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| NESBA had an event at Summit Point, Jefferson Circuit Saturday and Sunday, April 24 &25 of 2004. I had use-or-lose rain credits from 2003 to pay for these events. I didn't think I'd like the Jefferson Circuit, but I'm glad I went. After going crazy trying (and sometimes failing) to get everything ready, I arrived at the track. The paddock area was very muddy, so Jason suggested we pit nearest the track, as we could set up on pavement. I registered, got through tech, and made the last few adjustments to the bike (re-taped lights, pulled fuses, etc.) We set up the canopy and went to the riders meting. First session: This didn't feel good at all. The bike wanted to fall into corners, and it was sliding around a lot. For the first time I got into the meat of the powerband. It pulled hard from about 9,000 and fell off quickly past 14K. Yes, the tach sucks. At least the shift light helps. I suspect I'll be shifting by sound a lot. I didn't notice any extra vibration from the clip-ons, but then again, I was on the racetrack. I had a lot of trouble learning the back half of the track, especially the double-apex decreasing radius right-hander. I hadn't mounted my lap timer, so no times are available. My goal for this weekend is to break a minute. Pham, another Advanced Group rider who lives near me was also there. He kindly offered to help me learn the line, as did Jason. After the session was over, Jason helped me set the sag on the 6RR. He also commented on how slippery the track was, so I feel a little better. I set the suspension according to Sport Riders recommendations. Second Session: No lap times again, but I felt faster. The bike is a little unstable undr breaking, but the brakes are much stronger than the ones on the 9R, even after all the money I put into them. I decide to add a turn of compression damping to the forks. Third Session: I'm not hanging off right. (One of my common problems. I tense up, and support myself with my thighs, rather than relaxing like I do on the street.) I'm gonna be sore tomorrow if I keep this up. Had the lap timer this session, and carded a 59.8! Fourth Session: Missed it because we came back late from lunch.. It turns out we could have gotten half a session in, but decided not to push it. We're here for two days, after al. I got out the camera and took some pictures of the riders in my group, especially Kris, who I rode with last year at BeaveRun. He's now in the Advanced Group, and very fast. Fifth Session: Got crossed up with a close pass. My apologies to the other rider. I didn't memorize the bike, so I couldn't find him in the pits. Nobody came to find me, and I had the only 6RR there. Best time; 59.10.I removed a line of preload up front. Sixth Session: After talking to Jason I decided to leave the bike in third gear from turn 4 to turn 9. That helped. Best time 58.36! Seventh Session: I got a little tired at the end. I had a good battle with Kris. I pulled a bonehead block-pass on him into turn one. Fortunately, we didn't crash. (All thanks o his riding skill.) Three laps later he dives under me into turn 4. I try to catch him back, but lose the front end in turn 7 and hit the curb on the outside of turn 8. (Meanwhile we both get passed by Dutch, a CR and NESBA administrator.) I decide to chill for a couple of laps and then try to reel in Kris (who keeps looking back to see where I am.) OK, game on again, but I keep running wide through the corners in the back section. I figure I'm tired and pull in early. I'm done for the day. I'm making too many mistakes. However, my best time for this session is a 57.4! I'm sure I can break into the 56's tomorrow. I change out of my leathers and plan to walk down to Kris an apologize, when Dutch comes up as asks me to do the same thing to "the rider you used as a berm in turn one." That was my plan, and I explain to Dutch how dumb my move was, and that I knew I was wrong by going that far to the right to get the pass made. He says he's quite happy to see my attitude about the whole event. Anyway, I pull a cold Gatorade out of my cooler as a token of my sorrow and head on over to Kris' pit. Dutch happens to be across the aisle, so I tap him on the shoulder and say, "watch this". I proceed to make a big speech to Kris, who shrugs the whole thing off. I'm glad he wasn't upset. Anyway, I put my bike up on the stands and start to was it. Good thing, too, as I find that I bent my front wheel when I hit the curb. It's a darn good thing I didn't crash! I ask around and nobody has a spare wheel. I cal Mike and he doesn't either. He thinks a '98 will fit. I ask the NESBA crew if I can sell my spot. Moon says, "ask Dutch", but he's away getting gas and pizza. I walk the track thinking of my options. I photograph the curb I hit. When I get back, Dutch is there and he hears my story and talks to Bob Blanford. They decide to issue me an event credit, even though the new damage policy doesn't go into effect until next month. I think that was at least partially because I admitted my mistake to Dutch and apologized to Kris. I detailed the incident on a piece of paper and gave it back to Dutch. He offered me pizza! What a great group of people those NESBA folks are. Summary:
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