June Barber NESBA Turn 2
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Friday, June 10, 2005
New Bike/Barber NESBA update
June 4/5 weekend I was riding with NESBA at Barber on the new bike. Barber is a track I am extremely familiar with and I'm happy to say the new bike felt great. My lap times weren't much better but it was easier to ride at that speed than before.
Cornering seems to be something I'm getting pretty good at. I was pitted next to a new control rider and he told me that my corner speed was extremely good and that I should get evaluated for the bump to Intermediate.
Unfortunately, I got way too hot on Saturday and spent most of the day in a near heat stroke condition. I was in no shape go go out and try to get bumped so I decided to stay in front of the fans as much as I could and grid up at the last minute and try to cool off.
By Sunday I was feeling much better and riding better. My goal for the weekend was to be smooth, smooth, smooth and I believe I was successful.
I've ordered some pics and will post when they come.
This weekend I'm preparing the bike and my gear for the WERA races at Tally next weekend. More later..........
Cornering seems to be something I'm getting pretty good at. I was pitted next to a new control rider and he told me that my corner speed was extremely good and that I should get evaluated for the bump to Intermediate.
Unfortunately, I got way too hot on Saturday and spent most of the day in a near heat stroke condition. I was in no shape go go out and try to get bumped so I decided to stay in front of the fans as much as I could and grid up at the last minute and try to cool off.
By Sunday I was feeling much better and riding better. My goal for the weekend was to be smooth, smooth, smooth and I believe I was successful.
I've ordered some pics and will post when they come.
This weekend I'm preparing the bike and my gear for the WERA races at Tally next weekend. More later..........
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
I'm really, really proud of Michelle.
My girlfriend Michelle has been learning to ride a motorcycle. She has a Yamaha Virago 250. This is a perfect bike for a beginner, low and light in weight. This past weekend she rode it over 50 miles round trip.
Road Atlanta was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This past Saturday I went over to Road Atlanta to pick up a parts bike I had purchased and to ride there for a NESBA track day. The parts bike was great, much better than I had expected. It has a Penske rear and worked forks and felt much stiffer and more stable than my previous suspension. It came with tons of spares and I'm well pleased with my purchase. Thanks Brian from NESBA.
The weather was less than perfect. A cold front had come through Friday night and Saturday dawned dreary and cool. There was a mist in the air that bordered on rain and I feared the morning sessions would be delayed but they weren't.
Friday night Michelle and I had frantically worked to ready the parts bike for the next day. It needed new tires and was in need of a general cleaning/going over that took quite a while before I was satisfied that it would be ok for the track day. Road Atlanta is a fast, dangerous place and I didn't want to go out unless I was confident in the bike.
The first morning session was fairly slow and it gave me a chance to get used to the new bike's suspension and low clip on handlebars. Soon I was running at last year's pace and everything settled in. I quickly realized that I was passing a lot more riders this year. I'm happy my pace has improved. I felt quicker, smoother and more relaxed everywhere. Things are coming together nicely for me track wise and I'm happy.
Saturday's second session brought a strange occurance. The mist had gotten heavier and I found that on the high-speed back stretch there was enough water condensing on my helmet to run down my shield and nearly blind me coming down the fast back section. It is hard enough to see there under perfect conditions. The combination of buffeting from the high speeds and vibration from the engine being at full RPM make your head move about quite a bit.
The day progressed and by the afternoon sessions I was turning times several seconds under last year's best pace, not quick by Advanced group standards but an improvement. That made me feel good, too good maybe as I would get a scare in the last session of the day.
Buellboy, a NESBA control rider, had been following me and decided to go by to show me a quicker line through 6. I followed him as best I could but he was quicker than I'd been most of the day. We flew down the back stretch and I was right on his tail under the Suzuki bridge. I decided to shift twice going down the hill where I had only been shifting once there. I guess this gave me extra corner speed cause I hit my turn in mark perfectly for 12 at the bottom of the hill but felt the bike running wider on exit, so wide in fact that I got up on the rumble strips. When I got on the gas the rear seemed to step out a little then catch. It threw me up a little bit off the seat and my left foot came off the peg. That was a hell of a scare.
If you are familiar with Road Atlanta there is almost no runoff at 12 and a big concrete wall just a few yards outside that turn. That is no place to be fooling around with your exit. I knew better than to ride over my head just to keep up with someone. I won't make that mistake again.
Thanks NESBA and all the wonderful people I met at RA that day. Hope we meet up again on track.
The weather was less than perfect. A cold front had come through Friday night and Saturday dawned dreary and cool. There was a mist in the air that bordered on rain and I feared the morning sessions would be delayed but they weren't.
Friday night Michelle and I had frantically worked to ready the parts bike for the next day. It needed new tires and was in need of a general cleaning/going over that took quite a while before I was satisfied that it would be ok for the track day. Road Atlanta is a fast, dangerous place and I didn't want to go out unless I was confident in the bike.
The first morning session was fairly slow and it gave me a chance to get used to the new bike's suspension and low clip on handlebars. Soon I was running at last year's pace and everything settled in. I quickly realized that I was passing a lot more riders this year. I'm happy my pace has improved. I felt quicker, smoother and more relaxed everywhere. Things are coming together nicely for me track wise and I'm happy.
Saturday's second session brought a strange occurance. The mist had gotten heavier and I found that on the high-speed back stretch there was enough water condensing on my helmet to run down my shield and nearly blind me coming down the fast back section. It is hard enough to see there under perfect conditions. The combination of buffeting from the high speeds and vibration from the engine being at full RPM make your head move about quite a bit.
The day progressed and by the afternoon sessions I was turning times several seconds under last year's best pace, not quick by Advanced group standards but an improvement. That made me feel good, too good maybe as I would get a scare in the last session of the day.
Buellboy, a NESBA control rider, had been following me and decided to go by to show me a quicker line through 6. I followed him as best I could but he was quicker than I'd been most of the day. We flew down the back stretch and I was right on his tail under the Suzuki bridge. I decided to shift twice going down the hill where I had only been shifting once there. I guess this gave me extra corner speed cause I hit my turn in mark perfectly for 12 at the bottom of the hill but felt the bike running wider on exit, so wide in fact that I got up on the rumble strips. When I got on the gas the rear seemed to step out a little then catch. It threw me up a little bit off the seat and my left foot came off the peg. That was a hell of a scare.
If you are familiar with Road Atlanta there is almost no runoff at 12 and a big concrete wall just a few yards outside that turn. That is no place to be fooling around with your exit. I knew better than to ride over my head just to keep up with someone. I won't make that mistake again.
Thanks NESBA and all the wonderful people I met at RA that day. Hope we meet up again on track.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Headed back to Road Atlanta
Well, I'm headed back to Road Atlanta this weekend for a NESBA track day and to pick up a used backup track bike I'm buying. This will be good practice for the WERA regionals coming up there in a few weeks. I've only ridden once here but I like it alot. It is an open, flowing layout that isn't particularly difficult but fun. I'll post pics and a summary next week.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Sad news to report
It is with great sadness that I note the passing of a dear friend. Jake Jones, the father of my long-time girlfriend Michelle, passed away recently after a long, brave fight against cancer.
Jake we love you and we miss you. Clanton, Alabama will never be the same without you. Thank you for all the kindness you showed me over the years. Rest in peace till we meet again.
Jake we love you and we miss you. Clanton, Alabama will never be the same without you. Thank you for all the kindness you showed me over the years. Rest in peace till we meet again.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
I'm 17th in points in South East Senior Superbike
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing
Sportsman Series Points Standings
South East
Current as of: 4/27/2005
Senior Superbike Novice
1 Scott Layman 62
2 J.B. Layman 60
3 Frank Tarullo 38
4 Lee A. Schmitt 37
5 Larry Ray Dulaney 34
6 Paul Layman 28
7 Gill Cutchen 26
8 James "Bo" Lemastus 20
9 David LaRiviere, Sr. 19
10 Thomas J. Lewis 19
11 Russell B. Borden 17
12 Stan Zangel 15
13 David Johnson 15
14 Mark E. Steedley 14
15 Borge Larsen 13
16 Andy Coldwell 13
17 Jimmy M McDowell 12
18 Jim Fuller 11
19 Mark Mullis 8
20 George Hovanec 8
21 Jeff K. Flatt 7
22 Charlie Hassell 7
23 Rick Patton 6
24 Robert Mosco 6
25 Russell Bonder 5
26 Robert McKay 5
27 Glenn A. Goodman 3
28 Allan F. McCullough 2
29 Danny Patterson 1
Sportsman Series Points Standings
South East
Current as of: 4/27/2005
Senior Superbike Novice
1 Scott Layman 62
2 J.B. Layman 60
3 Frank Tarullo 38
4 Lee A. Schmitt 37
5 Larry Ray Dulaney 34
6 Paul Layman 28
7 Gill Cutchen 26
8 James "Bo" Lemastus 20
9 David LaRiviere, Sr. 19
10 Thomas J. Lewis 19
11 Russell B. Borden 17
12 Stan Zangel 15
13 David Johnson 15
14 Mark E. Steedley 14
15 Borge Larsen 13
16 Andy Coldwell 13
17 Jimmy M McDowell 12
18 Jim Fuller 11
19 Mark Mullis 8
20 George Hovanec 8
21 Jeff K. Flatt 7
22 Charlie Hassell 7
23 Rick Patton 6
24 Robert Mosco 6
25 Russell Bonder 5
26 Robert McKay 5
27 Glenn A. Goodman 3
28 Allan F. McCullough 2
29 Danny Patterson 1
Friday, April 29, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
April 16-17, Barber Motorsports Park, First full novice weekend
154 Jimmy McDowell 14 27:41.781 38.643 1:55.965 12 77.610 (my best lap all weekend)
Friday was promoter practice and the 600cc novices and experts went out at the same time. I was slightly nervous to practice with the experts. Pitted near me was 15 year old Yamaha phenom, Josh Herrin, a seemingly nice kid with a smile on his face and the whole world of roadracing ahead of him. A few moments later we would meet up on track.
Practice was going well and I was running consistent lap times in the 1:57's. Certainly not fast but light years ahead of just a few months ago when I was in the 2:05's at Barber. My 50th birthday was coming up in just a few days and I was having the time of my life. Traffic was heavy but certainly not dangerous. I remember clipping the apex to the right hander leading up the hill to pit in when all of a sudden a rider stuffed me on the inside and blew by, it was Josh Herrin.
As I was preparing to mercilessly curse at this pimple faced moron he glanced over his shoulder and threw up a hand in apology for the close pass. At first I didn't know if he was really apologizing or just his way of saying, "no charge for the lesson, grandpa". It was another moment on track that I will never ever forget. Someday I'll read about him in the AMA championship or even higher and I can smile and say, "once upon a time he and I shared the same race track". Life is good. I wish I hadn't waited so long to start living.
Saturday was my most fun race, heavyweight solo16. I was gridded near the back and at the start got passed by 2-3 riders. Quickly I was able to catch up with them and I latched onto one who was going at a pretty good pace and I followed him for about 10 laps. I was quicker than he was in the Museum turn and in the uphill turn headed to pit in. On about lap 10 I got by him and I thought I was checking out but with 3 to go the same guy passed me. Well, I was tired of being passed so I put my head down and cought back up to him. On the last lap I slid under him at the next to last turn and outran him to the line.
We had battled it out for 24th and 25th position but it may as well have been the podium for me. I had run a lap in the 1:55's and that had been a goal for the weekend. I had actually raced another rider for positon and got the better of him.
Sunday's 2 races went very well. I got good starts and ran consistent lap times.
All in all a very good weekend all around.
Friday was promoter practice and the 600cc novices and experts went out at the same time. I was slightly nervous to practice with the experts. Pitted near me was 15 year old Yamaha phenom, Josh Herrin, a seemingly nice kid with a smile on his face and the whole world of roadracing ahead of him. A few moments later we would meet up on track.
Practice was going well and I was running consistent lap times in the 1:57's. Certainly not fast but light years ahead of just a few months ago when I was in the 2:05's at Barber. My 50th birthday was coming up in just a few days and I was having the time of my life. Traffic was heavy but certainly not dangerous. I remember clipping the apex to the right hander leading up the hill to pit in when all of a sudden a rider stuffed me on the inside and blew by, it was Josh Herrin.
As I was preparing to mercilessly curse at this pimple faced moron he glanced over his shoulder and threw up a hand in apology for the close pass. At first I didn't know if he was really apologizing or just his way of saying, "no charge for the lesson, grandpa". It was another moment on track that I will never ever forget. Someday I'll read about him in the AMA championship or even higher and I can smile and say, "once upon a time he and I shared the same race track". Life is good. I wish I hadn't waited so long to start living.
Saturday was my most fun race, heavyweight solo16. I was gridded near the back and at the start got passed by 2-3 riders. Quickly I was able to catch up with them and I latched onto one who was going at a pretty good pace and I followed him for about 10 laps. I was quicker than he was in the Museum turn and in the uphill turn headed to pit in. On about lap 10 I got by him and I thought I was checking out but with 3 to go the same guy passed me. Well, I was tired of being passed so I put my head down and cought back up to him. On the last lap I slid under him at the next to last turn and outran him to the line.
We had battled it out for 24th and 25th position but it may as well have been the podium for me. I had run a lap in the 1:55's and that had been a goal for the weekend. I had actually raced another rider for positon and got the better of him.
Sunday's 2 races went very well. I got good starts and ran consistent lap times.
All in all a very good weekend all around.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Finally, the shirt is gone and I'm a full novice!!!!!!
Lord willing I will be 50 years old on April 25th. One year ago I set a goal that I would race at Barber Motorsports Park for my 50th birthday as a full WERA novice. In a few days from now I will realize that goal for as of this past Sunday I am a full WERA novice. The "shirt" is finally off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I competed (I use that term loosely) in the Heavyweight solo 20 on Saturday and Senior Superbike on Sunday.
When the grids were posted for Saturday I almost fainted. I was to start the HW solo outside of the first row next to Cory Burleson. The thought of going into one with that pack of riders on my tail sent chills up my spine. I decided, after asking some fellow racers, that the thing to do was grid at the back. I got a good start and was able to run several clean laps before the leaders came around to lap me. Really, my times were worse than they had been in February, I guess I was concentrating too much on Barber and not the race. Anyway, the race was uneventful and I finished with no problems whatsoever. On to Sunday.
Sunday was better morning weather (no fog) and I suited up for practice. Crap, practice was a nightmare. The 600cc novices are a bunch of lunatics!!!!!!!!!!
I got brushed by a guy going by on my right. We literally touched shoulders. A few laps later 2 guys go by side by side on my right headed into the 90's. About 5 feet in front of me they collided. Miraculously the rider on the left made the turn the one on the right ran straight off but kept it up. I decided to pull in while I was still alive.
My only Sunday race was Senior Superbike. I was gridded near the back. At the start one guy got by but I was able to catch him a few corners later. I was thinking, "hey this guy is my speed I'll have someone to race with" but he quickly slowed in the corners and I got by. That was the last traffic I saw. Man I sure was happy to see that checkerd flag. My goal for the weekend had been to run safely and get rid of that shirt before Barber. I have achieved those goals and I'm very happy/proud.
Barber should be fun. I am very familiar with that track and Thermosman is upgrading my suspension on Friday. More to come...........
I competed (I use that term loosely) in the Heavyweight solo 20 on Saturday and Senior Superbike on Sunday.
When the grids were posted for Saturday I almost fainted. I was to start the HW solo outside of the first row next to Cory Burleson. The thought of going into one with that pack of riders on my tail sent chills up my spine. I decided, after asking some fellow racers, that the thing to do was grid at the back. I got a good start and was able to run several clean laps before the leaders came around to lap me. Really, my times were worse than they had been in February, I guess I was concentrating too much on Barber and not the race. Anyway, the race was uneventful and I finished with no problems whatsoever. On to Sunday.
Sunday was better morning weather (no fog) and I suited up for practice. Crap, practice was a nightmare. The 600cc novices are a bunch of lunatics!!!!!!!!!!
I got brushed by a guy going by on my right. We literally touched shoulders. A few laps later 2 guys go by side by side on my right headed into the 90's. About 5 feet in front of me they collided. Miraculously the rider on the left made the turn the one on the right ran straight off but kept it up. I decided to pull in while I was still alive.
My only Sunday race was Senior Superbike. I was gridded near the back. At the start one guy got by but I was able to catch him a few corners later. I was thinking, "hey this guy is my speed I'll have someone to race with" but he quickly slowed in the corners and I got by. That was the last traffic I saw. Man I sure was happy to see that checkerd flag. My goal for the weekend had been to run safely and get rid of that shirt before Barber. I have achieved those goals and I'm very happy/proud.
Barber should be fun. I am very familiar with that track and Thermosman is upgrading my suspension on Friday. More to come...........
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Friday, April 01, 2005
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
I Love Track Days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Racing is fun but for sheer track time you can't beat a well run track day and for me NESBA is the best of the best.
Last Friday and Saturday we had 2 perfect days of weather at the incomparable Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama. I loaded up my stuff and headed out to meet up with my friend Gill. Damn if Gill didn't get bumped from Intermediate to Advanced the first day. I on the other hand am still wandering aimlessly in the Beginner class.
Seriously, I do believe I am deserving of a bump to Intermediate and will try hard to get one at my next track day event. My cornering has greatly improved and I put in a best lap time of 1:56 on Saturday afternoon.
For more track day info check out NESBA at www.nesba.com.
Last Friday and Saturday we had 2 perfect days of weather at the incomparable Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama. I loaded up my stuff and headed out to meet up with my friend Gill. Damn if Gill didn't get bumped from Intermediate to Advanced the first day. I on the other hand am still wandering aimlessly in the Beginner class.
Seriously, I do believe I am deserving of a bump to Intermediate and will try hard to get one at my next track day event. My cornering has greatly improved and I put in a best lap time of 1:56 on Saturday afternoon.
For more track day info check out NESBA at www.nesba.com.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)