Cycle News

VOL. 50 ISSUE 28 JULY 16, 2013 ded him third for the race (Saturday afternoon times were quicker with warmer conditions) and won the race. "The bike was great," Rapp said looking back at that Sunday. "I really like Road America, it's one of my favorite tracks. Into the race, it was just everything was working and I was able to ride pretty aggressively. I got five laps before the race started, in qualifying; I did five laps, I think, and it was just one of those crazy weekends that just really worked out well." So what did Rapp do after his win? "I was on the podium and did everything and then jumped on a plane immediately after that," he said. "Drove to Milwaukee and got out of there a couple of hours later back to Dallas where I finished my training a couple of days after that. So it was kind of a wild couple of days." Wild for sure and it brought a new meaning to the "weekend warrior" in racing. And although the thought of being a part-time racer for a professional racer might at first seem less than ideal, it turns out there was something to be said for not having to survive off of only racing anymore for your livelihood? "In a roundabout way, not planned or anything, but in a way when you don't have to do it as much as… I'm doing it because I want to do it. I also enjoy it. But, yeah, it does kind of give it a different perspective. Like before I knew I had to, I had to do certain things or else I wouldn't get paid and now I still obviously need the money that I do make from racing, but it's not my sole income so at the same time it kind of takes a little bit of pressure off of me, which I think actually helps. Because I don't put the same pressure on myself knowing that if don't do well that you know who knows what happens. So in a roundabout way I think it might have actually helped the way I approach the races in a way." As far as the rest of the season, will he be able to maintain the juggling act with racing and the day job? "Yeah, it's my intention to do all P99 of them," he answered. "I can't guarantee anything, of course. But in my heart and mind I want to be there. I like riding with Joe. The guys from Suburban are really cool guys. I like the bike, they're giving me a really good bike. So from that regard, yeah, I want to be there. And I told them that and so they are kind of working with me and if I show up late some days they're okay with it as long as I do what I need to do they're okay with it." Rapp continued to do what he needed to do. He showed up midday on Saturday at the following round at Barber in time for the first qualifying session that afternoon. He gridded second for the race, behind Michael Barnes and won again. The win streak has made for a happier and recharged Rapp and he was actually slated to get a full weekend at the upcoming fourth round at Mid Ohio. "I'm getting in on Friday now," said Rapp. "So I get to ride the whole weekend. Hopefully, that helps. Hopefully, that doesn't hurt me. And my plan is kind of the same thing. You know once you start winning it's like you never want to go back. I'm actually having a lot more fun than I've had in a long time just because some of these classes it's hard to win and you forget why you like racing. And then the last couple of races I've won and it's brought back a lot of fun for me. I'm actually looking forward to going to CN Ohio and racing."

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