Buell rider on the podium..... I stand alone.... I raced alone....
SOOO now I have three #1 plates... now whats next??
Last year I ran my first race at Mid Ohio. It was the Road Race Of Grand Champions. I looked forward to this race all year. Last year you couldn't find a place to park. This year.... the place was empty... I was the only novice that showed up to race LW SuperBike, LW SuperSport and Heavy Weight Twins. So there I stood, alone on the podium. I had a great time. Lots of Badwebbers from Ohio came to show their support and I thank all of you for that. Nukeblue (Shawn) had a little get off in Thunder Valley and was about ready to call it a day.... NOT GONNA HAPPEN! I had crashed last year in the same spot and broke off some stuff. I bought EXTRA STUFF.... Within 30 min. I would say we had his bike back up and running. New handle bar, Shifter linkage & footpeg... he was good as new.... almost. He went back out and finished 3rd in his last race (Expert LW SuperBike) I tried to catch up the best I could and ended up passing one of the expert riders... (the highlight of my racing day)
So next year I will defend my three #1 plates....... against myself... if I must...
The fields were packed at VIR this weekend. Three waves in some races. My smallest race out of six over the weekend had 26 on the grid for a single class. Maybe everybody was there? I saw and talked with a number of Buell racers. I was racing the middleweight supersport, superbike, GTU, and unlimited GP on an R6 and the races were pretty much packed.
Congrats Mark, knew you could do it. (beat yourself that is) Hey, what the heck if its yours do what you want with it. Seriously though, you make us Buellers proud. Thanks and good job.
A win is a win is a win... Cool beans on passing an expert! Move south, I'll race ya!!! I should have my racing license in time for next year's race season.
I remember when I won 1st place in a bike show with my cafe'd Sportster. I was in the Sportster class. I was the only one who showed up, probably because of the rain.
Doesn't mean I don't brag about it and hang the plaque on the wall!
Don't think for a MINUTE that I wont talk some SH!T... LOL
Are you gonna run one of those #1 plates on the Uly when you come to Buelltoberfest? That would be cool.
Are you kidding!!.... I am going to put one on the back of jacket, one on my helmet and the last one will be hung around my neck with a HUGE gold chain....
It was kinda hard to tell... They did two wave starts. I was about 10 rows behind the experts so I didn't even have a good rabbit to pull me around the track.
I thought I could hear that Cake song "The distance" everytime you rode by.
Reluctantly crouched at the starting line, Engines pumping and thumping in time. The green light flashes, the flags go up. Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup. They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank, Fuel burning fast on an empty tank. Reckless and wild, they pour through the turns. Their prowess is potent and secretly stearn. As they speed through the finish, the flags go down. The fans get up and they get out of town. The arena is empty except for one man, Still driving and striving as fast as he can. The sun has gone down and the moon has come up, And long ago somebody left with the cup. But hes driving and striving and hugging the turns. And thinking of someone for whom he still burns.
Hes going the distance. Hes going for speed. Shes all alone In her time of need. Because hes racing and pacing and plotting the course, Hes fighting and biting and riding on his horse, Hes going the distance.
No trophy, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine, Hes haunted by something he cannot define. Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse, Assail him, impale him with monster-truck force. In his mind, hes still driving,still making the grade. Shes hoping in time that her memories will fade. Cause hes racing and pacing and plotting the course, Hes fighting and biting and riding on his horse. The sun has gone down and the moon has come up, And long ago somebody left with the cup. But hes striving and driving and hugging the turns. And thinking of someone for whom he still burns.
Cause hes going the distance. Hes going for speed. Shes all alone In her time of need. Because hes racing and pacing and plotting the course, Hes fighting and biting and riding on his horse. Hes racing and pacing and plotting the course, Hes fighting and biting and riding on his horse. Hes going the distance. Hes going for speed. Hes going the distance.
Pay for my fees and I'll run against you. It won't be much competition, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice for a friend
Yeah like you'd ever show up to race lol.
"Sorry I couldn't make it to race against you Mark, my neighbors brother in laws nephews hamster had babies and I had to get the sheets and boil the water for the delivery."
I had a lot of thoughts about hang'n up the leathers after this season on my way home yesterday. I couldn't get Gregs passing away out of my head.
I dropped a grand on entry fees and tires and I was the only one on the grid.... what was the point?... BUT, we will see what the spring brings. Its so much fun to be at the track and see everyone.
I think I'm going to do the WERA race at Nelsons this Sunday... That is if there is anyone to race...
I'll never forget something Richard Petty said after his grandson got killed racing and he was considering selling off the race team. He said that he was reading the paper one morning and two kids drown in a swimming hole. He thought "now are they going to go around and fill every lake, pond and pool in with concrete so no one can drown? Of course not, things happen, and when it's your time it's your time, doesn't matter what you're doing weather it be swimming, racing or walking across the street.
Richard credited that tragic article for making him realize that you just gotta keep doing what you do and what you love. He knew Adam would have wanted them to keep going, Just like I'm sure Greg would want you to do Mark.
Now instead of quitting, go out there and kick some ass for Greg!