PTT: RFR $99 a Day, Let's Get Noviced June 21st/22nd

[TCK!]

You guys missed a great weekend. Gotta love RFR.

I'll write about it tomorrow, for now a picture of me

[sidm]

Nice pic dude! The white boots...they really bring the whole thing together.  The 675 help a bit too.

Is it July 12th yet?!

[somegirl]

Lookin good TCK!

[TCK!]

Thanks guys.

Well I'll keep it pretty basic but I'd like to start with a list of things I learned this weekend:

1 - Exhaust cans are hot after running at 14,000rpms for 20 mins
2 - Bridgestone BT-002R's are absolutely amazing
3 - Camping next to a drag strip makes it hard to sleep when imports are bouncing off the Rev-Limiter in the parking lot at 12am (*note for July move farther towards hot pit entrance)
4 - You can brake harder then you think you're braking now, yes even though it looks like Caltrans just ground up the asphalt. (Sunset straight away heading into Turn 12 the Squid Bike Graveyard)
5 - CHECK YOUR OIL DRAIN PLUG FOR TIGHTNESS, it wasn't me but a guy covered the fastest area of the track with oil and we had to change the track configuration because of it, this was even covered in the riders meeting :sigh: UPDATE - Just learned the guy double O-Ringed the Oil Filter
6 - Engine cases are hot after a running at 14,000rpms for the entire day
7 - You can get pretty winded throwing a bike around at a spirited pace, note to self do more cardio

A cool guy (Russ Dale if anyone knows him) in the pits next to me (Who had TWO yes TWO 1098S') caught up with me at the end of the day to tell me he followed me around a bit while he was jumping through all the groups. I asked him for some pointers and this is what he told me:

A - Grip lighter on the bars, use more legs (Which is something I was working on later in the 2nd day already so I'm glad my self critique was headed in the right direction)
B - Use my size to my advantage during braking, acting like a sail prior to corners and tucking tighter in the chutes. (Also something I was already working on at the end of the day)
C - Progressive braking, soft to hard to soft (Something I need to work on more)

Overall I had a great two days, I missed half a session on day 1 due to rain, most people stayed out but I wasn't about to let my ego put me in the dirt. I did notice yellow flags towards the end of that session. I also packed it up and didn't do the final session of the second day, I felt pretty good (thanks to my recent conditioning), but I needed help loading my bike and my pit partner was leaving so I packed up early too I'm still debating if I'm going to make the move to B group next round as my pit partner, also on a 675, and I were lapping most everyone in C group, some people even twice. Then in day two all the people who we were lapping asked registration to move to B group, it was kind of funny but we were happy it just made it so we had less people to pass.

You guys really missed out on some crazy pricing for RFR, I hope more of you decide to come out on July 12-13th with Zoom-Zoom it'll be another good time. Oh yeah anyone doing T-Hill the 20th? What about Buttonwillow on the 28-29th?

I put a couple more photos up here if you're interested in checking them out

[Desmostro]

Nice Tck!

Look at Mr. Whiteboots with the knee on the ground!   

[datv]

Looking good Don!  Nice body position (now if we can just get you closer to the apex )

Ask Furious George about hot oil and hot oil drain plugs after coming in off the track.

You should try and get to some Keigwin's days and hang out with me and Steve.  I actually had such a good time last month at RFR that I might just go back when we're there in September.

A

[TCK!]

Looking good Don!  Nice body position (now if we can just get you closer to the apex )

Ask Furious George about hot oil and hot oil drain plugs after coming in off the track.

You should try and get to some Keigwin's days and hang out with me and Steve.  I actually had such a good time last month at RFR that I might just go back when we're there in September.

A

Yeah plenty of stuff to work on at that track! Lots-o-turns

I do want to get some Keigwin's time in, I just can't do your novice days cause they are in the middle of the week (I'm weekend tracker only ) I plan on getting some T-Hill novice time in so hopefully I can make the B- jump at Keigwins. After this weekend and the coming Z2 RFR weekend I'd feel confident joining you guys up at RFR in the B- group.

You guys (racers) thinking of doing the race up there in August that Zoom-Zoom is putting on? The Linkage

[datv]

I read about that one.  While I had a great time up there at a trackday, I have no interest racing there.  The condition of the track is garbage and there are NO facilities (where did you shower? or...not ).  Given that, it is a blast to ride because there is every possible turn configuration you can imagine and plenty of stuff to practice and work on.  While it seems like there is decent run off, it is all really craggy ditches.  One guy last month ran off turn 2 and his bike was buried in mud up to the seat.  It reminded me of MM at Infineon.  I can't imagine trying to outbreak somone into turn 12 and having the front end skip over all the grated asphalt until it put you down.

Don't worry about joining us for B- group on any trackday.  All riders of all skills are welcome, and I can promise you wouldn't be the slowest by far.

[TCK!]

there are NO facilities (where did you shower? or...not ).

There is a hose next to the picnic tables haha  ahh fresh mountain water in the cool Nevada air.

I can't imagine trying to outbreak somone into turn 12 and having the front end skip over all the grated asphalt until it put you down.

Yeah I blew that turn on the grated asphalt on the last lap of our 3rd session, I didn't hurt myself or my bike just my pride. I pulled off into the dirt at the end and the dirt was so soft the bike fell over It was my only "mistake" of the day luckily nothing bad came of it. But I cleaned up the bike (dusted it off) went through tech again and then followed Corey Call the next session in a little group follow the leader then got back on at...

Yeah nothing really says wow like getting smoked through a turn and down the front straight by a guy with a girl on the back of his bike

[Vindingo]

sweet pics dude!  the bike looks killer too

have you sold that 748 yet?

[TCK!]

Nope haven't sold it... have been getting lots of bites but I haven't been able to set the hook. Got a bunch of low-baller's shooting me emails now that they've seen it on craigslist a few times.

[Kaveh]

Nope haven't sold it... have been getting lots of bites but I haven't been able to set the hook. Got a bunch of low-baller's shooting me emails now that they've seen it on craigslist a few times.

speaking of which, your ad mentioned "or interesting trade"

I have a killer 1981 Subaru brat that needs some minor work done to it but it has the best stereo you can buy from Radio Shack in it.  I'll trade you that plus you give me some cash...got a deal?   [moto]

[smducman]

Nice and clean  Don.

[eviltwin]

Damn dude!!  You're looking great out there! I'd love to track a Daytona, just once, once!!!