Up'ing the Quest to 275

[Papi]

5/31/13 Update

Just a quick update about the happenings from this past week.

Great news! Got the officially official notification from the Records Official that we are golden. All our sign-offs are in, and it is now Officially Officially.

Bike# Disp. Class Bike Name Club Top Speed Record Points
2230B 1650CC P-P Shooting Star SDRC 195.305 191.895 228

228 points will certainly help when it comes down to starting position next week. Lets see if we can get 197 out of the mile on that beast.

I found a small issue in my custom suit, took it to Helmut and he is fixing (another post raving about him HERE)

Bike looks pretty solid overall in my inspection today. Going to go through her a little deeper this weekend with Brittany, change out the tires, adjust a few things and dial her in.

Overall a pretty happy week. Lots to do this weekend as we try to be at least 1 week ahead on Prep now. If all goes well we work on the 1000CC SC-P bike and a little tinkering on the BF bike as well.

Also just realized we now have just over a year in this racing log on teh barf with many trials and tribulations in between. I got a kick glancing over everything that has happened this past year. Cant wait to see how great this year is for us. Happy Weekend everyone!

 

[budman]

You too my fastest brother. You too.

 

[injun]

Looking forward to meeting you fellow BARFER !

 

[Papi]

6/2/13 Update

The Wizard sent down a change from above. Not sure I agree, but he's the Wizard, not me. We made the change, let see if we can own El Mirage two meets in row. That is all. Carry on.

 

[Papi]

7/5/13 UPDATE

OK, a few cool things since my last update to this log. The first one is our results from the June El Mirage meet. Wow, was it hot. Wow, did the wind suck.

My first pass (shakedown pass) in Round 1 was very respectable considering two things; I got hit with a sidewind about 10mph that blew me around a bit, and two, it was my fastest shakedown pass yet @ 185+ change. Our first passes get faster and faster, so I'm pretty please with that. But the dust from the wind really obscured the finish area, and for a fractional second created a mild white out. The rest of round 1 was much the same, constant wind hold.

Our second pass (Round 2) wasn't so lucky. The temp and DA was getting really high, making the motor struggle for air. But even with several wind holds, I decided to give it all as going to a 3rd round was unlikely. Plus, the big thing for me was seeing if we could up our new record set just last month at 195 and hit a 197, or even better, pounce the deuce in the dirty mile! My start felt really great. I had a second to third shifting issue, but recovered from that quickly and turned on the gas as hard and fast as possible. Then about the 1/2 mile mark I got hit with a 15mph sidewind which forced me to lean into wind and not hit a course pylon. I estimate I was at about 190 at this point. Just as I got my head wrapped around that, entering the 3/4 mile I was hit dead on with a 20mph headwind. It was like being hit with a big soft pillow and man did it scrub my speed fast. The burst from the headwind was hard like diving the front brakes, and it lurched me forward towards the bars. That shook me up a bit, but I stayed in it. My guess is that I lost easily 10mph off my speed, maybe even more with the two wind events. I blew through the lights at just over 186, so it was pretty frustrating.

When the chase crew got to me, a couple more vehicles ran, then another wind hold was put into effect. Within just 5 minutes of that, a complete whiteout and winds over 40mph blanketed the end of the course. That pretty much means day over.

The great news is the bike is still performing exceptionally well. We also made the Top25 in points and now are at #15. I'm super stoked at that.

Then, on July 4th, I was sent the most fantastic news I have had in months. Our little team made the front cover of the SCTA Racing News. I cant tell you how gratifying this is. Being put on the cover is so cool, words cant explain how happy this made me. Better than any prize or trophy, it is really a very special moment for me personally, and an awesome testament to our team of volunteers in general who gave up their personal lives to get us here. Again, as I always say, without the dedication of our volunteer crew, we would not have made it this far. Each crew member rocks, and I dedicate this accomplishment and front cover to them. Thank you with all my heart for your dedication Crew, you guys rock!

PS, note the balloon direction, this is what killed our possible 3rd record.

Now we get ready for the July meet, then off to SpeedWeek in August. So far we still only have the production bike tech'd and ready, but I hope to have Willie's 1000cc SC bike ready for SpeedWeek as well. Blown Fuel bike is in the plenum/cooler/tail/exhaust stages. No SW for Blown Fuel, sadly. Maybe World Finals.

 

[Papi]

7/7/13 Update

Sunday AM @ Papi's Shop before race prep ....

That is all.


.

 

[Cereal KLR]

Is the July 14th event one or two days?

 

[Papi]

Is the July 14th event one or two days?

One day this weekend only on Sunday, tech on Sat.
And this time I'm ready, 1 week early for once. The Production bike is prepped and ready to run.
Now working on the sidecar bike for SW.

.

 

[budman]

Cool. I will make sure to add the mag cover to the barf book too.

 

[Papi]

Cool. I will make sure to add the mag cover to the barf book too.

Wow, thank you man. I'm honored.

 

[Cereal KLR]

Good luck and happy hat hunting Sunday Papi.

I had put in for Friday off thinking it was a two dayer, can`t do Sunday

 

[Papi]

Friday Before the Race ProTip

One question I get a lot is about "shake down" passes. Why do we do them, why waste a 1st Round doing it?

Well, in between races the bike gets worked on. Unlike Drag Racing where we can get test and tune time on the track before a venue, in Top Speed that doesnt really exist. There is no place in NorCal I can go for 2 miles at near 200MPH that is flat, controlled, safe and has facilities for that. So the first time I actually stress the bike is during my first pass, hence a "shake down" run. It's called Shake Down because way back in the day, if parts got dropped into the interior of the vehicle, or bolts weren't tightened enough, they would shake down to the ground or eventually fall off the vehicle.

For me, it's more about seeing and feeling the bike after a month, is the track smooth, how do I feel, did anything fly off? etc. I used to really temper my speed on these first passes, say between 150 to 175, but recently, I think mainly based on comfort and familiarity with my bike, I have gradually increased my shakedown passes to be in the low - mid 180's.

Again, my chief concern is safety. Safety for myself, the crew, racing officials or some family on the sidelines. These bikes become projectile missiles at top speed, and the last thing we want is a bike that feels wonky during shakedown going full bore. While I make this first pass, I am extremely in tune with the bike, the course and surroundings, how I feel, and mainly "does it feel right" for the all out Second Pass after.

So, while I may blow my one and only chance at a short venue event like El Mirage or the Mojave Mile (that may have only 1 or 2 rounds) to make only one pass, at least it was done with extreme safety in mind. And thats the value of the 1st Round Shakedown Pass.

As we get ready today to drive down there, I am replaying in my head the last event, stuff we did on the bike, parts fixed, bolts tightened, my mental health, crew happiness and the zillion other things before I suit and saddle up on Sunday. The most important being I come home on Sunday after the race in one piece.

.

 

[Papi]

7/12/13 Update

Rig is all packed, fueled and ready to roll out to El Mirage @ 0400AM to make Tech Inspection by noon. Gonna try a new route there through the upper Mojave (58) to 395 this time. Going through Lancaster and Palmdale getting old, so something new this time.

Weather shows high temps, low humidity and the DA through the roof. So since we are still in the Top25, we get an early start in the AM and the best air of the day at least. Hopefully no wind, except a tail wind of course!

Fingers crossed we up the record a bit and come home safe on Sunday to start prepping all over again for SpeedWeek @ Bonneville next month.

 

[budman]

Go fast Papi... and smile!

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

UPDATE:

Someone did something pretty damn awesome this morning... set a new record on his first pass!!! 195.436mph and 3 times record holder in 1650PP!!!

Big congrats, Papi!! Awesome job from you and the Wizard getting the bike to run so fantastic!! arty

 

[NorCalAthlete]

arty Congratulations Papi.

 

[Diezel]

Fuck that is fast. Congrats Papi!!!!

 

[Tydive]

Way to go fast Papi!

 

[Papi]

7/15/13 Update

Thank you Connie and everyone texting with me right after. Wow, what a surprise to do that in Round 1. Not only was it our fastest first pass ever, but our first record on a first pass. And honestly, the bike was so smooth, I really thought my shakedown was in the 180's. I know my BP and Aero wasn't perfect, but the shifting, rev and everything else was awesome.

El Mirage was brutally hot this weekend. Temps and DA were just silly, but we had the 16th starting position, and IMO, got the best air of the day first thing in the morning.

Like Connie said, we are now the 3x Production Bike 1650CC Champs 4 years in row with now a 195.436MPH in the Dirt Mile!. Kinda fun to say I have the fastest production dirt bike, lol. I am super proud of our work in production, but now it's time to work on blown fuel for next year. We have a lot of work ahead on that other bike to get to 275 next year.

Our crew, our volunteers and everyone involved over the past 4 years gets a big pat on the back and a whole hearted thank you for getting us here.

Thank you especially to my Wife who runs a crew with laser precision, Brittany who did a kick ass job in prep and set up @ the venue, Jeff @ Viets Performance-Bridgestone for the best rubber ever, Fremont Kawasaki and Kevin/Eddie for keeping our never ending supply of factory parts flowing, The Wizard, Pat @ Grants Garage and the awesome support from barfers and friends who keep me going with moral support when I want to just give up sometimes. All of you, this is your record too.

We are now in SpeedWeek mode, and getting ready to get the 1650 Production Record there and a red hat. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for us please, it's gonna be tough up there.

Attached are a couple memento's of the day... and please support those who make Top Speed a reality for us.

 

[budman]

So damn awesome!!
Sincere congrats to you. In the moment stuff for sure.
Cherish it.

I need an autographed picture.

I can't have you break 200 without a barf sticker on the bike so .....

Rocking it.