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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 279
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Since we had one on the old site could we have one here since there will be meeeeeeelions more? And Just Who Are You?? Name From Bike Skill Level Racer Trackday Ho Both of the above Any other revelant comments Chris would you make this a sticky and since you da man be the first to fill it out?
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Posts: 681
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Sure, I'll go first. My name is K3 and I'm a trackaholic. I started using minibikes when I was just a boy. Hey, they're harmless, right? Next it was dirt bikes because they were faster. As a young man I switched to street bikes, both because they were quicker than cars and because the girls liked them. I always told myself that I could quit any time I wanted to. Soon, one bike wasn't enough. I mean, everyone need a touring bike and a sportbike, right? I got to where I was buying and selling them so fast that my wife couldn't keep track. I started working nights in sleazy bike shops as a grease monkey, just to earn a few extra dollars and a discount, all to feed my habit. Eventually I went racing. My world spun out of control. I began to write as well as wrench. Anything to make a few more bucks for tires and entry fees. Trophies and championships came and went in a whirl, along with countless injuries, blown motors and destroyed bikes. It all became a blur. I didn't think it could happen to me. Silly. Eventually it happens to everyone. Racing had taken its toll. I was burned out; body, soul and wallet. All I had to show for it was a pile of plaques and a few nice scars. I'd hit bottom. An intervention might have worked at this point but instead I found trackdays and coaching. From junkie to dealer in one bold leap, I suddenly became every new addict's best friend. I even started this magazine so that others as sick as myself could nurse their habits between fixes. I don't even try to deny what I am anymore. Heck, I'm proud of it. I don't need a cure. What I need is a tire deal! I drive to work each morning humming that Honda jingle, "I wanna ride I wanna ride I wanna ride I wanna ride." I'm a functional addict. At least I can hold down a day job and keep a roof over my head. Let my mind wander for a second though and it will run straight to the track. In my free time I write, wrench and ride. It's all I want to do. Maybe I disgust you, but I'm not ashamed. As far as I'm concerned you can lead, follow or get the heck out of the way. Just don't get between me and the grid when it's third call....
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Joined: 2/29/2008
Posts: 8
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Mike Sherwood Milwaukee, WI Bike:'06 GSXR 750. I was riding an underpowered '99 Monster 750 around the track last year. This will be an exercise in restraint  . Skill Level: Novice Trackdays only for now. I had the pleasure of being dragged around Blackhawk by K3 last September in the Novice group which is what made me check out the site. The new site looks great; See you on the track soon!
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Joined: 2/29/2008
Posts: 127
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Alex Smith
Winnetka, IL
I have three bikes (for now!):
2006 Ducati Multistrada 1000 S (street, Ohlins suspension)
Two track bikes: 1994 Yamaha Seca II (don't laugh!), and newly acquired 2007 Suzuki SV650S that I bought from barryc in December.
I'm a recently-back-into-riding rider. I bought a Yamaha RD350 back in 1987 and beat on it for a few years, but then kids came along (3 boys, now teenagers, none riding yet). I bought the Seca II in January of 2006, and quickly realized that I wanted more. In August of 2007 I got a great deal on the Multistrada, so I bought it. Then in December I got another good deal on the SV650S from barryc (thanks again, Barry!). BTW, Barry, you won't recognize the bike when I take it to the track -- almost as much $ in mods/bling as I paid for the bike! (My avatar is what I want the finished product to look like.) I'm very excited to have a bike with almost twice the power of my Seca II (~75hp vs. low-to-mid 40's, and 40 pounds lighter!). Plus, it's a V-twin like my Multistrada.
I'm a Novice track rider in STT, having done two weekends (four days). I'm looking to do MANY weekends in 2008, and be in the Intermediate group in 2009. Funds permitting, I could to track weekends every week of the year.
I'm not a track ho, but I am looking for one, due to divorce in the early stages right now (after 19 years).
I'm active in DRILL (Ducati Riders of ILLinois), and I am on the following forums (as ads109 on all of them): www.multistrada.net, www.svrider.com, www.sv650.org, www.drill-online.com, www.sportbiketracktime.com, and here.
I'm going down to Indy this year for the MotoGP, and up to Road America for Superbike weekend (weather permitting). 2008 should be a very exciting year for me, and I'm really looking forward to the warm weather.
I'm also looking for a high quality trailer that can hold at least two street bikes (not Harleys). If anyone has any recommendations, I'm all ears. Right now I'm looking at Thule ($$) and ATC (insanely $$$!). I'm not looking for a bargain basement trailer that will only last a few years.
That's all for now!
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 279
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Barry Cowart 2006 Yamaha FZ-1 (race truck) Intermediate Track Ho only Saint Charles IL I love this place and the people in it.
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 279
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ads109 wrote: Alex Smith
Winnetka, IL
I have three bikes (for now!):
2006 Ducati Multistrada 1000 S (street, Ohlins suspension)
Two track bikes: 1994 Yamaha Seca II (don't laugh!), and newly acquired 2007 Suzuki SV650S that I bought from barryc in December.
I'm a recently-back-into-riding rider. I bought a Yamaha RD350 back in 1987 and beat on it for a few years, but then kids came along (3 boys, now teenagers, none riding yet). I bought the Seca II in January of 2006, and quickly realized that I wanted more. In August of 2007 I got a great deal on the Multistrada, so I bought it. Then in December I got another good deal on the SV650S from barryc (thanks again, Barry!). BTW, Barry, you won't recognize the bike when I take it to the track -- almost as much $ in mods/bling as I paid for the bike! (My avatar is what I want the finished product to look like.) I'm very excited to have a bike with almost twice the power of my Seca II (~75hp vs. low-to-mid 40's, and 40 pounds lighter!). Plus, it's a V-twin like my Multistrada.
I'm a Novice track rider in STT, having done two weekends (four days). I'm looking to do MANY weekends in 2008, and be in the Intermediate group in 2009. Funds permitting, I could to track weekends every week of the year.
I'm not a track ho, but I am looking for one, due to divorce in the early stages right now (after 19 years).
I'm active in DRILL (Ducati Riders of ILLinois), and I am on the following forums (as ads109 on all of them): www.multistrada.net, www.svrider.com, www.sv650.org, www.drill-online.com, www.sportbiketracktime.com, and here.
I'm going down to Indy this year for the MotoGP, and up to Road America for Superbike weekend (weather permitting). 2008 should be a very exciting year for me, and I'm really looking forward to the warm weather.
I'm also looking for a high quality trailer that can hold at least two street bikes (not Harleys). If anyone has any recommendations, I'm all ears. Right now I'm looking at Thule ($$) and ATC (insanely $$$!). I'm not looking for a bargain basement trailer that will only last a few years.
That's all for now!
Sorry to hear about the divorce Alex, at least your boys are older and can better deal with it. I can't wait to see the SV and you at the track this year. I got my trailer at Earl's Trailer Sales in Aurora for 3,000 and its doing the job just fine. 6x12 holds two bikes with ease and you can shoe horn a third in if you want. If you call Earl be sure to tell him Barry and TDM.com sent you, he is an honest man and thats hard to find these days.
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 279
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Minor glitches here
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 113
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Keith Jenkins
(1) Bike Gsxr 750 2006 (2) Minooks, Illinois (3) Wife says I have awesome skill oh you mean trackday skill im sorry Intermediate
(4) Track Day Ho would love to race but without insurance there is just no way. I Drag Raced(street raced) mustangs for about 5 years with the best of 9.44 at 144 mph on motor no spray. I did my first trackday after my Dad said I should try this instead of the street. Well after my first day I sold everything and started buying trackday stuff (gear,new bike,warmers,trailor the usual). Next to my family there is nothing in life im more passionate about. I have been blessed with finding true love 4 times in my life God,my son,wife,trackdays. I consider the people here my 2nd family but I just dont spoon with them like I do with the wife.
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Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 2
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Brian Wink
Barrington, IL area
Bikes:
3 Honda CRF-50s
Honda CR-250R
Aprilia RS250
Suzuki SV650
Suzuki GSXR600
Suzuki GSXR1000
Suzuki KWS GSXR1000
(no street bikes)
Skill Level - Questionable. Faster than some, slower than most.
Racer - I was an MX racer 30 years ago. Now I know how slow I am, so no need to race.
Trackday Ho - NESBA CR running 60-70 trackdays per year all over the country.
Congrats on the new site, it looks great!
NOTE: It would be nice if I could get a carriage return to work. This all text in one sentence is annoying.
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Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 95
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Thanks K3, I can't get the Honda jibgle out of my head.
Bill Musilli
New Haven, MI
Hooked on track days since 2004
Skill level - Intermediate
Bike - Sold the SV last fall - hope to get a new one before Grattan in May
In my day job I am an art director in advertising. If any of you guys need any design/advertising work done
I'll give the track day discount. My side work pays for the track days.
You may have seen my work, I do the posters for split second photo, the logo and catalog for Sportbike Track Gear.
I also do some work for a small company named Ford.
I am also a firefighter on the side, More extra cash for track time.
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 39
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Trevor Sadler
Currently living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Track bike is a 2006 Suzuki GSXR 1k. Street rides are a 2007 Suzuki DRZ-400SM (urban holligan machine), 2004 Ducati 749 (coffee shop / bike night posing machine), and a 2003 Ducati ST4s (grocery getter).
I started with trackdays on motorcycles in 2005... in cars 1996. I have no plans for racing.
As a child growing up, I was always told the motorcylces were evil devices, and that even though they may look like fun, I should never, ever, get on one, EVER!
In 1991 I moved to Lake Geneva, WI., from Toronto Ontario. One of the bands I was working with, all the guys were avid motorcyclists... through that exposure I soon found myself buying a '75 Suzuki T500.
I rode for a few years, and then set it aside as my child was being born, and her mother (my then wife) was very anti-motorcycle. In the meantime I had gotten the 4 wheel itch and was actively auto-crossing my sports car and doing a few trackdays as well. At one point my C-Street Prepared Miata was regularly winning various auto-crosses around the Chicago and Milwaukee area.
Although the cars were fun, there was something they did not provide. In 2003 I decided to get a bike again - since I was now long divorced from my baby's momma I had nobody to oppose me, and once again I was riding.
My first trackday on a bike came in 2005 @ Blackhawk - a track I knew well from my car trackdays and Solo I events with the midwest council. How different it was riding on a bike! So much more fun! And cheaper! Only two tires to wear out instead of four... brake pads that last longer than one or two track days... and less fuel used!
Yes... in that context bike track days are a bargain!!!!
In any case, I was hooked and have been ever since. I did a whole mess of trackdays last year and intend on doing as many or more this year.
Through doing all of this I have to say I've met some of the coolest people around! I've have more fun at the track doing this stuff than anything I've ever done in my life.
trev
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 122
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Okay, here goes...
Don Cook
Chesterton, IN
Buell XB12R (race), GSXR1000 (garage trophy, soon to be sold)
Racer CCS #53 & track rat. Any open track is a good track.
I've been riding since I was a kid. First bike I rode was a Jawa in Iran. First bike I owned was 1967 Honda CB160. I painted it purple for my gf. Rode a 60's British Matchless in Africa (on the "street") and a stripped down BSA A65 650 offroad.
Fast forward...
Started track riding sometime in the 80's.
Raced GLRRA in Michigan in the 90's.
Met K3 when I erred ever so slightly in a CCS race at Blackhawk and gently bumped into him. Okay, I knocked him down. He has pictures so there's no point denying it. I smacked into him broadside like a torpedo blasted from the Yellow Submarine into the Good Ship Lollypop. I knew he was a good guy when he didn't punch me right there on the side of the track.
I used to think experience was the best teacher. Then again, I was young and stupid. Take lessons, listen up and practice what they teach you and you'll enjoy this sport for a long time!
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Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 5
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Who, Me? I'm Kim. aka KBO. Started a lifetime love affair with things two-wheeled when I threw my leg over a '75 Sportster at 21 and never looked back. Discovered sportbikes and adrenaline addiction in my third decade on this rock. Formerly known as CCS AM 507 (the girl with the twin Twins). Started doing track days in '02, went racing, quit in '05. Lost all the 'toys' but kept my street ride. Stuck around as Assistant Starter for CCS thru '06 but it was no substitute for the stuff I'd been mainlining. Tried to get clean... even moved to Iowa, bought a house and sold my enclosed trailer - such a silly woman. I should have known it would just be a matter of time. Now I'm back in Chicago, working in the north 'burbs and trying to get situated. Two weeks ago I saw this forlorn little F-Bomb all but forgotten in a storage shed. I'm a sucker for strays... all it took was one look and my mind started working. I just need to figure out a way to get her someplace where I can work on bringing her back to life and a whole new journey will begin. Maybe I should post an ad... "will trade home-cooked meals for use of tools/parts". Met K3 at Blackhawk one fateful day back in the beginning, and I swear, it's like the gum on the bottom of yer shoe. He's the big brother I never had.
This ain't no dress rehearsal...
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 14
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Wow, someday I want to be like a few of you.....trackdays every weekend....60~70 thoughout the year. Dang, I'm jealous! My name is J.T. I live in Minnesota and I teach high school math. (Pre-Calc, Algebra II, Geometry and Standard Test Prep) Right now I ride an 05' Yamaha R1 with a few mods for the track...new shock, fork work, brake lines/pads, rearsets and fresh tires but I will never forget July 3rd 1979...the day I got my first bike. It was a brand new 79' Yamaha GT80 and I was 8 years old. That bike is still in my garage and I ride it while chasing my 6 year old son around the yard on his TTR50 (a gift from his Grandma and Grandpa, thanks Mom and Dad!). I started doing trackdays in 05 and since then I have done 9. I really, really want to do more but you know ....$$$$$! My wife has been a stay at home mom for the last six years (which was great) and now she is going back to school for a different degree. So I hope in three years (when she is done with school and has a job) I can double the amount days I do in a year. Needless to say I savor every second of the few I get to do. I even look forward to the road trip to get to the track as well! I love to ride! Last year I had coaches follow me around at two different tracks and they said I could move up to the advanced group so I will be riding one Intermediate day and trying two advanced days this year. Maybe one more if I'm lucky. I can't wait!! To help satisfy my motocraving and support the sport I love, I've been a MSF rider coach for the last 11 years. I have probably trained/coached/licensed about 2500 Minnesota motorcyclists in that time. Hope I get to meet some of you at the track some day!
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Posts: 681
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dylanfan53 wrote: I smacked into him broadside like a torpedo blasted from the Yellow Submarine into the Good Ship Lollypop.  
On the Good Ship Lollypop I'ts a sweet trip to the ....WTF? OH SHI... CRUNCH! GREENBLUEGREENBLUEGREENBLUEGREENBLUE
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 3
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Jamie Boyle
Bloomington, MN
'06 Daytona 675- Track - New suspension on tap for '08
'03 VFR street bike- seems to be ridden less and less as I hit the track more. Now it seems to mainly function as my ride to Vegas and back each June for a work event.
Skill level- sometimes... "I" at other times
Planning to be a better track day ho this year. Not a Wink 60-70 days kind of ho, but I'll do my best. By season end I somehow owned a 6 x12 trailer, generator, tire warmers, etc.
Started doing track days last year and soon learned a costly lesson about why it is better to buy track plastic early and not assume you can ride for a while and then buy new track plastic. I ended buying the new plastic and now have scratched OEM plastic that won't fetch much- Live and learn. After a small get off at BHF I got back into the swing of things and had a nice season end at HPT, IA Speedway, BHF, and MAM. I felt very fortunate last year to get some great help from CR's at NESBA and STT that helped me get much smoother and faster by season's end compared to where I began. I'm looking to keep that trend going this year.
To pay for this obsession/hobby of this I sell software across IA, KS, MO, NE.
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 279
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Jamie, Good to hear from you. You and Angry Philosopher were a pleasure to ride with at BHF last year. Hope to see you more this season.
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 279
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Wink wrote: Brian Wink Barrington, IL area Bikes: 3 Honda CRF-50s Honda CR-250R Aprilia RS250 Suzuki SV650 Suzuki GSXR600 Suzuki GSXR1000 Suzuki KWS GSXR1000 (no street bikes) Skill Level - Questionable. Faster than some, slower than most. Racer - I was an MX racer 30 years ago. Now I know how slow I am, so no need to race. Trackday Ho - NESBA CR running 60-70 trackdays per year all over the country. Congrats on the new site, it looks great! NOTE: It would be nice if I could get a carriage return to work. This all text in one sentence is annoying. Mr. Wink, Welcome to the magazine. If you haven't already read some of the articles in this mag you might give a look. A person with your experience could contribute some reading material that would be of interest to all here. I'm sure the editor would love to hear from you in that reguard. Oh yeah, almost forgot, I'm Dustin Boyds plumber... (oldguy111)
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 3
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Hey Barry,
Good to be back. Hopefully our schedules will match up some this year.
I tried not to post over the winter as it was too depressing looking at all the snow around me and knowing that April and my first track weekend was a long way away. Now that the XC ski season is over I'm trying to get ready for a good season of riding.
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Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 45
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Dean Costopoulos Shorewood, Illinois 2004 GSX-R600 #409 Level: Depends on which org I ride with Trackday Ho Just out to have good time on the track is all. Good people and good times is all I care about. If you see the red and white ambulance at the track, stop and say hello : )
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Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 247
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Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 247
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Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 1
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Hi Ya'll! I'm Faye Coker from Tecumseh, MI. I have a 2007 GSXR 600 for trackdays and for 'spirited' club racing with Fasttrax. I qualify for Formula 40 (that's code for enthusiasts over 40 yrs old...)and I have been racing on and off for 10 years - mostly off! I'm on the Christian Sport Bike Racing Team www.CSBRacing.com and sometimes K3 lets me write for him... I like the new format - congrats on year one! Peace! Faye
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 103
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Paul Onley
Chicago's Northwest Burbs.
Track
2003 SV650
1989 Honda Hawk
Street
1976 BMW R75/6
1984 BMW R100RT
I met K3 at Gingerman Raceway in June 2005 and my life has been in a downward financial spiral ever since. I was having fun on my /6 when Chris told me to get a real race bike.
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Joined: 3/7/2008
Posts: 4
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He told you to get a real racebike? So you got a Hawk?!?
I be Jen.
Done live in Milwaukee, WI
Otherwise recognizeable by the Spinal Tap Badtz Maru leathers and funny hair that sometimes has squirrels in it.
Started riding in spring of '03 on an '88 Honda Hawk, which I still have.
Bought a second Hawk and am a Trackday Ho and Wannabe Racer. Consistently the slowest person on the track at any CCS Midwest race. It's a terrible irony that the random two digit number CCS picked for me for '07 is #27.
Married into being a rider coach for STT, and so now take much joy from helping beginners and the very slow.
My life BM (before motorbikes) since high school had a lot of involvement (but no actual *driving* participation) with first drag racing, then off-road rally, then some touring car, and some open wheel racing. This was mostly in the form of team support, and some design work, or just hanging out with friends. Love the smell of race gas exhaust, hate the smell of used gear oil.
I work as a web designer for a small/medium sized design firm. We do a lot of stuff for a couple of American motorbike companies that I'm sure nobody's heard of... I have been also known to knit, spend hours in yarn shops oogling alpaca wool, make jewelry, be on tv making sockmonkey costumes, spending summer evenings in county parks spinning fire, or splitting my head open/spraining my ankle/getting bruises playing co-ed over 30 soccer. I lived in Germany for *exactly* one year when I was 24, just because I wanted to. I got married in Vegas, in a drive through, in a Lotus Elise, and didn't tell anyone for a year because we'd only known eachother for 3 months. I have weird, tenuous, random connections to obscurely famous people that nobody gives a shite about.
For the most part though, I'm very normal and boring.
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 279
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I think your hair is cool. Good to hear from you. Hope to see you and X real soon.
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 103
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truckstop wrote:He told you to get a real racebike? So you got a Hawk?!?
You should ask K3 about our conversation when I first told him about the Hawk.
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Posts: 681
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I can remember about a minute of silence as I tried to think of a polite way to ask, "Why the befriend didn't you buy an SV650?"
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 103
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Hey, you saw my first track bike, a Hawk was a big step up!
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Joined: 2/29/2008
Posts: 4
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Me?
Chris Blake aka Mouse
Aurora, IL
'04 GSXR600
Ok it all basically works out like this:
I grew up around things that explode gasoline. On weekends, I didn't share times with Dad watching ball games or talking about players stats. I had my little hands and arms wedged into some area on a motor that my Dad or his friends couldn't reach. It was fix the toys and play with them.
It's funny to remember back being a 7 year old, throttle pinned to the bars on a 500cc snowmobile, flying across Fox Lake trying to look down at the speedo to see if I could peg it.
Well then I grew into racing BMX. There were a few trails by the house. We'd trade off between riding the drirt bikes and the BMX bikes.
Then highschool came and I got my first guitar and about the same time, was introduced to hardcore punk. From there it was all about the music. In and out of one band or another. Playing local shows in basements and vfw halls. Then came weekend shows outta town. This turned into short, week long tours. Writing, playing, and recording music. I started spending all my money on guitar or recording gear.
Then the band came to me with a new though. Quit our jobs and tour full time.
I replied, "Cool, what's our business plan. Cuz what we're doign now costs me $300 a weekend easily."
So I quit the band and end up buying a house. My main hobby was gone and I found myself thinking about what I was supposed to do with myself?
I thought about boating. I calculated how often I'd get out on it. I thought about cars. And then I saw those pretty blue Yamaha R6's and the deal was done.
So some years on the streets and a few trips to twisty roads out west. My buddy, Mr Clean, was a coach with STT. Him and a few other friends talked me into doing a Trackday. Then a few more.
Then we were planning weekend trips to out of state tracks. Needless to say I was hooked. More and more days at the track. Then with a coaching shortage on a couple race weekends, I was asked to coach.
So here I am now. Back to a kind of life I remember. Weekends outta town. Weekdays spent preparing to be outta town again. And if I add it up right, it still costs me about $300 a weekend (well maybe more  )
Oh yeah, the Mouse nick name. When I was on tour, we'd crash where ever someone had space for us. Well, my 3am stomach grumblings had me digging thru some stranger's fridge. And being the nice guy that I am, I didn't want to eat anything significant. So I'd end up snatching Kraft singles (Funny how there is always a supply of those). So I'd get caught sneaking around in the middle of the night with cheese. (thats the short version)
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Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 136
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Lance Lau
Philadelphia, PA
'00 BMW R1100S- sold my 02 GSXR 750 
Advanced group, Official STT Chef, Shadow Video Productions Staff.
Met K3 after crashing on my first trackday as he was chewing me out in an attempt to frighten me away. Instead, I thought "i think I may have found my mentor..." did a dozen trackdays in two months in my first season, 2005. up to almost 30 last year...
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Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 247
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hey lance - i am going to provide an avatar and wonder about sizing- is it same as before?what size?- i dont think yours can be beat so all we can do is our best choice- cat
Oh yeah, the Mouse nick name. When I was on tour, we'd crash where ever someone had space for us. Well, my 3am stomach grumblings had me digging thru some stranger's fridge. And being the nice guy that I am, I didn't want to eat anything significant. So I'd end up snatching Kraft singles (Funny how there is always a supply of those). So I'd get caught sneaking around in the middle of the night with cheese- Miceman-----you were being followed during those seemingly,harmless(hehe) sleepwalkings likely, by a bit larger fourlegged animal just a bit higher up on the food chain.....< (@@)>................  ... .
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Joined: 3/18/2008
Posts: 6
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David Owen
Louisville, KY
'94 CBR600F2
Intermediate
I got talked into trackdays by Jaime and our mutual friend Reid a couple of years ago and have been addicted ever since. I haven't had this much fun since I used to beat up my YZ80 all day long as a teenager.
My partner Ann and I had a baby girl--Isabella--last August (picture attached). Not surprisingly, my cash flow is slow these days, so I'll be thrashing the old F2 around again this year since I can't afford anything else.
See you at the track (sometimes!)--AP
File Attachment(s):
 wet smile.jpg (30581 bytes)
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Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 247
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HEY ALL!
Hope you all like my most current picture of me in my Ferrari Testerossa stretcher convertible LIMO- I started burning gas any way I could since about 1961, After some years racing snowmobiles around the likes of Yvon Duhamel,I raced go-carts with another name you likely recognize as Micheal Andretti at a small track near Nazareth ,Pennsylvania called Ric-RA Kart Track. - After the snowmobiles, and most of my life, I never seemed able to reproduce the thrill factor of l'es moto de neige machines, until about 6 yrs ago I took too many hits off a track pipe at a nesba intro day($60) . I proceeded to shine up my streeter turned trackstar, a beautifully clean (for a 26 year old GS1100G) dualaxle pogo-stick! After my 2 sessions, I bought an SV a week later, and proceeded to spend wasted money, then I watched the sites to see who really knew their stuff, and bought a real piece of racing machinery from another BIG Name to add to my list-Thanks to K3 KITTY awaits impatiently for me- check out the original saga of Kitty in the wrenchbending section here-and have a safe,and thrilling season !
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Joined: 4/1/2008
Posts: 2
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Brian Flannery AKA BFLY Chicago, IL GSXR1000, CBR1000 CR250 Lucky to get the bike started Only when I sleep Trackday Ho In recovery Just liven life to ride..........................................................meet good pepole an be one. Hope to meet each an everyone on the track.
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Joined: 4/9/2008
Posts: 29
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Chris: I was going to email you and suggest a place where New Members can introduce themselves but I found the sticky.
Shannon Carpenter aka Sandmansc
It all started when i was about 6 years old when my dad got me a Honda CR50...not what you would think of a CR50 in todays world but a few of you might rememer when it had a huge ugly orange metal gas tank and a huge ugly cushiony spring loaded seat. After that I moved up to an DT50, RT100, RT180...then started racing Supercross on a YZ250. Next thing I know I'm 15 years old and borrowed a friends Kawasaki 750SS...which progressed to me getting an F1 Hurrican, F2, F3, F4 and was big on the trackday scene...MidOhio has always been my track favorite, others include Jennings, Nashville, Putnam...then on to a 98 Gixxer750 which is when I got into stunting...then after that one was beat to dealth I got a 99 750, then an 01...finally I got tired of dumping $$$ into broken bike pieces and got out of the bike scene for a few years.
Got back into it in 2003 on a CBR600F4...did a little stunting but nothing at all like my caged days.
Started a Motorcycle Club in 2003 called www.NekkidRiders.com
Then moved on to an 04' Kawi 636...
Now I'm on a 2007 Gixxer1000...
On a side note...I own www.Phr0st.com where we design and host websites...I also own www.ModelLex.com having worked for Vogue Magazine for many years...then moving to Lexington...I do a few shows here and there, mostly Bridal Runway...and yes I'm sure I'm straight...lol...and for my day job I am the Systems Administrator at www.CommonwealthTechnology.com
I'm 29 years old...
Born in Paducah Kentucky, lived in NY/NJ area, now back in
Lexington, Ky
Sandmansc@NekkidRiders.com
www.YouTube.com/NekkidRiders
www.MySpace.com/NekkidRiders
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Joined: 4/9/2008
Posts: 2
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here goes... Mark Smith aka frogg Born - Tulsa, OK Currently - Lexington, KY I ride an '04 R6 and love every minute of it. I am a part of the NekkidRiders group with SandmanSC and that's how I got drug into this trackday stuff. (ok so maybe he didn't have to pull too hard) Just did my first day up at Putnam and am already planning 2-3 more this year. I may have to sit one out due to the birth of my son coming up in July/August. I look forward to having a lil crew chief in the pits one day and passing this costly obession on to him. ________________________
'04 YAMAHA R6
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Joined: 4/10/2008
Posts: 4
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Name: Brandon Reynolds
From: Lexington, Ky
Bike: 2006 Gsxr600 white/silver (the one that breathed fire)
Skill Level: Novice
Racer: not yet 
Trackday Ho: Became an addict on Saturday April 5th
Any other revelant comments: I bought my first street bike (1989 Honda VTR250) in the fall of '04. After puttin' around for a while on that I purchased my current baby (2006 gsxr600). Unfortunately I'm associated with the Lexington motorcycle club that was created by the squid that almost ran over Trevor (kidding Shannon....... kinda ). I did my first trackday at Putnam this past weekend and it was amazing. Trevor was a great coach and the classes were very informative... I'm anxiously awaiting my next track day.
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Posts: 681
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We'll be at Autobahn end of the month....
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Joined: 4/10/2008
Posts: 4
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K-3 wrote:We'll be at Autobahn end of the month.... I have a very lovely wife that I'm trying to keep so I at least have to wait until June. 
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Joined: 4/9/2008
Posts: 29
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Welcome aboard frogg & turd *cough* brando...*wink*
I've been to Autobahn but never ridden it...looked awesome. Hopefully we can get on board with that one next time.
"Sure a woman can fake an orgasm, but a man can fake and entire relationship!"
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Joined: 9/9/2008
Posts: 46
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Name: Tea From: All over the world, currently nw burbs of Chicago Bike: 600RR (Simon) for the street, F4i (Victoria) for the track Skill Level: Getting there running in I Racer: no Trackday Ho: for sure I grew up in a family with fuel in the blood. My dad was racing cars, rallys, since I can remember (my mom too, but not as much) and just like Mouse, I helped out here and there with my small hands that could reach in the corners where others couldn't. I'll never forget I had to witness my dad's car was running 10,400 RPMs bc else no one would believe it. So, from the early days I developed love for cars and admiration for bikes, but I always said, bikes are not for me. They are nice, but if i need the wind around my head, I'll buy a convertible..... until........ one day my best friend came in 2000 to show me his new bike. A pretty YZF750. After admiring it for a while I asked if I could sit on it. BANG!!! it happened!! The moment I put my hands on the grips I knew it was already too late. I had to ride! I did my license in Germany and bought a pretty F3. I rode in Germany for two seasons on the roads that were "my track" and in april of 2002, after just putting 30 miles on it, my pretty bike got stolen. At times I thought it was good that way. Street is not the track. I waited 5 long years to buy a new bike, and finally last year I bought a 600RR. It didn't take me long to realize that Chicago doesn't offer any twisties, but I met at work a new friend, Jeff Chen, who told me about the track days... OMG! That's what I was looking for! So, here I am looking at the schedule what's next, what's next, where do i sign up? LOL I learned a lot this year and my thanks go to all people who took the time to work with me! In real life I'm a geek, but I like other things as well; scuba, cooking, knitting (Jen, we'll talk about it!!), painting, and shopping t.
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Joined: 11/11/2008
Posts: 37
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Rodney LeQuia Henry ,il Lithium Motorsport Racer and soon to be a motorsports store owner in Henry,il.
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Joined: 11/18/2008
Posts: 18
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Thomas Gray
Born: Upstate New York Lived: NY, MD, WV (majority), and FL Currently: Marina, CA (about 10 minutes from Laguna Seca)
Current Bike: 2003 FZ-1 Past Bikes: DRZ SM, GSXR 1000, 2 SRAD 600s, 2 CBR 600s, CBR 900RR, 2 Ninja 500s, Ninja 250, and I think that's the list...
Skill Level: Novice, slow guy
Very very occassional track day
I love moto photography and pretend I can write...or at least convince Chris that I can. Outside of that, I try to ride as much as I can, at least every day. I have slowed down a lot since I tore my meniscus out being an rump-hat and showing off so this whole up-right seating position has spoiled me! Everytime I get on something else, I piss and moan...
The coolest part is that I live about 10 minutes away from Laguna Seca. They're known to put on a show every now and then.
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Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 3
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Name: Jim Meigs From: Crystal Lake, IL Bike: '06 R6 track, '04 BMW RT and '72 Honda 750 street Skill Level: Nesba and SBTT I, reaching for A. Racer: No Trackday Ho: Totally! I've been riding all my life (since age 12) and discovered the track a few years ago and went completely nuts over it. My goals are to reach "A" level with NESBA and SBTT this year and break 1:20 at BHF and Putnam. I try to do 20 to 30 trackdays a year and do some sport touring on the RT with trips to Southern Ohio and West Virginia among my favorites. Let's ride!
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 279
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Jim is one of my hero's. The man had a stroke at the track last year but is back stronger than ever. Jim and I are close to the same age, I love it when people my age are fast riders, it gives me something to look forward to. This sport is not restricted to young atheletes, God help me, I love it. ( Gen. George Patten ) Let me be the first to welcome you to this forum Jim, your input, advise, and sense of humor, will be appreciated around here. Barry Cowart
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Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 247
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JIm- I hereby welcome you to the group of elders here,at 53 I hope to ride another 10 years on the track, we should feel free to egg each other forward into a full season of last laps!
I may be good for a laugh from time to time also-
This place alone kept me in the sport when I didn't believe ole guys starting out could get to good setup befor AARP card started arriving in my mailbox-
I only have 1 bike now an sv with some attitude! Looking foward to your post/inseight- warm weather will return!
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Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 3
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barryc wrote: Jim is one of my hero's. The man had a stroke at the track last year but is back stronger than ever. Jim and I are close to the same age, I love it when people my age are fast riders, it gives me something to look forward to. This sport is not restricted to young atheletes, God help me, I love it. ( Gen. George Patten ) Let me be the first to welcome you to this forum Jim, your input, advise, and sense of humor, will be appreciated around here. Barry Cowart Hey Barry: I had a blocked artery, causing a heart attack, not a stroke. Docs tell me that I have no damage due to the fact that I was at the track and was able to get to the hospital so quickly. I owe a lot to the good folks on the BHF medical staff who recognized it for what it was and convinced me to do the right thing. I was back on the track three weeks later.
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 279
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Oh, just a heart attack and not a stroke, and it took you threeee weeks to get back to the track, well you are getting a little older. Hey wanna see my drain from my appendix......... nevermind
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Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 247
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Not going to use the typical"It's nothing without pics" line -- Glad our moderator extoardinaire has some sense of humor,Great to hear from ya Barry!WOOOOOHOOOOO, BC's Back!----Cat
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