Thursday, October 30, 2008

Update to Zombie Bikers on Wheels!

The video is finished and here it is.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69vOhU40JaU
I recommend clicking on the "watch in high quality" link, and then making it full screen.
This way you get the full feeling.
OK so it's silly, and I broke my ankle but it turned out pretty good.
We definitely had a damn good time making it.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Zombie Bikers on Wheels

On Sunday 10/4 I worked on a music video for a song named "Zombie Bikers on Wheels" This all came about when I had gone with my friend Trevor to a screening of his friend Jon's series of videos called "Zombies from Eureka" Here's some of Jon's work
Zombie Dance

After that screening we where having beers, and Jon was talking about his next project which was this zombie music video involving bikers, and I was like "do you need guys on bikes" A month later there we where in this little industrial strip out in the Bayshore neighborhood near Bev Mo. I had convinced SFMC members Dave "Papa" Schiller, my racing buddy, and Papa's son Eric, and Andy "Rabit" to come along. So there where 4 of us total.

The location was this small warehouse that had old train tracks running in front of it. Most of Jon's Zombie stuff had very simple make up but the band had invited a make up artist named Autumn to join, and she was great. The zombie make up was definitely stepped up a notch or 3. After all 4 of where in makeup Jon started shooting some warm up shots getting a feel for what he wanted to do. One of the residents of the warehouse helped in the filming. He provided a smoke machine, and helped out.

After some establishing shots we started on the bike shots. We rode around in circles a few times, and did some back and forth stuff. The band had a back up singer named Jenny, and I rode Rabit's bike with her on the back, and did some more circles while Jon filmed in the middle. It was tough as I kept having to ride over train tracks.

We'd had enough this riding in circles thing, and we convinced Jon it was time for some stunt shots. Note: Bad Idea. We placed Jon in the middle of the tracks while Eric and I rode wheelies past him. After my third of fourth run when I brought my front wheel down it got caught in the damn train track and down I went. I've crashed plenty of times but this one hurt. I was only wearing my leather pants, and vest, no jacket or helmet as I was in zombie make up. I was rashed up pretty bad on my arms, and I had twisted the hell out of my ankle. Eric helped get my bike up, and after a few minutes we finished the stunt shots. I couldn't just quit.

We had to reshoot Jenny's scene as she forgot to sing her lyrics so back on Rabit's bike with the cute girls in fishnets again. Darn. Then came the customary burn out scene. I had a mostly worn tire anyway so I smoked the hell out of it. After that it was time for street shots. We put our helmets on, Jon got in the back of an SUV, and we hit the streets. We rode really slow around the block a few times trying to look like hungry zombie bikers. That finished out day.

Papa, and Rabit left after that, but Eric, and I stuck around to do some more set up shots, and watch Jon do the band shots inside the warehouse. It was a lot of fun hanging out, but my ankle hurt like hell, and I could barely put any weight on it. Eric and I took off and went to Ace Cafe for a beer still in our full zombie make up. We made for quit a scene entering the bar. It had been a fun day, especially for friends that had never been around any kind of production before. I took off and went to Grandma's Saloon to hang out with Trevor and Jon and talk about the day. Again my ankle hurt like hell and I had to hobble around around.

Monday morning my ankle was still really swollen so I decided to go Kaiser and have it checked out. After the customary visit to the Dr I was sent to xray where my buddy Mole from the Secret Society Scooter Club works as an xray tech. He took one picture and said from the back room "yup you broke it" What? Seriously? He showed me the picture and sure enough I'd broken the medial malleolus clean through. The Dr gave me a splint, and referred to the orthopedic foot clinic where on Tuesday they put me in a full cast from the knee down. Total bummer.

And that folks is how I ended my racing season. What a bummer. I was one race away from doing the entire AFM season. So here it trying to keep my leg elevated as long often as I can for the next 4-6 weeks. I go back next week for more xrays, and to see if I need any screws to keep it all together.


Mmm... Fresh blood




Cast and crew from left to right top to bottom

Papa, Autumn, Rabit, Mickey, Adam, Adam's hot girlfriend

Eric, film maker Jon



My riding outfit



Me and Jenny



Burnt rubber



Newly added Ouch 1



and ouch 2

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

AFM Round 7 and the 4 Hour Endurance Race

This past racing weekend was something different on the AFM calendar. The 4 hour endurance race. The race itself takes place on Saturday roughly from 12:30pm to 4:30pm, and is what it sounds like, a race that last 4 hours long.

In order to accommodate this we had practice on Friday. That was a bit tough for me. I had to work Thursday night running the stage lighting system for Elvis Costello at the Academy of Sciences opening night gala. It was fun, and a good show, but I didn't get to bed until 1am, and I had to be up at 5am in order to get to the track, and set up in time to make the first practice.

The first part of Friday practice was normal. After I got my pit area set up, and my bike tech'd I began riding my practice sessions. There was a lot of traffic, and I had a tough time getting an clear track. My lap times where all over the place and I think my best time was in the 1:53 range which isn't bad considering I had to get around someone on ever lap.

I had been invited to ride on an endurance team. Team Cyclops, due named after the bike owner Brian who only had one functioning eye. My friend Steve Babuljack, and a guy named Chase McFraland would be the 4 man team riding the beast. Bike #66. Brian had put this bike together in less than 2 weeks time, and it looked like it. It was so stock it barely could be called a race bike. It even had it's passenger seat, and a tail light! Friday in between practice session Brian and I would continue to prep the bike in order to get it tech'd. Right before out dedicated 45 minute endurance practice session we finally got it finished, and OK'd to take out on track. All of our team members where there, and we used out 45 minutes to mostly practice pit stops and rider exchanges. An order of who ride when was determined and out I went on the beast.


Wow talk about a different riding experience. My Kawasaki EX650 is a well prepped finally tuned race bike that handles very precisely, and has amazing brakes. The Beast is a Suzuki SV650 with a stock rear shock, and stock front end, with stock brakes, stock foot pegs and wow. It felt like I was riding a plush chair!. I rode a couple of laps then came in. We exchanged riders, and continued this for the rest of the session each rider riding a few laps then coming in to practice the exchange. When it was over me and Chase looked at each with a bit of worry. Chase is a new racer, but has a lot of experience racing supermoto so the two of us are the experienced riders while Brian, and Steve are first year racers. We're really going to ride this thing for 4 hours? The answer? Yes.

Saturday morning. Brian had acquired some rearset foot controls overnight, and I moved the handlebar clipons to match what Brian had on his normal SV650 racebike, and The Beast was starting to look like a race bike. I used my practice session to ride The Beast instead of my own bike knowing I needed more seat time on this unusual machine. The new controls felt so much better. Now we're racing. I started to pick up the pace as I got more comfortable on the machine and I could feel the brakes starting to fade. OK note to self need to flush the brake fluid. About half through the session I was heading into T2 I downshifted, and leaned the bike in when all of a sudden it slips out of gear into a false neutral (where the transmission is in between gears). The bike naturally stands up, and I begin to head off track when all of a sudden it drops back into gear locking up the rear wheel causing me slide out and when the wheel regains traction the two wheels want to line trying to pitch the rider off in a highside crash. So up in the air I go but I held onto the handle bars and land back on the bike as I head off into the dirt pointing straight at the air fence. I manage to get the bike stopped before hitting the wall, and I begin put putting through the dirt and back on track. I considered coming in to see if there was anything wrong but instead I stayed out not wanting The Beast to get the better of me.

The race: It was decided I would start the race as I had the most racing experience and would be less likely to throw it at the start. We moved all of our needed items down to the hot pit where we would be doing our pit stops and exchanges. Once again we where barely ready in time as the final call for the 4 hour race to start was announced. I jumped on the bike and got to try a couple of practice starts in the hot pit before heading out for the warm up lap.



When the green flag flew I got a decent start, but oh what a hairball start it was. The 4 hour has 4 classes. FIV which is mostly 650 Twins, 600, 750, and Open so there I was running up the hill into T2 with the biggest mixed bag of bikes, and riders I've ever been with it. It looked more like bumper cars than motorcycle racing. I reminded myself I didn't need to chase the bikes, and to quickly settle into a rhythm. I wanted to chase the other SV's but I knew our bike was out classed so I just put my head down, and began to run off consistent laps, knowing it was a long day ahead. After 15 laps, or about a half an hour I got the signal from my pit to come in. OK one more lap to go, and I get to take a break. Coming out of the Carousel T6, at full lean as I was rolling on the throttle the bike made a loud crunching sound, locked up the rear wheel, and once again pitched me up into the air. I held on the bars, landed on the bike, and at first I thought it was that false neutral problem, but when I looked down, and saw the chain missing I knew what that crunching sound was. Here's where I saved the day. I knew that I need to get the bike out of the way and someplace safe. My first concern was that I didn't want to leave the bike on the hot track where other riders might run into it if they crash so I pushed it way down the the straight that connects T6, and T7, and put the bike behind a tire wall. That was a long push, and would turn out to be our saving grace. I thought this was the end of our day. I was exhausted. I had just ridden for 30 minutes, then pushed our bike up a slight hill, in 90 degree weather. I was almost relieved. The Beast was trying to kill me, and in some part of me was glad I wouldn't have to ride it again. I walked back to our pit with some dejection knowing our day was done when I found out Brian was talking to race control about us going back out there to fix it. In the mean time my teammates informed me that I had been doing 1:54's for most of my stint. That's pretty damn good considering what I was riding. After much discussion a new precedent was set. We where allowed to go back out onto the live track and repair our bike. The only reason they would let us do this is because the bike was left in a relatively safe area where we would not be a safety hazard. Yeah Me! The kicker was that we had to be wearing full racing gear when we went out there. So Me, Brian, and Chase put our leathers, boots, gloves, and helmets on, grabbed a rear stand, a new chain, and an ice chest full of tools and headed back out onto the racetrack to put a new chain on The Beast. That was a whole new exercise in patience. Bikes where flying by us on either side at 100+ mph, it was 90 something, we had out helmets on and couldn't hear each other, and the sweat would get in our eyes so we couldn't see very well, but we did it, and Chase rode the bike back into the pit.

We made some more adjustments,


and sent Chase out for his turn, almost 2 hours into the race.



Chase rode for about 8 laps then as he entered T7 he caught a false neutral and crashed. Yup. The two guys with the most racing experience where down. Chase nursed the bike back in, and now I knew we where done.


Brian however was not about to give up, and through his will alone he rallied us together, and we got the parts we needed, which included a new front master cylinder, and we sent the bike out again,


Now Steve's turn.




By this time I've met most of the AFM turn workers, race direction, and tech inspectors. I was told that the workers where all rooting for us to finish the race. We'd had a tough day, and where still fighting. Steve rode about 10 laps and brought it in for our one and only pit stop. We put Brian on the bike, and sent him out to finish the race.


Brian rode for about 45 minutes, getting faster each lap. and then just like that it was over, the checkered flag was out, and Brian brought it in.


There was much celebration at Team Cyclops.



And that was my 2008 AFM 4 Hour experience




I did my normal sprint races on Sunday. I thought I was going to do better, but I'm really struggling to get my bike to exit the Carousel under power. I need to get that figured out. I'm giving up a few tenths to half a second on that part of the track alone. I ran as high as 9th for a few laps, but I finished both races in 15, 18th position. Not where I wanted to be, but both races where dog fights, with lots of passing, and repassing. It was a good time.

There's one more race weekend left this season. It's hard to believe it's been a year already.


As always Thanks to the people that help me go faster.
Jennifer at Werkstatt Motorcycle Repair
Dave Moss of Catalyst Reaction
Dunlop, and Terry at Sport Tire Services
Paul Fine of Fine Design
Julio from Tommy's

Sunday, September 7, 2008

AFM Round 6 Thunderhill - HOT HOT HOT!

I'm starting my race report early. I'm here at the track the sun is just coming up, I've taken a shower, had a cup of coffee, and it's already warm enough that I'm in shorts and sandals.

I decided to do something a little different this round. Usually I stay at a hotel with whoever I'm traveling with, girlfriend, racing partner, whatever, but this time I was solo, and I didn't want to spend the $150 on hotel money. made the decision to sleep in my 92 Nissan Pathfinder. Now understand I'm not the camping type. To me ruffing it is staying at Motel 6. So this was going to be a whole new adventure in racing.

Friday night I night I hauled my now trusty Kawasaki EX650 up to Thunderhill around 7pm, and the temperature was still in the 90's when I got to the track. Ouch! My buddy Robin was already there, and had a place for us all picked out. I set up my pit area, and was seriously considering getting a hotel. How can people sleep in this heat? Robin and I grabbed some dinner in town, and then back to the track to chill out with some beers, and stars. It was really cool just chilling at the track with all the other people. I've always stayed at a hotel, and in the 5 years of doing this I think I've been missing out on something. Everyone is just kinda milling about, drinking beer, riding their pit bikes from pit to pit chatting hanging out. It was a good time.

Thunderhill was completely repaved 4 weeks ago, and the track was going to be very green. I had been warned that the new surface was really abrasive and chewed up tires quickly. What I was more concerned about was that all the track surfaces I had been using as reference points where gone. Later I would come to the conclusion that this was a good thing as I was just making the same mistakes over and over, and now I had a chance to make all new ones!

Saturday morning and out I go. Wow, the track looks different. I spent the day trying to find new braking points, turn in points, and any visual information I could to navigate my way around this newly minted tarmac. By the end of the day my times where around were they where at race pace last time we where here. That is a good thing, but I still need a couple more seconds per lap to not embarrass myself again. We'll see what today has instore for us. Meanwhile I sit here watching the sun crest the horizon, listening to Stephane Pompugnac's Hotel Costes Vol 3.
I think today will be a good day.

Sunday has come and gone. Morning practice went well. I did the exact same times I had been doing the day before. Not as fast as I'd liked, but considering all the traffic I couldn't complain.

Race 1 650 Twins. I was gridded 13th farthest right on the 3rd row. When the green flag flew I got a great start, and pulled up even with the front 10 or so riders. As we came out of T1 and stood our bikes up to drive down the small hill towards T2 someone passed me on my right, and before they where fully by me they started moving over to their left, and hit my front wheel. My handle bars began shaking violently back and forth in what we call a tankslapper. As I tried to regain control I began to move to my left, and into the bike next to me. I had the presence of mind to lift my elbow so as not to hit the riders brake lever. I got it back in shape and turned in T2. I gained a couple of spots going through the off camber section of T3, a place many riders aren't comfortable with. As we crested the hill of the tight T5 someone came from my right, again hitting my front wheel, and sending me into a tank slapper as we went down the hill. I regained control just in time to not plow into the bikes at the bottom. Ouch tough first lap. After that we mostly settled into a rhythm. I knew if I was going to keep pace I'd have to find some speed in places I had been struggling with. T9 is a struggling point for me, and as we crested the hill of 9 I was right on the backs of the bikes in front of me. OK good sign. The T11, 12, 13 combo is another weak area, and as we came out of that section onto the back straight I lost a few bike lengths to the pack in front. OK I know I can make that up. I've been struggling with brake fade since I bought this bike, and I finally replaced the last possible thing, the master cylinder. Now I have great feeling brakes, and I used them to their best getting on the brakes really late to make up the last ground coming out of 13. For 5 laps this would be the story, I would lose ground in T2, and the 11- 13 combo, and make it all up entering T5, and T14. However if I made any little mistake anywhere else that would be ground I couldn't get back. And as such whenever someone would pass me, I could hang with them for a little while, but I could never get back around them. Thus I ended the race in 17th place, 3 back from where I started. I must have gotten passed 8 times.

Formula IV. Green flag flies, and I think everyone was a little more conservative. We got cleanly through the first 5 turns. I made a couple of passes, got passed a couple of times, and settled in for 6 laps of battle. I was keeping much tighter with the lead pack, and I thought I might be able to hand with them. I did for the first couple of laps. I think I lap 2 or 3 coming down the hill from 5 the rider in front of me ran wide and into the dirt, I stayed on the racing line and continued on as normal. The rider without looking came back onto the racing line, and directly into me. My mad skills kept us from actually colliding. Would you be surprised to know it was the same rider that hit my front wheel at the start of the first race at the top of T5? Once again I regained my composer, but lost some bike lengths to the guys in front of me. Later in the same lap we where coming up on the back of the previous wave which where a couple of Ninja 250's. Ouch talk about closing speeds. Well in an attempt to not be a dangerous ass like other riders had been earlier today I didn't stuff the poor Ninja 250 coming into T11, but that slowed me way down, and as we came out onto the back straight 2 riders passed me, and I was pissed. On the next lap we came up on another 250 in a bad place and I lost another position. In the end I finished 18th, which was disappointing considering I was staying with the faster group.

It was a fun weekend hanging out at the track. The new brakes are great, and will come in really handy at Sears Pt where there are three serious braking zones, and 3 minor braking zones. I think I will do much better next time.






As always Thanks to the people that help me go faster.
Jennifer at Werkstatt Motorcycle Repair
Dave Moss of Catalyst Reaction
Dunlop, and Terry at Sport Tire Services
Paul Fine of Fine Design
Julio from Tommy's

Saturday, August 30, 2008

AFM Round 5 Sears Pt

After my bitter disappointment at T-hill I had found some new motivation for racing at Sears Pt. Sears is a very technical track with no room for rest. the rider is constantly moving around. You blow one turn, and it blows the timing, and rhythm for several turns after. For some reason I'm good at Sears Pt.

There was a trackday on Friday hosted by Lance Keigwin and I had signed up for that back in January. Good I needed the extra day.
I was still having issues with my brakes overheating, fading, and giving me no confidence in pushing the front end. Friday went well, and I was feeling smooth and aggressive.

Saturday practice is short now because of the races held in the afternoon so you have to make the most out of the 4 you get. I tried some different brake fluid recommended by Zoran and that helped. I had a much better feel, and could drive much deeper on the brakes, but they would still over heat after about 6 laps, but that was better than before.

Sunday I was in races 1, and 5. The first race of the day, and the first race after lunch. I was again feeling confident and aggressive, and those are huge elements to going fast in a race.

I'm good at starting, and when the green flag flew I had a plan on where I wanted to be on the track, and I followed through with it driving deep into the rows in front and charging up the hill. Nobody passed me going into T2 which has been a weakness for me before. I had been practicing passing people going into T4 and that paid off in this race as I was easily able to gain a spot going down the hill into 4. The race would be a dog fight the whole way. There where about 6 bikes in front of me as we lined up going down the back straight for the first time, and I was determined to get around all of them. I passed all of them. Sometimes I would get passed back, and start all over. It was fun fighting for every inch. I finished 15th, and was happy with that.

The 2nd race was more of the same. I got a good start, and then started picking people off, while at the same time fighting to hold my position. Good times. As the race was winding down on the last lap I could feel myself getting tired. I knew I was running out of energy, and starting to make mistakes so I took a long glance over my should to see how close 616 was to me. Drats he was only a couple of bike lengths behind me. So I started riding really defensively. I would get on the brakes super late, and take a tight inside line. This is not the fastest way around the track, but It keeps the other person from being able to get up inside. I did this going into T's 7, 9, and 11. I stayed in front by just a couple of tenths of a second. He came and found me in the pits, and I told him I was sorry that I had to ride so defensively, he told me I was an asshole, but that's racing, and next time he'd better get in front of me before the last lap. I told him "yup" and as he walked away I smiled and thought "good luck with that" game on.

Despite riding so defensively that last lap of my second race FIV, was the fastest lap of the weekend, keeping my record of the last lap of FIV being the fastest time.
I turned a 1:51.9. Finally I broke into the 51's. A personal goal of mine. Yesterday I bought a new Brembo racing master cylinder. Hopefully this will cure my fading brake woes, and allow me to use the brakes the way I like to. On the ragged edge!







As always Thanks to the people that help me go faster.
Jennifer at Werkstatt Motorcycle Repair
Dave Moss of Catalyst Reaction
Dunlop, and Terry at Sport Tire Services
Paul Fine of Fine Design
Julio from Tommy's

AFM Round 4 Thunderhill

The T-hill round was forever ago. I didn't write about it then because I didn't do very well, and I was disappointed. It's hard to write about things post them to the world when you aren't feeling positive about it. I need to get over that, and just write down whatever happened good of bad.

I used to think I was pretty good at T-hill. The truth is I suck there. My results from earlier in the season, and at Sears led me to believe I was a better rider than I am. I think I am still a good rider I just have exposed some weaknesses.

I'm not going to got into extreme detail. I practiced Friday and Saturday and I knew my times weren't where they needed to be. I didn't have much confidence going into Sunday and it showed. On the first lap of the first race there was a crash in T2 immediately in front of me, that took focus to not be apart of, a couple of turns later in T5 another big wipe out just in front of me, and now I'm thinking "what the hell am I doing here" The race was restarted, and I finished a lowly 22nd.

The 2nd race was much the same. I would get passed, and not have any motivation to go back after the person. Again I finished a lowly 22nd.

I went home with my tail between my legs, broke, disappointed, and wondering if I wanted to keep doing this.

A Little Rock 'n' Roll

I wanted to write about something other than motorcycles. (I'll get to that next) So I wanted to share about two recent projects I was involved in.

The first was called The Unforgettable Tour When we where first told about the show it was dubbed "the largest Indian rock show to ever come out of India" OK Whatever. Note to self: If someone ever says they are doing a large Indian "bollywood" style show. Believe them. When we fist saw the renderings and lighting plots we surely thought someone was putting one over on us. Not the case. This truly would be the largest gathering of Indian movie/entertainment stars to ever tour outside of India. The lighting design was by two British designers that where very cool guys. The lighting rig consisted of at least 80 moving lights, multiple Soft LED video curtains, and one large video wall in the center. We thought for sure when they saw the price of all the gear that most of it would go away, like it had in other Indian rock shows we had done. Nope instead they cut us a deposit check. Ouch!

Walter and I redrafted the plot so it would be in a format we where used to working with, and got to work figuring out all the data, hardware and what not needed to put this together. When the producers asked if we could provide the hardware to fly in entertainers at two different times we thought we'd heard it all.

The process was a great experience. Kevin Reilly, Walter Holden, and myself all worked on different pieces at the same time. We really utilized the drafting software to it full potential. That was a great experience.

Then came installing the show. We added Greg Kunit to mainly manage the dimmer beach, and a extra pair of eyes never hurts. There where over 70 chain motors, and 9 universes of dmx data for all the moving lights. We got the entire rig in the air, and I had started flashing out the system when we called it a night. The following day we came in early, and I continued ringing out the system. The LD's came in around 12 noon, and saw the rig for the first time.

This was there 3 show on the tour, and it was the first time they had seen the whole rig. So far no one had been able to get the entire system up and running for them. When I told them we had installed it in one day Paul the main LD said "That's normal, 1 day. 1 day for rigging, and 1 day for lighting" When I told him we installed the entire rig, rigging, and lighting in one day the look on his face was the best compliment you can get. "Fuck me" he says. Thanks Paul, we thought so to!

When it came time for the show we had three Grand MA lighting controllers FOH, and 1 GMA light backstage all networked together through a pair of MA NSP's controlling 9 universes of lighting, and 5 universes of MA media servers, and the only thing that connected FOH to backstage was one orange fiber optic cable. This was the most high tech show I'd ever seen. They where truly using the latest and greatest everything on the cutting edge of technology.

When the lights went out and the first entertainer took the stage, and the 15,000 person crowd screemed the scale of the whole thing came into focus. This really was the largest show to come out of India. But when one of the performers flew out over the audience in a steel basket the crowd went absolutely ape shit. To these people it was like seeing The Beatles, Elvis, Madonna, and Barbara Streisand all on the same stage.

When the show was over, and we had packed it up, and put it back in it's three semi trucks the four of us went to a bar in Alameda at 7am, 23 hours after we had started that day. Tequila and Budweiser at 7am. Rockstars.

Here's a link to some online photos. http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/5582382_dpGm3#P-1-12

I have more pic's on my work computer I'll post later.

The other rock show I worked on last weekend was The Outside Lands Festival

Impact did all the backstage VIP, and hospitality tents, and we did one stage. the Sutro stage. That part got handed to me, and I worked with the producers to design something interesting, and cheap. It was a great time. Three days of rock and lighting mainly in the day time. Friday I had Cold War Kids, and Beck, Saturday I closed with Cake, and Sunday Widespread Panic. Only Beck had an LD for the rest I ran the lights. It was a lot of fun, and I hope to get to do some more.

Here's a link to some photos

Monday, May 26, 2008

AFM Round 3 at Sears Point

The weekend of May 24-25th saw the AFM show return to my favorite track Sears Pt.

The weekend started rough as it rained on Saturday. Rain at the end of May - WTF? I only got two practice sessions in, and the track was slippery, and I didn't feel very confident. Then the rain came and that was the end of the day.

Sunday had much better weather, and I put fresh tires on before the morning practice. The track was still very green, and the tires where new so I didn't find out anything new just sort of warmed myself up.

My first race was Race 1 Formula FIV. We have a riders meeting at the end of practice, and the first race starts very shortly after that. So if you're in Race 1 you need to have all your shit together because there just isn't much time. I know that, and my bike was totally prepped and ready. When I got to my grid position I wasn't very focused. Normally at the start of the race I take a second to look around, and formulate a plan on where I want to go on the track. I don't know why but I didn't do that, and as the race started it showed. I got a bad start and went backwards from there. I got passed several times, and only on the last lap did I make one of those back. I was not focused and not confident. I finished something like 21st. The first time I finished behind where I started. What I learned from that race was that I need to take time to narrow my focus, and gather myself up before heading out for the warm up lap.

My second race was Race 9 650 Twins. By the start of race 8 I was in my leathers and sitting in my chair next to my bike just doing laps around the track in my head. Totally focused. We go out on the warm up lap and I feel much more aggressive. I leave early and get to my grid spot on the third row with only a handful of people gridded. This gives me some time to once again narrow my focus. I take note of where I am on the track, and where I want to go. The Formula II race is the first wave and it gives me a chance to watch the starter from my peripheral vision.

When the green flag flies for my race I get a great start and head up the hill with only a few people in front of me. I can't believe how far up front I am and I tell myself to hold a tight line through T2. Well I was so focused on my line I forgot to down shift and I had no drive exiting T2 and I lost a few positions. By the end of lap 1 I was in 10th place with a good chance of a Top 10 finish. On lap three the red flag comes out. Bummer. I go back to my pit, put the tire warmers back on, and sit back down next to my bike, drink some water, and try to maintain my focus. People keep trying to talk to me about the race but I know it's going to restart any minute so I just ignore them and keep focused.

I am totally focussed, and now energized at the possibility of a Top 10 finish. I'm the first one out for the warm up lap, and I'm riding aggressive. I'm the first person to the grid, and I take my spot, and I stay totally focused. This time I'm going to remember to down shift for T2.

The green flag flies, and I get an even better start, and as we head up the hill I'm in 7th. I down shift and stay on the gas. I give up a spot going into T3, and another going into T4, each by guys I know are capable of winning the race so I feel like I'm in rare company. By the end of lap 1 I'm in 9th place ready for a fight to defend my position. By the time we get to T7 the red flag is out race stopped again (more on that later) OK back to the pits and once again try to remain composed and focused. This is the biggest exercise in patience and focus I've ever had. I'm trying to keep my energy level up, but I'm feeling a little dejected like I've missed an opportunity. We go out for our 3rd warm up lap and I'm not riding as aggressively and I notice it. Focus I tell myself. I get to my grid spot, and I try once again to find that composure that I had in the previous race.

Green flag flies, and I don't get the rocket ship start from before but a solid start still. As we head up the hill one of the Twin Works bikes pinches me off the inside and we nearly collide. I have to stand it up to keep from hitting him as two of the leaders run off track having made contact going up the hill. I see them coming across the dirt heading for the track and I wonder if they are going to get stopped in time, and as a result I roll off the gas and a couple of people get by me. DAMN IT I think. OK as we go through 3 and 4 I stay with them and I think I can salvage a Top 10 finish if I can get in front of one or two of them. As we exit T6 onto the back straight I am hard on the gas setting them up for a late braking maneuver, and the face shield on my helmet comes loose. It sucks to be going 100mph with nothing covering your eyes. I try to push it back in place before I need to get on the brakes, and in doing so a few people get by me. I go through turns 7,8, and 8a, and as I head down the hill to T9 I try again to snap the shield back in place as a couple more people get by me. At this point I decide I'm a danger to not only myself but the people around me, and I put my hand up, and pull behind the tires in T9. I wait for the field to go by and I cruise into the pits. DNF

So it was a disappointing weekend. There where some high points. Jim Hoogerhyde won the Formula Singles race. Some of Jim's friends from the Cretin MC came up from LA to race their vintage bikes, and they where super cool guys to hang out with.

At the start of the year I was helping a guy I had met while doing track days get started racing. Last night he sent me a text message saying he was the reason for the red flag after the 2nd start. Reason for red flag Thanks Steve.
Oh well that's racing. We'll get 'em next time at Thunderhill.

As always Thanks to the people that help me go faster.
Jennifer at Werkstatt Motorcycle Repair
Dave Moss of Catalyst Reaction
Dunlop, and Terry at Sport Tire Services
Paul Fine of Fine Design
Julio from Tommy's

Saturday, May 17, 2008

AFM Round 2 at Sears Point

Round 2 of the AFM season took place at one of my favorite tracks Infineon Raceway, forever known to me as Sears Point April 26-27th.

I went up to the track Friday night to get the pit area all set up, and Werkstatt friends Marie, and Cliff had ridden on Friday and saved me some space.

Saturday morning my first order of business was to get a new rear tire! We only get 4 practice sessions on Saturday so it's important to get up to speed quickly. I had been racing and riding a lot so I'm now comfortable on my bike, and it's time to start to really push to find time. My previous best time on my EX500 was a 1:54.7 which was an epic lap time for that wet noodled race bike. My goal for the weekend was to get into the 52's. I was struggling with my brakes fading after a few laps. It hadn't been bad at Willow because you don't use the brakes much but at Sears you use the brakes alot! After about 4 laps the brakes would fade, and I would need to pull the lever harder and harder to get any bite, and when they would bite, they would come on sudden. I kept trying to adjust the suspension to deal with this sudden and sharp brake hit, but that was the wrong solution. I had run off track in my last lap of several sessions not having enough braking power to get slowed down into T9, and that is not a good feeling. I spoke with many racing veterans about what could be causing this problem, but it was the guys at Galfer that really helped. It turns out that my EBC so called "kit" racing pads had warped after only 2 race weekends, and where having a small but constant drag which would cause the brake fluid to over heat, and thus fade. So even with my brake problems I was running consistant 54's, and best time of '53.7. Not too bad considering the brake problems.

Sunday morning practice was great. The new brake pads from Galfer, and my bead blasted rotors had done the trick. I rode the whole 20 minute session with no brake fade. I felt confident about my possibilities. I was starting 24th in both races based on my finishes in Buttonwillow, and I felt a top 20 was possible.

My first race of the day was race 6 650 Twins. I got a great launch, passed at least a row of bikes and drove up the hill into T2, but like my usual self I gave back more places than I took entering T2. I need to figure out why I suck so badly entering that turn at the start of the race. I settled in and started making passes as soon as we got to T4. I rode hard and clean and passed every bike I could see. The next bike being too far away to catch. I finished 16th with a best time of 1:53.3.

My 2nd race was number 11 Formula IV. It's hard to stay motivated that late in the day, and when the race started I did not have the same determination I did earlier. Once again I got a great launch, and gave it all back in T2. This time I had given up a slight gap to the group in front of me, and I lacked that motivation to go after them. I went around a lap or so with the gap staying the same. Then Alex Florea #49 had a moment going down the hill from 3A to T4, apparently suffering from a cramp. All the bikes behind him checked up, and now all of a sudden they where within reach and I had found my motivation. The next few laps would be some of my smartest racing yet. The wind was blowing hard, and as you approached T7 and I figured I could brake a little later since I wouldn't be going as fast, and the wind would help slow me down. That allowed me to get past a couple of people on each lap. Since there was a head wind going into 7 there was a tail wind going into 9, and I figured I needed to brake earlier. This also allowed me to make some passes, because I think the wind and extra speed spooked the other riders. These are examples of why have good reference points work. I was able to make adjustments mid race to braking points, and take advantage of people. I finished 19th with a best lap of 1:52.2.

That was a great weekend of racing with good results. I I finished top 20 in both my races, and hit my lap time goal of 52's. I look forward to going back to Sears May 24th, and improve even more. I think top 10's could be possible by the end of the season, and maybe even a sub 1:50!.

Thanks to the people that help me go faster.
Jennifer at Werkstatt Motorcycle Repair
Dave Moss of Catalyst Reaction
Dunlop, and Terry at Sport Tire Services
Paul Fine of Fine Design
Julio from Tommy's








AHRMA at Willow Springs

AHRMA stands for American Historical Motorcycle Roadracing Asscociation. AHRMA is a nation series for vintage motorcycle racing. They only have one west coast round, and it is held at Willow Springs in April on the 3rd, and 4th. Having raced at willow as recently as February I was excited to get back there, and pick up where I left off.

To attempt to save money I loaded my bikes, and most of my pit equipment onto the trailer, and I had my friend, and teammate Jim Hoogerhyde tow my trailer down. Getting to the hotel Thursday night turned out to be quite a chore. After we picked up Jim's current girlfriend, we made Jim's required stop at Farley's coffee shop and hit the road around 8pm. We finally made it to the hotel in Rosamond around 3am where Jim had a room shared with friends Jim Reagan and owner of Werkstatt Jennifer Bromme. You can read about her weekend here. Jen's blog. I slept on the floor, and it was a damn fine floor if I do say so. About 3 hours later we where up and ready to hit the track.

Friday after getting my registration all sorted out is a practice day. AHRMA is a series classic, vintage, or just old racing motorcycles, and if ever there was a place to see rolling history an AHRMA race is where to go. These bikes where not built to sit in a museum, and it's great to see something there is only a few of in the world out doing what they where meant to do: race. Since most vintage race bikes are single cylinder, or twin cylinder machines AHRMA has classes for modern bikes in a separate classes called Sound of Singles, and Battle of the Twins, or SOS, and BOTT respectively. Friday is a practice day, and Saturday and Sunday are race days so with only one day of practice I went out and tried to quickly get up to pace. I was riding on my older rear tire that was on the later half of it's life span. Tire management would turn out to be my Achilles heel. As I've stated before in previous posts willow is hard on tires, and my worn out practice tire didn't even last all day Friday. By midday the tire was completely shagged. On a side note I've used that term "shagged" to describe worn out tires before but I didn't really know where the term came from. Friday I knew. By midday the right side of the tire looked like a piece of 70's shag carpet. I switched to my 2nd rear wheel that had a tire with only 2 races on it, and I really wished I hadn't. Hind site is 20/20, and I would have been better off calling it an early day on Friday and saving that tire for the races. Friday was a lot of fun. I got play on the track with Jim, and there was gratuitous but pinching by all.

Saturday is a race day, but there where a couple of practice sessions in the morning, and again I would probably would have been better off skipping these. My first race was the middle weight class, or BOTT F2. I was racing up a class against larger displacement bikes. The grids for the modern bikes aren't very big compared to AFM standards, but what is? This would be my 4th race weekend of the year so I was comfortable with my bike now so when the green flag dropped I got a great launch and took the holeshot into T1. Holy shit I'm leading the race in F2!. As I tipped it into T2 I told myself to keep my head down, be smooth, ride my lines, and hit my marks. Don't worry about what's behind you if the faster bikes can catch you they will. I think I lead 3 laps before this bright orange Ducati blasts past me on the straight. I pulled right up on the back of him as we entered T2. I thought if I could get in front of him in the tight stuff I might be able to hold the lead on the final lap. As we approached T8 he definitely gapped me. As we approached the exit of T9 there where slower bikes in front of us. He easily passed a guy on a supermoto just before the apex of the turn, and I set up to go around the guy just past the apex, and that's where things went horribly wrong. The guy on the motard suddenly stood his bike up and ran wide right as I was about to make the pass. That left me with the choice of trying to get on the brakes to keep from running into the back of him, and standing it up and running off track. Neither of these choices is a great option at 100+mph. So I ran off track and I remember looking right at the wall on the outside of T9 thinking "how am I going to get stopped in time" Thinking that I was not going to make it I chose to try to enter the hot pit, and I easily made that happen. I looked up at the pit marshal, and he seemed to know exactly what I was thinking "now what do I do?" and he motioned for me to come on through. I dropped a gear and powered through the hot pit coming back on track in 4th place. I quickly disposed of one of the Buell's, and set out to catch the other one who had inherited 2nd place from me. As we entered T2 he ran wide, and I crept up the inside to take 2nd place. Either he didn't see me, or thought he could take the position back, at the exit of turn 2 my opponent came back onto the racing line at full speed and we came together at 100 mph. It made a loud crunching sound as fiberglass and metal became interlocked. For a brief moment we where locked together and looking at each other. Then he was gone. When the bikes became disengaged I was left in a terrible tank slapper, and off into the dirt I went again. I got back on track, and by the time I made it through T3 a red flag was out. My opponent had gone down and stayed down. That was the end of the race. I was credited with 3rd place.

My 2nd race was the BOTT F3 or lightweight, and I thought since I had finished so well in F2 I would easily win F3. Complacency is a killer. I got the holeshot easily and led much of the race, each lap getting slower and allowing the 2nd place guy to catch up. He made a clean pass on the last lap and I couldn't really do anything to get back by him. By this time the right side of my tire was shagged, and every time I tried to make time up on him I would slide the rear, and I thought it just wasn't worth throwing it away. My previous off track excursions took some of the wind out of my sails. I finished 2nd.

Sunday had me worried since the right side of my tire was so worn and we had 2 more races to do. I flipped the tire on the rim putting the worn side of the tire on the left side of the rim. When it was race time I definitely had better grip on the right side but now I nothing on the left, and even though there are only a few left turns they are all slower, but you need to drive hard on the exit, and each time I tried getting on the gas at the exit of those turns the tire would slide. I finished 3rd in BOTT F2 after inheriting a position when the orange Ducati crashed out of the lead. I had to race on BOTT F1 after a technical issue, and I only did a few laps in that race. I wasn't going to finish on the podium, and my tire was sliding at the exit of every corner, and I brought it in early figuring it just wasn't worth staying out there and being a danger to myself and everyone else.

It was a great racing weekend. We had several SFMC members, Harley, Miles, Jim, myself, and friends of the SFMC, Jennifer, and Johnny all racing. It was fun having soo many friends to hang out with.

A special thanks to Deb for making coffee, and breakfast, and being a great all around pit wench, and to my dad for hanging out and letting me use his truck.

A little note about that orange Ducati. I knew it was a pretty bike, but after the races where over someone explained to me that it was a NCR Ducati . A hand built custom rumored to cost $50,000.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

AFM round 1 Buttonwillow

Last weekend was the first race for the AFM season at the world famous Buttonwillow Raceway (just kidding).
One of the great things about coming to this track is that my Mom and Dad live only a couple of hours away.

With two races at other clubs under my belt my personal expectations where high. I traveled with one of my SFMC teammates Eric Schiller Thursday night. We stayed at the local hot spot, The Red Roof Inn. The accommodations where far from fancy but they suited our needs just fine, and give AFM racers a discount.

Friday morning we where up early to get everything set up. After the quick tech inspection we where out on track. I hadn't been to Buttonwillow in two years so I wanted Friday to be a mellow day of relearning the track and adapt more to the new bike. At this point the bike wasn't so new and scary. It did surprise me how fast things felt. BW has several very fast sections and I don't remember them being that fast. That makes perfect sense seeing how my old bike just didn't go very fast! On Friday I had anticipated purchasing a new front wheel for my bike from fellow AFMer Kim Nakashima. This was too be a very trick 16.5" wheel, normal is 17", made from forged aluminum weighing several pounds less than my current wheel. The smaller size is the ultra trick set up professional racers are using. By lunch I had found Kim, but the wheel wasn't there yet. Bummer, there's always tomorrow. On Friday I had a chance to chase around my old nemesis, not really, John Forman, and that was good for me as he showed me some lines that would prove useful later on. By hand timer I has best lap in the 2:05 range. Probably 7 seconds better than my fastest time on my 500.

Saturday morning: Our third teammate Jim Hoogerhyde, now joined us. On Friday afternoon my parents joined us with their 5th wheel camper trailer. We took a whole corner of the paddock and made one hell of a SFMC racing compound. Once again I tracked down Kim, and this time I got my sexy new wheel. Too bad it was for a different year than I thought and didn't center up on my forks. So I missed my first practice session, which is a bummer as Saturday practice only gets 4 sessions total. Even with the abbreviated day Saturday was good, and I ended the day in the 2:04's. I would have liked to be a couple of seconds quicker, but I was lacking confidence in a couple of places, like T2, T7, and T11.

Sunday race day: I put on a new rear tire just for the races. The first race would be Formula 650 Twins, also known as 650T. Since I had never raced this class before I was gridded in the last row. Something like 49th place! I knew it was going to be a long uphill battle with 48 other riders in front of me, but I was feeling good, and ready for game on!
2 Board drop the shield on the helmet, 1 board bring the rev's up to 7k, sideways, get ready , Green flag go! I got a solid launch and drove deep into the middle of the pack, but as we neared the first turn I backed off a little. You see I got taken out in a big way a few years ago by a guy who charged up the inside and couldn't make the turn, so I tip toed through 1, and then got on the gas after that. T2 wasn't much better so I went around the outside and passed several people. Charging down into T3 I gtt on the brakes a little early and #649 of Code-4 gets inside of me as we enter T3a. I'm here to do the passing not the other way around so I let off the brake early and carry a little extra speed and stay to his outside of T3a which gives me the inside line into T3b. I stay on the gas going up the little hill toward 3c, and 649 thinks he's going to try the same trick I just pulled on him. I don't think so as I get on the gas and drift wide forcing him to roll off to keep from running into me. Yeah sucks to be him, that's racing! I begin making my up through the field passing people every couple of turns. I don't know how many because I was always focused on the next rider. There where two more bikes left within catching distance. I can't tell you why but I sucked in Turn 11 leading up to the front straight. I was really good on the rest of the track but not so good on that part. The bad thing about that is the pursued rider would put a gap on me down the fast front straight, and I would close up on him around the back side, but lose it on the front. I had reeled this guy in, and I knew I was running out of time. I told myself I was getting around him no matter what. That is a dangerous attitude on a race track! I had pulled up within a couple of bike lengths of him on the front straight, and I knew if I could get him into Turn 1 I he would never get a chance to get back around me. The idea was simple really. Don't use the brakes until he does, then count to 1, and hit the brakes really really hard. hahahahaha. OK I see him grab a hold, I wait, and go for it. At this point I'm waaaay farther down the track than I had been used to so I pulled a little harder which puts the bike in a reverse wheelie or stoppie. Yes I go flying by him with my back wheel hovering a few inches off the ground. At this I have several things going on in my head. I need to start turning soon, I need to down shift 2 gears, I need to get the back wheel on the ground. In what I consider an amazing feet of mental control this is how it played out. While the rear wheel was still floating I down shifted twice, gently left off the brakes, and set the wheel down, as soon as it touched I started the turn, and a beat later I opened the throttle to accelerate out of the corner leaving my opponent high and dry. whew... All of that happened in less than 2 seconds time. It's amazing how slow things seem when it's the only thing in the world you are focused on. Next lap one bike to go. I suck right up on the back of him as we enter T1, and I know I'm going for the pass in T2. He takes a super tight line either by mistake or to defend against me. I know he won't be able to carry much speed as he exits so my plan is to enter late and carry extra speed through and pass him on the exit. Half way though T2 as I start to add gas BAM down he goes. Too tight of a line, too far leaned over too much throttle. The guy is now sliding directly into my path of travel. I stand the bike up attempting to not run him over which will end badly for both of us. I stay on the gas because I can tell if I get on the brakes I'm going to t-bone him. He makes contact with me head first sending me into a violent Tank Slapper as I head out into the dirt. The BW dirt is very soft and I know not to hit the front brakes so I go to step on the rear brake, and there's no lever. It's bent 180° backwards. That explains the violent shaking motion. The fallen rider hit the brake lever with his head. Ouch! I gain control of my bike, and tip toe back onto the track as I watch rider after rider go by. I limped my bike around the final lap just fast enough to not get passed again, and finished a disappointing 24th.

Up next was the Formula IV race. Even though I was gridded in a much better spot I still finished 24th. I had lost some of the fire after my "Soil Sampling" experience.
There was nothing memorable of super interesting that happened so enough said.

It was a great weekend none the less. Jim finished 1st in both of his races, Eric finished 3rd in 500T, and I went faster than ever before. As always I have to thank my Mom and Dad for coming out and supporting me and my friends with love and lunch! A special thanks to Jennifer from Werkstatt for her race support, and Dave Moss from Catalyst Reaction for helping me get my bike dialed in. Next up is AHRMA at Willow Springs!

Here is link to some lo res pics as I haven't bought the CD yet. 4 The Riders

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Gygax is Dead, Long Live Gygax!

Gary Gygax died yesterday

Most people will say "who?" That's OK. I played a lot when I was a pre-teen, but dropped it when I discovered girls in highschool. I picked it back up in college, and formed friendships that last today. I love fantasy fiction books, and I'll go see just about any fantasy movie, even if it's meant for kids. I can pretty safely say that comes from playing Gary's games. Later I played Magic the Gathering. I still have a stack of cards under my bed I break out when my friend Michael comes over.

This quote from John Kovalic over at Dane101.com really sums it up.

I saw shelves and shelves of roleplaying games like D&D, GURPS and Vampire, card games like Magic and Munchkin, miniatures games like Warhammer, just dozens and dozens - hundreds, in fact - of games, toys, dice, gamer comic books, gamer collectibles, you name it.

"You know," I said, to nobody in particular. "If it hadn't been for Gary and Dave (Arneson), none of this would probably be here."


Godspeed Mr Gygax, and thank you for the memories

The End Of An Era

Last week I sold my EX500.

And with that the end of an era for me. It seems so long ago that my friend Craig talked me into racing. Yeah I had to be talked into it. Craig is a great persuader. The conversation went like this "Mickey. I could buy this racebike, and you could work on it all the time, or WE could buy this racebike, and you could work on it all the time"
If only we knew how true those words would later be.

My 500 taught me so much. As a rider, a mechanic, a bike builder, and more. I'm not really good at selling bikes, because I hold such a personal attachment to them. But it was time. I have grown from those early days when Craig and I didn't have a clue where the hot pits where, or even what a "hot pit" was.

Now look at me with my fancy new race bike, running in multiple racing series all over the state, helping other new racers build race bikes, and start their racing careers. How did I get here?

Yes it may be the end of an era, but it's the beginning of a whole new one.




Here's how it all started.





















And this is what it looked like when it was time to move on.


The Fastest Road in the West (Revisited)

Once again in an attempt to gain an advantage over my AFM racing competitors I traveled south to get some much needed familiarity with my new Kawasaki EX650. During the third weekend of February I went to Willow Springs International Raceway, WSIR to race with the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club. This is the 2nd time I've been to this track, as some may remember I went there a year ago to try out for California Superbike School, but this is my first time racing with WSMC, and of course the first time I've been here on the new 693.

Lucky for me my parents live an hour away from the track so after the long haul to get there, I have a nice comfortable base of operations. The track is an amazing place, and I'll do a brief description of a lap around the track. You start off coming down the main straight and clicking in 6th gear, and wind it all the way to the RPM redline before braking for T1, that's about 135mph on my EX650. At T1 you brake hard, go down one gear, and try to carry as much speed as possible as there's a little rise at the exit. Between 1 and 2 you hold the throttle wide open and redline 5th gear. At the entrance of two you roll off the throttle a little tip in, and add gas the whole way through 2. T2 goes on forever, and you have to continuously add gas or it will load up the front tire, and dump you. You come out of 2 and hit a short straight once again pinned at redline before T3. At T3 you grab a handful of brakes, down 1 gear, and turn left (one of only three lefts), and up the hill for T4 "the Omega" as that's what it's shaped like. You double apex at the top of the hill, and try to hold a tight line as you exit coming down the hill, and you need to be on the gas or it will again load up the front end. Drive down the hill with as much speed as you dare, because T5 is a down hill left. Get on the brakes as late as you dare (down hill), enter the turn late, and carry the speed out because again there's a rise at the exit. I click up a gear between T5, and T6. Turns 6 and 7 are hardly turns at all, you barely changed direction so they are more of a subtle chicane. Down the hill after 6 click up another gear into 6th, and hold the throttle pinned through 7 (not really a turn), and into T8. Turn 8 is where you separate the haves from the have-nots, the men from the boys if you will. You hold the throttle pinned entering T8, lean all the way over, but stick out your knee, that will have the wind trying to rip you off the bike. Because here you are 6th gear 9,000rpm, 130mph, leaned all the way over. There is very short piece of asphalt between what is considered the exit of T8, and, and the entrance of T9. Here you roll of the throttle drop a gear, and carry as speed as possible through T9 and onto the front straight.

I did a half day of practice on Friday, and saw my times get into the mid 1.40's. I knew if I was to have any chance of racing I needed to get into the mid 30's. A daunting task. Saturday a guy named Eric Angel, pitted with me. He loaned my his transponder for the WERA race, and was now giving me tips on how to get around willow.

Eric's help is immeasurable. Without his guidance I would have been lost. I did 7 practice sessions, and my rear tire was toast!. I couldn't believe it. This was only the third track day on the rear, and it was a shredded sad pile of smoking rubber. The speed of T8 just destroys rear tires. By the end of the day on Saturday I had got down to the 1.37's. Good but I needed another 2-3 seconds to run with the pack. Where the hell was that going to come from? I knew exactly where. At this point I was still a boy, and rolling off the throttle going into T8 losing precious ticks of the clock doing so. I knew I had to find the courage to hold it open.
Sunday came around and a new rear tire is on, and I do two practice sessions that morning, again in the 37's.

I gridded up for the first race, and I knew if I could stay with the group I could find the courage to hang with them. The flag drops, and I got a great launch, unfortunately the guy in front of me did not, and I had to roll off the throttle to keep form hitting him, and that was pretty much the end of that race right there. I went into T1 about 2 bike lengths behind the front pack, and lost touch. By the time we got to T8 they where 8 bike leghts in front of me, and I didn't have what I needed to stay with them. I rode around for 6 laps by myself. Too slow for the front group, to fast for the back group. I finished 8th out of 14.

Race 2. This time I could feel it. I didn't care if I had to knock someone down. I was going to stay with that front group at the start no matter what.
That is the racing attitude I hadn't felt yet this year. Red Mist.
the flag drops, and off we go. I hold a tight line through 1 and come out 4th in the 2nd pack of riders, which would put in in 9th overall. This would turn out to be a great race. The 4 of us enter T8 nose to tail in a line, and I told myself out loud in my helmet "if they can you can" and I hold that damn throttle wide open all the way through, T8 and we come out on the straight 4 in line nose to tail. OK game on. i make a move on the brakes into T1, and get a position, but the guy goes right back past me exiting 1. We come around 4 8 again, I hold the throttle open again, and I realize that I close up on the exit of 8. They are rolling off mid turn! We come down the front straight again, and the guy two bikes in front of me runs off track at the exit of 1, but to his credit he stays on gas, through the dirt he's on the gas, and come back on track between 1, and 2. This mixes the 4 of us up, and I get two guys going into 2. One of them gets me back at the exit, and now I'm 3rd in the group of 4. Nothing really happens between 3-8. Sure we show each other a wheel, but always back off. T8 again. I hold it wide open, and go underneath one of the guys in front of me, yeah baby I just passed someone mid turn in T8. Unfortunately that spooked me and I rolled off too soon, and he got it back down the straight. We hammer at each other for 6 laps. On the last lap heading down the hill from T7 I'm once again 4th in the group. So I use my head. I back off just a little, and give them some room. I now know that I can carry more speed through 8-9 then these guys so rather than riding right on their tail. I give them 3 or so bike lengths going into T8, and I hold it open gaining on them as we apex 8, we come out of T9, and I slingshot right past two of them onto the front straight, and up a gear and on the gas I almost got the third at the start finish.

What a great race. I finished 7th over all, but in my book I finished 2nd, in what was a hard fought, smart race where I finally stopped being a boy. I was really proud. Not only had I overcome my fear of going fast through T8, but I had found it as a new strength that I could exploit over my competitors. That last lap of the 2nd race was my fastest lap of the weekend. 1.34.2
Later in pits I found those guys, and we all agreed it was one of the most fun races any of us had ever rode.

A special thanks to Dave Moss, Jennifer at Werkstatt, Slim Jim, Dunlop, and my mom, and dad.

Look out AFM here I come.