STT Mid-Ohio days 7/14-15

lfg929 · 07-16-2003, 3:35 PM

Both days had great weather even if it was a little warm.

Monday started off with the STT guys needing another instructor for the novice group so I filled in. The last time I was there I was an instructor until I high-sided myself to the hospital. fivestar was in my group the last time and this time so I got to finish what I started. Hopefully he was happy with the instruction I gave him! The Honda gals (HondaGal and HondaGalToo) were both there as well. We introduced ourselves and chatted throughout the day. They were running intermediate so I didn't see much of them on the track the first day. They introduced me to several of their group who frequent the Reduc track days in the northeast. jg was there also (sorry, I can't remember your new handle on this board).

I had about 10 people from my local riding group there as well. We only had a single lowside in our group the first day. The bike had some rash on it and lost a footpeg. Luckily the rider had replaced the stock rearsets with Woodcraft so I just sold him one of my spare pegs off the racebike.

Monday night my group and the Reduc group all had dinner and a beer or 2 together at the local sports bar. ND4SPDSHO and Heavy-Dee, along with 2 of their friends, rode down from Cleveland and joined us for dinner (fivestar wasn't feeling well and had to beg out).

Tuesday was more of the same weather but was a little cooler due to some storms that were heading our way (it didn't start raining until after the track day was over though). STT had a smaller novice group Tuesday so I did some control riding in the intermediate group. I got some laps with several people from my group along with the Honda gals, both of whom were doing well on the track.

The only incident in our group that day occured to one of our female riders. She signed up for a two-up ride with one of the STT staff. She had been riding novice (it was her first track day ever) and was used to how fast she took the corners. She wasn't prepared for how fast they *can* be taken by someone who has been doing track days for a while. Needless to say she was happy she did it but it overwhelmed her senses. She tossed her cookies afterwards and was a little emotional afterwards. Unfortunately, she went out right after that for her novice session and probably should have instead sat a session out and collected herself. She lowsided in turn 7. Again, minor damage to the bike (broke the left rearset). One of the guys I know from a local shop let her use his spare Woodcraft rearset and we got the bike rideable again.

All in all it was a fun 2 days. There were a few spills here and there but very few red flags. I have to say the STT days are much better this year compared to last year. They have done an excellent job of keeping people under control and trying to make them realize they don't need to go out full tilt and crash themselves. We got a good bit of track time both days (there were a couple of lulls while bikes were being recovered but not too bad).

As for myself, I had a couple of 'moments'. The first one occured when I hit some ripples or something coming through turn 11 and the front skipped a couple of times losing traction. It was hard enough to knock my right foot off the peg and I looked straight at the concrete wall on the outside of the turn. I recovered in time to get the bike back into the turn and stayed on the pavement. The other one occured going over the hump through turn 9. I was hard on the gas over the crest when the rear wheel spun up and stepped out a bit. I backed off the throttle just a tad and waited for it to regrip, which it eventually did. I had to stop early the 2nd day because I toasted the right inside brake pad and started rubbing metal to metal. I already ordered parts and should have the calipers rebuilt and new pads installed (along with rotors bead blasted) in time for the AMA National next week. If not, well I can always use the RC51 calipers and rotors...

ND4SPD · 07-16-2003, 6:04 PM

Had a great time over dinner with you guys We rode about 170 miles which made me realize how hard my seat really is. Gotta get that pic off my camera and post it!

HondaGal · 07-16-2003, 6:44 PM

We had a blast too! And, it was nice to meet all of the .org cuties!

All STT members are welcome to participate in Reduc events without having to pay a membership fee or satisfy any preliminary requirements, so check out our schedule. We'd love to see you guys again.

Gotta go now...have to unload the trailer.

HondaGalToo · 07-16-2003, 10:10 PM

It was great meeting everyone! lfg, fivestar, oldgoat, ND4SPD, Heavy Dee, and their friends! Hope we can hook up sometime again! You guys are great!!

I love the layout of Mid-Ohio, but I think the surface sucks! I'm used to asphalt/concrete transitions from riding at Summit Point, but at Summit they're smooth transitions. I hit a couple of them in such a way as to upset the bike and it made me a bit skittish the rest of the time. I started feeling relaxed during the afternoon of the second day. The track overall is a blast and I hope to be able to ride there again!!

They had an Ohlins tech there so I took time out from a couple of sessions to have him setup my suspension, since I hadn't gotten around to gathering enough people to hold up the bike and set sag. My rear sag was way off. He set sag and fiddled a bit with compression and rebound. Much improved!!

Next stop.....Summit Point!

Heavy-Dee · 07-16-2003, 10:30 PM

lfg929, good seeing you again. Nice write up about your days at Mid Ohio.

Honda Gals: Great to meet you. I was disapointed that you were all the way accross the table from me. I tried to get in on the conversation as much as I could. Another time.

nd4spdsho: Thanks again for inviting me. Good to meet you finally, and it was a good ride. My bum was a hutin', and I was pretty tired when I got home. Just in time though for 'American Chopper' on Discovery.

ND4SPD · 07-16-2003, 10:32 PM

Here's the pic...Didn't come out as good as I had hoped. It was a pretty quick snap

lfg929 · 07-16-2003, 11:23 PM

American Chopper rocks! I don't watch it regularly, but every now and then I catch a marathon and sit and watch it for 4 hours straight. Their bikes are pretty cool (for choppers) but the dad and son going at it really makes the show. Those guys crack me up!

Red Rider · 07-17-2003, 7:18 AM

Quote:

ND4SPDSHO : Here's the pic...Didn't come out as good as I had hoped. *It was a pretty quick snap

Who's who in the pic? *I know which one is lfg...I've spent enough time chasing him on the track to recognize that back anywhere!

Sounds like you guys (and gals) all had a great and safe time. *I'll have to put it on the calendar for next year...

Heavy-Dee · 07-17-2003, 7:23 AM

Quote:

lfg929 : American Chopper rocks! I don't watch it regularly, but every now and then I catch a marathon and sit and watch it for 4 hours straight. Their bikes are pretty cool (for choppers) but the dad and son going at it really makes the show. Those guys crack me up!

Yea I pulled in the garage and my wife was there saying 'Our show is on.'

I really enjoy the show, but the arguing gets old for me. I really like the brother, Mike. He cracks me up.

ND4SPD · 07-17-2003, 8:47 AM

Quote:

Red Rider : Quote (ND4SPDSHO @ July 16 2003, 10:32pm)Here's the pic...Didn't come out as good as I had hoped. *It was a pretty quick snap

Who's who in the pic? *I know which one is lfg...I've spent enough time chasing him on the track to recognize that back anywhere! *

Sounds like you guys (and gals) all had a great and safe time. *I'll have to put it on the calendar for next year...
All the way on the left is my buddy Paul trying to cover up his Buell( ), dead center is Heavy-Dee, lady in the white shirt is Hondagal, you can sorta make out Hondagaltoo's feet behind Hondagal, LFG's drooling over the RR, all the way on the right is my buddy Adam next to his Shadow Spirit, and I'm behind the camera

Heavy-Dee · 07-17-2003, 8:54 AM

Quote:

ND4SPDSHO : Quote (Red Rider @ July 17 2003, 7:18am)Quote (ND4SPDSHO @ July 16 2003, 10:32pm)Here's the pic...Didn't come out as good as I had hoped. *It was a pretty quick snap

Who's who in the pic? *I know which one is lfg...I've spent enough time chasing him on the track to recognize that back anywhere! *

Sounds like you guys (and gals) all had a great and safe time. *I'll have to put it on the calendar for next year...
All the way on the left is my buddy Paul trying to cover up his Buell( ), dead center is Heavy-Dee, lady in the white shirt is Hondagal, you can sorta make out Hondagaltoo's feet behind Hondagal, LFG's drooling over the RR, all the way on the right is my buddy Adam next to his Shadow Spirit, and I'm behind the camera
YEa, I'm the good lookin' one.

slowpoke · 07-17-2003, 10:50 AM

Sorry I missed dinner with you all, a little family emergency came up and I couldn't make it. Maybe next time. Anybody signed up for 9/22 @ Mid-Ohio?

lfg929 · 07-17-2003, 11:57 AM

That is it for me with track days for the year. The rest of the events are all races. If STT needs an instructor or control rider then I might do the 22nd of Sept, but otherwise I won't make it.

oldgoat · 07-17-2003, 6:42 PM

Sure was a great 2 days at Mid Ohio. Nice to meet a few people from the form. Sorry I didn't make dinner, I think the heat got to me Monday. Hope to see you all again Sept 22.

fivestar · 07-17-2003, 9:37 PM

First off, sorry for the delay in posting in this topic. I've been pretty busy lately, and there just isn't enough hrs in the day! I had an absolutely awesome time with everyone.

Larry, I was more than satisfied w/your instruction on Monday. My only regret was that you weren't in our group on Tuesday. Nonetheless, still great instruction. I'm just glad you didn't go down this time!

HondaGal and HondaGalToo, it was great meeting the both of you. For those of you who haven't met them yet, they're both good people! And pretty darn fast too!! HondaGal, thx again for the tires. I'll be putting them to good use real soon. I look forward to seeing you both again.

Oldgoat, great seeing you again! I'm glad we got hooked up again. Again, for those of you who don't know, don't let his name fool you. Definately one of the faster non-racers out there. (Mr. advanced class!!&#33

Sorry I didn't make it to dinner Mon. nite. I was pretty sick that afternoon. I'm sure it was the heat and everything else combined. I was pretty bummed, but self-preservation kicked in and I thought it best to head home.

On Tues I could finally say that I dragged my knees!! What a rush that was! Words can't even explain it. Oldgoat can vouch for me when I say I couldn't wipe that smile off my face!

It was definately a great 2 days!!

fivestar · 07-17-2003, 9:46 PM

Oldgoat, HondaGal, and lfg, give me an email add so I can send ya those pics.

Or i can just post them here. Up to you guys.

HondaGal · 07-17-2003, 10:41 PM

Really great meeting you too fivestar! We'll meet again, I'm sure, and you will have a beer with us then.

My e-mail is: hondagal@optonline.net

I look forward to seeing you, oldgoat, lfg, nd4spd, heavy dee, and all their buddies sometime in the near future. Pittsburgh isn't too far away from you so maybe we could all rendezvous there for a track weekend some time. It would be alot of fun.

fivestar · 07-18-2003, 6:16 AM

Sounds good!!

Check your email too.

lfg929 · 07-18-2003, 10:47 AM

I can be hit up at lglaze@iddg.com.

Yeah, I am glad I didn't crash as well! Crashing wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I still didn't enjoy it and don't look forward to doing it again.

Oh yeah, congrats on the knee! You, your buddy on the Gixxer, and the guy on the R1 were doing really well even on the first day. The pace we ran the last couple of sessions was pretty good. There were several intermediate riders out there who didn't have the corner speeds you guys had that first day. Just keep working on body positioning and stuff and you will be dragging your knee all over the place. You can practice that stuff every day at regular street speeds so don't wait until the next time you get to the track to do it.

oldgoat · 07-18-2003, 7:08 PM

Fivestar, you're the one-you can drag your knee-I can't get close to that yet. I enjoyed myself and seeing everyone from the forum. See you in September.

fivestar · 07-19-2003, 7:18 AM

Quote:

oldgoat : Fivestar, you're the one-you can drag your knee-I can't get close to that yet. I enjoyed myself and seeing everyone from the forum. See you in September.

I'm sure you could!! You have some awesome photos by the photo guy. Did you look at them then? Pretty cool! I'm looking forward to Sept. already!!

BTW, check your email. I sent those pics.

fivestar · 07-19-2003, 7:22 AM

Quote:

lfg929 : I can be hit up at lglaze@iddg.com.

Oh yeah, congrats on the knee! You, your buddy on the Gixxer, and the guy on the R1 were doing really well even on the first day. The pace we ran the last couple of sessions was pretty good. There were several intermediate riders out there who didn't have the corner speeds you guys had that first day.

Thx for the comments. I'm sure it was all about the instruction we had!!

Thx Larry

I sent those pics to ya then