Ducati Monster Forum

This is the archive of past trackdays.  Please see the seperate threads for the latest info, once a day has passed it will merge into this thread.

Here's the schedule (http://www.biketweakers.com/trackcalendar_2008.html)

Can anyone with experience at this track share the low down on the sweeper? It's pretty much impossible to do the 'roll on the gas through the turn' thing with the hook at the end of it. Last time I was there I was treating it as a double apex turn, but I'm really not sure if that's the right way to go about it or not...

The Off Ramp just plain sucks. Tight enterance increasing radius turn with (at least last time I was there) a horrible patch in the middle. Never really figured out what to do with this one.

There's a great wheelie bump on I-5 between the Off Ramp and Cotton Corners.

There's another great wheelie spot between Grapevine and Club Corner.

The kink on the far side of the Bus Stop is where I did in my finger and R6.

After I wrote this I found this: http://www.unofficial-afm.com/bwillow.html
He makes it sound kind of dreadful with all the bumps and head shakes and such, but remember he's talking about a pace a notch or two above what we'll be running :)

I've only ridden Buttonwillow twice, but I did get the low down on the sweeper courtesy of Steve Metz.

It is somewhat of a double apex...enter mid track or slightly inslide, but not tight.  Tighten up along the turn untill you just kiss the inside at apex.  Roll on throttle to dift to outside of curve...now watch the pavement...there is a long skinny black streak that stretches out a long way...you should be following it along at this point...all of a sudden the streak stops, there is a break of a about a foot and then there is a black square capping off you squiggly friend.  When you hit that black square, make sure you are all set to go, because that IS your turn in point.  Give a nice firm steering input and hold on.  You should just skim the inside candy striping...power out and you'll find yourself to the outside candy striping all ready to enter the esses.  Good times!

Not fair--I want to go--you guys have a great time.

I still have a gas can for loan but it needs to be picked up today or tomorrow  8)

Pictures from the weekend are finally up!

Here's one of me about to put the hurt on Joey...  mo:t:
http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/p/453/cp__22762

what the make the beast with two backs is that?

http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/p/453/cp__231110#photo_s (http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/p/453/cp__231110#photo_s)

i see about 1 pic of all of us (individually) that's worth looking at.. must be the track's fault  =)

(http://7mzdt.com/images/willow050308.jpg)

an old guzzi, if i remember correctly.

ordered ;)

personal best lean angle:
1 (http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=show_photo&dir=galleries/22/81/4/3&photo_id=cp__280432&EM_LA_SESSIONID=ac93f531d45b64e4c11a277f047b53d9)
2 (http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=show_photo&dir=galleries/22/81/4/3&photo_id=cp__29092&EM_LA_SESSIONID=ac93f531d45b64e4c11a277f047b53d9)
3 (http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=show_photo&dir=galleries/22/81/4/3&photo_id=cp__29105&EM_LA_SESSIONID=ac93f531d45b64e4c11a277f047b53d9)

i'm hanging off, i swear! ;D
1 (http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=show_photo&dir=galleries/22/81/4/4&photo_id=cp__410736&EM_LA_SESSIONID=ac93f531d45b64e4c11a277f047b53d9)

pretty much, but I sprung for the cd anyways  ;:|

over @ TOB 7/4 was mentioned, but what about 6/20? (http://www.fastrackriders.com/registration/register1.asp?event_id=253)

...or let me re-phrase: going on 6/20   :)

It'll be hotter than crap, but I'll sign up if people are going...

mmmm, summer in the desert. 

http://www.fastrackriders.com/registration/register1.asp?event_id=253

You gonna pull the trigger on this?

already did my friend.. L3.. sign up!

I'm no L3er... L2 will suit me just fine I suspect

i have proof from about 72 hours ago that that's a bunch of nonsense  ;)

i mentioned 7/4 cause it was a holiday.  If y'all were gonna do streets in june, couldn't you have done 6/29 with trackdaz? :( I know people weren't super happy with trackdaz, but they didn't run anyone off the track either...unlike fasttrack.

so who is signing up for which group?

Any of you track monkeys interested in an Ohlins steering damper for the M900?  It's a cross mount that attaches to the ignition post and handle bar.  I think I used it maybe 3 track days total, never on the street.  I'll bring it to IBN tomorrow if anyone is interested.  $250 or equivalent in single malt, tequila or cigars.

Also, I have an extra pitbull rear stand for standard swingarm, not SSS.  For that, you've got to come to Studio City.  And I have no idea what it's worth... 80 bucks?

Sorry for the theadjack, hope to get out there with you soon.

George

Anyone else sign up for the 6/20 date.  I think my little 620 would be much happier over at the Streets.
Sqweak you in?

I'm gonna sign up, probably level II since I have no idea what my lap times are at the streets... Or maybe I'll listen to gm2 and go for III. I'll decide between now and tomorrow sometime. :)

they're pretty good about bumping you up if you want.

run anyone off the track?  huh?

i think i generally like the folks at td better, but i do like the timing format of ft better than that of td.  i'm certainly up for 6/29, too

i'm in L3, pretty sure joey is doing the same.

after doing L3 with them several times, it's a lot less populated than L2 and really not a problem time-wise

Hey folks...
I'll be down to Buttonwillow to ride with Keigwins 6/28 and/or 6/29.  I'll be making material deliveries: rims for Stu, a helmet for Derby...a toy train for BP...etc.

Pick a day and come along! 

i may be smokin teh crack, but the 6/28-29 keigwin dates are at thunderhill, not buttonwillow
kw doesn't have a bw date until october

someone was pregnant doging on another forum that a FT control rider stuffed them and made contact at the last fontana day.  :o 


how does the format differ?  And whats up with the mention of a transponder system, do they provide laptimers? or just provide the beacon?

Yeah, well some people also argue that Stoner is better than Rossi, you can't believe everything you read on teh interwebs ;)

I've done numerous FT days and I've never had a problem.  I would imagine the miffed rider is someone who was in a level he shouldn't have been in and took a shitty line that no one was expecting - these things happen.

ah, yeah, now i recall.  i've never had any problems with their riders.  the rider's meeting guy makes me want to kill him and then myself but otherwise the staff is cool.

their format is no announcements, no stopping.. every 20 minutes, your group goes.  barring crashes and whatnot, it goes a lot more smoothly.

yes they do provide laptimes, the whole system.

sounds like he was trying to race the control rider through the "one turn he was fast":

http://www.socal-sportbikes.com/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=56270

I have to work Friday, so I can't ride over for a visit...... but you all are more than welcome to vist casa de bp&lm Friday evening.

Beers and tequila in the garage, or a fine Italian dinner at Rosas  be::

thanks bp  :)

unfortunately some (well, i, at least that i know of) now have to get back right away friday evening.

Ya thats my fault

and a good fault it is.... wt: congrats

IN pregnant dogES!

Stinking it up in L1.

 wt:

anybody know of a place you can rent a track bike? i dont think my bike is quite ready for the track.

John put up all of his pics (http://picasaweb.google.com/cpsfxjohn)

holy make the beast with two backs how am i not low siding!
http://picasaweb.google.com/cpsfxjohn/Sqweak/photo#5197743593095254946

gettin there...
http://picasaweb.google.com/cpsfxjohn/Sqweak/photo#5197743726239241314

i think sportbikerentals will let you take it to the track.

"ready" is relative.  mdlb did the last day at Big Willow on a pretty much stock 620 w/ frame sliders & exhaust...

http://www.trackbikerental.com/ is sportbikerental... and they actually work with fastrack riders, the day's organizer

Hey now --  I put tape on the lights  ;:|

 ;:|

Sign Up!  :e:v ;D

looong way to go before you get to that point.  ;D

Trying to figure it out--I just assumed it was on a weekend, but it is a Friday.  I will try my best, might not know until a week or two out.

you are going to be soooo bored in L1...switch now...actually, they may make you switch if you are too fast... wt:

BTW,

IN  L3... be::

According to my laptimes from CSS, I was running ~2m on streets.  Fasttrack says l1 is 1:50+.  I'm sure that within a couple sessions I'll probably be under that and need to bump up, but I'd rather wait and see then get in over my head ;)

well i'm out for this one   :'(
guess i have to earn my $ sometimes...  even on fridays.  wtf are these people thinking.


btw, considering doing jason pridmore's school at streets june 9/10 if anyone's interested.

so gm2 out, and i heard rumor joe (and thus steve) might be as well?  we're like 15 hours from needing to leave, can people post up and confirm/deny attendance and what they need to make it?

steve and joe are in...

great! wt:

are we caravaning or otherwise coordinating, or just ad-hoc meeting at the track?

Not sure about the caravaning... if we are we must go get CBs. It's necessary.
Or, maybe not. I did pick up a pin for my front stand, and a pair of tire warmers today though... Woot!

Forcast is for 78 with a light breeze, 61 in the morning.

Garrett, sorry you can't go :(

...yeah, me too.  sux.

have fun y'all.

Hi Gang,

I am experiencing technical difficulties.  I can't get the bike to start.

I though the battery might be bad, so I hook it to the car and the bike started right up.  I ran out and bought a replacement battery.  Now, the bike won't start either on the new battery or the car battery...

Very frustrating.

Lester

eek, sorry to hear it Lester! :(  I know _all_ about that from last week. >:( Are you still gonna come up and try and get her goin?

in other news, no gm2 means no ez-up.  If Lester is out too, that means we have no shade. :o

Best Track Day Ever.

 be::

Yep, sorry Garrett and Lester, but I've got to say it was a pretty epic day. Love the format (groups go out once an hour; group a top of the hour, b 20 afer, and c 40 after). The riders meeting was amazingly civilized and quick (started at 8:30, first group was on track at 9)... sweet! The weather was great, company was great, the other riders were courteous, they were very efficient about clearing crashes, it's a fun track... yeah, great day.

Joe, really can't thank you enough for the ride and loading/unloading help... it's greatly appreciated! Derby, Sqweak, great to see you guys. Amazing how much everyone picked up the pace in the afternoon with a little track knowledge. Good stuff!

(http://www.pbase.com/stevegalle/image/96828267/large.jpg)
(http://www.pbase.com/stevegalle/image/96828308/large.jpg)

Sounds awesome be::

How does the track compare to Big Willow & Streets ???

Any pics ???

Oh shut up...   ;)

I brought the bike in.  Andy at West Coast GP Cycles believes it is the starter pickup.  The starter turns, I have spark, and fuel is flowing.  Hope to have it together asap, but I don't need it urgently.  Since I'm out on business next weekend, I'll be missing this round of WSMC racing anyway.

See you at the next one!!!

 co::

It's like Big Willow and Streets in one...good long straight, some technical stuff, elevation changes then wack the throttle and sandbag around the back section for a long steady drive on the throttle, more elevation changes, , more sweeps, throw in some kinks and esses...good fun.  Increasing radius, decreasing radius, banked, off camber, turns, some wheelie bumps...shite, it's farking fun!!!!

SteveG was flying out there, smooth, steady and fast all day...Derby was flyin' and picked up a bunch of corner speed by mid day, smiling ear to ear and making friends at the track (all girls, shocker).  I finally got a chance to follow Derby and SteveG for a bit, the second to last session the three of us played some cat and mouse, was good for me to see what was possible by following and then I tried to blast off into the sunset, but somehow Steve was right there with me... mo:t:

Corey did awesome, he got some great pics taken to prove it   ;D...won't be long before he's up in the faster groups, body position and confidence is soaring quickly! 
Go Squeak!

Great times guys, the weather was excellent, the track day was amazing... Ti2TT has my vote for the best org so far...(HA Derby, that's 3 whole orgs I've ridden with now!  ;:|)

Until next time...

so what you're saying is that we could've push started your scooter all day.  [cheeky

lester, PM me your contact info. i thought i had it, but evidently don't.

Well, I'd hate to thread jack this and make it into the "Lester is a dumbass" thread, but yeah, I'm a dumbass...   >:(

Lester

Awesome day  wt:  I hurt everywhere today  :o  I'm not dragging a knee, but I'm not gripping the tank for dear life either, so I guess that's an improvement  ;:| It'll come with seat time and experience, I'm sure.  Thanks to all who made it, and those that didn't were missed. :)

learning the line, courtesey a control rider who tapped his tail to have me follow
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2480485597_30ba27dd2c.jpg)

now it's my turn...
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2480481755_f1de8391f2.jpg)

you can kinda tell i'm trying to hang off
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/2480484467_c51be27c66.jpg)

almost there...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2120/2480483365_c3724bd878.jpg)

Awesome! wt:

I've never ridden with Ti2TT, How big were the groups?

I finally made it on the site!!!  be::

I am going to try to get this day on my calendar.  Its the last day of school so I'm kinda gonna be pulling a dick move, but. . .

Glad to see someone stepped in and got this off the ground.  Its like the twilight zone at the old spot. :'(

yaaaay gp's here  ;D

and everyone knows you don't actually do anything on the last day of school...   [cheeky]

Hi guys! I know, I know, I haven't "introduced" myself in the "introduce yourself" thread, but whatever.  :)

I met Derby at Buttonwillow on Friday. I was in the C group on my yellow and carbon M900. I totally agree: TI2TT is awesome! I really enjoyed their punctuality and efficiency and all around well organized track day! Sorry I didn't take the opportunity to meet the rest of you who were there, but maybe another time!

Oh, and hi April! To answer your question, the C group was about 20 people, but I think both A and B groups were larger.

Heya!  I "met" you too...I was the guy who stopped by around 8 and asked if anyone knew the torque rating for a SV axle. ;)  On track, you and your friend on the blue SV passed me a few times [laugh]

Make yourself at home, we're a friendly group, and we're always open to more people to join us at the track [thumbsup]

http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/BreakingNewsTeam/26434


 :'(

rip John Arechiga

yup, i saw that news elsewhere today (http://www.socal-sportbikes.com/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=56819), but didn't post it in this thread so as not to concern the newbies.  :P

 i was trying to remember if i saw his bike on friday, but i don't think i did.

Hey all, I'm Will, MonsterGrrl's "friend"/mechanic/bound house man... 

Buttonwillow was fun!  Was nice to meet you Derbi, sqweak, hope that my numbers helped you out.

Back to Buttonwillow, what a track!  To answer a Q real early in this post, Buttonwillow, is like a blend of Big Willow and SOW.  Some VEDDY technical turns that require a lot of forthought (turns 2 and the kink at the end of the sweeper come to mind) and some very fast bits, but not soo fast that you cna't burn some inline fours and keep them off you in the straights.

This was our first turn here on bikes, and this with Julia's only days together from it's latest engine repair.  But it was fun to puch a little.  The street group was rockin!  I'm definately not fast enough to be intermediate yet.  someday... 

Thinkin it's about time for a track school...  Just so I can keep up with the Julia...

A few months ago, Fastrack started using the AMB timer system.  It's the same system we use in WSMC to record race results.  They provide all of the hardware.  They have had come challenges getting the system to work for them, but it sounds like they're having success with the bugs.

The AMB system does NOT provide you real-time lap times.  The trasponder on your bike sends a signal to their PC which tracks all of the laptimes.  Fastrack then publishes the times a few days after the event. 

I have the Mychron timer on my bike and it works very well.

actually they do print them out and post them quasi-real-time throughout the day...

does you have to place your own beacon for mychron, or does it work with AMB?  I thought AMB was magnetic and mychron was IR?

Welcome Will!  Thanks so much for the numbers, tech was whining my chain was too tight and as I'm a failure as a mechanic and the bike is new to me I was in a bit of a mess.  Thankfully Derby was helping and sent me out to find that rating so we could button everything back up. [thumbsup]

As far as the sweeper, it had me frustrated for a bit too but I think I got it sorted by end of the day.  Best I can figure, treat it like a really long double apex: clip the corner on turn-in and allow yourself to drift out to mid track, it'll close up on you and if you did it right you'll clip that corner too and shoot out to the candystripe.  If done right, it's just one input from turn-in until you pick it up for the esses.  FWIW, I was one of the slowest guys out there but this line should  scale.  There's about a billion lines through 2, so you're on your own for that one. [laugh] (actually, FWIW I took it in a similar manner)

[thumbsup] to school.  gm2 was considering Jason Pridmore's STAR school in early june at SoW, I was thinking about TrackDaz first school in late June at SoW, and a bunch of us have completed various levels of California Superbike School.

Where are you guys located?  Almost all of us track folks are Westside/Southbay and get together fairly regularly, come by sometime. ;D

grio/grix will be there that saturday, iirc.

AMB is magnetic and mychron is IR.

somebody usually sets an IR beacon out on track and all/most of the IR timers can work off the same beacon.

which saturday? ??? Trackdaz?  Star is mon/tue

The Mychron uses an IR beacon.  Both the Mychron and the XT Timer use a compatible beacon.  I've only had to put my beacon up once over the past year as someone usually puts one up.

Lester

That's definitely an improvement over the initial pilots.  Seeing lap times between sessions could be pretty effective.

FYI.... as an outsider.... this is cool see'n sqweak have'n fun with this [thumbsup]

MonsterGrrl/Will -- How are things? I just got back from Willow and I'm beat. I'll definately look into Ti2TT for another one.

squeak- Thanks man.  If I'd known who you were I'd have said come over and we could take car of it.  I spend altogether too much time wrenching on bikes.  I'm definately hoping to get a school outta the way this year, but I'm afraid school/budget may not allow it.  Jules and i are at the base of the Crest.

April-!!!  Haven't seen you in forever!  Hopefully we can all get out on a ride soon!  The Buckin Ducky obviously is pretty together at this point.  Hope to see you on the mountain pretty soon.

thanks, I think the relative safety and predictability of the track has allowed me to get back into my comfort zone & enjoying the sport  [thumbsup]

y'know, you don't have to be an outsider. ;D  Throw some frame sliders on that beast and join us!  [cheeky]

If work picks up and sales increase, I'll start the search for a dedicated track bike.

AMEN to that.

gm2 is the new Captain.

 [beer]

[thumbsup]

squeak pegged it.  Base of the Crest.  If you've ridden the Crest, you know more or less where we are.  Since nobody's selling girlscout cookies door to door anymore, I'll reserve my physical address to when people get together here, which happens from time to time, I've noticed...

Speaking of, maybe a ride early on Saturday morning???

start the thread, let's go...!!!

Will- BD wasn't asking for your address, he just likes to hassle folks who don't fill out the location field in their profile [cheeky]

I think I'm out for a ride, I've got a conference in Pasadena all w/e.  I might sneak over to PI for a few minutes with mags at some point though for the 696 open house...

Can't go :'(
I'll be out of town.

pics!

http://www.vanhap.com/imgs/2008/05%20May%202008/05-09-BW-Takeit2theTrack/index.html

found me a trackbike
http://www.minipocketrockets.com/mx3-pocketbike/

Wow... not even a week after buttonwillow and I'm going through withdrawals. I put in a time off request for 6/20 today; hopefully production will be able to give me the day...

Well problem solved on my bike.  The PCIII took a crap and wouldn't let the bike start.  Once it was disconnected, the bike started up fine!!!  Doh!

Since it is an old pre-USB version, I can't even download the map.  I could replace the PCIII and get a new map, but I'm going to try the bike out running off the standard ECU and see how it runs before throwing another $600 at it.

See you in June!

glad you got it sorted Lester.

I thought you could still download maps on pre USB pc3 via serial or something?

yeah, according to support (http://www.powercommander.com/powercommander_iii_usb/powercommander_general_downloads.aspx) there are directions for PC III and PC IIIr to download and upload maps using serial.  Ignore the usb in the url, there are tabs for the older ones.  If you don't have a serial port you can get a keyspan usb->serial adaptor for <50 bucks. [thumbsup]

now we're talking...

THANKS!!!  I have a PC with a serial port on it, so I've give this a shot!

Streets of Willow (Take It 2 The Track)
Friday 07/04/08
(http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/trackinformation/images/StreetLg.gif)
(yes, I know it looks like ass.  right-click and "view image" for a better view)

Gates: 7:00am
Tech & Reg: 7:30am - 8:25
Riders Meeting: 8:30am
Trackday: 9:00am - 5:00pm (No Lunch!)


Participants

Name	Bike	Group	Ride	Notes
gm2	R6	B	Self
sqweak	SV	C	Self
SteveG?	GXR	B	?
Ciao Fun?	CBR?	A?	Self
derby?	GXR?	B	Self?
Luca?	998	B?	?
madmatt?	GXR?	B	Self?
mdlb?	620	C	Self?
April?	cbr?	B?	Self?
Ryan?	R6	A?	Self?

Spectators
mags?
gibbs?
amber?
sdr john?
sarah?


Needs

Item	Provider	Details
Cooler (water/gatorade/etc)	SELF!	GM sez: bring your own damn stuff!
Snacks/Lunch
EZ-Up	gm2 (Ryans 10x10)	Do we need another?  Speeddog offered one up...
Chairs
Table
Gas Can(s)	sqweak	Let's try and do 2:1, who is bringing gas already? gm2? derby?

pack your dry ice.

elena crashed (http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=32360) too :(

This may be the last image I ever post on here...man, I'm soooo slow at this Internet stuff.  [bang]

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/jc_675bw2.jpg)

 :o


 :'(  <-- joy.   ;D

Damn Joey...talk about lean angle.

I still think we should all have these and have parking lot races.

you talkin about the weather? Effin hot! - and so will the weather.

yeah, going to be ridiculous.  but gonna try it anyway...

so are we gonna actually bring canopies this time or what?

yep. 

have brought them (one) previously, just didn't use em (it).

and speeddog has offered up a 10x10 if we want/need another...

GM - remember when the wind kicked up and I almost got carried away by the canopy? alas, it folded in half and was left for dead.

i often quote that moment for why not to take cheap canopies to willow.

Mon     05-26     Thunderhill     Keigwins@theTrack     $200     #, Open track, 3-group format
Mon    05-26    Streets of Willow    Fastrack Riders    $125    Open track, multiple format
Mon    05-26    Willow Springs    Hyperclub    $150    Open track, A/B/C format
Mon    05-26    Buttonwillow    The Track Club    $165    Open track, A/B/C format
Mon    05-26    Laguna Seca    CLASS Motorcycle School    $425    Standard school - A/B format

t-hill and seca are probably too far/expensive, I think SoW is sold out.  That leaves Big Willow and Buttonwillow.

Interested:
sqweak
Derby

anyone else?

Seein' as it's gettin hot......

The EZ-Up is still available for loan.

Let me know a little in advance and I can bring it to the shop.

streets is definitely sold out.  or that's what their site says.

I'm out for this one gang...

Thanks Nick.  I'll probably just come grab it from you sometime next week. [thumbsup]

I'll be in route to SF that day, so if you do BW, I'll come by for a pit stop...har har.

What's the final roll call for this day?

Is it closed?  Derby, you coming?

yup.. i was thinking about doin' buttonwillow...

i'm considering doing monday AND tuesday.

of course...

I'm signed up; don't have confirmation that I have the day off yet, but just in case...

so I think that puts the in list at:

gm2
sqweak
derby
ciao fun
steveg (registered, but unsure about time off)

+ Joey

yes, please...I'll be there with bells on.

i'm gonna hold you to that ;D

I hope my stunt double (madmatt) goes...then I can say I was at the rider's meeting.

otherwise., 40 minutes of... [bang]

 ;D

I'm a maybe... leaning towards yes. You kids are going to have to show me how to ride again. 

maybe I'll actually make it out of c one of these days

it's gettin kinda lonely down here

Would love to hit one of these, but it looks like I'm going to be in Alaska...

wtf?

[laugh]

unfortunately so true.  what about the guy that did it once.. i think the 2nd time we were there.  Vote For That Dude.

the brit is going to make me do something i'll regret.

I was drunk last night hanging out with some friends, and bought a ticket to anchorage for the long weekend...

[laugh]

that is the best thing i've heard in weeks.

so steve & joe are out

gm? matt? daryl (I could get your scoot over to andy early next week if you wanna try to make this)?

I'm out... work's put the kebash on time off between now and the end of the project. Matt, Ryan, either of you want to buy my spot in LIII? Otherwise I take a $50 loss on the deal. Unfortunately I did request the day, so now if I were sick it would be slightly suspicious... grrrr.  >:(

I don't think this is going to work out for me.  Bad timing.  :-\

Thinking about a day with STAR on 6/9.  It's a little cheaper then California SUberbike School.

Anyone have FHE with this program?

http://www.starmotorcycle.com/

been debating the same.  friend of a friend has good things to say about jason's program.

Folks still thinking of next Monday at Buttonwillow? 

why, you thinkin about thinkin about it?

I was thinking trackdaz academy on 6/28.  I'm trying to limit the number of week days I take off, and while it's trackdaz first school I'm willing to give it a shot...

not i...

thinking about it...I may have business to attend to in the area.

I'm out.  According to the DMV my truck was stolen from me somewhere between march and may [roll] [laugh]

well that sucks.

(the you not goin' part)

are you?  I could maybe swing it, but I'd need a lift for me+bike, and i dont think your truck will work?

your truck's not actually stolen, right?

no, there's some kinda of make the beast with two backsup at the dmv.  We've had no shortage of delays and make the beast with two backsups in getting it registered (it has plates, the make the beast with two backsups re-started after they granted them to me [roll]), the latest wrinkle is the VIN (not plates, just VIN) was somehow flagged as stolen and sent to the NCIC sometime between march & may.  Most likely, some DMV moron hit the wrong key when working on our case or typoed a legitimate stolen report.

You guys are impossible.  Always planning more than 2 days ahead...

I'll ask Alex whether he thinks he can have the bike together before that.  If he does, I'd be happy to buy your spot from you.

Willow in June - I haven't worked up a good sweat in a while.

-R.

poor carrie...  ;D

me either.  [coffee]

18 days pregnant doges! ;D

bumpity

no joe :(

steve? derby? luca? mdlb?

i think i signed up for this, but i'd need to check my email.

reminds me, ti2tt are conveniently ignoring my phone calls.  bastards.

btw rob hood (http://www.compressionla.com/events/event/show?id=749417:Event:20031) is playing that night.  i'm sure you all know exactly who that is.
 ;D

fwiw, i never get emails from TI2TT confirming enrollment, just the paypal messages [roll]

Would love to but I will be packing our POD so it can be picked up on 7-5.  I will be in touch as soon as work slows down to meet up for brunch.

I had some ass run me off the track when I went with FastCrash Riders too.  It wasn't one of the instructors, just some squid who wanted to take on the Ducati and came in too hot in the chicane.

so I need a refresher... who's all in on this one for sure? Thinking about playing hookie that day. If possible would love to grab a ride with someone; gass prices what they are a carpool wouldn't suck. Not to mention I still haven't fixed the !#?$ truck...

joe and i for sure, that i can recall.  corey no, or else i'm completely making that part up.

i seem to remember i'm going...

see, i can't keep any of this straight.

;)



(yay!)

You're making that part up ;D

I pregnant doged and moaned about it being Fasttrack (because of their rep, deserved or not), and about it being a weekday...but I signed up anyway. [laugh]

;D

Steve- If joe or derb can't take you, I might be able to...

[thumbsup] mdlb :)

In other news, the other trackday threads made me think...I never get confirmation emails from ti2tt. >:( anyone else have that problem?  Gm, did you get ahold of them to sign up?

no, those bastards won't return my call.

i might have that day off, so i'm possibly in.

any L1's going?

no waterwetter right? just tape and good gear?

correct http://www.fastrackriders.com/requirements.html
sqweak'll be in L1
hope you can make it

that'd be coolio, as I am entertaining my Mom Thursday, (we usually load up the night before)..

hey folks,

what's the skinny on trackdaz? someone posted that it's there first school? did they just start this year? will 6/28 be their first time? phi mentioned a spot opening.

yes it's their first run at a school so no idea
but as a track day org they have a good reputation and a lot of good guys.  if you were going to trust one to do a decent job wth a school, it's probably them

okay if you guys vouch for it and my schedule permits i'm in!

who's all going to this one??? i'd be signing up for the C class...

I think I'm the only one in for the school :)

do you know PHI? he's the one said there's a spot that opened...

From Trackdaz? Nope.  I know Andy and occasionally post on socalsportbikes but don't really know those guys there.

according to the site, they do have 1 spot open: http://trackdaz.com/ti/trackdaz/20080628AC.html?id=pK4s2mDp

in the past, trackdaz would let their racer friends ride for free and would give free (simple) instruction if you were interested (think: pointers). Definitely not structured like Code nor did you have to listen to hours of terrible borring self-consumed lecture like Pridmore/CLASS.

The trackdaz dudes are all very fast (and more race oriented) than Code/Pridmore. My guess is that it'll be something closer to STAR school. I wonder how organized the material will be as it seems as thought it takes some thought to craft a thoughtful lecture/practice format.

I'm curious to hear what it's like.

What is the price offering if you take the trackdaz school?

275 for the school, and I think Dustin said something like 50 off your next trackday with them.

there isn't a clear cut level or curriculum, they are planning to sort of play it by ear and tailor it based on the levels of the students.  They've apparantly already run the school at least once, using trackdaz staff as students.

There are only 40 students, and I think they're running 2 groups.

Here's some blurbs from dustin about it:

I am curious to see how this goes.

Squeak, last time I talked to Derby about getting a ride he was pretty sure there was no way to fit two bikes in his truck, and it sounds like Joe's busy for Loadup Night. I'm still not 100% that I can go, but it's looking good; it was light enough at work today that I could start drinking at lunch; i.e. didn't really need to be there. I'm not thinking it'll be a problem to be gone next Friday. It would probably be good if we could check things out to know for sure whether two bikes will go in your truck or not a little ahead of time; worst case scenario I can rent a uhaul and drive that out there. It'd probably still be cheaper than splitting gas in your truck :P

K.  I'll call you this w/e.  Don't sweat the gas, I get better mileage than most these guys on the freeway ;D

what guys?

alrighty... finally got a hold of ti2tt, i'm confirmed on 7/4.

and scared of the weather.

It was 96-ish this weekend.  My tires held up pretty well, but I'm not that fast.

The heat was uncomfortable, but it was even worse when the winds kicked up.  Make sure you bring something really sturdy to tie down your canopy.

I'm be at Buttonwillow on the 6th, so I'm not looking forward to heat either...

Lester

yeah... i was out there on the 7th of this month.  i have a pretty good secure-the-canopy-to-the-truck thing going on, but even still it did try to go wandering off a couple times.

new tires next weekend.. wonder if 7/4 will be the end of em.  :(

love to make the 6th but with 4th track day then 5th bbq, and family in town, no way is that gonna happen.  have fun, ride safe.  :)

Tick Tock... ;D

Got some new skins today from Speed out at Flight Cycles... [thumbsup]

Thanks for pulling it together in short time Nick!!!

I'm going to try and match the Garrett routine and have my shits last more than 2 track days and some street ridin',  the winner, Dunlop Quali's.

 [drink]

You guys officially SUCK!!!! :'(

Have fun fellas.   [moto]

Well... I'm officially out. Fincher was going to be here on saturday, but he moved the visit up to friday. If you or anyone you know wants a spot let me know; it's sold out otherwise.

The trailer for CCBB came out, if you want to check out the reason I can't be around...
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/thecuriouscaseofbenjaminbutton/

Have a blast guys, I wish I could make it. It would be seriously bad form to miss the review though.

PM Ryan, (not it), there's a slight chance that his bike will be ready for Friday.

Yep, we've been emailing, he suggested I put it up just in case it's not ready. Sounds like it's looking better than it was earlier though.

Coolio, I got a message from Fastrack today and they are combining a L3 and some L2.5's together...guess they have a hard time selling the L3.  I'm relieved, #1, I'll be on new tires, new profile, and #2, I may actually get a chance to pass someone... [laugh]

you misread Joey, that's for july 5th at Fontucky. No such change for this week.

he's correct... they called me the other day and told me the same thing.

nah he's right, it's for 6/20.. whatshername called the level 3'ers the other day.


....and then i just saw page 7  =)

my bad, I was just going off the email.

What do I know, I'm still gettin passed in the slow group. ;D

poop!


wow.  your job is a lot more interesting than mine.  ;)

amazing stuff.  congrats.

I'll bring the E-Z Up in to the shop in case anyone wants to have a little mo shade.  ;)

 [laugh]  First time I 'misread' a phone call!!!  [laugh]

[laugh]

you said "message".  Since I'd gotten an email saying exactly the same thing, but for fontucky, I thought I knew what you were talking about.  That's what I get for thinkin. [cheeky]

It's amazing how easy you can get very dehydrated out there. 

For those of you who don't already, you should take off your leathers between every session.  This seriously combats dehydration and heat stroke...

Also, I've been using Gookinaid for years to combat dehydration.  It's the real deal.  If you get the shakes to, this ain't bad either http://www.rei.com/product/520007 as it's made by the same guy.  This is what Gatoraid was supposed to be.  It's not near as sweet, but then, it's not pasked with calories either (Gookinaid or Hydralyte) and you can find it at most good outdoors shops.  If you haven't, try it out.  Prepare it in Nalgene bottles the night before, and keep it cool, but don't freeze it.  If you work through two liters of it over a track day, you'll be spot on.  Also, as it combats dehydration through limiting water excretion though your distal convoluted tubules, you'll pee less often than if you were just drinking water.

As a bit of humor, I actually learned about this stuff as a way of combating hangovers.  If you drink half a liter before a night of stupidity, you'd be amazed how much better you feel during your walk of shame the next day!!  But take note, it won't prevent pregnancies or STDs...

Not that I'm doubting you, but I find this surprising given the amount of effort and exertion needed to squeeze my fat-ass in or out of leathers. [laugh]

(http://www.fatcitytattoo.com/vaseline.jpg)

Should have bought the AStars like Derby.............he gets in & out with ease ;D

Good to know.  My last track day in May it was 107 at Willow Springs.  I drank a half gallon of Gatorade an hour, sat under the EZ-UP when I wasn't on the track, and I didn't pee once the entire day.  I knew when my body ran out of moisture because my mouth would instantly go dry and then I would get dizzy.  Then I would pull into the pits.

all the tv news can talk about this morning is Heat Advisory

 [coffee]

buck up campers, would you like to come to the shop and blow glass? 

seriously, yes. can we? can we?

shite, yeah, I'm slacking on that...

105 in the valley this am :(

I'm just hoping I can get out of the office before 4 am >:(

My spot is sold... wah! It's going to be hot, but I'm envious of all who are going. Stay hydrated, and have a blast... I'd rather be toasty out there than stuck here.

you'd better.  i'm not doing this gathering up your stuff, charging your battery, packing your food, and loading your bike in the middle of the night again. 

 :P

 :-*

(and i'm serious.   ;D)

you know you score 'coolest wife ever' points if you do... ;D

she's already winning the "coolest spouse" competition by a score of like 11ty Billion to my 1. [cheeky]

I'm an idiot.  Drunk off my good luck of it starting right up the last few times, I didn't pull the batt and let it sit for a few weeks.  It's dead.  I'm grabbing a bite and looking for the tender, and then we're pulling/charging the battery. again. :(

best figure it out now b4 the track sun comes blazing down on you...

I was helping my neighbor pull his battery, inside his loft, at 9pm at night, sweating my ass off... pulling a make the beast with two backsing battery!!!  [laugh]

Got the battery pulled!  Since the bike wasn't in the back of the truck this time, put the leads on, and now its charging.  I plan on buying one really nice extension cord this weekend.   [thumbsup]

It had a little juice, so I thought I'd see if a bump start combined with the weak starter would work.  2 tries later I was dripping with sweat, head to toe. >:(

best. pit-crew wife. evar. ;D

is this what you do?!  Can you blow absinthe glasses out of uranium oxide glass?!

make the beast with two backs.

ramp fall down. bike go boom. >:(  Plastics didn't crack, hope everything is ok underneath.

as shitty as this is going, I think somebody is trying to tell me something.

that you are fatigued and need to get some sleep...

Always run a tie down from the ramp to the truck, especially if you are running the bike up under power.

   Ummmm....yeah!

Better let Mags load up next time...

friends don't friends load bikes alone. sux man. +1 on the tie down.

Report from the track:

Core lost the rear on turn 9.  He's done for the day.   :(  He's ok, a bit shaken up, but happy to report that the new leathers work great!   [thumbsup]

Oh noes! That isn't good. Glad to hear his gear did the job and he is ok. Hopefully the bike came through ok too. Take care of yourselves out there.

the rear? did he high-side? T-9 is a pretty fast one. Glad he's ok.

Man, that's no good.  Always good to get the first one out of the way though.  Glad to hear he's ok.

I'm fine :) Leathers, boots, gloves scuffed (cosmetic).  Bike a little worse for the wear but shouldn't be that bad.  [thumbsup]

It was 11 I think.  Last left before the kinks and skidpad.  There's a bump in the middle but its never bothered me since CSS helped me learn to get the bike over and settled with a lil throttle.  I dunno what haapened this time, I was leaned and stable, everything felt normal.  All of a sudden the rear stepped out and the bike just slid away from me in a lowside. ???  No excitement? Just slidin away watching the bike go before me.

Hope I can get it back up for the next 2 weeks

I'm just chilling, its not that bad out here, decent lukewarm breeze.  The track has free wifi too ;D

T-11, off-camber, and an odd turn. I'm either saying to myself "whoa, that was sketchy." OR "I could have gotten through there so much faster." Seldom do I feel like I nailed it.

Nothin worse than not knowing why you crashed.

Glad you're OK.  :)

Well good to hear you have free wifi  :) and that everything is ok.

That is a weird corner to just low side like that. Cold tires? I know that corner always seems tighter coming into it than it is probably because it is off camber like Matt said. Seems like if you are going to go off somewhere that is a pretty good one. Nice and flat without anything too scary around it.

When we were there for CSS there was actually a RockStar energy drink on the track just after the corner. I thnk at some point between sessions gm2 actually went out and picked it up. Not fun seeing a can rolling around when you are coming through there though  :o

Cory,
If it happened at a turn where the photographer takes pictures, study up and see if you can find some clues.  Compare your pics to those of other riders.  You can learn a lot from a picture...even those "not so pretty" ones.

Heal up!


Edit:

Here's a good example of mystery solved by photo.  This picture was taken on an ill fated day for my pitmate at laguna T3.  He's number 869, and he just passed me on the inside of the turn.  He made a clean pass, but  just following, I saw him run off almost perpendicular to the track.  He hit some soft silty stuff, almost saved it, but eventually hit the K rail under the bridge and broke his collar bone.  He kept claiming that the suspension was cold/off and made him push wide...or he didn't trust the tires...or some other excuse...then the photo was posted...


(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm3/eye9high/laguna.jpg)


Look at where he is looking..directly in front of him.  Compare to where I am looking (immediately behind him).  The foreground shows that there is no track where he is headed.  Target fixation.  My guess is he looked at the photographer a little too long.  At the moment the pic was taken, he could have saved it any number of ways... 

Core, sorry you crashed, but I'm glad to hear you're in fine shape...

It's make the beast with two backsing hotter downtown right now at 9:00 at night than it was out there...

Squeak was less than shaken it seemed, as our homie walked calmly back to the pits...thank goodness no injury!!  Get that bike back on track buddy!

T'was a good day overall...Ryan is back in the game, G and Derb and I ran some new skins, and the mighty mights (lil fellas on 125's, etc) on the track gave us all a good spankin'... ;D

So much for me thinking about taking the summer off, when's the next track day? (besides the 4th kids!)...

jc

corey,

sorry to hear bout the crash, but glad you're not hurt.  if it makes you feel any better i had my first accident after 12 years (bike only, no car) yesterday.  i took a lil tumble down los feliz on the way home from work yesterday.  some kid in a old land crusier figured you dont need to look before switching lanes when your car is huge.  me and bike are fine.  i think something must have been in the smog.

i think this calls for a tattoo or something. ;)

bill

thanks to all for the well wishes!

It wasn't that big of a deal, I'm just more annoyed and frustrated than anything else. :-\

metalduc: don't think it was cold tires.  It was 104 out, and I was on my 5th or 6th lap.  I'd just done my best time of the day and was on a flyer when this happened.  I'd been *way* more aggressive on lean angle and entry speed on other corners that lap, and even that corner on earlier laps. ???

grio: thank you so much for your advice!  Unfortnuately, none of the guys in the pit saw me go down, nor did the photographer, corner workers, or other riders. :(  I'm pretty much accepting that sometimes things just happen. *shrug* :)

bill: sorry to hear about your get-off :(  I think commemorative tattoos are an excellent idea ;D

What tires were you running?

dunlop 209gp

they had like 2 days of my slow pace/aggression trackday style on em.  Derby had looked at them earlier and didn't feel there was anything to worry about, and again after the wreck and didn't notice anything glaringly obvious. *shrug*

judging by where bike and i ended up,  I lost it more than half way thru, probably closer to 3/4.  The bike was over and settled, I was gently on the throttle and not being hamfisted or otherwise giving inputs that would lead to instability.

When all else fails, blame derby! [laugh]

On a serious note, had anyone else gone down in that corner and maybe they missed some spilt gravel?

as odd as it's going to sound..... I would be a lil excited to have crashed on the track like that. Ya got it over with, you and the bike are ok, boots worked, leathers worked helmet worked. (trust me.. crash'n on the street = more suck)

glad to hear you's is okee dokee [thumbsup]

it was bejeezus hot out there.. and the wind ate another ez-up.. and corey had that get-off :(.. but all in all a really fun day

i was the first to notice the white and red SV on it's side, and it's pilot wisely walking away from it & out of the impact zone, but unfortunately none of us saw the event itself.  nope, no other crashes there that day.  +1 on weird, bumpy corner.  i always thank good suspension every time i get through it.

those new dunlops are incredible!

ryan was out with the newly reborn '99 R6, complete with sweet retro yamaha paint job.  he was naturally slow and awkward on it all day.  it's tough to watch someone ride who just doesn't get it.

oh, and while ryan tells me this is the way to get through any/every corner, i managed to completely lose the front on the skidpad and then save it with my knee.  yikes.

Sounds like a regular day at Willow.



Maybe there was *someone* who saw it.  :(
Wind?



I'm assuming you got qualifiers?
Did Joe like his set?


He passed ya sliding both ends, eh?  ;D



That's what the pucks are for. Good job!  [thumbsup]

nope, 211GPs
i think joe was a little freaked at first by the difference between the Quali's and a soft race-compound DOT (duh..) but they definitely wore well and he sure didn't look like he was having any issues..

I had a semi-funky day at the track...the first session was all smiles, great to be back, new skins felt good enough to keep me happy in the warm up session.  The second session, some duder low sided right in front of me in the bowl...and that freaked me out enough to upset my rhythm for that session.

Third felt pretty good, I can feel an obvious difference in the new tires, there not as soft, and the profile is less aggressive...still, throughout the day I managed to get back up to a semi-good pace and eventually beat my best lap time by a hair...meanwhile, I did some sliding around in T2 and on the skid pad.  I'm happy to report the the Dunlop Quali's LOOK great...I mean, it doesn't look like they been thru a full track day...and that's going to be easier on the pocketbook.  It's pretty clear that I need another set of rims/ tires that I can throw down for t-days though... :P

One bonus to the day was trying to chase Ryan; I also got newly acquainted with how to pass, and how to stuff (thanks again for the heart attack R) courtesy of Ryan's Private Track School... ;D

I had a pretty gnarly head shake coming out of 6, making a pass into 7...that was fun, and I scraped the shit out of my peg in 2 that disrupted the bike pretty good...but all in all, par for the course I suppose...anyway, great times, great to see such a big gang out there....until next time, throw this thread in the T-Day Chronicles.   [thumbsup]

6-20

(http://7mzdt.com/images/derb062008)
(http://7mzdt.com/images/joe062008)
(http://7mzdt.com/images/rst062008)
(http://7mzdt.com/images/g062008)
(http://7mzdt.com/images/sq062008)

Hey Corey, sorry to hear about your meeting with the tarmac, but welcome to the club!  It's hardly exclusive but often entertaining with minimal permanent injury to body or ego.

Nice pics!  Sounds like a good time out there! 

Lester

Crash reason mystery solved?

These are from the session when I crashed.  Note my lean angle and not being out of the seat at all.  I think I came into 11 hotter than I had been, and if I was already this far over maybe it was just too much for the contact patch...or I leaned it a bit further and lost it? ???

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2604712510_c26628ab0c_o.png)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/2604712656_e30918aa12_o.png)

a cheek or half a cheek off would give you that much angle on the corner without having the bike so far over.  also you're hugging the tank.. with your height/size you should spend most of your time with your butt as far back as it'll go.  in those pics your outside knee should probably be more in-line with the ~tank cap.

Modern tire technology is pretty amazing.  I've experienced good traction even at what I perceived to be extreme lean angles (just before dragging hard parts).

Here's another theory: Corey, maybe you entered T11 hotter than usual as you stated.  Then, without conscious thought, perhaps you abruptly cut you throttle?  This could overload your front causing it to wash out and result in a low side.

Lester

Great pics guys! I also appreciate the pointers sqweak is getting about what might have happened as I know I am learning from what you guys are saying.

gm: I didn't hang off in the first session at all.  That session, i was starting to move a little, but it was probably like 1/8th -1/4th of a cheek.  I'm way too upright too. :(  Thanks for the tip on getting my weight back, I try to work on that but I've obviously got a lot left to go.  When I think of hugging the tank, I think of my knees and work to get those out.  That still needs some work itself, but I'll be sure to also think of shifting my whole body back too.  I hope these are all things they'll help me with at CSS  Level 2 :P

lester: You might be right, but I don't think I did that.  I still think in steps, so I roll off the throttle, brake, get the bike over, and then get back on.  It certainly "felt" like the rear went out first before I lost the whole thing, and judging by where the bike ended up and my recollection it happened mid or late corner...after where I would logically chop it for a hot entry.  Maybe I subconsciously cut the throttle when the back went and that washed the front like you described?  Andy @ WCGP said basically the same thing, that he's wrecked in the same corner because of an off the throttle move and that he's sure that's probably what happened to me. *shrug*

thanks for the input guys!  I'll stop dwelling eventually. ;D

also, despite my *horrible* form in those pics, in that second one my puck can't be more than a half inch off the ground.  If I had actually gotten off the seat properly I think I'd be dragging now.  I know it's silly to be hung up on that, but it's a nice visual reassurance that I'm progressing. [cheeky]

of course knee dragging is some sort of measurement and undeniably fun.. but try not to make it a goal (not really what you were saying, i know).  even by Level 3, which is when you finally get into body position, it really all comes back to throttle control, aka keeping the bike settled.  concentrate on that.  lap times and knees don't matter.

as for the scoot back thing, this is something i didn't know for the longest time.. i was humping the tank for about a year.  then when i finally learned it it felt *really* wrong for most of a day.  i'd scoot back, forward, back, forward, back.. obviously the bike was pretty unhappy under me.  almost all of us are big enough that we need to be all the way back.. or at least not flat against the tank.  i nearly commented on this to courtney while we were @ CSS but in the spirit of how they do things i decided not to..

Scoot back for large folks on a real track bike, right?

Courtney's pretty light, I suspect it won't make much difference for her?

perhaps not, and yeah 'scoot back' is all relative.. but she was as far forward as possible.  exaggerated.  i haven't seen misti hurst at CSS this year but AMA is over in september -- if she's instructing in October she's a good reference.  she's no giant, probably shorter than courtney.  but she's "in" the bike as much as possible.

this is as much about weight distribution as it is subsequent arm position.  you want to be pushing only horizontally on the bars.  downward pressure doesn't do anything (duh..) and makes your arms stiff.  you end up fighting the bike.  bad.

i'm sure this is news to no one, but i re-learn this stuff constantly.  i'll go through a couple sessions, see a photo and realize DUH, quit doing ____.

i also think the code thing about working on one thing at a time is good mojo, so ignore this discussion for now.  ;)

Yup, exactly what i've been thinking. ;D  I've been getting some fantastic advice on a bunch of things to fix and try, but I need to get some of my groundwork lessons to be second nature so that I have the budget to work on new stuff.  [thumbsup]

Funny, this is something I noticed in looking at the pictures as they were posted throughout the day. We actually discussed body position some between sessions. She is pretty little and has short arms so for her to have slightly bent elbows and relaxed arms she has to be way forward.

On her GSXR she kept talking about how nice the arm cut outs fit her and it made the bike more comfortable. I finally asked her one day what arm cut outs she was talking about so she got on the bike and showed me. Then I got on the bike on its side stand and showed her that those "arm" cut outs are actually where most people's knees go! You don't really think about how smaller people fit on the bike sometimes until you make the back to back comparison like that.

In addition to that her rider coach was having her practice squeezing the tank with her knees. I don't remember the reason but I do know she said it helped and she felt more in control when doing it so she consciously kept at it all day. Kind of hard to squeeze the tank with your knees when you are sitting back on the bike and that little ;)

I am sure we will eventually get to L3 and position. Hopefully it is like speeddog said and her body position front to back won't matter much due to her size for the time being. We do know that she is sitting too upright and not leaning her body enough with the bike. She was also having some trouble with this on the steering bike on the skid pad. Particularly when turning left.

Next time you have a chance to see her on a bike maybe you can give some pointers on how best to position herself given her size. I think you will be surprised how she fits on the bike compared to us.

As for me I know I have some positioning to work on as well. My rider coach worked on it with me a little through out the day. First he let me know I was hanging off too far and then was trying to show me how to get my hips pointed into the turn. I credit dirt bikes with helping me learn how to shift my weight front to back. Probably too much so. I realized in L1 that I was using my body to move my weight to the back instead of the throttle. Now I need to get use to sitting back, staying back and using the throttle to transfer the weight.

if you get both quick turn and throttle control quasi-mastered you'll get faster and much smoother.  that's all L1.  esp quick turn: if you are in fact snapping it over quickly the need to get super leaned diminishes.  1 steering input.  it's not just turn-in point, it's turn-in.. velocity.  big time.  if you're all slow about getting it turned the whole corner gets exaggerated and you blow it.  you end up turning multiple times.

L2 is all visual stuff which makes the where to go and how to process it much easier.  except for the last lesson in L2 is really the first lesson in L3, which will leave you feeling exactly the same way you did when you left L1... lol

height-wise, ya think?  i dunno, they both seem short.  ;)

but yeah, misti is a perfect reference.  i've nearly blown many a turn by trailing her and watching her form rather than the track.*

*someone will turn that statement into a joke... i would.  but i'm serious.  she is so effortless on the bike.

I don't know that I'm the quickest at snapping it down, but I do think that I'm good at giving one (and only one) input.  AFM Sweeper at BWillow was the perfect example of this for me.  I started out making like 3 separate turns through there and worked on it all day so that it was just 1.

Can you guys do me a favor on the 4th and watch me a bit (at least what you can see from the pits) and see how this stuff looks?

The other issue is:

For a given height, women generally have shorter arms and shorter torso, and longer legs, than a man.
So, their position is going to look different just from that.

i think snapping it into the corner is a tough thing to learn.  i started out making this dumb little twitch in the opposite direction, as if i were winding up or some shit.  just give it time.  Wide Vision (the term explains the whole lesson..) from L2 will help.

Totally missed this earlier...

Bummer about the crash and glad you are OK.

don't know why i just saw this.

that was a can but not the kind you think: it was an exhaust canister from one of the little kid's GP bikes.  i was about an inch from picking it up before i realized that.  ...then i kicked it off the track.

Just in from the confirmation-of-the-obvious:

Damage is limited to what we spotted at the track.  Fairing stay, rearset, sliders, upper fairing.  Stay is it on it's way, having difficulty finding rearsets available (???).  They'll let me know Thursday.  Said the tires are fine too. *shrug*

What type of rearsets?

As for the bodywork, check out Chad at MCProDesign (http://www.mcprodesign.com/).  He's well respected for this fiberglass repair and painting skills.  He's widely used by the WSMC guys.

Lester

They seem to be saying they couldn't get their hands on much of anything. (Vortex, Woodcraft, etc).  I think what's on there is either Woodcraft of off-brand fixed.   They were pretty rough to get started (bent levers, ground down pegs) and are a bit high, so I wouldn't mind upgrading to something adjustable but at this point we're just trying to get something on there for the weekend.  *shrug*


I've heard good things about Chad.  For now, I was just thinking white duct-tape. [laugh]

and the AMA.  guy's got signed thank-you photos of every major racer in his office.

SoCal DMF are frequent users, too.   [laugh]

Does he have a signed portrait of you?

Can I have one? [cheeky]

I get 40% off Vortex, so holler at me if you need some vortex rearsets.

leathers no bueno. (not crash related)  out. :(

Short Version: I'm fat and split a seam.  ;D

Long version: My leathers are on the snug side with my back protector in.  Was at a class yesterday and in a rush from classroom to grid I zipped up with the protector having ridden up (it doesn't snap in place :().  Popped the seam where the zipper, outter, and inner layers meet; big enough to fit my hand in.  Dropped it at the d-store, but it'll take ~2 weeks.  Nothing needed, unless someone has a spare dainese in 60 ;)

I'm husky BD. [cheeky]  Even if I lost the spare tire beach ball (and I need to [roll]), I'd still be in the upper 50s because of my height and frame.

Dainese is sending to Anthony's and picking up the tab.  Considered taking it somewhere myself but z and anthony's are closed on the weekend, didn't know somewhere reputable up here that I could trust for that kind of work, and the time off to get it down for drop-off and pickup wasn't working for my or mags' schedule.  Since we were already down there, I just went with what was available.  Dainese is being a class act: fixing a couple other less dangerous loose seams, repairing cosmetic damage from my lowside, and shipping it back to me all gratis. [thumbsup] 

I've had 4 days (well, 3.5 counting the lowside :-\) in the last 2 months, so my planned july/august break is just getting started early. :)

if you moved away from dainese, my guess would be easily a 58 and possibly a 56...

Very Hulk of you.  We wouldn't like you when you're angry.  :)

a* doesn't fit me at 60 or 62
To get big enough to fit my torso in agvsport (58/60), everything else is baggy and ill fitting

Different body types for different manfs.  From my research, Dainese fit me (closest to) best for off the rack. *shrug*


[laugh] [clap]

you said if you lost your beachball, not now.

i've said it before, but given the "euro cut" of the dainese (and the apparent ameri-cut of the a-stars) , i'm surprised that you couldn't fit in a same-size or same+1 alpinestars suit. i could barely breathe in a dainese 56, but my alpinestars 54 fits snug, but fine with a back protector.

and to reiterate what i said above, if you lost your beach ball, and based on the alpinestars size charts and some personal experience, i'd bet a big juicy hamburger you'd end up in a 58 and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if you could even drop down to a 56.

look, i've gone down the road of ill-fitting suits. i sold my size 52 teknic suit to daryl because, even when i was <170lbs, it was too slender of a cut (for my legs, mostly).

Ahh, I misunderstood.  My bad. :)


I'm not sure why I'm the exception to the Dainese rule.  Maybe the Laguna Seca is more american cut?  Maybe it's our height difference?  ???  Whatever it is, it works for now.  When/If I lose some weight, i'll do another round of trying 'em on and see if somebody else is a better fit.

so who's left going to this day?

i think 60 is a specific size for the american market. look, they don't even have a name for it:

(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/Motowheelscom/Dainese/Dainese_size_chart.jpg)

looks to be the same height as a 58, but with a larger chest, waist and hips.

 ;D

you and someone if I can make the spot transfer work.  Mags and I were still planning on coming out and hanging out...

Oddly, in terms of width and snugness, I fit both Dainese and Alpinestars EU48 very well.  However, the limbs on the A* are longer in the same size than the Dainese. 

So are Americans on average taller than Italians/ Europeans?  Maybe I should try RS Taichi...  Then again, I think I am obese on the Asian scale.

Lester

Anyone heading out anytime soon?

Streets or Buttonwillow are tracks I enjoy!  [moto]

Possibilities.  I'd prefer later in the month:

8/02 Streets
8/03 Streets
8/03 Buttonwillow
8/23 Streets
8/24 Streets
8/24 Buttonwillow
9/13 Las Vegas

I'm taking July/August off.  I'll probably get started again in mid-sept

That's a lot of Saturdays and Sundays.  You getting soft?! [cheeky]

Track Days = Sick Days at my house.  How about some week days?

I'll see if the boss will give me a weekend day for a play day.

jeez, you're so particular....  ;)

here's the calendar.. find some fridays that work for you.  that's usually the only weekday i can swing.

http://www.biketweakers.com/trackcalendar_2008.html

I got this info fromsomeone else.  I don't know if the deal is still available, but sounds like it's a pretty good deal.


If someone follows up and finds the deal is not available I'll remove the event from the calendar.
I won't be going, just wanted to pass the info.


Andy

I have a Track Daz gift certificate that I need to use, so I would definitely prefer one of their days.  I'm also not big on August track days ('cause it's damn hot), but if we're gonna do one we should make sure Lester is invited ;)

LOL!  I was at Buttonwillow a few weeks ago and it was 101.  It stayed much cooler in the trailer than I expected.

Greg, pick a day and post up!  I am open on Fri if you want to do a weekday.  I am also taking time off from 8/4 through 8/17, so pretty much any day is okay.

Lester

Wow, this is some serious pressure.   [coffee]

Looks like the weekends of the 16/17 and 23/24 are shot for me.  Soccer tournaments, yeah!!!!

So the only days available at the moment are Streets of 8/2 and 8/3 with Take it 2 the Track.  Then it is Mid-September before things get going again for my schedule.

Next weekend?

http://ti2tt.com/schedule

8/2 Spots left A/17 B/4 C/11
8/3 Spots left A/23 B/14 C/1

Sunday looks a little better as most of us are A and B riders.

Just looked at the "calendar" and I can't go Saturday 8/2 (gymnastics banquet, yeah!) so the only day for me is 8/3.

Anyone?

....oh, just to be able to say that.....
 

[laugh]

http://ti2tt.com/schedule

8/3/2008  Forcasted for high 90's. 

If Lester can make it, it will be very cool in the 5th wheel!!! [cheeky] [clap]

IF he actually shows up... his record for showing up to our track days isn't too good.  ;D

I think I can rock the 8/3...so is it on?

signed up, paid up, IN.

out as a participant, in-laws are visiting.  Might bring my father-in-law up to spectate if he's interested.

Project delivers on the 1st... I'm signed up and paid for the third. w00t!

[thumbsup]

Well, since I started this mess I guess I'm. . .IN!!

I'm signed up for B as I might run the SV just to see what she's got.  Plus, she came with some DOT race tires I need to put out of their misery so I can get some proper street tires on it.

Maybe we can talk about some "car pooling" of some sort if anyone is interested.  I can easily pull a trailer that would fit 2-3 bikes and some gear.

...i bet someone by the name of steveG would probably love to take you up on that

Yep, I'd love to carpool! 1) driving there and back would easily double the price of the day (grrr!), and 2) my truck (still) doesn't work (grrr!).

Steve,

Lets talk.  I can swing by and pick you up in the AM.

My truck is not a hybrid so splitting gas sounds good!!

JC,

Where are you? 

I'm in.  Just signed up.  Anyone want to carpool with me and split the price of diesel?  :)

Lester

Barring any unforeseen mechanical difficulty, I'll be there.   Ass...  :)

I'll gladly fill up the 5th wheel generator from my massive 5 gallon gas can! ;D

I'm in.  8/3 L3.  So much for taking the summer off.

he just called...he's interested!

Is everyone running level 3?  I think I'm gonna run the motard because it's a little less effort to throw it around in the heat.  I'll move up to level 3 if I don't throw a chain the first session.

See you all on Sunday.

I signed up for 2, because I don't know the track well yet, and because I haven't been riding. If it feels slow I might see if I can get them to bump me up to 3.

Sounds like a bunch of psychos will be in L3.  I'm dropping to L1 for self preservation.  :)

Lester

that was always a silly idea.  =)

After Fresno for two weeks, Streets will be like a cool dip in the pool...

Hey Gang, do we have to race tie the oil filter and plug for this session?

I know that Fastrack was going to make it a mandatory (very soon), but is that for all clubs?

They don't ask for it explicitly on their site.  From what they do list, I don't think you need to.  However, as a fellow rider I would appreciate it if you did wire up your filter and plug.  :)

• Bolts and Fasteners: You should give your bike a once over before coming to our events and make sure that everything is secured and tight.
• Oil: Make sure that your bike's oil level is full and drain plug is tightened.

Here's the entire list under "Tech Inspection":

MOTORCYCLE TECH INSPECTION:

 


Excellent condition near new tires

No excessively oily or leaky machines will be allowed on track.

Good brakes.

Remove or tape mirrors.

Disconnect or tape over brake light.

Taping over or removing headlights and turn signals is recommended.

Looks like its gonna be a warm one tomorrow!  No worries about tire temps.

See everyone in the AM.

SteveG, still need an address.

think it was probably still warmer 6/20.  not that it'll be cool... =)

Good seeing everyone today.  Many thanks to Lester for keeping us cool today!!! [beer]

JC, Don't forget to get me the info for the ticket sight.

Cheers!

http://www.ticketassassin.com/ ? :)

really great day!  hardly anyone in the A and B groups.  toward the end of the day there were maybe 5 or 6 riders in A.  usual plenty of crashes but no one we knew.  some poor guy stacked his new 1098...  :-(

definitely really hot but in the shade, and with the usual wind, not so bad.

CaliPhotography looked like they got a handful of decent shots.. but really, at this point, they all look the same.  maybe the new "aesthetic" shots will be revolutionary...  [laugh]

that said, looks like i'm getting about as far over as you can in T3...  :o

(http://7mzdt.com/images/R6Lside.jpg)

My tires are shagged and I was riding like Nancy Boy. 

You all looked like you were getting after it from the coolness of Lester's coach!  He stopped riding because his tires were shot.

Note to self, never do a track day in August again! [coffee]

Any more pics from yesterday's outing?

bah, after you guys stinking that thing up all day it was just a glorified locker room..

or maybe we had to go make sure the canopy wasn't going to blow away.  ;)

but yeah, that last session you saw us gearing up for was theoretically going to be "half speed" and goof around time.  it was the hardest riding of the day.



there will be.. not up yet

note to self: do NOT let gm2 suck me into t3.  ;D [thumbsup]

can say the same thing about you and 9 & 11.  does your bike even have brakes?

3-6 are my happy place.

Are 9, 10 & 11 the last turns before you get on the skid pad?  On the SM that is a fun section.  I can start accelerating after I tap the breaks for 9 and head all the way through to turn 1 on the gas.  Unfortunately I can't crack 75 on the front straight. [moto]

Who's heading to CSB school in Oct.?  I might bust out the SV for a day with Kieth (that is if they have spots for "own bike")

by my count:
8 is the bowl, 9a is the start of the blind esses, 9b is the exit.  10 is the off camber decreasing radius left, 11 and 12 are the last 2 before the skidpad (13).  Then again, I hear it numbered as many different ways as people I ask [cheeky]


here's the thread (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2660.0).  I think it's Metalduc & Sachica on "their bike" and steve, joe, tom, and I on "our bike".  I think we sold them out of Level 2 "own bike", but it's worth a call.

funny thing about track diagrams, they can both open your eyes or confuse you further...

referring to this map, you could almost make an argument for not giving the "blind chicane" a number at all:

(http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/trackinformation/images/StreetLg.gif)

funny you should say that.  i was just writing:

if you look at a track map, the way i numbered it a few months ago is wrong.  conventional thinking seems to be that you ignore the chicane'y thing at the end of the back straight; 9 is the little left hander after the blind chicane.  10 is the big bumpy off-camber left hander that sqweak is very familiar with, 11 is the right hander that sets you up for the skidpad.  then you can debate whether or not to count the little lefthand blip just before you enter the skidpad (12/13), or at CSS then you go through 12/13/14.

Dude, next time pick an image without an alpha channel.

how about you try to find one? i gave up (but i didn't try too hard).

 [laugh]

just when I think DB is out for the count, he always chimes in with a razamatazz....!

when are you coming to the track? 

Hopefully soon.  I have a GC for a Trackdaz event so I wanna use that soon.  Of course, SOMEBODY has my rearsets  and I still need to pick the damn bike up from the shop.

So, what I'm saying is... Somebody pick a TrackDaz day and I'll sign up.

(http://209.15.129.106/trackmaps/willowstreets.JPG)

Derby, you're aware that google has this new image search thing right?  ;)

i told ya i didn't try too hard.  ;D

FWIW, pics of the day...no on track photos to be had, yet.

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0355.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0364.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0381.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0367.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0369.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0377.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0375.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0367.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0357.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_0390.jpg)

G R E G  P . . . Y O U  F O R G O T . . .

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/expman.jpg)

the three amigos.

shot with a point-and-shoot.  and from this perspective it doesn't look all that fun...    ;D

but check out the empty track!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GinQfgOzvdc

So then...

http://www.biketweakers.com/trackcalendar_2008.html (http://www.biketweakers.com/trackcalendar_2008.html)

well... unless you guys feel like doin' the trackdaz acadamy or running the big track:

Sun     08-24     Streets of Willow     Track Daz     $120     #, Open track, A/B/C format
Sun    08-24    Buttonwillow    Takeit2thetrack    $170    Open track, A/B/C format
Mon    08-25    Buttonwillow    Takeit2thetrack    $150    Open track, A/B/C format

...with the shoes.

Either of these would be my choice.  I really don't like to ride in the really hot weather (bad for the ol migraines).

Mon   09-29   Willow Springs   Track Daz   $150   #, Open track, A/B/C format
Fri   10-03   Streets of Willow   Track Daz   $120   #, Open track, A/B/C format

I would prolly like to do the big track (since I know it and won't be the slowest guy on the track after 2 years away from it).  But, I'm def cool with the streets too.

Any interest?

Monday is usually not possible for me work-wise.

and didn't you say you thought Streets would be the better place to shake down the SV?  yes, yes, you did.  =)

10/3 is cool by me.

Joe n I are going to be poster boys for Weight Watchers.  ;D

And who is that psycho on the old airhead Beemer with drum brakes  ??? That's certifiable.

10/3 is cool for me, plus it's close to the ol b-day, so I can get some time off kinda easy prolly.  And yes, Streets would be better - I just don't wanna be the slow asshole out there, so I was trying to eliminate one variable. ;)

10-3 Streets it is then...

IN and all paid up.

I didn't forget.  I'm just trying to remember!  [popcorn]

I'll probably muster this day as well.  Drag the SV out for a trial run.

http://www.trackdaz.com

Sign up and post up!

k.

In.

next...

you, me, joe.

in.

I should probably note that I am also IN.

Hrmm. work will be calmer,it's past my self imposed 2 month summer break, and I've got a $50 coupon to trackdaz...but its mags bday weekend.  Lemme check with the boss. [cheeky]

is everyone running A?

I haven't been on the track in over 2 years, so there's no way I'm running A, plus I need to shake down the SV some.

So, the short answer is - I'm running B.

in! slow group ;)

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0955?from=search

I'm tempted. Y'all are so fast now, I hate playing sweeper.

oh, and I'm truckless (at the moment, may change). Any thoughts on transport?

what happened to the ranger?

and you damn well better be there.  leave your ego at home.  :)

dude is flakey. we'll see.

unfortunately, it goes with me everywhere.

tell steve it's TIME to get his truck fixed.  then the two of ya can share a trailer.

could be worse...you could be stuck sweeping two groups below them ;D


Uhaul rents a moto trailer for ~25 bucks, pickup thursday night return friday morning.  They have pickups too.

Hey folks,
I'll be at Buttonwillow 10/4 & 10/5 with Keigwins...
Anyone wanna come play? 

That's me on my S2R  [thumbsup]

orange foreign dude

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_521842&file=cp2_5218_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/2/2&touched=1217983423)

virgo challenge

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_557255&file=cp2_5572_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/2/3&touched=1217983496)

oh shit... here he comes

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_589248&file=cp2_5892_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/2/4&touched=1217983547)


spiderman

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_591811&file=cp2_5918_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/2/5&touched=1217983571)

ryan passing jim

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_614732&file=cp2_6147_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/2/5&touched=1217983833)

corser?

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_622216&file=cp2_6222_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/2/5&touched=1217983937)


gregP.. about to kick someone's ass
(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_525246&file=cp2_5252_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/3/2&touched=1217984086)


where's the AC?
(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_51816&file=cp2_5181_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/2/2&touched=1217983387)


how's my hair?

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_523055&file=cp2_5230_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/2/2&touched=1217983436)


sleeper

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_695438&file=cp2_6954_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/2/6&touched=1217984078)

All I remembered was to look for the orange bike and leathers. Looking at the pics I don't know how I missed you.

I thought my S2R was cool until I saw PHI's. That is one tricked out 800! I say that even having watched his bike on the track from the rear several times, if you know what I'm saying.

And I was parked next to and chatting up the guy who binned the 1098. Super nice guy, but it was his second track day ever. Seemed kind of weird to be taking that bike to your second track day, and at the Streets too.

I called it after the 2 pm session. Even drinking like a fish, I was getting a headache from the heat. The previous week I rode up to Yosemite and was choking on the smnoke. I've had enough heat in the helmet.

Having said that, I'm heading out to the big track at Willow on Aug 23. Fast Track Riders, $165 if you're interested. But you have to safety wire the drain plug and filter thanks to some tool who oiled down half of Cal Speedway.

This Saturday was definitely a great day for me though. Man, I had a blast!

water isn't gonna cut it. you need to replenish electrolytes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolyte#Sports_drinks).

i hear pedialyte (http://pedialyte.com/) is a good thing to have onhand. good for long rides, too.


it's not such a bad idea, anyway. it can be a pita to drill the drain plug, but it's good for a piece of mind.

if you don't have a torque wrench, it might also keep you from subconsciously over-torquing the drain bolt "just in case".

So then beer would be wrong?
Kidding, I was going 50/50 with water and gatorade. When I took the Keith Code course (same track) I took 2 salt and 2 potassium tablets after each session because he said so. I thought it was overkill, but I didn't get a headache.

in those conditions if you aren't drinking enough that you almost constantly feel like you gotta pee, then you aren't drinking enough

+1.

Also, it's not enough to just hydrate yourself the day of, you need to be (over) hydrating yourself the day before so that when you wake up, you see only the faintest hint of yellow in your pee - then you know you're doing it right.

So, like a chartreuse?
Man, I'm learning way more than I thought from a motorcycle forum.

So, getting home at 1 seems to be what they mean by "project over"...  ??? Ugh.


Truth there, brutha...

Man, what a mess I was.
Greg, thanks for the ride out and back. Believe it or not, besides the pain, I had a great time the few laps I ran. Too bad about the  [bacon]
Lester, thanks for the shelter from the swelter, it was great to see you.
Joe, Garrett, Ryan, sorry I didn't come over and visit... next time out I suppose I'll sleep more than a few hours, and avoid the w00t the night before.  [wine]  [beer]

The only pictures they got of me were of my ass. Which is exactly what you're all going to see next time, when I sign up for A group  [cheeky]

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_638957&file=cp2_6389_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/82/3/4&touched=1217984578)

Get used to the view! Bwahahaha!  [moto]

Are you shitting me? Dragging *fairing*? F'n showoff... Oh, and Awesome  [clap]

I'm still trying to determine which hard point I touched down on the exit of 8. I drug toe, and then the next thing I knew I could feel something dragging on the chassis, I slid about 3 feet wide, and then hooked back on and proceeded on my way.  :o Don't really see any new looking wear on the rearset though. Go figure. Probably about time to start hanging off.

In!  ;D

I'm going to start hydrating now.  [drink]

And start looking for a a steering box for the truck.  [bang]

A group. Or maybe I'll switch to B and play with DB, and save A for after the next couple of CSS sessions.

Matt, Assuming I get my truck fixed, you can load up on the uhaul. If I don't, you can load up on the other kind of uhaul I'll need to get my ass out there. I ought to be able to find the part and get it installed in a couple of months, though...

...good idea.  =)

three cheers for dunlop!   ;D

was the bike waaay far over?  guess if you slid then yeah maybe: spool?  probably rearset tho.  they are really high on that bike however.

Squeak, file this bad boy in the archives...NEXT!

When you guys set up a track day for the BIG TRACK I'll join.  Streets is not my favorite place...it used to be....but the last time I was there it just felt like a goat track.  It also didn't help that I crashed on the first session of day because of cold tires  :(

I was able to frankenstein the bike back up and continue the rest of the day but all in all it was a shitty day for me and I no longer like streets.  I've crashed at Big Willow before, but I love that track soo much that I can't stay mad at it for long.  [moto]

two very different personalities, those tracks.  we were just talking last wknd about getting back to the big track; i'd really like to.  this outing may have been -- day of the week dictated streets.  but streets is a lot of fun no matter how you cut it, imo.  crashing and having a bad feeling about it sounds like a good reason to go back.

i think we weigh a good deal different (whereas jim and i, the original owner, are about the same) but tige did give it a once over for steve when we were at the big track a while back.

Sept 29th is open:

http://trackdaz.com/ti/trackdaz/catgroup.html?category=29%20September%202008%20%40%20Willow%20Springs&id=GMBIfZ5r

 [thumbsup]

8/23 then.

I'm just sayin'.

.... [roll]  ;D


f you haters.  streets is neverending fun.  but yeah, i want to suck less at the big track.

sun 8/31 should be out.  we'll all probably either be at a BBQ or be recovering from a BBQ.

mon 9/29: no can do mondays.. and yeah, too close to 10/03

so wtf, 8/23 is fine with me.  apparently we are perfecting this summer in the desert thing


*note that 8/23 is a fastrack event: you have to have your oil plug safety wired.  because if it comes loose and dumps oil all over the track, at least that way you won't lose the plug at the same time.

...and you have to suffer through the rider's meeting.  and i do mean suffer.  but i'm still down.

i'm sure we'll still be drinkin since most people don't have to work that monday.

I know JC can't wait to get back on the Big Track after his last expierence ;D

...?

Oh well...8/23 is out of the question for me...next time. :)

I remember stories of a long boring meeting, numerous blownt motors & crashes &not enough time on the track...... did I remeber correctly ???

Yes, it sucked IMO, thanks for reminding me...

I might still go though... [bang]

oh yeah.  but that was the experience for all of us...  i thought you were referring to some JC-centric issue.  not just who made the most noise about it.  =)

so no other masochists in the group?

It's only supposed to be 96 or so I think... I just found a steering box for the truck (riding to south LA in the morning to pick it up, should be fun...), but it's not going to be fixed before the weekend. Looking forward to whichever that other one is that we signed up for, though :)

SO, HOW WAS IT?

let's see...

weather was nearly perfect.  cooler than other trips out there this summer.  completely comfortable in the pits and not at all bad on track.

this was ryan's first trip to the big track since dec '06 when he crashed in T8 and broke all 4 appendages.. maybe he'll comment on what it was like to be back.  from my perspective, you'd never know he'd been gone.  stupid fast.. tho supposedly seconds slower than his rookie-of-the-year'ish former self.  he was still passing lots of folks and re-passing the liter bikes in the corners after they blew by on the straight.  that guy knows that track!

i started out the day in A group with ryan and was riding like an idiot.  stiff, fighting the bike, hating every inch of the track and having zero fun.  2nd session was worse than the first, being passed by damn near the entire field, including ryan lapping me.  riding like a retard.

so after session two i moved myself to the B group.  instantly i started to relax and have fun.  first session i passed several folks & never got passed.  that wasn't true for the whole of the day but esp for the 11:20 and 12:20 sessions i was starting to learn to like the big track. 

i still feel like i'm riding around in a fog bank in 9, but 8, and especially 2, are becoming my friends.  getting better at the omega but my approach into 5 still sux.  i have a lot of time that could be picked up between 4b-5-6.

i also found that a lot of my shortcomings on the little track are also my shortcomings on the big track.  duh.  too much brake and prep to get into the corner, yet my mid-corner speed seems to be better than average.  i would lose people on the entry to 2, catch them mid corner, and then pass them on the exit/run up to 3.  same with 1-2.

i'm still not at all comfortable with WFO in 8.  but i think no sensible person should be =).  the runoff is rock farm and then a ditch, which so far i'm too aware of.  i don't know if i'll ever really be fast there but now i know i can go and actually have a good time.  sure as hell was not the case on my first visit.

spent a session or two experimenting with gearing.. one of which meant i more or less ran around the whole time at redline.  came in with the bike spewing coolant and very mad at me.  heh.. sorry bike.  that's why you're japanese. 

there was some guy in B group riding a Desmosedici.  wow.  he rode a lot more aggressively than i would ever push $70k.  i could lead or get past him but in the straights it was like he had 2 bikes.  zoooom, gone.  that thing sounds amazing.

i'm still a streets lover but all in all a really fun day.   [thumbsup]

ouch.

yeah but what about the fact that we had 4 each time before last..

slap this pregnant dog into the archives and let's get on with the next one...

So this is the next round of DMF track days?


I'll see if I can get the big SV ready! [moto]

a sunday night 11pm decision found joe, ryan, and i at streets yesterday... figure this is already in the past so it goes in the archive thread.

amazing day overall.  perfect weather.  somehow there wasn't even the afternoon wind... that's a first.

i had a weird day where my riding went like this:

first session:  \
                      \
last session:      \

everyone else's was kinda the opposite.. as mine usually is, too.  we were all on pretty old tires (have to say those new dunlops hold up *amazingly* well) and i was beat from the weekend, but for some reason i started the first session like i was trying to win a race.  could have gone home after that one.

couldn't tell with the black suit and helmet but i'm pretty sure at the end of the day joe turned big and green.  he was FLYING.  ..until this one time through T9.  he's fine, the 675 is now just... broken in.  =)

9? the chicanes? what happened?  glad he's ok!

Sounds like a fun Labor Day! [thumbsup]

no, 9 where you went down.  or is that 10.. i give up on numbering anything after 8 on that track.  what happened was exactly the same thing that happened to you.  same place, same basic result.

10 or 11, depending on who you ask ??? ;)

Lean angle? too hot? or just another mystery of that funky turn? ;D

it's never lean angle.  but i dunno.  probably just the right combination of ingredients.

OK, so, it's not that big of a biggie, because I am sitting hear practically unscathed and hungry to get back to the track...but, here goes...

I pop onto the 675 forum which I haven't done in a bit.  i just finish a 7 day work week, I'm 4 beers deep and see this track day for Streets on Labor Day...it's about 10pm Sunday night.  What hooligans can I possibly rally to go to the track on such short notice?  gm2 and Ryan...it's on.

We all had minimal sleep it seems, tires on Ryan's bike were shot and Garrett was seemingly not phased by any constraints, as he set out for the first run with no one in sight to pass.  I go pretty good, feeling alright about it all.  The weather is perfect, the bike is awesometown, and my tires were still feeling great with plenty of meat on em...

The last day I was out was so so.  I couldn't for the life of me get close to the boys, nor did I seem to care.
Yesterday was a bit different.  Since Ryan had some tire issues, I was able to get near him and study throttle amount and braking points.  Hmmmm, so that's what's missing...more throttle, harder and later braking.  I like to ride smooth, I don't like brakes, but yesterday was a great chance to get into a zone I hadn't gotten into previously and my motto was, "I can do that"... [laugh]  Maybe not so bright following a Rookie of the Year ex-racer and the other guy (gm2) that's had a ton of seat track time and every Code level known to outer space...but I like a challenge.   [cheeky]

We take an extra long lunch, we all rest and go back out for a 2:40 session...and it's on, the three amigos set off for a hard go.  I pass Ryan at some point, first time ever, perhaps the last on the skid pad.  We had some good neck and neck speed rallies down the front straight...good times. 

Turn 9, or 10, or whatever has always plagued me.  Yesterday was the best I had gone thru it...at one point there was a photographer there which caused some pushing an more lean/ dump into that turn (I know, a bit vain) but the good news is, I was getting over being uncomfortable there.  This is the turn that's off camber, left hander after the chicane and kink...very make the beast with two backsing bumpy.

So, I think I got Ryan in/ outta the bowl and flew down the back straight into the section...I was focused and relaxed...I most likely was carrying more speed than I had ever into that turn, but it didn't freak me out, I didn't have a sense of that at all, I had no sense of any problem, business as usual...I tipped it in and wham-o, blue sky!

I impacted my left hand/ thumb, my head and body slammed on my left side and ended up in a full 'on my back' sprawl slide thing...and that was the best "ahhhh" part, as I knew it would be over soon...  I picked myself up, jammed to the bike to make sure she was off, as she was leaking like a sieve.

Then I stood there for a while...away from my girlfriend...just waiting...then walked into the pits after I realized no one was coming... [laugh]

My thumb is bruised pretty good, my ribs were killing me, it was hard to laugh at work today which was frustrating.  The bike is officially broken in...I have no idea what she'll need, but hopefully it's mostly cosmetic as she skid for some distance.

Anyway, I'm good, thank God my boys were there, thank God for beer, best pain killer ever.

See you 10/3 and we'll take it from there.

This turn?

Perhaps there's a bit of a dip right after you tip in, that unloads the front tire?

Maybe a bit of in-person inspection of the corner will shed some light...

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2824040964_d3ee35637e_o.jpg)

that's the one...

Duder.

They say you're a nobody until you've gone down.

You're a somebody.

Glad to hear you're all right JC.   [thumbsup]

I have crashed everywhere but the road track (knock on wood).  Worst crash so far was a busted rid at the MX Track last year.  Nice thing about crashing the MX bike is it never looks worse for wear. 

Hope the bike is OK and buttoned up ASAP.

<comment about being rally-able withheld due to extreme work related flakiness as of late> ;D


This all sounds *very* familiar.  [cheeky]  Thanks for making me feel better about my crash, if you and Andy can crash there I don't feel so bad! [laugh]

In all seriousness, I feel your pain more than most on this one, glad you're ok! [thumbsup] 


It's decreasing radius, off-camber, and has "I will make the beast with two backs your shit up!" spelled out in braille made up of bumps in the middle of the racing line. >:(

...and yes, you need some first hand experience [thumbsup]

off-camber and bumpy, yes, but i wouldn't describe that turn as decreasing radius. that turn is so small, there's not even enough radius to decrease.

thanks dudes, thanks Squeak...yeah, pain.  ouch, today is like a new day with the top half of my back feeling it...

see you out there and we'll get that turn handled.

 ;D Yeah, but the part of the corner he massaged with his body wasn't what threw him down.  ;D

"...does whatever a spiderpig does"
(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_705213&file=cp2_7052_medium.jpg)

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_714947&file=cp2_7149_medium.jpg)

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_831216&file=cp2_8312_medium.jpg)

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_70412&file=cp2_7041_medium.jpg)

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp2_70423&file=cp2_7042_medium.jpg)

...that last one is just to show me catching ryan  ;)  (before he shuts the door on me entering 4)

handful of decent pics of The Corner but nothing really spectacular.

Darth=Psycho

+1. Holy sheet.

ok, there was some hamming for the photog going on.  but it was a weird day... on a mission like never before during the first session, the got progressively slower and goofed around.  dunno what to say.  dem dunlops are good.  wonder if i could get my elbow down.... [evil]

funny thing: as soon as i saw joey go down my hand went up into the air without even realizing it.  parent reflex.   [cheeky]

Yup, parent reflex. When my hand goes up due to my parent reflex it's to smack one of my kids because they did something to deserve it. :)

Joe, I wish you a fast and easy recovery.

Lester

Joe, it just proves you're not made of glass [roll]

Hope you and the bike are AOK, fast [thumbsup]

So now that you have a proper track bike, what is the street ride going to be?   [evil]

Glad to hear you are mostly ok. Heal up quick.

Glad you're OK JC [thumbsup]

I think GM2 should help you out with the repairs...............lookes to me like he hussled ya.......did any money change hands ??? [laugh]

Thanks Fellas,

New street bike, 675?  Ha, Ha...the 675's not that bad off, at least it doesn't look too bad.  The left front clip-on sheared out of place in the triple and got make the beast with two backsed up, so I scored a used one to start.  Otherwise, will need to give her the once over. Might as well take it in for a 6K service with the tracking she's done...on the hunt for some plastics, otherwise, break out the duct tape.

Otherwise, sheez, man...the thumb is almost back to normal.  The ribs, still can't laugh without wincing, but I'm a little less sore today.

Photos to follow if gm2 or Ryan can find my camera... ;D

Thats a bummer!

Glad you are OK....now where are the pics??

Thanks April...

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2201.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2212.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2216.jpg)

NO, these are NOT my leathers...
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2218.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2217.jpg)

From Hero to Zero...thanks R, thems some pretty pics...  [drink]

That doesn't look bad, just has some 'track cred' now.  ;D

Yeah, For Sure...not so bad...

One for the road.

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/CP2_7795.jpg)

Nice!!! [thumbsup]

PS Those scratches should buff right out.

 :'( [thumbsup] [evil] [beer] :D [clap]

Ahhh, thanks... :-*

Good news, yesterday I scored a complete set of OEM bodywork + the tank, plus the L side case for less than 1K!!!

I picked up a L side clip on used too, need to order some new spools, tires and a helmet, get some new gloves, and I'll be BACK!

jc

here, you might need this to get that leg back up on the bike...

(http://www.abc-of-fishing.net/images/pics/fishing-buy-reels.jpg)

 ???

a fat fisherman guy's watch?

....yeah, that's what i meant....


[laugh]

Joe! Glad you're alright, and that the bike sounds like an easy fix. Maybe you could get a little patchwork done on the scratched fairings and keep them for track days?

If my truck were fixed I'd groan about not having known about this track day, but even if I'd known I'm not exactly set to get myself there. You guys have gotten too fast for me anyway...   

Ok found this thing finally. Now to see about signing up...

Alright, I am ready to do this. Will most likely sign up today. Who can I hitch a ride with? Just a little CRF450 so it should be able to squeeze in just about any place.

 [laugh]

a bike is a bike is a bike my friend.  ;)

as for me, can't get more than one scooter in my truck.

I agree that it can be tight butI don't think it is quite true that a bike is a bike. The honda is quite narrow and the handlebars sit up higher so it fits more easily next to street bikes. My borther was able to fit the gsxr and the honda in one of these

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/151730628_30193251ff.jpg?v=0)

along with a ramp and 2 full sets of farings not on the bike :o

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/USCA0955?dayNum=2

yeeha  :)

If that holds up, I will be one happy chappy.  That's about the best the weather ever gets out there.

i hate you guys :P

tires got here a few minutes ago.   ;D

ya'll should swing through town for a visit and a beer  [beer]

it's at SoW not BW

still only 45 min away  ;D

then you should come out for a beer.  i'll buy.  ;)

I'm stuck at work from 6:45 to 5  :(

...so by the time you drive to Coach's they should be on about round 2.

 [laugh]

Alright, I just finished loading up (after finishing work on this damn server).  See y'all tomorrow.

have fun kids, I'm still at the office (as I feared I would be)

 :'(

Have fun. Looks like I won't make it until th 12th and possibly again on the 31st  :)

Hi All!

Question: I have never done a track day before and have very limited time in the saddle, but would like to try it out.  I had a bad experience on the street and still want to ride but kind of want to be in a more controlled environment.  Would C group be okay for someone like me (I have maybe a few hundred miles under my belt at present), or should I spend a little more time street riding first?  Do they usually have someone there that can spend one-on-one time with new riders?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Do a school. Keith Code happens to be one that really explains the dynamics of riding and ISN"t about necessarily riding fast.

+1 to keith code being a great intro with the one on one time you're looking for.

Great, thanks for the info!

I'm back.  It went well enough.

I was rusty as hell after not having ridden on the track since mid '06 and not even having ridden a streetbike more than 500 miles the last two years. 

First session was bloody pathetic.  I felt like I had no idea what I was doing out there. 

Second session was much better, but  still sucked. 

3rd was better again, but not enough better to make me happy. 

4th session was my best of the day and I even started to get a nice rhythm going.  I was able to find a nice pace (for being gone so long), outbrake most people into the corners (in the B group at least) and was dragging my knee where I used to for the most part.  I was probably still a good 15 seconds off my old pace there, but I was definitely happy with my progress.

A few things I noticed...

SVs are much slower than 600s.  I felt like I was on the monster again in terms of power.  Everything I made up on the brakes and in the turns was lost (even on the streets short straights).

I need my rearsets MUCH higher to be comfy.  I was struggling all day getting myself comfy on that pig of a motorcycle and I could never lean off as much as I wanted because my pegs were so damn low (among other issues I was having with body position).

All in all a good day and a firm reminder that once I regain employment, I need to be out at the track as much as possible 'cause I have lost a TON of time in the past 2.5 years.

Oh, and Joe and Ryan should have some pictures for everyone...

Awesome Day, great to finally meet you DB.

My confidence was pretty well shot until about half way thru the day but it was good getting back on the horse...

here are some pit photos from the day, there are some good shots that will come from CaliPhoto soon, they have new photographers and there are some goodies.

DB's Ride, Complete with Cobwebs Dusted Off
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2222.jpg)

New Street Fighter Look for the Kid
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2224.jpg)

The Thrill of a Track Day
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2227.jpg)

Derby Pontificates
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2221.jpg)

Boys and Toys x 5
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2234.jpg)

Eastside!
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2230.jpg)

East Meets West
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2241.jpg)

Some of Us Were Born to Have Our Photos Taken
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2244.jpg)

Joe's New Favorite Track Job, Hold Door in 50 MPH Gusts While Drinking Race Car Beer
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2248.jpg)

Best Part of the Day
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2257.jpg)

Tire Study-RST
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2250.jpg)

JC
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2251.jpg)

Derby
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2252.jpg)

Darth Vader (that's no moon...)
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/IMG_2254.jpg)

I hate all of you with a white hot passion!!!  :o ;D

Looks like a good time was had by all.  While you guys were having fun I was dealing with rotten kids, parents and most unfortunately rotten cheerleaders.  I hate cheerleaders, (sorry JC I know you where the only male cheerleader at Malibu HS  :-* ). I feel better already. thanks!

The SV should be dialed in with fully built suspenders in the next few weeks.  Hopefully I will be able to join ya'll at the next track day.

Peace!!!

PS Did I mention my distaste for cheerleaders?

<mind boggle>
Can someone please reconcile Garrett's stupendous lean angles with that pic of a tire that seems to have barely gotten warmed up?  ???
</mind boggle>

'Cause I'm thinkin' it's some sort of Jedi mind trick.

That tire you're seeing is only about 3 sessions old probably.  Those crazy lean angle pics came from a tire that had been shagged for something like 3 days.  And that my friends is why Dunlops are supreme.

I almost didn't recognize Ryan without his Holy Orange Leathers...but then I noticed the duct taped boot. [thumbsup] [cheeky] ;D

Lap times?

Ryan-Stupid Fast
Garrett-Mindfully Fast
JC-I Crashed Last Time Fast
Derby- B Killer Fast
DB-I'm Back Fast

 ;D

[laugh]

track daz, unlike fastrack riders, doesn't provide lap times.  if you want em you gotta do it yourself... i don't think any of us really care


yup!  that pic is also of a slightly bigger tire.. but i'm pretty sure i was getting the same lean angle  ;)

What Track Daz DOES provide you with however, is a minimum of 30 crashes per day.  I think all but one session yesterday had at least 1 crash.

true.. the Daz curse was in full effect.  astonishing number of wrecks.

lm and I waited up ....beers on ice..... nobody showed  :'(



 [laugh]


looks like yous peoples had fun [thumbsup]

+1

Pics Are Up...
Amigos
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/6.jpg)

Air Force One
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/9.jpg)

He's Back...
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/7.jpg)

See?
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/10.jpg)

Like This...
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/4.jpg)

That'll Work
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/8.jpg)

Manute Bol Down the Straight
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/5.jpg)

Hmmm, Thanks for Making Me Feel Faster Than You for One Lap... ;D
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s318/joekarati/2.jpg)

I forgot to mention this last time, but I had an absolute blast (even though I sucked as the photo above proves) and it was nice to finally meet Joe and Ryan in person.

Also, I've decided that since I have to relearn so much, I think I'm gonna take this opportunity to do CSS level I once finances stabilize a bit.  I figure if I have to relearn anyways, I might as well take the class while I'll be able to better absorb the teachings.

Anyhow, I might've been slow, but my brolly girl was for sure hotter than Ryan's ;)

I actually kinda like this picture.  Not because my form is any good, but I love the disco ball quality of the lettering on the back of my leathers.

(http://caliphotography.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=cp__017318&file=cp__0173_medium.jpg&dir=galleries/21/97/3/4&touched=1223156719)

Amigos = proof that at Track Daz events the time spent waiting for the crash truck can be used to pose, vamp, and vogue.

Air Force One = nice shot derb!  glad brian the cali photog guy figured out a remote, rather than standing in the mothereffing apex.

Manute Bol... hahahahahha


awesome!   [thumbsup]

Hmmm.... looks familiar

(http://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/products/mcy/media/wallpaper/2006/r1le_wp.jpg)

The main difference being:

(http://ndn.newsweek.com/media/25/71014_MoneyHappiness_vl-vertical.jpg)

 [laugh]

Yeah, and just a few more odds n ends...

Mods, will you file this in the track thread?   [thumbsup]

File away...