2
Saturday, Tech-
Bike was somehow OK. Now this medical information form... I had printed two at home, filled one out. Forgot both in the rush. Tech told me I needed to get the form from Registration. I did. And filled it out. And tried to give it to Registration. Who told me to bring it to Tech. Who told me to bring it to registration. Who seemed irritated that I hadn't brought it sooner. As a bit of foreshadowing, I can tell you that the infield medical center did indeed have my medical info on file, and asked me to repeat ALL of it again when I saw them. I didn't have this much trouble when I crossed the border with three undocumented bikes, a minor, and twelve cans of high octane ethanol free cheap-ass American gas.
Saturday second practice-
Now firmly ensconced in garage C15 with pit mate Mo (#521) to keep the door closed so we stayed warm, and den mother Josh (#771, or so I've heard) to keep me on
task-ish, I set out on my first real race practice. Crossed my fingers that the old girl would not scrape my makeshift bellypan, and tiptoed on chilly eggshells to some more 1:30's putting me in 46th place for practice!! At some point during the weekend I decided my 2013 takeoffs that I rode trackdays with for 2014 were probably not ideal for the temperatures, and bought a new set of Pirellis from MTAG. Mike Kurtz was actually confused by my request, and thought I was looking for installation of takeoffs. My reputation precedes me. I didn't actually put the new ones on the bike right away, but I felt better knowing I had them. Made the driver's meeting, got my grid spots, tried to chill out for...
Race 2-GTL-
Thanks to following Mo's example, I was able to get fueled up, warmers on, and geared up to make third call. I tried my damnedest to not hyperventilate and fog my glasses, but I couldn't see much on the start. The lights didn't seem to bother me like some folks, and my start was OK. I quickly lost sight of the fast AM's up front, and settled into getting ready to be lapped by the EX's. My stringent regimen of drinking beer and reading NESR all winter quickly paid of with fatigue and dry mouth from all the panting and hollering at myself. I didn't really recognize any bikes out there, but the track was the same old thing, and I hung in there with some 1:26's until Doucette lapped me the second time at the checkers. I saw Brian Faucher #345 off of T6 on the cool down lap, and hoped it wasn't too bad, since he's just on the other side of the bench from me and I only have so many SV spares. I finished 5th of 16, which might have been better if I hadn't been lapped that second time just before the line. More faster next time. As I got tired, I found I was trail braking way too deep and rolling back on far too slowly.
At some point Josh disappeared, and when he returned with his new extension cord to replace his trashed one, I noticed mine was missing. A quick survey turned it up at the far end of the garages, skinned and piled in a heap in the road. Apparently the tow truck flew through a little low.
Race 9 LWGP-
I may have put the new front on for this one. Not sure. I flubbed the launch, and was given a second chance by a red flag on the first lap. Got a good one on the restart, and grabbed first going into T1! Held it for a little while, then #212 Chris Mackin and #609 Kyle Reese got by me. The cold weather still had me spooked for traction, so I only dared 1:27's. I held on for 3rd, however I was still pumped because I have NEVER gotten on the podium on a Saturday to actually be awarded anything! My silent goals of not crashing and getting a podium were checked off. Awards were moved inside due to chilly brr. I may have been imagining it, but the applause seemed pretty loud for me and Denny accepting my 3rd place LWGP ribbon.
Butler BBQ/S's M&K bday-
This was my event, I am always ready to binge. Unfortunately I left my food contribution right at home with my medical form (and 22mm axle nut socket, grrr) but it should still be good for next round. Maybe. It was great to see everybody having fun and food and drink. While the ice cream IOMTT cake was good, the meat/mac 'n cheese/ potato 'n cheese was just what an exhausted, sleep deprived, cold as hell carb craving body needed. That and some T1a bonfire to warm up, combined with excellent storytelling. It woulda been perfect if not for that troublesome cock-knocker down there.
Checked back in to C15 and found Brian and Mo working on putting #345 back together. I tried to help a bit, then got outta the way. Patched my ext. cord and fired up the trailer heater, grateful to have a bike in one piece.