jodypresti

Elton can't be missed. He is the guy in the Ducati leathers that wears Thunderbolt like a Hula skirt. Can't wait to see you out there!

Super jealous E. Now that is planning! Going to be a great 2010.

Likewise! Safe and Happy New Year to all. Looking forward to a fantastic 2010!

I hope this improves the competitive balance for the independent teams with cost issues. Can't come soon enough.

Harry you are going to have a great time at Thunderbolt. It is my favorite track and I have been to more than a few. Do you have specific goals to improve with your riding?

Harry, congrats on your decision. Your going to have a great time and really improve your riding with CSS. Is this your first time on the track?

Met some great folks in Vegas. A great camp for sure!

Here is a neat little video on the new BMW. Wait, I know that guy!

I agree with Kevin and am super impressed with the Q2. Magazine reviews are spot on for a hybrid tire. The rate offered to school students is a great deal as well.

You literally blew him away! Going to have to get some of those ceramic pucks. Your killing the A*'s lately. Viva Las Vegas.

Hi Sleeper. Will be there. Be sure to say hi! Jody

will do Cobie, thanks

How did it work out? Cf Getting better. Practicing my hook turn is the best way for me to evaluate the position of the helmet. What I thought was a good view was not so much during this technique. A bit larger piece of foam this weekend should do the trick. I'll get a second opinion when in Vegas for the two day camp.

In my life long quest to be more like Pete, I purchased a KBC to replace the Shoei. I did the same and installed a small foam pad on the top to improve my view up the course.

You can't go wrong with the two day camp... The techniques learned will be beneficial on either / all tracks. Let us know which you decide upon and your thoughts post.

I would never call myself courageous with a motorcycle, race car or other item which is inately better than my skill level. So, in short I need skill. With learned skills I have become a better rider and will continue to improve. Stoney and Pete really helped me this summer improve by understanding of what I thought was impossible was achievable in the next session. I didn't have to muster courage in knowing that the skills I am learning guided the proper way to achieve the task. I may learn slowly with this tact but I'll always be confident through the next corner. I still have a long way to go and its the skill that will get me there. Skill is never wrong, courage can lead to disaster.

My new desktop image. That is fantastic!

I'm a pretty quick reflexed guy and although I don't remember the crash (or much else from that day) I am pretty certain that his closing speed didn't allow an opportunity to accomodate him in the corner. While he hasn't spoken on the matter the rumor amongst those in the paddock was that he had a head shake coming out of the prior corner and had zero pressure in the front brake. Three pumps with nothing there. I feel this is plausible given the disparate level of speed compared to the pack into the corner. I may have backed off too much given the conditions and didn't leave him a place to go. However, I would have preferred that he take it into the grass or low side the bike if he had no brakes. Would have saved me a lot of pain and a long period of recovery and rebuilding my bike. C'est la vie. At the track anything can happen. Let's close the thread and get back to riding smart and safely.

Wow, now that would be a school I would attend. Flying. Hope everyone is safe and sound after a great track day!

Have a great time, wish I was there!

Thanks for the replies. He did come to the hospital and wished me well. No offer to pay for my medical bills, bike and gear damages. And, no phone call or e-mail since the incident to follow-up. A real gent eh? We were riding in the I group. I have been bumped to advanced with the other orgs that I ride with and can attest that it is a safer environment up the ladder. At a minimum you can trust your fellow rider, or should be able to. This was my first time at VIR and this was the south course. It had started to rain so I think all of us were backing off a bit. The rider who with the camera told me were traveling between 70-80mph so I can assume the other rider was going closer to 100mph or more. I have watched film from other folks that carry similar speed in that corner albeit in much safer conditions and nearing race pace. Good news is that I'm healing just fine but it will be awhile before I can get back on a bike. Thanks again for your thoughts and I concur that the only place to make that pass is on the outside. Wrong place, wrong time for me.

I have been lucky enough to do six days with CSS this year and each one has greatly improved my riding. I had an incident last weekend and would like to offer a question to the group. The rider in this clip carried way too much speed into the corner (in my opinion) and left me with some significant injuries and a badly wrecked track bike. Several folks have confirmed that this is a bad pass, needless to say. That part isn't up for debate. My question is what could this rider have done to keep from ending my season? I didn't see it coming and don't remember the wreck fortunately. Another bike's camera did catch the most important part. Upon coming home I have to soberly ask myself if there is anything he could have done to avoid hitting me or anything I could have done differently? I felt that my approach was appropriate although I didn't fully execute a quick turn. Considering his speed, do you feel he could have made the corner without taking me out? To properly setup the clip it was raining mildly and this was the second or third lap of a morning session. Roll the tape... I'll close reminding folks that track days are not races. Be considerate and ride safe!

This is a great thread. I too run warmers and have not noticed an appreciable difference in tire life. At most track days by the time I get the warmers off and roll down pit lane the wait for the session to begin must cool the tires down. I haven't changed my first lap riding in that I am cautious making sure the tires have a good lap or so (summer heat on the east coast helps this) before approaching full lean angle. I just completed four days with CSS and didn't see the coaches running warmers. However, they are doing 2-3 times the amount of track time and save for lunch, I can probably assume that the tires never really cycle.

Beer and motorcycles. The end is near!

Jaybird there is plenty of time left in the season. Your local, come join us for a day at NJMP!