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Friday
Did not leave the shop till after 7:00 after finally getting my suspension set up and my frame bolt replaced I wanted to be at the track by 6:45..
Practice 1 sucked.. I sucked. It was like I had never done this before. Sloppy and slow. Practice 2 was a bit better but still really off pace and unsure. I kept feeling like I don’t belong out there and getting frustrated.
Went out for my first race, Race #3 did not come in last but that is not saying much, I still felt like I was racing like crap though I was starting to feel better by the 4th lap and then they red flagged the race so it was over.
My second race, Race #11 I get out there and when I am doing the warm up lap the bike seem to be shifting funny. By the end of the lap it seems ok. I lined up and did the start I only got two upshifts and the shifter arm jammed.. the entire pack zoomed away. I jammed it up and then trying to downshift into turn 3 the arm would not return on its own when down shifting. CRAP. I was sure I busted my transmission or even just the spring on the shifter. Either way I was don for the weekend no one has parts for my bike. I fart around the rest of the lap and pitout. After I am off the track I pull over and reach down… a screw from my bodywork had worked its way out just far enough to jam the shifter arm. A stupid little screw that I should have checked when I checked the clips for the rest of the bodywork.. well at least is was not totally broken but that race was a wash.
Sunday. I got up with the same alarm as Saturday, which was dumb I could have slept another hour since I did not have to do registration or Tech inspection or set up the pit.. but we were up so off to the track we went.
For my first practice I was looser and more relaxed feeling good. I got on the gas earlier and harder into turn 4 and ended up on the outside of 5 instead of the middle so I entered turn six (the bowl) on a different line. I was doing ok but hit a bump and the bike stood up I could not get it to get back into the turn and the wall and tires were fast approaching so as soon as I go to the gravel I threw the bike to the ground and slid off the track. The corner workers got the bike up and out of the way. I busted up the fairing and scratched up the engine covers but noting too serious. She started right back up so I rode her out the turn 6 gate and back to the pit. On my way around the area I pit I yelled out to the other guys “I need some duct tape..” kidding and to show I was fine.. (well mostly today my lower back is really sore and my middle back is a bit sore.) I pulled into my spot and at least 3 guys were right there surveying the damage. Before I had my helmet and gloves off they were stitching the fairing back together with zip ties and striating the handle bar that bent a little. (thanks Tall Rick, Pasta Rocket, Kurlon, I know there must have been more help buzzing around but I was a bit wired from the tumble)
I ended up with plenty of time to dump the 4-5 lbs of gravel out of the belly pan and go over to tech to get the ok to bring it back on the track before my next practice.
Practice 2 went well I was feeling good loose no issue thru the bowl it was cut short for some reason I am guessing the cleanups from the other practice put our timing at risk for getting lunch and starting the races on time.
Race. GTU 20 min race (my only Sunday race).
Race started as they all do. I get a decent start but my timing is off for the first few turns and I end up at the back of the pack. But then I started to get into it. Rolling into it, turning deeper. The last race weekend I was at I was excited because my knee touched in to bowl. This race I fully dragged my left knee in turn 1, 2 6-7 all the way 9 and touched in 11 and my rt knee dragged in 1a and touched in 3 only one real mess up coming hot into turn 1 I am leaned all the way over my knee grinding on the pavement my toe and foot peg grinding… I have no more lean and I am not turning enough the grass is on its way and if I am in this lean when I get there I am going down so I throw the bike upright and Motocross it over the grass. Phew… not only did I drag knee fully I also posted my best time of 1:30.5 my previous best lap was 1:34.3 and I got two laps at 1:30.XX that race. 9 out of 13 laps were faster than my best ever lap.
I am improving I more race weekend to go and maybe I will be able to make it up the Friday before to get in some practice and get in the groove earlier.
Maybe one day I will be good. Maybe next time I will get into the 20’s
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Originally Posted by Pookie
nice meeting you bud
