Tales from the crypt...or, my first race w/e

[H-man]

Well, it was a safe weekend.  Unfortunately I'm so slow that I wasn't racing or dicing with anyone.  There were some...er... interesting moments as I got stuffed in a corner and had to stand the bike up to make sure there wasn't any contact or being passed on the outside so I had to be sure to keep a tight exit line.  There was one pass (by someone else on me) coming out of turn 3 where I thought for sure there was going to be a collision.  My bike looked like it had a sidecar.  I braked and hoped there wouldn't be contact between his rear wheel and my front.

Wanting to make a good impression for the assembled crowd and wanting to be remembered, I figured I'd do something different at the start.  In my first race ever (Thunderbike class) I did a stand-up wheelie.  Not terribly original, I know, but what the hell.  It must have looked...interesting.  Maybe even funny – once the crowd realized they were safe because the bike was in the hands of a trained professional – but don't anyone go trying this at any nearby tracks.

The front wheel was doing the highest damned wheelie I'd ever been on.  It seemed like a straight up 12 o'clock and it felt like it wanted to point to 3 o'clock so I let go of the bike.  The only thought in my mind, aside from "sh#t!", was to get the bike up and chase after everyone else.  So since the bike didn't seem too bad off, that's what I did.  The clutch lever seemed loose, but it worked well enough (after the race I discovered the damned thing was broken).

Somewhere during the race, I drifted too wide in exiting turn 6, though to be fair/charitable to myself I've known other, better riders to be bitten by that 5/6 double left before.  A number of interesting things ran through my mind.  All I can say is that once again I've had first hand proof of just what can be achieved when you refuse to fail.  The mind is just so powerful.  Anyway, from possible low-side to wiggling front end and possible high-side to controlled return to the track.  After some momentary doubt, I was determined to stay upright - after all, if I didn't return to the track, how else would the fast guys know they've lapped the class?  They need that guy in the orange shirt.

I finished the rest of the race recording some of my quickest times for the weekend and without as much drama.  I came in 9th out of 10.  My other race (Lightweight F40) had much less flair and I finished 6th of 7 amateurs.

All in all, I achieved most of my goals for the weekend.  The weather was great, the track was dry and the folks I met made the event even better.  I'll work to improve for the October 10th race.

Peace all,
    H-man

[motomadness]

Way to go H-Man.

[Baltobuell]

 If you ran F40, it means you had an adventure to fill your life before it was a regret with a "I wished I'd have tried_____". As long as you enjoyed yourself and had fun, that's all that matters. You'll get faster, (not that it matters) Hat's off to you.

[StumpysWife]

You did a fine job.  Congrats!

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

    Sorry H-man for not being able to meet you at Gingerman, I lost all my over time at work and that kinda clamps down on which events I attend (after getting in massive racing debt on my 1st tour with CCS I promised myself I would only race if I was paying for it cash). With Barber less than 2 weeks away, and CCS returning to Gingerman yet this season, I figured I would rather have that money for the trip to Barber. I will probably see you at the next BFR event if you attend. :)

[KBOlsen]

H-Man!  

The important thing is that you emerged unscathed and had a GREAT TIME!
Life's too short, yanno?

Why wait until October?  Come out to Blackhawk at the end of this month!!!  Let's play!!!

[KBOlsen]

H-Man!  

The important thing is that you emerged unscathed and had a GREAT TIME!
Life's too short, yanno?

Why wait until October?  Come out to Blackhawk at the end of this month!!!  Let's play!!!

[lbk]

H-Man!  

The important thing is that you emerged unscathed and had a GREAT TIME!
Life's too short, yanno?

Why wait until October?  Come out to Blackhawk at the end of this month!!!  Let's play!!!

Exactly Blackhawk is where it's at hey it took us 6hrs to get home because of traffic, but it's racing it's worth it.

[H-man]

The end of this month would be a definite no-go.  But I think there's a race w/e at BHF 9/18-19.  If that's so, then I may be able to venture out there.

7-1/2 hr trip for 2 races is a daunting.

[lbk]

The end of this month would be a definite no-go.  But I think there's a race w/e at BHF 9/18-19.  If that's so, then I may be able to venture out there.

7-1/2 hr trip for 2 races is a daunting.

C'mon I drove 36hrs for 3 sessions and a mock race. Yep got antsy a year and a half ago drove all the way down to Georgia straight through, got up rode got my license, then drove back Sunday evening straight through. Going through the mountains in snow storms in a Mazda Protege5 with a 4x8 folding trailer. So 7 1/2, c'mon H you gotta come up with a better excuse than that. ;)

[Mark Bernard]

H-Man... It was nice to meet you this weekend. All I can say is I was glad to be in front of you during your stunt show! lol! Your doing great man. Just keep it up. (attitude and bike!) Your absolutly right about not giving up. That is one of the biggest reasons we crash.. one gives up. You did great bro! Make sure you come out to the last BHF. We are gonna have a blast! Take care and good job my friend. Bernie

[KBOlsen]

7-1/2 hr trip for 2 races is a daunting.

Bah!  It's not JUST the two races... it's a 3-day weekend with your new family!