RR Licensing

[stimpy451]

Does anyone know the status of the Team Chicago school @ Grattan in early April?

[Becky]

I usually help with this event but I have not heard anything about the date.

[YMRacing]

I usually help with this event but I have not heard anything about the date.

3 April.

[stimpy451]

How strict is the tech inspection for Team Chicago school? The Norton isn't even near being done, I'll be on a '97 Zook TLS1000 that's missing most of its bodywork. The rear tire has a plug or two . I'm hoping I can get everything together in the next few weeks, don't want to have to wait until June to get my license.

No green juice, remove side stand/blinkers, tape over lights, gauges, safety wire oil fill, oil drain plug and oil filter. Anything else I should think about?

[Becky]

To me tires are very important. Remember most of the riders around you at Grattan are going to be "learning too"!! Who knows their reaction ability if you go down because of a tire problem. As much as I sometimes don't like work, I want to be able to go to work on Monday. What I'm saying your action on the track may have some impact on me too, so "ALWAYS BE SAFE OUT THERE".

Becky

[YMRacing]

How strict is the tech inspection for Team Chicago school? The Norton isn't even near being done, I'll be on a '97 Zook TLS1000 that's missing most of its bodywork. The rear tire has a plug or two . I'm hoping I can get everything together in the next few weeks, don't want to have to wait until June to get my license.

No green juice, remove side stand/blinkers, tape over lights, gauges, safety wire oil fill, oil drain plug and oil filter. Anything else I should think about?

Plugged tires...not on the track, not even very far on the road. Spoon on some new ones. I would not allow them in my school.

[stimpy451]

Dunlop Sportmax GP en route.

It has a D208 on it now that looks great, except for the plug. Bad news just waiting to happen.

[stimpy451]

So I just got back from Grattan...well a few hours ago because I crashed on the couch while watching "Top Gear"..but I digress.

The past few nights I've been chasing an ignition gremlin on the 'Zook, which turned out to be both an issue with the ECM harness AND an intermittent front cyl. ignition coil. This isn't really what you want to see the night before your 4AM departure time:



I got to Grattan at about 6:30 - just enough time for a nap. I bedded down and couldn't sleep. Got in, met a really nice guy next to me with a 90's Duc. Quite a few CB350s, etc., but mostly sportbikes and motards. Went through some really great (but abbreviated) instruction, and it was time for a quick tech inspection and off to the grid. I was in group 1. This turned out to not be the greatest idea for someone who has only been on a dirt track. It took me a few laps to get my confidence level up and to start smoothing things out. I didn't want to hold anyone up so I requested to be dropped down a class. Killer move, I kept up started becoming more and more fluid. What an impressive track! After I finished with the group 1 session, I had to immediately grid for the next group, then I had a rest. It also started raining.

The guy next to me with the Duc (in group 1) came back in and didn't seem very happy - he was running DOT race tires and got pretty squirrely on the new pavement. I gridded for my next ride and it started POURING, which turned out to be to my advantage. When the track is wet, you can't introduce any sudden logistical changes..everything needs to be fluid. With my NEW Dunlop Sportmax GPs, I steadily increased my lap time as I became more fluid and learned the track. My instructor (Gordon) stuck behind me for about 5 laps and we had one HELL of a time out there. I came in and was all smiles.



By this time most people were loading. I really wanted to go out again...but the instructors packed it in.

With certificate in hand, I am so hooked and can't wait for the next track day. I need to get as much non-competition seat time as I can, and I need to get cracking on the Norton.

Thanks, Team Chicago!

[phantom309]

Hey Pete, Clad to hear even with the shitty weather you had fun, sounds like the hook is set:)Get going on that norton,always goo to see more brit bikes out there.

[YMRacing]

So I just got back from Grattan...well a few hours ago because I crashed on the couch while watching "Top Gear"..but I digress.

The past few nights I've been chasing an ignition gremlin on the 'Zook, which turned out to be both an issue with the ECM harness AND an intermittent front cyl. ignition coil. This isn't really what you want to see the night before your 4AM departure time:



I got to Grattan at about 6:30 - just enough time for a nap. I bedded down and couldn't sleep. Got in, met a really nice guy next to me with a 90's Duc. Quite a few CB350s, etc., but mostly sportbikes and motards. Went through some really great (but abbreviated) instruction, and it was time for a quick tech inspection and off to the grid. I was in group 1. This turned out to not be the greatest idea for someone who has only been on a dirt track. It took me a few laps to get my confidence level up and to start smoothing things out. I didn't want to hold anyone up so I requested to be dropped down a class. Killer move, I kept up started becoming more and more fluid. What an impressive track! After I finished with the group 1 session, I had to immediately grid for the next group, then I had a rest. It also started raining.

The guy next to me with the Duc (in group 1) came back in and didn't seem very happy - he was running DOT race tires and got pretty squirrely on the new pavement. I gridded for my next ride and it started POURING, which turned out to be to my advantage. When the track is wet, you can't introduce any sudden logistical changes..everything needs to be fluid. With my NEW Dunlop Sportmax GPs, I steadily increased my lap time as I became more fluid and learned the track. My instructor (Gordon) stuck behind me for about 5 laps and we had one HELL of a time out there. I came in and was all smiles.



By this time most people were loading. I really wanted to go out again...but the instructors packed it in.

With certificate in hand, I am so hooked and can't wait for the next track day. I need to get as much non-competition seat time as I can, and I need to get cracking on the Norton.

Thanks, Team Chicago!

That Gordon was more than likely are very own Gordon Hamilton. The weather was bad enough that it created a power outage in the area and Dan Schmitt, Team Chicago boss, told us instructors that it was over. We had a lot of students show up Saturday, but very few stayed over to a beautiful Sunday with 2 groups, 1/2 hour sessions....wore my big butt out, but....there's nothing like fun for having a good time! I agree with the "abbreviated" instruction, but more would have come if there would have been more on-track time.

[WOZERD]

Took my school with Learning Curves at RA for $210 and that included the track fees during a CCS pratice day. I went back again at Black Hawk for some pointers before Barber and had three instructors following me around all day. That cost me $200 and was well worth it. They should be at RA two weekends before we get there if anyone is interested, I'll be there. I need all the help I can get.
The only down side to AHRMA as a newbe I found was in the time before I hit the track, contacts in each of the classes listed on the web site for all the little stupid questions would be helpfull. Tim was great to talk with but Chuck helped more with things like where to buy tires and knowing what parts not to buy. His help got me through the first race.

Took your advice-- I'm signed up. See you there. I'm going to write Cindy just to make sure they will accept the CCS certification.

[WOZERD]

Took my school with Learning Curves at RA for $210 and that included the track fees during a CCS pratice day. I went back again at Black Hawk for some pointers before Barber and had three instructors following me around all day. That cost me $200 and was well worth it. They should be at RA two weekends before we get there if anyone is interested, I'll be there. I need all the help I can get.
The only down side to AHRMA as a newbe I found was in the time before I hit the track, contacts in each of the classes listed on the web site for all the little stupid questions would be helpfull. Tim was great to talk with but Chuck helped more with things like where to buy tires and knowing what parts not to buy. His help got me through the first race.

Pat, I was at Blackhawk Saturday, May 22ND and Sunday. Met Ryan And Evy (hope I spelled that right).
Maybe you were at RA-- but everyone else was at Blackhawk! Where were you??

Never saw so many Buells being raced in my life! I asked one guy why so many Buells. He gave me this funny look and says: "DUH! Milwaukee???---- Wisconsin??"
Oh! Yeah-- -- just up the road ain't it?

FWIW
I R a licensed, duly authorized motorcycle road racer!! In the mock race, I went from 14TH to 6TH at turn one and actually got to race with a few riders for almost a full lap!
Note to self. Trying to slipstream a GSXR1000 with a CB450 is futile.
The instructors were running 1:13~1:15. My best was a 1:36.4
YAAAA Me!!

[WOZERD]

WOOOOOO HOOOOOO
YA!!! ME!!!

Looky what just came in the mail !!


I ARE AN OFFICIAL AHRMA MEMBER!!
Even got my own little bike number!!

[ChuckS]

Congrats - see you at RA!

[WOZERD]

I'm heading out this afternoon if all goes well. I'll do an Oil change on the van and get a haircut (just one hair-- the last one I got!).
Finished last night about 11:30. I finally got my oil catch pan installed-- somehow managed to stick myself in the foot while safety wiring it on. I guess that's what did it. I noticed my middle toe was dripping blood. Does this mean I should wear safety shoes when safety wiring??)

I can't wait to see how I do. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you!!