Just got my pics from the track photographer today so I figured I'd post some up.... pretty obvious I guess from the pics that I was nervous as s**t, especially at the beginning (I look like a damn brick, lol). But as the day went on I got more and more comfortable and relaxed, and you can prob see it in the pics from the beginning of the day to the end of the day. I learned a ton of good info, which I was trying to practice towards the end but then before I knew it the day was over, so I guess I'll just have to do another one now, heheh. Honestly though once I got past the jittery stage, I had an absolute BLAST!! I know I'm slooooww and still need alot of work on my body positioning and whatnot, but hey that's why I did a trackday in the first place.... to learn! I may have alot of street experience, but I just can't get into this 'go-fast' mindset on the street, I'm too cautious all the time, so this kinda stuff is all new to me. I loved it though... another trackday will certainly be in my near future

Anyways, on with the pics.... some are from the track photographer and others are from a buddy who was there shooting pics as well (the low-res ones). Also some pics from the adventure down there as well, lol

Saturday 2-19... got my faithful tow rig all loaded up and ready to hit the road, left NC by 7:30 am


I had the whole family with me...
Co-Pilot Piggy... snoozing on the job, as usual


Piper and Riley... up in the back window everytime we stopped


Made my way south... sadly this was only a little over half way, lol


9 pm... I'm still in the middle of freakin' Flawriduh somewhere, about 100 miles from my destination


Finally got in about 10:30 or so and absolutely dead on my feet. Ate some dinner and passed out shortly after. Woke up bright and early Sunday to get to the track before the gates opened at 7am... got there about 6:45 and met up with all my old south Florida buddies


After getting everything unpacked, got the bike all taped up and ready to go






9:40 am first call for novice group... extremely nervous for my first time out


But out I go!


See what I mean?? LOL






Control riders worked with me several times throughout the day to help me out














My buddy Kurt came down into novice to do a little one on one with me as well




Towards the end of the day I was starting to get much more comfortable, especially after some great advice from other people at the track






















5:00 pm... I was having a blast and wanted to keep going, but the day was over. Relaxed for a bit then got everything loaded back up




Not too much tire meltage... it was my first time, after all. But I did get a few little dingleberries




We all headed home after hanging out for a little while longer... got something to eat and passed out yet again. Monday morning woke up nice and early yet again... got everything loaded up and on the road by 8:00 am or so. I was soooo wiped from the weekend, I wanted nothing more than to join the puppies in their snoozing adventures.... but, I still had 700 miles to go for that


Finally got home about midnight... absolutely exhausted beyond belief. I gotta say the trusty old Accord did fantastic on this little 1400 mile jaunt. Cruising at 75-80 MPH towing the trailer and bike, 3 dogs and all their supplies, all my gear, and me.... 27.58 MPG. Can't argue with that! She didn't miss a beat the whole trip. I didn't even unhook the trailer or unload the bike or anything from the car, just drove it all to work the next day, lol


That's about all the pics I've got..... I definitely still need A LOT of work on my body position and getting rid of some bad street habits, and of course practice practice practice, but that's what more trackdays are for. I can't wait!!!

 

Very nice, as you get more experienced and better physical ability, you will be able to hand off the moto more and get better all the time at taking those corners. In the pictures you looked a bit stiff and timid. Articulated "hang-offs", (even at low speed) can allow you to get practice and better feel of the akward body positioning that you normally don't do during street riding. Get your inside elbow as close to the ground as you can.

Next time, bring someone who can feed you during the trackday.. instead of those who need to be fed... I alwaus forget to drink enough water between sessions, needed somone to put a bottle in front of my face eerytime I get off the moto and shuve food in my face, too.

 

Awesome.

 

Awesome, I think its really cool you hit the track early, you'll see you can learn a lot from track riding.

 

Early?? LOLOL I waited 206,000 miles to do my first one, haha. But yea you're absolutely right! Definitely a whole lot to learn from it....and I love learning new stuff

 

Props! Only thing I noticed from the pics that I'd do different would be to keep your toes tucked in and put the ball of your feet on the pegs. It keeps your toes away from the ground when you start getting better and hit that benchmark of dragging a knee!

 

^^ exactly, I have the same issues with my big *** feet. I tend to point out with my toes, but now it's starting to get it into my nearly 40 years of riding experience mind to keep my feet tucked in...Start by constantly doing it on the street. I found it helps a lot to keep myself aware of the foot position, even when I commute. Hopefully the repetition will transfer to a better trackday experience....Great post tho' Lovin the tow vehicle and flight crew

 

I do the same thing^ I noticed people on the street looking goofy with their toes hangin' off and out, ya know like riding behind them and I couldn't help but not do it myself. Yea just make it a normal riding habit and it'll be easy to remember.

 

Nice pics...and bike!!! I'm hoping to pick up a F4i soon.

 

congrats bro

 

About time!

Glad you had fun.

 

welcome to the addiction, prepare to do anything for tires and seat time

 

Awesome!! Was that the same weekend as cyclepalooza? I am about 10 miles from PBIR and there were a lot of bikes on the track that day.