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03/06/2007: "Take it 2 The Track"

I know I've been kind of slacking as far as keeping my riding adventures chronicled here, but just how many times can you read that I went to the Rock Store or Angeles Crest Highway. Besides, it was winter and even in SoCal, the riding slows down a bit because of the weather.

Now that the Motorcycle Season has officially started (WSBK started last weekend and MotoGP starts this weekend), I decided it was time for me to get out to the track. It's kind of a birthday present to myself too. I couldn't find anything directly on my birthday (March 12th) but I was able to sign up for a Ti2TT Track Day at Willow Springs Raceway on March 5th (on the big track) and one day with Jason Pridmore's Star Motorcycle School on March 26th at the Streets of Willow (the small track).

I'll post the Star Motorcycle School report here once I get back. Here's my Ti2TT report.

Since this was the first time I had used my truck for a track day, I was happy to finally use it for it's intended purpose. It worked out perfectly. Robyn fits in the truck bed with just enough room for me to close the tailgate.



I got myself up bright and early and drove out to the track. I got to Rosamond in time enough to get some breakfast at the Jack In The Box that's right off the freeway exit. I drove out to the track and got through gate check-in with no problems. Got instructions on where I could and could not pit and proceeded to unload.



After unloading, I went to registration. Ti2TT is a very well organized and friendly Track Day Organization. After signing all the necessary releases of liability, I was given a ticket that I would use to:
1. Get Authorized to get my bike inspected by Tech
2. Be entered into the raffle for prizes at lunch.

I went back and took the bike over to Tech. My buddy Freddie works for Ti2TT and just happened to do my tech inspection. He knows the bike so he didn't spend much time checking it for anything wrong. He actually just drooled over the upgrades for a bit and then I was back to my pit.

Ti2TT had the Riders meeting at 8:30am. Everyone gathered and we where given the on track rules of conduct, which differ from group to group. We were given a quick refresher on the flags and the on track group schedule. It turned out my group (B) would be on in 20 minutes (after the A group).

I was a bit nervous, because I had never been on this track before, and it's a FAST track. The fastest in the West Coast. I was just about to find out how fast.

I went back and put on my gear. Soon, I heard the 5 minute call and I rolled over to the Hot Pit. We were lead on 1 sighting lap to get our bearings and then it was go time. I took it pretty easy in this session, but just as I was starting to get a feel for the track and get warmed up, the session was over.

I knew I was going to go much harder in the second session, and I did. I was seeing 140+ at the end of the front straight and about 120+ going into turn 8. I'd heard that people can get 150+ going into turn 8.

The third session and last one before lunch (provided by Ti2TT), I was going really good. Experimenting with new lines and really riding with some aggression. I was now seeing 150+ at the end of the front straight and 140+ going into turn 8.



After lunch, I took it easy in the first part of that first session back. Wanted to be sure my tires were warm and my brain was back up to speed. By the second session after lunch, I was flying around that track again. Of course, I was still getting passed occasionally by some skilled riders, but I was doing a LOT of passing. I had gotten a good rhythm and was actually starting to drag knee consistently in turn 6. This was setting me up for a good run through Turn 7 into Turn 8. I was finally seeing 150+ going into turn 8 and seeing a staggering 160+ on the front straight.




By this point in the day, fuel was starting to become an issue. It's amazing how fast you can burn through a tank of gas when you can do wide open throttle for an extended period of time. This track has 2 spots that are like that, the front straight and from the exit of Turn 6 all the way into Turn 8.

I had to cut my last 2 sessions short because I simply didn't bring enough extra with me. I brought an extra tank full (5 gallons) but should have brought more. Live and Learn.

These pictures are of my tires. The first one is my rear tire after the 2nd morning session. The second is my rear tire at the end of the day. The 3rd is my front tire at the end of the day. Keep in mind, these tires were brand new when I started the day.






One thing that I was worried about at Willow was the wind. I've heard some nasty rumors about how bad it can be in turn 8. I'm happy to report that it was the IDEAL weather for a track day. There was little to no wind and it was in the mid-70s.

Can't wait until I go to Star Motorcycle school in 3 weeks.



I also wanted to add a special thanks to Brian at CaliPhotography for the great action shots of me on the track. Good looking out bro.