theSteveCo Goes Down

[theSteveCo]

They say it's inevitable.. and it finally happened.

(my first of many post-trackday threads, I'm sure)

Running the second session at Thunderhill today I was confident in the grip of the tires and riding at a fair clip. I was following VFRweasel around the track for a few laps to warm up the Sportecs while rsrai, superhawk2k, and hwy9hooligan blazed up front. After passing the weasel down a straight I ran a very fast lap trying to close in on the three fast ones. I was doing all right, had them in sight in a few turns, and was having an absolute blast.

Coming in to turn 14, I screwed myself big-time and apexed WAAAAY too early. I was at full lean (as if the ZX6 isn't more of a Goldwing than a sportbike) and hanging off pretty good but I was drifting out towards the outside edge faster than I should have been. I relaxed the throttle a bit to tighten up the turn but it wasn't enough... I was going off.

So I flicked the bars into the turn, standing the bike up, and pulled on the front brake with all I could muster (not a good time for a stoppie, Instance). I let go of the brake right as I went off track - across a bit of dirt and into the grass.

I gently pulled on the front brake again and started bringing the speed down. I was down to about 10 MPH and almost to one of the access roads. I started banking to the right just a touch, still ever-so-lightly on the brake, when I hit some mud courtesy of the recent rain.

The front tucked under and DOWN I WENT! I was kneeling right next to the bike just shaking my head. I looked up to the nearest flag station (or so I assumed) and put both hands up in the air making the OK sign. I'm sure that's not what I was supposed to do, but I believe it rather clearly conveyed the message that I wasn't hurt.

Picking a bike up ain't easy, boys and girls. Holding the front brake while you do it helps. :D

So I got back on the bike, started it (that took a while) and rolled up to the edge of the track. I was waving at the flag station; gesturing "can I go back on the track" by pointing at the track and shrugging. No response. Finally I checked to see that no one was coming, revved it up, dumped the clutch, and shot across to the pits and into the paddock.

I cleaned all the grass and dirt out of the fairing (which cracked ever-so-slightly) and rolled back into the pits. I stopped at the start/finish tower where the "controller" guy (I'm sure there's amore official term, but I don't know it) was working. I yelled up "can I go back on the track?" No response. I asked again. This time he just pointed down the track and looked mad.

Looking back on the whole fiasco, the "corner workers" were just some observers in an empty tower and didn't give a rat's behind whether or not I got back on the track and never responded. The guy at the start/finish probably had no idea I had just dropped the bike in the infield and thought I was some dumbass who didn't see the green light.

So I rolled back out, took a few mellow turns to make sure the tires weren't slippery (even though I knew they were free of debris) and then I proceeded to hammer turn 14 for all it was worth to make sure I didn't get scared of it. The benefit to me was that I started apexing most of the turns a bit later and this actually helped me to speed up quite a bit. Oh, and next time I'll use the rear brake in the grass. :D

Overall, the whole thing was rather comical... of course it was very quickly overshadowed just ten minutes later when I was red flagged into the paddock of turn 12 (emergency only) only to find that one of our members dumped hard in turn 1. More on that elsewhere.

[theSteveCo]

Oh yeah - Ed, I never went to the medical center... am I busted???

[JackTheTripper]

Originally posted by theSteveCo
Oh yeah - Ed, I never went to the medical center... am I busted???
If you didn't know you were supposed to you wouldn't be. But since you do?:flame

:twofinger

And that story get's more intense each time you tell it! How big was the fish again?;)

[Ninja Blade]

wow, glad it wasn't a big crash, steve. sounds like you had a memorable trackday, for sure.

[theSteveCo]

Originally posted by JackTheTripper
And that story get's more intense each time you tell it! How big was the fish again?;)

I never really got to tell the whole story. The off-track part, yeah.. the "corner workers", no. Overall, a tiny chip in the fairing and zero body damage... it's a good laugh.

Them's the details... I'm sticking to them. :D

[Instance]

Steve, this is where you tell TSC Girl that your bike is totalled cause that crash effected something inside the engine that takes a couple of days to get worse, so now you have a reason to get the GIXXER!!! :D :D

But after you get the Suzuki, your Kawi magically comes back to life and TSC Girl has to ride it.

Or maybe not. :p

[TSC girl]

Originally posted by Instance
Steve, this is where you tell TSC Girl that your bike is totalled cause that crash effected something inside the engine that takes a couple of days to get worse, so now you have a reason to get the GIXXER!!! :D :D

But after you get the Suzuki, your Kawi magically comes back to life and TSC Girl has to ride it.

Or maybe not. :p

Hehehe......good try Instance! :D

[JackTheTripper]

Originally posted by Instance
Steve, this is where you tell TSC Girl that your bike is totalled cause that crash effected something inside the engine that takes a couple of days to get worse, so now you have a reason to get the GIXXER!!! :D :D

But after you get the Suzuki, your Kawi magically comes back to life and TSC Girl has to ride it.

Or maybe not. :p

:laughing:laughing

[wei7]

SteveCo, now that we have met face to face........you are still the president of my hitlist BUT your riding privledges have been extented one extra year. :twofinger

Well here is a wrap-up of my day and what I saw:

We had a good detailed briefing minus tech inspection which I totally forgot. We had 43 riders for the day which I thought would be just too many people since we dont hold them so large.

A group was up and I started warm ups for testing. Track was a bit cooler then I wanted and just got the bike back the day before. Took a few laps and we all started testings. Our group had some major riders from AMA and AFM. It was still pretty empty in our group with only about 10-15 riders. The bike was feeling better than I expected and started great feedback of what I needed to adjust and where I could really nick off some time. First session was without a hitch.

B group was out now and I was taking Deb out of laps. She was just getting use to the bike after some adjustments and getting her confidence. As we went around I saw many people in B who were doing well. Holding the lines and feeling the track. We were going on the front straights and I saw a guy which to me was riding a ZX-6. Well, this person flew off turn one and was heading UP the hill! I thought he was taking the shortcut back home! That was the first small incident of I guess just too many.

We were out again and I started to get the rythm of the bike and the track. Then we saw a black and yellow flag out which confused even me! Thats when we just all pitted. Radio said someone crashed on 9. That was where I crashed last time but when I was on 9 going to the pits I didnt see anyone. We hoped in the truck and drove over to see that someone was on the righthand side of 9 in the grass. He had a 900RR and see seemed to be okay except for a six inch crack on his helmet. He was done for the day.

B went out again and so did I. I monitored for a while and saw some people running pretty fast. Ravi was one of them! Weasel was doing pretty good too! I noticed Tripper hanging around too!

A started again and I was running about 80% which would have been 90 plus % if it wasnt for the new tires and mags. I stayed out for a while and came into the pits then I noticed Deb and a friend walking from the towers with the timer! I was like, COOL they timed me! Then Deb says "hey, want me to time you?" I almost cried because I have been out for four sessions straight! Well I sucked it up and did a warm up. Then about half way through I was feeling the strain and let off a little. I finish the first timed lap and was going for one more. I felt okay and cruised it just a little again then I was just about to enter turn 10 and an AMA 250 GP rider took my inside like a hot knife to butter. I saw 11 coming and was thinking forget the times, I just want to run with him! 13 running out I thought I could get on the gas before he did and draft him. Well it was pretty close in the back straights till 14 came up. We went over the crest going to 14 and I thought I would late brake on him, well I did late break and he was still going full out then at the last warning marker he tapped his break and rolled it in. By the time I got out of 15 he was already a quarter ways down the track. I was a roast duc. I still turned in a 2:13 which was not too bad for being tired. I was greeted by Tripper coming in the hot pits.

Soon after that, B group was up and another incident with Stingray. I was cooking and someone said a crash on one. Some people said it was not that bad because turn one has a large run off. I didnt think twice until everyone was saying he had the same suit as me with a gixxer. I was like HOLY SHIT! Stingray? I heard it was bad but I have never seen anything like his bike. People said it was a lowrider bike. When I went to see for myself it really was as everyone said.

Calvin if you read this, once again I hope you feel better wish I was out there with you. Best wishes from Deb and I.

Lunch was kind of trublesome due to the fact too many guest were eatting the food first which pissed me off. We did have enough but I just cant see how they deserve the food without paying or waiting till all of the riders ate first. Plus the fact some of the guest even said "thats all you have? I wanted a hamburger" And they didnt say thank you. I cooked for an hour straight and was the last people to eat. I even feed the EMT people before me. Man.........I would have cooked up something special for Calvin if I knew where he was.

After lunch looked to very good till someone said "clean up on isle 9 AGAIN" We went over to the same turn the 900RR was and the guy crashed in the exact same spot. Left almost identical tracks. He was going and his R1 had little damn but he was out for the day also.

Between all of this there was one more crash that I heard about but it was not major. This was only what I heard but if someone else knows please share.

I was out with B and saw my chance to see how the Weasel was doing. I rode behind him for a while and he was awesome in the turns. Later he followed me for a lap or two and we shared some moments about the track. Great riding with you Jim!

Well this kind of wraps it up and I wish we could have seen everyone before they left. We were the last ones and had a lot to clean up. Hosting track events are hard, stressful, fun and enjoyable. Hope everyone can make it for our next event and please post any comments.

Thank you

Deb and Ed
www.speedyard.com

[JackTheTripper]

Nice post Ed. I remember you coming off that 2:13 lap. You were breathless and speachless at the same time.:eek: I'm also pretty sure I got a good shot of you following Weasel but I have to developt first. I'll try to drop them off tomorrow.

BTW, I forgot to get some $$ to you for the grub. (Which I did wait to eat till the end.:D) Actually I was checking up on Stingray making sure he didn't need anything. I offered him some of your home cookin' but he said he heard bad things about it.:twofinger

Check your PM.

[wei7]

Nonononononon! Tripper, you do not have to pay anything and thank you for offering but I was just talking about all of other guest that really did not want to wait for free food.

I was huffing and puffing because of the TZ250 guy! two fingers up for roasting me! :twofinger

[Hooli]

Originally posted by wei7
I was huffing and puffing because of the TZ250 guy! two fingers up for roasting me! :twofinger

That was Lou on the TZ. British bloke, rather pleasant. He was pitting beside me with my buddy Berin (red/gold TLR). He smoked me all day long.

[wei7]

Actually his name is Rich Lewington or "Lewis" and the other guy is Bern. Bern is who I bought my trailer from and Rich is his friend.

Did you ride in A Hooli? There were not that many of us in A. There were only a few people that passed me the whole day while testing. One was Rich another was Andre with a Mille R and a couple of other ducs. I thought I saw you in B but I could be wrong. Did you have a good time with us in A group! Some fast people out there huh!

My friend and I are testing to see what a stock 748 ducs can do. He was running a best of 2:06 and me about 2:09. Man.....I wonder how much more we can push with it stock.

I want to run with the Hooli man!

[MackeyStingray]

hope to be at another trackday. maybe in half a year or so when i get my bike and my groove back.

heh, at least you can't blame me for eating all the food. ;) though i would have loved to. :D

Originally posted by wei7
Soon after that, B group was up and another incident with Stingray. I was cooking and someone said a crash on one. Some people said it was not that bad because turn one has a large run off. I didnt think twice until everyone was saying he had the same suit as me with a gixxer. I was like HOLY SHIT! Stingray? I heard it was bad but I have never seen anything like his bike. People said it was a lowrider bike. When I went to see for myself it really was as everyone said.

Calvin if you read this, once again I hope you feel better wish I was out there with you. Best wishes from Deb and I.

Lunch was kind of trublesome due to the fact too many guest were eatting the food first which pissed me off. We did have enough but I just cant see how they deserve the food without paying or waiting till all of the riders ate first. Plus the fact some of the guest even said "thats all you have? I wanted a hamburger" And they didnt say thank you. I cooked for an hour straight and was the last people to eat. I even feed the EMT people before me. Man.........I would have cooked up something special for Calvin if I knew where he was.

[theSteveCo]

All I remember of A group was that nut case late-braking a big-ass rolling endo into a pack of B group riders setting up for turn 10!

(I refuse to identify the culprit - needless to say he was very fast)

[Hooli]

Originally posted by wei7
Did you ride in A Hooli? There were not that many of us in A.


Naw, mainly stuck with the "B" Group since I was a little rusty and wanted to find my own pace. Oh God yes, there were some frightfully fast riders in A, a couple of 'Prillers (250 & a Mille), some Ducs, a 929 and a red/white '98 R1 that, except for an off-road excursion in Turn 6, was ridden quite aggressively.

I need to get back in shape, my shoulders were sore all the next day.

[wei7]

Hey SteveCo, very sorry if one A rider was with you. If it was a yellow duc and wearing white leathers, he was with me but he was teaching someone in B. If someone was too fast there or unsafe please just tell me next time and I will make them the new president of my hitlist:mad

Man.........I wish we could have been in the SBN picture. That bummed me out:( I might just photoshop us into there.

[gmann]

actually i thought there were more A riders in the B group. not a big deal, but it did make me pull off. I was getting passed on both sides after turn 5 and i think at some points there were like 6 or something bikes right in front going three wide on some turns.

it actually helped me out quite a bit to show me how to hang off the bike. just felt like i was riding a moped. :D

[VTRweasel]

Originally posted by wei7
a yellow duc and wearing white leathers,

Man.........I wish we could have been in the SBN picture. That bummed me out:( I might just photoshop us into there.

:laughing that guy was one of my days highlights...
he passed me before turn 1 like i was standing still, it was a very humbling rush & a very cool experiance,

ed, thanks again for the advise (& the kind words)
I came out to the track thinking "just work on technique & have fun" (there was one time in turn two where i had to pass MSting cuz he was blowing my ass off the track the whole morning & i love passing in two with traffic)

i spent a few hours today on hwy9 working on my shifting & i feel much smoother now, thx

sorry about the group pic, it was a last minute thing & you were out on clean-up duty, we'll get you next time.

[MackeyStingray]

i was following a yellow duc when i went down. don't know if it was the same guy or not. i have a short view on the vid cam of it when the announcer gets on the P/A "blackflag". then it shoots to me on the ground. ugh. that looked nice.

i'll post a screen cap of it.

Originally posted by wei7
Hey SteveCo, very sorry if one A rider was with you. If it was a yellow duc and wearing white leathers, he was with me but he was teaching someone in B. If someone was too fast there or unsafe please just tell me next time and I will make them the new president of my hitlist:mad

Man.........I wish we could have been in the SBN picture. That bummed me out:( I might just photoshop us into there.

[wei7]

I do think it was my friend Francis with the yellow duc. I yelled the shit out of him at the track because he was my test partner and all he did was show his friend lines all day. The fact that his friend could not keep up with him and he was basically running alone in B group should have given him a hint that he should slow down. Very sorry if he caused any trouble. He will be a roast duc when I finish with him.:mad

[theSteveCo]

I wouldn't complain about the A riders in B group. Personally, it was exciting to see just how fast they were. No, it wasn't a yellow Duc. I'll let ya keep guessing though... I actually know who it was... so does Hooligan.

Oh yeah, Hooligan, I was hanging out w/ R Roku (aka: tokyoyam on SBN) and he was telling me about some madman on a red R1 he sees occassionally up on 9.... :cool

[wei7]

So who was it? I would like to know if you dont mind SteveCo

[JoeBar]

Yeah Steve, who was it? :teeth :p :twofinger

[JoeBar]

I am sure a lot of peeps will freak out when they'll see the title of this message come up... Puhahahaha :) :) :) :twofinger

[hoax]

I sure did.

[MackeyStingray]

man, don't you guys have anything to do? :rolleyes

[Roscoe]

Damn, this is a Classic Thread. :p

Had me fooled:laughing :laughing

[budman]

Man..Event full day. Nice writes Steveco and WEI..wish I was there..15 in A..sweet. Glad the BARF peeps are okay. Where else could that happen than at the track..Where you often walk away.

Mstingray..I am bummed your bike is so hammered. Good luck on fixing it brother. Glad your okay.

Life on the track ..." Always exciting"


:smoking

[JnglstTICAL]

damn, I thought this was more recent!! Whew, good thing I looked at the dates!

[budman]

Interesting reading still....:twofinger :twofinger :twofinger

:smoking

[Deeter]

What?! An old thread being dug up and Igor's name is nowhere to be seen? What gives? :confused :twofinger :teeth

[VTRweasel]

:twofinger :twofinger
bad joebar

[theSteveCo]

When do we start w/ the Thunderhill Turn 14 Support Group meetings?

[JnglstTICAL]

Originally posted by theSteveCo
When do we start w/ the Thunderhill Turn 14 Support Group meetings?

"Um, hi group (standing, while the rest of the groups sits in a circle), I too have a problem, I can't nail turn 14, damn that turn, damn it, damn it, (starts breaking down) :cry hahahahahaha

[PASTAPWR]

I can see it now.

Hi my name is Dave and I have a problem with turn 14.
:laughing :laughing :laughing :laughing :laughing

[JoeBar]

Originally posted by VTRweasel
:twofinger :twofinger
bad joebar

Sorry, couldn't help it. The message subject was to perfect not to be brought back to life. Sorry Steve ;)

[Robert R1]

Originally posted by theSteveCo

I relaxed the throttle a bit to tighten up the turn but it wasn't enough... I was going off.



Rolling off the throttle will actually make you run wide. Positive throttle is much better for tightening up your line. Weighing the inside pegs works for me, also.

[theSteveCo]

Perhaps it's different at extreme lean angles, but you have to understand that the Kawi was dragging pegs and its centerstand through that turn so it wasn't near the limit of traction for the tire. On that particular bike I could replicate that technique on command... more throttle drift wider, less would turn in more. I think weighting the inside peg would have either dug a deeper trench or levered the rear wheel up (which I did one week after posting this way back when).

As I gain more confidence in cornering the Gixxer as aggressively as I can now I'll experiment with the technique, but as it stands I'm probably pushing 90% and would rather have a little more safety zone in my concentration to play with relaxing the throttle (at risk of tucking the front) :p

[MrCrash]

Originally posted by Robert R1
Rolling off the throttle will actually make you run wide. Positive throttle is much better for tightening up your line.

I've found otherwise. Rolling on the throttle unweights the front end, letting it rake out a little bit, as well as squatting the rear. At Turn 2 at Buttonwillow, if you get on the throttle too early, you're heading off the track towards I-5 while everyone else is heading down the track towards Turn 3. This was a problem when my Fox shock was undersprung / underdamped. The back end would squat and the geometry of the bike would suddenly get really "lazy", running wide.

Weighing the inside pegs works for me, also.

I try to do this as little as possible to maintain traction, although it probably happens naturally when I shift my weight to the inside while turning in.

[MrCrash]

Originally posted by theSteveCo
When do we start w/ the Thunderhill Turn 14 Support Group meetings?

I've never had a problem in Turn 14, it used to be one of my strongest turns on the track. At the same time, I considered myself above-average as far as being able to trail brake into Turns.

Lots of folks approach Turn 14 on the outer edge of the track, taking a "classic" wide line of sorts. I'd approach from 1/2 to 2/3 of the way over from the right side of the track, taking a more shallow line while braking deeper into the corner. I didn't worry about carrying speed through the corner, I'd just go in deeper and more upright than others would, basically getting the bike in, stopping and getting it turned, then gassing out, as opposed to trying to carry speed through it.

Figure, if you take that classic line to maximize your drive off of 14, what does that get you? 50 feet of good drive before you have to roll off for Turn 15? Turn 15 acts as a speed governor of sorts, I don't even worry about drive off of 14. Tighter line, get it turned, gas out and let the momentum carry you would, then work maximizing drive off of 15.

Steve, did you say you tried to use the front brake to scrub off speed when you were in the dirt? I thought you knew about that! :)

[theSteveCo]

Originally posted by MrCrash907
Steve, did you say you tried to use the front brake to scrub off speed when you were in the dirt? I thought you knew about that! :)

Yeah, I used the front and I know better now, but honestly, the bike didn't go down til I turned it.

[Holeshot]

Mike,

That's exactly what I do for 14....and 11 at Sears.