The day started at 7AM with a tech inspection of my K1200R with all of the "breakables" taped up with blue painters tape (highly recommended by the way as it has just enough stickiness and easy to remove with no residue).
I had a new set of Metzeler Z6s on and a full tank of gas. My bike was in perfect order and ready for the event.
At 8AM the Riders Meeting was held. General instructions were given, the various flag stations and colors were explained, and safety measures were outlined.
Morton's BMW sponsored our group and we had 17 Beemer riders there. I am estimating there were about 100 riders total. I was in the Basic group and there was also a Beginner (White), Intermediate (Blue) and Advanced (Red) group. Each group had 15 minutes of track time. Our Basic group had morning instruction while the Red group got on the track.
The classroom instruction was well ordered and informative. The first emphasis was on the racing "line" and proper turn entry, apex, and exit. We got out of class in time to watch the Beginner and Intermediate groups do their run. I had never seen a bike at racing speed run down a
strait and it was breathtaking. The speeds you see in person cannot compare to what you see on television!
Our turn came and we lined up in the start area in long lines. The starter allowed about 6 riders out with an instructor in the lead. Soon it was my turn and I throttled up out onto the track for the first time. My first thought was, "Wow... I am actually on a RACETRACK!" The first run was at a very moderate speed with no passing and an emphasis on the raceline. All went well and when the checkered flag was raised and we headed in there was an almost universal desire for... you guessed it.. more speed!
We headed back to class to discuss what we learned and talk about the next run. This was to be at a higher speed, but still pretty moderate. The lead instructor offered to have those wanting a bit more speed to line up on the left, and those still wanting a bit less on the right. The line on the left at start time stretched out of the start back into the paddock. I was in the left lane
The run proceeded without incident, but the thrill level was greatly increased. My top speed on the second run in the straight was about 85.We headed back to the classroom and further discussed taking good lines and the prospect of a our instructors checking us out in groups with the promise of letting us run at our own pace and with passing.
We headed out for this third run and after about 2 laps our group got the go ahead in the main straight. There were two bikes in front of on the left in the race line. I quickly checked my right, dropped down a gear and shunted to the right and for the first time that day pinned the throttle.
I leaned down into the tank a bit and quickly upshifted smoothly through 4th gear as I approached the recommended "braking line" for the straight. A very quick glance at the speedo showed an indicated 125MPH!
I prepared for the first sharp turn at the end of the straight and was greeted with a pleasantly steep and effortless lean angle as I powered around the turn. I stayed on the raceline and used the colored cones for entry and apex, working as needed with the other riders as I moved around the course. The grin on my face was the only enduring muscle group I used for the remainder of the run. I was just a point in space, willing myself through each turn, and my K12R was not so much answering that will as it was an extension of it... a symbiosis.. a melding of man and machine. I will never forget that sensation.
The run ended far too soon and we headed back to class. By now the day had gotten warmer, and all I saw as we sat down to discuss the run were huge, sweaty grins on the faces of my fellow riders. We discussed lines again and tightening up for the next run.
The track shut down for lunch and everyone from the different groups sat down to talk about the day thus far. It was interesting to hear what the more advanced riders had to say. There was a lot of talk about tire pressure suggestions, body positioning, and the braggodocio I fully expected to hear about bikes and who had the fastest times on the day.
As our group prepared for our next run I casually mentioned to the fellow next to me that it was time to see how fast I could push my bike on the main straight. We headed out and on the second lap I had a perfect line on the right hand sweeper that fed into the straight. I entered the straight on the raceline and there was only one rider in front of me. I was already near redline in third gear so I did a quick headcheck and smoothly glided right, shifted into 4th gear and rolled on the throttle. We don't get a chance to do this kind of thing on the road (much) and I was surprised at how quickly I had to upshift again to 5th and then to 6th gear.
This time as I approached the the braking line I glanced down to see my wonderful bike just exceeding 155MPH... and there was throttle to spare, but I was running out of straight! I am pleased to report that the brakes on the K-R work incredibly well, and coupled with judicious downshifting I approached the "turn" cone going about 60MPH and whipped around the first turn at a lean angle that just barely scraped the right peg feeler. The bike gripped the pavement like an anchor. The confidence that sensation inspires cannot adequately be put into words. I smoothly went from left hand to right hand turns, my head always pointing to where I wanted to go and bike and rider were one. In my mind I am replaying that run as I write... simply incredible.
We headed back to class and this time there was high-fives, and knuckle bumping aplenty! The fellow I mentioned my intentions to came up to me and said, "Well you did it! I was in front of you as you passed me on the straight! It was amazing at how fast you went by me!"
Our instructors now emphasized the importance of body position for the next run. It certainly made sense that just as the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, also the more the bike can stay up, the faster one can go.
We assembled for the next run and I made my best effort at getting off the seat and shifting the center of gravity as instructed. I have always been a bit of a body shifter, but mostly it was getting a knee down and leaning my torso in the correct direction. Now I was trying to get my butt off the seat and this I found to be very challenging. Hanging off the bike like that really makes one feel he is not even on the bike at all! It was on this run I had my first, "Oh sh**" moment. Approaching a left hand sweeper as I heaved myself off, I had too much weight still on my arms and the bike wobbled because of this error. I was late on the turn in as a result and too far to the right of the ideal raceline. The apex cone was coming at me like an express freight train and I had a sudden image of sailing off the track over the cone. I grunted hard and yanked the bike over more, my knee just barely kissing the pavement. I hurtled past with the apex cone mere inches from my front tire. I made it! I felt perspiration trickle down my back as I set up for the next turn and did not repeat that error for the rest of the run. My adrenal gland was about out of "fight or flight" as I pitted in.
We were relieved from classroom for the final runs, so I decided to head for one more run with one of the instructors who also works at Morton's (Stuart Beatson.. a great guy). I followed him for a lap and then he motioned me to the front. I did my best, but the body positioning is going to take time to get down. Stuart took the lead back and I learned a good deal as I followed him for the rest of the run. I am going to have to get back on the track soon to work on this!
The day ended and I was completely spent. I removed all the tape from the bike and set out for the trip back to Fredericksburg (about 80 miles).
As I headed home at a much more sedate pace I reflected on the day. It was an experience I will never forget and one I recommend to everyone.
The early evening sun blazed a deep orange and the beauty of the Virginia countryside and the grin still on my face bore silent testimony to the best day of riding I have ever experienced.
COH(Rich)
