OMRRA Novice debut a great success!
The 2005 season kicked off this weekend with the introduction of 36 new novices to the membership. We enjoyed on track testing in wet conditions which seems to be one of the ingredients in the race conditioning recipe. Add close quarter and passing/alternate lines drills and starting line launch practices all in a wet slick environment and you have introduced 36
"well seasoned" novices into the fold.
Due to the competitive nature of the 600cc, 750cc and open (1000cc) classes, the new riders in those classes are held in a Novice class until they achieve laptimes that fall within 20% of the top riders in their respective classes and are seasoned enough to handle the close quarter riding and aggressive passing that often occurs in the expert grids. The classes are abbreviated as NV4/NV5 in OMRRA literature.
In both classes an average laptime of 1:22 is required to "graduate" from the Novice class and compete in the expert grid. I'm happy to report that my first competitive event resulted in achieving that laptime. While unable to maintain that laptime consistantly due to being unable to pass slower traffic at times, my average climbed to 1:24. I have identified areas I can improve and make it my goal to improve my corner entry speeds in a few corners as well as become more aggressive about passing.
The second event of the day was declared a rain race as it did in fact begin to rain while we were running our warmup lap before the main. A Novice event in the rain automatically counts as meeting qualifying requirements if the rider completes the race without crashing. I'm happy to report that not only did I not crash, I was able to improve my laptimes during the event as semi-dry lines began to appear.
Although the NV4/NV5 "event" isn't considered a race, we had our race faces on.
I'm happy to report that my finishing place in the combined NV4/NV5 race was 6th out of 20 600cc bikes and 13th overall. This is quite an accomplishment given the fact that I was up front with the big bikes and fast riders. I look forward to the next competition.
I had the opportunity to be make several passes. Some on aggressive lines and some on the race line inside of other riders who made mistakes. I also found myself in the middle of small packs of riders gunning for position only to have one make a mistake and run off the track.
In these situations, I noticed the riders behind them following them off the track.
Its not only safer to do, but advantageous to racers NOT to lock up and follow a crash off the track. I was able to motor right by without losing focus or changeing my line, although I was prepared to do so if an evasive maneuver was required.
I would like to thank the Novice School organizers, supporters, corner workers and the instructors who are all voluntary members of the organization. Their only compensation is the assurance that the riders that they supported will not only become safe, competitive racers, but become active involved members of the organization. I would also like to thank Dave and Bob of R&D Machine for their support as well as my new friend Sven for his assistance at the track.
I have photos up in my Photograph album from the race. Check them out.
This is the one and only weekend we have to wear those bright green shirts.
I hope to see you out at the track on our next event.
Look for my pits with the only stars and stripes patriotic canopy.
Feel free to stop and say hi.
On a somber note, a fellow racer and influential mentor at the organization was critically injured when his 2005 Kawasaki ZX10 experienced a violent headshake condition which caused the bike to slam into the concrete barrier on the front straight at over 150mph. Details of the mishap are unavailable at this time, however news of his recovery is coming in and at the time of writing he has been stabilized and is no longer listed as critical condition. Our prayers go out to he and his family during this time of crisis.
Thank you, and look for my race report for the weekend of April 30th.
Dale Johnson OMRRA #737
"well seasoned" novices into the fold.
Due to the competitive nature of the 600cc, 750cc and open (1000cc) classes, the new riders in those classes are held in a Novice class until they achieve laptimes that fall within 20% of the top riders in their respective classes and are seasoned enough to handle the close quarter riding and aggressive passing that often occurs in the expert grids. The classes are abbreviated as NV4/NV5 in OMRRA literature.
In both classes an average laptime of 1:22 is required to "graduate" from the Novice class and compete in the expert grid. I'm happy to report that my first competitive event resulted in achieving that laptime. While unable to maintain that laptime consistantly due to being unable to pass slower traffic at times, my average climbed to 1:24. I have identified areas I can improve and make it my goal to improve my corner entry speeds in a few corners as well as become more aggressive about passing.
The second event of the day was declared a rain race as it did in fact begin to rain while we were running our warmup lap before the main. A Novice event in the rain automatically counts as meeting qualifying requirements if the rider completes the race without crashing. I'm happy to report that not only did I not crash, I was able to improve my laptimes during the event as semi-dry lines began to appear.
Although the NV4/NV5 "event" isn't considered a race, we had our race faces on.
I'm happy to report that my finishing place in the combined NV4/NV5 race was 6th out of 20 600cc bikes and 13th overall. This is quite an accomplishment given the fact that I was up front with the big bikes and fast riders. I look forward to the next competition.
I had the opportunity to be make several passes. Some on aggressive lines and some on the race line inside of other riders who made mistakes. I also found myself in the middle of small packs of riders gunning for position only to have one make a mistake and run off the track.
In these situations, I noticed the riders behind them following them off the track.
Its not only safer to do, but advantageous to racers NOT to lock up and follow a crash off the track. I was able to motor right by without losing focus or changeing my line, although I was prepared to do so if an evasive maneuver was required.
I would like to thank the Novice School organizers, supporters, corner workers and the instructors who are all voluntary members of the organization. Their only compensation is the assurance that the riders that they supported will not only become safe, competitive racers, but become active involved members of the organization. I would also like to thank Dave and Bob of R&D Machine for their support as well as my new friend Sven for his assistance at the track.
I have photos up in my Photograph album from the race. Check them out.
This is the one and only weekend we have to wear those bright green shirts.
I hope to see you out at the track on our next event.
Look for my pits with the only stars and stripes patriotic canopy.
Feel free to stop and say hi.
On a somber note, a fellow racer and influential mentor at the organization was critically injured when his 2005 Kawasaki ZX10 experienced a violent headshake condition which caused the bike to slam into the concrete barrier on the front straight at over 150mph. Details of the mishap are unavailable at this time, however news of his recovery is coming in and at the time of writing he has been stabilized and is no longer listed as critical condition. Our prayers go out to he and his family during this time of crisis.
Thank you, and look for my race report for the weekend of April 30th.
Dale Johnson OMRRA #737
