| Author |
Message |
    
Jimduncan69
| | Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2007 - 02:45 pm: | 
|
mark, if i get can get away i am going to try to get up there and watch you race. let me know if you need some free help in the pits. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2007 - 05:22 pm: |
|
Thanks Gary! I will keep you posted. I am going to keep a eye on the weather as the date gets closer. My first race WILL NOT be in the rain! Call me "chicken" but I have had it sideways a few times when the track is dry. Like Rotzaruck said, I don't want my # to be LLL |
Jimduncan69
| | Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2007 - 05:55 pm: |
|
mark, i don't blame you. rain scares the sh!t out of me too. i will ride in the rain. but theres no way i would race in it. |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2007 - 06:43 pm: |
|
Why not? The grid is even, everybody is in it, not just you. Also, have you ever done a get off in the rain? Sure you slide further, but the friction burn heat is so much less.
Just kidding, you are smarter than I am! LLL......yeah, bad idea. |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2007 - 08:05 pm: |
|
Rain can be a great equalizer on the track. HP advantages are turned into negatives, and there is little advantage
gained by having a bike that is only a few pounds lighter. Racing in the wet is a different skill set than in the dry.
If you have a good wet track rain tires work amazingly well. I was surprised to see the lap times that were being
turned on "rains" the first time I really paid attention to such things. They will burn up in a couple of laps if the track
dries out though so it can be a bit of a gamble to go out on them.
Bottom line, there is no reason to fear racing in the rain. The biggest hazard of riding in the rain (other traffic) is out
of the picture and the other riders on the track with you have at least enough skill to not be a menace.
Racing in the wet can also pay dividends in helping learn how to control slides and general wet riding skills for the
street or even in handling those unexpected mid-corner sand, gravel or oil spills on your favorite back road. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Monday, September 03, 2007 - 12:31 am: |
|
I just had to post another pic.... |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Monday, September 03, 2007 - 12:32 am: |
|
Double poster....
(Message edited by wolfridgerider on September 03, 2007) |
Tdiddy
| | Posted on Monday, September 03, 2007 - 01:15 am: |
|
Cut the fender off where it contacts the steering damper so it cant hang up and drag on the tire.
Good luck from California!!! |
Rotzaruck
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 10:13 pm: |
|
Isn't it funny how you can drive by something for years, and then suddenly you see it in a new light. Just at the bottom west side of Lookout Mountain.
Correct Form
Incorrect Form
|
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 12:06 pm: |
|
Time to get a new set of shoes!! I just registered for my first race at Mid Ohio on Sunday Sept.23Rd I will be racing in the HW Superstock Twins class. It is the first race of the day. I am so worked up that I entered as a Expert online. WTF!! I called the AMA and let them know I messed up and to please fix my error. I am the 13th person to sign up for this race.... sounds like good luck to me!!
The bummer is I have never been on Mid Ohio at speed.... so..... I will try learn the track the best I can during the 2 practice sessions and I hope I can get someone to follow around the track for 8 laps.
I'm shaking just thinking about it!! |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 02:25 pm: |
|
Go Mark!
I know how you feel. Back a bunch of years I drove dirt track race cars. Even after four years I never lost that feeling the night before a race.
It is funny the little things that will become a "good luck" ritual. Numbers you see, which shoe goes on first, the pattern by which I checked the fluids, air, spares, trailer hitch, etc, and even when put gas in the race car. If I missed one thing I would feel off a little until I could confirm it had been done. I alway had a written "to do" check list that I had to follow without interruption.
I would not eat anything on race day until after my last race was over, then don't get between me and the hotdog stand! Our races were on Saturday and Sunday nights. Sometimes I didn't get to eat until midnight. |
Jimduncan69
| | Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 02:55 pm: |
|
hey Vern i will be down in your neck of the woods this sunday and monday. if you have some free time and want to show some northerners some good roads let me know. |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 10:05 pm: |
|
Pm me on where and when you might be here. I got another BadWebber that said he might ride Sunday. Monday is out for me. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 09:26 pm: |
|
Well I just got done with spooging RTV on my oil & brake line fittings. My catch can should deliver on Monday. Lost-in-ohio is going to stop by tomorrow to do a tps reset....... what am I forgetting? |
Orion1
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 03:41 pm: |
|
Mark,
I've got my eye on you. I too plan to race for the first time very soon, and am, well.... "above average" in age (52). I took Cornerspeed at VIR last year and got my provisional race license. I still haven't completely race-prep'd my Gixxer 750 though, but did several track days this year. I hope to be racing this coming season. Let me know if you come down to the south-east (Road Atlanta, VIR, Roebling, CMP, Jennings).
So you're not the old geezer you thought you were! I am! |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 08:36 pm: |
|
Glad to see I'm not the only late bloomer in the bunch! I think I am going to keep a close eye on the Inside Pass track days next year and plan some time off so I can get on some other tracks with more Buellers. You may just see me everywhere! |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Monday, October 15, 2007 - 10:10 pm: |
|
So I had my first race the end of Sept. at Mid Ohio. It was a major suck fest! I had never been on the track at Mid Ohio, It was my first race, and they canceled one of the practice sessions! To add insult to injury, They also put me on the poll for the novice group..... that didn't last long! Long story short. I didn't die, I didn't cause anyone else to die and I finished the race in 5th place.....out of 5....
Race #2 Much BETTER!
I went to Nelson Ledges to run in a Mini endurance race. 30 min. of hammer time. I ran in the Middle Weight class against a bunch of 600's. This time I knew I would do better. It was a perfect day. Sun shinning, Mid 70's & not a cloud as far as the eye could see. I did one practice session and then I took part in the novice practice starts... all went well until on of the young whipper snappers decided to leave the track at a high rate of speed. He was ok but his bike was trashed. Practice was over. Time for lunch and the riders meeting. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!
The race I was in was the first of the day. I could never explain the rush you get when that #1 board goes side ways..... and then the green flag drops! BEST DRUG I HAVE EVER HAD!! The race is under way and I didn't get zapped by anyone at the start....this is a good sign. I try my best to keep up with the kids with the white plates... (thats not going to happen) Calm down! 29min 50sec. to go! I must pace myself. I start to talk to myself (like a sports caster)
"Gainer drops the HAMMER"
"Gainer blasts out of turn 13"
I call myself every thing in the book.. I am having the time of my life!
About 15min into the race...ZAP... I get lapped by 2 of the lead riders $HIT!! I pour on the coal! Then I notice 3 little targets in my sites! 2 novice riders with orange shirts on and 1 without! I'm getting closer to lapping 3 people myself! The Marine Corps thinking takes over. I MUST PASS/LAP THEM!! I WILL!! I keep getting closer. Their time is short! DREADED turn 13, I am on their asses! I'm about to stuff them on the inside and they both park it!! I almost run them both over! I grab a handful of front brake!! WTF!! big mistake! I almost dump it! Pull the seat out of my crack, drop the hammer! I will get you in turn 4 my pretties!! ZAP ZAP!! I got 2 in turn 4, One more to go. I catch him in turn 13, son of a B!tch! I roll on the wick to hard and put it side ways like I was Chris Carr! Pull seat from crack again, but this time I am still on his butt. I pass him before we hit turn 1. I AM THE MAN!! My a$$ is starting to drag.... when is this going to be over?? DAMN I'm beat! Finally the checkered flag. Its about time! I'm about to have a fat attack!
I ended up 5th again, out of 8 this time.
My wife was on hand to witness this and I think the hook may be set. "You need a new trailer" "You need tire warmers" "You need that and this" Needless to say she had a great time and to see the big smile on her face after it was over was the best part of the day..... I could barely walk.... time to pass out.... |
Rotzaruck
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 07:32 am: |
|
That's way better!!! 5 out of 8 puts you in the middle of the pack!!
Your wife's big smile is the greatest thing though. Having a wife proud of you and on your side is the most wonderful thing. Keep it up man!! |
Rasta_dog
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 10:48 am: |
|
Cool write up! Somebody needs to start leaving Freddie Spencer Riding School brochures laying around the house so that your wife finds one. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 11:06 am: |
|
I just looked up the Freddie Spencer Riding School.... That would be WAY COOL!! My wife loves Vegas! I would say this would be the PERFECT vacation for both of us. Now I just need some pamphlets to leave around the house..... and a bunch of money |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 10:06 am: |
|
ITS TIME FOR SEASON II
Mini Endurance Races at Nelson Ledges
May 31st
Jul 19th
Aug 9th
Oct 4th
Sprint Races at Mid Ohio
Sep 20th & 21st
The lack o cash is putting a hinky on this year but I am keeping my fingers crossed
that everything stays together. I have a good bit of "extra" parts just in case. I hope I don't need them.
If you make it to one of these events stop by and say "You're to old for this $hit!" |
Thumper74
| | Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 01:46 pm: |
|
Old man, I keep crash parts at the house. Just in case...
Also, I have that newish Qualifier in the garage. You can pick up a new front relatively inexpensively to match it. I hear they make great track tires. It's yours for a six pack.
What's it take to run novice there? Do I need a race license? |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 02:06 pm: |
|
What kinda beer would you like? |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 10:39 am: |
|
Just ordered a set of Corsa III's and a set of EBC pads.
I've sent my entry form in with the $$$ for the first race of the season....
I'm down to 216 lbs. (from 242.5 I will drop some more)
I've got a track day at Mid-Ohio that I'm "working" as a coach for KTM... that should be a good warm up.
I'm feeling.... |
