Work items...

Well, I was already planning on retiring my race skins from the bike after each season. 
I thought that it would make a great artifacts to hang around the workshop.

Here's the extents of the damage that my crash in round 7 incurred.

Naturally, my GP Canopy has seen betters days. 

I will replace the fairing stay with a new one I had in stock.

My GoPro totally took a shock.  I thought that all the safety wiring I did

may have been over the top.  I feel differently now.

Looks like I'll need a few parts for the rearset and

maybe I'll replace the engine guard impact plate too!

Round 7 Race Report

The 848 prepped for round 7. 

What a marvelous machine and Ulli is an awesome photographer

Well, it's the end of my first race season and I'm sitting on my couch writing this race report with a broken knee cap, sprained ankle, bruised ribs and a remarkably wide smile.

Dana looking on at Ducati w/ smashed canopy

I was originally planning to ride LRRS practice on Friday, race Saturday and Sunday and top my dessert weekend off with a session of Tony's Track Day on Monday.  Unfortunately, my weekend ended after my first race on Saturday. 

DMZ Racing #358 sets the pace for the Novice race 

My launch in race 1 was really strong and I rode a strong wheelie nearly 2 scoreboard's distance.  My first lap was a 1:31 which is about 3 seconds faster than my fastest lap 1 times.  I kept on the throttle all the way through turn 2 and the back straight.  I ran a little deep in turn 3 but recovered my speed by really get off to the side of the bike up the hill.

Dana making last minute adjustments

I found a slightly deeper entry into the bowl (turn 6) and it allowed me to get all of my pointing done quickly and push a good radius all the way through to turn to the flip through turn 7.  I felt really smooth and ran solid 1:28's for the rest of the race.

Which ended carving through turn 3 in lap 4.  :(

Dana gets her first ambulance ride

 

note the damage to the rear set, not really a bad slide

 

And wins her first race!

1st Place Rookie race

I'll be healing for a few weeks...

If you're gonna ride - remember to Twist It!!

Details coming soon!

Looking at a dirty bike tomorrow...

If all goes well, this little girl will join the family this weekend.

 

2003 Yamaha YZ-125 (purr, purr, mmm)

If you're gonna ride?  Remember to Twist It!!

-diz

2014 Racing Season

I am seriously considering spending my next racing season focusing on my rudimentary skills with a lightweight bike.

Honda CBR 250

 I've been a percussionist for a very long time and I've taught a lot of students in my day and one thing I have noticed is that one particular method seems tremendously successful...

Kawasaki EX 300

Hyosung  GT250/R

 1) Dive in deep; maybe over your head a little and find out if you've really got the passion. Passion makes anything challenging: fun. At first, trying to 'will your way out' of boundaries will build persistence and an ability to measure small improvements. Even if there may be a few minor bad habits forming.

2) Once you find that you love the 'art' of something; tear down what you've learned and seek out skilled instructors. Focus on basics while you continue to enjoy expressing more primitive 'play time'

3) Make a commitment to 'reset' both behaviors starting with the rudiments again but this time, play with them too. Realize that it will seem like negative improvements for a while and resist strengthening the hold of the stuff you faked to push out your limits.

4) Rinse and repeat from #1.

Kawasaki EX 250

 I think practicing and riding in the Formula 300 class might be a really great means to reset some of the habits that the 848 has allowed me to use to power through. I do have concerns, one of which is as a Novice, I don't get many races. How difficult is it to consistently beat the 1:45 bump requirement? I would prefer to do a season in which I don't run medium weight until I see measured improvement in my lightweight venture.

Yamaha WR 250 X

 Any thought or opinions? Play nice please.

Turn 3 at Loudon

 

Really awesome shot carving into turn 3 during one of my races in round #6

Bike is all ready for round 6!

I changed her oil, adjusted the rear set and shifter.

Added a shiny new sprocket guard

 

Added 1" longer clip ons

 

And a touch of bling to the front fender