vman1300
Never Forgotten
After many weeks of waiting, I was finally able to secure a kitchen pass and some track time at Carolina Motorsport Park in Kershaw, SC. My nephew and I left out last night for the 3 hour tour...I mean 3 hour drive.
This morning brought very cold temps...33 degrees when we arrived at the track, burrrrrrr......... After unloading and going through tech, I decided to sit out the 1st session due to the temps.
I went out with the intermediate group and took it real easy in the 2nd session due to the cold. Even with warmers, I was very cautious due to track temp. During that session, I was getting more and more comfy with the Lees Performance tuned R1. The power is impressive with power wheelies in 1st and 2nd gear... keep in mind I am still over 300lbs and as far forward as I could be on the pegs.
By the end of the session I was 100% happy with the new aquired track bike.
The 2nd session, well that when the R1 and mine 1st experience with the pavement on a race track, yep the Vman took a tumble. While going through turn 2, maybe 35-40 mph, I low sided quicker that I could imagine. I am well used to spinning the rear tire out of a corner, been doing that for years on the Busa. This was a completly different feeling....as if there was something in the corner...IE sand, anti freeze or oil....
The damage to me was nothing, just a scratch on my helmet, leathers did real well, just need a few seams re-stitched. The R1, broken windshield and brake reservoir bracket. The sliders did their job and I am really happy with the outcome, if that is possible.
I talked to several people and there quite a few crashes before lunch in turn 2 and the track officials spent lunch break in that area a lot. 2 good riders I know crashed in the area, 2 to 4..... all saying it was as if there was something on the track.
If I was riding hard, I would chalk it up to cold tires to early in the session. But at low speed..I honestly believe something was there.
I did finish the day on the Busa and had a great afternoon. This was the Busa's last track day and it is officall retired from track duty.
I do have track plastic for the R1 in the paint shop and cant wait till next season!
This morning brought very cold temps...33 degrees when we arrived at the track, burrrrrrr......... After unloading and going through tech, I decided to sit out the 1st session due to the temps.
I went out with the intermediate group and took it real easy in the 2nd session due to the cold. Even with warmers, I was very cautious due to track temp. During that session, I was getting more and more comfy with the Lees Performance tuned R1. The power is impressive with power wheelies in 1st and 2nd gear... keep in mind I am still over 300lbs and as far forward as I could be on the pegs.
By the end of the session I was 100% happy with the new aquired track bike.
The 2nd session, well that when the R1 and mine 1st experience with the pavement on a race track, yep the Vman took a tumble. While going through turn 2, maybe 35-40 mph, I low sided quicker that I could imagine. I am well used to spinning the rear tire out of a corner, been doing that for years on the Busa. This was a completly different feeling....as if there was something in the corner...IE sand, anti freeze or oil....
The damage to me was nothing, just a scratch on my helmet, leathers did real well, just need a few seams re-stitched. The R1, broken windshield and brake reservoir bracket. The sliders did their job and I am really happy with the outcome, if that is possible.
I talked to several people and there quite a few crashes before lunch in turn 2 and the track officials spent lunch break in that area a lot. 2 good riders I know crashed in the area, 2 to 4..... all saying it was as if there was something on the track.
If I was riding hard, I would chalk it up to cold tires to early in the session. But at low speed..I honestly believe something was there.
I did finish the day on the Busa and had a great afternoon. This was the Busa's last track day and it is officall retired from track duty.
I do have track plastic for the R1 in the paint shop and cant wait till next season!
