what takes 19 mins to gain, split second to lose

[BMFR6]

2nd place in AM GTL

Short and sweet.

AM GTL: Gridded fourth row, better than I have been. Decent launch come out of T2 in third. Figure I will take the outside of T3, bad idea, passed by a couple. Same scenario in T6. After lap one I am 6th or 7th... who's counting. Get trapped behind 3 other bikes for the next 10-15 minutes. Running like 25's, I know I am faster but can't get by them. Can't remember where I passed one of them, but then out of T12 an SV in front of me has a highside scare, pass him. Next is a 125, motor by him and hold the position through T1. Put my head and start trucking. Couple lappers, no big deal. Red SV off in the distance, gaining on him pretty quickly, figure its another lapper. Come out of T12, watch the starter let a rider by then throw the white flag for the red SV... quick math that put me in second. Well I went up there to race, not settle for good enough so I figured I would push and see if I could get him, that didn't last long. Lowside in T1, buh bye second place. End the day.

I'm okay, beyond being a little upset with myself. I was disappointed at the track and when I left because I couldn't pin point what I did wrong. After two hours of driving and an hour of unpacking it hit me. Not enough throttle. I fell down after the apex and after my "off brake" marker so it couldn't be braking, but it was the front that slipped out. Only way I can think of the front slipping out like that is not enough weight transfer. Basically I had a faster entry and mid corner than I have before, but didn't compensate with enoug throttle. Lesson learned.

Bike is decent. Rearset, already replaced just needs a pedal. Clutch lever, already replaced. The rest is bodywork damage. I should have just accepted second.

[a13x]

Glad you are alright man. You know you can run that place and position, which is no joke, so take the goods out of it. Your analysis seems spot on so good thing to work on next time yea?

Cya at the Classic!

[Ken C]

Your analysis sounds correct. There's always next time.

[Evil_Weasel]

well that sucks...though from the sounds of it the lesson learned was worth the price of some new pegs and levers. now you know you can hold second in GTL (AM at that)....first isn't that much farther away...lol

[SilverDragon]

He was not only holding 2nd... he was reeling 1st place in like he had a fishing pole. I saw the crash, and while I'm still a newb, I think you're right Mark, it was past the apex and likely just an overloaded front end.

[Evil_Weasel]

it was past the apex and likely just an overloaded front end.

i have a motoGP crash compilation on my lap top that shows Ruben Xaus crashing this exact same way like 800 times.

[BMFR6]

I'm happy I know why I crashed. That should make it easier to get back out there without slowing down.

[s a x m a n]

do you remember where you were on the track when it happened ... i.e. how far right of the apex?

erin and I spent some time at turn 1 at the end of hot pit, and for the first time I noticed a bad transition spot about 5-8 feet right of the apex, that doesn't look fun when people hit it ...



glad that you are ok though man, and I remember the feeling when I took myself out of 2nd in a rain race last year. I don't think you'll be slowing down anytime soon ... can't wait to see how you do at the classic!

[BMFR6]

nope, no transition. my line was the same as it is every lap, just faster.

thanks to everyone that helped push the bike back to the pits etc, really helped out as i was exhausted.

i'm really looking foward to the classic.

[s a x m a n]

cool ... just curious

While also learning from my mistakes, I also try to learn from other crashes. Sunday when I was carrying more speed into 1 than normal, I thought of you and thought I need to get on the throttle.

I also thought about that poor guy in the Dash for Cash that high sided himself in turn 1, which made me go to look at turn 1 on Sunday to see where he was, and what went wrong, which is why I asked about the transition. The more information I have about the track, and what to do, or not to do in certain places will hopefully help me keep it on two wheels.

[Ken C]

Another important thing besides getting on the throttle is to RELAX your arms. The tension will transfer right to the contact patch, which can cause it to slide if you're on the edge of traction.

[Paul_E_D]

I agree with Ken, I was gonna note that there really isn't much load on the front at the apex of T1, to overloading it with speed isn't really likely. When speed is the problem both tires usually let go or you run wide.

It is hard to fully release the tension in your arms generated in the braking zone, though. Especially when you're tired or working harder than normal...

[BMFR6]

hhmmm. that does make sense as well. "Especially when you're tired or working harder than normal..." that statement about sums up the last lap of the GTL when I was hoping to catch the first place guy.