Video of my epic Twins GTU battle (ending in tears)
I'll be doing a more complete race report on my blog as soon as I get time, but thought you might want to see a video I made from one of my races. As you'll see in the video, it was one of my most fun, competitive races ever (except for the ending ).
We got the Aprilia working (just a fuse, apparently - but not one in the fuse box where we'd checked last round). It ran great in practice. Still, I really didn't think I had any chance of being competitive on the fast, flowing West track compared to the tighter, more technical East. My advantage on that bike is under braking, and corner speed. But, it's so much darn fun to ride that I figured I'd have fun trying either way.
I was in the second row of the Twins GTU grid (we were in a double grid behind the Amateur GTU class). Both classes started at once, as you'll see in the video, and it didn't take us long to get up into that group.
Ultimately, it became a pretty epic battle of me on the "dirt bike," my pal Todd Seaver on his SV650, another friend Scott Ferguson on his Buell, and there was a very fast kid chasing us on a 125 two-stroke. The kid was accepted last year into the Red Bull Rookies Cup before they canceled it. We were all battling for second place (winner Shane Turpin is WAY faster than us on his cool Bimota).
It's a pretty big video, just a little bit over the 10 min limit for YouTube. You'll need to right-click and "save as" before watching, otherwise you won't see what happens to me in the white flag lap, with just four turns to go...
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
---Leonardo Da Vinci
I did not read your little write up until after I got done watching the video....
My wife watched it with me and I looked at her and I said he is going to go down pretty soon....
Sure enough....
You were getting some pretty big "feedback" moments from the tires before that happened....
First of all, we all know you wanted the Buell to win, so you're biased. I hope you're happy!
The tires were giving me good feedback, but a few things to keep in mind:
They always do. These bikes slide all over the place, but it's normally very easy to save the slide because the bike is so light and maneuverable
The camera is mounted to the handlebar, so any sort of wiggle is really exaggerated, compared to most videos where it is mounted to the bodywork
No question I was pushing it to the absolute limit. We all were actually running two seconds per lap faster in the race than we did in practice. And I thought I was pushing hard in practice!
Because these bikes are so agile, light, and ridiculously effortless to ride, you start to get the feeling you can get away with anything. Apparently there is in fact a limit. My mistake was taking an aggressive inside line going into the turn, to try to block a potential pass. That ultimately was more than the tire could bear. I saved a lot of front end slides, but this one just went too quick. The dumb part, in hindsight, is that because I could brake so late, they weren't really a threat to go up the inside at that point anyway, so I could have taken the more correct line. Learning experience for me for sure.
Originally Posted by ONEvcs
That was great racing except for the end for course...
Are you Ok? Sore? You seem to be ok since you pick up the bike right away...
Not sore at all, thanks. It was really the least dramatic crash of any I've ever had. Just a nice slide off the track, hoping no one would hit me. Leathers got a bit scuffed, but no tears.
The most amazing part is, that I've been involved in three get-offs since I got my custom-painted helmet a while back. Incredibly, it's never touched the ground. I don't know how, it certainly hasn't been a conscious effort on my part. Not a scuff, scratch, nothing. I called my friend who painted it and thanked him for putting the miracle coating on it for me.
Originally Posted by seamus
I don't like you.
Even the camera angle of you walking over to pick up your bike is cool.
Glad you're alright.
When am I flying out for the USBA/AMA/WSBK round again? I gotta put my leave in this week.
The camera was tweaked sideways, as it was attached to the hand guard in front of the brake lever. Didn't hurt the camera, though - fortunately! I've had so many sessions where I thought I got epic video footage, only to get back to the paddock and be disappointed when a cable got disconnected, or a button pushed, leaving me nothing. I was really hoping I got this, since it was such a fun race.
Originally Posted by CBR929RE
that was a good battle with the guy in blue/yellow. remember next time its the guy that finishes that wins.
glad it wasn't too bad a crash. how's the bike?
The bike isn't too bad, other than cosmetic (which still breaks my heart, but oh well). Worst part was I fell on the "wrong" side, scuffing the beautiful Akrapovic exhaust can. The only thing I'll need to replace is the hand guard and a peg slider, from what I can tell in the limited amount of time I've had to check it out. Fortunately my nice new front brake master cylinder was untouched.
Even the camera angle of you walking over to pick up your bike is cool.
Glad you're alright.
When am I flying out for the USBA/AMA/WSBK round again? I gotta put my leave in this week.
You just go ahead and let me know when you get in. I'll pick you up from the airport.
Whip ... what do you figure caused the crash? Too much lean angle? Tires went off?
Great racing nonetheless. The sigh in your voice said it all. Git 'em next time!!
Today's public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books, and there is some evidence that they can't read them either.
- Gore Vidal
The bike isn't too bad, other than cosmetic (which still breaks my heart, but oh well). Worst part was I fell on the "wrong" side, scuffing the beautiful Akrapovic exhaust can. The only thing I'll need to replace is the hand guard and a peg slider, from what I can tell in the limited amount of time I've had to check it out. Fortunately my nice new front brake master cylinder was untouched.
that sucks. I've dropped my bike once and crashed it twice. all on the exhaust side. The last one was the one that did most of the damage, poor little Sato.
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough" - Mario Andretti
I was noticing the really narrow line you would take on entry into a few corners there when the other other guy was taking a more traditional line. Why were you doing this? In watching it, it seemed like you were giving up some top end to those guys so you were making it up there. Do you use the same line on your 1098?
I was noticing the really narrow line you would take on entry into a few corners there when the other other guy was taking a more traditional line. Why were you doing this? In watching it, it seemed like you were giving up some top end to those guys so you were making it up there. Do you use the same line on your 1098?
Oh yeah, way different line on this bike than the 1098. In so many cases I had to really late brake them, and then I wanted to give them ample room to see me and adjust their line before they dropped into the turn. This bike makes you feel like you can get away with virtually any line, since it stops and turns so quickly. Turns out it's almost any line.
You were walking the line a few times before you got bit.
I'm impressed
Thanks, Abtech! I'm honored to have you say that, and yes, I was definitely riding "on the edge."
I can tell you that I had a huge smile on my face the whole race.
On the "extended" original version of the video, just after I pick up the bike and sigh, the microphone clearly picks me up saying out loud, " me! Oh well, it was fun..."
I finally had a few minutes to watch the whole thing. That was awesome racing, some great passes. My heart rate went up just from watching.
I've been riding my 'tard almost every day and can't wait to get it on a track. I won't be able to use it's abilities quite like you do but I'm already amazed at what I can do on this thing that I wouldn't have done on a sportbike.
Edit: On your blog I love the pic that is mostly showing off the mountains...the one pic that you forgot to put your "LateBraker" stamp on...
...dude you ride an offroad bike with slicks, 1/2 the weight of a GS, double the suspension, with a browning 50 cal going off 32" from your skull as a daily freaking driver - I'd expect anything except a nitro dragbike to be bland by comparison - SSG
Edit: On your blog I love the pic that is mostly showing off the mountains...the one pic that you forgot to put your "LateBraker" stamp on...
Thanks. I didn't forget. I had the same pic up there with the copyright on it, but noticed that the horizon line was a little bit off level, so I fixed it and uploaded without bothering to run it through the program that adds the stamp.
Cool video. I found myself going 'get um get um' then you did... and back again. Very close. I wish more people would post up videos(sheep) I can't wait until I get a cam.
Do sober what you said what you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. - Ernest Hemingway
Were you going easy on the throttle in the exits? I kept wishing the yellow/blue rider would just stay in back already.
Thanks. No, I wasn't really going easy anywhere! Quite a few times the rear was sliding on the gas, so I tried to get as much as I could, where I could.
I did manage to get him back earlier today. Details soon.
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Originally Posted by DEPO
The only thing I'll need to replace is the hand guard and a peg slider, from what I can tell in the limited amount of time I've had to check it out. Fortunately my nice new front brake master cylinder was untouched.
me! Oh well, it was fun..." 
sheep) I can't wait until I get a cam.
Thanks for posting. That front tire took a beating - love the way you just throw that thing into corners.
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