Fastrack Riders next event is just a week away at Auto Club Speedway on the 2.3 mile 21 turn AMA Track, Saturday, August 6th and Sunday, August 7th.  The weather forecast ranges from mid 80′s to low 90′s so riders can still beat the heat.

The great thing about Auto Club Speedway is ALL riders get garages (yes, please share with four to five bikes per garage bay) so riders are out of the sun and temperature while they are not riding.  HEY!  The garages are free!

On Saturday, August 6th there are a few spaces left in Level I & II and spaces available for Fastrack’s Rider Development
School (RDS) as well.

Sunday, August 7th Level II & III is completely sold out, Level I only having a couple spaces, and still room in the
RDS.

It is only $249.00 per rider for the day with Fastrack’s Rider Development School only being $85.00.

Register at www.fastrackriders.com or call 877-560-2233!

AMB Timing Transponders are provided to all riders for FREE! Lap times can be seen on line about fifteen minutes after each hours rotation!  This is a good way to track your progress from session to session.  Lap times will also be posted under the Registration Office about fifteen minutes after each hour’s rotation.

Remember, there is NO Gate Fee for you or any of your friends attending an event at Auto Club Speedway!  NO overnight camping fees on Saturday night!

If any rider has a friend that has been thinking about doing a track day for who knows how long, let them know this weekend is a great time to sign up for Fastrack Riders RIDER DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL.  It is a great program designed to help the street rider make the transition from riding on the street to riding on the track and it is ONLY $85.00 with a 100% money back guarantee!

The usual vendors will be at this event:

• CaliPhotography offering photos and on board video cameras
  for rent!
• The Racers Edge offering Michelin Tire Service,
  miscellaneous parts, and Performance Riding sessions!
• In House Suspension to get bikes suspension dialed in so
  riders can go faster on the track!

Register now to guarantee a spot because this event will sell out over the next couple of days!

So you think $249 for a trackday gives you sticker shock?  Well, have you factored in transporter fuel cost and gate entry fees?   Well, now you can

FastrackRiders now has a calculator on their website where you can enter:

• Your Zipcode (where you will be traveling from)
• Your Gas Mileage (MPG)
• The Cost of Gas per gallon (Use GasBuddy.com if you want to find the cheapest gas in your area, or any area while on the road)
• Your Desired Track’s Zip Code (for your convenience, the local and semi-local tracks zipcodes are provided for you for reference)
• And the desired  track’s entry fee (if applicable)

Click “Calculate Savings”  and you will get a break down something like this…

Cost to Willow
Total Mileage (Round Trip)  245.96 
Gas Used   16.4 
Cost of Gas   61.49 
Per Person Gate Fee  10.00 
Cost to You:  71.49 

Cost to Auto Club Speedway:
Total Mileage (Round Trip)  90.84 
Gas Used   6.1 
Cost of Gas   22.71 
Per Person Gate Fee  0.00 
Cost to You:  22.71 

Then I factor in that miserable drive to Willow from my house which takes a little over 3 hours, how early I have to wake up and how tired I am when I get there.  I have no garage, no free electricity for my warmers and no free transponder.  And then I have to drive the whole dang way home.    What about transporter wear and tear?

And if you want to camp overnight?

What You Get At Auto Club Speedway:
 
 1. “No Gate Fee”
 2. “No Camping Fee”
 3. “Garages For All Riders”
 4. “Lap Times Provided To Each Rider For Free On AMB Timing System” 

The whole discounted trackday cost may look lovely at first glance but when I factor everything else into it, yeah, I don’t think so.  Sure, you may think I am biased because I work for FTR, BUT I thought the very same thing before I ever was hired by FTR.   Yes, I may go to other tracks occasionally for trackdays only.  Okay not really anymore, but one cannot deny that the level of service with FTR, the total cost of the day and the quality of the ACS track is far superior.   Obviously it will be less if you live a lot closer to your home track, but for a lot of you who really don’t have a “home track” which is close, you have to consider the above factors ito your total cost.

And that’s my not-really-shameless plug for the day.   Speaking of plugs, the FTR ACS July 9th and 10th event is 65% sold out for Saturday and almost 50% sold out for Sunday so if you plan on riding, you’d better register now.  And that’s really my last plug for the day

It’s an Anti Monkey Butt Kinda Day!

After the June Gloom cleared on Sunday, we decided to head out to Elsinore for some dirtbiking.  Last time I was being a wuss and although I was not exactly McGrath this time either, I was a *little* more aggressive.  I owe that to just coming off the racetrack recently.  I am just getting used to the hp of my KX and I definitely have to be mindful of gripping the tank and frame with my legs and knees when hitting the throttle or it causes me to snap back, thus more [accidental] throttle. Not good! 

I’m honestly trying

It was a very nice temperature, but the surface was super dry and sandy and we had a TON of dustdevils.  I don’t know how the skydivers were able to jump next door because it was gusty, not consistent and dustdevils collapse canopies.  Plus when they come across the grass, you can’t really see them, you can only feel them once you are over them and then it can be too late. But this post isn’t about skydiving, it’s about dirtbike riding…

One heckuva dustdevil

The park was pretty busy, well for a park that is no longer open.  The track is getting a little bumpy without the maintenance. Not one person wore full, proper gear except for us. Not one. Some of these kids were wearing tennis shoes and no gloves.   Some wore a helmet and maybe a chest protector. If I were the parents of these children they’d be wearing neck and collar protectors, spine guards and would be wrapped in bubble wrap.  I don’t care how dorky it looks, full exoskeleton!!   No exceptions!  There were mostly quads, but there were a few little 50s on the track.  It is essentiallyy no man’s land with EZ-ups and no enforced rules.  Kind of a pain because the people next to us were jerks.  They kept doing donuts on their quads right next to our area and the dust was traveling over and engulfing us–even after asking one of them not to, the other would come over and do it.  It took everything in my being not to go do donuts on the west side of their area.

Think Pink!

We took turns riding because Shawn still does not have another dirtbike.  I must say he is a bit rough on my bike, but he’s the one who has to fix everything he breaks so, so be it. However, one of my fork seals is leaking and it’s getting pretty bad. Obviously my KX is being jumped sat the threshold of its ability, especially with the seal leak.  It’s no secret I wish I had the ovaries to jump even as high as Shawn is, but I am afraid of going over the bars somehow.  But I am getting better.  I used to bury the poor forks on my TTR with no fear andmany times outride the bike but the KX is a different animal. It will ride right over me if I let it.

You break, you buy, Mister!

Posting this is worth the flack I will receive for it, lol.

AKA My Day In Level 1

FastrackRiders put on a trackday event June 7th and 8th on the infield course (1.7 miles) in Fontana.  Please note that the infield course map on Autoclub’s website is actually different than what Fastrack ran.  The configuration that we ran was actually tons more fun and more technical! I added a modified map to show you the course we rode. So while some of you naysayers (I won’t say who) who thought this was going to be a Mickey Mouse course, you clearly have no idea what you’re talking about.  This infield course was technical and challenging and was quite a work out.  Plus since the length afforded so many laps you could improve upon the entries, apexes and the drives out of some pretty tricky turns without having to spend significant time riding down very long straights, which really doesn’t require much skill IMHO.  Now don’t get me wrong, Autoclub is my home track and there is definitely a level of comfortability that you have when riding a configuration you know like the back of your hand.  But the infield was a nonstop, stay-on-your-toes experience.  Even the fast guys had a difficult time passing each other until certain areas of the track.   Plus it has been a few years since this configuration has been offered, no one had the advantage of memory by repetition.  Everyone was challenged! 

I worked in registration, helping other riders get their required paperwork in order until the 12:40 session when I was allowed to go out.  The day was great with no major problems at all. Everyone was safe and had a lot of fun

That being said, since I worked half the day in registration I didn’t get on the track until everyone was up to speed.  Since I did not know the configuration, and a few people almost took the usual line out of what is normally T16 instead of the new one, it was suggested to me that I go out with the level 1 riders for a site lap.   This way I could do a site lap or two without worrying about someone coming up on me and both of us having a really bad day.  I had no objection to this as it was very sound advice–safety is always paramount to me.  

And am I ever glad I did!  Even after studying the infield track map, I really had to take my time and get used to it in my first session.  The T5 – 8 configuration was intimidating to me at first but was my favorite by the end of the day.  If you are accustomed to riding the AMA track layout, T12  is T1 on the infield course.  So when you’re coming out of the usual (AMA) T16, you’d better pay attention because on the infield course it becomes a sharp, fun flick to the right (infield T6).   If anyone knows me, I don’t prefer to go all the way out to the edge of the track, lol.  But I made it a point to do so and as I could see by the darkies all over the place, this was the place to be. Oh yes, perfect apex, perfect exit and perfect set up for the next turn.  It was glorious.

My wrist held up this time and I was very mindful to keep my arms neutral.  The few quick flicks-slash-chicanes on the backside definitely needed countersteering.  Right before the seam before T10 I had to get off the brakes to keep the majority of the weight off the front so the seam wouldn’t disrupt the tire.  For me personally, I felt that braking after the seam was a little late if I kept it pinned until after so I would brake enough before it and then speed up through it, as long as the compression was nominal on the forks, it was smooth.  I was suffering on what is normally T8-9 (STILL!), but more so because with the infield configuration this section is now longer before you turn in.  It threw off what my mind and body remembered as how long I should be in that section before turning in.  I kept slowing down far too early and then realized I was practically parked by the time I had to turn in.  Most of the track seemed to be more about flicks than true knee dragging (that I can’t seem to do since my rearsets anyway) but there were definitely areas that it could have occurred in.  I used to drag a knee in T13 on the AMA course all the time, and since getting the rearsets I have been unable to do it even once.  I am too afraid to lower them again since the peg grinds and I don’t want to risk an upset.  I still don’t want to cut the end off either as I like having that amount of peg.  I really need to figure it out.

The weather report said it was going to be 81F and mostly sunny but the marine layer was relentless until noon where it turned into mostly cloudy.  My smoke shield did not afford proper vision so I put on my ugly orange one.  Perfect. Kinda clashes with pink though, but whatever it helped with visibility. I also have to say it was very difficult pitting for myself after being so spoiled.  Shawn had to work and couldn’t make it so I definitely had some challenges.  Thank God for the help of my corworkers and others or unloading would have been a nightmare, and I had help with the rear stand a few times.  Very thankful because my bike’s balance seems weird compared to other bikes, I’ll admit it’s not that great.  Shawn suggested I bring one of my jacks next time for a peg so I can have stability while putting my bike on the rear stand. 

Side note on tire pressures: I had forgotten my notes which were sitting on my desk, a lot of help they were there when I was trying to determine tire pressures as I recently switched Pirelli Superbike Slicks after riding on Dunlops for a year and a half.  Due to some incorrect advice I got at the track, (could not find anything online while at the track for NON-Pro slicks myself either), I ran with 31/26.  I noticed a little rear flattening in the pics after I got home but honestly it ran fine at those speeds.  Also when I got home I looked at my notes from 5/21 and Shawn had me running 32/30 Hot/Out in the morning because I wasn’t keeping enough temp on the track.  Then we adjusted to 31/28 at end of the day which I either sustained or increased temp by about 1 psi.  I have to say I much prefer 31F/26R at least for this config. because the drives aren’t as considerable onto the back straight due to the cone chicane where I usually power wheelie and get carcass flex and also the lack of the drive off the last turn onto the front straight.  I was hitting the rev limiter in third on the back straight with no flex on acceleration (I eventually moved up to 4th) which I find odd considering there was less pressure.   I cannot say that I noticed a true difference in grip, only because I probably wasn’t running as fast as I usually do because of lack of familiarity and the fact that this course is obviously slower due to its layout.  I will have to wait until July (if I ride) to determine the difference on the same AMA course at these different pressures. Although  I called Pirelli to confirm recommended pressures once I got home and a very unenthused, very unfriendly male called me back and advised 32/28 Hot.  Thank you, grouchy, I’ll figure it out myself.  It actually was almost a big enough turn off to go back to Dunlops regardless of the difference in cost.  If you don’t appreciate your customers, well you shouldn’t be working there.  I’d be happy to take your job.   However, everyone can have a bad day and I am sure this one person isn’t a reflection upon Pirelli’s level of customer service. Besides, the cost is a considerable difference, lol.

One of my favorite little quick flicks on this layout

The day just got progressively better as the layout became more and more familiar to me.  Although I decided to stay in Level 1 (slow group) because A. I didn’t feel like taking a break to go get my Level 2 sticker, B. They were pretty much maxed out in Level 2, hence, C. it was practically empty with the occasional wait and shoot past a slower rider.   I’d lap them again and again (little bit of bragging but not really deserved since I am a full level above them).  When I passed them the speed difference was like when I am passed by someone in level 3, but I passed safely and gave them wide berth. Okay, okay so I was sandbagging a bit, but being on a near empty track toward the end of the day (people had to leave early due to it being midweek or moved up to Level 2) was fun and allowed me to work on my entries.  It was safe for me as well because the track is so open and there were no guys getting upset for riding next to pink   This track in general is great because there is nothing to block your view like at Big Willow up by the clubhouse where I have almost rearended a slower rider before.  At either config at ACS, you can see well in advance before coming up on someone.  Anyway, I just respected their space and wanted them to have fun and not ever be spooked so I just kept to myself.   Granted there are a few corners I got caught behind some slower riders and was one handing it to take a break but hey, this isn’t a race and there was no pressure from the peanut galley to ride ovaries to the wall. 

There were two other guys were were waaaay faster than I was and my times are right at the threshold of level 3, so they were definitely sandbagging.  But they were safe, passed cleanly and respected slower riders.  And they made me work for it.  They would zoom past, always dicing with one another and then it would cause me to go faster.  Once I stepped it up they only very slightly would start to pull away after a while. But then they got me in two of the corners and I had no way of catching up.  That definitely made me realize I was NOT riding as fast as I could have so it reminded me that although an open track is fun, having someone to challenge you improves your skills.  In hindsight I am conflicted as I should have moved up, but I really did have a good time.  No performance pressure allowed me to have that “Trackday Face” again! (permagrin)

Funny story.  So I had this guy come over to me in the garage who was apparently sent by his friends to ask why I had tire warmers, slicks and WERA stickers if I just had a Level 1 sticker.  Okay, other than saving my tires from heat cycles, I had to explain why I was in Level 1.  I suppose they thought it was ridiculous that I was measuring fuel (for ACS I like to add 3 L of fuel before each session) and was all racebiked out (granted, as much as an ’06 practlcally bone-stock CBR can be raced out, haha!) with my Level 1 sticker claiming my slowness.  He asked what my times were and I said I didn’t know as I declined a transponder that day–a couple of us FTR people weren’t using the FTR transponders.  I regretted not having times to boast about at the time.  However I need to remember that I have nothing to prove.  It doesn’t matter, I was there to have fun and fun I had.

I did have a couple issues.  The rear stepped out once early on and I had another throttle stick issue again.  It turned out my bar end was mashed into the grip again.  It must have happened during loading or unloading. Before the turn I simply pulled it out some, backed off the throttle and then threw it in.  I didn’t have a problem all day after that.    I need to somehow fix it but it won’t unscrew, I may have to replace my actual handlebar instead. Oh and I hit the brakes so hard before the usual T12 that my rear was floating and wagging all over the place. I don’t consider it a problem I guess, more just like something I don’t normally experience.  The front was a little bumpy until the suspension warmed up but no real carcass flexing this time.

All in all I had 5 sessions with numerous laps due to the length of the track. 

I am happy to say that all of the mountainbiking I have been doing lately has really paid off. I never got tired once.  My legs never got fatigued either.  I hated biking at first but lately I have been really enjoying it.  I just throw on my iPod, listen to some Combichrist and take off.  The benefit I now notice on the track is more than enough incentive to hit the trails even when I don’t really want to.

I received a package today care of my good friend, Em Alicia (MissBusa) and to my surprise it was the Pink MagOGrip Wristband that I really wanted!  The MagOGrip actually has some pretty great sticking power and it’s cute, too!  For those of you who like pink, or if you know a lady rider / mechanic who loves pink, this makes a great gift

Many thanks to you, Em You are awesome!

I love this photo!

MotoRace Reports highlights another fellow female trackday junkie this week… my good friend and favorite BMW racer, Em Alicia!  Check it out!

http://www.motoracereports.com/8773/track-tuesday-em-alicia.html

Well, I know it has been awhile but Shawn finally dragged me out of the house and into the dirt again.  We’ve both been so busy working , we’ve had almost no time to play whatsoever.   Another reason is that he had sold his last dirtbike ( XR100) a while back so I let him use my own (which has better suspension anyway) to hit some jumps and berms to get in a little slide time before Road America this weekend.  

And lo and behold I rode like a grandma in the beginning and I actually had adrenaline coursing through my veins out of *gasp* a little fear of going over the handlebars on landing.  What the heck has happened to me?  Have I turned into a big wuss!!   I have been so chained to my desk I haven’t been doing much of anything at all.  Of course, if he had another dirtbike we would have made time.  So I had to ease back into it.  I am still not incredibly used to the power of a 2 stroke so I putted around for a bit.  I had longed for my TTR so I could so I could just nail it, as I was not really afraid of crashing my TTR since I clearly have much experience in that department.  It must be psychological.

So I pass it over to him and he takes off.  And I cannot watch.  I have even worse anxiety.  I realize that stupid injuries happen most often in the dirt which keeps people from ever making it to the races.  He reluctantly listens to me and takes it easy  as I watch from afar drinking my Monster.  Yeah, that’s exactly what I need, caffeine to add to the overexcitement and nervousness.  Woo hoo!  Go with what ya know.

I got back on it and was going a bit faster and was jumping a bit higher but I was still apprehensive about the landings, jeez the KX has some torque compared to my TTR.  The rear is stepping out all over the place, I am steering into it and keeping on the throttle to keep it upright.  Wait it out….Nice! 

 I come back in and hand it over to Shawn who takes off.  I notice the wind suddenly picks up and I am being pelted by sand from behind.  At this point Shawn is mid-berm preparing to pin it for the front jump that I am sitting in front of.  I later found out that he sees the problem before I realize what is going on and decides to hit the jump anyway.  I then realize we are in a HUMONGOUS dust devil!  The dust devil engulfs the jump where Shawn is now cresting in midair and I am wishing I had the video rolling or camera ready at this point.  But I am trying to watch the expected carnage while covering the opening of my Monster and shielding myself from the sand at the same time.  He is literally in the vortex while airborne and it pushes him over a few feet in the air and he lands, unscathed, and continues to the next turn. 

By this time I am laughing my boots off and I can’t believe what just happened.  As I spit sand out of my mouth, I wonder to myself how many times this has happened to people.  Dust devils have always amazed me, just as tornadoes do but I’d rather not be anywhere near one of those.  But dust devils are so much safer and still leave me in wonderment.  He eventually exited the track and I start laughing again and asked how that felt.  He said he was surprised the dust devil carried him over that far.  He said when it engulfed him all he saw was sand but knew about when to turn in for the next berm.  All I can say is, better you than me, babe! 

I got back on the bike and increased my times and jumps and I was happy with the re-familiarization.  I took a break and watched him slide around up until he lost the rear and crashed.  Thereby breaking the screw holding my pipe to the frame.  Thereby causing a crack in the pipe where it connects to the can.  Yay.  He picks it up and we both have no idea that it’s broken at this point but my bike sounds funny so he eventually pull  off.  *I know what you’re going to be fixing tonight* I think to myself.

Anyway, I really miss riding the trails and ridges.  It is so much more fun to ride next to one another rather than trading off and sharing.  So I hope we come across another bike soon.  In the meantime, I am looking forward to my trackday at ACS Wednesday, with the ever awesome FastrackRiders.

Although I usually ride on my birthday (which was Sunday) I switched with one of the other registration girls whose birthday was also on May 22.  I was going to be at the racetrack both days anyway so she might as well get out and have some fun away from the smell of exhaust,  race fuel and trackfood–which I find palatable–on her own birthday.   I am thankful to be able to ride AT ALL so I was game.  I’m so glad we switched!   The weather was perfect!

We got there at about 7 AM and looked for a garage space.   We wound up pitting near the fast kids: Lex and Heeney at the far end.   We shared the garage space with three bikes and I was thankful for the hospitality as the guy next to us decided to take an entire space to himself, including a playplace for his kid to play.  I didn’t want my bike anywhere near that.  I think I am going to pit on the end from now on, nice and quiet.  Shawn and I set up the pit area and then took off to the meeting at 8 AM.  David Pyles (the owner, my boss) was giving the meeting that day so this was a change.  It reminded me of a pep/strategy talk to a race team and I rather enjoyed it.  Not to say Dave Shaverdi’s is bad

Shawn took my bike to tech.  I still had my race Dunlops on the bike, a DOT rear with barely any tread on the right side and a DOT front with some life left in it, which I did not want to waste.  I needed it for my next event.   Tires aren’t cheap, ya know!  So, Shawn took off the wheels and we brought them to Dale to replace with my pretty darn old Pirelli slick rear.  I was really not happy about using Pirellis because of the carcass flex but more so because that rear was a year and a half old,  has been heat cycled several times and has sitting around in my garage ever since Buttonwillow in Feb of 2010.   Shawn had found me a front take off at Willow so at least I had rubber to ride on.   Now, I haven’t been on Pirellis since Button so this was gonna be interesting.  Yay!  Suspension Party!  Bleh.

So, he got them back on the bike, made some adjustments, but not too many. I skipped the first session as usual (let everyone else clean the track, lol), plus the tires weren’t warm yet (my front warmer is not working properly it seems).  I wasn’t going to go be stupid on cold slicks on a cool, damp morning.   We used the extra time for Shawn to get the data acq set up and I spent my time really doing nothing more than stretching and putting a few decals on my newly painted bellypan.  I looked like a complete rookie with probably 4 stickers, collectively.  No WERA decals or anything,  I still had Dunlop decals on the front fender, yet I was running Pirellis.  It was comical.  Whatever.  I also forgot to safety wire one caliper because apparently I thought I was on the Buell.  Sure, it was tight, RTVed, etc. But I forgot which is bad in itself.  Shawn didn’t think it was necessary at all to wire for a trackday but I am anal about it usually. The front was not getting warm enough so we fiddle with it and make sure to turn it up to high.  Well, now it is working enough.  It was almost time to go out and I reminded myself to take it easy, the tires were going to be greasy. 

Session 1
I go out late and get my half lap and 1 complete transponder lap, just enough to check the settings and clean the tires.  I am NOT thrilled.  I am not accustomed to the flex and it was driving me crazy.  We were only slightly higher than the recommended psi and I realize I cannot go up anymore or I will sacrifice grip.  And the grip wasn’t that great as it was.  The suspension was cold and was acting funky.  My only complete lap, not up to speed or temp, is a 2:00.57.  Painful, but calculated.  I came back in , we put them back on the warmers, I describe what was going on out there and Shawn makes some changes.  I want my Dunlops.

10:36:05.6 1 2:00.570 70.764

Session 2: The Pink Carrot
I go back out and start out slow for a few laps to test the changes and grip.  That is, until I see pink.  It’s Sheila Sinapi in front of me on her R6.  YAY!   So I chase her around.  My suspension is still not warm and the wag in the rear every time I get a drive out of an exit or pin it on the beginning of a straight is annoying as hell  Tough.  Get used to it, I think to myself.  I follow her around for a lap and a half and I just can’t seem to get around her.  So close, yet so far.  So I take note of the points where I feel I have a chance and I wait.  In the mean time, I am on her butt on the front straight and I go to hit the front brake before T1 and my bike is not really stopping.  It is surging!  My throttle seems stuck so I consciously back it off manually.  I am really close to her rear tire and I think for a second to blow T1 so as not to have a really bad day but the rumble strip is right in my way.  I’m not in the mood for a launch or a possible blowout and I see that my engine braking is enough and she is now exiting out of T1 so we are good.  I pin it in the T2 sweeper because that little brake issue sets me back.  I catch up, pass her in the entry to T3, she passes me back in T 5/6 (one of my weak areas) and then we both get stuck behind a slow bike.  We pass the bike and are now battling for entry into 8 / 9.  I hit the dip in the apex of 9 and I lose the rear, I think Oh Crap!!  But at this time I am in front and am not going to give up.  The rear steps out, I slowly back off the throttle and stand up the bike and drive out onto the back straight with no hesitation.  We pretty much go back and forth and have our little fun.  Eventually I just put my head down and keep going until the checker.   I wait and see Sheila behind me as we’re exiting the track, but she doesn’t slow down.  I was going to do the woo-hoo-fist-tap-that-was-awesome motion but she passes me and exits off pitrow and I don’t see her again all day.

11:24:47.1 1 1:57.431 72.655
11:26:43.0 2 1:55.916 73.605
11:28:35.2 3 1:52.166 76.066
11:30:26.4 4 1:51.176 76.743
11:32:15.8 5 1:49.411 77.981
11:34:05.8 6 1:50.080 77.507
11:35:57.2 7 1:51.353 76.621

When I get back to the garage I see that Shawn is talking to some guy and I’m disappointed because he didn’t get to see any of that.  He admits he is glad that he didn’t.  We check the times on Fastrack’s site (times are now uploaded almost immediately after each session s that anyone can use a smartphone without the long trek to registration).  I see that I have turned my personal best at ACS, a 49.411!!  I am thrilled.  Shawn is thrilled and not thrilled simultaneously.  It’s like he wants me to go faster but he doesn’t because he doesn’t want anything to happen.  We check the Data Acq time and it is showing 2/10s faster, but we go with the FTR transponders.  I tell him about Sheila and I and I had the whole woo hoo trackday face going.  I know she is faster than I am (her times are pretty consistent and she dips into the 48s 49s a few times that day, yes, I stalked her times hehe).  But she pushes me to do better and I can learn from her so I enjoyed riding near her.  I wish I could have thanked her.

 I tell him about the stuck throttle and he sees my grip is slipping again so he safety wires it.  We make some more changes, lower the pressures and I go out. 

Session 3
The flex is typical but I get used to it.  My wrist really starts to hurt in the beginning of the session.  I make a mental note to remember not to use the clutch for the upshifts, I always forget I can do that.  I remember on the front and back straights but around the infield I forget.  I am really stiff on the bike (that and old injuries) and I feel as though I can barely pull in the clutch anymore   It is really affecting my times as it is taking considerable effort to downshift.  I am pulling in the clutch all the way instead of only partially for downshifts.  Mental note: adjust clutch lever.

12:26:29.1 1 1:53.095 75.441
12:28:23.3 2 1:54.141 74.750
12:30:19.3 3 1:56.036 73.529
12:32:13.1 4 1:53.790 74.980
12:34:05.1 5 1:51.962 76.204
12:35:58.0 6 1:52.911 75.564

I come in and see my times and I am floored. OMG.  Am I really going this slow???  Although the bike is acting better, I am not.  I go on a search for Advil with no luck.  Shawn adjusted my levers.  He changed the clutch depth and brake lever height just in case I am putting pressure on the throttle when squeezing the front brake (which I am).  He reminds me that I only have to pull in my clutch for downshifts just partway. 

I go back out and my braking, blipping is extremely jerky, basically causing the front to dive TWICE on the fast entries after the straights.  My wrists are shot.  The suspension is actually pretty good, the wag is no problem.  But I literally cannot pull the clutch in anymore.   I cut my session short and am off to look for Advil again.  Lex’s dad gave me some Advil and I am forever grateful.   I took a break and did some wrist therapy exercises and mulled over the data.  My entries and drives were horrid. 

Looking back at the pics from the 1:20 session, it seems as though I am either towing another bike or riding someone two-up.  It turned out to be Ian, who finally got around me on the outside before T7.  Then I pulled off after only 5 short minutes on the track, my wrist could not take it anymore.

13:30:13.0 1 1:55.519 73.858
13:32:08.5 2 1:55.504 73.868
13:34:01.7 3 1:53.203 75.369
13:35:55.2 4 1:53.510 75.165

We decided to take a lunch break and let the Advil kick in.  I am feeling sluggish and am desperately in need of a Monster.  We got back to the track in time for another session, the last transponder session of the day.    I can’t break a :50 to save my life.  The Advil hasn’t touched the scope of the discomfort.  I am bummed and am thinking about packing it up.   My next session times were equally as poor and I am *this* close to calling it a day and not go for the last session of the day.

15:26:47.4 1 1:55.616 73.796
15:28:41.4 2 1:54.010 74.836
15:30:34.9 3 1:53.545 75.142
15:32:27.6 4 1:52.655 75.736
15:34:19.1 5 1:51.492 76.526 
***Transponder Turned In***

Of course I was hard on myself,   Shawn wanting to make a few adjustments so he wanted me to try them out.  Why not.  I wasn’t expecting much since it was clearly the rider’s problem, not the bike.  So I went out for my last run.

And then I find another carrot (I wish I knew who it was, I know it was a guy on an R6).  Wrist?  What wrist??  We don’t need no stinkin wrists!  We diced back and forth all session, it was so much fun.  Here comes the checker and I stay in front for the last lap. YAY!  He catches up as we pull off the track and I get the thumb’s up.  YAY again!  It’s good to have fun with no attitude because we’re really are out there to have just that, fun.  Everything was smooth, too.  I never lost grip once and the flex wasn’t as noticeable, or I was used to it by now, or the suspension was sufficiently warm (or all three).  What a great session!!!    I even start considering running Pirelli’s again.  After all, they are not as expensive haha!

I go back to the garage and my left wrist is shaking from fatigue when trying to pull the clutch in to take it out of gear.  Shawn was smiling and said he had enjoyed watching the show.  He takes the bike to back it in the garage and I can barely unbuckle my helmet.  He said he can’t wait to see the data, I am expecting MAYBE a :50.2 and didn’t really care.  He looked at the data and tells me I did my best time of day and personal best at ACS. :48.99.  I tell him he’s lying, lol.  I have FINALLY made it to the :48s, granted by a hair!   I then remembered that the GPS is 2/10ths off from the FTR transponder and I decide to say who cares, I’ll take it!  2 Seconds is a great B-day present. 

Conclusions, I am comfortable once again on Pirellis, Shawn is a suspension genius, and I need the proverbial carrot to go faster lol.   Oh yeah, and I must strengthen my wrist or begin physical therapy. Again.  This is the worst it has ever been since I was 20 years old.  For a few days afterwards I couldn’t even hold a pot or coffee cup without cramping or almost dropping it.  It is getting better, however.

Next trackday? June 8th!

June 7th & 8th (Tuesday & Wednesday) Auto Club Speedway AMA Infield Track (LEVEL 2 SOLD OUT for June 8th)

Auto Club Speedway’s Infield Road Course is a nice flowing 1.7 mile seventeen turn track that is fun and challenging. Level I allows passing only on the straights, Level II allows passing on the outside in any corner, and Level III has no passing restrictions. Garages are available for the first seventy five riders. In Level I and Level II the straight away ends at the second set of braking cones. Novice Rider School Students ride with Level I riders. Six foot passing rule is always in force. This is really a fun track. It’s not long but very flowing and it is challenging which really helps a rider develop their technical skills. The track has been reconfigured for 2007 for better flow and safety. Groups will be limited to 25 riders. Fastrack riders runs through lunch so each rider gets eight twenty minute sessions on the track minus any lost time to incidents. Fastrack hires extra corner workers so all get a one hour break. We operate out of Garage 3 and the first 75 to 80 riders have garages to use. Auto Club Speedway has the finest Fire & Safety Crews around and pick up crashes promptly so less time is lost in the event of a crash. Two ALS ambulances on site so no lost time in the event of a transport and yes, always a full contingency of corner workers. 10 Freeway to the Cherry Avenue exit which is about three miles east of the 15 freeway coming out of Los Angeles. Turn North on Cherry and the Speedway is about four blocks down on the left. 

Autoclub Speedway (Fontana) Track Map (Interior)

Register For June 7th Now!

Register For June 8th Now!