[megaspaz]

Howdy pals… been a while since I posted. Been busy trying to get faster and studying a shitload of vids with my coach. Anyhoo, just finished up my first race weekend a couple of weeks ago and I survived! Here’s some pics of the race weekend and the trackday practice the day before. I ran 1 novice race and qualified for 3 expert races. I ran less laps in those 2 days compared to a regular trackday, but the 10 laps in each race were the most intense and tiring laps I’ve ever run. I ended up not gridding up for the last expert race.

My results were probably typical novice. The novice race, I got gridded dead last since I skipped the first round and had 0 points. Actually for all the races, I got gridded last because I had no points from skipping round 1. How it works is gridding order is determined by white plate number and then yellow plate number if the rider has 0 points. Since I have the highest number, 998, I get auto gridded last. Anyway, for the novice race I was gridded in position 29 and finished in 16th position. I felt like a god that race. The expert races were totally humbling though. In terms of finishing, I started last and finished last. Technically, I did move up a couple of positions in each race because of other riders crashing. Anyway had a blast, figured some things out along the way and gearing up for round 3. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to race, get started and do it. Some of the most fun I’ve ever had… EVER!

First Race Weekend Pics

Here’s some vid footage of a trackday session with my personal riding coach at THill. Still getting things worked out since I’ve changed my riding style quite a bit, like using the brakes… lol… Anyhoo, almost where I was at last year, a second off my best, so I’m getting better at this riding thing….

[eon]

That looks like waaaay too much fun. I’ve not been to a trackday yet so I can only guess how much fun that would be based on my karting experiences. I still remember my fantastic pass on the hairpin…..

Looks like you are getting very serious with this, having a coach and all, or is that par for the course once you start racing?

[megaspaz]

dunno if that’s par for the course… it just made sense to get pro help tying all the bits and pieces I’ve picked up along the way. A lot of people I know, not necessarily racers, use the same coach I do for on track instruction. A lot of the track providers’ own instructors use this guy as well. hahaha!

[owlie]

Sounds like fantastic fun. Glad to hear you’re having a good time.

I totally understand getting a coach to help even if you don’t plan to make it your life’s work. A lot of times in order to get better, you have to have someone from outside give you some instructions. And the level you are competeing at…

Keep us posted!

[eternal05]

…but it’s cool, cause Facebook auto-stalks your progress for me

Congrats on a successful race weekend! Definitely share any insights you pick up along the way. I’d love to hear what you learn.

[megaspaz]

so yo mang… when you gonna get your googley ass down this way and hit the track with me? ^__^

[eternal05]

I start again August 23rd, so I’ll be in the bay area for that week…but I scoped out the websites of the track day providers down there and it doesn’t look like there are any trackdays any time around then. Am I wrong? Cause I would TOTALLY rent a bike or even trailer mine down there to hit up a track day with a fellow BBM-er. Though I’d much prefer to fly down and rent. Trailer sucks, especially towing with a VW GTI through the Oregon-California mountain passes. Yikes.

[megaspaz]

http://www.thunderhill.com/html/get_your_fill_at_the.HTM

scroll down to aug. keigwin’s is doing 8/23 and 8/24 and zoom zoom is doing 8/28

bummer there ain’t no open trackdays going on at your time in the bay area… those are the shit…

[eternal05]

The weekend could work. I’ve been through orientation week before, so I know it’s a bit pointless, but I’m not sure it’d be appreciated if I just went off to a track day on day one.

[megaspaz]

I’m sure you’d appreciate just going off to the track. The only day you really need to be there for is the form signing or whatever it is you do on the first day.

[IBA270]

Man, I am so lucky I live in the DFW area…there are TWO tracks within an hour, and THREE more within four hours!!

Track day coaches are ALWAYS a good idea. Video helps a lot, doesn’t it? I work with new riders at the track (I’m a relatively new track rider myself) and I always get the same response that I gave MY instructor…”I thought my butt WAS off the seat?!?!?” The really fast guys? Their butts are never on the saddle…I can’t do that…I’m old, fat, lazy…tired…and slow. But steady!

Good looking video!

[eternal05]

You know of any track-day bike rental services?

[megaspaz]

http://www.motogio.com/store/home.php

These guys used to rent track prepped bikes. I don’t see it on their site anymore so you might have to contact them and ask.

[eternal05]

Alright, well as soon as I find out what team I’m on, I’ll get this straight with my manager.

…or should I just follow Christophe Bisciglia’s advice and ask for forgiveness rather than permission?

[megaspaz]

ask for neither and just do it!

do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

[Author]

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