Grattan '09 Official thank you thread

[bwhip]

Every year, it seems, I can count on four things happening:

1. I'll wonder if it's really worth it to drive that far and back to Grattan for the MCADX days
2. A whole bunch of friends will look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I'm driving 28 hours each way to Michigan for trackdays
3. I'll fall off my bike one to three weeks prior to the event and have to make a mad scramble to get replacement parts and gear in time
4. I'll be driving home from the MCADX days at Grattan thinking "Oh yeah! That was totally worth it!"

THANK YOU to Abtech for setting up this incredible event for us every year.

THANK YOU to the many friends I've made at the event over the years that are such a blessing to my life. It is always so great to see you each year, ride with you, and hang out with you.

THANK YOU also to the new friends I've made, that came out this year for the first time. Hopefully you found that the event was as good as we've claimed it to be.

THANK YOU to our outstanding professional photographers, that make us look so good out there. Now that I've done a bit of trackday photography myself, I know how tough it can be to stand out there for hours and hours, watching everyone else have so much fun on the track. Thanks for being there for us!

MCADX Days 2009 seemed to be especially challenging for me. We had a bit of rain and lots of threatening weather, the Aprilia was continually blowing oil through the airbox, causing the corner workers and me (and anyone following me) great concern, and I was riding the Ducati like a complete wussbag due to a lack of confidence caused by my little get-off last weekend. I'd been planning for months how much better my lap times would be, due to the improvements I'd made to the Duc in the off-season, and I just couldn't make it happen.

But even with all of those factors trying hard to drag down my attitude, there was just no way not to have a great time, thanks to everyone there. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of the great kindness, caring and friendship of the group. That's what makes this event so special, and the reason I keep coming back.

Thanks very much, friends!

[ptlcb1]

I had my share of issues getting ready as well! But it was all worth it!

[maxib]

I am about six hours from home now. Even though I did not get to ride this year, it was well worth the trip to meet up with everyone and hang out at the track. I must echo bwhip's feelings and add thanks to all the corner workers who work hard to make this event safe year after year, and have become regular friends as well.

Thanks again abtech.

[abtech]

Originally Posted by maxib

I am about six hours from home now. Even though I did not get to ride this year, it was well worth the trip to meet up with everyone and hang out at the track. I must echo bwhip's feelings and add thanks to all the corner workers who work hard to make this event safe year after year, and have become regular friends as well.

Thanks again abtech.

??????

You didn't ride?

[HondaGalToo]

I'll add my heartfelt thanks to Abtech for this event each year. It's definitely the highlight of the season!! Always a great time with friends, old and new. Like Bwhip, I too was having confidence issues, mine due to the weather. Only he didn't seem much slower! Couldn't better my times, but did some good work on body position and had a lot of fun. The sliding of the rear in T2 and the front in T5, and downshifting when not quite clear of the hump, causing the back end to wiggle all over the place slowed me down quite a bit!

Thanks to everyone who makes this event fantastic. I think this year's bbq was epic; I've never seen so many grills and the rain failed to put a damper on it!!!

[redsazook]

Thanks to everyone involved for organizing another great event. My apologies to any riders I unintentionally terrorized in the Intermediate group.

We proved that you can still have fun in the middle of Michigan even when the weather is uncooperative. See ya next year

[RR_MIKE]

lol i'll repost this.. i put it on the other thread since this one wasnt here lol..
first off i want to say thanks to abtech and everybody.. you guys/gals have an awesome group and thing go'n...def. the funnest trackday ive ever done in my life..i know im one of the new peeps,and kind of the outsider so to speak lol,but everybody was cool as hell to me..i really appreciate that for make'n me feel welcome..and sorry i had to bail tues. morning,but i wasnt feel'n so good for some reason.. prolly all the dang food from monday lol.that or i have an ulcer i didnt know about lol.. because i was damn near doubled over from an undescribeable burning pain in my gut when i go'n to the track tues. morning..and im reallly bummed i missed the dinner tues. night,but i didnt feel worth crap till today.. and wooohooo i was up toga timmeh's tailpipe the whole time,and even pulled away,which makes me feel pretty damn good..and a few control riders(wish i could remember names better lol)gave me a few pointers which helped alot..thanx for the input guys.... and again,thanx everybody..was nice meeting you in person and get'n to ride with you all..i'll deff. be back next year...awesome job everybody...and oh my, the chicken on a stick and the rootbeer deff. lived up to the legend lol..

[CBRVFR]

Abtech, ND4SPd, Red Rider, Red Rider, The Gals, Depo, NH and Taz, Rachel and Paige, Kim, all the control riders and corner workers -

Thanks a lot! This event means a great deal to us all , and your efforts are much appreciated.

[RedRider]

Finally home and unpacked for the night. What can I say, other than this event gets better every year, rain or shine. A BIG thanks goes out to the following:

- 'Whip, Hammer, CBRVFR, Evl, Linus, TornadoB8, JetB, and all the other Control Riders (sorry if I left anyone out) who kept it safe AND fun for everyone.
- The Hondagals for organizing the BBQ that gets bigger and better every year.
- NH and TAZ for making us all look good, no matter how we ride.
- Paige and Rachel for their great job announcing and keeping us on schedule!
- Dunlop Tom for supporting our event with tons of tires and tire changing service.
- ND4SPD for all his hard work behind the scenes, and for MCADX which keeps us all together.
- DEPO for helping run everything, and keeping us laughing in the process.
- JH41 for the t-shirts.
- The cornerworkers for being there if we needed them.

...and mostly to Abtech for putting this event together year after year.

[LolaBunny]

TAZ and I were just reading this thread, and agree with everything said so far. We would like to thank everyone for supporting the photo team, this year and every year.

From myself, maxib, I'm so sorry to hear that you didn't get to ride this year, but am so grateful that you brought your bike, as I really enjoyed my two-up session.

bwhip, man, that Ducati 1098 was SICK! That was very rave and generous of you!

Frenchie, Dave and Brett, your gear donations were much appreciated!

Jetbdude, thanks to you for dragging me around the track again this year, as you have before. Riding with you has helped gain confidence on the track, which will do wonders when I'm dragging you around next year! More importantly, thank you for keeping me safe and returning me back in one piece!

Hammer and DEPO, thank you for all of your useful "dating advice". Truly...

HondaGals! Thank you for creating the best BBQ in the history of forever! <3 I hope you don't end up in the pokie

My final thanks? To all of the friends I've made over the past 3 years at this event, and the memories I have of the time we've shared together! I love you guys

[JH41]

I'll echo what everyone else is saying and repost from the other thread:

Abtech(and the many others that help out) I know its been said a million times but this is an awesome event....

Thank you guys for the opportunity to make the shirts for this event. I cannot take all the credit though as Grafixman lays out the design. I tweak it a little and get it on the shirt.

[08silvercbr]

..what everyone else said. Now how am I supposed to go do a STT day? Depressing thinking about it. First street riding ruined, now other track day orgs. Seriously.. no Bevis moves on the track AT ALL. No get off's all three days in "A"!! When does that happen? Thanks to all riders who made that possible. Also thanks to Bwhip for the pointers to help me relax and go faster at the same time. Good times off the track even in the rain. Special thanks Frank and Z for making this possible. Thanks to the CR's for keeping things tight and giving advice.. Also Depo and Pete for holding things together through the day. Hopefully it can continue to go this way for years to come.

[SheepOfBlue]

2AM do you know where your Sheep is? Yep posting while parked on I65. I would echo y'all but y'all already said it better and faster. I will say I knocked a second off last year chasing the orange cow and finally caught him on cam.

Another great thing about this event is you are not constantly trying to zoom a pack. That makes it easier to focus on improving turn X. I think I can carry this to Baa-rber and drop some time.

[steven_george88]

Great event again this year. I'd like to thank everyone involved just for letting us attend again this year, even though the Carney crew weren't MCadx members. We'll change that for next year. :-)

Once again, things were well organized and everything ran smoothly, and everyone had a good time, that says a lot about the job you all do hosting it.

Also, thanks for letting us ride in the intermediate and advanced group to get more seat time on the R6 (3 riders--1 bike), hopefully we didn't cause any problems.

See you all there again next year!

[RedRider]

Originally Posted by steven_george88

Also, thanks for letting us ride in the intermediate and advanced group to get more seat time on the R6 (3 riders--1 bike), hopefully we didn't cause any problems.

See you all there again next year!

Steve, you guys are welcome to join us any time. Thanks for not using us as backmarkers!

[Shenders1]

I'll echo all the thank yous from previous posts - Great event, and all the work that went in to making it happen is much appreciated.

A special thanks to OneVCS for letting me ride the Aprilia, and to Seamus/Mrs Seamus/TMDearborn for letting me crash in their garage

[tm_dearborn]

Thanks to everyone. I really appreciate all of the coaching and encouragement provided by all of the riders. I can't wait to see everyone again.

[Ape-X]

"Thanks" just can't do justice. Two years ago at my first event, I vowed to make sure to get to all three days "next time". Too bad it took me this long . Man, what a GREAT TIME!

To everyone involved in planning and helping this is a first rate event, heads above anything else, the atmosphere and friendship is something special and I am honored to be able to be a part of it.

Frank, thanks for the invite and confidence and to everyone that helped organize and to everyone that participated, see you NEXT year!!!

Originally Posted by RedRider

.... Thanks for not using us as backmarkers!

<<< Think I was used as one GOOD TIMES!!!!

[SheepOfBlue]

Originally Posted by steven_george88

Great event again this year. I'd like to thank everyone involved just for letting us attend again this year, even though the Carney crew weren't MCadx members. We'll change that for next year. :-)

Once again, things were well organized and everything ran smoothly, and everyone had a good time, that says a lot about the job you all do hosting it.

Also, thanks for letting us ride in the intermediate and advanced group to get more seat time on the R6 (3 riders--1 bike), hopefully we didn't cause any problems.

See you all there again next year!

The elephant was cool

Never could figure out what you were doing as it did seem one was out of sorts with the rest but once on track I can say I never really noticed y'all

[Hammer]

Much thanks has been said above and I agree with them all.

Things to add.

Thanks NorthernRR for the ride on the rocketship 1000, that is definitely a well equipped bike.

Thanks EvlTwin for the ride on the "X" Pegram, bike. I am not worthy. And the motard again, that is such a fun bike.

Bwhip, for the offer on the 1098. But due to weather conditions I only have 362 days to go to take you up on this again.

And Thank you all for the many words of encouragement.

Frank, Thanks again for putting this event on. It is definitely a do not miss event.

[phozed]

I couldn't think of a better way to bookmark my 6 year hiatus from track riding then these events! I understand the amount of work that people put in so others can enjoy themselves. Thank-you all, and biggest thanks to Frank!

So many fast, competent riders on sooooo many cool bikes!! Great times - thanks again!!!

[RedRider]

Originally Posted by Hammer

And the motard again, that is such a fun bike.

I almost forgot to thank him for losing my 'tard virginity this year! What a blast it was to ride!

[Richard636]

I'll add a 'ditto' on to what's been said already. I'll also add my own personal thanks to certain individuals that really helped my out at the event as well but I know I'll still forget many as there was just soooo much help everywhere.

Thanks to Rob (NorthernRR) for inviting me out, then also actually haulin' my ass and bike to Grattan in his trailer.

When I snapped my caliper bolt I thought my day was done and I'd have to head into town to try and find a replacement. Clearly I forgot I was at an ADX track day and not a regular trackday. Within' seconds I had Brian, Dunlop Tom and Brett among others looking for a replacement bolt. Brett ended up having an exact caliper bolt and I was back up and running. Thanks again all of you.

I also left Grattan with a new set of rotors for my bike. ONEvcs was nice enough to GIVE them to me at no charge. Thanks again buddy!

What added to my whole experience at Grattan was the fact that I made A LOT of progress on the track. This is my first year riding on the track, and comming into the event I only had 5 trackdays under my belt.... ever. Pretty much everyone gave me some pointers and advice that improved my riding, help was everywhere; however, a big part of my progress was due to alot of time that Jetbdude (Etienne) put in with me, on and off the track. THANK YOU EVERYONE and again special thanks to E.

Again, thanks to EVERYONE!!!!

[SHOTIME]

So are the dates for this event set for next year already?

Where does everyone stay? I'll be in a camper if I make it next year, but I'd like to be close to everyone.

[eyauch]

I can't say how "weird" it was looking around and not seeing the big man himself (Frank) while cruising the pits. But rest assured things started getting back right when he made dinner on Tuesday. Thank you again sir for all you have done to make a truly great impact bringing all of us together here at Grattan. I hope the next months bring order and serenity back into you and your's lives.

Everyone else hmmmmm.... I don't think there is a smiley big enough to thank all

TornadoB8 - thanks for the schooling (Damn that guy is fast)
Bwhip - thanks for lessons and advice (the fact you drive so freakin far and than spend precious time explaining to us slow folk how to ride better shows real character)

JetDude - Your boat stories are being retold to people I know but I'll never be able to make them laugh like I did when you told it. The man has a way with words what can I say. And did I mention (that guy is freakin' fast too)

JH41 and NorthernRR - speaking of characters...... You guys crack me up every year.

Michael & Linus - Garage mates, good company, wouldn't have it any other way

Seamus and Mrs.Seamus - I never did thank you for the ride over to the Timbers. I'll expect a full write up and pics on the "cruiser" project with that motor. Mrs.Seamus remember when talking to us "civillians" we don't get all the acronyms. Ya lost me a few times.

Scott and Cort -You guys rock Thanks for the bike swap, all though it scared the bejesus out of me to be on a liter bike again By the way how did you guys get everything in that trailer? When the man says he is prepared he means it

Bret - remind me to watch out for crazy drivers at night, those are some pretty interesting stories
Tammy & Judy - ummm... lets see... oh yeah wholly crap! You guys put together the one of the best Bar-b-q's I have ever been to. Much love And in case anyone thinks about outbreaking the HondaGals.... don't. Not possible can't be done end of story

Carl - Dude you make everthing sound so simple and laid back. Thanks for putting my mind at ease once frustration sets in.

Dave, Pete, Depo, the young ladies running the PA system and everyone else I forgot to mention thank you for making this even possible and running smooth as silk.

If I forgot anyone it is because I am so tired from having so much damn fun.

[ND4SPD]

Dates won't be nailed down for a few more months but generally it's the last week in June. You can park the camper at the track or take it to a campground if you require hookups. Maybe bwhip can chime in on where he parked his RV this year.

[ND4SPD]

Can't say much more than what was already said. Thanks to all of you for coming out and thanks to everyone that offered to help - which was just about everyone. A big thanks to those that donated prizes for the dinner.

bwhip & CBRVFR - thanks for letting me take your steeds out for a session. Both rides were absolutely unforgettable. I'm still flabbergasted about the power of that Duc, it's simply unbelievable. And the RC30 - I'm not even sure that one needs an explanation.

I've always been partial to I4 motorcycles. I've never ridden a twin that really spoke to me - until now. I don't know what my motorcycling future looks like but I'm quite certain that there is either an Italian twin and/or a Honda V4 in it.

[Richard636]

I forgot to thank Frank for the ride from the track to Timbers. Also, thanks for pulling right up to the door when we got there so I could get to the washroom faster. That vodka was flowing right through me.

[for1only]

Big thanks to all-man too many names to mention, too many great conversations, too many experiences on and off the track and too much fun-the only thing that there wasnt enough of was time between all of us friends. Gotta do 3 days next year and get new tires. Special thanks to Abtech and all the oldies-you know who you are. Great to meet all the new guys-now you see what all of us were yapping about. Thanks Dave, Eric, Pete and Scott for taking care of my suit-yep forgot it at the track-too busy making sure I did my best to say good bye and thank you to everyone. Brett and John-dont pimp me I need a video of that session from last year. Thanks Steve for letting me ride the tard-that was quite an experience. Good meeting everyone, your name may not have been mentioned but you certainly were not forgotten or appreciated.

[Kuss929]

Thanks to everyone that make this event "THIS EVENT".
It was great to see some old faces and a bunch of new ones.
The weather gave some added speed bumps in the mind but it was not as bad as it could have been.

For not being on a bike in three years it came back to me fairly quickly and another 3 years will not go by with me not on a track.
I will do anything to attend next year and each year after.

Thank you Frank for putting this together again and for all who stepped in to fill your shoes in your absence.

Thanks Etienne for shooting some video of me and for Dave for stealing my thunder with your sweaper slapper.