| Author | Message | ||
     U4euh |
So Mike calls and ask me to go to Frank Kinsey's Race School @ Roebling Rd. Raceway, and take a few picture's. Why the ELL not, being around motorcycles is NOT my idea of a bad day!! We get to the track at 7:00 am. I'm not even in the school, just listed as pit crew, but I'll tell you I got a little nervous. There were bikes set to proffesionaly race sitting every where. We unloaded his 9r and removed the rims to get fresh Pilot Powers placed on. NOBODY wanted to talk to us. Most of the guys would walk by with a smirk on their face. It was getting a little annoying actually!  The guy parked beside us was pretty friendly, I think he was as intimidated by all the pro machines that were there also. Come to find out that a pro track day would be run on the off times of the school, wheewwwwww! You could feel the relief, then one of the track day boys flew by the pit area in the neighborhood of 180 mph! The stress was back!! Mike had said early on that he wanted to scrub in his Buell knee sliders:  Still sitting in the pit row, I noticed how all the I-4 bike's were lined up and ready to go, like they were the schiznit or something.  The little Blue Buell was in the background just laughing to her self. She knew what was coming.  It was almost time to go so Mike pulled the Buell up next to Frank's R-1:  Then Frank led the pack out onto the track:  | ||
| U4euh |
The first few sessions were just gettin use to the track and going faster. During their lunch break the school 'walked' the track. During this time I got to enlighten a few other riders on Buell's. They were very impressed with the Trilogy of Tech design, plus the way the bike looked in the corners added. Well about the 4th session, I had to take a phone call. While sitting in the car, they came off the track and when Mike pulled his helmet off, it was obvious what was going on.  All the other I-4 guys were gathering around him and doing the "you passed me this close" with thier hands. Then Mike pointed out that he had also ground down the feelers on his pegs. Well upon entering the conversation I found out that he had passed one of the better riders out there(Susuki SV1000) and was showering him with sparks from the foot peg being shaved!! Everyone was muttering "Buell" and "that Buell guy". No one could believe that this little monster was eating them up in the corners. One of the riders had taken the Race Licensing class the night before, he appeared to stare in disbelief at the 'Lil Blue Buell', he later left early and went home! Couldn't handle the pressure he was under. Only one rider went down, the guy that had parked next ot us. Being how I have been in the broke bike position before,(see March Badness '05), I wanted to step in and get him back on the track as soon as possible. The breaks were only twenty minutes long so we had little time. Fabricated a few parts and bent a fairing support bracket back into place and he was ready for the next session! The cooliest most awesome thing was watching Mike towards the end of the day. He would start out about 3-4 bike lengths behind the big gun bike's, the next lap it would be 1-2 bike's, then Mike came around ahead by 2-3 bike lengths. And kept reeling them in all day long. I got a kick out of watching Rubberdown eating Sushi!! And Duck!! The only people he didn't pass were the 4 guys that were racers. Frank put them on the track to give the schoolers an idea of what it felt like to be in competition. Even the racers were on Mike in the pit area. "man you were fast out there", " that lil Buell will get down won't it?" Just freakin awesome!!! I got just as much a kick out of the others response as any of you would have. Yes sir Erik Buell, your name was being talked about alot that night, hope your ears were not burning too much!! At closing, everyone came to our trailer and gave pats on the back, we exchanged email addresses for the photo's I took. I used the SLR camera for the rest of the day, so when I get those pictures, I'll post more!!! Last one for Mike  Good job Mike! And thanks for the great weekend, next time you get the camera!! | ||
| Odie |
Sounds like ya'll had a great time! Comin' to March Badness this year? | ||
| Rubberdown |
Thanks Jim! Yer pumping me up man, I appreciate it. I did learn a lot and got 188 miles of quality track time. First time I ever felt comfortable enough to drag stuff. It's addicting. If I try riding like that on the street, slap me. It was great having you there. You a great help not only to me but to others also. Love the pics. Guys, the Buell was so incredibly stable at full lean that I felt like I could go anywhere on the track without a problem. Frank Kinsey's Race School is highly recommended. Three days later, I'm almost recovered!  | ||
| Rubberdown |
Odie, we are planning on being there! Be good to see ya. | ||
| Whodom |
Mike & Jim, Sorry I missed the show on Monday- got tied up around the house and couldn't make it down. Looks like y'all had a great time. MAN I would love to have seen the looks on those I4 riders' faces! See ya' at the Badness! Hugh | ||
| Glitch |
Sweet! I love it when people get schooled Buell style! See ya'll for March Badness 3! | ||
| Jlnance |
I would have loved to see all that. The funny thing is we always have to tell people "The Buell is not a race bike," when they complain about it's performance compared to IL4s. But it must do pretty well on a racetrack anyway. Of course I've ridden with Rubberdown & U4euh. I suspect rider skill played a large part in what happened.  | ||
| U4euh |
Hey Whodom, the looks were something like this:  , , , And of course Mike when he came off the track:  ,, And then Mike and I driving home that night remembering the events:  , This one is for you Rubberdown:  What can I say,lunch was good!! | ||
| Rubberdown |
BLAAAHAHAHAHAHA. funny stuff Jim. Say, how'd this thread end up with the ULY stuff anyway? | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
I'm curious as to whether your bike is stock? Wonder if they'd have been any more aghast if it was/wasn't? | ||
| Rubberdown |
It's stock except for the pulleys and belt which I upgraded to 06' spec. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
That makes it even better that you were showing them what's up on a stocker!  | ||
| U4euh |
Well I was gonna post on the Quick board, but then I thought that this is one Ell of an Adventure!! It was an even greater joy telling those guys that gathered during lunch that it was all stock! It's what? It is showroom condition with exception to the mirrors being off, and the upgrades to the belt. And here comes the faces again! | ||
| Shred |
Cool... Glad to see more XB's on the track. Was this your first track day? | ||
| Rubberdown |
Shred, yeah, it was my first time on a track...with a motorized vehicle anyway. I raced road bicycles on that track about 10 years ago. I can't wait to do it again, so much fun, so much to learn. | ||
| M2nc |
Looks like you had fun RD. Maybe the next time more from the C3 crowd can join you. (Message edited by M2nc on January 22, 2006) | ||
| Shred |
I think the first couple of times I was on the track, my brain was smoken from all the things I was trying to learn. I got lucky and practiced with a couple of WERA racers and did EBRS a couple of times. I'd like to hit Keith Codes school at Barber this year. If anyone would like to come I'll post dates and times. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
I was on the CCS board when someone posted how it doesn't make sense to just do trackdays, at least when you're racing you have a shot at some contingency $$$ and race fees can actually be cheaper. Made sense to me. I'm going to give it a shot to see if I like it. I heavy, but I'm going to go have fun. | ||
| Doitindark |
Charlieboy-it depends on what you want to accomplish. Last year I just did trackdays and this year I'm going to try racing. Race fees are cheaper but that doesn't count for race tires that you will buy or everything else that goes with racing. But at track days you get a lot more track time and don't have to push as hard. So it all depends on what you want to do. Hope to see you at the track! | ||
| Rubberdown |
I was able to get 188 miles on the track on one day. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think a race day would come near that. However, I'm thinking that school/track days and races are apples and oranges and not really comparable. I'd sure like to find out though. (uh oh, one day in school and I'm already an insufferable "expert")  (Message edited by rubberdown on January 23, 2006) (Message edited by rubberdown on January 23, 2006) | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Oh no, I agree. Apples and oranges. But for the rush and fun factor, the racers say the race can't be beat. I like that. They had just also mentioned that the option of $$$ was good too. |
