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View Full Version : TWS Track Day Report 2/16/04


Docspeed
02-16-2004, 07:35 PM
Wow, it had been so long since the fall, that I had forgotten how great it felt. The day started out cold, 35 degrees, when I arrived at Texas World Speedway at 7:20am. I've raced open wheel cars and shifter karts here and I still get butterflys as I drive through the tunnel. Got unloaded, registered, and teched. Then we just tried to stay warm until the first session at 8:30.

My first session was good. I got some tire warmers over the winter, and got to start with warm tires. I usually go the first 2 laps before I start to wick it up, but starting on warm tires gave me 2 more hot laps each session. They were well worth the investment. I had put heated grips on the superhawk when I rode it on the street. They are epoxied on. So when I converted it to track only use, I left them on. They were really nice today.

Our second session was cut 10 minutes short, they are usually 20 minutes, because some guy went down after the carosel. He took a trip to the hospital in the ambulance so the track was shut down until it got back. We took this opportunity to sample some of TWS's track burgers. They are really pretty decent, with fresh condiments, and the chocolate chip cookies were worth it. Lone star Track Days provided all the water and Gatorade you can drink so you can stay hydrated and not have to pay for a drink at lunch.

During the break I stopped by Uberhawk's Track Leather trailer. He was in morning as he had just sold his motard. He has a really nice selection of leathers, if you do a track day go by and take a look. You can come as a spectator for free, so that would be a good way to try on some different brands of leathers. (not a paid advertisement)

Our first session after lunch was 30 minutes long to make up for the shorter session earlier. After riding 30 minutes, I was ready for a rest. They didn't tell us they were going to do this, but I wasn't coming off the track until the checkered flag, I was in the Zone.

Our next session went about 18 minutes. It was ended by a red flag for somebody off the track, but then somebody went off after the red flag and the ambulance went to the hospital again. Well, that ended my day as I needed to be back around 5pm when my kids were getting back from the long weekend with their mom.

As I was leaving at 4pm, they had just opened the track. They had extended the track time until 6pm instead of 5pm, and they were going to run 15 minute sessions so everyone could get some more track time. Those guys at LSTD really try to treat you decent.

As I was towing home and reliving each session and turn, total euphoria came over me and I was drawn back in as a TRACK DAY JUNKY!!!!!

Dirtrideroader
02-16-2004, 08:15 PM
When I signed up for my track day earlier this year, I debated between today and the one on March 12th. I decided that there was a better chance having good weather in March. I sat at my desk all day looking out the window thinking, I really screwed up.

Glad you guys had a good day.

AggieVFR
02-16-2004, 09:59 PM
. I decided that there was a better chance having good weather in March. I sat at my desk all day looking out the window thinking, I really screwed up.

Glad you guys had a good day.

I rode to class today, sick as a dog, and the whole time I was thinking how nice it would be if I was well and didn't have any classes today. The weather was beautiful and a WHOLE LOT warmer than it was in Bismarck when I flew out of there yesterday. It was 4 degrees with the wind chill and the wind was blowing. Brrrrrrr... :eek: I'm glad ya'll had a good time. It would be a shame if no one got to enjoy the good weather after all the rain we've just had.

kawi jm
02-18-2004, 11:05 PM
First off the new bike is fabulous to say the least. Just to cut the suspense I lowsided in T4 @ about 75mph :angryfir: . Some scuffed up plastic, RT rearset & brake lever is all the damage incurred. The gear did it's job & the frame sliders worked perfectly.
Now for the day... There were a total of 10 wrecks :-| (counting mine :angel: ) I jumped right up & cranked her up so no flag was thrown on mine, but there was considerable time wasted thoughout the day on wrecks. The air temp felt warm, but the track was still a bit cool. Some people were getting a little over confident & ditched it. The two that went to the hospital were really the only hairy crashes. The following is the break down:
"A" group - 3 wrecks
"B" group - 5 wrecks
"C" group - 2 wrecks
I rode in "B" for the first time & enjoyed it, up to the wreck ;-) . Really in hind-site the wreck was not from going too fast, but from a glich in my technique. If I would get my butt off the seat more & not lean the bike over soooo far then I would still be looking @ my pristine baby. A little frustrated @ myself thats all. I'll be working on my technique a little on the street (slower pace) of course. They (friends at the track) insisted that I get back on the track. I had to borrow a bike to do it, but I did & really it felt good to go back through that turn w/ no drama.
BTW Steve O Chap went down as well. T9 going downhill into the carousel. He missed the tire wall barely :angel: , but the bike is pretty banged up. No sliders :pound: = big $$ He got a little ham fisted w/ the throttle. Saved the highside, but lowsided in the process. Everyone is fine, but dissapointed.
Finally the proof is in the puddin'. I ended up running 2min 13sec lap times. Steve mustered some 2min. 16sec laps (not bad at all considering his 1st time @ TWS)
I am taking donations to repair the SV :help: , but really I plan on riding the way it is at least until after the March date :dude: