[exalted512]

This last weekend my 4th weekend racing with the CMRA, but my first real weekend of competitive racing as I've never started in the front half of the grid, so it was pretty exciting and nerve racking at the same time.

I started out doing Friday afternoon practice. Everything went well and the bike was dialed in pretty good. On Saturday, my light weight endurance team, Near Miss Racing, took second in class! We're hoping next round will be even better. Since it was only a 2-hour, my teammates Rod and Yorke carried the torch for us because I've only had about 15 minutes of seat time on a 250 and the less pit stops, the better.

Chris and I signed up for Big Bike Endurance later that day - team 'No Money No Problems, Ya Dig?' - to get some more practice in on our respective bikes via a 'frame swap'. We took frequent breaks and even got our points reset because we swapped bikes, and we didn't get last!!

Sunday comes and it's time for sprints! I've been anticipating this ever since I sent in my Pre-Entry in mid-January. Since there's no points at the beginning of the season, grid placement is based off of when you submitted your pre-entry. I submitted mine right away and ended up being 4th on the grid in just about every race I entered. I had a lot of fun in all my races, but especially liked the combined novice/expert races as I was able to mix it up with some of them as well. At the end of the day, I was able to snag up 5 podiums in 7 races and a new personal best of a 1:41!

I'd like to thank Hookit and all of my sponsors through them, AXO, Bell, Shorai LFX Lithiuim Batteries, Amsoil, Factory Effex, Yoshimura, Ride Live Be, and Smith Optics.

I'd also like to thank all of our class sponsors, Speed Freak Decals, North Texas Superbikes, jt's performance, On Road Off Road Suspension, Lone Star Track Days, and Moto Liberty. And a huge thanks to Pirelli for the super sticky tires!

Results and videos below:


Race 3 SSB - 4th
Race 5 SSC - 2nd
Race 7 SSA - 4th
Race 12 F1 - 2nd
Race 14 SBA - 3rd
Race 18 SBC - 2nd
Race 20 SBB - 2nd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItGNOOm_lvQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdPZLLZH7tU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_NwiHeW49w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQY_UigdQJM

Probably the best race to watch with the most action...tearing it up with the experts!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMvaKwseqo0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKNxsoV4QOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvJIyeqxRg0

-Cody

 

[trackdayhero]

Nice! You may have spoke to this before and I missed it but where/how is your camera mounted?

 

[exalted512]

Nice! You may have spoke to this before and I missed it but where/how is your camera mounted?

I bought a cheap aluminum flat bar from lowes for a few dollars, drilled a hole in it to bolt it to the passenger peg, then bent it in a L so its right below the tail section. It's a Swann camera (gopro look-a-like) that has a threaded piece in the bottom of the camera so I could bolt it straight to the bar.

I didn't run a case since I was afraid it would make it too tall and hit with the suspension travel. The camera itself has a place to safety wire it, so it's safety wired to the bar.

I used to run it on the tail section, but it could be pretty bumpy. I also broke several mounts I assume by kicking it getting on the bike, but I don't know for sure since I never actually noticed it. This way I dont ever kick it, it's a lot less noticeable, it's protected in a crash, and a lot less bumpy since it's mounted directly to the subframe and there's a lot less wind right there. Pretty much a win-win-win-win-win...haha.

Downside is its not in a case - which I think I probably could make it work...and it's a littler harder to power on and start recording.
-Cody

 

[exalted512]

The case doesnt have a way to properly safety wire it anyway, yet the camera itself does. So I'd have to ghetto-wire it around the latch. Well, one day when the mount broke, the latch opened and the camera came out anyway. The safety wire held the case, but not the camera...lol. I could drill a hole in the case, but then I don't have a waterproof case

So bolted straight to the bar with no case actually is a better option for me and this particular camera.
-Cody

 

[PainfullySlo]

Congrats on an awesome weekend! I just picked one of your videos to take a look at (#12) and holy f'ing jumpstart, batman! #425 started creeping a good second before the actual start.

Anyway, congrats on your podiums! Good stuff for sure!

 

[exalted512]

Congrats on an awesome weekend! I just picked one of your videos to take a look at (#12) and holy f'ing jumpstart, batman! #425 started creeping a good second before the actual start.

Anyway, congrats on your podiums! Good stuff for sure!

I saw that too! I gave that guy some shit about it. I would've been pretty pissed off if I lost a podium because of that though, lol. That was very blatant and they didn't even call it!

There was another guy behind him on a white bike that was worse than that...I'm not sure if he got called out on it. I could see them maybe getting their attention diverted. I remember thinking 'man that guy got a good start', lol.
-Cody

 

[PainfullySlo]

I saw that too! I gave that guy some shit about it. I would've been pretty pissed off if I lost a podium because of that though, lol. That was very blatant and they didn't even call it!

There was another guy behind him on a white bike that was worse than that...I'm not sure if he got called out on it. I could see them maybe getting their attention diverted. I remember thinking 'man that guy got a good start', lol.
-Cody

Is that normal there? I only ask because they are VERY anal about jump starts at my track...it happens only very rarely and always gets called. Just curious if other tracks/orgs are more lenient about it.

Also, out of curiosity, what are the top expert times around that track?

Also, way to put the moves on those couple of experts you passed in that race. Very clean, textbook passes.

Also, it is hard to tell from one video but you seem to be very strong on corner exits. way to go!

 

[exalted512]

Is that normal there? I only ask because they are VERY anal about jump starts at my track...it happens only very rarely and always gets called. Just curious if other tracks/orgs are more lenient about it.

The rules are that 2 officials have to see it to confirm it. It was brought up late last year that it's not really an effective rule in the eyes of quite a few. Not sure if it's due to lack of officials to be able to see it or what. So they're getting a camera system specifically designed for starts (and catching offenders). Hopefully that should fix it. I don't think they're lenient about it, I just think they don't have enough officials to see it.

Also, out of curiosity, what are the top expert times around that track?

Record just got broke with a 1:31.8 on a zx10. For the most part, if you're on the podium, you're averaging about a 1:34.

Also, way to put the moves on those couple of experts you passed in that race. Very clean, textbook passes.

Those were pretty clean passes in that race. My next race I was a little more aggressive because I was trying to put people between me and the novices behind me...so I had to force it in a little more...but no contact = clean pass, right? haha

Also, it is hard to tell from one video but you seem to be very strong on corner exits. way to go!

This is something I've always had a problem with, actually. Since I'm a cheap ass, I'm always on wore out tires and have to be careful on the throttle. You do that too long and it starts to become muscle memory. This specific race weekend I wanted to make sure and change that and I would agree with you. And the times where it doesn't look like it is because I was being held up. Specifically in the race that you watched, I almost got passed on the last lap because I couldn't get around the rider in front of me. Tires never really lost grip, so that means I have room to push more!
-Cody

 

[exalted512]

Forgot I had this picture posted, you can see what I'm talking about. Not the prettiest mount in the world, but it works perfectly!

-Cody

 

[Strider]

Congrats on the podiums!

 

[PainfullySlo]

The rules are that 2 officials have to see it to confirm it. It was brought up late last year that it's not really an effective rule in the eyes of quite a few. Not sure if it's due to lack of officials to be able to see it or what. So they're getting a camera system specifically designed for starts (and catching offenders). Hopefully that should fix it. I don't think they're lenient about it, I just think they don't have enough officials to see it.


Record just got broke with a 1:31.8 on a zx10. For the most part, if you're on the podium, you're averaging about a 1:34.



Those were pretty clean passes in that race. My next race I was a little more aggressive because I was trying to put people between me and the novices behind me...so I had to force it in a little more...but no contact = clean pass, right? haha


This is something I've always had a problem with, actually. Since I'm a cheap ass, I'm always on wore out tires and have to be careful on the throttle. You do that too long and it starts to become muscle memory. This specific race weekend I wanted to make sure and change that and I would agree with you. And the times where it doesn't look like it is because I was being held up. Specifically in the race that you watched, I almost got passed on the last lap because I couldn't get around the rider in front of me. Tires never really lost grip, so that means I have room to push more!
-Cody

We use a camera system for starts and it really does help. I guess I just assumed that all tracks had them which is why I asked about leniency. That makes perfect sense if they just dont have enough eyes to be on everything.

so your best is 6 seconds off a podium in expert racing? Thats not too bad at all! There is definitely time to be made up but at least you are in the hunt.

Passing is one of those weird things. Surely there need to not be contact but if you are forcing someone to choose between taking extreme action and crashing then I would probably take issue. I didnt see any of that in the one vid that I watched though.

And yes, you can push lots harder =). Remember, if your bike feels like it is handling on rails it is because you arent going fast enough. The bike starts to feel loose under you once you really start cooking.

 

[exalted512]

We use a camera system for starts and it really does help. I guess I just assumed that all tracks had them which is why I asked about leniency. That makes perfect sense if they just dont have enough eyes to be on everything.

I'm honestly surprised it's taken this long for us to implement it. It's not like the CMRA is a small organization. We are just now starting to implement a new lighting system around the track for red flags. As soon as the call gets made, there are lights in strategic spots around the track that go red. Very cool. Do y'all have anything like that?

so your best is 6 seconds off a podium in expert racing? Thats not too bad at all! There is definitely time to be made up but at least you are in the hunt.

That's a terrible hard 6 seconds...haha. Getting down to a 37 on that track on a 600 is a huge accomplishment. The guys under that are AMA caliber riders. The guy that routinely wins the classes on his 600 (never mind the fact that his 600 has a ridiculous engine) went to WERA's GNFs last year and killed it. He hadn't done any WERA races until that last season. Despite starting 18th, 24th, and 30th - he got DQed for podiuming in all 3 races. Evidently, you can't podium at GNF if you have no prior starts in the sportsman class...lol.

The following day in the GNF Challenge, he wrecked leading in one race and won the other 2. The guy is a freak...haha

WERA Motorcyle Road Racing :: Results :: v2015n3x5 ::

WERA Motorcyle Road Racing :: Racers :: v2015n3x5 ::

So getting down to an actual podium finish in expert will likely never happen for me. I can't afford to be that fast...haha. It's an excuse, but it is what it is. Those guys have a lot more time and money invested in the sport and fully deserve everything they've won. I just don't have the same amount of time and money to invest. Maybe someday I'll prove myself wrong (or win the lottery).

Passing is one of those weird things. Surely there need to not be contact but if you are forcing someone to choose between taking extreme action and crashing then I would probably take issue. I didnt see any of that in the one vid that I watched though.

Agreed. I was sneaking it in a little late on the brakes on a couple passes in another race (race 14), but nothing that was too terrible IMO. When you're racing against fast guys on liter bikes, it's hard to do it any other way. The rear camera view doesn't show how close some of them are, but I don't think anyone was in fear of coming together. The next race I'll have my forward camera going too. I put my sd card on the table at the track because i needed to clear it and forgot about it. Next thing I know, it's on the ground cracked in half The rear view helps me see where people are gaining on me, so I went with rear only.

Remember, if your bike feels like it is handling on rails it is because you arent going fast enough.

I love that!
-Cody

 

[XPyrion]

Gave me something to watch while working out, thanks. Can't wait to see the forward camera next time. It's almost like you were out there alone after a few laps in some of them. Going to watch a few more.

 

[devildogae]

Subscribed

 

[exalted512]

Gave me something to watch while working out, thanks. Can't wait to see the forward camera next time. It's almost like you were out there alone after a few laps in some of them. Going to watch a few more.

It felt like I was sometimes! I'm in the awkward range of faster than most but can't keep up with the fastest guys, so I'm out there alone doing my own thing sometimes...lol. I think that's why I enjoyed the combined novice/expert race, since I was constantly working in traffic.

Anyway, here's some drone footage of one of my race starts. Luckily, he got the one where I got the hole shot! woot! Someone also dumped their bike on the first corner. This is one of the combined novice/expert races, so I'm in the second wave, blue bike - white helmet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaggPzhBfZQ&feature=youtu.be

-Cody

 

[XPyrion]

That drone footage is sweet. Must be a nice setup.

While I don't race, being alone on a track day can be less enjoyable at times. When I find people that have very close lap times, we all tend to have a blast. I imagine being alone in 1st would feel pretty good though. You think Marquez ever gets bored up there?

 

[PainfullySlo]

It felt like I was sometimes! I'm in the awkward range of faster than most but can't keep up with the fastest guys, so I'm out there alone doing my own thing sometimes...

I was in that position for almost two years...I would come in 4-5th place nearly every race and no one in sight in front or behind. It gets better, just stick with it.

These days I am still coming in 5th with a podium on a good day, but at least I can see the guys in front of me =)

 

[exalted512]

These days I am still coming in 5th with a podium on a good day (or someone else is having a bad day), but at least I can see the guys in front of me =)

fify...haha