Ducati Monster Forum

The man...

The myth...

The legend...

The STRIPES...


A huge thank you to everyone that came out and lent a hand and showed their support here and at the track!  Tigre has put in a tremendous effort over the past several days, and he couldn't have done it without some help and a bit of cheerleading.  Hopefully some photos and a full write up will be coming soon!   [thumbsup]

I am being very cautious in my activities that week. Sounds like the surgery will be a bit more brutal than I initially thought.  :P

I will be out there on Thursday. Not sure how long I'll be able to work, but I'll be there as long as I can stand... literally. Just going to play it by ear.

I will most definitely be there for the weekend. wt:

I'll be there Friday & Saturday, pit board in hand  wt:

Duckwrench: let me know if you need the truck. It's got a comfy captain's chair and plenty of room. And a toolbox  ;D

Dude.   :bang

Let me put this bluntly.  YOU ARE GETTING YOUR BACK SLICED OPEN.  You should be doing nothing but enjoying a fine cocktail of drugs while partaking of the finest viewing daytime t.v. can offer.  What is wrong with you?  I love ya, but you're a knucklehead.  ;:|  OK, I'm done harping on you.  You're a big boy.  But if I have to carry you someplace because you've hurt yourself out there I will be seriously miffed.  I don't like dragging boys around unless it's Enzo, by his shortncurlies.   ;D

Does anyone know if Norcal510 has joined the board?  I probably need to hunt him down. 

Eobo and DtM--you guys need to get AMA memberships if you haven't already.  I'll be in touch with you both privately if you're not following the thread here. 

WHOA!!!!  :o T.M.I. ;:|

Oh, on a completely unrelated note.... I have 5 walkie talkies for communication from hot pit, to paddock, to pit board, etc. Just need to pick up the uber-pack 'o batteries this weekend.

Still in!


Batteries: Costco - Let me know if anyone wants to go there.



 co:: back to work

You can get ibuprofen there too...too bad they don't sell 848 fairings :)

I think this would be an excellent time to put some race skins on it. To hell with all those little screws and interlocking panels!! :bang Do it right, with Dzus fasteners and all. wt:

i will help out with the team effort.  will be at the track fri/sat/sun, and can get time off from ducati hospitality area as required.

pm me or email me to advise what i can assist with.

ciao,
johnc

Do I need an AMA membership?

Nope. Just your pretty little face.

So when in the hell is Steve gonna get here?!!! I mean, here we are rallying the troops for him, and where is he?! ;D

What's the news gang?! Waiting, holding breathe...

He's going. Did you get your AMA membership?

OMG guys!  pu::   ;)    ;)

Thanks, Johnc!!

John - I've got you down for a couple of things both Friday and Saturday.  Check the first post.  As far as I can tell, you won't need an AMA membership because we can't get anymore people in the hot pit.  I think Tigre's area is already at a maximum as limited by the AMA during the race.  I believe he's allowed four people in the hot pit and one "guest."  The guest spot is spoken for if I remember correctly.  In a pinch I think we can get anyone signed up with an AMA membership the day of the races as needed--there's probably going to be a tent set up. 

Has anyone seen DantheMan posting anywhere?  I can't get hold of that boy. :bang 

I will check in with people early next week.  I'm out of town this weekend through Monday for work in Atlanta--pray I don't get caught in a tornado.   r:e)  I'll have Enzo check up on the thread and report back to me via phone.   be::

I think Dan is in Hawaii.

ciao mostrobelle -

i will be hanging around the ducati hospitality/tent area for fri/sat/sun ... so when you need me to do some tasks, just holler.  i will try and find you when i get there on fri, to get my marching orders for team tigre.

ciao,
johnc

 

I can't make it (unless my new boss gets fired and he's trying really, really hard) wed or thurs, but I'm at maximum-effort to make it Fri.  Tball saturday or I'd be there, too.  :-\

Hi all -

Been out of town for a few days, so I'll try and catch up to this thread in a bit.  I think we have all of our hot pit staff lined up, but extra hands on the "outside" are always welcome.   [thumbsup]  Thanks so much (in advance.) 

ok so im going to get some food for this little excursion. Ill have breakfast lunch and dinner and drinks for the crew and any stragglers that show up. Burgers and chips for all that show on Saterday. You vegatarians can eat my sandel or whatever it is you guys eat.

Wed: 3
thurs: 3.5
fri: 7
sat: 10+

menu

breakfast
potatoes, chorizo, egg, bacon burritos
or cereal

Lunch
Ham, turkey, roast beef, sandwiches

Friday dinner
chicken, rice, corn, salad

Sat lunch
Burgers for all, and leftover sandwiches

I'm hungry

what time do the races start on sat? 

DTM - would you like me to bring any food items for sat? 

I got burgers and chips, anything that can compliment that or some snacks, can you bake?

you want cookies or brownies?

Dan - you are the awesomest.   [thumbsup]

Hey all, this isn't the first time Dan has fed the masses.  He and his dad (and mom) have been really generous with their supplies every time they come out to the races. (His mom's salsa is "teh yumminess.")  If you've enjoyed 'TheMan's hospitality before or are a first-time moocher ya might think about making a small "donation" to fill the coffers for next year and help cover a little of the costs he's incurred so far.   [beer] 

Dan - would you care to tell people how to find you?  Is the RV going to be near Tigre's tent or parked somewhere else because it's "hot pit territory"? Can anyone with a regular AMA ticket just pop in there?

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

To which I'll add:

Fri & Sat Breakfast:
Espresso, Cappucino, Latte   ;D

We sound like such a bunch of pansies with our lattes and full meals...real motorcyclists would live off of Slim Jim's and Gatorade for the weekend.    [laugh]

18 months of living off MREs, Slim Jim's and Gatorade.... I'm perfectly fine being one of the "pansies" now. [laugh]

Now the Norwegian rations, those were some fine vittles! Mmm, mmm..... freeze dried fish paste, now that's high class grub! [puke] [puke] [laugh] [laugh]

Hey ya pansy... [cheeky]  are you out at the track with him now?  I think that Wendy (Ducky) and Desmoquattro are there with him doing their own trackdays.  Can you guys report back to us to let us know how he's doing on times n stuff?  Friday is qualifying, correct?  If you do this for me I'll make sure you get nothing but the finest MRE's the gub'ment can offer.   [laugh]

Got a call earlier this morning, and he said he was turning 1:46's in fairly dense traffic. I'm on my way up in a few minutes, and we'll be swapping out to taller final gearing...trying to keep it pulling in each gear just a tad more before red lining. Might be able to squeeze a tenth of a second here and there around the track that way. I think 1:45 is the magic number for today. If we can consistently hit :45's, then we stand a solid chance at getting Steve on the AMA FX grid!

Don't know yet, but my dad should be getting there about now. Look for the ginoumous ebaymotors canopy. Ill post location later tonight when i get there, or dan can in a little bit.

Anybody stopping by just pop on in say your from the DMF were a friendly group.

So are bikes allowed to ride through the pits and such like in AFM? Or we have sanctioned parking elsewhere?

In my experience with AMA events, you'll get shuffled up the hill unless you have a pass of some sort.  I think they'll let Ducati's go through the pits since they park together by the hospitality tent, which is usually at the far end of the grandstand.

grazie mille amico ... without cafe, the day is not worth living!   [coffee] [coffee] [coffee]

I just heard from Desmoquattro that il Tigre was having an awesome day - however had a little high-sided. RATS!

Steve is ok but hurt his hand. They're going to X-ray and see if anything is broken.
I understand he may still be in this if nothing on him is broken.
The bike I have heard is pretty ok. They just have to find some small bits like break levers.


Sending chill vibes, and heal fast vibes  [thumbsup]

I'm coming up with Frances, we'll do a Costco run before heading up on Saturday morning.  I'll bring beer (is that okay to do?), cocktail shrimp platter, chips and dip, brats and buns.  Let me know if you need anything else!  Looking forward! 

Just picked up parts for Steve. The hand is feeling better, and they're putting the bike back together tonight. We'll see how our boy feels in the morning.

Yikes, scary stuff!  Please keep us posted. :-\

Was at Sears with MM, Tigre, Desmo.  I don't know where Tigre gets his energy in that heat, with ace bandage and ice pack wrapped around his left hand -- we were moving his stuff to DTM Dad's RV area and he was moving stuff too.  Nothing is going to stop him from racing [thumbsup]

we should be ready to rock in the morning pending one shipment. Till then time for  [drink]

It only takes one fast lap on Friday afternoon to qualify. Save your equipment and your cat. It's important.

Bike was saved... new brake master cylinder should be getting dropped off at the Infineon main office as I'm typing this. Got everything patched up and ready to rock.  [thumbsup] It doesn't look like he broke any bones, but there was a little swelling... ice and compression overnight should have taken care of that.

Just making some  [coffee], hopping in the shower, then back to the track. If we have signal, then one of us will try to update throughout the day.

...or leave a message on my voicemail and I'll update  [thumbsup]

GOOD LUCK TIGRE!

quick update,

sankes in the pit, parts in, tiger bike up and running, breakfast was good btw, and back down to 1:46:00. Hand is fine, swelling down and functioning properly.

DTM

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

Go tigre , good luck & good speed.

Cheers

Ended the day good. Got the exhaust header welded, changing out the front rotors tomorrow due to possible warpage. And have some ideas how to solve the overheating when getting off track issue. We continually encouraged him to not push too hard in practice, Lap times dont matter during parctice. All we need is one fast lap during QP.

Practice at 1, qualifying at 4. Everyone think go fast thoughts at four.

ride fast take chances.

DTM

The tiger mascot store awaits my arrival eagerly, depending on qualifying results.  I told them the story and even they're excited for Tigre.  They're a little less excited about renting the suit to me given the temperatures that we're going to be having on Saturday.  Stay upwind of me, folks.   [cheeky]

P.S.  I have two tickets for Sunday if someone wants them.  FREE.  First come, first served. 

Even if he doesn't make it, it's been a hell of a ride so far!  [moto] ...positive thoughts headed your way!!!!!!

See first post for updates, peeps.  I think Tigre's crew is all set for Friday.   

True dat, 'Belle.  It's been an amazing experience.  I'll recap when it's all over and I get a chance to catch my breath.

In the meantime, time to get some zzzz's.

Good luck mate!

big (since I'm on the other side of the planet and going in the opposite direction, should I be thinking fast or slow thoughts?)

may the QP gods rain fast time goodness down upon you, steve.  good luck!   [moto]

This is so exciting! I wish I didn't have to work morning noon and night.... I'll be keeping track of what's up here, though, so keep the updates coming!

BTW, a trick for maintaining your cool in a hot suit that I've used on overheated actors wearing the equivalent of a sofa for a costume: put a cold pack in the small of your back. One of those little refreezeable gel packs works really well. In the same way that a heated vest keeps you warm on a cold day by heating your core, a cold pack there will keep you cool by cooling your core.  8)

Best of luck! Ride fast!  [thumbsup]

DQ is currently en route to Sears Point, bringing caffeinated joy for everyone at Camp Tigre. Wish I didn't have to slave away in the city today, but then again it won't be nearly as HOT as the track! ;D

Enzo and Lunderburg are going to be hitting the road soon to help out Team Tigre.   [thumbsup]

Good luck tigre, best wishes..!!  [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

live timing and scoring

were on track now

http://206.168.146.115/lps/index.html (http://206.168.146.115/lps/index.html)

What's the deal with qualifying?  Where does he have to place?

its 110% of the fastest time in qual session 1. We dont know yet.

Based on the current fast practice time as of now, hell need a 1:47.842

Well, he has that beat!  He's getting faster and faster every lap he makes!  This is totally fun watching the website updated live!

Hellz-YA ! he just made a 1:45:22!

Isn't that a second faster than his best from a couple weeks a go?  [thumbsup] w00t!

Woot  [thumbsup]

Oh last lap was 6:35.828

I hope Steve was just going to the pitts or something.. =(

Last lap is sometimes weird...it could be off for a lot of reasons.  I wouldn't worry about it. 

correct just coming in the pits

The live timing feature is pretty cool. Almost makes me feel like I'm there... :) Go Tigre!!

so a 1:47.363 is 110% of the fastest lap of that practice section, Steve's fastest lap was a 1:45.221.

That means he's in, right? 

Or is there another practice session?

Anyone know what AMA races Tigre is in?

this is AMA Superbike Championship correct-o?

I think it's this one: AMA Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme presented by HMR

Here's the weekend schedule :

http://www.infineonraceway.com/schedule/major_events/ama/ (http://www.infineonraceway.com/schedule/major_events/ama/)


I think I heard Tigre is @ the 4PM Q/race
Fri:
3:20 p.m. - 4 p.m. ♦ AMA Formula Xtreme Series Qualifying Group A
4:05 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. ♦ AMA Formula Xtreme Series Qualifying Group B

Saturday:
4:25 p.m. ♦ AMA Formula Xtreme Series Race (17 laps)

Does that mean he isn't qualified yet?  I see that there are 2 qulifing groups, A & B.  Does he run in both groups, or is that just to "split the pack into 2"?

I need live updating on what's going on!!! [moto]

It's still superbike qualifying next up will be formula extreme but we don't know what group A or B he is.

Didn't he already run ???

How does this thing work?

I'm confused,,,  :-\

Tell me about it, I can't get any more confused than what I am already..!!  [bang]

You guys are killin' me!!!! I'm thoooooo exthited!!!!

OK, wait, so all that excitement earlier today was just PRACTICE?!

I need someone to tell me when to get all worked up and stuff.  ;)

Go Tigre!

Okay He must be in Group B cause Group A is going right now and he's not on it.. so no EARLIER was just practice/warmup right now is the REAL DEAL.

So when Group A is done Steve should be up there... that's when he has to do it up big.. right now top time is 1:37.368

Which means steve would need a 1:47.1048

Qualify starting now, this is what matters. Group a all fast guys, the set the actual cutoff time

Steve will be in group B.

New Fast Lap: 1:36.853
Time Needed Now: 1:46.5383

You can do it Tigre! Go Mutha Phookr!!! like wings on your velcro-wheels!  [thumbsup]   [moto]    [thumbsup] 

bikes on track

time to beat 1:46.538

I hope he's not getting held up by that R6

*EDIT* Just as i post he got around him :D
*DOUBLE EDIT* Damn that 675 just brought the heat!
*TRIPLE EDIT* Looks like they are coming in the pits?

woot 1:45.996

W0000000000000000000000tttttttttt steve made it! 1:45.996!!!!!!!!!

Oh eff YES!  1:45:996 

 [thumbsup] [coffee] [thumbsup]  [moto][thumbsup]


edit : I've never had so much excitement watching tiny numbers change in a list on a screen!

Great big congratulations from Down Under! Well done Steve!

big

YES!!!! Woooooooooooooooowoooooo!   [beer] [beer] [beer] [wine]

booya!

Way to go Mr. Metz..   [thumbsup]

Kewl!  [thumbsup]

Congrats Steve!  [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

Excellent work Tigerbike race team!  [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

How long does qualifying go on for? They have been at it for over an hour!

Well done. You looked very professional out there.

                                                          FE

Congrat !  tigre what a nice punch back with number  [thumbsup].

Cheers.

Steve made it!

I had the honor of running the Tigrebike pitboard for practice & qualifying today. Steve really threw down in practice, turning several laps in the 1:45 range. Things were a bit slower in group B qualifying, but Steve still made the cut. He'll be racing tomorrow!

The Tigrebike crew was in good form today: duckwrench13 dealt with some critical last-minute issues, Warren spent a lot of time wrenching and helping out, along with DanTheMan (and his pops!) Enzo, johnc, and several others who stopped by.

We'll be cooking breakfast (with espresso drinks & coffee!) tomorrow morning, so come early. And bring sunblock, shorts, and a hat!

congrats Steve!!!

I cant wait for tomorrow    [thumbsup]    [moto]

http://www.amaproracing.com/prorace/raceres/rr/cres.asp?cls=fe&snct=p8225&type=q&year=2008 (http://www.amaproracing.com/prorace/raceres/rr/cres.asp?cls=fe&snct=p8225&type=q&year=2008)

26   170   1:45.956   75.428   Pete Demas   Triumph Daytona 675         1:45.956
27   944   1:45.996   75.399   Steve Metz   Ducati 749R         1:45.996
28   161   1:46.048   75.362   Sahar Zvik   Suzuki GSX-R600         1:46.048
29   181   1:47.881   74.082   Craig Mason   Yamaha YZF-R6         1:47.881

[moto]

Hey folks!  Thanks for all the well-wishing and good vibes.  It paid off!

Lots of drama.  I promise a full write-up at the end of all this.  Here's the scoop with qualifying:

Wind picked up DRAMATICALLY from earlier practice.  The combination of the additional wind and not timing my any of qualifying laps so that I could "get a tow" from the faster guys, I was pretty much just out running by myself.  I went out for one set of laps, and came it.  I was a bit disappointed by  my laptimes -- I'd slowed considerably since the earlier practice.  Then I went back out for a few more laps and when I got held up by a slow guy, I came back in.  Now there were under 20 minutes left and I still hadn't hit the qualifying mark.  I was getting really nervous because the wind had really changed things up (braking 2 cones later for some turns, 1 turn earlier for others) and I knew I hadn't figured it out.

I went back out and made very conscious decisions to alter my brake markers to adjust for the wind and that turned out to be enough.

I saw my pit board and was pretty sure I read 1:45.9, but was a little worried that I had misread, so I stayed out for another lap.  When I came in, they told me the good news.  I sat still for a few minutes and then went back out for another couple laps.

The cool-down lap after I crossed start-finish was a lot of fun.  The corner workers were all clapping and waving.  The guy in turn 7 was an AFM guy I recognized, and when I came by he pointed to the AFM patch on his shirt and gave me a thumbs up.  As I let that soak in, that was about the closest I've come to tears of joy.

Anyway, I got back to the pits and then got down to business.   [drink]

See you folks tomorrow!

Tigre

BRILLIANT  [beer] [beer] [beer] [beer] [thumbsup]

enjoy the race tomorrow, sorry i won't be there to cheer you on. i could only get enough time to go on sunday.
best of luck and have fun in your first PRO race.

This is too cool.  Giggigity, giggity. 

Enzo and I will probably be coming up early in the morning via cage, given the nature of our "unusual cargo."  (P.S. Tigre, the costume store guys plan on trying to catch the races on t.v.  They say "Good Luck!" and they want pictures...  [laugh])

OK folks....hope to see y'all out there!   [wine]





Perhaps someone will be so kind as to correct me if I'm wrong, but I hear practice is around 10 and racing is around 4.  I'll update first post as more accurate information comes in...

Schedule:
http://www.infineonraceway.com/schedule/major_events/ama/ (http://www.infineonraceway.com/schedule/major_events/ama/)

Warm up is 10:50-11:05
Race is at 4:25

Congrats Mr Tigre AMA racer!  [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

See you in a bit.

It's been a long few days to get to this point....feel like I've got a throat full of sand, sinuses full of concrete, and a dump truck on my back. But it's all been worth it! [thumbsup]

One of the track machinists, who have all been a godsend to us, came through the paddock yesterday...said he'd never seen a more relaxed, yet professional and synchronized team ever before. Said he couldn't believe we were privateers.

It's been a fight all the way, and we've still got more to go.

Well, time to crawl into the cage and head to the track. See y'all there! [beer]

Congrats!!! [beer] [beer]

While I am still in the office , look like some of you  are there and ready for FX race , good luck to tigre Speed .......I can see all FX bike set ready in start line.

Cheers

Brilliant day! I'll let Tigre post the results in his race report, but we had a good time and everyone stayed safe  [thumbsup]

Many thanks to everyone who showed up! Watching the race from the front straight wall was unreal!

Not only was it a "cracking good race" but it was so much fun watching and knowing someone out there...knowing all the work, time, money, and energy that went into it.  This experience is one that will stay with me for a very long time.   [beer]


...and be sure to catch the race on Tuesday!  I'm serious when I say that it was a fantastic race.  I can't wait to watch it again.  Our boy got a lot of air time too.   ;)

 

If anyone sees (or posts) any youtube clips or torrents for those of us who can't get it on Tuesday...

big

Speed channel has some AMA races on tomorrow and also on Tuesday with no other description.

I am a noob race viewer here. I am not sure which ones to watch  ;D unless its a re-run later in the week.

I'm sure one of the more tech-savvy peeps on here can do that, but if they don't I'll try to figure it out.


Tigre was in the Formula Extreme race.  I am pretty sure it airs on Tuesday. 

According to the AMA's info, Tuesday @ 1pmEST... 10 am for us MOBsters...Speed will be showing the Formula Extreme coverage from today.

 I'm so glad I had the opportunity to work with such a great crew! For the wacky band of misfits we are, there was an amazing level of synchronicty and cohesion amongst us. We had a few bugs...nothing major... but for a first time major effort, we did a damn fine job! [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

 We overcame a huge adversity in a short amount of time. We worked with very limited resources, and never enough time, and never faltered. We got our boy out there, got him dialed in, qualified, and on the grid!

 Winning would've been the cat's meow...pun intended... but in all reality, we accomplished exactly what we set out to do... get Tigre to an AMA National event. We qual'd, gridded, started and finished, with only the slightest of hiccups along the way!

 An amazing job by all!! And an overwhelming amount of support from everyone!! Congrats Steve!!! This has most definitely been one of the best, most easy going, and outstanding teams I have had the pleasure of working with!!  ;D ;D

 Sit down, relax, and soak it all in. You all deserve it!!! [beer]

 And I think I speak for all of us, when I say, "Steve, we are ready whenever you are!!"

Hey gang!

I'll try to summarize what the last couple weeks were like for me after I finish unpacking and some strength returns to my forearms.  In the meantime, just a few things I want to get out there:

THANK YOU to everyone who was a part of this effort.  That's the people helping out on my bike in my garage, at the shop, at the track, working on my leathers, working in the machine shops at the track, fedex'ing parts to me priority overnight, painting my bodywork, touch-up painting my bodywork, making decals, re-making decals, working the hot pits, working the starting grid, cheering from the stands, cheering from the Internet, and cheering from half-way 'round the world.  I'm overwhelmed to have been a part of such an effort -- I was certainly only one part of the equation and I could NOT have gotten on the grid without the help I received from everyone.

While I would have loved to have been ahead of a few finishers, I'll walk away with a finish (over Chaz Davies, no less) and smile.  My goal coming into the weekend was to get on the grid.  I knew there would be a chance I'd be tuckered out for Saturday if I rode Wed/Thurs/Fri, but I felt that was what I needed to ensure that I made it into the race and it was a gamble I consciously made (Datv can confirm we had this specific conversation).  The crash and subsequent scrambling from a few weeks ago just didn't leave me with enough time to train as rigorously over the last couple weeks and the lack of fitness definitely hurt in the big race (I was very tired out there).

I want to throw an extra-special thanks to the DTM and Father FTM for providing the air-conditioned RV, the Ruckus, the food, and the bed.  With the 100+ degree conditions this weekend, I would have melted without the extra creature comforts they provided.

[moto]
Tigre

Like I said before....

 "And I think I speak for all of us, when I say, "Steve, we are ready whenever you are!!" [thumbsup] [thumbsup]"

You set realistic goals, and surpassed them in every way. Now put yer feet up and have a cold one! [drink]

Cheers Brother!!

Tigre -

Take a moment to reflect on what you've accomplished here:

• After many years of racing, you scored enough points to get your AMA license.
• You got your lap times down consistently enough to enter the FX series.
• You recovered (both bike and rider) from not one, but two crashes in the weeks prior to your first pro race...one of them just two days before practice. Your lap times didn't suffer (they improved), and you retained your poise and confidence.
• You did several laps that were (or were close to) your personal best.
• In a field filled with factory-supported bikes with 150+hp, traction control, front ends that cost more than your bike, qualifying tires, and seasoned pro racers, you used race tires and a previous-generation superbike to qualify...even when others didn't.
• Not only did you start your first pro road race...you also finished. Two others did not.
• Oh, and officially you finished ahead of Chaz Davies (http://www.amaproracing.com/prorace/raceres/rr/racres.asp?cls=fe&snct=p8225&type=f&rnum=1&year=2008)!

In short, you got there. You have every right to be proud of what you've done. And you gave us all a great experience  [thumbsup]

Thanks, guys.

FWIW, here were my lap times:

Lap #     Seg. 1     Seg. 2     Seg. 3     Lap time     Speed
2   40.414   37.668   31.264   109.345   73.090
3   40.473   36.023   30.515   107.011   74.684
4   40.466   36.079   32.263   108.807   73.451
5   40.695   36.269   30.541   107.505   74.341
6   40.256   35.888   30.506   106.650   74.937
7   40.009   35.961   30.802   106.771   74.852
8   40.092   35.921   30.413   106.427   75.094
9   40.189   36.192   30.692   107.074   74.640
10   40.081   36.266   30.617   106.963   74.717
11   40.189   36.317   30.837   107.342   74.453
12   39.850   35.946   30.715   106.511   75.034
13   40.401   35.910   30.051   106.362   75.139
14   39.723   36.486   30.425   106.633   74.949
16   40.171   35.929   30.541   106.641   74.943

The 49 on my second lap was the back-breaker.  I made one other big mistake in lap 4, and then gradually recovered from there.  I didn't run as slow as I thought I was at the end of the race -- still rattled off 4 laps in a row in the mid-46's.  I'm pretty happy with that, especially given the conditions (ultra-windy).

Cheers,
Tiggy

I went back up today just to wander around and be a spectator. I had a lot of folks coming up and congratulating us on our efforts. Even got a lot of "Good job," and "You guys did good," from some of the factory guys too! [thumbsup] Guess the little team that could, is now the not so little team that can, and did!

"We can easily become as much slaves to precaution as we can to fear. Although we can never rivet our fortune so tight as to make it impregnable, we may by our excessive prudence squeeze out of the life we are guarding so anxiously all the adventurous quality that makes it worth living."  -Randolph Bourne, Youth and Life.

 Luckily, we are only slaves to the machines and the thrills. Our precautions manage our fears, and allow us to excel up to and beyond our goals! Ours is definitely a life worth living!

Once again, thank you to everyone who had a hand in, provided support and encouragement, and most importantly never gave up on us. It was a great effort by all!!

And most importantly, THANK YOU STEVE!!! If you weren't as determined, and slightly wacky, as you are, this never would've happened. [thumbsup]  [beer][thumbsup]

^^^^^  [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

Many thanks, Steve. Thanks to your efforts, we got to experience something amazing. It's been incredible to watch a dream become a goal, then a goal become an accomplishment. And we had a great time doing it.

Good job everyone. Don't know about the rest of you, but i slept most of the day today. So fricken tired.

Thanks to the fans that stoped by to support

Thanks to the crew that showed up every day to make this happen

Thanks steve for rewarding our hard efforts by qualifying and finishing.

Thanks to my dad for giving up his traditional fishing weekend.

and well see you guys again next weekend for AFM  [moto]

So great to see everyone out there, and to actually have someone to root for at an AMA race!

It was a great team effort and a big hat's off to Steve for even going out on the same track as those guys!

Some photos are here (http://www.pureinfodesign.com/photography/ama_infineon_2008/index.html). They aren't comprehensive by any means, and I got a little, um, distracted by the Corona team umbrella girl's outfit, but for those that couldn't make it, you'll get a flavor.

Also, for Supermoto fans, Faster Elvis had a great weekend too. Here are the photos of the supermoto action (http://www.pureinfodesign.com/photography/ama_supermoto_infineon_2008/index.html).

Some nice shots there Michael  [thumbsup]

I didn't think that it was all that bad.  She was totally covered up--it was just really, really snug.  Enzo said she might as well have been naked, and that it was thin fabric, and if you looked really closely you could see a lot of "detail."  I think he spent a good deal of time checking her out.   [laugh]  That's fine...I had Neil to drool over.  I saw pectoral cleavage down his shirt.

great job, everyone!  congrats steve!   job well done...

Great job, Steve.  I loved the look on your face when you came out of the RV and everyone was clapping.  You just stood there for 5 seconds looking around. Ooo you looked sore.

Just one word of advice:

UTAH!

So when do we get to see all the pics? I know there were a ton of us with cameras. ;D

You can find some random shots of the day from me here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2168816&l=398f2&id=6407682

there were mother make the beast with two backsen snakes in the mother make the beast with two backsen pits

(http://lh4.ggpht.com/DTMALBUM/SDG4hR_9QMI/AAAAAAAAAVc/nRNL4e2O3f0/s288/IMG_2318.JPG)


we lied, we didnt work hard all weekend, just stood around and drank beer

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/DTMALBUM/SDG4mB_9QWI/AAAAAAAAAWs/6vFbzDL63as/s288/IMG_2336.JPG)

redbull rookie bikes, this guy almost lost that whole tray of bikes off the end of that platform.

(https://lh5.ggpht.com/DTMALBUM/SDG4ih_9QPI/AAAAAAAAAV0/JfvbOIPv83g/s288/IMG_2323.JPG)


(http://lh6.ggpht.com/DTMALBUM/SDG4hx_9QNI/AAAAAAAAAVk/0KB-APHnmrg/s288/IMG_2320.JPG)

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/DTMALBUM/SDG4jB_9QQI/AAAAAAAAAYY/n2Xjs-Hu2w0/s288/IMG_2324.JPG)

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/DTMALBUM/SDG4pB_9QdI/AAAAAAAAAXo/kIj-gOdr2-8/s288/IMG_2344.JPG)

denied
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/DTMALBUM/SDG4rR_9QiI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/3wMqVkYJ3hY/s288/IMG_2352.JPG)

I am sorry I missed it.

Great job, Tigre, and great job Tigre supporters  [thumbsup]

Congrats Tigre!  [thumbsup]

That was a lot of fun helping out - though my part was a smaller one - it felt very cool to help get you out to the big show as a part of a team.
We may be small but we are fierce!  [evil]

I can echo Desmoquattro and Duckwrench13 in that : We're ready when you are to go do it again!  ;D
Thanks everyone for being you, and thanks especially to Dan the Man for all the good food + RV!

all was cool with helping out, UNTIL steve asked me to be the cabana boy and apply sun screen on him. 

all the mobsters in the pits were very cool, and it was great finally meeting these folks in person.

the BEST time was watching tiger in the race on the big screen monitor in the ducati tent with the live speed raw feed.  i told everyone in the tent to cheer on steve, as i knew he was going to get lots of screen time when being passed  [roll] ... sure enough, when zemke and hays lapped steve, the whole tent wooped it up.  the kawasaki team pass on steve was hairy, with rapp making a clean pass on the left, and davies clipping steve's elbow on the right.

congrats to steve, now an ama road race pro ... major props to tigre  [moto]

a presto,
johnc

 

Congrats Tigre on all your hard work and achievements this weekend!  [thumbsup] You're (I know it's totally corny) grrrrreat!
Check out these pix (http://picasaweb.google.com/profgard/TigreAMA05141708) from the weekend.

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=32436 (http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=32436)

Check this out:
15. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, DNF, retired

How does one retire and still get 15th? Should he not be behind Steve?

must have been on the last lap. And he was on the lead lap so he would have been the last person on the lead lap.

That's a bit odd. It says DNF. I'm guessing. "Did Not Finish?"
DNF is not ahead of anyone who finished even if they were lapped.

Frances and I had an awesome time on Saturday!  As it was our first time at an AMA race, it will be one that we will remember for a long time to come!  Not to mention seeing Tigre prepping, in his zen mode, and then racing...and also seeing Team Tigre organizing, strategizing, working in tandem seamlessly - it was a formidable and impressive sight! 

Thanks to Dan and Mr. Lucero for hosting lunch and the great pit inclusive of seating during what was a scorching day. 

Merci mille fois a tous!!

Well, for those of you that still need your racing fix... There's more Tigre action at Infineon again this weekend with the AFM.

Actually, no.  If you DNF on the last lap (and you're on the lead lap) and someone else (in this case steve) doesn't even ever make that same lap, then you finish ahead.  Make sense?

ANyhow, back to the point.  Congrats Steve!  An awesome performance and something I'm sure you will never forget.

Did anyone send in a press release?

I just realized that. Still...I think Tiggy should have been placed ahead of him  ;D

ok I think I got it:
Another team manger explained it to me today: When the 1st guy crosses the finish line, the clock stops, the race is over. So at that point he was still ahead of Tigre on his final lap. This was one lap ahead of Tigre when the winner crossed the finish line. Even though he did't finally crossed the finish line, he was at that point in 15th.                                                       

So I found this today, and just thought it was a fine quote to wrap up Team Tiger's efforts leading up to, and completing the AMA weekend.

 "If you fell down yesterday, stand up today." -HG Wells

 We fell down. We stood up. We came away stronger and better prepared to do it again.

 Thanks again to everyone! [thumbsup] You may have only sen a few of us working, but it was the efforts and support provided by all...from the parts suppliers that overnighted bits, the grease monkeys in the pits, the friends and families, and each and every one of the members here that made this all possible.

 If you're in the neighborhood, come see Team Tigerbike in action again this weekend. AFM Round 3 at Infineon. [moto]

Anyone got the TV coverage available yet?  It should have aired already.  My tivo is recording it.

Just got info from Shelli at the D Store that they will be recording both the AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme races off Speed Channel. Anyone can go into the store and request to see any race at any time! This includes all past AMA, World Superbike and Moto GP races.

The guys in England got the Speed broadcast on Sunday, but my source only recorded the Superbike no Formula Extreme.

The AMA races will be available for viewing at the D Store as early as this afternoon. I'll be working there this Saturday and possibly Sunday, so stop on by! There's always complimentary espresso and soda (not combined of course) and you're in no way obligated to buy anything. [drink]

I watched it this afternoon - it was on very early (like midnight or 1 am) I think. Cool!  Congrats, Steve!  Wish I could have made it Sat instead of Sun  :(

That was a nice little headshake when the Kawi hit your right elbow there!

<threadjack>
You've never had an espressoda? Paul Bassett used it as his signature drink when he won the 2004 world barista championship. A double shot poured over crushed ice and sparkling mineral water with sugar syrup to taste (when competing, infuse the sugar syrup with cinnamon and vanilla or other interesting spices).

I wouldn't drink them all the time, but they're _very_ nice on a hot summer day... A good alternative to milky iced coffee...
</threadjack>


big

Just saw the race on Speed.  Very very cool.  Congrats!

hey tigre - ralph shaheen mentioned your name on the speed telecast as jake and josh were putting the pass on you ... and watching the rapp/davies gang pass the second time was even more spooky (i watched it on the live speed feed during the race) ... that must have put a stain in your leathers  [thumbsup]

congrats again steve ... you are no longer an ama virgin  [thumbsup] [moto] [thumbsup]

it was great seeing you on the big stage man - congrats!

Just finished watching the race, too!  Tigre got tons of airtime!!!!!   [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]  Enzo and I remarked on how good he looked going through the back section when the Kawis were breathing down his neck.  Seriously--very impressed.   8)

i watched the race last night.... as the others said, you looked good and it was cool to hear your name on tv    8)

How did Tigre's pit crew look?

We looked right. Then as he came through the front stretch, we looked left. [laugh] [laugh]

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Now TURN LEFT!

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

woo hoo!

(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u291/enzo76/944.jpg)

I can't speak for the pit crew, but I was there giving the best support I could. they're great!
(http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/53249622.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A69EB36C3EA6136F516B49E290EC96DE79)

If these guys weren't at the races rooting for Tigre, then I'm really confused.   [laugh]

Where'd you find the GotBlueMilk photo?  I like that one.

Check Barf.  Dito has a picture thread.
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248895

Thanks for sharing that.  That's up there among my top racing photos.  Robert Redmond caught a really good one last year that I like, as well...  even though it wasn't a wheelie.