Daytona stories

[Brett]

No way will 14 horsepower make that much difference. What kind of lap times are you doing at Daytona R-6? Every one says if I had more power. Daytona is not all about power. It helps some but how do you think the fast guys go 1:53s on 600s? They have less horsepower than my 750 and I only did a 1:57. They out road me is what they did. Faster in, faster out, That's what makes good lap times. ;)

[r6_philly]

look at the times of 750 and 600 times by the same rider, we are talking at least 3-4 seconds per lap difference... If the hooters bike make 114 hp as the limit allows, and I am on my humble 100 hp bike, don't you think a 5 sec /lap time is not unreasonable even if we are the same skill level?  
 
 

I am talking about the same guy with more power and the time he gains on himself.

I didn't get timed at Daytona, probably slow as ... lol it took me 2 days to learn to go around that track at a decent pace and then it rained on Sunday. I will see how it goes in Oct.

For the record, Kern is really cool, I was saying the competition may not have been fair, either the reason is equipment or skill

[Nate Kern]

  If you guys dont mind me stepping in,  I would first tlike to thank all the people who support me on various levels.  Sportbikepete, your the man!
  As many of you may know I have bumped up to Expert this past weekend at VIR.  New track and new competition.  I was entered in 8 races and had (2) 1st places, (2) 2nd places, (2) 3rd places, a 4th and a 14th.  Call it talent but please dont call it Hooters horsepower!  My GSXR600 is my own with Hooter's bodywork on it.  Its still being financed (alot left on it) and it makes 102.9 at the wheel.  
  This being my 7th race weekend ever, Im just happy to be doing it! There are alot of people that dont ewven have the chance.   Again  I would like to thank everyone especially, Mike Godin and Frank Angel.  I cant wait to come back to VIR!

Nate #60

[Frank Angel]

I'll try to put this issue to bed. You can believe it or not, it's your choice. I'm Nate's crew chief, and I know what I'm talking about on this subject.

Nate's Hooters 600 GSX-R is a bone stock 2001 that he bought in July of 2001 from Woodbury PowerSports in Woodbury, NJ. It is NOT a Team Hooters-Suzuki bike. The motor has NOT been touched from stock, in fact it has not even been freshened yet after last year's short season. It was raced in five CCS weekends last year and two this year. Penske rear and Traxxion forks. PC III (not IIIr) was added for VIR, prior to this past weekend there was no PC. K&N. TiForce full system. That's it, no tricks, no mods. The Hooters paint on the Sharkskinz is courtesy of Team Hooters/Mountain Dew/Suzuki and we thank Mr. Steve DeCamp for his support. Steve is a mentor and friend, and recognizes talent when he sees it. Team Hooters did not provide the bike, and they do not provide direct financial support. For the 600, we do have financial support from Atilla Wings, owners of eleven Hooters restaurants in NJ/PA/DE. That's why we can carry the Hooters bodywork. Orient Express/Ti Force are also sponsors, along with a few others.

Hooters has nothing to do with the 750, which is completely supported by other sponsors, primarily Mount Holly Kawasaki-Suzuki of Vincentown, NJ, who owns the bike. The bike was purchased privately just before Daytona this year. It's a 2000, and also has a stock motor, PC III, Penske shock, Traxxion forks, M4 full system. We will have a full TiForce on the bike by Summit.

I own the GSX-R600 that Nate and Michael Barnes won the Daytona Team Challenge on. It's a bone stock 2001 that was a salvage bike with just over 2k street miles. Stock motor, Penske shock, Traxxion forks, PC III, K&N, full TiForce. No motor work. We literally finished building the bike Thursday morning at Daytona. The first lap the bike ever turned on a race track was the warm up lap for the race. Neither Nate or Michael ever practiced on it. That's a true story.

Michael Godin came to VIR to help us out this past weekend and really got the suspension dialed in. Michael is one of the finest technicians in racing today. He also worked on Len Santangelo's suspension - you can ask Len about whether Mike's settings helped him. The Pirellis worked wonderfully. The results that Nate displayed were due to his talent and hard work and the support of his team.

If anyone doubts any of this, throw up a protest and have a motor torn down. You'll lose, because there's nothing there that's not in your bike - Suzuki built these motors on their assembly line and they havn't been touched since.

If you saw us at VIR, we were working out of the back of Nate's pickup truck, just like always. We aren't rich, and we don't have money flowing in from everywhere. We don't even have an enclosed trailer yet. We've been lucky to land a few good sponsors, and we appreciate their support and are thankful for what we have.

The truth can sometimes sting. If you want speed, look inside yourself, that's where you'll find it. All the horsepower in the world won't make a great rider.

Hope this helps clear the air. Please e-mail me if you want to discuss any of this.

[Fabri-Tech_Designs]

Well said Frank.  
Should confirm what some of us already knew.

[prov431]

Frank,
I don't believe one word of it.
Next you'll be telling us that you stayed at some couples house for the weekend and not your lavish 50' motor home.
You can't fool me, I saw you guys at the track  :o
And Nate....oh come on....I know your secret.   ::)
Godin tunes suspension? Oh sure he does.  :o


Suspiciously and humorously replied by:

[Jamie]

Just to get the record straight, I would like to say that Nate is definitely NOT a cheater and has earned every win that he has achieved.  I have been Nate's girlfriend for the past 6 years, and he never even owned a motorcycle until a couple of years ago.  His bike is NOT a Hooters Superbike set up by Mike Godin, it only has the bodywork because he is sponsored by a local chain of Hooters restaurants and the team owner happens to see enough talent in Nate that he can run the team name.  I know everything about the bike because I bought it for Nate and until last October it was our streetbike.  I observe everything that happens with Nate's bikes and the team, and just because Mike Godin happens to be our friend and wants to help Nate out with mechanical issues doesn't mean Nate is running a Superbike.  Up to now we have personally financed everything related to Nate's racing career, and believe me we do not have the budget to pay for a set up race bike.  Up until last year we showed up to the track with a truck and a gas can and Nate still made it to the podium.  The only difference then was that he was racing a 1997 GSXR that was way down on power against new bikes.  Anyway, I just wanted to point this out because Nate deserves the recognition he has received and he is on his way to a successful race career because of his talent, not his bikes.

[sportbikepete]

Boy thanks Jamie! "1997 GSXR down on power" just great make me feel good, this is my first year and guess what I'm starting on? A 1997 GSXR, I'm no Nate Kern so just look for me in the back of the pack getting lapped! ;D And as far as Nate well some race and some guys are racers. I know we all want to believe we are Mladin and "I could win only if I had more power" well that ain't so, a good rider on a bad bike will always beat an average rider on a good bike or in my case give me rocket power and I still will lose. Nate hats off to you man, I'm just glad I do not have to run against you. Hopefully I'll see you at Summit and do not forget the Hooters wings LOLOLOL! And as far as him in AM well how long do you think he was riding in AM class? What was it less than a year Nate?

[unoigo]

I hate to drag this story on but ever since I saw/ met Nate I have admired him! He is truley a remarkable person. The real reason why he kicks everyones butt is because day in and day out he works his butt off! He eats and sleeps motorcycles. He understands it takes dedication and hardwork. Hell he has lost over 50 lbs in the last year just to get in shape, why? because he knows what it takes and is willind to sacrifice to get to that point! As stated earlier, he works out of a Ford truck, no fancy trailer or motorhome. The kid can flat out ride, it is just that simple, he is a natural. I don't know why it is so hard for you guys to just take it as it is. Some people are better at things than others! Lets just say he had full factory backing at Daytona and his results were the same. Then what would you be complaining about. Can anyone here honestly say if they had factory backing they would be that much faster and winning races? I don't think so. Congrats Nate, keep up the hard work and Good Luck this season!

Jacob Warren
CCS am #817

[sportbikepete]

If I had a factory ride I would not be faster but would be a whole lot happier! ;D