Max Mercier Fund Raiser and Golo Weekend
Friday: Max Mercier Fund track day organized by Golo with all proceeds going to the riders safety fund
Sat: Long
Sun: Pro
Too much rain 
First time out in my new Gimoto suit, A* gloves, earplugs
Hot Laps and Golo
Sat Jun 27 SMP Pro
Sun Jun 28 SMP Long
The weekend had started off some what frustrating with the bike bottoming out each time coming into Allens. I felt held back, wanted to go faster, and the little voice in my head cried it’s not fair. I adjusted my style, added a lot more finess and strategy into braking and ended Saturday dragging my knee consistently through a couple corners. The sound finally didn’t evoke an automatic fear response and I learned to welcome what was once a bone chilling scraping. Took a few of the first morning sessions to get used to the feeling of the new gloves. Completely different grip and feedback compared to my old gloves. Different but better. Custom ear plugs from guy on Kennedy Rd are working like a charm! The suit.. feels like second skin! Feels so increadibly good to be on a bike in a suit I can actually move in. Some learning curve with body position, legs getting too tired, I was over working myself. Getting off the bike too much? Carying too much weight on my inside leg as opposed to letting the outside leg do some of the hanging on as well? Worked on getting my body more relaxed.
Sunday, got to walk Allens with Colin Trevor and Pi I am. Thanks Tim! Learned much about a good line through there and SMP Long #5. Corners felt a lot better and things flowed much nicer after.
Note to self, must make a track map with all markers detailed so I can make notes. Draw out all the concrete patches, wholes, bumps, Daisies, you name it.
Rain at the end of the day as weather predicted. Went out with a couple brave souls, felt very good out there. Worked on being smooth and consistently hitting the lines I wanted to be on. Was having a great time.. then the checkered flag came out, oh well it was starting to pour any ways. As I came off, I was informed I blew off a black flag aimed at me as it turns out for riding in the rain on slicks. Not intentional. Made Paul’s day 
got a high 5!
Shannonville
This time it was the Nelson configuration.
Weekend at the track with Golo
The track was in Pro configuration on Saturday and Nelson on Sunday. Johnny rode his GSXR on Saturday while I hang out watched, then I rode my KTM on the Sunday.
First track day with the KTM
Golo track day at Shannonville running the Pro configuration. I did about 2 sessions on the track. Didn’t really feel all that comfortable going out on the bike. Need to figure out how to deal with this ride height. Every time I have to stop the bike, I can’t touch the ground and me and the bike just fall over… the bike stalls, I can’t start it.. not very fun.
In the afternoon I took the bike out just riding around the paddock slowly to get used to the throttle. I was feeling comfortable with turning and modulating the throttle enough that I ventured off into the big grassy field. I was doing figure 8′s and big circles, it was fun until during one of my turns the bike spit me off. I was making my turn and the started slipping towards the inside as if to lowside, I saved it and next thing I know I’m getting spit off in the opposite direction. I landed on the ground thinking what the hell just happened! I look over at the bike lying on the ground a few feet away.. all I could think was get the clutch! get the clutch! and as I went to reach for it, the bike stalled, dammit!
I don’t want to push this monstrocity all the way back to our trailer unless I really I have to so I figure I’ll try starting it, maybe I’ll get it this time? I pushed the bike over to the chain link fence not too far away, and lean the bike against the fence. By this time the sun and the heat is getting to me and this black leather suit isn’t exactly the most heat friendly outfit. I take off my helmet, gloves, unzip the leathers, get on the bike and start kicking…
Shannonville Fabi with Rider’s Choice
The little 125 returns to Shannonville.
Made the trip with Marlon and Claire. We hauled their trailer with my truck. We camped out Friday night on the Nelson side then Saturday morning moved camp to the Fabi side of the track.
I had one dramatic detour through through the grass, although after a little off roading off corner 2 I made back on to the track for corner 3. Things didn’t end so well next time I went off roading and ended up head first in the tire wall past corner 4. Over all it was a good day of learning and some great feedback from other track riders.
“Do you know how long Blackie has been riding? (AT ALL, not talking just track days)? Answer: 6 weeks!! I think she’s doing fine, and getting better every day. Darn good of Blackie to get right back on the horse that kicked her off, too.”
Thanks Brian
“I can attest to Blackies skills! I would have guessed she had been riding alot longer than that! I saw her hangin off her 125 pretty good, I was in the same group she was in! Great riding…and how hard core is it that as soon as she goes down I see her and her friends gettin the bike back in order to get back out there! Good for you, keep at it!”
Thanks Mogwai and indeed my spectacular crew!
..and Bernard, you bloody paparatzi!
GoLo or go home
Sat Jul 28/07
For my second track day on the 125 I went to Shannonville for the annual party track day extravaganza put on by Golo Racing.
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