First race weekend

[Fat_Nate]

Reporting in --

First race weekend was great.  Shared a garage with a bunch of very friendly (and fast) guys -- Tash (802), Dan Carr, Chuck (770), Bob (210), and Stephan (449?).  They helped me with everything from loaning ramps to figuring out when to get ready for races, etc.

First ride on the new (for me) SV was excellent.  It's nice and predictable, just like I had hoped.  Thanks to Jon Papavasilion!

I did three races and ended up sixth, fifth and third.  Wow, did I ever have fun.  First race I just wanted to finish and not be too in the way for the riders I knew would be lapping me.  By the second race, I was comfortable on the track -- got a good start and then just tried to be smooth and consistent.  Oh, sure, there were a couple of scary moments . . . one of the faster guys who lapped me seemed to make a point of nearly clipping my front tire in one of the slower turns on the track.  It was like riding with Aaron Yates and Mat Mladin!  

In the third race, I started dead last and worked my way through a lot of bikes from my race and the class in front of us.  I was really enjoying myself, and seeing someone up the road did get me focused on going faster and getting dialed in with braking points, gear selection, etc.  Afterwards I realized I made it to third -- out of seven bikes, granted, but still . . . I was psyched.

Today it's back to work to figure out if I can make it to Daytona!

Nate

[Speedballer347]

I did three races and ended up sixth, fifth and third.

Excellent, Smithers

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

My first year I was happy to be 15th out of 25.  It was huge at the last few weekends when I got into the top ten.  My third year, I finally started getting top fives and earning trophies.  Sounds like you're off to a fast start!

[Speedballer347]

Took me till my 2nd weekend to get a 1st, K3 ;D









 ;) :D (!!!)

[Super Dave]

Took me until my fourth season...second as an expert.

What's your point?





 8)

[Speedballer347]

What's your point?

That I like to mess with Kris ;D  ;)

[fiptas]

It was a great weekend Nate. It's always good to see new racers with some common sense on the track. Congrats on the finishes and hope to see you back out there soon.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

That I like to mess with Kris ;D  ;)

It's all good.  Everyone brings different skills to the track.  I don't have any kind of natural gift for riding.  I have to fight for every tenth of a second.  Doesn't bother me. Racing is the most challenging thing I've ever tried, and it's a game I never get tired of.

[Speedballer347]

It's all good.  Everyone brings different skills to the track.  I don't have any kind of natural gift for riding.  I have to fight for every tenth of a second.  Doesn't bother me. Racing is the most challenging thing I've ever tried, and it's a game I never get tired of.

I'm just messing w/ ya Kris ;)  I know you aint thin skinned.
I was the guy standing next to you at the results at Gateway in at the seasoner opener in 02...think it was your first win or podium, I don't remember.
What I do remember was I have NEVER seen a racer so happy and excited! ;D

[H-man]

Way to be Nate!

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

What I do remember was I have NEVER seen a racer so happy and excited! ;D

Yep.  I finally had a bike that would keep up, and the wood started to flow.  That was a damn good year.  Happy and excited.  Kinda describes why I race in a nutshell!

[pmoravek]

Congrats Nate!!!
I know it probably gives everyone memories of their first race weekend or the first time they "got wood"


Hope to see you at Daytona.
Me and Secularist will be looking for ya.