Wow, is about all I can say. When Peter Egan said, and I'll loosely paraphrase, ..."roadracing makes heroin addiction look like a mild nicotine buzz.", he was sounding like the sound mid-western man he is. I finally put some nails in the coffin of these Suspension demons I was dealt back in early spring. Drop the forks, fresh rubber from Michelin Man Tom Mason, regulate the pressures much more carefully, consults with Showa guru Ed 'ski, proprietor of TSE, were pertinent as was the Guiness discussion we had. (it's comin Ed, I promise!) Dropped 4 seconds in Sat. P.M. practice, which I have to say was the most insane feeling ever; I think there was 1 or 2 other guys out there, at first. I had no traffic and now I understand the backmarker complaints much more clearly, even though I'm still one of 'em. :biggrin:
The weather. Strange on Friday, spooky on Saturday at times, Sunday was the quintesentially perfectly cool day to push a motor to it's limits. There's always that squiggy little bit of tension in the air though, when rain tires are involved in the equation, even if it's just on the perimiter of the program.
Guy A " Hmm, it looks like there's a hell of a lot less people here than usual."
Guy B " You got fresh rains mounted yet?"
Guy A " Bah, that rain in the forecast? Pfft,..."
Guy B " Yeah, them ##$$%%!!@@!@ weathermen suck #%^@!"
The people. I'm in the head lookin' at a classy stuck on the cork board. A GSXR 750. For Sale. Tuned just a 1/4 mile down the road from where I had my first dirt ride on a KR bumble-bee yellow/white/black DT 80 in '79, with my buddy Aaron Lenius. (it was his bike actually). Guy named Bob. This had to be kharma. EX #35 has got this beauty up for sale, loaded, and he's pit just 40 yards down from me and the wife. Any of you guys who where were there and have been around for awhile know Bob Delie. The celebration of his achievements were understated. Bob is the longest continual race license holder in the U.S.; 50 years. I wasn't gonna write nothin' about this, because I want his 750 GSXR to buy and race. Someone else will probably buy it beforehand-oh well.
Bob saw the last race on the beach in Daytona, 1960. He saw Kenny Roberts win at Indy on the TZ 750. He was out there flat-trackin' with a Pro number for 8 years straight before most of us here were even born. Some things are better left unsaid. With certain people. I had to call my buddy Phil in Janesville. From back in the mid 50s to the early 60s these guys were the shit in flattrack racing in the days of Markel, Nixon, and on and on. Phil came down, he's 62 and Bob's 66. They started talkin' Triumphs, KRs, and XRs, Goldstars, and Cubs. Beautiful. Kickin' dust. Harder's. Milwaukee 1/2 mile. Fairgrounds. Springfield. Farms.
If you see Ex #35 in the MW this fall stop to say hello. He'd appreciate it and have a story or two to tell.
The SuperTwins races?! You gotta start watchin, the points races are tight for the top 5 in both Am and Ex. Well, in the great MW anyway.
( Thanks to Bill, WJ, and Nick at Motorcycle Performance, Ed Kwaterski at Trackside Engineering, Lockhart Phillips, Vortex Racing, AGV Helmets, and Bob Delie for re-installing the faith)
:cheers:
I want to thank everyone who helped out with Bob Delie's last lap at Blackhawk! To see the look on Grace's face as she climbed into Cindi's corvette was priceless and to see Bob's face as he took off and followed the car was tremendous. I am sure they will remember that moment forever. Racing will never be quite the same with the retiring of Bob!
Bob and Grace Delie have shown us what the true meaning of racing is, and if you're not sure what I mean, why don't you ask him sometime, if you get a chance. Better yet, ask a racer whose life was touched by this great man.
I just hope he'll stop by every so often to visit.
I've had the pleasure to become a close friend with Bob over the years. Just two weeks ago Laurel and I spent a night at their home while in the Green Bay area and were treated like royalty.
Bob is one of those good guys, full of life and always looking for the next challenge. 66 years old and runs 10-12 miles every other day..... along with doing marathons and other competitive running in his spare time.
His basement rec room is a testament to his talents on a bike. It's full of trophies and photos of his racing over the years. I think he started racing in 1957? Grace cuts a mean pic too with her leathers and bike in her younger years.
Bob's retirement comes due to Graces health problems. She's been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension which there is no cure for her. She will tough this out for as long as she can with Bob there for her 24/7.
They're great people, hearts as big as the sky. We'll stay in touch with them and keep you informed of what's going on. Prayers for Grace are welcomed.
What the hell was he racing in 57? Mustangs??? (and no, not the wheeled kind!)
Quote from: Jeff on August 21, 2006, 08:54:21 PM
What the hell was he racing in 57? Mustangs??? (and no, not the wheeled kind!)
I believe the Triumph Cubs...
I remember when I first started racing in '86 on a 500 Interceptor. Bob was the biggest help I
could have ever dreamed of. Willing to offer anything he could to make me the best rider I could be. Just an amazing person. The world could use alot more people like Bob.
My son took Learning Curves this past weekend. I bet Bob has seen alot of generation changes in his racing career. Hope Bob's there for the Wegman weekend. I'll have to make sure my son gets to chat with Bob before his first race.
Quote from: dabirk23 on August 21, 2006, 09:57:49 PM
I remember when I first started racing in '86 on a 500 Interceptor. Bob was the biggest help I
could have ever dreamed of. Willing to offer anything he could to make me the best rider I could be. Just an amazing person. The world could use alot more people like Bob.
My son took Learning Curves this past weekend. I bet Bob has seen alot of generation changes in his racing career. Hope Bob's there for the Wegman weekend. I'll have to make sure my son gets to chat with Bob before his first race.
Bob will not be at the wegamann, he has other engaugments.
That Supertwins race was fun as hell, I had a blast trying to catch up with you and steal 2nd from you when I got mugged by Kevin Uttech and someone else, forgot who and then we hit traffic. I was able to repass the other guy but you and Uttech were gone. Dragged me down into running mid 20's for the first time, over a second better than my previous best, and I'm pretty happy about that :D
20's...sweet, Jon.
Bob...yeah, wow, at some point we have to do things. I too hope that Bob and his wife try to keep in contact with our racing family. He is a part of it.
Quote from: JonGu on August 22, 2006, 06:02:49 PM
That Supertwins race was fun as hell, I had a blast trying to catch up with you and steal 2nd from you when I got mugged by Kevin Uttech and someone else, forgot who and then we hit traffic....
I got mugged by Uttech too!! And almost robbed!! It was fun as hell. :18s and :19s for the Wegman weekend?
Quote from: 251am on August 23, 2006, 05:13:11 PM
I got mugged by Uttech too!! And almost robbed!! It was fun as hell. :18s and :19s for the Wegman weekend?
No doubt Todd. I bet you will be doing :18's and 19's that weekend.
See I told you you'd be able to get under 2:20's at BHF. :lmao:
Quote from: Woofentino Pugrossi on August 23, 2006, 08:37:17 PM
See I told you you'd be able to get under 2:20's at BHF. :lmao:
Oh, wiseguy, eh? :ass:
I know, :18s and :19s are SLOW for a lot of folks... :sleeping2:
but they'll be fun for me! :cheers:
Just got this pic from a NESBA friend who was spectating, probably the best pic I've found of me from the weekend:
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi62.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fh100%2Fgugugugugu%2FBike%2FBHF%252008-19-2006%2FBHF08192006_1.jpg&hash=a23217eedeaefab2231ea3fe1f4d47aa1900aebb)
Better watch out Todd, looks like you got a stalker. :biggrin:
Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition and paint swapping to drive times down :D
Oh hell yeah!! That's a great shot!!
"Attention BFR customers we have a stalker's red light honda special in T4..." :lmao:
If it's not Gu, it's K.U.
ACC should be fun!! :spank: Buell-B-Gone :err: What gearing does Julian run for ACC? Anyone?
I think he uses the big black sprocket...
Quote from: dylanfan53 on August 29, 2006, 08:10:26 PM
I think he uses the big black sprocket...
Ohhh, yeayeayeayea, gotta get me a big black one too...How many Buell teeth to the 520 inch? :biggrin:
You're going to be at ACC? Where are you pitting?
Quote from: SuperSpud on August 29, 2006, 11:11:31 PM
You're going to be at ACC? Where are you pitting?
That's a good question-haven't found out if I work Friday or not. Which day are you going down there to Jake and Elwood Land? Wanna go visit Cook County Jail?
Quote from: 251am on August 30, 2006, 12:32:23 AM
That's a good question-haven't found out if I work Friday or not. Which day are you going down there to Jake and Elwood Land? Wanna go visit Cook County Jail?
What is there to see there? It looks like I'll probably be hitching a ride with the guy who pitted with Damon in July and we're planning on heading down early friday morning to catch practice Friday.