A Great Father's Day Weekend at Pahrump

bwhip · 06-22-2004, 9:01 PM

I had a Father's Day weekend to remember - two trackdays with son Travis at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park in Pahrump, Nevada.

Very hot weather, yes - 100 degrees or so (but it's a dry heat!), and there was a slight breeze. You just had to take a lot of breaks for water but it was just fine with my perfed suit.

13 hour drive from Boise was pretty crappy, but it was worth it! Four riding buddies and I went together, and met up with Travis at the track.

I brought both the 954 and the new Ducati, and it was fun to see the differences between the bikes. That track is so much fun - very technical with 10 "official" turns, along with a number of little "S" curves.

Travis had a minor lowside early Saturday morning when a tight corner got congested with too many riders and he tried to turn to avoid someone else and ran out of track. He found out why we wear leather protection and a quality helmet! Fortunately he wasn't hurt, and his R6 was kind of dinged up when he bought it so it didn't look too much worse. He was able to continue riding and rode extremely well the rest of the weekend. For a kid with very little riding experience he really gets it done! Fast, but very smart - doesn't take stupid risks (which Mom and I really appreciate!).

The 954 was awesome, as usual. Travis took a few laps on it and was amazed at the power, the braking ability, and how much easier it was to maneuver through the turns compared to his R6. I rode it better and faster than ever, and it was fun to learn how little I really needed to use the brakes now that I know the track better. I'm carrying way more speed through the turns than I used to be comfortable with.

The Ducati was great, too. I expected it to have a lot less power and require more shifting, but it's geared so tall that I was using mostly second and third gear like I do on the Honda - I'd occasionally get into fourth, but that's a pretty tight track. My speed around the track on the Duc averaged only about two MPH slower than the Honda, even using the same gears. I must admit I was riding a little more carefully on the new bike, not wanting to wad it so soon after break-in! But still, I rode faster than ever. Turning was quite a bit easier on the Duc, as I kind of expected due to the 180 rear and the extremely narrow profile of the bike.

Everyone that walked by our pit area had to stop and check out the Duc, which was kind of cool, too. Lots of comments about what a cool looking bike it is, although quite a few people don't like the headlights (my son included

).

Too many people crashed, though! Probably at least 10 bikes went down. No ambulance trips, but some serious bike carnage, including a brand new R1 that was just trashed.

I ordered a CD of pics that a pro photographer took while there that I should have in a week or so. I'll post some pics then (he took some great ones! ), but here's a few to give you an idea of what it was like for us.

I hope you guys and gals are going to have as much fun as I did when you go to Grattan!

Chain · 06-22-2004, 9:22 PM

What a blessing that must be to ride with your son now that he's back on home soil after protecting our way of life while deployed in the Middle East.

Cool write-up whip, nice pics too, thanks for sharing!

roadracer319 · 06-22-2004, 9:25 PM

Sweet!

I didn't like the headlights the first time that I saw them, but they are starting grow on me.

CBRVFR · 06-22-2004, 10:23 PM

That's great, Bwhip !

I'm hoping to get a track day in with my son this year.

Bacchus · 06-22-2004, 10:48 PM

Awesome bwhip!!! FAMILY THANG! Glad you had so much fun, sorry to hear of Travis' get-off.

But glad he is OK. Oh, and did I mention, Travis has your ears.

bwhip · 06-23-2004, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Awesome bwhip!!! FAMILY THANG! Glad you had so much fun, sorry to hear of Travis' get-off.

But glad he is OK. Oh, and did I mention, Travis has your ears.

Poor kid!

BTW, I thought you were going to say that he had my forehead veins!

bwhip · 06-23-2004, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

What a blessing that must be to ride with your son now that he's back on home soil after protecting our way of life while deployed in the Middle East.

Cool write-up whip, nice pics too, thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much - you're right, it is a great blessing that I'm eternally grateful for. We're trying to make the most of his time here since they're now saying he'll have to go back to Iraq in August.

arndogg · 06-23-2004, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

Thanks so much - you're right, it is a great blessing that I'm eternally grateful for. We're trying to make the most of his time here since they're now saying he'll have to go back to Iraq in August.

Your son looks so young, like he was still in high school. Is your son a Marine? I have a lot of friends that are currently there, and still more to follow in August. Part of me wishes I was there with them

bwhip · 06-23-2004, 1:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arndogg

Your son looks so young, like he was still in high school. Is your son a Marine? I have a lot of friends that are currently there, and still more to follow in August. Part of me wishes I was there with them

Actually, he's 20, and is a Lance Corporal with the 1st Batallion, 7th Marines. He was in Iraq for eight months last year, including the initial push from Kuwait into Baghdad. Spent several months in Najaf before returning on October 1st. We hoped he wouldn't have to return but it looks like he will have to.

Baketech · 06-23-2004, 8:03 AM

Those look like some days well lived....

Nice work bwhip, you are a lucky man....

ccwilli3 · 06-23-2004, 11:20 AM

I'm glad that you liked your new duc!

Nothing like a good flogging at a trackday with friends/family though. Good to hear too about your progression, I think I got a lot better as a rider when I started riding a twin.

arndogg · 06-23-2004, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

Actually, he's 20, and is a Lance Corporal with the 1st Batallion, 7th Marines. He was in Iraq for eight months last year, including the initial push from Kuwait into Baghdad. Spent several months in Najaf before returning on October 1st. We hoped he wouldn't have to return but it looks like he will have to.

I too, was in 29Palms for 3 years, with 3d Bn 11th Marines, but missed OIF because I was sent to Japan instead. Now, I'm in Los Angeles doing Officer recruiting. My wife and family like the fact that I'm home, but like I said earlier, part of me wants to be out there with the rest of the Marines.

Tell your son to take care, and Semper Fidelis.

Oh yeah, nice pics and a great looking bike. You and Chain got me thinking about Ducs, but that was squashed immediately by my wife

arnie