Slaughter
Thu 1/20/05, 12:27PM
OK - I'm not yet back on the SV but don't want anybody to pay the ransom.
I finally raced last weekend. The past half year of low activity on the track has really set me back.
I went to the surgeon on Wednesday before the race and we worked out a way I could get my left hand into a latex glove to protect the raw skin and the stitches/plastic nail - and he figured a way to use baby powder to get my leather glove on over the latex. A tight fit to say the least and started throbbing within a couple minutes - but was workable.
I decided to try Friday to see if I could use the clutch and how to manage shifting. I figured that I had to start in neutral, drop into gear on the green flag and just shift without the clutch. After trying to downshift without the clutch going into 9, and skipping the rear all over the place (and changing my shorts) - I returned to the pits and re-worked the left hand smearing Vitamin E over the skin so I'd get more flexibility. Worked like a charm. I still couldn't hold in the clutch but now could downshift going into Turns 1, 3 and 9. I still figured that I would have to sandbag the starts of my 3 races.
Since all of my crashing, and suffering a severe financial injury in our aborted 6-hour attempt in June last year, I'm Barely getting back into it.
Race day was used as a way to just re-establish a rhythm once again.
Race 1 - Formula 50. 5th place
Started in neutral and just cruised. I think I may have actually beaten somebody (either a mechanical or crash - DNF) F-50 is a fast crowd. Mostly litrebikes. We were 3rd wave in a 3-wave start: Wave 1 - F-40 Heavyweight, Wave 2- F-40 Lightweight, Wave 3 - F-50. By lap 4, I was getting lapped by the F-40 Heavyweight front-runners (running about 15 sec a lap faster) - guys like Jeff Stern and Kenny Kopecky
Race 2 - Glendale HD/Buell BOTT Middleweight Not DFL but not too far away either
This was my HAD-TO-RACE race. Glendale is my sponsor and they picked up the sponsorship of the whole class this year. We have a bunch of guys out now and with my home shop sponsoring the class, this is where I've had to put my emphasis and support.
I got to watch Kenny and Kurt get REALLY small REALLY fast. At least they didn't lap me. I learned that revving a 104 HP bike to the limit in first gear and clutchless upshifting makes for really exciting starts! I'm still learning the new bike.
Needless to say, I finished somewhere below toe jam BUT didn't crash!
Race 3 - Heavweight Twins 5th place
I finally FINALLY felt like I was getting back used to being on the racetrack again.
I re-worked my clutch glove/lubrication (save the obvious comments please) and figured I could try holding the clutch in for the start. I still asked for the back row so I wouldn't become a wheel chock if I boned it.
I decided to up the pace a little bit but really kept it relaxed for the first 2 laps before wicking it back up.
By lap 4, I was catching Chris Crowell (last year's F-50 Champ) on his Mille - and figured I'd just pass him in 8 on lap 6. I actually came around him exiting 9 and pinned it to beat him to the checker.
All in all, I met my goals of not crashing and not breaking anything on the bike or my body. I really wanted to smooth off the rough edges but as importantly, be there with the crop of 4 new Muell racers coming out for the New Racer School and play with the 11 Buell mob up in T-1 - trying to show support for Glendale as my sponsor.
Tired after the weekend since I hadn't been able to make it to the gym for a whole month since the hand injury and surgery - though Sunny and I went for our first workout in a month Wed night after seeing the surgeon - tried out the glove idea on the pull downs and press. I have to admit being in 24 hour fitness with just one MC race glove does get some strange looks.
Feels good just being back.
Now if only I can straighten those SV forks - I've got the full set of gixxer bodywork...
I finally raced last weekend. The past half year of low activity on the track has really set me back.
I went to the surgeon on Wednesday before the race and we worked out a way I could get my left hand into a latex glove to protect the raw skin and the stitches/plastic nail - and he figured a way to use baby powder to get my leather glove on over the latex. A tight fit to say the least and started throbbing within a couple minutes - but was workable.
I decided to try Friday to see if I could use the clutch and how to manage shifting. I figured that I had to start in neutral, drop into gear on the green flag and just shift without the clutch. After trying to downshift without the clutch going into 9, and skipping the rear all over the place (and changing my shorts) - I returned to the pits and re-worked the left hand smearing Vitamin E over the skin so I'd get more flexibility. Worked like a charm. I still couldn't hold in the clutch but now could downshift going into Turns 1, 3 and 9. I still figured that I would have to sandbag the starts of my 3 races.
Since all of my crashing, and suffering a severe financial injury in our aborted 6-hour attempt in June last year, I'm Barely getting back into it.
Race day was used as a way to just re-establish a rhythm once again.
Race 1 - Formula 50. 5th place
Started in neutral and just cruised. I think I may have actually beaten somebody (either a mechanical or crash - DNF) F-50 is a fast crowd. Mostly litrebikes. We were 3rd wave in a 3-wave start: Wave 1 - F-40 Heavyweight, Wave 2- F-40 Lightweight, Wave 3 - F-50. By lap 4, I was getting lapped by the F-40 Heavyweight front-runners (running about 15 sec a lap faster) - guys like Jeff Stern and Kenny Kopecky
Race 2 - Glendale HD/Buell BOTT Middleweight Not DFL but not too far away either
This was my HAD-TO-RACE race. Glendale is my sponsor and they picked up the sponsorship of the whole class this year. We have a bunch of guys out now and with my home shop sponsoring the class, this is where I've had to put my emphasis and support.
I got to watch Kenny and Kurt get REALLY small REALLY fast. At least they didn't lap me. I learned that revving a 104 HP bike to the limit in first gear and clutchless upshifting makes for really exciting starts! I'm still learning the new bike.
Needless to say, I finished somewhere below toe jam BUT didn't crash!
Race 3 - Heavweight Twins 5th place
I finally FINALLY felt like I was getting back used to being on the racetrack again.
I re-worked my clutch glove/lubrication (save the obvious comments please) and figured I could try holding the clutch in for the start. I still asked for the back row so I wouldn't become a wheel chock if I boned it.
I decided to up the pace a little bit but really kept it relaxed for the first 2 laps before wicking it back up.
By lap 4, I was catching Chris Crowell (last year's F-50 Champ) on his Mille - and figured I'd just pass him in 8 on lap 6. I actually came around him exiting 9 and pinned it to beat him to the checker.
All in all, I met my goals of not crashing and not breaking anything on the bike or my body. I really wanted to smooth off the rough edges but as importantly, be there with the crop of 4 new Muell racers coming out for the New Racer School and play with the 11 Buell mob up in T-1 - trying to show support for Glendale as my sponsor.
Tired after the weekend since I hadn't been able to make it to the gym for a whole month since the hand injury and surgery - though Sunny and I went for our first workout in a month Wed night after seeing the surgeon - tried out the glove idea on the pull downs and press. I have to admit being in 24 hour fitness with just one MC race glove does get some strange looks.
Feels good just being back.
Now if only I can straighten those SV forks - I've got the full set of gixxer bodywork...