Motorsport Ranch-Cresson, Tx Oct23 2006

[11kphotos]

Back to 11k roots, well kinda... 16.5k nowadays.

Trimblair and myself attended a ride school at the Texas MotorSport Ranch, www.motorsportranch.com. It's a 3.1 mile GP style track with some killer facilities. These roadrace guys are spoiled. But we got to run 4 different motos. 20 mins, 20 mins, 40 mins, and 20 mins. I racked up about 80miles of track time. The layout is new, half the track is new. It's freakin awesome and i'll definitely be going back. mx320 came out to watch for a bit and snapped a few pix. it's nothing spectacular because she was very limited to location (like one corner)... anyway just a few from today.

Go ahead, lets get this out of the way.. nice suit reemer. That'd be Trimblair there in the background. and yes the gear was rented. rider turnout was huge, over 300, so they kinda fubar'd the gear rentals as it was first come first serve. we got there stylishly late as usual.
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/reemer_bob.jpg
Trimbobblair
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/robert_waiting.jpg

few bike shots. My trusty steed.
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/r6.jpg

Blairs Z1000s.
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/bikes.jpg

[11kphotos]

Cruising towards the paddock... anxious as hell to get on the track.
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/reemer_popeye.jpg

bob follows
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/rob.jpg

Just exiting pitlane, spills onto the track
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/reemer_leaving.jpg

and guess what.. bob follows
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/rob_leaving.jpg

[11kphotos]

The only corner 320 could shot. It's a shicane, they called it a rattlesnake?
anyway it's at the end of a long straight (130mph) to a H A R D right followed by a hard left that's somewhat uphill to another right hander. pretty tricky section but a great place to pass.

http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/reemer_entry.jpg

http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/reemer_corner.jpg

http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/reemer_exit.jpg

... and bob follows. but somehow sits up to smile at the camera?
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/bob_smile.jpg

but here's bob doing the real deal
http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/bob.jpg

[JOE]

http://www.11kphotos.com/ridesmart/reemer_corner.jpg
So did you coach MX320 on that spot or did she figure that one out all on her own? It doesn't seem to matter whether it's trains, cars, or motorcycles, S-curves are the absolute best. Great spot! Nice pic and angle too, leaves me really wishing that pesky sun was in a better spot. If all you did was post this one, you hid behind the bike enough that I doubt anyone would be giving you raspberries over the gear (which is ironically there to prevent raspberries).

I should add that I dig the reflection from the helmet. There must have been a lot of respectable riders out there. Looks like you are getting it on pretty hard and there are two bikes right ahead (even see the shadow of one) and another not too far behind. I can easily believe there were indeed 300 people out there.

I'll bet that was a great place to pass, doesn't look like you slow down for it near as much as most others.

[mx320]

Hey Joe,

Aaron didn't even know I was there. Hell, he didn't even realize there were cones on the actual track until Bob and I told him. :shock: I was walking around looking for a good spot, then asked the guy running the place if I could walk across to this one section and stand on the wall, he was nice and said sure. So there I go, found a corner to shoot from so to speak! YEAH!!!! Thanks for the compliments. The sun was a big butt kicker but I figured hell, gotta get something and hope it works out. Glad some turned out.

Aaron was flying on that track. He was hauling ass on the straight aways and ripping through the corners. I am so glad I was able to get out there and see him ride. That was a lot of fun and can't wait to go back for open riding day.

[11kphotos]

Joe,

after our 3rd moto i overheard robert talking to becky about corner cones or something like that. i said.. "cones? what the heck are ya'll talking about?" they had braking/accel cones setup on the sides of the track. i never saw a single cone while on the track but noticed them later from the spectators side. and i couldnt tell you where becky was standing, she did that on her own. and she did good especially considering what she had to work with. i was wearing the gameface yesterday and photos were the furthest thing from my mind. i had a few hairball moments so i looked forward and stayed that way.

1. first two motos they had passing restrictions. ONLY allowed on straights. you can imagine what this created.. a freaking dragrace and then everyone would SLAM on the brakes going 4 and 5 wide into these corners. i H A T E D it. i didnt come to a GP track to dragrace! GAY.

2. 3rd moto they announce new passing restrictions.... allowed to pass on the outside line only. that lasted half a lap with me as i tucked in behind one of the instructors and he pulled me through several inside passes. i figured.. what the hell? thing is you're coming into these corners fairly quickly. there were, at times, 3 or 4 riders all riding different lines and you're thinking "outside only??? BS". i'd only do the inside line at the entrance of the corner making sure i didnt snuff anyones line, bob might be an exception but that was in good fun.

3. 4th moto was fair game. the corners would get bogged with riders as usual, over 50 in our class. it was fun trying to pick your way though them, made you work while trying to find traction. i saw two guys slide off the track. my tires were gone by that moto. that amazes me really. you can put 5k street miles on those tires no problem... but you toast them in under 100miles on the track.

[JOE]

So what's the story about the duct tape on the headlights, turn signals, and rearview mirrors? It is so neatly done, I almost didn't notice.

My guess it is the rules. Maybe to protect the glass and lenses but more likely to minimize distractions? Or is that the way race only bikes are (to save precious ounces) and they don't want road/race bikes to have an unfair advantage?

So are the brake lights taped over too? I'd call that downright unsafe, so I hope not.

Anyway, duct tape is cool. Hail duct tape!

[11kphotos]

So what's the story about the duct tape on the headlights, turn signals, and rearview mirrors? It is so neatly done, I almost didn't notice.

My guess it is the rules. Maybe to protect the glass and lenses but more likely to minimize distractions? Or is that the way race only bikes are (to save precious ounces) and they don't want road/race bikes to have an unfair advantage?

So are the brake lights taped over too? I'd call that downright unsafe, so I hope not.

Anyway, duct tape is cool. Hail duct tape!

Yes, all the lights and mirrors are taped. there can be no visible light showing through the headlights, signals, or brakelights. i unplugged the headlights. ducttape is to keep them from shattering and to help distractions.

think about it this way: in mx.. you dont have any of that stuff. it's pretty easy to tell when someone is on the brakes. what was hard for me to get used to is not checking my mirrors before i made line changes. just kinda hoped noboby was in the way.

[trimblair]

That was a frickin' BLAST! I didn't sleep the night before or after! learned to keep the RPMs up ALL THE TIME and hang off the bike by a knee in the corners. Just like the car racing i've done where you do all your braking in the straight and power out quickly! Got tired of Reemer passing me though. Thanks for the lessons, brother. Good Times! When can we go back??? Col Bob