Mechanical misadventures
If you read the last blog post, you’re probably wondering how the repairs went particularly as we are approaching the end of motorcycle race preparation. Well, it turned out I didn’t blow a head gasket or crack a head. A hose clamp had failed in a place I couldn’t see, and it was leaking onto the hot cylinder, which is why I couldn’t find the lost coolant. Probably could have been fixed trackside if I could have found it, but live and learn. I found it, fixed it, and tested, and we seem to be ready to rock and roll.
Today’s events in motorcycle race preparation
We’re loaded up and ready to go, leaving for the first race weekend of the season in just under an hour. This will be the first time I’ve raced in 15 years or more.
I’m excited and nervous, as you might imagine. I was talking to a friend this morning and he asked what I expected for results. I told him my only expectation was to race. A successful race meant that we got to race, nobody got hurt, and we can use the motorcycle again. Other than that I’m trying to learn how to do this again – all the little processes that become second nature after a while.
A great but unusual thing is that my girlfriend, Suzanne, will be accompanying me to the track, which she hasn’t done in quite a few years. That also means we’re getting a hotel, since the tent really isn’t built for two. My daughter has said that she’s probably going to drive out on Sunday for the second race.
Also fun stuff – Suzanne had T-shirts made with the F.I.W.O.P. Racing logo on the front and my rider logo on the back. I’d put up a pic, but they’ve already been packed.
If you want to see how we’ve done, you can go to MyLaps Speedhive and search for my name. If no results come up, we haven’t raced yet.
