We experienced some additional “gremlins” in the first practice… it seems that Mike lost 4th gear on the third lap of the first qualifier.

The team performed a heroic engine swap in less than an hour. Switching out the bottom end from the practice bike to the race bike and installing the race bike top end.

Mike went out but shortly after he started to get going the rear brake guard came loose and scraped on the rear disc, filling the rear caliper with plastic. Which slowed the bike considerably….

More news to follow…..

The team did have a bit of trouble getting to the track, with a blow out on the motor home late last night. After waiting for over 5 hours for road service (there are no spares on those things!) they finally got the motor home back to home base.

Now they are headed up to Southwick in  convoy, with two trailers.

We are all looking at this as it’s a good sign… that everything will run smoothly for the rest of the weekend.

On the bad side, the team may be parked out in the far side of the pits! So once we have the location we will update the site.

They spent the day changing different parts on the bike. Taking lap times, using Eyvind’s vast experience and a great deal of hard work, the Project Two 50 machine received some much needed attention.

Many of the suggestions from Eyvind and Tony resulted in lap times creeping lower and lower. With Mike gaining additional confidence in the machine and the potential still to be tapped.

A tremendous thank you to Eyvind and Tony for their patience, generosity and willingness to help our team.

Project Two 50 race machine at Unadilla.

This is a very tough report to write. For many reasons, but most of all because it was so disappointing to our team.

In the first practice our machine suffered an engine failure.

It was not due to the fuel/oil mixture, nor the brand of oil that we use (Amsoil). When the engine came apart we found the piston and cylinder still had oil on them. What we did find was significant piston scuffing on the intake side along with scuffing on the exhaust port.

To say that the team was disappointed would be a great understatement.

I was so upset that I walked away to be alone. Feeling as though I had disappointed so many people.

Lucky back in the pits, cooler heads prevailed. The engine from the practice bike, while stone stock and  worn, was removed and fitted into the race bike chassis.

The race bike and the practice bike.

Mike headed down to the line in an attempt to qualify using the practice bike motor. A very valiant effort on his part. The difference in power and delivery are tremendous. Going up the hills of Unadilla, Mike was forced to downshift to keep the bike pulling. With the race engine this was not necessary because of the extra horsepower and torque produced.

Mike’s average lap time around the Unadilla race track was a 2:33.832 and his fastest lap was a 2:22.735. Unfortunately it was not enough to qualify for the National. Mike would have had to beat a 2:15.916 which means he needed to find more than 6.82 seconds in order to qualify.

Project Two 50 has managed to capture the imagination of many fans all across the globe. We really appreciate that support. Which is why it’s so painful that we did not make qualifying at Unadilla.

In spite of all the difficulties, we haven’t given up. Look for Project Two 50 at Southwick.

The Project Two 50, two-stroke attempt at the Nationals would not have been possible without the sponsorship and support from many forward thinking companies. We truly thank each and everyone of you.

Kinetik Audio
MicroBlue Racing
Amsoil
DK Construction
Benstar Racing
Revanche 2 Strokes
Titan MX
V-Force
Pro Clean
Get Real Racing
FMF Racing
Boyesen Engineering
Peak Performance
Cool Fuel
RacePro USA
Two Stroke Motocross
Twin Air
Renthal
Ride Engineering
Edmonds Racing
D&D Crank
Dunlop
Scott USA
O’Neal
AHP Mini’s
IV Films

Some of the many sponsors that have helped our race team.

The following individuals have gone above and beyond anything we could ever asked or hoped for. A very special thank you to these amazing folks.

Rich Scott
Lawrence Stolk
Malcolm Powell
Evan Renka
Scott Stewart
Bruce Miller
Joey Jakubiak
Chris Pruner
Dennis Garcia
Tim Knapp
Roger Kelly
Chad Harris
John Leavitt
Uncle Pete Racing
Craig LeClaire
Spagnoli Excavating

Todd, Roger, Mike, Chris and John.

Pro Photographer Matt Francis with Mike Leavitt.

Project Two 50’s goal is to successfully race a 250cc two-stroke machine in the Outdoor Nationals this summer.

Want more information and updates? Become a Project Two 50 fan page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Project-Two-50/) for up to date news, personalized information, and insider information. We want to hear your comments so fire away!

Using parts from the practice bike, we put his race bike together with about 5 minutes to spare for the second 15 minute qualifying session. Of course, Mike had never ridden this track and had no chance to test anything here, so his first few laps were nothing more than looking around laps.

He made a stop at his mechanic, Todd to adjust the forks to make them stiffer, then headed out to do a hot lap. He cruised up to the bowl turn, then got on the gas hard heading into the “front” section towards the finish line. When he got there, the checkered flag was waving and our day was over.

Project Two 50 Race Machine at Red Bud.

To clarify about the “fast” lap that Mike did (the 2:39)… at best he was riding at 80% of what he is capable of. Anyone watching closely could see that he was trying to learn the track.

He only hit the double in the back once… between learning the track and needing some adjustments on the bike, he was just getting ready to put his head down for a fast lap, practice was over. It seemed like the 15 minute practice went by super fast!!

When we checked the results at the AMA tent, Mike was listed as qualifying 75 out of 80, which really does not show what could have been. My observation with watching Mike ride/race is that he could have knocked off at minimum 12 seconds from the lap time they listed. Which means he would have qualified for the motos.

This trip was a very, very expensive lesson for all of us. Unless you actually have done this, you have no idea of the costs involved. To sign up for the race alone was $200. pit passes cost $40. per person. That’s just to get into the event. Then take into account fuel, tolls, food and other misc. items and you are talking about an effort requiring a great deal of time and money.

Motorhome loaned to us by Craig at MicroBlue Racing. There is no way that we can thank Craig enough for all of his dedication, support and friendship. Project Two 50 is a much better effort because of him.

That’s the reason that we were all so disappointed. Even if he qualified and finished 40th in the motos we would have accomplished a part of our goal.

Obviously it would have helped to have completed the first practice session. To learn the track, add a tooth to the rear sprocket and get some serious speed going.

We are so sorry to disappoint our fans… although we learned a great deal and know that our results at Unadilla will be much better.

As an aside, Mike said that there were tons of people cheering him on, waving towels, shouting, blowing air horns and more. I heard the guys next to me talking about Project Two 50. When I pointed out Mike to them, they were happy and excited.

We realize we are heading in the right direction and our results will improve.

Project Two 50 will be in the big show at Unadilla!

Did I mention that ‘dilla is Mike’s favorite track??

Thank you all our fans for your amazing support! A very special thanks to our tireless crew, Mike, John, Todd, Roger, Jackie and Craig. It was great meeting our new friends Rich, Dean and Dave as well.

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/projecttwo50

In addition we have installed a widget on the home page to allow you to follow us on the Project Two 50 web site!

During race weekends we will update you on what’s happening.

Stay tuned for more.

Project Two 50 has been accepted to race Red Bud on July 3rd!

Is anyone going to Red Bud? If so, please let me know, stop by and say hello… we would love to meet you. For those that would like to see a 2010 TM Racing 125MX machine, we’ll have one with us.

Lot’s of cool stuff coming up over the next week or so…

The whole crew is out of their mind’s with excitement!!