[DCEMotorsports]

I was hoping all the hype about Barber was overblown and 'over the top', as it were. Well, it isn't. It is the best track in the USA that I have seen and raced on (my buddy says the same and he has raced all the west coast tracks). VIR is great in it's own way but Barber is tops. Maybe it is because I've raced Grattan so long that I was star struck by all the 'newness'. Well, because I've raced Grattan, I had a great time at Barber. I could go on about all the flowing, challanging corners. About the huge expanse of grippy asphalt to get lost on. How you just 'gas it' all the time, every lap and can't get enough of it. I've never held the throttle pinned for so long every lap as I did at Barber while leaned over. I wish it wasn't a 15 hr. drive!
The racing was fast and amazing. My first race Solo 14 (normally 20 laps), I was gridded on the 3rd row (pre entry works&#33 The starter was quick and I was ready for him. I got a good launch off the line and held my position into t1. I followed the guy in front of me into t2. Evidently it was not fast enough for two guys and I was pushed back some. I got around one and latched onto another as we hammered through the corners. I was on the gas early and got the F4's rear Michelin to slide out ever so smoothly coming out of the corners. I thought, 'hummm, that hasn't happened before'. Maybe those tires are getting hot?' I threw the bike into one of the chicanes and it slid both ends ever so smoothly. I thought, 'going fast are we?' Well, I started to think too much and a couple more guys got around me. As I sat up going into t1 hard on the brakes on the 3rd lap, this dude comes by me on the outside (right), out of control trying to get it collected for t1. He hits my right elbow and hand, knocking the brake lever out of my grasp as I'm hitting my down shifts. I shoot past him and another guy heading for the 'kitty litter' on the outside of the corner. Well, Barber has this huge , wide track and I'm able to collect myself up before hitting the grass and continue onto t2. I lost more positions but was extremely happy and relieved I was upright and racing still. I figured that was that and put my head down to collect the lost positions. I got back 5 spots and was colsing on another when I got hit again going into t1! Not as bad but just enough to send me off line. Dang, do I have a sign on my back saying 'kick me' or something? I chased down the guy that hit me and slammed the door on him 2 corners from the checkers. Got a 12th. Not great but a good day when you make it back to your pit intact.
My next race (CORC) I was gridded in the front row of the 2nd wave. I got a good jump and held my position until the 'corkscrew' and got passed under braking. Can't let that happen so I made a run at him a couple corners later over a hill on the outside. I showed him a wheel and had planned to square off the next corner and out drive him down the front straight. Well, those pesky Gixxer 750's are just too much for my little F4. I could get up to him under braking and through the corners but he would out drive me on the straights. I had to let him go. I finished 10th OA, 3rd in class. Not too shabby.
Well, my other 2 races were DNS. I whimped out. The 86deg F, 85% humidity atmosphere got the better of this out of shape racer. I chose to race another day rather than chance a bad mistake on my part because I could see myself riding over my physical ability on this wonderful track. As it turned out, those two races were red flagged because of bad crashes. I'll be ready for the next round in August.

If you can take in a bike race at Barber, please do it. The Museum is supposed to be open in August some time and that just adds to the charm.

[Pete]

Great post, DCE! I've heard all those good things about Barber, and as a result, I'm going to see what I can do about making it to the AMA final round there in September.

A friend of mine that raced there this weekend said he felt bad sh!tting in their toilets because the place was so nice.

[tigerblade]

Very cool DCE! Can't wait to get down there myself!

[thedoctor]

DCEMotorsports : * * Well, my other 2 races were DNS. *I whimped out. *The 86deg F, 85% humidity atmosphere got the better of this out of shape racer. *I chose to race another day rather than chance a bad mistake on my part because I could see myself riding over my physical ability on this wonderful track. * * *

It's not whimping out it's knowing yourself, and being intelligent.

Can't wait for Oulton. Bet they'll move you into the fast group and I'll have to stay in the inters. Track days aren't good for 125s .

Though I have booked a sneaky practise day at Oulton (all GP125s ) the previous Friday.

[phozed]

thanks for the post - can't wait to see Barbar for myself!

[Motopilot]

Cool post. I'm going to Star at Barber on August 9-10. I get wood just thinking about it.

[nedro]

Hey DCE You might want to take a look at this page. Which one are you?
Pics from your race weekend

[DCEMotorsports]

Thanks nedro for the link. I saw this photog's work at the track. I'm in Sat. practice group 6, 600 nov. #2274 & 2275. Also Sat. Race 7, HW solo #3033 and Sun. Race 5 CORC #3527. This last shot shows my sponsor decals on the lower fairing. I don't know if you can see the .org sticker? I'm also sponsored by Michigan Brewing Co.! ! !

My buddy Mike is in Sat. practice group 3 750 expert, #1952, 2006,2007,2008. He was at the .org at Grattan Days with his '94 944RR ex-LaBelle FX bike. Mike and I did some cornering demos on the track. Well, Mike got his front wheel taken out in the 1st corner of his 1st race of the weekend and crashed hard. The 944RR is hurt bad. Bent rear Marchesini, totalled body work, broken shock link and a broken frame! I really liked that rocket of a bike. RIP.

I'm still reliving the weekend today. I've got to get back to that track and work on the corners some more. It is so much fun. The Star School would be unbelievable there. Now that is the way to learn Barber! ! !

[nedro]

Those are some nice pics. I like the color sceme on the bike.