Here's my first attempt at a race report. Should get better as the races get more exciting and dicing-filled.
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4/4/03 – 4/6/03
Well, the skies were everything this weekend: Cloudy, Sunny, Rainy, Flurries. But throughout it all, it was just COLD. I did have some fun, and learned a LOT, and will be out again in May.
I arrived Friday morning around 7:45. After the line for registration, I started setting up my pit. Got things together in time, just as the practice sessions were starting. It felt GOOD to get out onto the track. As soon as I got out there, I ran about 2 sighting laps to get things going mechanically and mentally. Then, I started turning up the speed. Ran about 35 laps in 4 sessions, and came in for a while. There were only about 45 riders there, so we had open track. 20 minute sessions with 1 minute breaks to let cars cross the track. Lunchbreak, and then it started raining. I debated going out, but decided to get the rain tires mounted and see what they were like. So, I put on the raingear, and went out again for another 2 sessions and got about 15 more laps in on rain tires. Near the end, the clutch cable started stretching a LOT. That was it for Friday. I replaced the cable that night, in the freezing rain. Ugh. I'm glad I had an extra cable, though. With the clip-on bars being lower than stock, I haven't found a good way to route the cable. The first cable lasted 3500 miles, this one about 5000. I'm open to suggestions on cable routing.
Saturday: It was a COLD night in the airy tent. 23 degrees. But, I survived! Saturday morning, there was a layer of ice on EVERYTHING, including the track. So, they ran cars around the track for about an hour to get it warmed up and to get the ICE off of the pavement. They put down salt in a few areas to melt the ice and then swept it off. I got a couple short practice sessions. Then, I had GT Lights. Usually a 30 minute race, they shortened it to 20. It was my first race, and I was on the first row. But, there were only 6 bikes in my class. There were amateurs and experts both in for this race, so there were a total of about 15 bikes out there, but 6 in my class. I got an OK start, but everyone was by me by turn 5. So, I was alone for the race, pretty much. Got someone to time me. I was running around 1:54 for a lap. The top guys were running low 1:30s. That was it for the day. It was fun, but frustrating. I thought my riding would be better. Not so much concerned about the times as I was about the lack of smoothness.
Sunday: It was another COLD night. But, the track wasn't icy in the morning, so they were able to start practice on time, thankfully. I got in a couple cold sessions once again on the DOT tires. Pulled a 1:49 in the last session. My first race was Lighweight GP. I got an OK start again, and then by turn 4 or 5 I was alone. Ed Key lapped me on the front straight just before I started my 3rd lap. I got some 1:47s in that race and a 7th place. (out of 6, though) Next was Lightweight Superbike. I got a better start, but it was tough. My SV has a stock pipe, and just a shift light for now. So, I could get a good launch, but it was hard to watch the traffic and the tach going into turn one, so I had no real idea when to shift. That made the end of the front straight a place where I got passed by a few. Ah well. I had a fun race, and got down to 1:45.58, and another 6th place.
My last race of the weekend was Lightweight Supersport. Vic Hyman, who rides an SV doesn't run supersport. (He's Ex #469) Vic was really nice to me all weekend, and offered to let me use his Mychron timer in the last race. So, we zip-tied and taped it to my triple clamp, and the sensor to the fairing bracket. It was nice to have during the race. For LWSS, I got my best start of the weekend, and Ed Key didn't lap me until I was in turn 6 on my 3rd lap. On my last lap, I turned a 1:44.80. I finished 5th out of 5. For reference, the fast Amateurs were running mid to low 1:30s this weekend, so I was about 15 seconds off of the amateur pace in my last race.
Overall, after Sunday's races, I was happy with the weekend. My goals coming into the weekend were: If the weather was nice, get lap times in the 1:30s, drag a knee, and stay upright. Weather was HORRIBLE, and many leaders were 4-5 seconds off of their old race times, so had the weather been nice, I think I could've gotten more done on Friday, and gotten better times on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday, my riding was a LOT better than Saturday, and I started feeling a lot better about my progress.
Although the racing was kind of lonely, I still had a lot of fun. It would have been nicer to have other Ams on SVs with little racing experience. But, all the guys I was racing against had .75-2 seasons completed. So, I was running against experienced guys hardcore enough to be out there in 30 degree weather. So, I'm not too discouraged my my last place finishes. And, I still got a lovely plaque for 5th place.
I've decided to skip the Road America event, and add SuperTwins to my race schedules. This way I can do the 5 remaining weekends at Blackhawk farms, and do at least 4 races at each weekend.
My next event is May 11th, at Blackhawk of course.
Once again, thanx to my sponsors, who made this all possible:
Taqueria Azteca Mexican Restaurant,
Second Platform Web Design,
And motoheaven.com.
Like I said, even though I finished last, and my times were slow, I know what to work on and what is going well so far. There will be more people out there when the weather is better. I had a great time, and talked with a lot of great people I already knew, and met a lot of new people. See you next time!
Nate Reik
CCS MW Am #548
Yellow SV650
Nice report. Good habbit to get into.
As for slow times...
I don't think they were that far off. I know that Kevin Gordon got down into the 14's, and I was ahead of him in two races, the important one being on Sunday. I blew my new lap timer into oblivion though, so I never did get a time....(shouldn't have mounted it, I guess.)
It all takes time. Hopefully, you can shortcut the process.
Great write-up Nate! Glad you had a good weekend. I know how you feel, being at the back and finishing last/close to the end. That's usually where I am too! But it's experience, which is what all us first-year racers need to focus on.
This past weekend I had quite a few folks to dice with, which made it more fun. I had a total blast, and can't wait for the next race. I'll be writing up a race report too...once we get everything unpacked! :)
Way to go Nate, sorry that it was so cold or I would have come by and introduced myself but hey next time no matter the weather. I raced with you a couple of times and you do get great starts and ride a smooth line so great job and keep it up.
Craig
Sounds like you had a great time, and that's what's really important. I'm sure you'll do nothing but get smoother and faster, and then those starts will really start to benefit you. Good job, and nice write up! ;)
First off, good write-up Nate. Keep them going...
QuoteI blew my new lap timer into oblivion though, so I never did get a time....(shouldn't have mounted it, I guess.)
Dave, do you think that a My-Chron, being smaller would have faired any better? Just curious...
LOL! No. I think my leg ripped the receiver right off the wiring on the end of the cable. It did tumble about eight times, as I'm told. (OOPS...) I know I went over about three. (Vanson's rock!)
Nate:
Sorry you felt lonely out there at the track. Everyone was pretty holed up because of the cold. Once it is warmer people will move around a bit more.
See you at BHF.
Dawn :)
Yeah, I figured things would get better with the weather. Also, Pit Girl wasn't able to show, so no one from my family or friends was able to come that weekend. But, it was alright, I still have friends at the track :)
BTW, thanx again for the tip about my wood, Dawn. Next time I'll pay more attention to the # actually on the grid instead of on the grid sheet.
BTW, In April, I'll be at RA. Mind if I take a look at the clutch cable routing on Paul's SV?
Thanx for the comments, all!
Nate:
Feel free to come over especially after the races are done. I'll plunk down a couple of chairs, hand you a soda, and you and Paul can discuss many different subjects.
Paul is very mechanical and can McGyver just about anything. Super_Dave however is the one to talk to about suspension and such, Paul is still learning.
Dawn :)
K. Thanx! I dunno if I'll be able to stay after the races. Depends on time and such. But, I appreciate the offer. Either way, I'll come by and say hi.
What clip-ons does Paul have?
Right, SD for suspension. I'll probably be working with Ed Kwaterski on getting my GSXR shock resprung and revalved and such, but probably also with SD about setup after I take the school.
Clip ons?
I think there are two kinds out there to get...
Woodcraft
Pro Flo
They are both really, really reasonable and then they can be removed without dropping the tubes.
What is Paul running?
Nate, you using stock ones? That's usually what I use until I get new ones. I think the important thing to remember about stock ones is that they usually have a bolt that holds them into the triple clamp. Take that bolt out, as long as it has a pinch bolt. If you don't, usually it will bend things up pretty bad. Sometimes the upper triple clamp can get bent.
Good job, Nate! The temps definitely cut down on socializing... but you know you're always welcome to drop in. May will be much better.
SD: I have the WoodCraft clip-ons and rearsets.
And yes, I sure hope may is much better Kim. :-D
QuoteK
Right, SD for suspension.... but probably also with SD about setup after I take the school.
I'm not just about suspension. I can pick on someone all day long. Hands, feet, elbows... It's a whole package of minor things. Lots of encouragement only goes about zero meters. And there is always a lot of encouragement abounding in road racing.
I think it all comes down to execution. What you do and how you do it, and how the things react to you and how you interpret the feelings of feedback, knowingly or not, from the bike.
QuoteI'm not just about suspension. I can pick on someone all day long. Hands, feet, elbows... It's a whole package of minor things. Lots of encouragement only goes about zero meters. And there is always a lot of encouragement abounding in road racing.
I think it all comes down to execution. What you do and how you do it, and how the things react to you and how you interpret the feelings of feedback, knowingly or not, from the bike.
LOL!!!
That is so true! Sorry Dave if I seemed to have limited your expertise. I was just focused on the bike alone.
Dawn ;)
Right, SD. I didn't mean to imply you were just suspension. If you were, I wouldn't bother with the school, and instead just stick to Ed Kwaterski. It's the fact that you look at many aspects of my riding and setup. That's what attracts me from the class. Critique and pointers on riding style/form/actions.
I'm sorry. I hope my "tone" wasn't annoying...LOL...at least anymore annoying than normal.
Just making sure everyone understands that it's the little things.
It's OK Dave. Everyone who already knows you expects you to be annoying, and the newbies just figure that you only SEEM annoying because you know so much more than they do. ;D
How's the fiberglass repair coming? :o
Repair? LOL!
I unloaded the bike so I could pick up a shipment of fuel. I ordered some new brake parts, the ones I so pleasantly ripped off. They will probably be here on Friday.
I'll probably get a new wind screen and go from there.
Unfortunately, my life is a bit tight. My part time job, my full time job of running a business of a school and selling racing fuel which actually cost me money, wife and two boys. I seldom work on my bike. Wish I could. Would probably go a lot faster if I had some time in it.