Race Report, Round 4, Wera at Barber Motorsports PArk

Thursday report

This was going to be a great trip. My wife is now at a point where she cannot fly to watch me race, so I had to get someone to make the drive from Orlando to Barber and back. My father gladly accepted. We made this trip back in 2014 when I attended a track day with Sport Bike Track Time. On that trip, I met people like Derrick Cantrell (Former AMA racer), John Cook,Trevor (CEO of STT), and many other and one of the many reasons why I chose WERA. My dad and I left Orlando on Thursday evening so that we could spend some time in the museum since he didn't get a chance to do it in 2014. The drive was smooth, just one major backup and we reached the hotel in good time Thursday night. I got in a 45 minute cardio session and called it a night.

Friday report

We both woke up extra early and had breakfast and took time to relax. I was surfing the wera forums and saw that the time got moved up, so they were going to let us in at 1pm. Phil218 hit me up and said he was already in line in lot G, so my dad and I headed over to meet up with Phil. Phil was number 2 in line and we were number 3. Dave had his EZ up setup and drinking beer and smoking, so we got out to connect with the other racers. We chilled out there for a few hours talking about everything, Phil gave me a tour of his Track and Trail toy hauler, talk about kids and the family and tried to stay cool as it was very hot and humid outside.

My father and I walked over to the museum and he got to take in all the bikes and cars. It was cool to listen to my dad explain so many things about the bikes and cars. They have a 57 Chevy impala, bay blue and my dad told me he had one back in 1964 that he bought for $165. He bought it with his first paycheck after he graduated high school. He pulled the engine, rebuilt it by himself and he taught himself everything to do the job right. Unfortunately, my uncle sold it while my father was in Vietnam. These are the stories I got to hear about for the first time. After going thru the entire museum, we walked back over to lot G and waited for a while longer. At 1pm, a group of us decided to walk to the registration building and get our bands. The security guard told Phil that they weren't ready for us and to go back to the lot and wait. One of the WERA crew came out and said we could dirve our vehicles up and get our bands and lucky for me my father was still in the truck, so I called him and he drove up and we were on our way.

We were the first into the paddock and started to setup shop. The best part of racing is pitting with you good friends, so we were going to pit with Phil and Jeff Leske and his girl Jess. After an hour or so, we were all setup and ready to go to dinner. My father and I decide to hit the Cheese Cake Factory for dinner and a drink or too. After getting some good food, t was time to turn in an get ready for some racing.

Saturday

Man does time fly. We got to the track at 7am and I was ready to go. while my father got the pit area organized, I walked down to registration to get checked in and get my bike teched. I per-registered, paid for Saturday practice) and I had a $340 voucher from the Roebling round I was going to use to pay for this weekends races. Unknown to me, they would make me fill out all the forms to register for the races in get in the other line which was long as hell. After going thru that and getting my bike thru tech and took my bike back to our pit so I can get the belly pan back on and get some sessions in before the solo race.

Session 1:

I used this session to get the bike and myself warmed up. I immediately noticed my up/down shifting wasn't working and this was something I notced at Road ATL. I was getting a little frustrated that this was happening and figured this would be an issue going forward. My best time was a 1:40. I was pushing and not having my up/down definitely hampered my times.

Session2:

Got back on the track and started pushing a little more. I was still pretty slow but I was trying to get my lines down since its been a year since I'd been to Barber. Three or four laps in, Broome (Chaotic) passes me going down the straight leading into Charlottes web. I figured hears my chance to to see where he is strong and get some pointers. I was able to hang on for a bit, but dude is fast. after our second lap of me following hi, the short session was over. It as time to get some water, food, Gatorade and rest before the solo 16.

Race 1, Solo 16.

All the racers took to the grid. There were some fast guys out here. Willie Carter from Texas, Broome, Stephen Tsotsoros, Luie Zendejas, Sean Dwyer and a few others. I was P9. Broome and Zendejas were behind me. I thought I got a good start but Zendejas, Jason Buckner (1299s) and Freddy Carswell got past me. I did get Willie Carter. Going into T2, I was able to get Terry Williams on his 899 and Broome was lurking behind me. As I get on the gas to drive up the hill and blast down towards Charlotte web, I had a feeling Broome was coming. He caught me on the brakes going into the web. I just followed Chris thinking he was going to make his way to the front and he can drag me along. We are approaching T12 and I catch Jason Buckner (1299s) on the gas going into T12. On lap2, one of the front runners had a technical issue, so I gained another place. Four laps in I have my head down just trying to get consistent laps in. I wasn't sure what was going on up front, but I was just putting my head down. On lap 6, I heard someone on my inside going into T1, he didn't pass me, but I heard another engine, again, head down and lets go. As we both approach T4, Willie catch me on the brakes as I get a bad drive out of T3 coming up the hill. At this point I knew using the rear tire I was running (The same rear tire from Roebling practice sessions 2, Road ATL session 6, and 2 Barber sessions) was a mistake. Its ok, its just practice. Lets see if we can hang with him an get him back later. On lap 11, I turn my best lap of the race and a PB for me at 1:38.169 and I was back on Willies tail. As we come thru start/finish we both grab a downshift, apex T1 and head up the hill for T2, we get back on the gas and as we read the bottom of T3 I get a huge slide and come off the gas and Willie starts to pull away. I figured I go heavy handed and decide to try and catch back up to Willie, I get a decent drive out of the web and start my approach to the museum turn. I get over the hump and get the bike turned and get on the gas again and another huge slide. At this point, I waved the white flag as I was start to slide big time when trying to get on the gas. Looking at the lap times, I was ok with the times. It was 145 degrees on the track and felt very greasy. I also didn't want to throw the bike down the track in a solo race with 4 races on Saturday. what I didn't know is carnage was happening at the front of the field and lots of guys were dropping. I was able to finish 6th place overall. Not a bad day in the office.

That night, my pops, Peter and myself hit up Cheese Cake Factroy again. Good food, one drink and funny conversation was in order. It's fun hanging with my pops. He is the coolest.

Sunday, Go Time!!!

Race 1, Formula 1

Here is another race where I have zero points and I'm starting from the back. I knew this one was going to be tough with Geoff May, Broom, Zendejas and other at the front. Time to get on someones wheel and see how many spots I can make up. I get another poor start and as we go into T1, I pull up next to Willie. H finally gets in front of me going into T3 and I try to stay on his rear wheels so I can make a dive into the inside going into T5. I actually get 2, lol. I get back on the gas and as we approach the museum, I got Ben Jones on the brakes. Caught Brady Ipock going into T15 going underneath him as I caught a down shift and trail the brakes to the apex of the corner. Coming out of the last turn onto the front straight, the gear pop out and went from 4th to 3rd and I lost power and Brady passed me going into T1. I then got passed by Gary (Novice) going into Museum corner on the brakes. We pretty much play follow the leader until Willie passes me going into T1. Not sure what the problem is, but T1 was not a good corner for me this weekend. I wanted to attack Willie right way and I tried to pass on the inside of the web and that didn't go well. I entered to hot and gave up 2 positions. Coming up to T14, I was able to get back one postion staying to the outside and on the gas. The R1 got thru on willie getting a decent drive out of the museum (almost coming together) and I was able to get onto Willies rear wheel going into T14 again and passing him. On the last lap, looks like I was trying to play it safe and getting off the gas early, breaking early, and I bet I heard Willie behind me and tried to take advantage of two corners I felt good in to get some distance. I tried to carry a bit more corner speed thru 12 and 13 and it didn't work out well. I initiated the turn in to T12 where I was suppose to, but I hesitated, so I missed the apex, which made me run wide coming out of 13 and the carnage ensued..... Lessons learned, stay focused, always hit your reference, brake markers and apexes.

Video of the Formula 1 race:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVuY2zFvKpM

Video of me and Patrick, the corner worker in T13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXd3myib71w&feature=youtu.be




Race 10, A SB
Too be continued.......

Race 13, HW Twins

I was grid dead last, 8th. This was the first race that I think my head was back in the game. As we started, again a average start but I was able to pass 3 guys going into T1. Ok, I see that Stephen left some room on the inside so I decide to jump in there and see where we wind up. Since it started getting late in the day, all the races were shortened to 4 laps. I figure I could get in there and hold these guys off. Going to 2, I get Stephen and now the only two racers ahead of me are Broome and Jason, both on 1299S. I get Jason going into the web and get back on the gas looking for Broome. Lap on down, I'm still in second and Broome is leaving the field behind. I get caught by one of the experts in the web, kind of block passed me and I try to stay close so I can get him back quickly. I get right up next to him and I let him go as we enter the museum corner. As I go over the hump, I think I had my fingers on the brake and the handle bars go sideways and I almost crash again. Whatever confidence I had before is gone. I loose another spot to Stephen, I'm now running forth and I just keep my pace to finish 4th overall.


Video of the HW Twins race:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfnP75XckLU



Race 17, Sr. SB



Too be continued.......

Damn Leon,

You were going great and you crashed when you had finally got a bit of distance, glad to see there was no real damage and you get to fight another day.

BTW awesome camera footage it was great seeing the guys trying to outbreak you.

And cool photos with your pop's there the memories you will cherish.

Glad your good bud.. I gotta point this out.. You hit the outside of that curbing and caused the shake.. You were good... You are a very talented rider dude.. give it hell.....

Mannn,

Is that your twin ridin passenger??

reganc said:

Damn Leon,

You were going great and you crashed when you had finally got a bit of distance, glad to see there was no real damage and you get to fight another day.

BTW awesome camera footage it was great seeing the guys trying to outbreak you.

And cool photos with your pop's there the memories you will cherish.

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Thanks man. Yeah, I'm learning what it takes to be a fast expert and I'm lacking in some areas. I plan to work on those issues and com back stronger. The best part of this trip was hanging with my dad. Making memories.

b9009b said:

Glad your good bud.. I gotta point this out.. You hit the outside of that curbing and caused the shake.. You were good... You are a very talented rider dude.. give it hell.....

Click to expand...

Thanks bud. I'll come back stronger. Definitely need to make some changes though.

double0 said:

Mannn,

Is that your twin ridin passenger??

Click to expand...

Yeah, my little brother, LOL.

That looks like that was a scary moment riding over that curb. Keep at it, you'll get your rhythm back.

Good seeing you again Leon. You rode really well.

After watching the HWT race, we must be running different gearing because our gears were different. I'm running the stock gearing (39 rear).

I used 2nd-4th for the whole track. I noticed going through the museum corner you were in 3rd. I go down to 2nd there.

I exit Charlotte's in 2nd, then go up into 3rd before that crest to keep the front wheel down, then later up to 4th. I get on the brakes and go down into 3rd, then turn in staying on the brakes the whole time. I will lighten brakes pressure as I jump the curb (when going down to 2nd). Then after I jump the curb I'll increase brake pressure.

You seemed to be a gear higher everywhere. You running a 41 rear?

Chaotic said:

After watching the HWT race, we must be running different gearing because our gears were different. I'm running the stock gearing (39 rear).

I used 2nd-4th for the whole track. I noticed going through the museum corner you were in 3rd. I go down to 2nd there.

I exit Charlotte's in 2nd, then go up into 3rd before that crest to keep the front wheel down, then later up to 4th. I get on the brakes and go down into 3rd, then turn in staying on the brakes the whole time. I will lighten brakes pressure as I jump the curb (when going down to 2nd). Then after I jump the curb I'll increase brake pressure.

You seemed to be a gear higher everywhere. You running a 41 rear?

Click to expand...

Yes, I'm running the 41. I think in practice I ran 3rd coming out of the museum shifted into 4th before the next turn then 5th coming out before T12 and you pulled away like nothing, so I just ran forth thru there and it seemed to help. I was wondering if maybe I should be dropping into 2nd. I should have tried it. I try 2nd in The web and museum next time. Maybe I'll have better acceleration doing it that way. You were rolling dude. And you have the best setup in the paddock. I have Broome level goals......

Awesome report, videos, and pics. Thanks!

Ljuice26 said:

Yes, I'm running the 41. I think in practice I ran 3rd coming out of the museum shifted into 4th before the next turn then 5th coming out before T12 and you pulled away like nothing, so I just ran forth thru there and it seemed to help. I was wondering if maybe I should be dropping into 2nd. I should have tried it. I try 2nd in The web and museum next time. Maybe I'll have better acceleration doing it that way. You were rolling dude. And you have the best setup in the paddock. I have Broome level goals......

Click to expand...

Thanks, I appreciate that.

Definitely try 2nd coming out of Charlottes and the Museum. 3rd will "work", but you just don't get the same drive. BTW - I tried a 41t earlier in the weekend and even with the 41, I still went into 2nd in those places.

I also go down into 2nd for that tight right hander in front of Pit-In (the right hander prior to the left that leads onto the front straight). I mostly go down into 2nd to get some engine braking so I don't overload the front since we have to brake while carrying a good bit of lean angle.

I am in 4th for that whole back section. I exit the Museum in 2nd, then go up into 3rd, then click into 4th before that high speed chicane and I don't downshift for it. I carry the gas into the left hander (entrance to chicane), then brake hard in that short stretch where we are vertical between the left and right, trail the brakes into the right hander to help the bike turn, then pour on the gas and let the throttle carry me to the curbing.

Then I carry 4th till I downshift into 3rd for the next chicane. I carry 3rd over that hill and into the long right hander, then down into 2nd for the tight right hander like I mentioned before.

BTW - here is a little trick that DiSalvo taught me (that I don't share with everyone ). Go down into 2nd for that tight right hander in front of Pit-in like I said, but then short shift into 3rd BEFORE making the left onto the front straightaway, instead of carrying 2nd onto the front straight. I do that on every bike, even the R6.

You can carry A LOT of roll speed through that left hander onto the front straight, and 2nd is too "peaky". So short shift into 3rd, nail the gas in that split second we are vertical, then roll into that left carrying a lot of corner speed (that is where I get my elbow down on the curbing). Then you can roll onto the gas sooner and harder and carry the momentum onto the front straight.

I typically make a lot of passes on that front straightaway and on the brakes going into T1. If somebody is watching from the sidelines, it just looks like my bike is faster. But those passes are actually setup way back on the exit of that right hander in front of Pit-in and by the roll speed I carry onto the front straight.

Thanks for the pointers Chris. I'll definitely make some
Notes on my track maps. If I make it to GNF, this will definitely help. I have some video of you in practice when you past me in the web and during the twins race. I been watching them closely. I have 3/4 secs a lap to make up and I need to run them consistently.

Chaotic said:

BTW - here is a little trick that DiSalvo taught me (that I don't share with everyone ). Go down into 2nd for that tight right hander in front of Pit-in like I said, but then short shift into 3rd BEFORE making the left onto the front straightaway, instead of carrying 2nd onto the front straight. I do that on every bike, even the R6.

You can carry A LOT of roll speed through that left hander onto the front straight, and 2nd is too "peaky". So short shift into 3rd, nail the gas in that split second we are vertical, then roll into that left carrying a lot of corner speed (that is where I get my elbow down on the curbing). Then you can roll onto the gas sooner and harder and carry the momentum onto the front straight.

I typically make a lot of passes on that front straightaway and on the brakes going into T1. If somebody is watching from the sidelines, it just looks like my bike is faster. But those passes are actually setup way back on the exit of that right hander in front of Pit-in and by the roll speed I carry onto the front straight.

Click to expand...

i tried that on the grom.

didn't work.

Ljuice26 said:

Thanks for the pointers Chris. I'll definitely make some
Notes on my track maps. If I make it to GNF, this will definitely help. I have some video of you in practice when you past me in the web and during the twins race. I been watching them closely. I have 3/4 secs a lap to make up and I need to run them consistently.

Click to expand...

No worries. Feel free to hit me up if you have any specific questions.