10/11 Buttonwillow event

[Joachim2311]

I had a great time, my first visit to Buttonwillow. I have to say
that is a fun track, very technical...lots o fun.

I have to mention though that there were a couple riders ( possibly A riders double dippin the B group, I won't mention bike or rider description ) who seemed to
enjoy swooping slower riders usually right at the entrance or apex of a turn. I mean these passes were close
enough that the slower rider could have reached out an elbow or hand and smacked these Rossi wannabe's. What happened to the 6 foot courtesy passing distance? Unfortunately the swoopmasters met with bad karma and had serious getoffs. I don't think they were seriously injured but the bikes suffered lots of damage.

B group is intended for intermediate riders and first timers ( which for about 90% of B group it was our first time to BW ). If u guys wanna "race" go to "A" group or better yet go race AFM.

be safe, have fun.

[Eric in Davis]

Sorry to hear people were making some rude passes in B. I did pass a whole lot of people in B that day, but I'm pretty confident I'm not one of the people you are talking (for one I never went off track). I got passed a few times, and I think once the guy did run off the track. I also did see a few guys making "impatient" passes. It was as if they were trying to keep up a race pace instead of first thinking about how to make a safe pass. A few times I followed a slower rider(s) for couple of turns because they looked a little unsure and I wanted to wait for a spot with plenty of passing room so I wouldn't spook them. On some of these occasions a rider or two would blow by me and the slower riders. Most of the times I would still consider them safe passes, but maybe not a full 6' distance.

However there were some very slow people in the B group. And I'm not sure what you mean by first timers. Keigwin's days are not for first timers to the track. "...For this reason very good riding skills are necessary, and track experience is required" (http://keigwin.com)

FYI I was on a black/white '02 ZX-6R (with brake light untaped) with black/silver helmet and leathers.

Did you check out Darron's photos? He was taking some great shots out there.

[cbrmonkey]

I thought the passing was not too bad in B group. A few were getting a little dicy but nothing too close. There were alot of slower riders out there, I'm not very fast in B group and even I was lapping people. BTW I was the gray/white GSXR with #11 on the tail. Anyway, has anyone posted any photos of the event yet?

[Joachim2311]

Thanks for the reply (Eric in Davis). Your bike looks familiar:teeth

Ur right though, several slower riders ( maybe first trackday
experience for them). Even though Lance has a disclaimer for track experienced riders...there's still people who signup for his events not having previous track experience or at least it seems that way.

I missed Darron's photo's but I saw him trackside in some good photo op areas. Did he have them setup for viewing at the end of the day? I signed up for a cd regardless as it's always nice to have pics from another track..yes?:teeth

I just realized that I walked up to u and Dman at ur tent in the afternoon. I signed his notebook for pics. Cya out there next time

[Eric in Davis]

Joachim2311 - yeah I remember seeing you when I talked to Dman. Darron actually had his laptop setup the whole day in the riders meeting area. People were scrolling through the pics at their leisure. I scrolled through most of them, and they looked great! Darron was out there until late in the day both days. I wouldn't be surprised if some people get 20+ photos on their CDs.

[GixxxerJLo]

Hi Joachim2311,
I was one of the riders you are prolly talking about. I did not feel like I made any un-safe passes, I too stayed behind some slower riders when I fealt they were unsure of themselves, but I tried to pass everyone with a safe distance.

If I did do this, I Apoligize and I hope everyone will forgive me, I in no way meant to be rude. I remember exactly what it was liked to be passed by the "A" guys in a turn, like getting stuffed in 5 at thill and having to run in the dirt.

Once again sorry, it was a great time while it lasted, that track is very fun.

[Joachim2311]

Originally posted by GixxxerJLo
Hi Joachim2311,
I was one of the riders you are prolly talking about. I did not feel like I made any un-safe passes, I too stayed behind some slower riders when I fealt they were unsure of themselves, but I tried to pass everyone with a safe distance.

If I did do this, I Apoligize and I hope everyone will forgive me, I in no way meant to be rude. I remember exactly what it was liked to be passed by the "A" guys in a turn, like getting stuffed in 5 at thill and having to run in the dirt.

Once again sorry, it was a great time while it lasted, that track is very fun.

Hey GixxerJlo,

Can't really tell from your avatar what colors ur riding ( black / yellow gixxer? ). But, I appreciate ur apologies ( not knowing whether or not ur one of the previously mentioed riders ).

Did u have an ankle injury...I'd heard one of the riders had a sore limb..the other ended up with a broken femur:( I hate to see anyone injured on a trackday...

Anway, thanks for the reply.

[GixxxerJLo]

Yes, I was riding a Blk/Yel Gixxxer 600, and yes I hurt my ankle, I was able to limp for a while but it got worse throughout the day. Monday I went in for X-rays and found that I broke both the Tibia and Fibula. Fun stuff, need to go in for surgery Friday to repair it, but I will be back in 6-8 weeks :) Hope the person who broke their femur is OK, that seems a lot more painful...

[Joachim2311]

Ouch...heal soon!!