[s a x m a n]

Bought rain tires for this weekend, and made two good practices with them. Having never riden on the track in the rain, nevermind with rain tires I had no idea what to expect.

I talked with Paul a bit and he gave some helpful advice, which I wish I used later in the day.

I go out for race #2, grided front row. Got a good launch and ended up in 3rd going into turn 1 ... coming up 4 there was a red flag, restart.

Restart, got a better launch ended up 2nd into turn 1, then was passed, and held 3rd for abit. Ended up being 4th for laps 3-5. Lap 6 comes around, and I head into turn one, still on the brakes I turn in (paul told me not to do this), the front end just goes and the bike heads through several layers of tires in nascar turn 1. I slide past all the tire walls, stopping 5' short of the last one.

I was having so much fun, I clicked off a 1:42 on lap 5, and just felt great. I made a stupid mistake and just ruined it for myself. I was, and am still so pissed off, emotionally draining, and just mentally defeated.

I missed race 4, but was able to make race 13, I got an awful start and my best time was a 1:48. I couldn't get past the thought of the turn 1 crash. I was so shaken up, it was awful. Everyone was passing me in turn 1. I ended up 11th out of 16.

I am so upset with myself, I feel like I should be better than this. The mental game is what is killing me right now. I know I can ride the damn bike, but I have mental lapses and its costing me ... i'm so frustrated with myself.

Hotbodies bodywork holds up great, as it has taken a beating over the past two race weekends. I'll be learning how to fiberglass this week. Damage done to the bike is a broken instrument cluster, upper wireharness, and bent sairing stay (which we were able to bend back)

Thanks again to the crew, Mike, Mark and Tim for helping with the bike and being very supportive.

On the subject of rain tires, i'm amazed at the amount of traction they offer (when not braking or accelerating while leaned over). I look forward to some more wet weather track time to learn more about riding with them. For me, they almost provide a false sense of security because I had to continue to remind myself I was still in the wet, and was riding at times like it was dry (IE, turn 1 crash). I alwasy trail brake into 1, so I guess I was trying to do that again here.

Mentally I am spent right now ... time to focus on getting the bike together.

I hope I can be better than this.

[Dave B]

Bro, I am in the same position you're in, but we can get through it. I have never been a gifted athlete, and sure enough, racing does not come naturally to me.

I crashed again this weekend trying to chase down Eric Wood and another student at the Advanced School. I know what I did wrong (asked too much of 16" street tires at Turn 2 - got greedy with the throttle). Okay, learn from it, replace that clutch lever, rock on.

I placed dead last in race 9 yesterday, but enjoyed jousting with one of my friends and made a decision that I am proud of - I tried to outbrake her in 3 and pass on the inside, but knowing that I had been squirelly there all day, I elected to back off bc I didn't want to take her out if I crashed. She beat me, but we, as the two last-place finishers, had our own celebration afterwards. Now I know why the lappers in the pro races still give a shit. Maybe I'll start carrying a blue flag during the cool down lap just for shits and giggles.

I know I can't beat the top guys right now, but I can still be competitive with some of the people - and that makes it worth it.

Short story long - keep turning laps. Rome wasn't built in a day. I know advice from a fellow newb doesn't seem like much, but I think it's all the more valuable. I'm in the same boat. A boat that just happens to be floating around the infield right now... I think I even saw a dorsal fin out there...

[Montee73]

How is your Bike SaxMan?? I was camped out next to you..

I discovered turn 11 sucks in the rain!!! Lesson learned..

See you at the classic??

[highsider]

As you know, there is only one cure for this ailment.


Race more.

[Montee73]

How right rou are!!!!!!! If it ain't broke, get the H*ll up and try it again!!!!!

[Dave B]

Damn straight. I learn more every time I go out (admittedly not much time out).

Lesson 1: Bring spares.

[Montee73]

Yup, thank god I brought spare crap!!!

Next purchase is rain tires!!!!

[s a x m a n]

the bike ok ... could have been much worse

need to repair some bodywork

someone sold me a new instrument cluster for $80 shipped and pitbull is sending me pads for my rear stand for free since I broke my spool bracket


I'll be all set for the June weekend, but have two track days to ride between now and then. (=

[Nazo]

Welcome to racing bro!
Its mostly all mental out there
Your doing good for just beginning, give it time and you'll get faster. Theres alot to learn out there.
I had the same mental game mess with me too.
I missed the call for Race 2 so i had to start from hot pit after they let you guys on the grid go.
I barreled out of hot pit in dead last and completely lost my bike in Turn 2, that drained my confidence in being able to push it out there. My rear tire kept slipping and it just played with my head all during the race thinking I was going down again.
I pussyfooted around the track and finished 7th overall.