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March 18 and 19, 2006  |
 Racing
in Florida. It was my first ride on a different track (as
I have been a loyal Loudon racer...) sometimes I found myself "looking"
for the same experience as Loudon, or at least to apply what I've learned
at Loudon to this track. Like T1 was similar.. everything else was
different.
SATURDAY: I signed for practice (they have all day practice, no race). Six sessions of 20 minutes each (9 to 10 laps). I had to sign up for ONE race on Sunday in order to practice on Saturday. + As I finished preparing the bike, I went for inspection.. they put the bike on a lift and they check everything... inspection took a while... a long line... + No generator, no electricity, no tire warmers. So I left the bike under the sun for some warm(er) tires (It reminded of racer team mate Chris Huff's system at Loudon). + I needed to find a generator for the race on Sunday, so I would have my tire-warmers working. + I spoke with few riders nearby and they promptly offered help... Speedbike credentials seemed good... :-) So I saw the opportunity to get a generator for my tire warmers for Sunday race... |
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Next get ready for first lap.
I waited for someone to come ahead of me and goes out to the track in front of me, so I could follow a local guy and at least figure out where to pit out and where to go. + I waited at the pit out area.. and waited and waited.. .no one comes.. I go by myself... pit out... and start to figure out the turns... + First session. Figuring out the track... no walls like Loudon, but I could not figure out some turns, some started wide and got tighter and tighter and the exit of the track kind of narrower... I figured, it was just me.. more laps I will figure it out. + Three chicanes to slow down the bikes, two on the back straight and one in the middle of the front straight, I was working too hard on the brakes.. arms pumped... and I knew I was lazy... my hands were tired quickly... |
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Six sessions, near 60 laps under 86 degrees sun!! I got better...
doing 10 seconds faster than my very first lap, but still about 3 to 4
seconds slower than local guys.
I was very tired.. packed
up and went home.
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| SUNDAY
- RACE DAY:
+ Sunday Morning: 7:00 am at the track, 8:00 am practice, 9:30 am start GT races (9 laps) and 12:00 noon Sprint races (6 laps). + One (1) practice session. I improved my lap time one second and all laps consistent (probably doing the same right AND wrong things...). PS: the track does not have transponder or any type of recording device for the laps... You either use a lap timer or someone check your laps with a watch. + I check the fastest SV650 superbike lap... I was 12 seconds slower than the fastest SV650. I knew I needed to improve. + I checked the Local LightWeight bikes which would compete in my class (UL Superbike)... They were about 3 to 4 seconds faster.... I knew I had to improve !... + Time for racing.. I plugged my tire warmers to the generator of rider # 251... + I was a bit concerned about the start.. as just 5 guys signed up for ULSuperbike and there were two waves, for GP125's, ULSuperbike. It was not a big field like the regulars at Loudon, but I was in first row, so I need to do good on the start... + I see the two board, rev up !.. One board.. and I got a good launch... Turn One. I was in First !... Lost the position by the exit of the back chicane and decided to follow the local guy at some real race speed (not like it was in practice)...  + It was a 650 Hawk.. which open a decent gap as soon as we left the first chicane.. that was not so encouraging, his hawk was so much faster... and I was the only EX500 there... In any case, I said to myself... just have fun !... . |
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After the 650 hawk passed me, I could keep up with him for 2 laps, then
I did a pretty lone race.. by mid race I started to pass the amateurs back
markers, it got a bit more interesting - although it just made me lazier...
+ I finished 2nd in the race.. Got a Trophy... Well, I was not *exactly* fast, I know it, but I guess it was a decent race. + I haven't quite figured out the track, but now I got a good idea ! Next time I hope to do better.... + I understood that down here in Florida, EX500s' are not the hot thing... even my Superbike, but.. that's what I will race this year.. :-) The only EX500 in Expert Class... I am sure it will fun ! |
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Jack # 119 |
Mark # 142 (The other EX500 at Moroso) |
Riders Jack # 119 and Mark # 142 Thank you for helping out! |
Rider Andrew # 147 |
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Dave, Rider # 251 Thank you for helping with the Generator to power my tire-warmers! |
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