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jmccready

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About jmccready

  • Birthday 02/14/1965

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  • Gender
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    Alaska
  • Interests
    MotoGP, AMA roadracing, AMA flat trackers, ice racing in Alaska, fishing, pit bike racing, golf, hotrod musclecars, Porsche 911/Carrera

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  1. Hi Kevin and All, Well...... I was there Wed the 15th,and I had a fantastic time. From the moment I showed up at LS it was so exciting, full of anticipation and curiosity as to what would follow. Although, I do admit that the cool air was a bit unsettling, with my nose running down my face while lapping the track. I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. It's difficult to try and sum-up the overall experience, and personal growth I feel I achieved that day. From the very first class session, led by none-other than Keith himself, I was certain I'd made the right decision to travel from afar and attend this CSS. I think the specific order in which we were led from each classroom lesson, to application of those lessons during track time,that order allowed me to grow both my confidence and skill at a comfortable level, all day. I thank the entire CSS staff for there professionalism, patience, and superb leadership, both on and off the track. In the words of the great A Schwarzeneger........ " I'll be back ".
  2. If a rider has good throttle control, and doesn't add lean angle and throttle at the same time, he won't get surprised. He'll also (or she) find the limits of that tire, warm or cold, better or worse than some other tire, whatever it is. Street tires of today would have won races of some years ago (Keith has written about that). Sometimes you have to take a look at who is writing/giving a tire opinion. Fast racer, griping cause it's not as grippy as a "real" race tire--but he's still within 2-3 seconds of his best lap time? C So with better throttle control, I can feel the limits of the tire? How do you recommend dealing with the confidence issues? For example: I went out a few nights ago and metup at the hangout. We sat around for awhile and then all departed. Knowing it was cold out, I took it easy as one of the guys blasted by me. At the light, I cautioned him about the tarmac/tire/ambient temperature. His reply was, "I don't worry about that, I'm on ****" (same brand tire I'm on, different compound). Light turns green and away he went, hanging off around the tight DR turn, while I meandered about my cold tires. What does he know that I need to find out? Or is it the other way 'round? JB, So what's he know that you need to find out?........ Maybe he knows that specific ***** tire's threshold or grip, when the tires IS cold, and he is confident that the tire will hold, consistently, up to or close to that point. That certainly would be a confidence booster in my book . Do you know of said threshold? I believe we gain confidence thru personal, specific experiences that either reinforce our TRUST of grip........ or distrust of tires and equipment that are inconsistent, and difficult to "read". I'm not saying ride with no regard to safety, I'm saying SNEAK UP on it. Find the range of grip, at various temps. A mans gotta know his limitations ( and his tire's limitations, literally). Those limitations are different for all of us, in different situations where our individual strengths or weaknesses show thru. Are you more confident with your tires at certain temps? I don't believe in "throwing caution to the wind", but I do believe in pushing oneself, in measurable ways, to achieve a deeper understanding of the true ability of our eqiupment. Do you agree?
  3. Hey there, I'm sure I'm currently being labeled as a squid. I guess that's just part of working your way up the ranks. I always thought riding like a "squid" meant you were loose, and all over the track with no particular style. I could be wrong, I mean they never called me that...... (did they?) Anyway.Thanks for the great forum. For me it's the only forum I participate in. I 've recently "come aboard" and it's honestly some of the most meaningful rider/racer discussions I've ever come across ( besides ACTUALLY being in your leathers, in the pits on race day). I really mean what I'm saying . Thanks CSS. You guys are fantastic.
  4. MotoGP 4 is the greatest racing game ever. I have the PS3, and MotoGP '08 is only a LITTLE better than '07. Capcom really screwed up this franchise. I agree about PS2 MotoGP 4. That game has kept me thinking about roadracing thru the long....cold... Alaskan winters. I've spent many , many hours memorizing, and racing on all the GP tracks. Truth be told, I learned alot about my own short-comings. It really got me thinking about reading a track, breaking points, keeping my eyes up, and my heart rate down !! I've been playing that game ( Namco series ) since they had MotoGP 1. What a rush !!!!! Nothing beats the real thing, but this game tricks my eyes into thinking I'm really doing it. Silly, huh? Q: Can I convince myself to buy this, by telling myself that this is a training tool? Q: Will this game work on PS3 or any other platform (PC)?- I only own PC, but willing to buy new hardware depending on abovequestion JB, The answer is YES. My understanding is that all the PS2 games are compatable w/ PS3. You can probably get a used PS2 on Craigslist for under $100. I see them all the time for sale. Anyway, I think the silly game has made me alot more aware of what I need to spend my $10 on. IMHO
  5. Ron, I appreaciate you taking the time to share your experience. I'll be doing level 1 at Laguna Seca in two weeks, and I'm wondering just what to expect. You've painted a mental picture that relieves some of my anxiety. Thanks.
  6. The video of the track is very cool. Personally, I've never been on that track before, so any videos like that are a good learning tool. I'll be going to level 1 on the 15th, so I don't know if I'll get a chance to meet some of you. I've been reading this post with envy, since I was put on the waiting list a couple of weeks ago. Now I'm IN, and I'm not so green (with envy) anymore. I'm so excited it's almost child-like. It's a good thing the class is soon, or I don't know what I'd do. My brothers and I have been to LS numerous times over the years. But I've always been on the spectator side of the fence. Just last weekend my brothers (in-law) both had a track-day there, and they called me all jazzed-up about their day. I'm freakin' out...... Let's do it !! OK. How does this work again? Oh yeah....... 13 MORE DAYS
  7. I've been thinking about all the different pictures I see of guys hanging off, some with a twisted torso, some who look as though there shoulders and head are more "squared to the corner", but many different styles seem to appear when it comes to there specific "head" position. Even the picture at the top of this very page ( CSS banner) I see two guys on the right. The first guy (leading) with the maroon helmet has his head UP. The guy behind him has his head DOWN. The rider on the left side of the banner looks to have his CHIN glued to the gas cap. MAN, that's alot of variations in one banner....... Are they ALL doing it "right"? Do I just pick one and go with it? OK. I think the guy on the right, following, seems to have better form. But....... I'm a NOOBIE, and I can't be held resposible for my own decisions (yet). Isn't that part of being a "squid"? I was at a two-day "Fly-and-Ride" test event a few years ago, and had the opportunity to ride the inner track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the instructor told us to "lead with your head" when cornering. I've read other places where riders say your head should be where your mirrors would be. I'm so confused I think I'll just leave my head in my helmet bag when I saddle up! Please don't tell me to get my head out of my ***.
  8. I've spent the last couple of weeks getting familiar with this forum, and some of the terms being used are foreign to me. I don't expect to get the CSS training from this forum, although some insight to these terms wil be helpful to understanding what's being said. 1. What is the "two step" (not a country western dance move) 2. Will the quick flick be addressed in level 1 training 3. What IS addressed in the Level 1 training. Is it laid out somewhere in writing so I can see what the curriculum is I'm going to Level 1 in about two weeks, and I'm hoping to have some idea of what to expect. Any help ???
  9. MotoGP 4 is the greatest racing game ever. I have the PS3, and MotoGP '08 is only a LITTLE better than '07. Capcom really screwed up this franchise. I agree about PS2 MotoGP 4. That game has kept me thinking about roadracing thru the long....cold... Alaskan winters. I've spent many , many hours memorizing, and racing on all the GP tracks. Truth be told, I learned alot about my own short-comings. It really got me thinking about reading a track, breaking points, keeping my eyes up, and my heart rate down !! I've been playing that game ( Namco series ) since they had MotoGP 1. What a rush !!!!! Nothing beats the real thing, but this game tricks my eyes into thinking I'm really doing it. Silly, huh?
  10. Hello from Alaska, I'm so stoked to have gone from 15th on the waiting list, to now being a student for the April 15th CSS at Laguna Seca. I've had my fingers crossed for two weeks, hoping for the call, and now I'm in. WOW. I'll be attending the class with my brother-in-law and this is the first formal riding class for both of us. I'm a little nervous, and anxious, to see just what this CSS is all about. Honestly, I've only ridden on a track one other time. I've read the TOTW books, and a few others, but that's reading... not riding. I hope I can come away with a foundation I can build upon. I'll be doing trackdays on Thunderhill Raceway this summer, and I really need good training. Thanks CSS. See you at the track !!!!!!!
  11. Cobie, I have heard of the Tanacross track in Alaska. I've never been, but I've seen some pictures from the web. As you said, I think the track is on an old runway and they set out a red-cone track to race on. The track is somewhere approx. 5 hour drive from Anchorage, so I never have made it there. I have family in the Monterey Bay Area so my bike is stored there. I ride with my two brothers-in-law and we all hope to take the CSS together sometime. I'm on the waiting list for April's CSS at Laguna Seca, I didn't get my seat early enough, so I'll just have to wait and see if there are any cancellations. I just get down to the states a couple times a year, and I've already got my flight for July for the MotoGP, that's when I'll ride at Thunderhills for the first time. Last year's race was AWESOME! I wonder if Casey or Nicky will have anything new for Vale this year? Man, what a show.
  12. AB; JB is right - tape it over because it doesn't matter anyway. Kevin Fellas, thanks for your input. Honestly, I thought it was a silly question, but I feel strongly about NOT wanting to even care what my speed is, relative to my abilities as a new track rider. Thanks again.
  13. I'm looking for advice..... I haven't had any CSS training yet, although I plan to soon. I did spend a day riding on Las Vegas Motor Speedway during a comparison test/sales event a few years ago. I'm going to Thunderhills this summer for my first 2-day, trackdays experience. I've purchased an 04 GSXR 600 track bike I'll be riding for the first time, with fresh rubber, on an unfamiliar track. I'm concerned about my $10 !! My question is, should I tape over my speedometer to remove the temptation to look up at it? I think that on the track my ten dollars will be spent so quickly on all the other important things to concentrate on, I'm not sure I want to know how fast I might be going on any perticlar part of the track. Isn't perception, and confidence, and sense of speed more important than actual speed itself? Atleast as a beginner? I don't have a fear of speed. I just think I'll be better off if I just pay attention to RP's, BP, TC....... Any advice for a NOOBEE would be appreciated.
  14. hubbard_28, The fact that you knocked 12 seconds off your lap time has really got me thinking. I'm new to trackdays, and I'll be going to Thunderhills in July. One of my brothers-in-law rides a Ducati 848, and was on TH last season. He told me that during one lap, on the front straight, he looked up at his speedo and was doing 150+, and it scared him a little. I'm not afraid of speed, but I don't want to spend my $10 looking at the speedo while on the track for the first time. I was thinking of taping over my speedometer to keep me from fixating on it. I've read here, that it's more important to be smooth first, and that speed will come later. Do you think I'm doing the right thing by forcing myself to NOT see my speeds during these first trackdays?
  15. I would think that If you experience an unexpected slide you still might need to finish the corner, especially if the rear did not step out enough to line the bike up perfectly for the next section of track. Continuing to hang off would as you say not upset the bike and would allow you to finish the turn more easily. In the Pick Up drill we learn to push the bike up while still hanging off so your thinking is consistent to what I've been taught. Kevin Kevin, Thanks for your elaboration. I'm new to this sight and already I've learned so much more about the actual "art" of cornering than I ever would have expected. You guys at CSS, and your members have my vote. It's great to have found a sight with so much specific "nuts-and-bolts' of cornering.
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