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View Full Version : DougZ 8/27/05 Pocono track day report


DougZ
08-28-2005, 01:37 PM
Well, it was an interesting day to say the least. After more bummed than I have ever been about that stupid GSXR that is supposed to be my track bike, I decided to take the SV to the track day, so as to not lose out of my day's track fees.

Got out for the first session, and as first sessions always are, it was ho-hum, too many guys going too slow, and really just a remember the track layout kind of session. Came in after that session, and of course, the clouds come and it starts to drizzle. Figuring it would just blow over, I decide to chill the second session, and skip it due to the water coming down. That was Ok cause it gave me time to chill and chat with Vinny, Joe and Song...which it was cool to see those guys.

Well, the third session came around, and it was finally a little dry. I realized that there might not be too many more dry sessions, so I went out pretty fast for that session. That session, the coach that is in the pics below, #937, had pulled me off to the side and said that I was looking pretty good and fast out there. Not even thinking of getting bumped yet, but always having it in the back of my head, the first thing I said was, " Oh yeah, fast enough for red group???" He said yeah, probably, but wanted to see me one more session before he signed off.

Of course, the next session had it start raing after the second lap, and that same coach had been watching me again. It was a good session, for riding in the rain. I was able to get around the whole field and lap five or six guys. I guess after having ridden in the on the street more than I would have like, gave me a little more confidence that most that were on the track. I again talking with Coach BJ Blackburn (Guest coach #937), and said I looked really good in the rain, just wanted to see me one more dry session to make the final call.

Of course, it rained the entire rest of the day just about. I know now what people are talking about when they say Pocono raceway has its own mind when it comes to weather. I did the rest of the sessions of the day in the rain. I had initially decided I was gonna ride in the rain, but once I was wet anyway, I figured what the heck did I have to lose.

Later in the day, I also had coach Glen Halfride, # 521 watch for some sessions too. I had worked with him at Vir North as well as down at Summit, so he knew how I rode in the dry.

Good outcome: between coach Glen and guest coach BlackBurn, and much pestering from me, they had both decided that I could be bumped to the RED group. Sucking it up and riding in the rain had proved worth it.

Most of the pics below are from that one dry session with coach Blackburn following me or leading me. I guess Dennis doesn't take any pics when its raining. LOL

Things I learned:

1. Riding in the rain, although it sucks, does help you riding. It teaches you how to use brakes and throttle with way more smoothness than you ever have to in the dry.

2. Getting bumped from one group to another doesn't have much to do with speed or times, but more with staying in the line, hitting the marks and passing cleanly and safe. I got bumped, but I know there were guys there faster than me, wanting to get bumped, but also getting lectured about how they were passing/stuffing.

3. My hands didn't go numb all day. I can honestly say that is the first time I ever ridden that bike and it didn't happen. has to be cause of the rain-forced smoothness. Something I need to carry over to the dry days.

4. Leathers that are soaked will no doubt take weeks to dry.

and lastly

5. If through the miracle of science, you could morph Vinny and Song together, you would have another Ant. :)




http://racedayphoto.com/TPM/Aug27/white01/images/5C7B2713.jpg

http://racedayphoto.com/TPM/Aug27/white01/images/5C7B2825.jpg

http://racedayphoto.com/TPM/Aug27/white01/images/5C7B2826.jpg

http://racedayphoto.com/TPM/Aug27/white01/images/5C7B2828.jpg

http://racedayphoto.com/TPM/Aug27/white01/images/5C7B2828.jpg

http://racedayphoto.com/TPM/Aug27/white01/images/5C7B2930.jpg

http://racedayphoto.com/TPM/Aug27/white01/images/5C7B2933.jpg

http://racedayphoto.com/TPM/Aug27/white01/images/5C7B3289.jpg

CBRBob
08-28-2005, 03:23 PM
Doug, way to go!

DougZ
08-28-2005, 03:25 PM
Doug, way to go!

Thanks Bob. Track day wasn't the same with out you and Rita there though.

JasonB
08-28-2005, 03:34 PM
You still suck in my book.










Congrat Doug...way to go :nod2: :hail: :jam2: :banmac: :biggthump :biggthump Cant wait to ride like you

RacerGSX
08-28-2005, 03:49 PM
Now work on that body position. Let me tell ya you are missing an awesome time at VIR. Maldin is crazy fast. Gonna ride VIR Mon & Tue.

Smokes35
08-28-2005, 04:17 PM
Looks like you had a blast! Great lookin Pics!!!

Vin
08-28-2005, 04:20 PM
That's awesome Doug -- congrats on the bump!

DougZ
08-28-2005, 04:38 PM
Thanks for the replies guys.

Dan: Yeah yeah..I know..about both the body position and the great time down there...I am watching the races now...Zuki rules. LOL

ronin_01r1
08-28-2005, 06:45 PM
great riding doug!

Cakes206
08-28-2005, 06:53 PM
Congratz...welcome to the red group :evil2:

DougZ
08-28-2005, 07:03 PM
Congratz...welcome to the red group :evil2:

Thanks Joe...now the real fun begins.

Jimmy
08-28-2005, 08:21 PM
Congrats Doug!!! :jam2:

Taz
08-29-2005, 10:01 AM
looking good doug! Congrat on getting bumped to the red group. :boogie:

Qetesh
08-29-2005, 12:30 PM
Congrats on the bump Doug E Fresh ;)

DougZ
08-29-2005, 12:38 PM
Congrats on the bump Doug E Fresh ;)

Thanks. It was cool seeing you there..now why weren't you tracking it? At least Cakes could use work as an excuse. :)

Qetesh
08-29-2005, 12:45 PM
Thanks. It was cool seeing you there..now why weren't you tracking it? At least Cakes could use work as an excuse. :)

It's always great to see you too Doug.

I wasn't tracking it because I've already booked all my days and I'm saving my free track day gift certificate for VIR in November ;) VIR North is one of my most favorite tracks, behind BeaveRun of course :boogie:

Bster13
08-29-2005, 12:58 PM
Hey I didn't stuff anyone! :p

Smokin' Joe caught me on an inside pass coming off the chicane heading for the back straight, that was my only screwup of the day in passing or pucker moments. When we talked I immediately admited that was a mistake and he was very calm about it. He said all my passes were clean, just that with new riders being in white and it raining that was a bad place to try for a pass, so I learned my lesson...just wait til another corner instead of trying to fit it in there in that tight section. I had a great time working with Omar, Smokin' Joe, Julie, John S., Martin, and renard...they fielded my many questions and were awesome to work with. :)

Was great riding/meeting u doug, wish u didn't live so far away from CT. I need help rebuilding bikes too! :p

Red group here I come...time for some more learnin'! :)

Lee
08-29-2005, 01:01 PM
Welcome to the redgroup.. Were it's DOG eat DOG
time to learn to Pass and work on that body position.

Funny fact: I thought BJ on his first track day last year. I also, helped him with his first guest coach day. I glad he's making good impressions at TPM.

Bster13
08-29-2005, 01:06 PM
Is BJ another coach I didn't get a chance to pester? :p

DougZ
08-29-2005, 01:09 PM
Welcome to the redgroup.. Were it's DOG eat DOG
time to learn to Pass and work on that body position.

Funny fact: I thought BJ on his first track day last year. I also, helped him with his first guest coach day. I glad he's making good impressions at TPM.

It was kind of funny. I actually thought he was another coach, and it may have been the only dry session, so I went out pretty fast on purpose. Then when he pulled me aside at the end, I didn't know who it was and though he was gonna yell at me for something...luckily it was quite the opposite. :)

Bryce: He was coach # 937...other end of the paddock.

Bster13
08-29-2005, 01:24 PM
Ah, pitting with Smokin' Joe right near the entry to the parking lot?

In any event, Doug u'll be sad to hear that Sunday in the heavy rain a nice silver SV1000s bit it on turn 9...smacked down pretty hard, but eventually got up and walked into the ambulance. :(

Kawibabe
08-29-2005, 01:27 PM
Great job Doug!!! :biggthump

DougZ
08-29-2005, 01:35 PM
Ah, pitting with Smokin' Joe right near the entry to the parking lot?

In any event, Doug u'll be sad to hear that Sunday in the heavy rain a nice silver SV1000s bit it on turn 9...smacked down pretty hard, but eventually got up and walked into the ambulance. :(

Just as long as the rider was OK..bikes can be repaired or replaced.

Thanks Abi. :)

Lee
08-29-2005, 03:57 PM
BJ is a travel agent too... SO if you wnat to go anywere call him
Work: 610-361-7979

Bster13
08-30-2005, 04:17 PM
Here are my pics from both days:

http://photobucket.com/albums/b50/bster13/PoconoEast_8_27_05/

http://photobucket.com/albums/b50/bster13/PoconoEast_8_28_05/

SVs rule! Enjoy! ;D


Bryce

DougZ
08-30-2005, 06:48 PM
Here are my pics from both days:

http://photobucket.com/albums/b50/bster13/PoconoEast_8_27_05/

http://photobucket.com/albums/b50/bster13/PoconoEast_8_28_05/

SVs rule! Enjoy! ;D


Bryce

Damn, there was only one pic where I was behind ya, and blury at that. LOL

Nice shots Bryce.

Bster13
08-30-2005, 09:46 PM
Thx Doug. U game for Pocono East 9/23, possibly beaverrun 9/24?

CBRBob
08-30-2005, 10:33 PM
Don't forget Summit Main on the 26th!

Bster13
08-30-2005, 10:56 PM
I figured Doing beaverrun Saturday since Firday I will already be traveling part of the way to Pocono. Damn these gas prices! :p

DougZ
08-31-2005, 07:40 AM
Thx Doug. U game for Pocono East 9/23, possibly beaverrun 9/24?

I don't think so Bryce. I am one broke mofo. I only signed up for the 10th cause I got a referal credit for a buddy that did art basic, so the day is only costing me the $55. I think this will be my last track day this year. I wanna do more, but also have to make sure I still pay my mortgage. LOL

Bster13
08-31-2005, 08:29 AM
Yeah I hear u, this may be the first time in my life I carry a credit card balance to the next month.... :wow:

GoodKnight
08-31-2005, 02:26 PM
Were you in White 1 or 2? Congrats on the bump. I was hopping to get up too, but the rain slowed me down a lot. Last time i rode in the rain i lowsided, so i just took it easy, trying to get my wet weather confidence back.

Bster13
08-31-2005, 02:28 PM
White 1. I ran both days in the rain. Hopefully u got your confidence back. The Pilot Powers were wonderful in the rain. That coupled with the low/easy power delivery of the SV, I was having a great time other than my crotch being soaked. :cries: :lol:

DougZ
08-31-2005, 03:03 PM
White 1. I ran both days in the rain. Hopefully u got your confidence back. The Pilot Powers were wonderful in the rain. That coupled with the low/easy power delivery of the SV, I was having a great time other than my crotch being soaked. :cries: :lol:

Quit whoring my thread and go check out the "welcome Bryce to SBA thread" :nod2: