[finao]

Running in second practice session, I was going to enter the rookie race.

Not sure which of several (if not all) potential errors I made, coming in too hot, too high at entry, poor throttle control, cold tire, poor body position, suspension compression from crest....etc. Bottom line went down entering the bowl.

Fractures four ribs ( left, lateral, posterior) developed minor pneumothorax. Fractured ribs hurt like a mofo! but getting better.

I haven't seen bike yet but have been told bike has minor damage, slider and engine cover only! Thanks to Clayton (Iglu) and guy form N Carolina w/sv650 with help with the bike and transponder as well as Degsy, Jim and others who helped out. This is really a nice group of people and a supportive community.

[BMFR6]

that sucks, get well soon.

seems like a tough weekend for nesr. damn. maybe i should be glad i wasn't racing.

[Manny]

ah shit dude. feel good fast.

[DucDave]

Wow...sorry to hear that. Must o' gone down hard...highside?

I don't mind crashing if I know why...experience and all that! While all the things you mentioned could contribute it's the last one that happened that you need to understand! Find someone smart you can talk this through with until you have an idea of what you might have done differently. Then it's all worth while. (Well...at least you get the positive experience learning something!)

Heal up...

[TheIglu]

No problem taking care of that. We woulda loaded your bike up for you, but we weren't sure if you wanted it on the trailer and there was only one tie-down. I did give the transponder back (walked up to the lady at the gate with 4 of them, ha!) so you shouldn't be getting any calls from them.

The bike is a little dirty and the engine side cover is cracked. Other than that, she should be nearly ready to go again!

I watched you go through 3, then moved over to watch you go through 10. I was going to offer you some pointers on body position, line choice, etc, but you never showed up in 10. "Uh oh" I thought, then I see the red flags waving.

Don't forget to thank JimF, he pushed your bike halfway up the hill out of the tunnel before I was able to help the rest of the way. Well, and Degsy, but that's a given, he helps everyone!

We'll see you up there soon enough. Perhaps a couple trackdays on the new bike (less stress, more time, no getting buzzed by rediculously fast guys) will get you more comfortable on the racebike so your rookie race will be a breeze.

Heal up!

[finao]

Originally Posted by DucDave

Wow...sorry to hear that. Must o' gone down hard...highside?

I don't mind crashing if I know why...experience and all that! While all the things you mentioned could contribute it's the last one that happened that you need to understand! Find someone smart you can talk this through with until you have an idea of what you might have done differently. Then it's all worth while. (Well...at least you get the positive experience learning something!)

Heal up...

Dave, Low side! I totally agree, if I at least understood what I did wrong I could try to learn from it but unfortunately I really don't know what exactly I did wrong. probably a bit of all of the above, 1st day of the season at NHMS. Should have simply taken it real easy until had comfort level back up.

[finao]

Originally Posted by TheIglu

No problem taking care of that. We woulda loaded your bike up for you, but we weren't sure if you wanted it on the trailer and there was only one tie-down. I did give the transponder back (walked up to the lady at the gate with 4 of them, ha!) so you shouldn't be getting any calls from them.

The bike is a little dirty and the engine side cover is cracked. Other than that, she should be nearly ready to go again!

I watched you go through 3, then moved over to watch you go through 10. I was going to offer you some pointers on body position, line choice, etc, but you never showed up in 10. "Uh oh" I thought, then I see the red flags waving.

Don't forget to thank JimF, he pushed your bike halfway up the hill out of the tunnel before I was able to help the rest of the way. Well, and Degsy, but that's a given, he helps everyone!

We'll see you up there soon enough. Perhaps a couple trackdays on the new bike (less stress, more time, no getting buzzed by rediculously fast guys) will get you more comfortable on the racebike so your rookie race will be a breeze.

Heal up!

Clayton, turn three is always a bitch for me, let alone the 1st day back at the track. I know that everything I did in turn three was way off! (Not to mention that there way a some oil from a previous spill)

Absolutely, before I attempt a rookie race again I will make sure I am fully in sink with the track again. Do you kow JimK screen name? We met at VIR a couple of weeks ago but I don't remember screen his name. Thanks, Joel

[OreoGitorio]

Jim's screen name is JimF.

Sorry to hear about the unscheduled dismount & broken baby backs, bro I'm surprised ya got all that from a low-side. Musta tumbled a bit, eh? That sucks.

Heal up, bro.

[Paul_E_D]

My first 5-6 crashes were unexplainable (by me). It takes a while to really be able to know why a given lowside happens... Especially when you don't have a detailed set of reference points for the turn... The more track references you have, the more ideas you will have about what went wrong.

Heal up quick!

[mzdagrl]

rob (reiobard) pulled your bike off and down the hill for you. he was working in 6 that day. sucks about the ribs, hope you heal up soon.

[Nazo]

Hey, I was pitted directly across from you.....tough break.
I felt bad when they brought your bike back over and said what happened.
Heal up bro, hope to see you out there soon

[Fitz]

I've entered the bowl literally hundreds of times while behind the wheel of a car and still I pucker a bit. Not sure why. Looking to start amateur bike racing in '09 and am not looking forward to the transition in 3 or entering the bowl. It's just time and experience right?

Fitz

[senecak19]

Plus one to this entire organization. Those folks even though to cover your exhaust in the rain! Heal up... looking forward to seeing you back on that bike (or at least spectate this coming race weekend).

[reiobard]

Dude, glad you just had some ribs, you were in some serious pain. Looked to me like you came out of 6 high and then tried to turn a bit to get back on line and lowsided it.

I was suprised that you were in such pain because it didn't look all that violent, your engine cover didn't wear through at all, it just hit a bigger rock as it slid into the dirt, (FWIW, thank you for crashing and leaking all your oil in the dirt so i didn't have to do any cleanup)


just take your time around the track and get to know it every weekend, it changes every time you see it...

[reiobard]

also you weren't entering the bowl, you were much past apex... make pretend that you are at the apex and head straight for the near corner of the stands and then remeber that the turn keeps going and try to make it from there with only about 10 feet of track before you hit the dirt.... Lowside and send the bike into the dirt.

[bostongixxer]

Originally Posted by finao

Dave, Low side! I totally agree, if I at least understood what I did wrong I could try to learn from it but unfortunately I really don't know what exactly I did wrong. probably a bit of all of the above, 1st day of the season at NHMS. Should have simply taken it real easy until had comfort level back up.

You should have taken my advice and gone on a diet you big fuck!! That 250 lbs of beef you carry around did it...seriously, heal up buddy. I need to get Team Formula 40 off the ground this year. Both of us crashing is a bad start.

[finao]

Originally Posted by reiobard

also you weren't entering the bowl, you were much past apex... make pretend that you are at the apex and head straight for the near corner of the stands and then remeber that the turn keeps going and try to make it from there with only about 10 feet of track before you hit the dirt.... Lowside and send the bike into the dirt.

Dude thanks for clarifying! My last memory is coming over the crest, getting close to the right side and blank.

Yeah one of the things that bummed me out was that I low sided (supposedly the better way to go down and I still got hurt).

[OreoGitorio]

Originally Posted by Fitz

I've entered the bowl literally hundreds of times while behind the wheel of a car and still I pucker a bit. Not sure why. Looking to start amateur bike racing in '09 and am not looking forward to the transition in 3 or entering the bowl. It's just time and experience right?

Fitz

Yup.... laps & laps & laps... best way by far to get em is via track days. Ya can squeeze the most track time per day into a track day, plus there's no competition... just you & the track.

[finao]

Originally Posted by bostongixxer

You should have taken my advice and gone on a diet you big fuck!! That 250 lbs of beef you carry around did it...seriously, heal up buddy. I need to get Team Formula 40 off the ground this year. Both of us crashing is a bad start.

Scotty, I really think too much beef cake on the middleweight frame contributed to the severity of the impact. I need to get down to at least 200lbs. I am feeeling better, I think I will make it back to the track (was questionalble for a bit), bike is not too bad at first glance, I'll post picture later. I have gone down in 2 and now 6, my odds have to be improving.

[Degsy]

Joel, glad to see you're getting better.
If you are up to it and feel like a trip, i'll drive you up to the track this weekend to watch.

degs

[trickphoto]

Originally Posted by finao

Scotty, I really think too much beef cake on the middleweight frame contributed to the severity of the impact. I need to get down to at least 200lbs. I am feeeling better, I think I will make it back to the track (was questionalble for a bit), bike is not too bad at first glance, I'll post picture later. I have gone down in 2 and now 6, my odds have to be improving.

Shit!
I didn't make the connection between your screen name and the real life you until Scott started talking about beefcake.
Heal up quick, Joel!
Let me know if you need help with the bike.

[JudyGT]

Originally Posted by finao

Dave, Low side! I totally agree, if I at least understood what I did wrong I could try to learn from it but unfortunately I really don't know what exactly I did wrong. probably a bit of all of the above, 1st day of the season at NHMS. Should have simply taken it real easy until had comfort level back up.

My rider (AKA Man God) crashed last oct in the bowl ,(sent him to concord with a broken shoulder blade and collar bone) and is still trying to figure out what happened.
But he's back, and woo hoo, his Track W (me) is happy again!
c-you all this weekend.!
judy

[finao]

Originally Posted by Degsy

Joel, glad to see you're getting better.
If you are up to it and feel like a trip, i'll drive you up to the track this weekend to watch.

degs

Derek, Thank for the offer! But definately not up for that level of activity yet. This shit hurts! Today is the first day I even looked at my gear.

I do have to get back up there I think my boots are at the infirmary.

Take care bud.

[Manny]

Originally Posted by finao

I think my boots are at the infirmary.

Tell them I hope they feel better.

[finao]

Originally Posted by trickphoto

Shit!
I didn't make the connection between your screen name and the real life you until Scott started talking about beefcake.
Heal up quick, Joel!
Let me know if you need help with the bike.

Mike, I'll give you a ring if I do, it doesn't look to bad but the bike was totally clean, never been down before this so it definately getting the "track bike " look.