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Posted on gixxer.com as well:
Race report 1 Racer #486-Dan Martin April 28, 2003
First things first:
Thanks to NESR Racing* (G-man) #226 for lending a trailer to get my bike to the track.
Thanks to Double Apex Racing** for allowing us to pit with them, catching and
servicing the bike, as well as holding my hand and drying my tears all weekend.
Both teams were very gracious and generous to this rookie racer.
Thanks to Lockhart Phillips USA*** for their great contribution as sponsor to racer #486.
FRIDAY:
PRE-RACE STRESS LEADS TO MECHANICAL FAILURE:
Race weekend started with trying to make the Friday Penguin Racing School for a
refresher course, but missing it. Not having a trailer of my own, I went to the
track and borrowed one from a fellow racer - Gerard Schifino #226 of NESR Racing.
Arriving back home late and tired, I made the poor decision of trying to load
the bike by myself and yes, dropped it; tearing off the front brake lever.
Unable to find a replacement brake lever at 10pm, I missed Friday's class. At
this point stress is setting in.
The bike, wife, and I make it to the track Friday afternoon in time to set up
our pit, purchase a replacement lever and install, tech the bike, and make the
second practice session of three.
GP SHIFTING NEARLY ENDS CAREER:
This is where I learn GP shifting-at the track during competition; bad decision
#2. Slow on the course due to thinking through before shifts.
Started to feel a little better after three laps.
Exiting through 12 and saw nothing but the empty straight in front of me...
1st gear, red line, shift to 2nd. Cool.
2nd gear, red line, shift to third. Awesome baby!
3rd gear, red line, getting excited, feelin' real good, forget about GP pattern,
shift down to 2nd by mistake.
Holly Molly.
Not good.
Up over handle bars inspecting front axle, toes caught
under tank/subframe area; going down back straight at NHIS REAL fast. Rear
caught and bounced, I stayed up and coasted through 1 and 1A regaining my
composure.
The rest of second session practice went well, controlled, thinking about all my
wonderful relatives, and the wealth of good friends I have met. Boy, I would like
to see everyone just one last time!
Back in the pits, I tried to switch the shift pattern to standard. Not being
a mechanic, some other racers pointed and advised.
First lap third practice; going into the bowl, went to shift - no shift lever. I
looked down to see it swinging back and forth only attached to one side.
So much for Friday.
Bike cannot be put back to std. shifting due to connector nut hitting water pump.
I did good 'cept for those darned 'ol counter-threaded nuts on the shifter arm.
SATURDAY RACES:
Good morning practice. Everyone else on rain tires, I'm running DOT race.
Kickin' butt around the track, blowing by everyone with rain tires. Learning GP shift,
but not feeling real comfy with it yet.
Went to breakfast; the weather turns bad. The next two hours was a driving rain.
Getting back to the track, we parked next to a loud speaker and heard:
"Yep. That IS the second red flag for this race too. We are going to take a break
and send corner workers to turn two to evaluate the situation."
Being parked facing away from turn 2, I looked in the rearview to see a line of
expert bikes leaning up against the wall. Lots of expert bikes up against the wall.
We watched as corner workers tried to brush the oil off of turn 2's new pavement with
push brooms.
I decided not to run my Saturday races at this point.
Talking it over with my wife,
we concluded giving up my race fees would be a lot less expensive than wrecking
our machine, or worse yet, taking someone else out.
I sucked up the pride and told the officials "Thanks, but no thanks, see you
tomorrow."
It was a long ride home that night, feelin good after practice, looking forward to
earning maybe a point or two, yet going home without even gridding up.
SUNDAY RACES:
Good morning practice. Still missing shifts after 29 years of std. shifting.
Turning mid 30's for times. Missed shifts costing me 5 seconds.
1st race, GTU
Guess what? This is an endurance race. I figured; 30mins? No problem. I've been
on 6 hour street rides before!
Ya, right!!!
In the race I saw the flagger put up two flags all rolled up in a cross position.
I think, cool, the white flag is the last lap, this must be second to last.
Nope, wrong.
That was half way!!!
About a month later he waves the white flag and I make it over the finish for
the checkered.
This race made me tired, working out regularly for the last couple of months
helped get me through.
2nd race, MW Grand Prix
Good race, no surprises, equipment (shift linkage) holding up. Missing shifts
every lap as I get excited, but turning great 3/4 of a lap to make up.
Times seem stuck in the low 30's.
Completed race about 3/4 of the way back in the pack, but feelin' pretty darn
good.
SUMMARY:
1st gear is now gone, kaput, adios, no mo. 2nd and 3rd need a written invitation
to engauge.
All in all that was a hell of a lot of work. My first race weekend, learning
where to be and when to be there, realizing how much is involved, and gaining
a great appreciation for those who take time to be at the track.
Even if its just a few minutes to say hello or watch a race, your support is
invaluable to the racers; Thanks from all of us.
And: I had fun!
There is a lot to do before next race weekend, May 17 at NHIS.
See you then.
-D&B
LRRS #486
AKA criminalspeed/legalspeed
LINKS:
* www.nestreetriders.com
** www.doubleapex.com
*** Sponsored by: www.lockhartphillipsusa.com ~ Your Sportbike Connection
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