Great first race weekend - thanks everyone!

[130Gunner]

Had my first weekend at Jennings and once getting past all of the "holy crap am I lost here or what?" stuff I had a great time.  Crashed in practice on Saturday, nothing major broken (only had to buy a left clipon tube) and was ready to go for Sunday.  Learned a TON over the weekend, with the Kinsey school/track day on Friday, practice Saturday, and racing Sunday.  Finished 8th in HWSS and 2nd in Supertwins, managing to ride smart enough to finish well and not crash in the process.

Thanks to everyone who I may have asked a question to, and sorry to anyone if I seemed to be wandering around lost.  Hope I didn't get in anyone's way.  And I know the #7 bike I passed in the Supertwins race probably thought I was some kind of idiot when the rear stepped out on me in 10 right in front of you - I wasn't being a moron nor was I trying to kill the both of us.  I think my tires were just a bit greased up since my 2 races ended up being back to back.

Thanks again everyone, can't wait until next time!

[dwilson]

Finished 8th in HWSS and 2nd in Supertwins

I hate you  ;D

Congratulations!  Welcome to life as a roadracer, as you'll see in the welcome pack your life is now to be consumed with long drives to race tracks and eternal modifications  ;D

[130Gunner]

I hate you  

I'll take that as a compliment?    ;D

Yes, I am consumed already!  I knew for a long time I wanted to start, but Uncle Sam's plans always outrank mine so this was my first chance.  I'd like to get in another round before I take my summer vacation to Kuwait, hopefully the May 1-2 round at Jennings.

Thanks again!

[Clay]

Hey 130...is this the 130gunner from years ago on sportbikes.net?  

Either way, were you the one in the orange shirt on the RC?  That was an awsome performance if that was you!  The anouncer was having a field day.  LOL  I too was a newbie out there, but didn't wear my orange shirt when I was told I didn't have to.  I should have though, just for egos sake.  LOL  

[130Gunner]

Yep, you got me nabbed. ;D  I got banned when I told some frenchie what I thought about him after he called me a baby killer right after 9/11. :-X  (IIRC, you're the 929 guy from up around the Gap?)

Anyway, yeah that was me with the orange Godzilla shirt on - and thanks!!  I wasn't going to wear it, but I didn't want any issues.  I mean, if a guy is going for a win and I miss my line or something and then DIDN'T have the orange shirt on... well, I'd rather not have my throat cut in the pits. ;D  I heard the announcer was enjoying himself during the race, I'm sure it was pretty funny to listen to.  Glad to hear you were out there too, seems there were a few of us newbies out this weekend.  

How did you do this weekend?  What are you riding now?

[Clay]

I thought that was you.  Yes, I'm a guy that used to ride at the gap alot.  I was clayfbusa over at SBN, mod of the video/pics section before the big fall out.  I'm over at cycleforums.com now.  I talk to Blake alot, as I understand you guys are friends.  

Anyhow, yeah, I was enjoying watching you.  The announcer was enjoying it as you were whippin' up on some experts in your orange shirt.  LOL  

It was my very first race weekend as well.  I'm still on the 929, turned it into a race bike.  I came in 2nd in both of my races, GTO and SS unlim.  I had first in the GTO, but a backmarker decided to take my line halfway into the last lap...so #571 took the lead.  I almost had him too down the straight at the finish...till he turned on that gix 1k horsepower.  LOL  It was an awsome race though.  We both battled for a good 4 laps once I made up for my horrible start!  

[130Gunner]

Yeah, thought that was you.  And yeah, Blake and I are friends, as much as we can keep up with one another with me being on the road all the time.

Well, glad to hear it was more of a show than I thought.  I wish I could have stayed for the award presentation, but my pit crew (roommate) was ready to go and after being there since Thursday I have to admit I didn't protest too much.

Wow, 2nd in both!!??  Sounds like you had a great weekend!  Glad to hear you did well, and since no mention of a crash you certainly did better than me!  Luckily the only thing that broke mechanically was a clipon so it cost me $13 to get going again.  Well, that and some labor and a good session with the water hose.  The bike was much dirtier than it was smashed.

[Clay]

It wasn't a bad weekend.  I guess I'll take a few second place finishes.  LOL  

I didn't know you wrecked.  That stinks!  I had a few close encounters myself.  The fellas I was fighting with in the GTO said they thought I had bought it several times.  LOL  

[ninelives59]

congrats!  every one at one time was the newbie out there and has made mistakes and fumbles..

[130Gunner]

Yeah, a few 2nds is pretty damn good!

Yup, lowsided in 7 on Saturday.  First thought was "yep, they were right - Michelin's DO give way with no warning."  After some soul searching, I'm not so sure about that and other than rider error, I can probably chalk it up to shoddy stock suspension that I don't know how to tune properly.  But other than screwing up a nice rattle can paint job, I was no worse for wear and did okay in the races Sunday.

ninelives - thanks!  I tried to keep telling myself that everyone was in this position everytime I got to feeling ovewhelmed by everything.  I must have looked at the grid sheet 50 times...

[speedster_1]

I saw the end of the race you almost won!  You almost had it.  I saw your crash in practice also.  :o  Glad damage was minor.  Clay and I were 2 pits down from you.  I'm on the primered 954.  I ended up getting 2 4ths....I was happy to get wood at my first race!

[130Gunner]

Are you the guy that asked if we had pump gas for a generator?  If so, I remember being behind you in practice, wondering why the hell a 600 was pulling away from me out of 14 down the front straight!  (After that session I realized the answer was that it was a 954 and not a 600!)  Glad to hear you had a successful outing as well, I had a blast!  Yeah, damage was easily fixable to get back out there, but I do have a little cosmetic work to do.  And it dented up my cans a little which I didn't think was a big deal - but now after running them with small dents the titanium cracked on both sides.  Not so good.  The worst part about the crash was that I have no idea why.  I almost wish I had just been doing something dumb so I knew but the front end just disappeared!  My initial thought was "those damn Michelin's" but rider input and stock suspension probably had a little more to do with it.

Oh well, as soon as my checking account recovers I'll be back out there!