My first race

[lil_thorny]

crazy,

 first off, relax.... being nervous is good, but don't
tighten-up. a race is much differen't than track-days
or practice. Having fun is important, but it is hard to have fun when the motorcycle doesn't do what you want it to. so listen to the motorcycle. Bikes are much
more sensitive to driver input than cars...at least in my experience. learn how to "dial-it-in" by asking
the fast guys. don't be shy.

next, never try running hard on cold tires. period.
if you have tire warmers, use them. they are the best
aid to running fast quickly.
work on being smooth... throttle...braking...turning-in
etc, etc. (hardest part for me)

last, relax and breathe some more.

stay hydrated and remember to smile when you are going down the straightaway.

other than that, you'll figure it out.

welcome aboard,
Benji. # 30 Midwest.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh

K3 wants is cherry back ( LOL) J/K,  U got wood this year right?  Thats what I want now ( WOOD)

Yes, wood is good.  Took me two years to get the first one, but after that they came somewhat regularly.  Yeah, I'd be cherry again.  My rider school / first race weekend was total overload!  Talk about experiencing everything you ever wanted or feared all at once!  Racing is still good, but that first time I didn't know what to expect.  It was all new to me, and more exciting than anything I've ever done.  There have been a lot of weekends since that I barely remember now, but that first one will be in my head forever.

[Zac]

Buttonwillow times:

Last race one of the USGPRU guys set the 125 track record at 1:54.54!  Talk about embarassing a lot of big bikes.

If I remember correctly the fast am's in middleweight were running 2:08-2:12 or so.  I'd have to look at my notes, but I think I got down to 2:14.

It's an awesome track with good facilities.  A couple of wicked wheelie bumps and a couple crested turns, both slow and fast sections, it's my favorite track in the SW region

-z.

[lightweightgp]

hrm.   you've never raced before and you are going to buttonwillow on a CBR954.  

ok- you will be on the track with some scary fast guys on really fast bikes.   DO NOT, repeat DO NOT be sucked in to following them.   sure, learn their lines, but you likely will not be able to match their braking points, and unless you have set up your bike perfectly, you will not match them in corner speed either.  

be careful on turn 1, watch other guys lines, and try not to get sawn off by someone taking the outside line.  turn 2 was really bumpy and nasty, be careful getting on the gas coming out of it.   the first hill is the slower one.  there is a right at the bottom.   the second hill is the fast one, although it takes some courage to keep the throttle pinned as you lean into the turn, you can't see the track ahead, and the bike leaves the ground....  the final turn coming on to the short front straight is also bumpy - hiside city.  be careful getting on the gas there.  

you will probably get passed all over the track.  hold your line, don't turn around to look who's behind you.  if you feel someone come up behind you, leave them a little room.  

remember, there is no harm in being passed and/or lapped on your first race weekend.  better to be dead last than crash up your bike and hurt yourself or someone else.   have fun.   I would enter only two or three races, tops.  

you may wish you were racing an SV!  
Fast times:  i remember brian long turning 2:00s on his SV.  No idea what the big bikes were doing.

[J-Janisch]

Cough Cough SV good for him?????  SV for sale right here, if interested call 262-629-1522

[oldguy]

What lightweightgp said. Here's the results of over-exuberance on the first lap!

[crazycurrie]

hrm.   you've never raced before and you are going to buttonwillow on a CBR954.  

ok- you will be on the track with some scary fast guys on really fast bikes.   DO NOT, repeat DO NOT be sucked in to following them.   sure, learn their lines, but you likely will not be able to match their braking points, and unless you have set up your bike perfectly, you will not match them in corner speed either.  

be careful on turn 1, watch other guys lines, and try not to get sawn off by someone taking the outside line.  turn 2 was really bumpy and nasty, be careful getting on the gas coming out of it.   the first hill is the slower one.  there is a right at the bottom.   the second hill is the fast one, although it takes some courage to keep the throttle pinned as you lean into the turn, you can't see the track ahead, and the bike leaves the ground....  the final turn coming on to the short front straight is also bumpy - hiside city.  be careful getting on the gas there.  

you will probably get passed all over the track.  hold your line, don't turn around to look who's behind you.  if you feel someone come up behind you, leave them a little room.  

remember, there is no harm in being passed and/or lapped on your first race weekend.  better to be dead last than crash up your bike and hurt yourself or someone else.   have fun.   I would enter only two or three races, tops.  

you may wish you were racing an SV!  
Fast times:  i remember brian long turning 2:00s on his SV.  No idea what the big bikes were doing.

GP thanks for the info on the track, If there is one thing i have learned on track days is not to get sucked in by the faster guys. I know my limits and always ride to my limits but never over until i feel im ready too. And yes the last thing i ever want to do is cause another racer to crash and get injured. You guys are awsome and i cant wait to meet some of you. Thanks for all the feedback...  ;D  Sorry J i just couldnt handle owning a suzuki. im a loyal honda fan ::)

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Well CC, you LOOK fast.  Nice #.  Miguel fan?  Christo Doug!  Is that the aftermath of Blackhawk?  Ouch!

[crazycurrie]

Well CC, you LOOK fast.  Nice #.  Miguel fan?  Christo Doug!  Is that the aftermath of Blackhawk?  Ouch!

Thanks. In fact im a huge Duhamel fan!! the number is actually 171 (just covered by the trackday sticker)in honer of my late Friend Al who was a CCS and WSMC racer who was killed in a Motor Cycle Crash Earlier this year... He was the one who got me into racing in the first place. Im actually a crazy street stunter on my 954 and im trying to get away from it by racing were i dont have to worry about "The Man" just the The Man with the Black Flag ::)

[AZ-MilleR]

2 weekends ago I did my first race weekend and it was a blast!  Like everyone said, take it easy and relax.  I am riding an SV and have always been happy with my choice not to have a bike with more power for the track.  I got a bad start (made even more obvious then necessary by the video my friend took), but I managed to finish 7th in Lightweight Supersport.  I was very happy with that since my only objective was to finish and try not to be last.  

[crazycurrie]

ok ive also noticed not only in this topic but in others alot of talk about racing and selling SV's. is this a pretty popular bike to race on the track? ::)

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

I noticed the 171 on the rear plate.  I'm a big Miguel fan too.  I started this at 35, so of course I root for the old man!
The SV is "THE BIKE" in club racing today.