BDA116 and bwhip MMP Memorial Day

bwhip · 05-30-2006, 10:32 AM

Thanks again to BDA116 for twisting my arm (didn't take much) and talking me in to making the 5 1/2 hour journey to Miller Motorsports Park for the Apex trackday on Memorial Day. It was awesome!

Rained hard all the way down on Saturday, but the forecast called for improvement so I was hopeful.

I have to say that Miller Motorsports Park must be seen to be believed. I was impressed on opening day back on April 1, but it has come a long way since then. Everything about it is absolutely first class, and it keeps getting better. Just a world class motorsports facility. Wait until you see it at the AMA races coming up in June. I didn't need the generator for the tire warmers - just plug in to one of their hundreds of power outlets throughout the pits and spotless garages. They even have big screen TV's hanging throughout the day garages, concession stands, etc. so you can keep an eye on the action. Incredible.

On Sunday, some buddies of mine and I were able to sample the new Supermoto track at Miller. We were only able to get two sessions in because of the weather, and couldn't go in the dirt part because it was too wet, but the road part was awesome. A nice 80 MPH straight, with every kind of tight twist and turn you could imagine. That new Suzuki DR-Z400SM of mine is just so much fun, and a great little tool that is helping my roadracing skills by dealing with sliding.

On Monday the weather turned out to be perfect for our trackday. Mid-60's, bright sunshine with just scattered clouds. Started out cool but warmed up in a hurry.

Great to see BDA116 again. The photos you've seen of his bike don't do it proper justice. It is really sharp. I especially liked his patriotic new tank guard, along with an awesome graphic on the tail honoring the victims of 9-11-01. And he was ripping it up on the track - passing everyone in sight. It was fun to watch.

I twisted his arm about joining us at Grattan. Come on BDA116!

It was definitely my best day of riding ever. I NEVER thought I would consistently drag my right knee like that around the track. The left, sure, but not the right. I was really feeling the effects of the Spencer school training, and I shaved over ten seconds off my lap times from April. The second-to-last session was the best, when I followed this ZX-10R around for six laps or so, right on his tail (capturing some pretty cool video footage!). He was definitely pushing me to my max comfort level, but it was so much fun. He'd pull away on the straights, and then I'd catch him in the corners (especially the right-handers - can you believe it?). SO MUCH FUN.

Although the track now has more rubber on it, it still is pretty green so it shreds the tires! I loved my first set of the Metzler Racetecs, but they're toast now. The grip was amazing though, throughout the day.

I can't wait for Grattan.

Tornado bait · 05-30-2006, 10:46 AM

Sounds like it was good weekend to be at the track.

phobiaphobe · 05-30-2006, 10:46 AM

Cool. Some Calgary groups are planning trips to Miller... probably won't make it this year but I'm gonna try to get down next season.

BDA116 · 05-30-2006, 11:01 AM

Sweet writeup again bwhip. I didn't start a thread as I knew your wordsmithing of it would be better.
I wish I would have taken some pics of you as well, but when I finally did grab my camera I found dead batteries. And I didn't come and ask you for yours for a session. My bad.
Anyway, thanks for the props as you were definately moving as well.
It was cool to meet up with you again and get some good - no, excellent riding in.
Too bad there were so many crashes yesterday and asinine passes. Maybe next time those WSMC and AZ guys won't come back. Well, three of those WSMC guys won't be riding anywhere for a while.
The track day after the weekend races isn't the time to take out frustrations and try to prove that you could have finished higher.
My Dad actually stopped by there at the end of lunch and watched the first couple sessions before taking off. That was pretty cool, didn't know he was going to do that. He watched from the control tower and was flat amazed at the riding that was going on. First time he's ever watched bikes in person.
The tire situation is interesting for sure. The track surface was still a bit cool although the temp was perfect on top of being a little green still, so there was a bit of cold tearing involved.
I was amazed at the level of grip I had, though. That session just before lunch where I went balls out was awesome. Dragging the bodywork and clipping the curbs. I got my head a bit close to those yellow post thingies on the inside curbing in four once as well. That was unnerving, but I had as much traction as I needed everywhere.

RRWANTR · 05-30-2006, 11:27 AM

Sweet. I NEED to get up there some time.

bwhip · 06-01-2006, 2:05 PM

The photodude there managed to get a pretty good shot of me in turn six. Man that was fun...

BDA116 · 06-01-2006, 2:16 PM

I found quite a few of me that I like so I went ahead and ordered the CD. I'll post one or two when I get it.
I saw many good ones of you as well. He actually moved around the track this time and got a few different good angles.

tigerblade · 06-01-2006, 2:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

The photodude there managed to get a pretty good shot of me in turn six. Man that was fun...

Great pic!

CBR929RE · 06-01-2006, 8:18 PM

sweet, sounds like you guys had a lot of fun. you gonna upload the vid Bwhip?

06-01-2006, 8:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerblade

Great pic!

+1

Sounds like an awesome time!

RRWANTR · 06-01-2006, 9:14 PM

Nice!

bwhip · 06-01-2006, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

sweet, sounds like you guys had a lot of fun. you gonna upload the vid Bwhip?

Yeah - haven't had time to do any editing yet. Hopefully by the end of this weekend I'll have something.

Vizsladog44 · 06-02-2006, 9:27 AM

Awesome guys..

What tires did you run Bda???

BDA116 · 06-02-2006, 9:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vizsladog44

Awesome guys..

What tires did you run Bda???

SuperCorsas.

Purpdust · 06-02-2006, 9:52 AM

Man that is a beautiful back drop in the first picture.

Rios929 · 06-02-2006, 10:40 AM

Wow, that track looks awesome! Looks like you guys had a blast.

Pete · 06-02-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rios929

Wow, that track looks awesome! Looks like you guys had a blast.

Actually, its lack of elevation changes makes it suck. And it's in the middle of the desert, so the scenery sucks too.

BDA116 · 06-02-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Actually, its lack of elevation changes makes it suck. And it's in the middle of the desert, so the scenery sucks too.

Flat as a pancake. You could place a marble on any point of the track and it wouldn't budge.
Those hills were Photoshopped in as well.

CBRVFR · 06-02-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerblade

Great pic!

You can hardly see the wires from the crane at all!!

J/K, 'whip, looks like a wonderful track, and it also looks like you're riding fast and comfortably.

luvtolean · 06-02-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Actually, its lack of elevation changes makes it suck. And it's in the middle of the desert, so the scenery sucks too.

bwhip · 06-02-2006, 6:23 PM

Here's a quick vid I put together with the very limited footage I gathered Monday. Of course now I wish I had captured more, but I was focusing on riding that day more so than filming. Oh well.

Anyway, I took what I had and did some creative editing to spice it up a bit - the "hyper" mix. I hope you like it.

Right-click and save as it's almost 70MB:
http://www.bwhip.com/images/Miller%20May%2006.mpg

CBR929RE · 06-02-2006, 7:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

Here's a quick vid I put together with the very limited footage I gathered Monday. Of course now I wish I had captured more, but I was focusing on riding that day more so than filming. Oh well.

Anyway, I took what I had and did some creative editing to spice it up a bit - the "hyper" mix. I hope you like it.

Right-click and save as it's almost 70MB:
http://www.bwhip.com/images/Miller%20May%2006.mpg

maybe less "editing" next time. too many wipes. overall looking good though.