ARCHIVES
Friday,
April 18, 2008
Well
since we were not able to get much testing done at Barber
back in March and then last weekend at Blackhawk was
snowed out and freezing, I went ahead and added the
Wednesday (April 23) Blackhawk Farms track day and the
Thuds (April 24) Heartland Park track day. We are hoping
for some nice weather during these dates. This will
put us testing on Wednesday and driving all night from
the Rockford area to Topeka on Wednesday night, testing
on Thursday and then racing 7 races on Friday, Saturday
and Sunday. Driving back Sunday night and going to work
on Monday morning! Should be fun!!
Thursday,
April 17, 2008
The
NESBA weekend at Blackhawk Farms last weekend (Apr 12/13)
was bitterly
COLD
and raining / snowing. Saturday was canceled due to
the weather, so big props to NESBA for refunding everyone's
money. We split the costs of an inside garage and got
some work done on the bikes while trying to keep warm.
We pretty much froze sleeping in the garage Friday night,
so Burrito and I took a trip to Wallymart and got us
some of the 0 degree sleeping bags and nice blow up
beds...slept like a baby Saturday night! The snow and
rain stopped for us on Sunday, the track temps never
really got above the mid 30's so keeping heat in the
tires was a real struggle. We got in a couple of laps
in the morning on the "A Bike" before electrical
gremlins bit us again. No biggie though, we just switch
gears and went to work on the "B Bike". We
were able to get a lot done on it. Overall, it felt
real good to get in some laps, even though the race
tires were a little sketchy offering only minimal grip.
Thanks to my team for all their hard work in prepping
the bikes for the weekend and in enduring the miserable
conditions.
Saturday,
March 22, 2008
From
all the positive feedback we have received, I think
it is safe to say that our first ever Advanced Riding
Techniques Seminar was a success. Even with the weather
in the low 30's and snow on the ground, we had a standing
room only crowd at LVC
Motorsports. A big thanks to all of you that came
out! See you folks at the track in a couple weeks where
we can all work on actually putting some of this stuff
into practice.
Friday,
March 7, 2008
I
am proud to announce we have partnered with GP
Tech for the 2008 race season. GP Tech has an amazing
range of really cool stuff aimed at the professional
roadracer as well as some pretty pimping stunter bits
as well. Hard to find stuff like thumbrakes, adjustable
fairing stays, subframe kits, specially designed quick
change systems for endurance racing, quick turn throttles,
active brake levers, superbike tail seats...and the
list goes on and on! Check out their web site, very
cool stuff!
Tuesday,
March 4, 2008
Wierd,
I don't remember praying for patience?!?! As a kid,
I remember my Mom telling me, "Son, don't ever
pray for patience... cause God will send you lots of
trials to teach you patience!" Maybe I needed to
learn some patience cause this past weekend at Barber
Motorsports Park was certainly full of trials!
Normally,
I bring a back up "B Bike", but with it being
so early in the season that was not possible this weekend.
This left me spending both days trying to resolve an
oil leak and some fuel injection issues on my "A
Bike" while the weather was just absolutely beautiful,
clear and 86 degrees. The bike was prepped OK before
the trip, but sometimes these things just happen.
In
addition, during the couple of laps I turned late in
the day on Saturday I managed to get some sort of debris
in my left eye. By Sunday morning, my eye was really
inflamed and I could barely see out of it. Big thanks
to Dave Frick for helping me get some piece of metal
out from under my left eyelid.
And
as several friends reminded me, the good news is that
I did not put the bike on the ground and it wasn't a
race weekend with points going out the window. Big thanks
to all those who helped me this weekend - especially
Bill from Nice
Raxx who fixed the oil leak and missed several of
his own riding sessions helping me wrench for hours
on end. I am not sure how much patience I learned this
weekend, but I was sure reminded of just how valuable
friends are that step up when you need help. A big 'ol
THANK YOU to all my friends who helped me this weekend!
Wednesday,
February 27, 2008
First
event of the year is approaching fast - NESBA
at Barber. Like some of you, I am feeling the stress
of all the prep work required to get everything prepared
to start the season. I'm really looking forward to getting
out of this Chicago weather for a few days and spending
some time with my Mom while in Birmingham this weekend.
But more than anything else, I am just excited about
riding!
Major
props to the fella's over at 4
& 6 Racing for race preping my "A bike".
Dean at DCDecals
also did an outstanding job getting all the paint and
decals for the bike ready on a ridiculously tight time
frame. My team members at CSBRacing
have also been going to bat for me to get me everything
I need and of course I got to give it up to my wife
for letting me go out of town on her birthday (Saturday,
March 1)!
Monday,
February 11, 2008
Returned
from my yearly pilgrimage to Vegas recently. This was
my third visit to Freddie
Spencer's High Performance Riding School. The school
continues to develop as it adds new methods and ideas
to continually narrow the focus into clearly communicating
only the most essential core skills required to be both
a fast AND safe rider.
The
curriculum is no nonsense, no BS. It is the tried and
true skills and techniques used by the very best riders
in the world today. The Spencer curriculum is the very
best available anywhere. The class room sessions and
on track drills really submerge you in these skills
and techniques.
But,
it is the people that really make all the difference.
Freddie has surrounded himself with the very best in
the industry. Nick Ienatsch, Dale Kieffer and Ken Hill
make a potent teaching team that can pick out a rider's
weak areas instantly and give one-on-one input that
will help that rider reach his or her personal potential
- this is a bargain at any price. As you can tell, I
am a fan. This class is the single best thing I have
done for my riding. I plan to continue to utilize this
class to help push me to my personal potential.
Thursday,
February 7, 2008
The
plan from the very beginning has been to surround ourselves
with the very best people and products. Nowhere is this
more evident than in our latest sponsorship partner
- Vanson
Leathers! Go to any track day or race weekend and
you will quickly become convinced of the quality and
popularity of Vanson's race suits. These are the most
sought after leathers - period. The quality, fit and
unparalleled safety have been a hallmark with Vanson
for more than 30 years. I am very pleased to be partnered
with Vanson.
Ask me how I can help you get your very own set of Vansons!
Thanks for coming aboard Alan.
Thursday,
January 31, 2008
A
couple days before I went racing at Road America in
July 2007, I stopped into LVC
Motorsports and spoke with them about the possibility
of a partnership for the 2008 race season. They were
open to the idea and when I started in earnest looking
for sponsor partners back in November, LVC was my first
stop. Since then we have met numerous times to work
out the details of this agreement and I am very excited
to partner with such a successful dealership and such
a solid group of people. Thank you Chuck, Jeff and Alec!
Thursday,
January 17, 2008
I
have worked as a Network Engineer for Sentinel
Technologies for the last 10 years. During that
time, Sentinel has stood by me through some rough spots
and I have also stood by them through some lean years
in the technology industry. Deep relationships have
been built and I am excited to be able to use this season
to bring attention to Sentinel. Sentinel is a top shelf
IT integrator and an excellent employer. I gladly recommend
Sentinel to any company or IT professional. Thanks for
the vote of confidence Brian!
Wednesday,
January 16, 2008
I
have used Woodcraft
products for years. Besides looking completely pimp,
their rearset kits really help me to be comfortable
on the bike by keeping me from dragging my toes so much
in the corners and also providing me with a really nice
and solid perch for my foot. My Woodcraft clip-ons are
also a huge upgrade to the OEM handlebars, especially
when it comes to quickly replacing a handlebar after
a get off. Speaking of get offs, the engine covers,
frame sliders and rear spools help protect my bike during
these incidents and are key components to minimizing
damaging. Woodcraft also meets my needs for tire warmers
with their all new Woodcraft warmers in both a fully
digital version and a dual temp version. After losing
several knee pucks when they just came off my leathers
unexpectedly, I ordered up a set of the Klucky Pucks
from Woodcraft and have since fell in love with these
things. The Velcro on them is just insane and the composite
plastic feels great sliding along the pavement and seems
to last forever.
In
addition to having great products, Woodcraft's customer
service is second to none. When I needed some product
to go racing at Road America last July, I called Woodcraft
on short notice and they not only had what I needed
in stock but they actually shipped the products to the
track for me! And I haven't even mentioned their easy
to use website or new EBay
store for scratch and dent items. As I'm sure you
can tell, I am very pleased to have partnered with Woodcraft
for this 2008 season. Thanks Eric!
Tuesday,
January 8, 2008
After
some discussions with Ken of Nice
Raxx, I was very pleased that we were able to develop
a partnership for this 2008 race season. Ken not only
has a great product, but he is an avid sportbiker /
track day guy (like many of us). In my opinion, it is
awesome when we can take care of each other! Thanks
Ken!
Friday,
January 4, 2008
I
first met Mike Pruitt of CSBRacing
Ministries several years ago when he came to a NESBA
event. I went to the Chapel service that Mike did that
Sunday morning and it was like we were instant friends.
I called Mike several months back and asked him for
some pointers on going after sponsorship for this upcoming
2008 race season.
During
the conversation, we talked about a lot of stuff and
I was able to really share my heart with Mike. I shared
with Mike my concerns about this whole race thing being
"all about me". With the amount of time and
effort and expense involved, it just has to be much
more than that. I explained to Mike that I believed
that God has given me a little bit of talent for riding
and teaching. I shared with Mike that I wanted to be
careful to use the talents that God has given me in
a way that does not just serve myself.
After
we talked for a while, Mike asked me if I might be interested
in joining the CSBRacing
team. This would give me an opportunity to continue
to enjoy my passion for road racing and to couple that
with my passion for ministry. I was humbled, exciting
and scared all at the same time! This was a big decision
for both of us, so we both agreed to give it some time,
prayer and some serious consideration. I later met with
another CSBRacing team member from the Chicago area
named Don Elfstrom. Again it felt like reuniting with
an old friend. I don't pretend to have a "red phone
hot line" to God (I sure wish I did), but it was
becoming increasingly clear to me that this was the
right thing for me to do.
I
was officially offered an invitation to join the team
and I humbly accepted this invitation. I am very excited
about the opportunities ahead. Thanks Mike and Don!
Friday,
December 28, 2007
I
received word from Billy at Armour
Bodies agreeing to sponsor me for the 2008 race
season! I am excited about the opportunity to partner
with Armour
Bodies and truly appreciate Billy's vote of confidence
for me and the team. Thanks Billy!
Tuesday,
December 18, 2007
After
my team manager Brian Blume made the original contact
with Armour
Bodies (thanks Brian!), I had a great conversation
with Billy about the details of the sponsorship agreement.
I listened as Billy passionately described the entire
manufacturing process and all the little things that
make Armour Bodies a superior product to many competing
bodywork suppliers. Billy is a true friend of racers
and track day guys and gals. For years he has worked
to make a superior product at a discounted price point.
In that extended conversation with Billy, his passion
and commitment won me over. I specifically was impressed
with the Pro-Series
Bodywork. These are the perfect kit for the budget
minded racer like me or the track day fanatic who is
looking for bodywork that actually fits the bike at
an aggressive price point.
Monday,
December 10, 2007
Back
in the summer of 2005, I highsided myself to the moon
going into turn 6 at Blackhawk Farms, as a result I
tore my right shoulder up pretty good. Dr. Tammy at
Synergy Institute worked some miracles to get me back
to 100% in record time. Since then, DR Tammy has been
my primary resource to both facilitate injury rehab
and also help "injury proof" me as much as
possible. I am please to announce that Synergy
Institute has come aboard as a valued sponsor for
the 2008 race season! Do yourself a favor and call Dr.
Tammy at 630-236-4876.
Monday,
November 26, 2007
I
first got on the track back in April of 2005 at a NESBA
track day at Blackhawk Farms. Even though I had been
riding motorcycles (street bikes and dirt bikes) for
years at that point, I immediately realized that I had
a lot to learn. I was like a sponge over the next several
months as the NESBA CR's took me under their collective
wings and showed me the ropes.
Soon
after, I was greatly blessed when I was invited to join
the NESBA staff as a CR. I was now not only learning
but also teaching almost every weekend at tracks all
around the country. NESBA has provided me with many
opportunities and for that I am very grateful. Because
of all the things NESBA has done for me, I am adding
them to my list of sponsors for the 2008 race season.
THANK YOU NESBA!
Friday,
November 23, 2007
My
online home for the last several years has been C.L.S.B.
Tony and Ken agreed to sponsor me for the 2008 season.
You guys rock, thanks! ChicagolandSportbikes.com
is my third sponsor.
Monday,
November 19, 2007
Met
with Jim Rashid and Dan Johnson. 4&6 Racing is looking
to be more involved in CCS club racing in 2008. Jim
gave me a huge compliment in offering to sponsor me
for the upcoming season. Thanks for the vote of confidence
Jim. I am excited to have my second official sponsor
in place - 4&6
Racing!
Thursday,
September 6, 2007
Dean
Costopoulos took excellent care of me for my only race
weekend of 2007. After speaking with Dean about my plans
for 2008, I now have my first official sponsor - DCDecals.net!
Thanks Dean.
Monday,
July 9, 2007
I
am on cloud nine after my first weekend of racing (CCS
Road America). After doing track days for several years
I really did not expect that I would be so elated after
doing my first race weekend. Read the write up - HERE!
