CVMA 250 Production Class Roll Call!!!

[Zombiphone]

Tony sent me the video he had of the race, so since myself, Kit, and Dean pretty much hog the whole video, I thought you guys might want to see it:

Link to original page on YouTube.

Backmarker racing is srs bsns. I think I just mentally relived the whole thing

Also, I swear I'm not even turning on my gopro prior to the races next month, dammit. Stupid battery life

[intortus]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

Also, I swear I'm not even turning on my gopro prior to the races next month, dammit. Stupid battery life

I bring a backup battery for each camera, and try to get them fully charged the night before. That's usually enough to get me through a day of riding, but only if I remember to turn them off in between sessions, so I also bring a charged laptop and USB cables in case I need an emergency recharge. The battery backpacks are really useful for this (though I don't ride with them on the cameras).

[Zombiphone]

Originally Posted by intortus

I bring a backup battery for each camera, and try to get them fully charged the night before. That's usually enough to get me through a day of riding, but only if I remember to turn them off in between sessions, so I also bring a charged laptop and USB cables in case I need an emergency recharge. The battery backpacks are really useful for this (though I don't ride with them on the cameras).

Look at this guy all full of GOOD ideas. You will likely find that such good sense more often than not eludes me I managed to get qualifying, 3 practices, and the night race but I accidentally left it on between the first two practice sessions so I think that's what killed me. I'll definitely bring a contingency plan next time.

Note to self- when juggling school, a job, and still needing to prep a bike for racing the first time, begin preparing for race day prior to the sunday before I have to be there and buy my new camera prior to 6 hours before I need to leave.

[Nemesis]

Look at you poach! You go girl! That's so awesome.

[Zombiphone]

Haha, I was kind of really into it, and I just didn't want to get left behind ^^;

Now if I can just figure out drafting I'll totally beat Dean across the line next time

[dino74]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

Now if I can just figure out drafting I'll totally beat Dean across the line next time

Instead of drafting, you could just feed me more donuts.

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

Now if I can just figure out drafting I'll totally beat Dean across the line next time

My advice: Try to draft as much as possible and pull out at the last minute. There were a number of times when you could have easily drafted pass the guys. Also, try not to fixate and hit those apexes as much as possible--you're running wide on a lot of those turns.

I say work on above next round and you'll see a dramatic lap time reduction.

Overall, you're doing a great job. Quite a huge improvement!

[Rexbo]

Also moar cowbell

[Zombiphone]

Originally Posted by dino74

Instead of drafting, you could just feed me more donuts.

Hmmmm, how many donuts will it take to offset the speed holes you're putting in your rotors?

Originally Posted by Nemesis

My advice: Try to draft as much as possible and pull out at the last minute. There were a number of times when you could have easily drafted pass the guys. Also, try not to fixate and hit those apexes as much as possible--you're running wide on a lot of those turns.

I say work on above next round and you'll see a dramatic lap time reduction.

Overall, you're doing a great job. Quite a huge improvement!

In a [somewhat botched] attempt to go faster I definitely took a lot of lines that I wasn't used to and ended up kind of all over the place (Not saying my normal lines are good or anywhere near as tight as they should be, mind you, but there were definitely some lines in there that I don't know how I ever logically justified).

That said, very much so noted. I'll definitely read up more on the physics of drafting as I still don't totally understand how it's done, and I'll really make a point to try to be less afraid of the inside rumble strip next month and see what I can do. Thank ye kindly, Jon

Originally Posted by Rexbo

Also moar cowbell

I KNEW IT! I knew there was some secret that you guys weren't telling me. F'n A, man.

If those additional cowbells you're sporting are aftermarket though, I WILL protest your ass

[dino74]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

Hmmmm, how many donuts will it take to offset the speed holes you're putting in your rotors?

One per hole .... I think Nem said the same thing once but he might have been talking about something else.

[intortus]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

In a [somewhat botched] attempt to go faster I definitely took a lot of lines that I wasn't used to and ended up kind of all over the place (Not saying my normal lines are good or anywhere near as tight as they should be, mind you, but there were definitely some lines in there that I don't know how I ever logically justified).

Well, a weird line is how you're probably going to overtake someone, so that's good experience to have! But nailing apexes is the best way to figure out how to improve your lap times, and makes it harder for anyone to pass you back.

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

That said, very much so noted. I'll definitely read up more on the physics of drafting as I still don't totally understand how it's done, and I'll really make a point to try to be less afraid of the inside rumble strip next month and see what I can do. Thank ye kindly, Jon

Drafting is easy, just get behind someone and try to be smaller than them. I suppose the real trick is learning the timing of when to sling around the leader, and having an escape route in case they miss a shift or hit a false neutral or something. Chuckwalla doesn't give you much opportunity to practice drafting. It pays off more to just figure out the earliest you can get on the throttle.

[cynicalkit]

Originally Posted by intortus

It pays off more to just figure out the earliest you can get on the throttle.

My biggest problem right there! Sometimes I feel way to close to the apex and slow down because I feel like I am going to run through to the dirt, sometimes I open the throttle and miss it by alot. Still working on my crappy lines. Sorry guys.

[Rexbo]

Originally Posted by cynicalkit

My biggest problem right there! Sometimes I feel way to close to the apex and slow down because I feel like I am going to run through to the dirt, sometimes I open the throttle and miss it by alot. Still working on my crappy lines. Sorry guys.

Yes, we were all offended by your lines on track. Apology accepted.

No but seriously, take a deep breath and try to figure out how keep the throttle pinned from as early in the turn as possible. Last round I discovered that from 3rd gear up, you can pin the throttle even with the knee on the ground and you'll be good. And yes, my butthole was trying to eat the bike when I found that out. On these bikes you should have the throttle nailed easily 10-20 feet before the apex.

[dino74]

Originally Posted by cynicalkit

My biggest problem right there! Sometimes I feel way to close to the apex and slow down because I feel like I am going to run through to the dirt, sometimes I open the throttle and miss it by alot. Still working on my crappy lines. Sorry guys.

I had the same problem. During practice rounds, try entering the turn slower. I found it hard to work on my apexes and early throttle pinning at fast entry speeds because there was too much going on.

Once I was comfortable with the apexes and WOT throttle, it was easier to entered the corner at faster speeds.

[Dmented]

Originally Posted by dino74

I had the same problem. During practice rounds, try entering the turn slower. I found it hard to work on my apexes and early throttle pinning at fast entry speeds because there was too much going on.

Once I was comfortable with the apexes and WOT throttle, it was easier to entered the corner at faster speeds.

I went the other route...
it was my first time on a ninja 250 so i was WAY out of line with how to maneuver them... but after a lap of tire warming up i just decided to slingshot my way into the turn slam on a little brake, slam her on her side and then crack open the throttle and lean into the turn to hold the line... It worked well but i was only doing 2:11 to 2:15 laps. next round should be a lot better on it. I really appreciate all the help i got from Jon. he's the man... now all i need to do is grab a tow from steven CCW and i'll be battling for podiums! (you see that there... it's called confidence!)

[Nemesis]

Darren, do us both a favor and take him out the 1st corner. Then we'll both be guaranteed a podium.

[dino74]

Originally Posted by Nemesis

Darren, do us both a favor and take him out the 1st corner. Then we'll both be guaranteed a podium.

Do Kit, Tiff and me a favor, take out both Steven and Nem

[Rexbo]

oh ME?

[Dmented]

Originally Posted by Nemesis

Darren, do us both a favor and take him out the 1st corner. Then we'll both be guaranteed a podium.

I ALMOST accomplished that in my first race going into turn one. I got a better start from 3rd than he did from 2nd but he Juuuuust pulled ahead of me. then he was GONE! but like i say... i be learning QUICK!

Originally Posted by dino74

Do Kit, Tiff and me a favor, take out both Steven and Nem

are we offering to repaint my beautiful bike afterward?!?!

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by Dmented

are we offering to repaint my beautiful bike afterward?!?!

I do have to say...I'm jelly after seeing your paint job. I'm kinda glad I crashed...I get to repaint my bike.

[Rexbo]

and this is why i fear painting my bike for real.

[Dmented]

Originally Posted by Rexbo

and this is why i fear painting my bike for real.

exactly... I kept saying to myself... go easy on her she's new...

Originally Posted by Nemesis

I do have to say...I'm jelly after seeing your paint job. I'm kinda glad I crashed...I get to repaint my bike.

please repaint so you can hold back in the race as much as i do. :P