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*Liam's Wild Ride*

Seems like I've had Ducati's on the mind for a couple days as well! I think it's absolutely incredible that a manufacturer would put on of their racebikes up for sale, and that the bike was capable of running without a factory team behind it! Do you think it comes with a remote starter?

I was looking through some of my race photos and a couple popped up. I love the way this kid is manhandling his Honda RS125 around. He ended up fourth in the 125 class this last race, which is a highly contested category here in Spain, and a nice achievement at his age. In fact, I think there were a large number of 12 year olds ripping around the track!

It's strange, I've been keeping up with the current race coverage of MotoGP, and they are back in Shanghai for the second Chinese GP this weekend. I've watched some of the free practice video footage, and I'm a little bummed I couldn't be there this year. I got weird feelings of "homesickness" (?) when I looked at the circuit structures, and in my mind that's where this whole crazy adventure started. It looks like this weekend it will rain in China again, and that might make for a very interesting race. From what I can gather, the tire wars are really kicking in, and because of the increased production of prototype race tires, even the riders aren't sure of what they'll be getting at the races! Surely, the Michelin's have contributed to the handling irregularities encountered by the Camel Yamaha's, but there must be more to the story if Rossi is testing his '05 bike at every racetrack after the races. Rossi has also been quoted as saying that getting a girlfriend is worth two seconds a lap . . . . and with the set-up problems and his showing this year (14-1-4, which admittedly is still awesome) could it be that Rossi is not quite as focused as he has been in past years? Is Rossi being seduced by Formula One, or is there someone else involved? Time will tell, but if I hear anything, I'll let you know.

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I guess another reason I was bummed last week was because for all our hard work, Kenny wasn't able to compete in Sunday's Formula Extreme race in Albacete! We tried a bunch of things to alleviate his hand, and with advice from Dean Miller (who works with Nicky Hayden, and John Hopkins, among others), Randy Mamola (who called us and talked for an hour while I drove us back to Barcelona one evening), and many more, we just weren't able to get everything "right" come race day. It was frustrating and disappointing, especially for Kenny, who has trained and prepared for this very race since late last year. You can read more about his crappy day here. We took a moment on Saturday afternoon to check out the competition, evaluate our status, and work on our tans.

On the flip side, we're more determined than ever to come back stronger than before, and while I crank stuff out on the computer, Kenny is recuperating and rehabbing in Bulgaria with his girlfriend, Iana.
I've been busy actively seeking sponsorship for the AMA rounds Kenny has lined up at Laguna Seca, Mid-Ohio, and Virginia, and so far it's been gratifying to see that several people have come onboard. While I haven't secured a title sponsor yet for the team, we will be running strong with a R1 massaged by noted tuner, Dale Lineaweaver , with support from Yamaha, Alpinestars, and Michelin. We lucked out, because Yamaha gave us the last R1 LE available, with Ohlins suspenders and slipper clutch, and we're putting together a nice package that will hopefully surprise a couple of the big dogs when we get on track. Speaking of which, we scored, because Roadracing World is taking care of the bike transport for us, so that means we won't have to bolt on some lights and a license plate and ride it cross country (just kidding).

Just think, you could have your very own team under your own easy up, in front of thousands of your friends at Laguna Seca. Not to mention they're broadcasting the AMA rounds here in Europe because it's connected with MotoGP that weekend.

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This is Kenny's team mate in Formula Extreme, Antonio Salom. His family is from the island of Mallorca, and every time I see them, they bring a giant (pizza-sized) pastry called Empanada, which is like a powdered sugar covered apple danish, or something like that. Wish I had a photo of the food, but we always scarf it down as soon as we can.

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My old boss, Luis D'antin, runs a complete team in the Spanish Championship. He uses the same hospitality rig and motorcycle transport semi trucks from the MotoGP team to get everywhere, and he has a great program running Kawasaki's. I know, you're thinking, Ducati Satellite bikes in MotoGP, and Kawi's in Formula Extreme - what's next - Vespa's in the cross country race?!? In all seriousness, this guy, Ivan Silva, is pretty quick. He finished second on the European Superstock/GSXR cup a couple weeks ago in Valencia, and here he muscles the ZX-10R around the track.

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Don't you wish your CBR handled like this?

This is De Hea, the front runner in the Spanish Championship. He's 32 years old, and has been competing since he was 15, in GP. That means he has been racing professionally for more than half his life. Obviously, he hasn't lost any style points.

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com3 said:
damn, liam, you take some bad ass pics, man! :thumbup
Click to expand...

Actually, I consider myself to be just a hobbyist photographer. There are so many other people out there with talent, not to mention skill, that when I read things like this thread I realize how much more there is for me to learn and practice. Practice makes all the difference, I think. Another cool thing is that occasionally people email me with photos from some of the AMA rounds, which is great because I follow just about everything on two wheels.

Alan Bushnell sent me these pics.

and John Furr sent me a couple shots from the Barber Museum

One day I will go to the Barber Museum. After all, I've always enjoyed museums, and I think everyone here knows what I consider to be pure art.

MH900e.JPG
 
MotoLiam said:
Actually, I consider myself to be just a hobbyist photographer. ...blah blah blah...
Click to expand...



dude, i don't care. i still think you take some bad ass pics! :thumbup
 
MotoLiam said:
Don't you wish your CBR handled like this?

This is De Hea, the front runner in the Spanish Championship. He's 32 years old, and has been competing since he was 15, in GP. That means he has been racing professionally for more than half his life. Obviously, he hasn't lost any style points.

2441676-ml718.jpg
Click to expand...
He runs #1 on the bike but has
#52 on his helmet. Is that his "permanent" number? Love the Gulf Oil colours of baby blue and orange. Perhaps my shifter kart helmet will need to be custom painted.

Great pics Liam and cheer up that yer not in China right now. :)
 
Hey Liam,

haven't Barfed for a while, so haven't been able to keep up with your thread. thought I'd make the effort today and was glad I did.

Really loved the endurance racing stuff (obviously, with me being an endurance racer),If you have more pics I'd love to see them. The trick, quick, lickety split presto changeo gizmos are awesome, I sat watching the Le Mans 24 hour on TV over here in the UK and was just sat jaw gaping at how quickly they get their shit turned around and fired out! (had to laugh when a few guys forgot to switch on their lights though, as if they haven't enough to think about!)

I'm really looking forward to the day we get more and more trick gear on our 05 Gixxer 750 endurance bike, but for now we've just had to home brew our own cheap solutions to the problems. I think it's better like that, as you appreciate what you have if it takes a while to gain all of the trick stuff. It's very satisfying to do a 30 second wheel change with home made stuff too! :)

On a more srrious note, your post about living abroad, and what it's like for the racers really touched something in me. It struck a chord with me, as I have a friend who raced with an outfit in WSS a few years back. The team wasn't fantastic (to put it mildly), but he kept plugging away, trying to make his name despite the team constantly screwing up and trying to kill him with loose bits all over the bike every meeting (If only he'd had you twirling the spanners eh laim?, er, I mean Liam ;))

The young Aussie Supersport rider was a perfect example of the fact that people rarely get to see the whole picture behind the reason riders fail to make an impact. All we heard through the media was "The guy went slow, he got the sack". Typical really, and isn't it incredible how cutthroat the world of motorcycle racing is?...not only do you have to compete in a dangerous sport for little pay, but you have to be constantly on top of your game or you're out on your arse...only yourself to blame.

Conversely, if you play football, you can hobble aboutlike a little ballet dancer if you get mildly knocked about, take weeks off "injured" and get full pay, and if the team fails to perform, then the Manager gets sacked!

Anyway, i'm rambling, take it easy,

Tim :)

P.S: I'm off to stay in the sponsors villa in Denia, which is 40 miles south of Valencia, in June, anywhere I should check out?

Also, a few of us are planning a possible trip to the final Moto round there in October (If I'm back from racing at Infineon by then)...will you be around for a party dude?
 
Otei said:
Hey Liam,

Really loved the endurance racing stuff (obviously, with me being an endurance racer),If you have more pics I'd love to see them. The trick, quick, lickety split presto changeo gizmos are awesome, I sat watching the Le Mans 24 hour on TV over here in the UK and was just sat jaw gaping at how quickly they get their shit turned around and fired out!

I'm really looking forward to the day we get more and more trick gear on our 05 Gixxer 750 endurance bike, but for now we've just had to home brew our own cheap solutions to the problems. I think it's better like that, as you appreciate what you have if it takes a while to gain all of the trick stuff. It's very satisfying to do a 30 second wheel change with home made stuff too! :)

On a more serious note, your post about living abroad, and what it's like for the racers really touched something in me. It struck a chord with me, as I have a friend who raced with an outfit in WSS a few years back. The team wasn't fantastic (to put it mildly), but he kept plugging away, trying to make his name despite the team constantly screwing up and trying to kill him with loose bits all over the bike every meeting

The young Aussie Supersport rider was a perfect example of the fact that people rarely get to see the whole picture behind the reason riders fail to make an impact. All we heard through the media was "The guy went slow, he got the sack". Typical really, and isn't it incredible how cutthroat the world of motorcycle racing is?...not only do you have to compete in a dangerous sport for little pay, but you have to be constantly on top of your game or you're out on your arse...only yourself to blame.

P.S: I'm off to stay in the sponsors villa in Denia, which is 40 miles south of Valencia, in June, anywhere I should check out?

Also, a few of us are planning a possible trip to the final Moto round there in October (If I'm back from racing at Infineon by then)...will you be around for a party dude?
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Hi Tim,

Glad to see you're still kicking about. I like the quick change stuff as much as you, and I wish I had more pics to share. Although I spent a ton of time working in the box on the bikes, I only brought my camera out once, and those are the shots I mangaged to get. There was a recent feature in a US magazine about the pit stops that happen during the Daytona 200, but I think the times quoted for a full wheel swap and re-fuelling were a bit optimistic. To see it done right, a truly efficient pit stop is beautiful - All hands working as one to get the bike back out on track! What screws this up is if the rider or bike has a problem! You may not have all the quick change stuff on your '05 GSXR, but the satisfaction of doing the best job you can is the same.

I may have said this before, but concerning some of the international teams competing at the world level, I really think there are teams in the AMA, and I'm sure in Wera or AFM, that would give some of these guys a run for the money. It's not so much the techincal ability (which might be the easiest part of the package), it's the entire operation, the ability to build an organization where everyone works together, communicates well, and above all, is structured for success. Racing, and running a team, is a constantly shifting and changing beast. Everyone needs to be able to adapt, whether it's due to a missed flight, missing parts or tools, you name it. Changing weather conditions, rider preferences, everything changes - it's the only sure thing. Sometimes I see things that make me question why some people are still in the game, why they're involved at all, and how they manage to get everything done. I am Not singling anybody out, because I have only seen a fraction of what it takes to handle something as complex as a race team, but know (from my gut) that things could be better. Everyone says that money is the root of all the problems in racing, but I'm beginning to see that it is also the primary cause as well. There can be a very dark side to the racing world (as in all businesses), and in a way, I'm a little sorry that I know as much as I do. I used to care about the racing, and I'm positive everyone else started in this game feeling that way, too, but there is so much more to the big picture. We have only begun to explore this subject, but I would prefer to concentrate on the things and experiences in life that make me feel good.

Speaking of feeling good, yesterday I was stressed out about some work so I decided that a nice meal would help. It did. And I followed it up today with a nice donut I bought from a street vendor. There is nothing like simple pleasures to remind you that life could be a lot worse.

<cue Homer Simpson voice>
Mmmmmmm, Doh-nuts . . . . .

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Yup, Still alive and kicking!

Mind you, That Donut looks like a tasty but deadly Mutant Ninja custard Turtle or somethin'...freaky yo!

I forgot to add something in my previous post actually. It was something that another poster (pardon me but I forget their name) mentioned about unsprung weight with the front end. I must confess that the set up did look a little on the lardy side of things to me too. What's it made from?..It can't have too detrimental an effect I guess, or they wouldn't be as competitive as they are. I suppose the lightweight wheels reduce some of the negative effects?

As for what you said about a fluid pit stop being athing of beauty, I could agree more. In fact, It's this that I love about the endurance racing. You get to share the entire experience with the whole team. In a sprint race, once you leave the grid, their part in the proceedings is pretty much over, i's all up to you to bring it home and deliver the goods. In endurance, they remain a crucial and integral part of the winning formula, and when they crack off a slick stop, there's a real buzz about the team, It's great to witness.

it's the entire operation, the ability to build an organization where everyone works together, communicates well, and above all, is structured for success.
Click to expand...

As we've discussed before, I think that we share the same feelings regarding the difference a whole team makes to the outcome of a race/championship. It's this (plus his world class) that wil make Gregorio Lavilla completely unbeatablr in BSB this year. Leon Haslam and his natural talent is also benefitting from the same awesome crew set up. I think they'd love someone like you in their team, someone who isn't afraid to come in as a relative novice and say "Hey, that can be done much better"..rather than just kiss ass and toe the party line.

It's funny that you should mention how things in racing are different to how you initially percieve them. Iremember when I was a kid, wanting to be a bike racer, and I watched them at the track and on TV. It all looked so graceful and effortles, and I was sure that when Igot to try it, that it would feel like one of those dreams where you are flying and all is still and quiet.

When everything feels right, it is a little like that, but my vivid memory of when I first took to the track is that it was all noise, terror and more noise :)

Jeeez, i never write emails this long to my Dad, never mind on bullitin boards! hehehe!
 
yummie cream filling ... and good size for the money too.

kids: don't try this at home ... never eat anything larger than your head.

remember, liam is a trained professional :teeth

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