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Since, I am new to this forum, let me first begin by introducing myself. My name is Kevin... I just started racing up at Loudon a few weeks ago during their Classic weekend.
I'll try and keep this story short.
Based on some readings I see a lot of you raced the same races as me, so feel free to comment (I know you guys will anyways).
Completed my rookie race... I have to throw that out there, because someone didn't (unfortunately).
I entered Race No. 4. I didn't really no what to expect so I laid back off the start "because I could" being in the back row and all. Found myself following people around the track after the first lap and decided it was time to start racing my own race. Then the accidents started happening. First was someone low-siding in turn 1, forcing me to scream through the grassy section at pretty much full speed. After losing just about all the positions I had gained it was time to start over again. Not more than a lap or two later, some poor fella on a Duc 748 low sides coming out of the bowl bringing me to a near halt. Joyous. A final accident in turn 12 brought out the red flag.
That was it for me that day.
Saturday rolls around and I'm not supposed to race, but cancel other plans to race. A-typical of us right? I enter a 20 min GT race don't remember which one. Since I registered that day, I had the fortune of starting dead last, where I belonged I guess. I was having an absolute blast. Made it by several riders and found myself chasing nobody... because the first two rows of riders had pulled a pretty good gap. Last lap, I come around turn 2 (or 2a, whatever its called) and lose the rear end. I don't think my gloves or helmet ever hit the ground. Slid for a while and watched my bike go down the track. Then another rider a few seconds later comes by and just t-bones my bike. Parts fly everywhere. After everything calmed down I go to the bike only to find pretty much the entire front end GONE. I ask the other rider what happened... according to him... he fixated on my bike and nailed it.
The bike comes home with me and I tear it apart. Many smashed parts, missing parts, twisted parts, etc... After a day or two I make the call to GMD (where the bike lies now). So I drop it off and Peter asks what happened. So I tell him. He has this puzzled look on his face. He comes back with "what the other rider look like". I tell him and to my disbelief he fires back with "yep, that's him... his bikes inside". After picking my jaw off the floor I go inside to take a look. After a cursory glance it doesn't appear to have half the damage mine has. Such is life. Norm if your out there... get that R6 back out there... no hard feelings.
.... and this is how I met Peter (GMD) & Deb (S.B.T). Thanx for all your help by the way. I should also include: Deb's 1st remarks to me were, "Oh... were you the guy with the bike that was fine until someone hit it". Thanx Deb. *half-grin*
My laundry list looks like this:
GMD Visit
Rear Wheel
Wiring Harness
Clip-ons
Engine Case Cover
Throttle Assembly
Brake Master Cylinder
Headers
Gauge Cluster
Rearsets
Bodywork Repair
Sliders
Front Fairing Bracket
Brake Lines
$2000 later and the bike should be back on the track. Of course people at home think I'm crazy. I can't even begin to explain it to them. If you don't ride, you don't understand.
So all in all it was one really good weekend and one really bad weekend.
Hope to see you guys out there July 29th.