Gorecki

You may have already answered your own question, as in, if you're thinking about it just do it. Last thing in the world you want crossing your thoughts on course at speed is 'is my back protector too old?'. I've never seen a replacement metric for these either. Would guess common sense comes into play if it’s physically worn (straps, buckles) or is any part of it made of any form of foam, soft or hardened. If it contains foam I’d replace it at least every 5 years like a helmet because that stuff breaks down after being exposed to elements, sweat...etc At the same time, no racing environments have a requirement, suits can be older than 5 years and be just fine (but usually don’t contain foam either). So, in summary, dunno.

^^^^ NICE!

Think you misinterpret. There's A LOT of 250 racing out that way. When it comes to racing it's about as cheap as it gets and as I understand it a boat load of fun! Expect to race AFM on one when I get back out west.

This ranks up there with the "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" quote from cover of the final version of the Whole Earth Catalogue (made famous by Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech in 2005). Kai Hey Gorecki, nice take on the RRW article; I thought it was a nice history of Keith's career and the school, but your perspective on it made me see it in a different light, thank you. Since we're talking about quotes, here's one from one of Keith's articles, that I really liked - it struck me as insightful and ABSOLUTELY TRUE: "Ignoring risk is a by-product of passion." It's handy when you have to defend your reasons for doing what you love to do. khp - Wow, associating what I said with yet another person I have much respect for will certainly be taken as a compliment. hotfoot - I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mr Code in the flesh (hopefully I will) but I just *get* he's a pretty cool dude and has earned it. One of these days I'll eventually get there.

I know Mr Code has been published in or written about many, many places. But I was totally thrilled to have the chance to read just a little more about him in this months RRW. Two important things I got from the read : 1. Passion and Perseverance trumps just about anything in life. Combined with Motivation, there isn’t much a person can’t do. 2. Gave me that much more support in doing 'this stuff' and other things being in my mid 40's. Some days I think I feel old and people like Keith remind me I'm not! I'm pretty sure Keith and JU have a VERY old relationship, but again was still really nice to see him featured.

^^^^^ Good stuff hotfoot!!

This rig looks like it would basically work but afraid there will be situatons it will snap like a twig! My experience has been, sometimes based on brand, heat cycles, age a bead can be soooo stubborn it can make a person seriously reconsider swapping out their own rubber. I had a Pirelli that was this sort of stubborn! First homegrown attempt was to use a few large C-clamps, trying to distribution the load I broke many small pieces of wood resulting in an attempt to use a few of these clamps close to each other directly, getting close, a clamp actually broke through the sidewall. Getting frustrated my final attempt was another homegrown method that worked after a couple tries. Look at the attached image, the bead FINALLY gave just as the rear wheels of the vehicle started to come off the ground! The vehicle used is a Hummer H3. Eventually I'm just going to pony up for a no-mar system.

Just stumbled into this and all I gotta say is Keith Code, you're one seriously cool dude! Now how can I get my hands on one of those CSS shirts man!!!

Ah, good to know! Granted the winter hasn't been particularly good to my waistline in general so there might be more than one reason for a snug suit! I went with the Knox because I've been completely content with their mits and got a really good price. Considered the Aegis too, eyeballed the ForceField as well as the A*. Seems like none of them in these price ranges are *bad*.

As I for this year picked up a *real* back protector as last year showed me first hand the foamy insert thing-a-ma-do-hicky didn't quite do that great of a job. It did some of the job but obviously didn't protect my lower back area as I was black/blue/yellow for a while. So, I picked up a Knox Contour Race that offers full back and even tailbone protection. Tiny bit concerned now on how well it'll fit inside the suit though. What you wearing (if anything) and why?

VERY NICE contrasting example of cause/effect! That's the sort of stuff gives people the ability to *see* the difference!

Depends, I think 66 is very nice but does lend to green track and cold tire conditions a bit. Overall, I'd take it!

Rockin the CSS sticker on the PB! Nice! Little envy over here, it's 34°F.

Sorry for the delay, I've been away. First I presume you got it was just a little tease. Your SV looks very naked to me as I'm not used to seeing them without one. A belly pan, case covers, frame protection and nuts amounts of safty wire are required by most racing org's I'm aware of here. I'm a little shocked you don't have a pan requirement. Here if you don't have one, you're not racing. Which makes complete sense as one bike tossing it's oil load onto the track can pretty much screw up an entire race day schedule. Interesting...

I do believe you be needing a bellypan!

Generally for street I'm a pointer, one finger on each lever. I'll sometimes clutch with more, but for braking, I rarely need more than one. On track, I'll often ride straight up with one on, brake with one or two. But in either case, I'm a pointing! I remember a while back I was getting my street ticket back and did an MSF one day thing because it was quick and easy. But those people (bless their hearts for their commitment) MADE ME use all four fingers and it drove me NUTS! Besides spending years riding offroad whipping a bike around and pretty much having to have at least two on and two off, in frustration I said to one of the instructors "Okay, I know this doesn't apply here today, but how the heck does a person expect to blip the throttle and brake at the same time like this?" I was allowed to handle the controls the way I desired for the remainder of the day with the understanding I was to keep my mouth shut about it.

Really glad you are for the most part "OK" and good spirited about it. I had my first highside a couple months ago (posted video in this thread previously) and still to this day don't remember any of it! I was out cold for a few minutes and don't remember anything until riding back to my pit in the ambulance and talking mid phrase. The not remembering I think has messed with my head more than anything. Can't fix what I did wrong if I can't remember it. Again, glad you're okay, get the bike fixed and get healthy.

NICE! Looking at a track map now, nice little S through 10-11 and a healthy of enough straight to be tempted to get into trouble coming into 12-13. Looks like a lot of fun. Is pit in and out pretty much that same little stretch? Doubt I'll get to ride there anytime soon. Moving back to the bay area in the spring but that's still 400+ miles...

Jason, what track is this? I like the S in the above pic!

I would just eliminate only on preferences, interests...etc. Nothing more from my POV. That POV being somewhat based on having limited resources. Examples would be I would have no interest in the Ducati, just cause, I have no interest in them. The KTM mostly for no real interest, the triumph would be something I would be curious about, hear good things about the triples but if I had to choose compared to many would drop it off the list as well.

scotchgit, being a Zed Head is complete okay and I wouldn't mind having the vast majority of the bikes you've had!

Guess I might as well show the ugly. Had my very first highside this weekend. I'm okay! Got a concussion and other booboos and frankly don't remember any of it! I was out for a couple minutes and someone caught me face down on the tarmac out cold with their camera passing by. I can only guess what I did wrong. I was topping the bike out on the front staight all day. I've been pretty good abut braking and even blipping down a couple while braking setting up for the corner. I'm afraid I didn't scrub off enough speed (maybe brakes faded?) and tried to continue braking starting into the corner, it slid, then bit and threw me. Again nothing but a guess. I'm hopefully going to get to talk to the person(s) who saw it and learn a bit more on what I did wrong. Sucks being that guy!

Thanks man. Honestly the paint is aweful. LOL The picture does it more justice then deserved. Here's something really funny (well to me anyway). You can't tell but I did some touch up spots that should be visible in the pic. After a somewhat extensive search for a paint match, the closest I could find, Testers "Flat Aluminum" model paint. I spend a fair amount of time at Summit Point Main. I'm a cornerworker for MARRC and we work all bike races for CCS and WERA. So I'm somewhat biased as I've walked, driven a car and ridden the track, I think it's great! The front straight is fun, down hillish so even my ole mule broke the 160's before hitting T1, the back carousel (T5 - T9) is a good workout on control. Here's another rider's on board video from that day, gives a good idea of the track. Kind of fun too. Only place I am in it is standing in the riders meeting at the very beginning.

Here's one from Summit Point last weekend. I'd put up more but can't get to them at the moment.

Wow! Congrats! That's pretty darn slick!