Winter has seemed particularly long this year but the arrival of 70 degree temperatures in the south heralds the coming of spring and the 2006 riding season.
First up this year were NESBA track days at Barber Motorsports Park. Every time I go to Barber I can't help but think how lucky I am to live so close to such a fine facility. Climate controlled restrooms, hot and cold running water, showers, the list just goes on and on. Michelle loves it too because the control tower makes for such good track viewing.
I pitted as usual on the lower level nearest the tower with my friend Gill Cutchen. Gill was there to shake out the newly re-worked motor on his R6 and to get some more seat time on his new GSXR750. I was there to try out the Bridgestone slicks I had purchased last fall.
The slicks are remarkable tires. They seem to heat up much more quickly than I was expecting. I don't use warmers yet so I generally take it really easy the first lap out. Later in the day I tried to push some on my out lap and there was no moving around or slipping, very impressive. One thing I noticed immediately, my lean angle was the same as before but I wasn't using up all the sidewall. Apparently, the tire profile is much different than the Michelin tires I had used previously. I can lean farther on these than ever before, much farther than I was prepared to go at my current skill level.
Gill ran most of the day with some "A" group friends, Danny, Bob and Barry. Since most of my friends are in "A" and I ride in "B" it is lonely business out there for me. I did manage to latch onto some riders of about my skill level and have fun but I wish I could get good enough to ride with my friends. Oh well, maybe someday.
Anyway, my motorcycle ran fine although it is no match for some of the modern machinery. Traffic seemed to be somewhat of an issue all day as some of the riders aren't content to follow the passing rules for our group. Inside passes don't bother me in WERA racing, I expect them at every corner. But I don't expect them at track days.
In conclusion let me say the riding season is off to a good start. Next up is probably not until May WERA regionals at Barber. Wish me luck in Senior Superbike.
Cheers,
Jim
