Tab Low Sides in Turn #3 at Loudon Track

[palanon]

Well folks, here's the news,

Yesterday was the last open practice for the season. This weekend will be the finals for the LRRS with the winners going to the CCS Championships in Daytona. Monday will be the races for the Vintage bikes.

Normally, the Vintage bikes aren't allowed to run with the modern race groups. However, someone had the not so bright idea to run only two rotating sessions. Instead of keeping the Vintage and Motards in their own sessions, they stuck them in with first session.

Right in the racing line at the exit of turn #3 / entrance to turn #4, a vintage bike was down. Tab remembers seeing him and thinking " no problem, I'll just tighten my line and scoot by " Things for him get foggy after that for good reason. It turns out that the Vintage bike " grenaded " and dumped it's oil all over the track through the turn.

Tab lost the front and went into a low side slide. Unfortunately, a Motard coming in behind Tab hit the oil too. When he slid in, he clocked Tab in the head with his rear tire.

Having his bell rung good and proper, Our tough ol' Power Ranger still managed to get in the ambulance under his own power. After about an hour in the Track Hospital they transported Tab to Concord Hospital for X-rays and a Cat Scan. Our hero was released last night and I took him back to my shop and he promptly took his truck and bike home ( crazy B'tard ). Here's the list of damages:

*Two cracked ribs

*Small puncture and partial deflation to right lung

*Pretty good goose egg and friction burns on right shoulder

*No head injuries or concussion

Damage to the bike was minor. Controls pulled of right clip on. Crack in fairing. Broken rear set bracket. A few scrapes to engine case and exhaust can.

Tab wanted me to tell you all that he's fine and will be back to work next week. He would tell you himself but, he has dial up at the house so he doesn't get online much at home.

Tab gave me permission to post up the pictures from yesterday. Probably because he's been a motorcycle enthusiast his whole life and an MSF instructor for 10 years, he wanted me to stress this point:

" The track is the proper venue and atmosphere for riding motorcycles fast. Please take note of how quickly safety and medical personnel are on scene to render help. Try to imagine what could happen to you if this kind of thing happens on the street. "

" Please, Please.. If you find yourself ratcheting up the speed and being more aggressive, take it to the track. You'll have a blast, help yourself and the sport as a whole. "


Pics coming. Please remember I stink at taking pictures and I'm doing it with a $99.00 digital bargain clicker.

[sunny]

thanks for the update!
tell him to get well soon!

[themeatmanlandry]

Damn, Tab!! Glad to hear you're not hurt too seriously. Heal up.

[buster]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Damn, Tab!! Glad to hear you're not hurt too seriously. Heal up.

[Mavman]

Originally Posted by sunny

thanks for the update!
tell him to get well soon!

damn leakin' harleys anyway!

[palanon]

This series of pics are Turns 1, 1a and 2 comming off the NASCAR front straigh. The pics are a bit blurry. Even with trail braking, the speeds are way up the clock face.

Turn #1


Turn #1a


Exit Turn #1a


Turn #2 in traffic


Turn #2 solo

[palanon]

This series of pics is Turn #3 and #4. This is the area that Tab went down in the next session. It will give you an idea of the lay out.

Coming down " The Chute " into Turn #3


Tip in for Turn #3


Apex Turn #3


Exit Turn #3


Entrance Turn #4

[jgreth]

Great pics!

Tab, hope you heal up soon bud! I'm glad to hear you're okay though.

[intimid8er]

Well that effin' sucks....

Get better Tab.

[Clint]

Son of a gun! Fortunately, he has his own AP reporter. All he needs now is theme music.


Get well, bud. I hope you're not feeling too deflated.

[palanon]

Here is our resident Power Ranger sitting up with Medical making sure his head is still attached. Please note the safety and medical was all over him in a heart beat.





You can see Tab on his feet in the back ground. He doesn't know his name or who the President is but, he damn well knows the color of his beloved Suzi !!
You can see the Vintage bike and rider pushing his blown up bike of the track in the fore ground.


" I'll walk to the ambulance, thank you very much. "

[palanon]

When in the Track Hospital, Tab was a bit out of it. His worries, " How's my Lisa gonna feel ? " and " How's Suzi doing ? "

Well, Lisa seemed to take it like a trooper and Suzi's not so bad. When we got back to the shop, I had to park the truck with the head lights pointed at Suzi. Tab had to check the damage before going home. After 22 years with that bike, he loves it like family.

Not bad, coulda been worse.

[drgibson]

Dang tell Tab to take it easy and milk it for all it is worth.

[Tab B.]

Hi Folks.
Thanks to all the well wishes. Don't know if I deserve them, but I'm greatful just the same. I'm sitting here in the middle of a two capsule Vicadin buzz. A little wobbly. Like Paul was saying, I do remember using my braking marker, getting off the brakes, turning in, and seeing the downed bike. I remember not being worried, because that part of T3 isn't very fast, at least at my level. You can make some line changes just by easing off the throttle. Well, that's what I hoped to do. From that point on, until I got into the ambulance, I remember virtually nothing. No front wheel tuck, no sliding, certainly not being thumped by the motard. I don't think there any Harley vintage bikes there. I'm guessing that the bike that left the oil, was one of the Honda CB350s that I saw in the pits. I don't recall any old British bikes either. Poop happens.
I feel bad for the motard rider, because Paul said he was really upset that he clocked me. I don't think he had much say in the matter. I'm definately thankful and greatful that Paul, and my friend since high school, Pete were there. They both took care of everything afterwards. Now I have to think of a nice way to show my appreciation. Paul is a nut. He isn't a personal fan club. Just a real motorcyclist, and a real motorcycle enthusiast. Pretty damn nice when you get to meet those people isn't it? I'm getting a little woozy, so I think a nap is in order. I'll check in later when I'm a little more rested. Thanks everybody!!

[kay]

Tab!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, SO glad you weren't hurt really seriously (well you ARE pretty damn hurt though).

I hope you get well soon and back in the saddle of your Suzi.

Paul, thanks for the updated. You're not just a true motorcyclist, you're a damn good reporter too!!
I can't even get pics of track riders!!! Usually, I end up getting only the tail bit, or worse still, just the track with NO BIKE in it!

Also to Tab's message. Yes, I absolutely agree. Speeding is the safest when done on tracks not only for your own sake but to keep others (kids, dogs included) safe too.

Tab, great message!!
And thanks.

[PhotoJoe]

Tab, you are a true man! I am impressed beyond words that the only thing you're worried about as you climb into an ambulance is that WE stay safe.

Get well soon.

[Clint]

Hey, ol' boy! Glad to hear from you in person. What's life without a little adventure, eh?

[drgibson]

Originally Posted by Tab B.

Hi Folks.
Thanks to all the well wishes. Don't know if I deserve them, but I'm greatful just the same. I'm sitting here in the middle of a two capsule Vicadin buzz. A little wobbly. Like Paul was saying, I do remember using my braking marker, getting off the brakes, turning in, and seeing the downed bike. I remember not being worried, because that part of T3 isn't very fast, at least at my level. You can make some line changes just by easing off the throttle. Well, that's what I hoped to do. From that point on, until I got into the ambulance, I remember virtually nothing. No front wheel tuck, no sliding, certainly not being thumped by the motard. I don't think there any Harley vintage bikes there. I'm guessing that the bike that left the oil, was one of the Honda CB350s that I saw in the pits. I don't recall any old British bikes either. Poop happens.
I feel bad for the motard rider, because Paul said he was really upset that he clocked me. I don't think he had much say in the matter. I'm definately thankful and greatful that Paul, and my friend since high school, Pete were there. They both took care of everything afterwards. Now I have to think of a nice way to show my appreciation. Paul is a nut. He isn't a personal fan club. Just a real motorcyclist, and a real motorcycle enthusiast. Pretty damn nice when you get to meet those people isn't it? I'm getting a little woozy, so I think a nap is in order. I'll check in later when I'm a little more rested. Thanks everybody!!

You could get him a decent camera.

[Clint]

LOL. What's wrong with the ol' HP?

[Tab B.]

Originally Posted by PhotoJoe

Tab, you are a true man! I am impressed beyond words that the only thing you're worried about as you climb into an ambulance is that WE stay safe.

Get well soon.

Nap time done. Jeez, keep saying stuff like that, and I'll be needing some meds to keep the swelling of my head down. Just trying to put a positive spin on a yucky day. Yeah, Rowdy, when you do have a yucky day like that, and you survive well enough, you just have to call it an adventure. Now when I re-tell of the day, Paul and I can embelish it a little and make me seem real manly. LOL

Hmmm, decent camera, not a bad idea. I'll give that one some thought. Maybe I can get him memory cards and rechargeable lithium batteries. OR, something for his Bandit.