Re: Major Kudos to Section8 (Saginaw748)
my trackdayreport as reported on the local page:
ah ha…report
got in to grattan around 1am and slept detroit style: back o the truck.
rising to the birds and sun at whatever time…and pitted up with the rest of the du crew after erecting the canopies.
Int out first, and our first classroom session begins. was kind of expecting to be nervous, but i wasn’t. slotted myself into group 2, and immediately dropped to group 3 when i realized there was one.
all in all, there were about 20-25 novice riders in total, split into 5 groups, none of whom had track experience, and varying road experience. i found it humorous that all with one or two exceptions were sporting brand spanking new gear.
the classroom sessions were a great intro into how thing would work through the day, but the treat was heading onto the track.
1st session being 4 or 5 laps covering outside, centre, inside, and racing lines. And back to the pit, ready for another classroom talk. the morning was pretty calm, running with increasing speeds, and implementing the classroom philosophy into technique.
the afternoon was more of the same, just running faster speeds. i stayed in group three for the entire weekend. gave a really good opportunity to learn the track, and build the confidence. turn 3 rocks, but the bowl to the bus stop through to the blind corner onto the straight was my absolute favorite part of the track. it was great having these stt instructors leading. although we did rotate positions within the group i tried to finagle being 1st behind whenever I could. Made for a smother ride, and first row seat to watch a guy who knows what they are doing.
sunday brought rain…and yet another really great learning experience, slow it down (kinda) and think a little more about whats happening, where you’re looking, body positioning etc. The track was really slick in spots, my back end was washing a bit (mere microns, I’m sure) but I could feel it. I only did 2 sessions in the morning (heard the overhead from the dirt track announcing something about hotdogs, and got fixated on food) so I missed the third.
the afternoon: only one session. on the third lap (maybe), got a little off line through the bus stop, tried to correct, and overcorrected (maybe, not sure exactly how it happened but i surely wasn’t breaking, nor opening the throttle) and down I goes. 40 ft slide, end of day, and 1 trashed duc.
a special thanks to arshag for pointing out that michelin pilots suck in the rain-as duccy was being towed into the pits. very insightful
all I can say about the bike and the aftermath: film at 11.
all in all, one kick-ass weekend. the crash scuffed up my leathers so it looks like I got a knee down (although its on the wrong side), and elleviated me the responsibility of driving over them in the parking lot so they actually look used
the crash, as with everything, has inspired me to do some learning. new fixation: tyre compounds, and brands
now i am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hooked
damage rundown
i'm not really sure yet. don't think the frame is banged
1-faqued up throttle gummed with grass and dirt-to be replaced
2-collapsed clutch cover, effect on clutch yet to be determined-good thing about that fantastic duc's unlimited cover
3-rear brake peg (like i ever even use it...)-rep peg
4-entire right side fairing crunched/cracked/scuffed-buy some frame sliders
i think i said when/if i go down i'd come out with carbon fibre fairings...not anymore.
i've got my bonefied $15000 track bike, now i just need a 500$ pos for the street
thats all folks
and the cap'n got some nice video of my trophy presentation
<FONT SIZE="26">TATERS SUCK ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</FONT>
