AMA Superbike, Birmingham, AL June 22-24

[R Doug]

Kickstand up in 40 min. for me.  I will be on my way to the mountains making a nice two day ride down.

See you Friday evening.  

[Dave.TX]

We made it to Birmingham! Took this pic at lunch today in Newton, MS. It was the slowest Taco Bell on the planet. Anyway, at the LQ and going next door to Hogan's Irish Pub & Grill for some eats later.

[Tyrroneous]

I'm debating whether or not to ride out after work on Friday so that I can do the track walk with Josh Hayes.  I'd need to ride back home that evening and then bring the family out Saturday morning.  What'd y'all think?  Is it worth it?


Well, scratch that.  I was just reminded that I promised my sister that I'd help her move tomorrow after work.  See y'all on Saturday!

[raptor2a]

Same here...I'll probably head right to the track...if you see this bike, I'll be somewhere close.  Otherwise, I'll catch up w/you guys at the hotel after the races.

I'm debating whether or not to ride out after work on Friday so that I can do the track walk with Josh Hayes.  I'd need to ride back home that evening and then bring the family out Saturday morning.  What'd y'all think?  Is it worth it?


Well, scratch that.  I was just reminded that I promised my sister that I'd help her move tomorrow after work.  See y'all on Saturday!

[R Doug]

Something has come up and I am on my way home.    

[R Doug]

I am home now and not happy that I couldn't make it.  

My battery was dead this morning as I tried to leave at 6:30 AM.  The folks at the Fontana Inn showed me where a few parts retailers were located as I was going to try to find a new battery (guessing that's my only problem).  Luckily the Inn is on a hill as I let gravity help me push start my bike.

The first two dealers located on Rt 129 didn't stock my battery.  I was told there may be some dealers to the north off Rt. 74.  On my way, the bike died twice as I was coming to a stop.  Let me tell you what I learned about being on a BMW with Servo Assisted Brakes when the bike dies.  

After removing the seat from my ass, I made it to two more dealers.  Neither of which had my battery in stock.  I gassed up, got another gravity assisted push start and headed home.  

I hate that I'm going to miss meeting you guys.  Have fun!

[Tyrroneous]

Dang.  That is a bummer.  Maybe next year I guess.  

[motodog650]

Dang.  That is a bummer.  Maybe next year I guess.  

Hate that happened. We'll raise one in your honor at dinner tomorrow night...

[R Doug]

Hate that happened. We'll raise one in your honor at dinner tomorrow night...

thanks.  


 

[R Doug]

PS... I discovered the problem and while it wasn't the battery, buying a new battery helped me find the issue.

You won't believe it, but it was only a loose connection on the positive terminal.  No wonder the bike kept cutting out on me at random.  

If one of the shops I visited this morning had a battery that fit my bike in stock, I would have been there this evening.  

[Dave.TX]

Doug, that completely blows! I just added a power outlet on mine, wired direct to the battery. I made sure the connections were good because I've had that same problem you had. You'll be missed, my friend. It was in the low 90's at the track today, partly cloudy and not crowded. I took a ton of pics. Can't wait for racing tomorrow! Anyone want to text me at 512-eight two six-8473 can.

We should be parked at the top of the hill at turns 2 / 3 and hanging out there most of the day but we'll take the shuttle to the fan / vendor are to cool down and grab some food and stuff.

[Dave.TX]

[Tyrroneous]

Superior Grill doesn't/won't take a reservation, even for a largish group.  I'm going to try to get there a few minutes early to get our name on the list...it'll be under stn or sport touring. I'll have a black jorge lorenzo shirt on

[Dave.TX]

Though I was at Barber on Friday all those photos are in RAW format only and my old laptop doesn't have software to convert them. So, here's some pics from Saturday. Various places in the track and paddock.

Harley's...



Looking at the back straigt



Josh Hayes after his first win at Barber and Yamaha's first win in Superbike at Barber.



The first two bikes belong to Hayes, the other two Herrin.



The KTM entries, one being cleaned. Those bikes look so good!



Larry Pegram.



Larry Pegram's bike, the lone BMW in the AMA, and it isn't even supported by the factory.



I had a lot of fun at Barber, was my first time. Got to meet a few people off this forum and the FZ6 forum. Everyone has been cool. Dinner on Saturday night at Superior's was, um, interesting.

[raptor2a]

Nice pics Dave...How was the parade lap?  Nice meeting you all this weekend. Made it back in just over 2 hours including a fuel stop and a stop under a bridge after a torrential downpour...I couldn't see 20 feet in front....had 2 other bikes stop as well...need to find a real anti-fog visor.

Anyway thanks again and hopefully we can do it again next year if not sooner...
Rob

[Dave.TX]

A few more from Saturday, turns 1 and 2

This is the start of the SuperSport race, some 40 bikes or so. Those kids are darned good riders!



This is the start of the Daytona SportBikes...



This is probably the second lap of the SuperBike race. Both Josh's are 1-2 and the rest of the field is trying to stay with them. Notice there's already a gap forming.



If you look at the top right of this pic you'll see Hayes and Herrin with no one behind them after turn 3, still very early in the race. Those Yamaha's are something else.

[Dave.TX]

Hey Rob, it was really cool to meet you and everyone else! Thanks for coming out. Sorry you got caught in the rain, it didn't rain at all at the track

The parade lap was cool, they let us do 3 laps. I had my Contour camera on for it but my weak, old laptop won't process the video so that'll have to wait until I get home. I also turned it on for the ride back to the hotel down Sicard Hollow Rd since that was such a great road to ride on.

Definitely, I'll try to make it out again sometime. If it's just me I might do the trip in a day but it's almost 800 miles so maybe 2 is OK. Barber is such a neat place and I'd like to ride some roads around here sometime in the future. My buddy in North Carolina suggested I keep riding east to visit him! Not this time.

Again I had a blast and you guys were fun to be with, dinner and such.

[mesmotized]

There was some great racing on both Saturday and Sunday!  It was about 1000 degrees sitting on the back straight on Saturday, but sitting in the shade with you guys on Sunday was much more enjoyable.  It was great meeting you guys!

[motodog650]

Good meeting you all. Good racing with DSB race #2 being my favorite of the weekend. Got interviews with Steve Rapp, Bobby Fong & his teammate Nadr Riad (rider from Egypt !!), Jake Lewis, Geoff May & Josh Herrin. Should have them posted on the BRI site later this week.

So Dave, Now that you've attended your first motorcycle road race are you gonna go back for more ? Last race of the year at NOLA in October (new track outside New Orleans). See ya there ??  

[raptor2a]

Thought I'd post up my pics from the weekend...I'm no professional like Dave, but they're fun to look at...


The trip over on top of Cheaha Mountain, AL.


Disalvo's pit


Blake Young's


Eslick signing autographs


Talent


Westby's team bikes


This guy is enjoying the races like he is at home...