H- --
First race weekend is coming up, and I'll be on an SV650. I'm doing a school on Friday, practice Saturday. I'm trying to decide which classes to enter -- eligible for four classes, I figure. My inclination is to do as many as I can, but should I just do a couple . . . or what?
Nate
As many as you can if you have the money. You're already there, so why not. Save some $ for tires tough.
enter however many you think you can physically and mentally handle.
for me, my first race weekend involved school and the GTlights race. that's it. I was tired, mentally fried and stopped while I was ahead.
where's your 1st weekend?
Homestead -- a week from today. I'm thinking "stop while you're ahead" is a good plan, since there will be all day Friday, lots of practice Saturday . . . by Sunday, I'm thinking of two races. You know, maybe the classes where I'd be less likely to be a moving chicane?
QuoteHomestead -- a week from today. I'm thinking "stop while you're ahead" is a good plan, since there will be all day Friday, lots of practice Saturday . . . by Sunday, I'm thinking of two races. You know, maybe the classes where I'd be less likely to be a moving chicane?
GTLights and or LWGrandPrix give you more tracktime for each race entered. of course there's LWSS and LWSB for sprints. maybe do one of each? like GTlights and LWSS??
my first weekend this year is Daytona and I'm entering everything under the sun this year!!! you gonna be there?
Daytona? Hmm -- I told everyone I was going to do a few races before scaling the banking at Daytona. But . . . if I didn't TELL anyone I was going to Daytona . . .
Hmm . . .
QuoteDaytona? Hmm -- I told everyone I was going to do a few races before scaling the banking at Daytona. But . . . if I didn't TELL anyone I was going to Daytona . . .
Hmm . . .
I won't tell!
if you decide to come to Daytona, find my pit...I'ma yellow plater too...#272Am (SV650)...pitting with #92Ex (Sv650) and #4Ex (ZX6RR).
look for the sea of Kawasaki green. what # are you and what color is your pimping SV?
I'll be a bit of a rolling chicane myself, but it's in the doing, right?
Don't even have a number yet! The SV is blue and silver. Pimping, not at all.
Have you ridden at Daytona before? I've been 25 times (literally) as a spectator, but never on the track . . .
nope...
this will be my first time there.
this will be my whole whopping second race weekend, ever...I did that weekend back in May and took some time to get my $$$ in order.
if you can, have someone go with you on race weekends (I was #92's pit slave for many weekends)...it really helps to have someone to help with stands and warmers, etc.
the banking shouldn't be too bad on our bikes, especially with the new configuration...l
Well, now I'm trying to figure if I can actually swing it. I do have a few sick days in the bank . . . and my throat is starting to feel a little scratchy?
LOL!
1st things 1st right...good luck at Homestead and I hope to see you at Daytona.
make sure to post a race report from this upcoming weekend!
relax, have fun and don't target fixate,
Bret
Reporting in --
First race weekend was great. Shared a garage with a bunch of very friendly (and fast) guys -- Tash (802), Dan Carr, Chuck (770), Bob (210), and Stephan (449?). They helped me with everything from loaning ramps to figuring out when to get ready for races, etc.
First ride on the new (for me) SV was excellent. It's nice and predictable, just like I had hoped. Thanks to Jon Papavasilion!
I did three races and ended up sixth, fifth and third. Wow, did I ever have fun. First race I just wanted to finish and not be too in the way for the riders I knew would be lapping me. By the second race, I was comfortable on the track -- got a good start and then just tried to be smooth and consistent. Oh, sure, there were a couple of scary moments . . . one of the faster guys who lapped me seemed to make a point of nearly clipping my front tire in one of the slower turns on the track. It was like riding with Aaron Yates and Mat Mladin!
In the third race, I started dead last and worked my way through a lot of bikes from my race and the class in front of us. I was really enjoying myself, and seeing someone up the road did get me focused on going faster and getting dialed in with braking points, gear selection, etc. Afterwards I realized I made it to third -- out of seven bikes, granted, but still . . . I was psyched.
Today it's back to work to figure out if I can make it to Daytona!
Nate
QuoteI did three races and ended up sixth, fifth and third.
Excellent, Smithers (https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstlriderz.com%2Fhtml%2Femoticons%2Fpimp.gif&hash=dda4c3be4779679f1e776fd0631e73fced524feb)
My first year I was happy to be 15th out of 25. It was huge at the last few weekends when I got into the top ten. My third year, I finally started getting top fives and earning trophies. Sounds like you're off to a fast start!
Took me till my 2nd weekend to get a 1st, K3 ;D
;) :D (!!!)
Took me until my fourth season...second as an expert.
What's your point?
8)
QuoteWhat's your point?
That I like to mess with Kris ;D ;)
It was a great weekend Nate. It's always good to see new racers with some common sense on the track. Congrats on the finishes and hope to see you back out there soon.
QuoteThat I like to mess with Kris ;D ;)
It's all good. Everyone brings different skills to the track. I don't have any kind of natural gift for riding. I have to fight for every tenth of a second. Doesn't bother me. Racing is the most challenging thing I've ever tried, and it's a game I never get tired of.
QuoteIt's all good. Everyone brings different skills to the track. I don't have any kind of natural gift for riding. I have to fight for every tenth of a second. Doesn't bother me. Racing is the most challenging thing I've ever tried, and it's a game I never get tired of.
I'm just messing w/ ya Kris ;) I know you aint thin skinned.
I was the guy standing next to you at the results at Gateway in at the seasoner opener in 02...think it was your first win or podium, I don't remember.
What I do remember was I have NEVER seen a racer so happy and excited! ;D
Way to be Nate!
QuoteWhat I do remember was I have NEVER seen a racer so happy and excited! ;D
Yep. I finally had a bike that would keep up, and the wood started to flow. That was a damn good year. Happy and excited. Kinda describes why I race in a nutshell!
Congrats Nate!!!
I know it probably gives everyone memories of their first race weekend or the first time they "got wood"
Hope to see you at Daytona.
Me and Secularist will be looking for ya.
QuoteI don't have any kind of natural gift for riding. I have to fight for every tenth of a second. Doesn't bother me. Racing is the most challenging thing I've ever tried, and it's a game I never get tired of.
You're hitting it on the head, Chris.
I'm in the same boat. Just fought longer; a whole lot longer.
QuoteYou're hitting it on the head, Chris.
I'm in the same boat. Just fought longer; a whole lot longer.
Ah luv yew, man! :'(
QuoteYou're hitting it on the head, Chris.
I'm in the same boat. Just fought longer; a whole lot longer.
Baloney! No one as good and fast as you isn't loaded with talent.
You might not be Nicky Hayden, but you ARE Super Dave! 8)
I was born extremely far sighted.
So much so that my brain shut down my right eye. With drops, glasses, and patches, I have sight in my right eye, but it doesn't work with my left.
So, you have depth perception...I don't and never will.
Physical reactions... I'm average. I've been tested.
I might be obstinate. Does that count as a talent? LOL!
QuoteI might be obstinate. Does that count as a talent? LOL!
Hey....
Paul say's it is. In fact, he says that it is one of his greatest talents!
;)
last spring i did the Penguin school and then 6 races in one weekend (including a 20 lap endurance race). I can advice you NOT to do that....I was exhausted by the end of the weekend...although my adrenaline from my 1st race weekend kept me going
congrats Nate!!!
you didn't tell me you'd be quick! that's it...no help for you at Daytona!!! ;D
glad to hear you had a great time. always makes us jealous up here in the mid atlantic...we're busting knuckles getting bodywork fitted (don't ever get Hotbodies!!!) and you're out racing!
See you in two weeks!
QuoteI was born extremely far sighted.
So much so that my brain shut down my right eye. With drops, glasses, and patches, I have sight in my right eye, but it doesn't work with my left.
So, you have depth perception...I don't and never will.
Physical reactions... I'm average. I've been tested.
My point exactly! 8)