Road Racing School St. Louis May 23rd 2010

We’ll the day finally arrived. Holly decided to go with me because she was worried I’d be too tired to make the trip back. She was more nervous than I was. She was freaking I’d fall off and get hurt.  LOL Thank goodness it didn’t happen. :)

We left Sat. afternoon and stayed at a hotel 15 minutes from the track. After a long night of no sleep (I was worried my bike would get jacked off the trailer) we got underway to the track at 6:30 am. We waited about 30 minutes before the track opened up. I had a minor problem with the trailer fender. It was so bumpy on the highway out there the fender came loose when it broke the mount. I just took the fender off before we headed home that day.

I checked in at registration and got all my track paperwork. I reported to school where we were introduced to our instructors. There were 3 of them. Nice guy’s. I got my bike thru tech inspection with no problems. I was very happy. This is a stressful time for anyone racing. You’re always worried they’ll find something wrong. I did loose 2 screws from the bottom of my frame. They must have come loose when I was out on the track. I did have some spares in my tool box, so I took care of that right away.

We were let out on the track for a 20 minute session to get a feel for the track. I have to admit it was a little scary with all the concrete walls and such. The did have air fences and hay bales but it was still pretty intimidating. I was very cautious going out the first time. We came back in after the session and the schooling started. They showed us the fast lines and how to get around safe. The second session I was going much faster! We went out several more times after the classroom sessions and honed in our newly found race lines. It was a TOTAL freaking blast! 

THE RACE AT THE END OF SCHOOL.

We got called out for the race at the end of the day. We all went out for our sighting lap. I was so excited about the start, I forgot to downshift my bike back into first gear. The green flagged dropped and I was in 3rd gear! Everyone blew past me URGH! I finally got it into first gear (seemed like it took forever) and I was dead last in the first corner! I worked my way up to 8th the second lap but then the race was red flagged. They asked us to come in and report to the classroom. Out of the 20 guy’s that started the class, 14 of us made it. Several crashed out but luckily no one got hurt.  I had so much fun I was still high on adrenaline Monday went I went back to work. 

First CCS race is June 19th at Gateway. I’m going to try and make that one. I still have to send my race application in and get my transponder. Hopefully I’ll have that all done before June 19th.

Here are some pics!

All Loaded Up

Gateway Int’l

 

Davey B

Gumball all scuffed up!

 

One of the guy’s that wadded up his bike. Notice the lack of a rear tail section. This was a nice Triumph.

April 24th 2010

It’s been awhile since I’ve been on. OK where do I start. I’m all set for the MCRA road racing school May 23rd. I sent my money in for school and I have my CCS membership fees ready. Once I get my RR cert I can join the CCS. I’m already a member of MCRA so I can do their club races in St. Louis. The race bike is all ready. Mike I’m hoping will come up before I go and tune and sink the carbs and do an exhaust reading. The bike is running great and should be lot’s of fun to ride. I have my first race right after I’m done with the school. I plan on doing as many races my money allows. Maybe 4 or 5 this year and hopefully I’ll have more $$$$ next year for a full season. I just want to get back in slowly because it’s been so long since I’ve raced. I don’t want to get hurt or wad my bike up. :) I’m taking the “Angry Fish” to the graphics shop today and get two stickers made for the fairing. This will be my team logo. Dedra made this for me a few years back. I love it! There will be more to come in the next few weeks.

Until such time……………………………………..More time………

Dee the future road racing star!

The ANGRY FISH

March 16th 2010

The little beast is pretty much done. Last thing to do is glass the belly pan and put a fresh battery in. I’m about ready to race now. I have to hit the Mt. Bike hard. I’ve got a few more pounds to loose. I’ll post more pictures of the fiberglass work in a few days.

Until such time…………………………..

March 15th 2010

Brought the wheels to Fox’s Yamaha to have them balanced. They didn’t need any weights! They were perfect! I got the front wheel on tonight and will do the back wheel tomorrow night. I have the chain soaking in penetrating oil to loosen up some stiff links.

It’s coming along nice. I have to buy a fiberglass kit and start on the belly pan this weekend. I hope to fire the motor up this weekend.

Until such time…………………………….More time…………..

March 13th 2010

Busy day out in the Man Cave. I started about 8:30 this morning after I saw Holly and Dedra off at 2:00 am. I’m so relieved they got to Mass OK.

First on the agenda was rebuilding the front forks. I drained the oil and added 20wt oil and put new fork seals in. I had to make a special tool to hold the lower emulator so I could take the forks apart.  

I removed the rear wheel to mount the new tire. As I put the newly pained wheel against it, I noticed the color was off just slightly. It bugged me.  I didn’t want the wheels to be different colors so I painted the rear wheel too.  Sometimes I can be nit picky. The tires are on and I will drop them off Monday to be static balanced. Then I’m done.

All that will be left to too is reassemble and fire the bike up!

Until such time………………………….

 

March 12th

The front wheel is DONE! all except getting it balanced. I hope to get that done tomorrow. Now the rear wheel!

Until such time……………….

March 11th 2010

The front wheel is painted and done. Tomorrow the gumball gets mounted. Then over to the shop for balancing. I need to make a wheel balancer soon. I’ll have to pay someone else this time to do it.

The rear wheel is next………………………………..