Willow Springs, Ca
02/14/97 - 02/16/97

Event Baseline Tech Info

Event Action Plan / Goals:

Friday 02/14/97 (Fastrack Riders Practice):

IT WAS GREAT TO BACK OUT ON THE TRACK !!!!!

After taking three months off and running a newly modified engine, I knew I should take it easy for the first few sessions. I tried, honest I did, but who could resist the freshly paved T3 thru T5 section, no 'breeze', cool temps, and all that new power! Curt did a great job on the motor! I was having a blast chasing down the 750's and the odd Duckster! To top it off, I ran my fastest time to date in the first session, then did it again in the second. Hot Damn!

The split times shown above reflect the time from T1 to T6. As I work on different sections of the track, the splits should indicate whether I'm improving or not.

I settled down a bit after my second session and started concentrating on specific areas of the track, including:

Maybe I think too much! I slowed down a bit after the second session, but started running consistent lap times.

Some of the above ideas I picked up while doing my corner work duties in January, particularly the wider exit on T4 and deeper run on T9. I took the advice of those who have come before me - pick the corners where you have problems and pay attention!

I also concentrated a lot on keeping a looser grip on the bars and supporting the bike more with my legs & knees. This took a lot of the strain off my shoulders and let the bike transition over bumps without upsetting the chassis.

The problem with shifting into 6th is still with me. When the bike was at Jordan Engineering, I asked Curt to check it out. His best guess was a dorked shift drum. He did suggest pre-loading the shift lever before making the actual shift into 6th - that worked fairly well. It's still a helluva bother, but I'll have to live with it until I have Curt pull the motor.

Saturday 02/15/97 (WSMC Practice):

It was pretty chilly in the morning, but we were blessed with no 'breeze' all day. The winter months tend to be this way - relief from the wind but it can be pretty cold. I planned ahead and installed one of FogCity's Pro shields - it worked great. There is a bit of reflection of your face off the shield, but I'd prefer that to fogging up coming into T9!

For the first two sessions I kept working on the areas from yesterday, but started getting frustrated as my times were going nowhere fast. I did get my first experience with sliding the Dunlops around out on T2. Everytime I touched my knee down I'd start sliding to the outside of the track. It took a couple of times before I realized what was going on - it was so smooth and controlled. Guess I need to hang off a bit more to the right, eh?

Tony Silvra (#97 for '97) offered to tow me around the track for the next two sessions. Tony's fast around the track, running .28's, so I jumped at the chance. I kept up with him fairly well from T1 thru T7, but he turned on the afterburners on T8 and was gone! He'd park it coming down the front straight while I caught up, and we'd go around again. After a few laps of this, he motioned me by and chased my butt around. Afterwards, he offered the following tips & I made these observations:

T9 is tough because I can't see / find many reference points (among other things!). The only new point I picked up this weekend was looking to the track exit (hot pit lane entrance) coming through the apex - it kept me from running too wide and off into the dirt.

Many, many thanks to Tony. When I was able to stick to him through T9 the line was sweet and pure - no front end push, no hesitation. I need to keep finding that line (and keep the throttle pinned)!

Sunday 02/17/97 (WSMC Race Day):

Man was I motivated! Practice was cut short on a red flag. One rider went down on T1 and another on T4. What a mess. The remaining practices were postponed while they cleaned up the carnage and we had our rider's meeting early.

Now we're cooking with gas - fastest lap to date AND a top ten finish (ok, there were only 11 racers, but I'll take it!).

I was waaaaayyyyy too amped to get the race started. I took off on the warm up lap and slid my way around T1. Same as with the sliding on T2 yesterday - real smooth, though this time it was cold tires.

I was gridded right behind Michael Martinez (#999), last month's race winner. I was determined to stick to his rear wheel and have him pull me around. I got off the line fairly well, out of T1 in 4th, then the usual slam from the outside and I was in 8th by T3. I've got to break the habit of backing off when I get slammed & just run for T2! Michael was gone and won the race. I made one pass out on the straight coming into T8, but it didn't stick and I was passed on the outside coming out of T8.

My two big demons raised their ugly heads in the race - intimidated by traffic and rolling off the throttle coming into T8. I've gotten past the worry of taking someone else out - now I worry (too much) about being taken out. I also tend to fixate on their rear tire - I should look out beyond the bike ahead and get to where I need to be.

I get a little faster through T8/T9 every month - but it's been slow going (literally). I've got to get past that if I'm going to lower my times.

It was a GREAT weekend and I'm pretty pleased with my results. I'm still running as a novice, and probably will until I can pull my times down into the lower .30's.

Bob.

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