Guoseph
08-30-2001, 10:02 PM
Friday:
I take off work right after lunch and rush out to TGPR so I can ride a half day of practice before the race weekend. On the way, I picked up a tent from Paige (Thanks GSXRGirl!) so I would have something to sleep in this weekend. Arriving at the track just at the beginning of their lunch period (gotta love the time zone diffrence), I found that Luis had already helped me get new tires and mounted my new sprockets that I got from Stickboy (Thanks Luis!). With Derek (Stickboy's) help, I got my new chain mounted and adjusted.
After throwing a lot of "sir"s around at Tony ;p, somehow I passed tech and was told to "go out and play." So for the first session I just went out and learned about my tires and new gearing. In fact, the session was pretty uneventful except for Luis stuffing me into 2 on my out lap (what are friends for huh? http://www.wera.com/ubb/wink.gif)and the occasional vintage bike who's exhaust would rattle my brain cells.
During the second session, I got to follow my friend Bobby Glover around for a few laps, and saw some interesting lines as he wrestled his 750 through some vintage bikes. I'm starting to get comfortable with the 'stones and there's progressively more and more of my knee puck being worn away http://www.wera.com/ubb/biggrin.gif. I also found out that my line through the 90's was a little funny, I would end up struggling with this turn for the entire weekend. I also learned what it feels like to have someone "chop your wheel". Someone came around the outside of me in the 90's and came right across my front wheel as he dramatically slowed down, causing me to stand up and grab a handful of brake just to avoid hitting his back tire. http://www.wera.com/ubb/mad.gif
In the last session, I got to follow the famed John "Duke Boy" Walters (also on an SV) around for a couple laps. It was kinda scary to see him almost get ass-packed by fellow competitor Karl Morrow, who was right behind him when he slowed down at the end of the front straight to allow me to catch up. I tried to keep in his wheel tracks the best I could, but I can hear him get on the gas way before I'm even thinking about getting on the gas. http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif After a hairy moment where the engine bogged coming out of the 90's (something about the fuel pump Steve?), I decided to pull in and call it a day. Even Faynisha (Control for those of you who don't know her) shook my hand for not falling down http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif (Remind me not to do that until SUNDAY next time http://www.wera.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif http://www.wera.com/ubb/smile.gif
Saturday :
Today I lost practice. http://www.wera.com/ubb/redface.gif On the second lap of the first practice session, I completely miss my brake marker for turn 1, panick, go through the grass, the bike starts to low side, catches the edge of the pavement, and tosses me. I skid across the track on my hands and knees, praying that I wouldn't get run over. After hitting the grass on the other side and saying a short prayer of thanks, I begin the tumbling part of my acrobatic act. After I came to a stop and made sure I didn't break anything, I hop up and look over to the corner station in shame. Thankfully Scott came over quickly and helped me lift my bike up, where we promptly dropped it on its other side. We got it cranked and I started towards the pits just as Lee came out with the crash truck. Ha! No rides for me thanks http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif
Even though we got my bike fixed up and ready to go for the solos, Emily wouldn't let me re-register. Lesson #1, ALWAYS stay registered, there's more time to get a refund than to register for a race. Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait until Sunday. Big thanks to Todd of The Razor's Edge race team for helping me fix the bike, thanks to Mr. Microphone for announcing for throttle cables over the PA, and thanks to Chuck D for providing the throttle cables http://www.wera.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Also a big thanks to James who ran out and got a big turkey baster for me. http://www.wera.com/ubb/smile.gif
Sunday :
My goal for today was to finish my only race, D-Superbike, and I did. I rode around at school yard pace during practice and just sorta hung out in last place until the second to last lap, where I just had to pass somebody http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif It was kinda funny to note that the leaders came around at half way, and I would have been lapped again at the checkers running at my pace http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif Which also brings up another point, I have yet to see a checkered flag, since my race was redflagged on the whiteflag lap http://www.wera.com/ubb/frown.gif Oh well, not a big deal.
3 time's the charm. No more crashing from me, that's a promise http://www.wera.com/ubb/smile.gif Besides, the Plastic Dr. does such a great job with my bodywork, I hate to destroy it all the time http://www.wera.com/ubb/wink.gif
Congratz to my man Luis (en-passant) for doing 2 solos, 4 sprints, and countless practice laps (including Friday practice) this weekend. You are the man Luis! When we start an endurance team you are definitely my go to guy for stamina http://www.wera.com/ubb/smile.gif
Also, sorry to see Bobby crash twice in his race. You were doing so well man, glad nothing major was hurt.
Last but not least, congratz to Duke Boy for his 4 out of 4 podiums this weekend! You're my hero http://www.wera.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Qi Guo
Nv #201 (no longer PNv!)
WERA Fire Marshall
Soil Sampling Extraordinare
Bodywork Destruction Specialist
[This message has been edited by Guoseph (edited 08-30-2001).]
I take off work right after lunch and rush out to TGPR so I can ride a half day of practice before the race weekend. On the way, I picked up a tent from Paige (Thanks GSXRGirl!) so I would have something to sleep in this weekend. Arriving at the track just at the beginning of their lunch period (gotta love the time zone diffrence), I found that Luis had already helped me get new tires and mounted my new sprockets that I got from Stickboy (Thanks Luis!). With Derek (Stickboy's) help, I got my new chain mounted and adjusted.
After throwing a lot of "sir"s around at Tony ;p, somehow I passed tech and was told to "go out and play." So for the first session I just went out and learned about my tires and new gearing. In fact, the session was pretty uneventful except for Luis stuffing me into 2 on my out lap (what are friends for huh? http://www.wera.com/ubb/wink.gif)and the occasional vintage bike who's exhaust would rattle my brain cells.
During the second session, I got to follow my friend Bobby Glover around for a few laps, and saw some interesting lines as he wrestled his 750 through some vintage bikes. I'm starting to get comfortable with the 'stones and there's progressively more and more of my knee puck being worn away http://www.wera.com/ubb/biggrin.gif. I also found out that my line through the 90's was a little funny, I would end up struggling with this turn for the entire weekend. I also learned what it feels like to have someone "chop your wheel". Someone came around the outside of me in the 90's and came right across my front wheel as he dramatically slowed down, causing me to stand up and grab a handful of brake just to avoid hitting his back tire. http://www.wera.com/ubb/mad.gif
In the last session, I got to follow the famed John "Duke Boy" Walters (also on an SV) around for a couple laps. It was kinda scary to see him almost get ass-packed by fellow competitor Karl Morrow, who was right behind him when he slowed down at the end of the front straight to allow me to catch up. I tried to keep in his wheel tracks the best I could, but I can hear him get on the gas way before I'm even thinking about getting on the gas. http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif After a hairy moment where the engine bogged coming out of the 90's (something about the fuel pump Steve?), I decided to pull in and call it a day. Even Faynisha (Control for those of you who don't know her) shook my hand for not falling down http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif (Remind me not to do that until SUNDAY next time http://www.wera.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif http://www.wera.com/ubb/smile.gif
Saturday :
Today I lost practice. http://www.wera.com/ubb/redface.gif On the second lap of the first practice session, I completely miss my brake marker for turn 1, panick, go through the grass, the bike starts to low side, catches the edge of the pavement, and tosses me. I skid across the track on my hands and knees, praying that I wouldn't get run over. After hitting the grass on the other side and saying a short prayer of thanks, I begin the tumbling part of my acrobatic act. After I came to a stop and made sure I didn't break anything, I hop up and look over to the corner station in shame. Thankfully Scott came over quickly and helped me lift my bike up, where we promptly dropped it on its other side. We got it cranked and I started towards the pits just as Lee came out with the crash truck. Ha! No rides for me thanks http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif
Even though we got my bike fixed up and ready to go for the solos, Emily wouldn't let me re-register. Lesson #1, ALWAYS stay registered, there's more time to get a refund than to register for a race. Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait until Sunday. Big thanks to Todd of The Razor's Edge race team for helping me fix the bike, thanks to Mr. Microphone for announcing for throttle cables over the PA, and thanks to Chuck D for providing the throttle cables http://www.wera.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Also a big thanks to James who ran out and got a big turkey baster for me. http://www.wera.com/ubb/smile.gif
Sunday :
My goal for today was to finish my only race, D-Superbike, and I did. I rode around at school yard pace during practice and just sorta hung out in last place until the second to last lap, where I just had to pass somebody http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif It was kinda funny to note that the leaders came around at half way, and I would have been lapped again at the checkers running at my pace http://www.wera.com/ubb/tongue.gif Which also brings up another point, I have yet to see a checkered flag, since my race was redflagged on the whiteflag lap http://www.wera.com/ubb/frown.gif Oh well, not a big deal.
3 time's the charm. No more crashing from me, that's a promise http://www.wera.com/ubb/smile.gif Besides, the Plastic Dr. does such a great job with my bodywork, I hate to destroy it all the time http://www.wera.com/ubb/wink.gif
Congratz to my man Luis (en-passant) for doing 2 solos, 4 sprints, and countless practice laps (including Friday practice) this weekend. You are the man Luis! When we start an endurance team you are definitely my go to guy for stamina http://www.wera.com/ubb/smile.gif
Also, sorry to see Bobby crash twice in his race. You were doing so well man, glad nothing major was hurt.
Last but not least, congratz to Duke Boy for his 4 out of 4 podiums this weekend! You're my hero http://www.wera.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Qi Guo
Nv #201 (no longer PNv!)
WERA Fire Marshall
Soil Sampling Extraordinare
Bodywork Destruction Specialist
[This message has been edited by Guoseph (edited 08-30-2001).]