A Day at the Races!!

[redhot]

So a group of us headed out to the VIR Track in Danville, VA to watch our favorite (one and only) BMW racer N8 Kern!!! He did GREAT - He sealed the CCS Championship for the second year in a row in both the Mid-Atlantic and SouthEast Regions!! It was very exciting to watch him race. One of the BMW's R1100S has 14000 race miles on it and has never had the rear end off!! That's pretty impressive for BMW.

Here are a couple of the shots we got.....



On the way down, we stopped for a quick break and Jim noticed that something didn’t look right with my rear tire. Then everyone agreed that my tire was about to show cord. We all agreed that it would make it the next 60 miles to the track and then figure out what to do there. I was a little freaked – being a slightly new rider – I’ve never ridden on tires that were that bad. The next town had a Honda dealer there so we stopped. The guy had 1 tire on his shelf that would fit my bike – it was a Metzler MEZ 4 with a sticker on it for $232.95!!!!! It didn’t take us long to run from that shop!!!

Well – we made it to the track and went straight to N8’s area to wish him luck. We arrived just in time to see him off to his first race.

Here’s N8 getting ready to take off…
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/N8-1st-race.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Nate-emerging.jpg

Some bikes awaiting their turns…
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Ready-to-race.jpg
The remains of someone’s crash suit and wrecked bike…
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Crash-suit-bike.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Crash-suit.jpg

Here’s some pics from the races….


N8’s favorite thing – making his move on the corners!!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/N8-making-his-move.jpg
Now in the lead…..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Nate-racing-4.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Nate-racing-3.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Nate-racing-2.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Nate-racing.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Nate-leading-again.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Nate-leading.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Nate-tree.jpg
Here’s N8 racing with 2 guys from Illinois – not to far where I’m from – but the poor boys couldn’t hold their own when it comes to racing against N8!!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Nate-racing-orange.jpg
After the race, N8 sported a ride in honor of the Breadman!!!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/N8-in-honor-of-Breadman.jpg

As N8 mentioned at the BMWBMW club picnic – finding reliable mechanics has been a real issue for him. Well, as it turns out – another “Mechanical error” was made again….

The mechanic didn’t tighten down the clamp on his exhaust so after the first lap, the clamp fell off and the exhaust shifted causing the hot exhaust to blow straight up on the seat. This caused the seat to melt and the seat pan to melt along with the wiring in its way as well. Once the wires melted, N8 lost all of his controls and STILL continued to race!!! He actually finished in FIRST place on that race but his poor butt was BURNING!!!! He is an amazing racer!!

Here’s the melted seat – sorry for the blurred image – hopefully you can see the edges of the seat that frayed away.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/N8-melted-seat.jpg
His melted seat pan…..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/melted-seat-pan.jpg
Melted wires and blackened screws….
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/more-melted-wires.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/melted-wires.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Burned-butt-02.jpg

Continue...

[redhot]

Then the most incredible thing happened (well for me anyway!!) As we were walking around the pits we came upon this sign (pic only shows 1 tire but there were 2)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/price-of-new-tires.jpg

We couldn’t believe it!!! I stopped to look at the tires and this lady tells me that while her and her husband were vacationing on a cruise, their son bought a motorcycle. When they came home, the bike was sitting in their driveway and he announced that he was going to start racing motorcycles!!! Sooo – they pulled the street tires off the bike, installed racing tires and off they went. Therefore – I bought 2 Dunlop Qualifiers with about 150 miles on them. So Jim headed for my bike and sure enough – the tires were Exactly!! The right size for my bike!!! I could not believe I was buying 2 brand new tires for $100!!!! Then in the next isle, there was a Pirelli dealer that said he would change my tire for $10 as long as we took the tire off the bike.

Sooooo – off we went – One of the BEST benefits of dating a mechanic is having on-site help with all the necessary skills and tools to do the job. So with the help of Kermit and Sneetch, Jim proceeded to prop my bike up right there in the parking lot, and off came the back tire….
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/my-baby-without-its-back-ti.jpg
It was a little surprising that they had to move the muffler so much to get the tire off…
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/muffler-moved-to-remove-tir.jpg
And then…. A half hour later, I have a brand new front tire (will change here at home) and a rear tire, mounted, balanced and installed for ONLY $110!!!!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/New-Tire.jpg

After Nates last race, we decided to head to the hotel and check in.

After our whole 30 second ride – we arrive at the hotel – right there on turn #9
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/arrive-at-hotel.jpg
Here’s an actual view from our balcony…
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/actual-view-from-our-balcon.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/Mike-enjoying-the-view.jpg
the VIR Lodge, was a very nice place to stay – really nice hard wood floors, jaccuzzi tub and a beautiful view!!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/VIR-lodge.jpg

Finally – we headed home. We thought we would run in to some pretty serious showers but as it turns out we left the tracks about noon made it all the way home without ever hitting the hard stuff. A few sprinkles about 40 miles from home but that was about it – all in all – we had a great weekend with nice weather and some Great camaraderie!!

On the way home – I spotted 2 GS’s drooling over the beautiful ST!! :lol:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/2-GS-drooling-over-the-ST.jpg

It was a lot of fun and I hope to do it again next year!!
Ride Safe
Tina

[SNC1923]

Very cool report, Tina. Thanks for the Nate story and all the cool pix, too.

Congrats on the tire find. How do you like that ST? Unless there's something I don't know, I can't believe that the muffler had to be moved. It does look tight in the picture, though. What do I know?

Nice license plate, too.

:bikes

[Visian]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/VIR%20Race%209-23-06/N8-1st-race.jpg

Great report!

Sorry to hear that Nate is having hard time finding reliable mechanics... the guy on the left in this pic is a friend of mine who used to work at BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta, one of the shops that provides Nate with support.

One thing for sure... s*** happens in racing and when a piece of machinery is stressed to its max.

Ian

ps => is that Elsie Smith on the far right side of that pic?

pps => didn't you know that BMWs suck (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1573664&postcount=1)? At least that's what I read on the Internet! :p ;)

[Voni]

Thanks, Tina. Wonderful!

This is the kind of report that makes the forum my goto place every day!

Voni
sMiling

[username]

tina - great report, and fantastic pictures!

you rule.

[redhot]

Very cool report, Tina. Thanks for the Nate story and all the cool pix, too.

Congrats on the tire find. How do you like that ST? Unless there's something I don't know, I can't believe that the muffler had to be moved. It does look tight in the picture, though. What do I know?

Nice license plate, too.

:bikes

Hey Tom - I love my ST!!!! I bought it on May 29th and I now have over 6000 miles on it!!! We were all a little surprised that we had to move the muffler - but that was the only way we could get it off - Maybe if we would have had a jack and could lift it higher - we may not have had to?? Not sure about that.

I like the plate as well and ended up doing my side cases to match - this is that reflective tape that is black during the day and then reflects very brightly at night....
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/JimVonBaden2000/R1200ST/tinasbike001.jpg

[redhot]

Great report!

Sorry to hear that Nate is having hard time finding reliable mechanics... the guy on the left in this pic is a friend of mine who used to work at BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta, one of the shops that provides Nate with support.

One thing for sure... s*** happens in racing and when a piece of machinery is stressed to its max.

Ian

ps => is that Elsie Smith on the far right side of that pic?

pps => didn't you know that BMWs suck (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1573664&postcount=1)? At least that's what I read on the Internet! :p ;)

You're right Ian - on several things - YES - that is Elsie Smith - she has helped Nate on most of his races (I think she is one of the volunteers that goes to every race - which unfortunately he doesn't have enough of).

Also - the guy on the left with the tattoos - according to Nate - is the BEST BMW mechanic he's ever seen - there was an Atlanta truck there - so I'm sure he still lives there - that is also unfortunate - I'm sure Nate would like to have him at every race!!! I'm not sure what the financial situation is - but I think it would be great if BMW would send enough money that Nate could hire a full-time mechanic that could travel with him!!!

That's also what I think is great about Nate - he does get a lot of looks from the "Jap" bikes and yet - he has no problems blowing them off the road!!! Plus - how many bikes do you know can have 14000 RACE miles and yet never had the rear end pulled???? Says a lot of the BMW BIKE!!!

I love my ST!!! I'm ready for a track day!!

[Visian]

Also - the guy on the left with the tattoos - according to Nate - is the BEST BMW mechanic he's ever seen - there was an Atlanta truck there - so I'm sure he still lives there - that is also unfortunate - I'm sure Nate would like to have him at every race!!! I'm not sure what the financial situation is - but I think it would be great if BMW would send enough money that Nate could hire a full-time mechanic that could travel with him!!!

His nam is Zach Southard and he is the best BMW mechanic I've ever seen, too. His toolbox is impeccable and his knowledge of the bikes, especially tunes and tweaks, is amazing.

Unfortunately, he has moved on to Ducatis. :( But he still tries to help Woolie (Bob Wooldridge of BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta (http://www.bmwma.com), the best dealer I've ever seen) support Nate whenever possible.

It really would be good to see Nate get some more support from BMW... he is out there showing the colors to people who are buying new bikes.

Thank you again for the report, Tina.

This is a pic of Zach showing a visitor how to adjust oilhead valves at a recent open house at BMWMCOA. Zach is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

http://www.visian.nu/images/zach.jpg

[redhot]

His nam is Zach Southard and he is the best BMW mechanic I've ever seen, too. His toolbox is impeccable and his knowledge of the bikes, especially tunes and tweaks, is amazing.

Unfortunately, he has moved on to Ducatis. :( But he still tries to help Woolie (Bob Wooldridge of BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta (http://www.bmwma.com), the best dealer I've ever seen) support Nate whenever possible.

It really would be good to see Nate get some more support from BMW... he is out there showing the colors to people who are buying new bikes.

Thank you again for the report, Tina.

This is a pic of Zach showing a visitor how to adjust oilhead valves at a recent open house at BMWMCOA. Zach is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

http://www.visian.nu/images/zach.jpg

You're right Ian - Zach's the name - He was great that day - after N8 burned his butt off - Zach had to tear the bike apart and redo the instruments and stuff - got it all back together JUST in time for N8 to do 3 more races that day!!!

Nate does need the support - if you guys ever get a chance to see him - it's worth your while!! Plus - it would be nice to push BMW to put more money in to him and to motorcycles - NOT just the cars ;)

One of the really sad things - Nate says when he is done racing a bike - BMW has to crush it - for liability reasons - they can't re-sell the bike - it's just a shame that they just can't pull the motor and put on it display somewhere. I'm sure Nate would want to see it in 20 years or so. Especially since it's been about 20 years since the last guy raced so well on BMW's!!

[Visian]

Nate does need the support - if you guys ever get a chance to see him - it's worth your while!! Plus - it would be nice to push BMW to put more money in to him and to motorcycles - NOT just the cars ;)

OK... i gottanidea!

if y'all went to the bmw seminar that laurence kuykendahl gave in vermont, you heard about an upgraded section of their website that will be coming out any day now.... xplor (http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/common/xplorErrorPage.jsp?url=index.jsp).

supposedly, there will be an ability to upload videos (a la YouTube) about riding. perhaps there is a way to shoot a bunch of video of nate that tells his story and then post it on xplor.

and then we'll all post comments about how bmw needs to get nate a tuner! :clap

you didn't hear it here... :uhoh