Then the waving red flags came out, which meant “come on in”. Turns out that someone from Chris McVey’s team crashed coming out of turn 13. I was getting off the bike at our pit and one of the CamCool guys, still in leathers and helmet came up to me. It was he who gave me the thumbs up. He told me he watched the train of bikes passing me in the carousel and thought all hell was going to break loose, but I held my line and no incident happened. He’s the one who passed me coming out of the turn and showed his appreciation by giving me the thumbs up. He told me I was smooth and predictable and thought I was a good rider. That gave me loads of confidence.

Bert took the last and final middleweight practice session, but I was talked into going out with the big bores to practice. I didn’t want to, not because I was “afraid”, but I didn’t want to break any rules. I went out anyway (rules be dayumed) and stayed out for the whole 20 minute session. I’m glad I did because my earlier jitters were ridden out.

With practice being finished we had to wait through our lunch, the racers’ meeting, and the 30 minute solo races. In the meantime, the wind was picking up and the sun that was shining earlier was being obscured by high clouds.

FINALLY the wait was over. At 2:45 the 3-hour endurance racing began. Ted said he didn’t mind starting the first lap from the grid, so the riding order went Tomato, Lettuce, and Bacon. Ted was pulling 1:20 to 1:22 times during his session.

We agreed to each run 30 minute sessions. So at 25 minutes, I got myself ready. Mandi, Kevin, Stacy, and Rick (PbP’s pit crew who was timing their team, CRMC, and us) let Ted know it was time for him to come in. Pete and his son Christopher (our pit crew) waited for Ted to come in. My nerves were no where at the level they were in the morning – thank GAWD!! Ted came in and off I went.

My goal was to shave off a second from my race school time of 1:41. A few laps into my session, I saw the pit board. I was at 1:41. That’s good I thought. I’m not doing too badly. The next time I came through, it was 1:40! I did it! I made my goal! Then the red flags came out. Someone crashed. Into the pit, everyone went. There was a 15 minute wait for the track to be cleared. While waiting, I declared my new goal to the group. I was going to shave off two more seconds. My goal was to get down to 1:38.

In the meantime, the wind was picking up even more and the high clouds of earlier were getting darker, thicker, and lower.

When the race restarts from a red flag, the grid position of the riders is determined from the standings of the last lap. Even though I figured I’d be at the end, I started from the pits. A grid start in race school is one thing, but to start out there in a live race – well, I’m not quite ready for that experience yet. Out we went. Around the front straight I came. The pit board declared my time at 1:38! I did it! I could not believe it! Then, the next time I saw the pit board (a few laps later since they were also timing CRMC and PbP), my time was 1:37!! Holy S&!t. It actually felt like I was going slower!!

I finished the rest of my lap, came in, and Bert went out. He was consistently pulling 1:27 times. Then it started sprinkling. Then it started raining. Then it stopped. And started again. Fifteen minutes into Bert’s session, a couple of riders crashed. Hard. Red flags came out and racing was suspended for another 15 minutes. While waiting for the restart, the rains came down a bit more. Dayum. Bert decided that when the race restarted he’d wait a few laps before going out. The tarmac seemed to be drying, so he went out for the balance of his session.

The next up would be Ted, but Siu Yan and I want to be out on the track at the same time again. Ted agreed to wait – we’d split the last half hour of the race. Siu Yan went out before me and I never did see her out there. We must’ve been at opposite ends of the track the whole time we were both out there. During that time, the rains came down again. The tires were sticking and I was feeling really confident and comfortable, but I then I saw Bert at the wall at the front straight. He was motioning to me to slow down. I got kind of wigged out at that and did slow down. A racer passed me just going into Turn 1, hit a patch and almost high sided in front of me. I knew it was slick and my concentration then was off. Around the front straight I saw the pit board. My time went way up. I was at 1:44. The next time around, I motioned I was coming in. Ted was going to finish the session as planned and he did in the pouring rain.

Team BLT Racing came in second last with 14 points. I couldn’t believe it. I know that we are only doing this for fun and not for a podium finish at the end, but it was good to know we weren’t last!!

I was great to see all the MotoGirlz (those mentioned earlier, as well as Robyn, RedBull, Adrienna, and Sandi) and other friends who came out to support us. Thanks to the entire pit crew for their support AND to Siu Yan and Dorjan for putting up with our 20 questions the whole week prior to the race. Everyone at the track is so supportive of each other. What a great environment.

Next race is June 16. I cannot wait!

Team BLT Did Not Come

in Last (again)! :)

June 17, 2007

It was a hot long day. I almost couldn't wait for it to end. All I wanted to do was sleep! I drank Diet Coke and Red Bull to stay awake. (and tons of water and Gatorade.) The three hour wait between the morning practice session and the race is a tough one to sit out. But in the end, once I was on the bike racing, I was rarin' to go!

This was the second race for BLT Racing and again we did not come in last! This time, we did a total of 116 laps. The team below us (last place) did 76 laps. I can't remember what team it was (there were no final standings sheets for handout yesterday) and if it was the same team as the last race. All I know is that we weren't last!!

I was hoping to break my "record" time this weekend, but I didn't. I felt like I went backward! My times, unofficially, were between 1:39 - 1:41. (I'll have to confirm when the MyLaps site is updated this week.) My goal was to get down to 1:35.

I know where I'm losing time - my entry speed and my lines. Most definitely, the entrance speed is the biggest thing I need to improve upon. I have to learn to trust the tires, the bike, and my skill. It's such a mental game. You let one little negative thought in and, man, does it take over!

At this point, the only thing I have going for me is my drive out of the turns. I start accelerating while I'm still in the apex. That's where I give the guys passing me a little run for their money before they take off. As I am accelerating they don't expect me to put on the gas, so once in awhile there's a little battle going on coming out of the turns until they just power away from me. (If I had more cajones, I could probably power along with them!)

One of these particular times, I was coming out of Turn 13 onto the front straight. This guy just passed me as I was exiting the turn, and I put on full throttle. I was getting closer to him! I upshifted. I got even closer! (I really don't think he was slowing down). Then, I was close enough to pass! My first pass and in front of my team and my friends! But, . . . I couldn't do it. :( I had never passed anyone before and admit that I was nervous doing it. I let off the gas a bit and he pulled away. It was a fun little battle while it lasted! Next time.... I'll get him ;)

Next race is July 21. I cannot wait. Leanimal will be ready!

Success by Attrition –

07.21.07 Race

July 24, 2007

I had planned/hoped to get out to the track the night before for some practice. However, with Bert having had a vacation day on Monday, he couldn’t leave work early and Ted was knee-deep in chores at home, I was resigned to the fact that we weren’t going to ride. I really wanted to practice, since the only riding I had done since the previous race were some street rides into Pennsylvania – certainly neither twisty enough nor fast enough to constitute as decent practice.

Bert and I got out to the track on Friday anyway to stake our claim – and hold a spot for Siu Yan and Dorjän – along pit wall. As it turned out, we could have ridden because we didn’t get out there as late as we had thought we were going to be. However, the Capt. and Coke we had at home (since it was FRIDAY – yay) precluded us from riding. Dayum. I was so mad at myself.

Race 3 (for us, but 4th of the season), began like the previous ones, a glorious albeit chilly morning. Fluffy clouds were foretelling another great day.

I began running lightweight practice, so I could ride with Siu Yan and be her carrot and she mine. In the second session I was entering turn 2, when all of a sudden I was so closely passed on the outside that passer’s handlebars and mine made contact(!). He immediately shook his head, turned around, waved “I’m sorry” and took off. I knew it wasn’t intentional and wasn’t mad at all. I shook it off and finished the practice session.

Back at the pit after the practice session, I was approached by the guy whose bars knocked mine. He was very apologetic, saying that he didn’t mean it. I told him that it was okay, that “shit happens”. I figured this is something to be expected of racing. I’d better get used to it. In fact, I’ve heard of this going on – purposely. It definitely was a learning experience. And a good thing that I had this happen to me, as I would find out later…

After practice session and lunch, there is always a mandatory riders’ meeting to go over rules and such. Well, during Saturday’s meeting, SP (a long time Fasttrax racer) said that “since there were slow riders the last race” he wanted race times to be determining factor whether to allow racers on the track. He suggested that racers had to have a 1:25 time or better. Another racer reminded him that this is not the AMA, but club racing and no one should be “stuffing” anyone in the corners. Todd said he would keep an eye on the slow riders to make sure they weren’t causing any problems.

Knowing that my last race was definitely slower than the previous one (I was riding 1:41), I KNEW that SP was talking about me. Great, I thought, this is over for me.

It’s frustrating. I know was “slow” again in the first session. Actually, I was up and down on the times. I’m not consistent – I ride a 1:37 on lap, but then the next lap I’m up again at 1:40 or so. (yet in practice, I’m a few seconds faster.) There is one thing about my riding. I may not be consistent in my speed/timing, but I sure am consistent in holding my lines. I know this because I’ve had a lot of guys come up to me and tell me this. (I learned how to hold a line from years of riding a bicycle in traffic.)

During my second session, Todd came over to our pit and talked to Bert about his concern about my speed since I was on the cusp of this possible new regulation. However, just at this time I began riding 1:36. Todd acknowledged that he’s had no complaints about my riding ability, but felt he had to address the other issue given SP’s comments during the riders’ meeting. Bert offered up that I should wear the orange t-shirt that I got when I “graduated” from race school. (This t-shirt, by its bright color, tells overtaking riders that the person wearing it is a noobie (new racer) and to give wide berth, if necessary.

My third and final session [sounds like Cardinal Puff :-)], I wore the orange t-shirt. Not to sound like a broken record, but my times were up and down again. I was down at 1:37 and up at 1:41. At the end of my 30 minute session, Pete flashed the pit board indicating that I should come in.

As I was in the apex of Turn 3, which is a right hander, a rider comes up on my left and I feel/hear THUH-THUMP. I was passed so closely that my thigh was hit by him. The force stood both of us up and we went straight into the grass (since the track continued onto the right). Initial reflex was to grab onto the brakes, which I had to fight tooth and nail! I had to mentally tell myself, “DO NOT TOUCH THE BRAKES!”. I slowed down, downshifted, and rode the pegs over the rough terrain. We both got back onto the track and continued on.

If I wasn’t signaled to come in, I probably would have stayed out, but when I got into the pits Todd was there waiting for me. He asked what happened and I explained the situation. He said it’s the overtaking rider’s responsibility to pass safely and that I did nothing wrong.

It turns out the guy who passed me was pitted right next to us. He explained what happened. He was going to pass on the inside of me, but changed his mind at the last minute. In the meantime, his tires were disintegrating, so he had no traction. At the point of the track we were, was fairly bumpy, too. All those factors combined into a contact pass. He apologized and I told him no offense was taken. It wasn’t like he was trying to take me out. This is racing. Shit happens.

By now you’re probably wondering what does “Success by Attrition” mean and how does it relate to this whole story? CamCool racing – who is in first place in our class – crashed their spare bike, which they had been riding because their main bike was having mechanical problems. They went back out on their main bike, but it wasn’t performing well for them. They lost a lot of time. [thanks, CamCool ;)] Also, Team Road Rage came in last. Because of these, BLT Racing ended up in THIRD PLACE with a trophy!

I am learning what Bob Stanley, founder of Fasttrax, always preached “speed is a by-product of skill and experience”. So I keep telling myself, don’t rush it, Grasshopper, it will come.

Orange shirts, track walk,

practice, and a personal

best, or two :)

September 10, 2007

Well the ruling came down from the top at the last race in July; in order to keep an ornery person quiet one now must wear an orange shirt if a lap time is 1:30 or more. That means, yours truly had to wear one for the last two races. But that’s okay. I’m wearing it as a badge of honor. I’m proud to be a beginner racer – and a woman racer, to boot! (I’ve told CamCool Racing that I’m actually a part of their team since their color is orange :D)

The Friday night before the July race I went out for the evening practice – no Capt. and cokes for me for Friday night practice anymore! I had decent seat time. Dorjän and another guy, Mike, who’s ridden out there with me numerous times were working and riding with me, telling me where I wasn’t holding the throttle long enough, or carrying the speed where I should. Since there is no lap timer on the bike, I can only guess that I was going faster. At least it felt that way to me.

Siu Yan, Dorjän and I agreed to meet at the track early on Saturday morning

before practice to walk the track and discuss braking and turn in points. I had walked it a year ago, but now since I’m racing I was looking at it from a much

different perspective. I believe that helped me immensely when I finally got out for practice. Since Ted came early, we had his transponder on the bike for practice and I was able to check my times afterwards. I was down to 1:35. I was pleased with that.

Above: Nelson Ledges Road Course, Turn 4

Well, as previous races proved, my race times were higher than practice. Damn! I ran between 1:37 and 1:42 in both of my sessions. At this rate, that orange shirt was becoming my best friend and I didn’t like it.

Between the July and August races, I was able to get a day and half of practice in – with a full day before the August race – as full as it can be when you’re sharing a bike with your husband. But it was helpful, nonetheless. The half day of practice I worked with Mike again. Ted and Adam were with me, too. They pounded in my head where I was letting off the throttle or braking too early. It helped immensely.

The full day of practice I forced myself to brake later than normal going into turns 1 and 12, hold the throttle open going into the carousel and through the kink. I kept hearing everyone’s voices in my mind – especially Siu Yan’s: “it’s all in the body position”. When I thought I was going too fast into 12, for instance, I’d hear her and get off the seat more and lean and the bike would just fall into place. With all of this, I just KNEW I was getting faster! (I spoke with Chris McVey that day and he said he confident I can get into the low 20’s! Thanks, Chris, I sure hope you’re right!)

During the race the next day, we used Team PbP pit board and I saw my times go down. I was doing it! They flashed a time of 1:31! WOOHOO a personal best! “Almost there”, I thought. Not only that according to the pit board my times all were within 3-4 seconds, another personal best. The times of my whole session were closer and more consistent. That was a first for me, too. I’m usually way up on one lap and much lower the next. I think I was finally figuring it out. (The official times from MyLaps actually indicate that my times that session were 1:32.1 to 1:36, not at close together as the pit board indicated, but still closer than I usually ride. I still have 2 seconds to go before that orange shirt is gone!)

BLT Racing is still officially last place, but that’s okay. I’m still having fun.

Racing Double Header –

10.06.07

October 9, 2007

I couldn’t have asked for a more memorable ending to my first season of racing! This last race day was the most fun of the whole summer. The day dawned like all the race days before – sunny, dry, & hot. More like late-July than early October. All the signs were pointing to a great day…