First race! what a joke. after 2 years of trackdays and generally running around a track getting to know a bike, and the track...I opted for a race license. Race weekend, was a trip, much to organize and too much to take in...so i just went on automatic mode.
Friday trackday was good, dropped my times by 2 seconds, and was feeling good. Saturday practice was good, not getting passed in my group (2), and picking spots to pass people.. Now time for the race.
After a lot of discussion with several people, I had a couple of strategies in place to move myself to the front. Gridded up on row 2, space #9, good spot, i'll get the drive on the outside, and puts me on the inside of T2, perfect.
the start was all automatic, and reacitionary to what I was taught from others...as soon as the green flag dropped, i was on it....front wheel barely off the ground, good drive, around old T1 and up the hill into 3rd place, going into Turn2...very cool...moving into T3, i'm ass packing the dude in front of me (means i'm right on his rear tire being slowed down) so i figure I can get around this guy....out of T3a, thru 4 and i move to the outside and outbrake into T6 (the carousel). The wind had picked up something awful throughout the evening, and i think it pushed me into the corner a little faster than normal...i got into 2nd place...and rolled thru the turn (a long left hand sweeper) and a similiar pace as during practice.
On the exit, i was outside the turn a bit, running wide and suddenly felt a high speed wobble (tank slapper) and felt the bike pushing me out side off track...fuck me! so i tried to hold her steady, moved outside, saw the dirt, and now i'm in the dirt, bike is upright, i'm exiting the turn, so i'm now parallel to the track...the front end is shaking crazy like...and i'm riding it out...shit, i might save this bitch! sweet! another 100ft of this and the bike is fishtailing, i'm slowing down, and almost have control...and then all of a sudden she pitches to the right and i keep going striaght. FUCK! so much for preparation, so much for good intentions...major lesson about to be learned! hit head first, roll, bike lands on its side and I'm pissed off...mostly at myself, partiallly at my bike...and unfortunately i ran way past it's abilities. The medics come over, i'm pissed, nose is bleeding, and I rung my bell. I'm helped up the hill to wait out the next 25 min while the race continues and the next race goes thru.
Prob for the best, as i was beyond angry and it gave me time to relax, and reflect on what had just happened.
When back in the pits, the bike looked horrible...pulled all fairings off, and took it to the frame guy...not much damage on the frame, none really. so i got 3 weeks to fix the bike and ready for the next race.
update: bike is ready, i'm ready...fuck this waiting shit!
blah, first race....so i got the bad stuff out of the way.
after looking at the times that the leader ran..his fastest lap was a 1:59 and I was running consistent 1:55's all day. fuck me.
the way it is...next time.
Friday trackday was good, dropped my times by 2 seconds, and was feeling good. Saturday practice was good, not getting passed in my group (2), and picking spots to pass people.. Now time for the race.
After a lot of discussion with several people, I had a couple of strategies in place to move myself to the front. Gridded up on row 2, space #9, good spot, i'll get the drive on the outside, and puts me on the inside of T2, perfect.
the start was all automatic, and reacitionary to what I was taught from others...as soon as the green flag dropped, i was on it....front wheel barely off the ground, good drive, around old T1 and up the hill into 3rd place, going into Turn2...very cool...moving into T3, i'm ass packing the dude in front of me (means i'm right on his rear tire being slowed down) so i figure I can get around this guy....out of T3a, thru 4 and i move to the outside and outbrake into T6 (the carousel). The wind had picked up something awful throughout the evening, and i think it pushed me into the corner a little faster than normal...i got into 2nd place...and rolled thru the turn (a long left hand sweeper) and a similiar pace as during practice.
On the exit, i was outside the turn a bit, running wide and suddenly felt a high speed wobble (tank slapper) and felt the bike pushing me out side off track...fuck me! so i tried to hold her steady, moved outside, saw the dirt, and now i'm in the dirt, bike is upright, i'm exiting the turn, so i'm now parallel to the track...the front end is shaking crazy like...and i'm riding it out...shit, i might save this bitch! sweet! another 100ft of this and the bike is fishtailing, i'm slowing down, and almost have control...and then all of a sudden she pitches to the right and i keep going striaght. FUCK! so much for preparation, so much for good intentions...major lesson about to be learned! hit head first, roll, bike lands on its side and I'm pissed off...mostly at myself, partiallly at my bike...and unfortunately i ran way past it's abilities. The medics come over, i'm pissed, nose is bleeding, and I rung my bell. I'm helped up the hill to wait out the next 25 min while the race continues and the next race goes thru.
Prob for the best, as i was beyond angry and it gave me time to relax, and reflect on what had just happened.
When back in the pits, the bike looked horrible...pulled all fairings off, and took it to the frame guy...not much damage on the frame, none really. so i got 3 weeks to fix the bike and ready for the next race.
update: bike is ready, i'm ready...fuck this waiting shit!
blah, first race....so i got the bad stuff out of the way.
after looking at the times that the leader ran..his fastest lap was a 1:59 and I was running consistent 1:55's all day. fuck me.
the way it is...next time.
monster_girl:
glad to hear that you weren't too seriously hurt. it's a total bitch when you think that you've saved yourself fr crashing and then in one cruel final moment - bam. happened at my last track day - went into a turn a bit too hot and thought i could save it and the next thing i know i'm sliding across the track into the dirt. only ended up w a few bruises and feeling like a dumbass - not bad considering.