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Thursday
I arrived at the track around 1130 or so. After finding an area to pit and set up. I went and got my new forks from Peter Kates, and then picked up some stuff from Street & Comp. Went to go register for open practice only to find out I have to pay with a credit card up front. Come back and pay, missed the first session. I go out for the 2nd session just in time for a red flag. I got about 3 or 4 laps in. While setting up my tent, I missed the 3rd session, no biggy. Next thing I know I know its 4:30 and I missed my last session. After meeting some of the EX Mafia it was about time to go register. After standing in line for hour and 45 minutes. I was all registered for the weekend. Head on back to the paddock with Darrell and help Pete get his stuff unloaded.
Friday
Woke up at 430am and could not get a good sleep after words. Finally made it out of bed around 630. headed over to Street & Comp and got a cotter pin and some brake fluid. Headed over to tech and talked with Micky about my Vemar helmet about how I liked it. Made it through tech and got ready for practice. The bike felt much different then before, it felt a lot harder to turn in with the new forks. Also had a lot of chatter going in T9. After all 4 laps that we got I came in and talked with Jamie. He recommended that I get on the gas in 9 more. Went out for the 2nd session, I don’t remember much about that. My transmission issue did become an issue again and I know that hurt me overall.
Went and grided up in 6A for race 7A. I had a nice wheelie off the start and passed a few. I caught up to Darrell by T1. I remember going into T1 with one guy 2 feet to my left and Darrell 3 ft to my right. Ended up getting by them in T2. I had a few drops into neutral in T3 and got passed a few times there. I did some passing and got to be the passé as well many times. I ended up finishing 15th out of 24 starters. Best lap time was 1:34.278.
For the production twins race (13) I was gridded in 6C right behind Pete and Darrell. I had one hell of a start till we got to T1. As I was going to pass to get some good ground, someone in front of me downshifted too much and locked up the rear, and pulled out right in front of me. Oh well racing is racing. A few laps later I was racing against Jason Morse (#133), he passed me in 12, then I passed him 1, then he passed me in 3, then I passed him in 9. We went back and forth for like 3 laps till I passed someone slower then both of us and he got stuck behind him. I was then catching another rider but every time id come close to him my transmission would go into neutral and he would get his lead again. That was my favorite race of the weekend. I ended up finishing 6th in my class out of 11 starters, and 16th out of 26 overall.
After talking with Dana about some of the issues I was having, he recommended that I pick up a EX500 shift kit, and switch my rear gear from a 41 to a 43. I also spent several hours talking with Micky Curry on a wide range of topics. Micky is an awesome guy and is very helpful to talk to. Micky had recommended that I try down shifting in certain areas to get a better drive out of the corners.
Saturday
After being woken up nicely at 6am to be notified breakfast was ready at the restaurant, I went and picked up a EX500 shift kit from Street & Comp when they opened. came back just in time for practice. I went out and tried out the new gearing and the tips that micky, bj, and dana had both recommended the previous night. The new gearing was much better and helped out a lot. I’m still having issues downshifting twice before T1, but T9 was much easier going through. Before my next practice I got a hold of Dana and asked to help me install the new shift kit. Dana came over and got it install extremely quickly. I can’t thank him enough.
Went out for Race 1A gridded in 6A. I had a meh start. Not the greatest, but not shitty. I was doing okay for the first few laps, but fatigue quickly set in. I almost low sided when I was going to pass Connor 704? In T2 but he swept across from me and I got on the brakes to avoid hitting him. Bike started to drop down so I let off the brake and gas and It popped back up. At first I was pissed but then I realized being new to this I could have done this to other people and shit its racing, it happens. Most of the race I was by myself and passed a lot. I kept messing up a lot, I was not happy with this race. I finished 22nd out of 28 starters. I had a best lap time was 1:34.185
Sunday
Went out for practice not really thrilled with it. Pete followed me for a few laps till he ran out of the go-fast juice. On my way back to the pits, My rear wheel locks up and then I hear a bunch of clunking and clinking sounds. I kill the motor and notice 1) my tire is not flat and 2) my chain is still together. So I determined that something in the motor went. I am assuming that it was the transmission, since I had issues with it all weekend. Pushed it from the T3 turn in to where Jamie was pitted. His neighbor Geno? And his friend helped me by pushing the bike all the way back to my pit. I was extremely grateful for that as I was beat. Pete finally gets back and we talked about the session. He pointed out a lot of areas where I need improvement. Then we went and watched the experts and amateurs going into T1 & T1A
Overall
I was satisfied with the races on Friday but from Saturday on I am not. I Believe I need to forget everything i've basically learned from previous track days. I keep using my markers from riding my ZX6R with the EX500 and it is just not working. I also need to work on my consistency; I could not do anything consistent this weekend. I also believe I made to many changes to the bike in one weekend, and with the transmission issues, it did not help. I also cannot wait to get back to the track and race again. Hopefully without any issues that i’ve had. I am flying out to Nashville Tuesday, so I’m not sure on how I’m going to get the motor apart to verify what is broke and replace everything needed.
It was great meeting a bunch of you and seeing the few ive met before. i dont remember many new names,sorry just bad with new names.
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Originally Posted by bergs
