Hello Everyone,
Well it's now 2006 and I'm busy making trackday/roadracing plans and goals for 2006. I thought I'd take a minute to review 2005 which was a very fun year for me on and off the track.
Here is my headline list of memorable events from 2005.
First Race: February, Talladega Grand Prix Raceway, MWSolo 20. I finished dead last but had the time of my life. What excitement it is to take the green flag.
First Crash: Same weekend as first race. I ran wide in turn 2, hit a rut with my front tire and took a tumble. Couldn't breathe for like 5 minutes. I'm sure I scared the cornerworker to death with my screaming!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crashing hurts, remember that, crashing hurts. Don't do it.
Best Race: April at Barber, HWSolo 20. I swapped positions several times with a guy on a Suzuki 750. He could pull me on the straights but I'd catch up in the corners. This went on till the last corner of the last lap when I slipped under him and beat him to the line.
Scariest track moment: 1. Road Atlanta, NESBA trackday. I ran wide at the exit to turn 12, got up on the rumble strips, rear end steps out then catches throwing me up off the seat. Closest I've come to a high-side yet. This was a real "come to Jesus" moment.
Funniest off track happening: WERA at Tally this summer I was going through tech and a guy on the bike next to me was arguing with the tech officials. They wouldn't tech him cause he had no registration form. I proceeded to inform him of the proper procedure for race registration when I noticed the number on his bike, Expert 911. Realizing this was none other than Mike Smith, former AMA Factory Kawasaki rider, I said, "sorry Mike I didn't realize who you were." He replied, "don't worry, most of the time I don't realize who I am either."
New Equipment: I purchased a used enclosed trailer from a Doctor in North Carolina. I purchased a used 1997 YZF600R trackbike from a NESBA control rider. I was going to use it for parts but I liked it so much I rode it the rest of the year. I've had the suspension freshened up and will be racing it this year on Bridgestone slicks. Thanks to Derek Bennett (stickboy) of DBMotorsports for the hookup on the tires. Stickboy is the WERA Southeast trackside vendor for Bridgestone tires and also a hell of a Vintage 7 racer.
First Interview: I was recently interviewed by John Bunce of roadracerpodcast.com for an upcoming episode of his podcast. John is a Novice racer in the LRRS series in New Hampshire. Thanks John that was lots of fun.
Some people I've met at the track: Kevin Schwantz, former 500CC world champion. Larry Pegram, AMA professional roadracer. Jamie James, retired AMA roadracer and champion. Ed Bargy, owner of Ed Bargy Roadracing School and a really interesting character. Mitch Boehm, Editor of Motor Cyclist Magazine (I pitted next to Mitch and the Motor Cyclist crew at a Barber track day and they invited me to join them). Brian Drebber, former voice of AMA roadracing on SpeedTV. Greg White, bald-headed stooge from Two Wheel Tuesday on SpeedTV.
NESBA friends I've made: Lucy and Johnnie "Buellboy" Haynes. Johnnie is a control rider and age challenged, like me. He and his wife are just the nicest people on earth.
WERA friends I've made: Dave "Diet Dr. Thunder" Arkle and Jason Coleman from Louisville, Kentucky. Derek and Lori Bennett (Stickboy and Honey) from Pelion, South Carolina. Ryan Nelson and Scott Padgitt from here in Alabama.
Thanks go out to my good friends Gill and Tammie Cutchen from Birmingham for all the help and support on and off the track this year. I pitted with Gill, WERA 105, at trackdays and races this year. We sure had a lot of fun, didn't we Gill?
And a special thanks go out to my "Crew Chief" Michelle Maddox. Without her help and encouragement I just wouldn't want to go to the track at all. Thanks Michelle for everything you've helped me do in 2005. Having you at the track with me makes it all worthwhile.
Thanks to the cornerworkers and staff from WERA for making all this possible. Now on to 2006.
