time.
We were unable to bring the KTM 950 over to display due to a shock project we are currently working on. The next race is this Sunday 6-22-08 and we are planning to bring it over for the local fans to see and ask questions about. We hope to drum up some more local support!!!
Till next time…Gas on Feet up!!! RJ
Project K Racing report, Rochester NH
We just returned from the Rochester New Hampshire ½ mile and we had a great time. We went to the race for the first time and were welcomed with open arms. This was our first request from a promoter to attend a race and it was well worth the trip. The fans were very interested in the bike and we handed out many autographed posters for souvenirs. We also spent some time on the prior day at Heritage Harley Davidson for some quality fan appreciation and were also well accepted. I can say that even during the R&D stages of Project K we have been well taken in by fans, media and promoters.
We started the day watching the amateurs and our team leader was even taking to the track in the senior “a” class. I was the tuner for the morning program and we again worked well together and learned more about the way we need to operate our Grand National Team. From there we went into the Pro night program getting the KTM 950 ready for the show. We set the suspension up very stiff as the track was the roughest we’ve seen so far. I went out in practice and we started to adjust gearing and such.
We pulled the second heat race and we off the line second to the Aprila. We were sticking to the rear wheel of their bike and with three to go I made my move for the lead out of turn two. I lead the next lap starting to pull a bit and then kayos let loose, I went into turn three a bit harder than the prior laps and one of the holes swallowed the front wheel. I rode it out and somehow saved the situation from a major high side! The crowd seemed to love as Dave said they went nuts for the quality riding. I even got an interview asking how I was able to pull it off! Nonetheless we were able to stay on the track and salvage a third and a front row for the main event.
Kenny Coolbeth the National Champion was in attendance and we were defiantly not going to be in his range of lap times. We were however looking for a top five as our lap times and heat race efforts were in that area. I lined up for the main as the last pick on the front row. I was unable to get a “clean spot” so I knew I was in a bit of troubles as this bike has so much torque I need a surface to grab. Well I was right and I blew another start. I was watching back row guys go buy as I was spinning to the first corner. I gathered things up rounding the second corner in last. I worked my way through the pack and ended up finishing sixth. I was completely out of tear offs and was running the high line to avoid the bumps. The bike worked well up in the high line but we were still struggling in the bumps at the bottom of the track. We need to look at some suspension changes and possibly different components.
Well we are getting better and better every time out, and the fans smothered the pits after the race to see the KTM 950 and to ask me how the heck I saved the potential high side! We were very pleased with the night and the fan response we are feeling like part of the series. I really hope you can all come out and see the bike at a race to see how well it looks and how well it works. !!!
The next race on our schedule is Bedford PA & Lima Oh. Bothe Grand National events and both a great place for us to make our first Grand National main event. I am super pumper up and ready to get back my national number for 2009. Please contact us if you are interested in attending a race and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Thanks,
RJ Overholt
www.rjoverholt.com
www.projectkracing.com
First Timer to Race Laconia
Albion, New York (June 10, 2008)-- Project K Racing heads to the New England Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealers Association, Ben Campanale's Laconia ½ Mile Rally . Located in Rochester, New Hampshire, the race kicks off the 85th Anniversary Bike Week event scheduled June 13th.
Prior to race day, several flat track stars including Project K Racing's pilot RJ Overholt will display their bikes, meet and greet the fans and deliver autographs at Heritage Harley-Davidson in Concord.
Coming off their first AMA Grand National Flat Track twins race in Vernon, New York; Project K prepares for the half mile working out the mishaps and striving for a successful finish.
New this year, Rochester will feature multi brands in the line up. The KTM, Aprilia, Suzuki ,Triumph and of course Harley-Davidson will take to the field showcasing their strengths for a favorable show amongst spectators.
Spectators will not only be treated to the best rumblings, roost flying, lead changing racing of it's kind in the New England area; a new midway of vendors and food will be a must stop during the show. This action packed program prepared by Sideways Promotions will keep the fans entertained during the down time of track preparations with The Bay State Harley Pullers attempting to pull their weight transfer sled 200'. These custom made 2 and 3 wheelers are the perfect track addition .
Project K Racing is overly excited to be a part of history, bringing their KTM twin machine to another race track. Eager to get back on track before hitting the next race on the schedule in Maryville, Tennessee will be beneficial in tweaking the machine for a half mile
Race today, buy on Monday has always been their philosophy. A project that became a reality in less than four months can bring more life to the sport with a more economical approach.
Visit www.projectkracing.com for the latest news, reports and pictures.
###(photo credit Dave Hoenig (Flat Trak Fotos) )
Jennifer Sierzega
She Loves Racing
1047 Spring Loop Way
Winter Garden, FL 34787
352-223-9610
www.shelovesracing.com
Race report: Vernon Downs, NY
Well we just finished the first round of the Grand National Twins series at Vernon Downs, NY. We were the very first KTM Twin to enter this class so we really had no expectations. The bike has been great so far at the tests but these are the Professionals and everyone who enters these races is super fast so we just want to make it through the day. Our goal is to get more R&D information and to go forward all day which we did. We were qualified 28th before the rain hit which is a great showing for our first time at this level. We changed a few things but due to the rain and the four hour delay to get the track back around (Great Job Buddy Ford, Steve Beetie, and the AMA) we were at a loss for what to do as far as set up goes.. We went fastest in the last timed session, problem is so did everyone else… We got over a second faster from the first session to the last which is a great improvement.
The program was being super rushed and we needed to make a gearing change and a jetting change but did not have the time. We opted not to chance missing the heats or semis and left the bike alone. In the heat race I was competitive and ran to 6th !!! Good enough for a front row in the semi!!! I knew that we were still a bit of the pace of the leaders but we were competitive or first time out. That’s an accomplishment all in itself.
I went out for the semi and off the start I blew the tire off and sat on the line spinning, (I blew the start big time). The bike has so much torque that you have to be careful how much throttle to give as not to just dig a trench and sit there. So I was last off the line, got roosted real a bad and could not see well. I was unable to make the passes needed to get into the big show. I stayed with the pack and looked respectable but it’s not how I wanted to end the night as we were better than that.
That’s that, we did well just not as good as I hoped for. We are working on it and we will get better. More track time, more knowledge about setting up this bike and some more weight savings and we will be in the hunt at Bedford, PA and Lima, OH. Special thanks to Dave, Rhonda, Stacy, Jenna, Casey, Pete D., Steve F. for helping me get through the day and all the crew & family for coming out to see me go. We are planning on the next race being at Rochester, NH on June 13th.
Till Then… R.J.
Canton, Ohio
5-24-08, 5-25-08
Project K Racing Just returned from the Bike day’s weekend at Canton Ohio for a two day AMA racing event. The team has planned to use Canton as a stepping stone to get the bike ready for the AMA Grand National circuit.
The team had some minor carburetor issues at their last outing and obtained another sponsor to help with the cost of the new Race Carbs, (Sudco). The team arrived at Canton to do more R&D to the chassis and the carburetors. The racing was a good way to see where we stack up against some other V-Twins and practice starts. The bike again worked pretty well, but because we were still testing we changed some suspension settings and went backwards a few times. No big deal and actually it’s good to find out these things at a local race vs. a Grand National…
From Rider RJ Overholt:
“I raced in the open pro and open money classes. The highlight of my weekend was my first heat race win in the first race I ever entered on the bike, (won by a straight away). A real close second highlight was the epic battle with young gun James Respoli, we changed the lead in every corner and every straight for 6-7 laps!!! It was awesome!!!! We race the bike three times in two days and we finished the weekend with a Second and two thirds at our first event… It was a great showing and there were some real fast guys there so we got an idea that we can run with the big guys as long as our setup is close. I got some more much needed seat time that just helps me get acclimated to the weight and power of the V-Twins. I felt more and more comfortable as the racing progressed, so that shows me I am only going to go faster the more I ride the bike. I can’t wait to ride it again!”
Well the bike is ready to go….The carb issue is resolved and the racing was fast and fun… We ended up having some great fun and gaining some valuable experience. The team came home with a ton of seat time and a ton of notes about chassis setup. We finished the weekend without any crashes and all our local western New Yorkers had great results.
Special thanks to Photos by Rox, Jenna Waters, Staci Waters, Casey, Dave & Rhonda and Don Waters for all the help in the pits.. These people are the ground floor of our team!!!!
RACE PARTY 2008
Project K Racing Team would like to thank everyone for supporting our race team by purchassing tickets and coming to the race party. Special thanks to the Garlock family, Thaine Family the Johnson family for the donations. We would like to thank all the people that helped make the day go so well, Mike Kelly (cook), Dad (cook), John Timmerman (cooks helper),
Audery - Coley- Poxy - Casey - Roxy( Ticket Girls), Phil Howland, Kyle Morgan & Dave Lonnen (set up), and Dave & Rhonda for hosting the party.
The Three $100 winners were 1) Rich Thaine 2) Steph Higgs 3) Stacey Groves
Here are some pictures from the party... Thanks again to all the supports!!!!
   
   
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