Palanon, at the track.

[palanon]

For guys and gals like Tab it can be cheaper. Tab held a " Junior Expert " license in the 80's. Tab takes the required schools to stay current and be able to run in the open practices prior to full race weekends. He Say's that at this point in his life, he doesn't want to take the " Green Flag ". Tab believes he's got to much of a competitive nature and would push to far physically and mentally for his own " Geriatric Good ".

Personally I think he's full of crap ( sorry Tab ). Because he doesn't sign up to get his number and do at least a couple races, Tab has to take the Penguin Race School ( licensing school for LRRS, CCA, AMA ) once a year to stay current. I think Tab could dial it down enough to do a couple of races a year and just maintain a Novice Number. If he did that, the cost of his license and the entrance fees would be less than the school and he wouldn't have to take the same class every year.

What gets me is that the open practices that Tab does are just nuts. Open practice is just like a race minus the griding and race start. There are no passing rules and everyone out there is out to turn the fastest laps possible. I get a kick out of Tab on his 22 year old race bike spank a young guy on a $15,000.00 race prep'd R1. I like how he's always humble in the pits. Tab always makes the other guy's feel good by saying it was some kind of fluke that let him get by.

For guys and gals like Tab, a full day of open practice is $150.00. A half day is $100.00. That comes with nothing. These days are for current racers and current qualified non racers. The track day / school I attended included classroom and on track instruction, meals and people to hold my hand and baby sit my old Shrek ass. For me, that's worth the extra $100.

I think I may have Tab stoked enough to do a few Tony's with me. They normally have 12-15 instructors/control riders and they always need help. With his prior race experience and being an MSF instructor for ten years, I think they would be happy to have him as a CR.

I'm telling you folks, it may seem like a lot of $$$ to drop for a day at the track...it's not. Consider how much it costs to go to 6 Flags or Disney World or even dinner and a movie for a couple of adults. Truly one of the last, cheap, legal thrills you can get.

You can't push it on the street... TAKE IT TO THE TRACK !!

BTW - This is the Bastardo responsible for this race track nonsense. This is Tab with his "Race Face" on back in June during " Open Practice."


Used by permission by Tab back in July ?

[Tab B.]

Jeez, Paul, you inflated things just a wee bit. I raced a bone stock 83 Suzuki GS550ES back in, yes 83. I ran in production and mod prod. The club was the old "American Association of Motorcycle Road Racers" or AAMRR. I earned my "junior" license, which is equivalent to the LRRS "amateur" license today.
I never raced as a junior, so that is why I'm hesitant to mix it up with todays amateurs in practice. They don't need another "moving chicane" to deal with.
When my engine spun a rod bearing into the old turn 10, that was it. I was done. Certain aspects of my life prevented me from getting back out there. I was never all that good, just another nutcase having a good time, and I'm fine with that. I've never lost the respect for the track atmosphere, or the people who have stayed with it. So, when things in my life finally came together for me to get back out there{2006}, I was stoked. Lots of cobwebs and fears to shake off, and I'm slowly working into a comfort zone. Paul, another enthusiast obviously, had that little seed in there. I just helped him water it a little. Since I'm not a mega-fast for real racer, I think I helped show him that we regular people can get out there too. For those of you who have never been on a track, consider it. Find out what is available near you, or close enough for you to consider a good drive to get there. Take your time, it is worth it. Those of us who have, I'm sure, will be happy to cheer you on.

[Tab B.]

Christ, do I look like an old codger. I'm only 48. Damn genetics.

[kay]

Haha. Tab you look great!!!!

[palanon]

Well, to be fair, it was pretty darn hot and you had already run 3 or 4 sessions. You were setting a record for getting your gear and leathers off. Good case of helmet head going on there.

My bad, back in the stone age, I thought the classes were "Novice" "Junior Expert" and "expert". Either way, that means you qualified for the equivalence of a yellow plate Armature class license ( I bet you have it squirreled away somewhere). I doubt the rules changed much. A rider needs to finish the season with a points index of .500 or higher to request a bump in class. Any rider finishing a season with a points index of .750 or higher will be automatically bumped to the next class. New license and notification of change of class for the following season will be sent by mail.


So, even if Tab didn't race the following year, he still earned the "Amateur" or "Junior" plate (so there...bite me ). Tab runs in the "Novice" group sessions. He's usually in the top 1/3 or top 5 in lap times. I know because I timed the laps.

Point is...a license up here costs about $150. To maintain it you only need to do a couple of races a year ( about $50. per ). It is the cheapest way to get track time. However, even the "novice" class guys are really good. WAY over my head. The other cool thing is the license is good at any sanctioned race track ( CCS, WERA, AMA etc ). Can you say winter vacation at VIR or Gennings GP ???

[palanon]

Sleeping on the ground in a pup tent or in a sleeping bag in the back of a pickup is a non starter. Us old Shrek types realized a few years ago that we have bones and muscles. Slap an old truck cap onto a utility line truck, lash it down with some load straps, put a trundle bed with plenty of sheets and blankets in the back...NOW your talkin' !!!

Believe me, after the first day on the track and someones insane idea of walking EVERY square inch of the track, this set up is more comfortable than a feather bed in a four star hotel.

BONUS: The wife was smart enough not to sleep at the track. Because of that, no making the bed in the morning...priceless.

[palanon]

Hanging up your leathers and laying out your gear makes you feel like a hero ( in your own head ).

< Hey, who's playing the MotoGP theme music?>

< Never mind, It's in my head >

[palanon]

When Jean ( my wife ) got to the track, this is the first thing she saw. A low side crash ( not me ) into the tires in turn 3. If it wasn't for Tab talking her down, this would have been the end of the track. Jean would have left and made it clear she didn't approve of this nonsense !!

[palanon]

This is me on the first day in the same corner. It's an uphill 180* right hander with some pretty unsettling bumps.

[palanon]

A bad one in turn 6. There is a series of photos showing him tumble across the track and into the dirt. I came into the corner in time to see the dust cloud and the final part of his slide. I'm not sure but, I think he got transported.

[palanon]

Me, same turn. Let's keep it right side up !!

[palanon]

Can't place this one. Maybe comming into T1 or T6




Setting up for T11 & 12

[palanon]

Boy, I wish there were some pics of the afternoon of the 2nd day. That's when I was focusing on body position, getting down and off to the inside.

[kay]

Paul you look great!!!!
And I'm glad it wasn't you that was tumbling. Ouch.

You really seem to have had a blast at the tracks.

As for me, the adrenaline rush starts the moment I wake up in the morning, just thinking about a track day.
It's almost like Pavlov's dog.

Keep it safe and enjoy your rides!!

[JmalB]

Originally Posted by palanon

When Jean ( my wife ) got to the track, this is the first thing she saw. A low side crash ( not me ) into the tires in turn 3. If it wasn't for Tab talking her down, this would have been the end of the track. Jean would have left and made it clear she didn't approve of this nonsense !!

I have the same problem with my wife. Of course I have no intention of ever taking a motorcycle to the track, but the worry is there...

[palanon]

Jean's still a bit nervous about this new obsession. She got to ride around to all the different corners on the back of Tab's Gixxer ( no foot pegs ) and really loved it. I told her I'd like to pick up a small camper for next season or maybe go down to Florida this winter to go to JenningsGP. She loves the idea ( women, go figure ). Last night she told me she wants a little scooter for a pit bike. She told me I'll have to paint it pink and install a nice basket on the front....she's NOT kidding. LOL

[Gixxerman]

Originally Posted by palanon

Nice melty tires. This is the fun way to destroy a set of 208's

I call it a rusty chain that needs lubricant attention

[palanon]

That coloring is caused by the editing in the software program. I can't remember exactly but, the contrast, lighting and exposure have been changed.

The chain is gold not rusty. Never get through tech insp. with an f' upped chain.

[87gsxrnut]

I get a kick out of Tab on his 22 year old race bike spank a young guy on a $15,000.00 race prep'd R1.

It's the rider, not the bike. A lot of people tend to forget that, until they get to the track and realize they don't know %%%%.

- Nut

[Tab B.]

Paul is over stating things just a wee bit. But, I agree. Today's bikes are indeed wonderful things. The bulk of the evolutionary improvements today's bikes have, came at the hands of some really competitive riders. The bulk of the riders, myself included, will never be capable of exploiting all of those evolutions. We may enjoy the heck out of them, but use them to their fullest
potential? No, especially on the street. So when I show up at a practice with a reasonbly well behaved, but old sport bike, with my tired old butt on it, and it isn't even working up a sweat, that only points out how good todays bikes are, and how much god awful farther you have to go, just to take advantage of it, just to get past the old fart and the old bike. The truly hungry young racers will learn the truths, just like the older more experienced racers have {NUT!!}. Paul and myself?? Goofballs having some fun.