Mission Accomplished

[randomwalker]

I competed in my first two races at Barber yesterday, with my green Ed Bargy Provisional Novice T-shirt. This was the WERA National Challenge Series. As mentioned in another thread, the paddock was a veritable who's who of racing. I raced my 08 CBR 1000RR in the superstock and superbike classes. I had a blast. After my first race, in which I think I placed dead last, I went back to my trailer and pumped my fists in the air. Mission accomplished! In my second race I got passed at the start by three racers, even before T1. But I slowly reeled them back in and finished 31 out of 42 or so racers. Didn't realize how important it is to launch properly. My third race got cancelled because of the rain-delay. All the race officials including the corner workers were super helpful and friendly. All the other seasoned racers for whom I had newbie questions were super helpful as well. Some of the guys actually clapped as I pitted out after my first race...that was great and very encouraging. I want more.

[1000RR]

Awesome! A HUGE congrats for getting out there and doing it. It's a big first step for sure, a lot of things to think about - great to have folks helping, that's for sure. The corner workers are indeed great! They love the racing just as much as the next, and enjoy seeing folks successfully complete and compete in their first couple races. And boy do they have some good seats to watch the battling going on!

Those race starts certainly are an important piece. But don't get too hung up on them. They say that you generally won't win a race by a great start, but you can certainly loose one by a poor one! So just getting off the line successfully should be job #1. One thing that helped me understand my starts MUCH better in relation to how good of one I got (or felt like I got)... was putting a GoPro on the top triple pointing through the windscreen so I could see my tach and review the video the next day to see what/where I launched from/at. I had a REALLY poor launch two week's ago on my R6 and found I (for what ever reason) launched at 6-7,000 RPMs... It SUCKED! I reviewed the other videos where I felt I launched much better, and they were around 9-10K. So yesterday, I was focused on launching at 10-11,000 RPMs and WOW what a difference... great launches, especially when I had a decent grid position to have a little opportunity to fight for turn 1

Again, awesome job getting out there, there's just nothing like gridding up!!

[Nikk777]

Awesome...wish I would have known!! I would have said hello and introduced myself. I was pitted on the 2nd level over near the "Caylormade Compound" You must have entered all 3 of the races I was in? Both A's and F1? Great day of racing for sure!!! Now you are qualified to run Saturday and Sunday at the GNF's at Road Atlanta the last week of Oct....halloween. It should be a good time! I plan on sweeping the weekend personally!!! =)

I suck at launches too although I nailed it on the 1st race? i tach to 4k rpms and do an aggressive street start then nail it while short shifting to keep the front end down... Working well enough so far. Never seem to lead from the start but usually top 5 so close enough to strike back and run'em down over the course of the race.

got any questions, just lemme know.

[randomwalker]

I ordered the Contour...

[S&Kmotorrad]

Congrat Randomwalker!!

[bananaman]

Good on ya !! Practise makes permanant not perfect as so many think, perfect practice makes permanant. As stated, a vid on the tacho seems a great idea to work on the starts. Wish my bones were a bit younger !!!

[MotoMadMan]

Good job out there! I have yet to ride in a race but I love the track. I am glad you had fun and learned a lot! When is your next race?