P3A Racing's Nelson Ledges Report

[motomadness]

You'll never guess what was the first thing I saw on the track that caught my attention Saturday morning around 10:30am.  

A freaking cruiser participating in the race school/beginners track day.  I couldn't believe it.  Then I made a post-drive pit stop to the restroom facilities.  Let me just say that the Blackhawk Farms facilities just got raised to 5-star quailty.  The toilets were merely 12" pipes coming out of the ground with seats bolted to the tops.  They were clean inside (unlike BHF), but it was hard to get past, not to mention the baby skunk that was roaming the area.  Because of that I barely wanted to wash my hands or brush my teeth.

Back to racing ...
Before we left for our 3.5 hour drive (yeah baby a short one), we were told that race practices weren't going to start until an hour before the 3-hour endurance race, which began around 5pm.  The actual practice started about 25 minutes before the races.  So if you do plan on racing in a Fasttrax event at Nelson Ledges, please call the day before to verify the schedule.

Endurance Practice ...
During my first few circulations of the track, I began to learn a few lines, but it was still no where near the fast guys.  Since the surface was 80% resurfaced, and the lap record was made on the old surface 1:07.7xx, it was obvious that the bumps and drops all over the track weren't going to hold the local boys back.  We figured during the endurance race that we'd get enough time to sort out the track before the sprint races on Sunday.

The track configuration was probably the fastest configuration I've ever been on.  In 13 turns, I had to use the brakes hard only twice, lots of my braking was just with one finger.  I used one finger braking in some spots just to scrub a little "fear speed" off because as fast as the track is, the runoff is poor, and tire walls surround the track, with trees holding the tires in place.  After two days of riding the track it became a little like Topeka in my mind, I started really enjoying the bumps, and it became a challenge to see just how fast I could really go.  It helps that I had some bad ass Michelin tires under me too.

3-Hour Endurance Race ...
Since we originally had a whole gang of people from the Detroit area show up for the races, we'd figure we would run three, 3-4 man teams.  This worked out well, except the short practive didn't give everyone a chance to learn the track.  The teams included:
Section 8 Superbike - Jason Etter, Bill Keros and Broc X (Chicago resident that used to race at BHF)
Team Dunlop - Adrian Hill, Jeff Harris, Mitch Stein and Jason X (owner of the second bike)
P3A Racing - Sean Wyatt, Jeff Harris, Mitch Stein and Adrian Hill

The race began with everyone gridded by their weight-class first, then by registration time.  I took the first stint on my team.  I spent the first few laps running behind Jeff Harris on Team Dunlop's bike.  We were having a good time learning the track and trying to keep up with some of the faster guys.  Then something started to feel funny.  Let's just say this track epitomizes the need for safety wire, duct tape and rtv on nuts.  Within 5 laps, one of my DZUS fasteners fell off, and my left side lower was dangling in mid air.  Was I meat-balled or anything?  Nope.  I just happened to feel it brush my foot, then I came in for repairs.  We fixed the fairing, then realized the fairing bracket mounting bolts had loosened.  We got that sorted too, then Mitch took around the track for the first time ever.

More to follow later ...

[shakenbake]

So, your 'Wyatt" that was on the 629 bike.

I was stuck behind you for a few laps until I could find a clean spot to pass.  Man there was alot of bikes on the track.  49 total on the grid.

I was on the yellow 44 bike, with "Baker" on the leathers.  Mitch came over and hung out by our fire after race, you should have came by.

BTW, my buddy was the #29 bike, so I guess they made you change #'s hunh.

Glad you all came out, there where alot of bikes, and a lot of good clean racing.

You guys coming to Grattan?

[shakenbake]

BTW, the 1st toilet stall on the left side is a real flusher.

No hang and splash for me!!!

[motomadness]

shakebake,
You were flying around the track.  I guess you are a local, if not you are still very talented.  With more time at the track I'm sure I could increase my pace.  At that track I think it's a confidence thing, my bike was definitely fast at that track, I just spent too much time on the brakes.

The racers of Fasttrax definitely seem to be safe to race with, I only wish I had more time to walk around the paddock and socialize.  Mitch probably made it by because my teammate and I were looking for an open stoe to get drinks for Sunday's heat.

I don't plan on racing at Grattan.  My next round will probably be at Blackhawk Farms.  I consider that to be my home track.  With what I learned at NL, I can't wait to go back to BHF.