Where Is It???? [Archive] - Two Wheel Females

scuseme

04-28-2006, 05:05 PM

Ok, here ya go!

Leigh's AFM Round 2 Race Report:

My race weekend was kind of a tough one. I am learning how to actually go fast now, and it's intimidating. I admit I was getting sorta comfortable with the 250's limitations. Riding a bike that was never really meant to be a race bike means you don't have to worry about how far you can push it, because you just can't push it that far. Now I have a bike that's set up to go fast, but I am having a hard time taking it there. I am used to the 250 (lack of) speed and power. I am also uncomfortable with the size of the SV and am definitely still getting used to riding something that is much larger and heavier on the track.

That said, I am making changes and finding ways to make it work. At the suggestion of one of the club's KFGs (Dave Kunzelman), I got a shaved seat from Zoran. What an AMAZING difference. I was having such a hard time moving around the bike, it was really tough to get off and to transition quickly. I found I was actually using my arms to push myself off the bike. It was exhausting. The shaved seat helped me be more in the bike, rather than on top of it. It was sooooo much easier to get off and move around that huge SV gas tank.

Practice was ok on Saturday, I was feeling faster and more comfortable, but I wasn't getting the times I was hoping for. Then I had a bit of a mental set back when another rider crashed bad right in front of me. It was super scary. The guy had just passed me at the entrance to the Carosel, but I had more speed than him through the turn. I was *just* about to make my move to pass him back on the exit, when I saw his rear wheel start to slide. It was a pretty violent crash. He went down HARD, right in front of my wheel. I thought for sure I was going to hit him. I was inches from running him and his bike over. I really don't know how I avoided him. I found out later that he fractured 3 lumbar vertebrae, and broke his wrist and another bone in his arm. I'm so glad I didn’t hit him and that his bad crash didn't end up being much worse. The image of him hitting the ground and his bike flipping was still very much in my mind, but I stayed out. I took it easy, but I kept riding and tried to put it out of my mind.

Then it was time to race. The 500 Twins race was number two on the schedule. I hate having an early race. I always do better later in the day. But I suited up and went out. I was faster than in practice, but just not aggressive enough. Maybe the images of the crash were still in my mind. I was actually faster than I was at Buttonwillow, but I only managed a 13th place. I was disappointed.

I was seriously considering not going out for the Formula IV race. My times were way off the pace of the 650 Twins race (the majority of whom would be out in the FIV race), and I felt like it would be a fruitless endeavor. But Vik convinced me to go for it. I am so glad he did! The FIV race was awesome. I actually got an ok start, had a few dices going on and found an additional 3 seconds! I took Shawn Reilly’s advice about how to find some more speed and it worked. Of course, I am at a serious power disadvantage for this race but I was much faster this time and it felt so much better. I wish I had found that speed and aggression in the 500 Twins race! All in all, FIV was a great experience for me this time around and I got a taste of what is possible for me and for my new bike. I know I’ll be able to tap it again and next round, I will definitely finish higher, even against the bigger, faster bikes.

It sure was a bummer about Vik’s engine blowing and I would’ve liked to have had a chance to try to catch up to Alan (but he pulled off early). However, that meant with two DNFs from them—I beat them both! Probably the only time, but I’ll take what I can get. Thanks to all my awesome sponsors and to Vik for believing in me and making me believe in myself.

SLO Grrrl

04-29-2006, 12:11 PM

Congrats on the strong finishes and good recovery!!! :thumbup:

Nice photos too!!!! :rockon:

Are you the one that works for 98 Rock? I remember talking to you on the phone for, like, half an hour, while on my way to track day - of course, that was waaaaaay back in '04! :lol

My hubby and I race WERA West...
My first race weekend was a bust - literally - I had a spark plug failure... It wasn't worth it to risk my engine to *fix* it at the track, so I waited till we got home - hubby helped me pull the threads out - luckily, the threads had simply cracked and the remaining ones were still neatly threaded in the hole - no engine damage! :thumbup:

Next race weekend is Memorial Weekend at Calif. Speedway - never been there - it looks super fast and super fun!! :rockon:

Thanks for the report! Very inspiring!! :)

I know how you feel about the 'little' factor. I'm 5'3" and find it difficult to touch the ground on my R6... the worst though is hanging off the bike, and your outside leg just kinda dangles!

-K