"Hey! Watch where you're going!" -- "Does this look broken?"

These words repeatedly echo through my brain, reflecting on the weekend past. In what was to be the grand finale weekend of the season, the finale part was certain; but how "grand" would it be?

Friday 10/3:
Trailer was still loaded with everything from our last WET weekend at Gingerman. The bike was filthy and full of sand from running in the rain, and still had rain tires on it. I took Friday off to leave early and get everything set up in plenty of time for the weekend. Little things kept chewing at that plan though. Like my 9:15 Doctor's appointment for the nausea from last weekend, and my wife needing to catch up on a few things at work. Instead of leaving at 10:30 as planned, we rolled out about 1:00. Add to that a stop for weekend supplies, and vicious winds which kept our speed between 60-65 and we ended up at the track around 8:30 PM, just to find out the gate closed at 7:00.

On a good note, right before we left home, FedEx brought me a new Power Commander from DynoJet to fix the stalling problem I have been experiencing. A definite 2 thumbs WAY up for the customer service of these folks.

On the access road, I unloaded a few things from the trailer and fired up the generator for some light. The rear of the trailer worked nicely as a garage, and I changed my tires and installed the new Power Commander before retiring for the evening.

Saturday 10/4:
We were 2nd through the gate, managed to get through registration, tech and set up the pit before first practice. The first practice went smooth, but times were very slow because the track was still wet and I hadn't been here in a year, so I need to get the hang of it again.

In the second practice session, I just started wicking things up, and the bike died again. Back to the paddock and I removed the new Power Commander. A bit disappointed that I missed my second practice, but I have a few theories on the problem which I will work with DynoJet to resolve. Besides, all today was for was to practice up for Sunday which is where the money is...

GTO - 30 minute timed:
I ran the GTO today versus the GTU (with other 600's) because the grid is traditionally smaller on the GTO, and with such a small track, HP isn't going to give you much of an advantage.

HEY! Watch where you're going! The start of this race would be the first time I'd say that. At launch, a rider behind me came around on my left and clipped me as we went into turn 1. Something shiny flew off in front of me. A quick wiggle of my fingers failed to find a clutch lever. No big deal, I can make it through the race without it. Head down, through the gears into T1, and through T2. As I come through T2, I looked over to see how much of a nub I had left where the clutch lever once was. When I looked up, I was in the grass, still PINNED in 3rd gear. Hey! Watch where you're going! A little late for that thought now... I didn't even have time to think, the rear tire came out from under me and I embarked on one of the most violent crashes I've ever had. See, I've never really tumbled at high speed before... Let me tell you. For a good solid 3 seconds, it felt like a dozen people were around me, 10 beating me with baseball bats while the remaining two shoveled dirt into my face. It sucked. I still can't get over how incredibly stupid this was.

After coming to a stop and orienting myself with where the sky and ground were once again, I performed the post-crash mental check.
On pavement? No
2 arms? check
2 legs? check
Hands? check
Feet? chec...eeyouch that left one hurts!

Okay, time to stand. I made it to my feet, spitting out dirt and trying to clear my eyes. I boogied out of the way since the 2nd wave of the race was starting to come around the track. The second wave clears and I run over to pick up the bike. It's a mess... The bodywork is mangled, both clip-ons are folded down, and the rear CFM brake lever is dangling. Just then, they red-flag the race for another rider who was tangled up and his bike was laying on the track.

Out of the crash truck, and out of my gear.

Does this look broken? These words were applicable to a majority of the bike, as well as my left ankle which was swelling and turning colors.

Toll on the bike:
Clutch lever
2 clip-on tubes
Crushed aluminum coolant line
Subframe bent
Rear CFM brake linkage broken
Rear brake master cylinder MIA
Bent right front rotor
Bodywork pretty much trashed

Most of the stuff we could replace, but some of it we had to 'make due' with. Crew Chief, pit master, umbrella girl and all around life saver - Jennifer jumped into action, stripping off the bodywork, and restructuring it with duct-tape and zip-ties. She replaced the clip-ons and clutch lever. I went after the coolant line first as it was leaking. It straightened okay. Then I went after the brake linkage. I didn't have a replacement, but figured that I could make it work, and wasn't too concerned since I haven't touched a rear brake in 3 years of racing. A little JB-Weld, and a few pins later, it was good to go. I topped off the rear brake line going up to the (now missing) reservoir with fluid, and then capped it with a bolt and hoseclamp. The rear brakes worked well enough. I replaced the front rotors, and tweaked the subframe back a bit.

Everything came back together in time for dinner. We cleaned up and headed out to our all-time favorite restaurant, Chevy's.

Sunday 10/5:
I didn't get much sleep since every time I moved, my left ankle/foot shot pain through my body. I didn't know if I'd be able to race, but figured I'd give it a try. I managed to get my boot on, so that was a good sign. Up and down movement is okay, but no side-to-side, or movement of the toes. Plus, there's a distinct 'click' when I walk now.

For the first time in my life, I had back-to-back races. Race 1&2 which was 'Sportbike' (a purse paying class which I always get money out of), and then 'Unlimited Supersport' which was the first Honda money race.

I made it through the two races, but my whole body was so sore that I just couldn't get into it. I finished mid to late in the pack, never losing, but not taking home any wood or money.

My next two races were immediately after lunch and were again back-to-back. Much like the previous races, I was running pretty decent times (1:10-1:11), but it just wasn't enough.

We packed up and managed to pull out by 2:00pm, done for the season...

Thankfully the wind had subsided so we made pretty good time on the uneventful ride home. I enjoyed getting a good night's sleep, and now it's back to the drawing board for 2004. I made the trip to have Dr. Twist-N-Poke x-ray my ankle/foot today. She doesn't see anything glaringly broken, so I'm just in an air-cast for a couple weeks. Hopefully things will be straightened out there. Other than that, I'm just beat up sore, *everywhere*.

Full season wrapup pending...

A few pics from the weekend

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