A Special Cut, Barber Motorsports Park.

As Team Xcedrin, (Mike Mellen, Craig Pennington, Jack Deck and George Benes) slaves away at work on their departure date, Wednesday August 9^th for our first ever trip to Barber Motorsports Park, time seems to move very slowly. This is no different for us before a race or track day. The hours pass slowly and work just seems to pile up. We all fight though the work and get out at a decent hour to meet at Craig’s house. Jack arrives at Craig’s place as George stops by Mike shop to encourage Mike to get out early and to help persuade his boss into letting Mike leave early. About 30 minutes later Mike and George arrive at Craig’s’ place and the team loads the remaining gear and food into the camper and prepare to depart. The weekend before the team got together to prep all the bikes and load as much as we could in Jack's camper/trailer. As we are loading up there is some bad news from Craig. Someone else is off at work and he can’t make the trip. Craig was going to be our support staff for the weekend and share the driving duties and just plain good company. Plus we might be able to hook him into racing with us someday, which actually would not be hard to do.

As the journey begins we make a quick stop back at Mike’s shop to pickup some tools. We note that Jack’s CR50 is leaking oil onto the bed of the truck. While Mike gathers up the tools, Jack cleans up the oil and George inspects the bike. Mike comes long and we discover the right side case has scratches on it. Since the bike was leaning on that side the oil was draining out onto the truck bed. We store the bike in Mike’s shop and head out. We are not off to a great start, which is a continuing theme for the trip.

We head west on the Turnpike towards Harrisburg and the trip computer indicates we’ll make it Carlisle with the remaining fuel in the tank. We discuss the track, strategy for the Team Challenge and who else will be at Barber. As we approach Harrisburg a quick check of the DTE show we’d better find some Diesel, quick. Off at the first exit and we find a BP that is closed for renovations and a Shell that has no diesel. George jumps out to ask for advice for closest diesel pump. We are told the next exit north has the blend of fuel we need and we head off. As we arrive at the station, with the DTE reading in the single digits. Jack fuels up the truck, Mike and George hit the store for some snacks and drinks. As Mike and George visit the restroom they notice 2 police cars idling in the parking lot, but no officers in sight. As the bathroom key is returned, the clerk asked if the cops are still around. She seemed to think the police were scoping out the bank next store determining if it was being robbed or not. We grab our stuff and get out of Dodge, in the Dodge, as fast as we can. We run along, exit at Carlisle and take 81south with Leeds Alabama or as close as we can as our destination.

Along the trip we call others to see how they are progressing along. Mike calls Robert E Lee, (that is his name), a TPM coach from years ago, fellow racer and all around good guy. It’s kind of a tradition that Mike calls Robert on the trips south. Robert is sitting out the Barber races so we'll have to meet up with him on another adventure. A quick call to Gary Cain, fellow TPM coach, racer, good guy and who we pitted with us at Daytona, finds him and Shay Marlin, another TPM coach, finishing loading up and almost ready to roll. Gary reports that other TPM coach Jeremy Turner and TPM member Dave Z left early this morning and likely are at Barber by now. As daylight changes to night we make our way past Summit Point and other points of non-interest, if it's not a track it's really not of any interest right now. Entertainment along the way consists of Cd's and DVD’s to pass the time. Jack continues to drive as Mike and George watch American Pie 1. As Jack and George switch driving duties, Mike continues with American Pie 2, (the unrated box set was on sale.) George listens in along with the movie as Jack catches a few winks in the back. The DVD’s provides the needed entertainment to pass a few hours and miles. After another few hours it’s Mike turn at the wheel. A quick driver switch on the side of the road and we are on our way again. The moon is bright enough that we can run without headlights, yes we did try it. Jack awakens and mid travel Jack and George switch seats and George catches some shut eye time. As the night progresses we stop at about 5am, 1 hour or so north of Leeds Alabama, the home for Barber Motorsports Park. The Days Inn provides a good night or morning sleep for all of us.

As noon approaches on Thursday, actually it is 11am as we are now in central time zone. It’s always cool to be in a different time zone. Yeah we are kids inside. We top off the tank, grab some food and drinks and head out for the final leg of the journey. As we get closer to Birmingham we know Barber is close, like a dog sniffing for a bone, we can almost smell the track pavement. When the signs for Barber Motorsports Park appear we know we are close. We exit the highway and within a matter of minutes we arrive at the entrance to the track. We wind up the access road we then spot the museum and the track behind it. We find a parking spot at the museum and we shuffle out of the truck and head to museum. We have arrived.

As we enter the building we find a few bikes on display in the lobby that provide a small taste of things to come. Jack buys our weekend passes (thanks Jack) and we head in. The museum opens into what is best described as a toy store for motorcyclists. Every bike you can imagine is in here and we are torn as to where to start. Just as we figure out where to begin we spot a familiar face, Mike Himmelsbach. As we chat with Mike, Rob Lombardi shows up, we tend to cross paths with Rob often and it’s always great to see him, especially now that he’s a TV star. We catch up on things with Mike and Rob and head off to take in the sights. Along the way we meet up with Gary and Shay too. As we progress though the collection of bikes we find that Mike has an extensive knowledge of bikes and the history behind them. Mike quotes magazine articles and books about many of the bikes on display. We see bikes from our past and talk about our experiences with these bikes. The museum staff members are always walking around to answer all our questions and offer some facts. We did find out that there are 1030 bikes on display with another 20 bikes and cars in storage or being restored and the collection is growing as more people donate bikes. There are a handful of cars here too, mostly formula cars, F1 and Indy cars along with smaller Formula Jr, F2 and F3 cars.

We head to the back section of the museum and find the huge floor to ceiling windows that face the track. From the windows here we can see the top of the Alabama Coaster, the Museum turn and the essess that follow. As we stand there Rob and Mike come along so we ask questions about the track. Mike and Rob offer their insight to the track, which is greatly appreciated and we realize that we are in for an experience that will not be forgotten. As we approach closing time we hustle to see as much as we can. At this time a huge storm has rolled in and is now pouring outside with major lighting and thunder. The museum closes at 6pm but with the weather they are in no hurry to push us out, a nice touch on their part. CCS registration opens at 6:30 pm. We talk with one of the staff members, Mark, and he gives us some advice on the line through the hairpin turn and about local steak places. At about 6:45pm we make a dash to the truck for umbrellas, then head up to registration. For all those who complain about track day registration/tech, try a CCS event. 6:45pm we get in line, a line clearly marked “pre-registered only”. We are about 10^th in line with 2 or 3 boneheads that are not pre-registered in front of us. 1 hour and 30 minutes later we are done and that is only registration. In the mean time most others, who brought an extra person along, have sent them along to get a paddock spot and now we are going to have to pick from what ever spots are left.

As we make our way towards the paddock we notice more of the track and the grounds surrounding the track. With sculptures positioned throughout the track, like a giant spider and the grass cut to resemble a web. The grass is neatly cut and the gravel traps around the track make it look more like a golf course then a race track. The attention to detail is a cut above most tracks. Once we enter the paddock we spot Gary Cain and lucky for us he saved a spot for us. Gary had to fend off more then his share of people to hold these spots and we thank him for that. We get the trailer backed in and find ourselves pitted with Gary, Jeremy Turner, Dave Z, Shay, and Brett, with Dafan and Nate Panek due in later. Dave Z was nice enough to lend us his 30 amp extension cord and we split the cost of the electric box with the people on the other side of us. The paddock is like no other we have seen. There are set in tiered levels. Each tier is about 50 yards wide with parking on both sides and the access road down the middle. This is nice because you can walk across your tier and see the track. Most paddocks you’d have to walk pretty far just to get a view of the track. Once we get unloaded we take the time to notice the huge main building that will become the central point for all activities this weekend. This is a massive building that holds timing and scoring, multiple viewing levels, one inside with AC and TV’s. The lowest open section is where tech, grid sheet, timing sheets and results are posted. We get the pit all setup and head out for fuel and food. We hit the next town west of the track and stop at the Ruby Tuesdays for dinner and then off the Giant to top off our supplies. With the trailer fully stocked and our stomachs full we head back to the gas station outside the track. Jack fill his gas can with 93 and Mike and George top off our gas cans with the usual “87 octane”, the saying “Why change now!” rings loud and clear. We head back to the paddock for some rest. As we hit the gate we are asked for our camping pass. In the aggravation of registration we forgot to get our camping pass. The track staff was nice enough to let us stay the night and pay the next day.

Friday we awoke to a beehive of activity. It’s 5:30am and tech opens at 6:00. George realized the night before he transposed the Team Challenge bike numbers and corrected it as the sun is coming up. We get all paperwork ready, suit up in full gear and head down to tech. CCS is brutal, no number on the helmet, you fail, go back and fix it and head to the back of the line. There is no tape at tech or even if there was there are no markers to write with. Some riders are sent back to do this. Others fail for other reasons, Jack being one of them. Apparently Jack needs an after market left side cover. Again for those who complain about track day tech, here if you fail and don’t have the part, you go home no questions asked. Realize its 6:30 am on the first of a 3 day event. How many vendors do you think are at the track and what are the odds of them having the cover Jack needs. Jack walks around to find a vendor and Mike and George head to tech with the Team Challenge bike and Mike’s bike. Both pass tech and we head up to see if Jack made any progress. No luck, no vendors are open. Mike heads down to tech to see if the team challenge bike can be used by Jack for practice. Mike comes back with good news. Jack can use the bike for practice and to race if needed. Which is great because by now it 7:30 and Jack’s first practice is at 8 am. Mike takes the bike down to tech and gets the appropriate sticker. Rough starts are starting to become a theme. Mike and George are the next session after Jack. As the first call is made for Jack practice group and Mike and George prepare for the first laps at Barber. First call for odd numbers bikes and Mike and George ride down to get their first taste of Barber.

A lap at Barber, by George. As you exit pit road enter the track you realize this is not an ordinary track. First of all the track is 3 times as wide as VIR which we thought was wide. Turn 2 is very long right, all other long turns we have ever done are nothing compared to this. The turn starts as an uphill turn then drops downhill and off camber at the exit. Next you rise over a hill with the only thing in sight is the famous Barber scoring tower ahead of you. As you go over the hill, which Rob Lombardi refers to this as “Highside Hill”, you focus your attention to rear wheel traction and a slight pause as you dial up the throttle, just in case the rear gets light over the hill. After the crest of the hill you dive down into a hairpin left turn to an uphill exit heading to a slight kink to the left. As you drift wide at the exit you do your best imitation of a giraffe to see over the hill, later we'll tuck in behind the bubble for max speed. After clearing the hill, and the track levels off to the entrance to the top of the Alabama coaster. This is all downhill with a quick right/left/right combination. The first left known as “The Jump”. The AMA and expert racers basically jump the curb, not turning left at all and flick it into the Museum turn at the bottom of the hill. We on the other hand don’t do “The Jump”, and opt for keeping both wheels on the ground, most times (read Saturday Race #7 notes below). The museum turn is a slow turn that is slightly banked with the apex at the bottom of the Alabama coaster. From the top of the Alabama coaster to the bottom is about a 30 foot drop in a very short distance. The first time through this section is intimidating but later on becomes fun. As you exit the museum turn the track opens to a straight then on to a set of essess followed by straight and other set of essess. The second set of essess drops off and exits to an uphill right at the exit. Over another hill and down the other side and into another very long right turn. This one is another double apex, like turn 2, but with a decreasing radius at the second apex. You have to clip the first apex then drift out and for some bang a downshift while leaned over, and lean it in harder for the second apex. Your knee is on the deck most of the turn and like turn 2 at times you feel the heat from the friction come through the leathers and onto your knee. The heat catches you off guard but later you get used to it. As you exit you pop the bike up for a quick left that leads onto the front straight. Throttle pinned as you ride out to the curb at the exit and tuck in for max speed. Cross the start/finish line and brake hard for turn one and flick it left and head back to turn 2 again. Find your reference point, slam you knee on the ground and twist you head looking for the apex and then the exit. That’s a lap around Barber and something you’ll never forget. Repeat as many times as necessary.

During Jack’s first practice session Mike found a vendor, now open, that has the Jack’s case cover. Mike and George get ready for their session and we opt to wait until later to repair Jack’s bike. Craig we needed you. After Mike and George get off the track they all get together and talk about the track. Entry and exit points, gears, throttle up spots and the track in general. We talk about reference points that we used both on the track and off the track in the hopes of learning from each other. Next Mike and George gather up the tools and other equipment needed to tackle Jack bike. By the way the numbers on the front of Jack’s bike were too small, too low and on both sides. This is another reason Jack's bike failed tech. Luckily Mike brought along extra numbers just in case. While Mike was hunting down the case cover George had removed the old numbers and applied the new numbers. Mike and George get to work on the case cover and with a few alterations Jacks bike is ready. Slap the body work on and send Jack off the tech. This time Jack passed with flying colors.

The second round of practice begins and with the team bike legal for practice too George takes advantage of this and gets some seat time on the team bike. Mike will later take the team bike out in the team challenge practice. Our second round of practice goes well and we are starting to get the hang of the track. With all the blind turns and elevation changes makes for a difficult task.

We assemble for the riders meeting, which is during the lunch brake. We get our rules for the day and are sent back to finish up lunch and prepare for the team challenge race. Our strategy is to start the race with Jack, then Mike, and have George finish the race. The bike is topped off with gas and tire pressures are re-checked. We get our grid position, 6B which are posted a few minutes after the meeting. George noted before team race that Mike is listed in a few Middleweight races today. Mike addresses the mistake at lunch with the CCS officials and got it corrected. When Mike returns we gather up the tools, gas cans, fire bottles, drinks and the popup. Jack takes the bike to pre-grid and Mike takes the gear down to get a pit stall. George gets suited up and heads down to meet up with Mike.

Just as the race is about to start the dark clouds roll in and a slight drizzle starts. The race is claimed “a wet race” which means the teams are given time to change to rain tires, if your team elects to. With the heat and humid conditions the track seems to stays mostly dry. We decide to leave the bike as is, with slicks on, and take our chances. The race finally starts with the drizzle still coming down. Jack is off to a good start and holding his own very well. Lombardi and Dafan (both doing the race solo) are behind Jack but not closing fast. Mike and George watch the action from the pit wall. Rob and Dafan are used to determine Jack’s progress. Jack has settled into a nice groove and continues on this pace. Rob does pass Jack as the rain lets up and slowly pulls away. The sun starts to come out and Dafan passes Jack but Jack will have no part of that and passes Dafan back. As the race progresses Mike and George try to determine when and if Jack will come in. The plan is the rider will wave as he passes the pits and the next lap they come in. After about an hour, we get the wave from Jack. Mike hustles to suit up. George readies the gas can and Nate Panek, who is running the race solo and is in for a rest, grabs the fire bottle. Jack comes in and we start the pit stop. Gas is going in and Mike jumps on the bike and sets off to re-enter the race. Mike gets to turn 3 and red flag comes out. Back to the pits and we wait for the track to get cleaned up and attend to the rider. A 250 rider crashed on the entry to the hairpin splitting his bike in 2 pieces and needed medical assistance. The race is stopped for about 15 minutes during which we get our new grid position. Everyone is on the gird and the race restarts. Mike sets sail and is doing well. About the time Mike is due in he spots Gary Cain ahead of him Gary. Jack and George notice this too and realize Mike is not coming in until he passes Gary. A few laps later Mike is past Gary. 2 laps later Mike flies by with 2 fingers out. Jack grabs the gas can. George gets ready for his time at the helm and grabs the fire bottle. Mike passes by and before we know it Mike is coming down pit road. The bike stops, cap is opened and Jack starts pouring as George hold the fire bottle. Mike yells “good” and takes the fire bottle from George as he climbs aboard, fires the bike up and heads off into the race. 7 laps later the white flag is out. George realizes all he has to do is complete this lap and the team will have completed their first team race. George crosses the finish line and the race is over adding another chapter in the book for Team Xcedrin. Results show the team finished 6^th in class and 13^th overall. Not bad for a 1999 Honda F4 on a track we had 3 practice sessions on and our first ever team race.

After the race we all get our grid positions for the GTU race. Besides this race we all entered the heavyweight races because at Daytona these classes were smaller and we’d figure on a tight track like Barber we’d have a better shot at a higher finishing position. Sounds like a great move but would later prove incorrect. This might be a tight track but with the long turns the power of the bigger bikes came into play. Running down 750’s and larger bikes on this track proved to be difficult. Oh well live and learn. Our intent, like Daytona, was just to compete amongst ourselves for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd and ride a track we’d otherwise never be able to ride.

The GTU race is called to the grid and we head down on the first call. I guess you can say we were eager to get on the track. We all pre grid and head out for our warm up lap and get to our grid positions. The start is a 2 wave start with experts in the first wave and yellow plated warriors in the second wave. The experts get the green and we await our green flag. The 1 board is up, then sideway then the green drops. The familiar sound of a beehive that just got whacked with a stick rings in the air. Typical starts are fights for every inch of pavement and this is no different. The other feat is each riders tries to do is fill open piece of track in front of them. As we make our way though turn 1 and 2 the pack thins out and we set off for our 25 minute race. The race progress along but for some reason the race seemed shorted, probably time, so the white flag comes out early followed by the checked, as usual. Our first race is now over and amongst the Team Xcedrin members; George is first followed by Mike, then Jack.

The bikes are parked and we change out of our gear. It's like 900 degrees out with very high humidity so the AC in the camper and getting our gear off is refreshing. With only a few races left in the day we wander about and talk with Gary, Dave and Jeremy about the races and fire up the grill for some dinner. With dinner completed and all of us well relaxed Mike makes the call to run the Team Challenge bike in the remaining races. Mike was popping off better lap times on this bike during the team race vs the GTU on his bike, so it makes the call pretty easy to make. We reconfigure the numbers; luckily we can reuse 2 of the numbers and the rest we make out of electrical tape and numbers from Mike’s bike. In the interest of fairness Mike switches tires from the slicks on the team bike to the Supercorsas that Jack and George are running. Later after the sun goes down and it cools off a bit we hit the showers and take a walk to explore the grounds. Even with the little bit of track we got, compared to the many miles we do on a track day, we are beat and call it a night.

In the early morning hours, about 3 am, a storm rolls through with major lighting and thunder that rocks the area. About 5 am George looks out the window and notices the one canopy is retaining water, enough water to create 2 huge bellies in the popup. Quickly George heads out to see what can be done, awakening Jack on the way out the camper door. Trying to move water is like, to quote Speed TV Dave Dispain, “is like trying to herd cats”, it's not going happen. Jack is soon outside and with his help the water is dumped from the canopy and all is well. About 7 am George repeats the same thing and checks the other canopies. By 8am the rain is still falling and we opt to stay in for our practice sessions. We mill about as other racers arrive and prepare for the day. Gary was kind enough to bring along another set of rims form his old bike for George. As the rain falls George gathers up the rims and the rain tires and heads to the Pirelli trailer to get them mounted. The Pirelli guys are quick to mount the tires and just as they are done Gary happens by with a truck and provides transportation back to the paddock spot. George calls home to get his wife to check the weather. There are 2 storms combining and it looks like rain for a while. George pulls the dry tires off and Mike puts the rain in his bike and with Supercorsas on the Team bike. Mike is ready no matter what the weather hold for us. The riders meeting is completed the sky look the same with the rain letting up slightly. We talk with fellow racers and from the reports the rain is going to continue. George swaps to rains and the team takes Jack wheels off and Jack heads off to the Pirelli tent to swaps to rains too. Another call to Michele reviles that the storm is breaking up and the sun will be out soon. The track seems to be drying along with the paddock. We opt to go back to dry tires. We all hustle to get Jack’s tires off and send him back to the Pirelli guys. George and Mike swap the tires on the George’s bike, back to Supercorsas for a dry track. Normally this would be a quick swap but George has only has one set of front rotors and one rear rotor, so there is added time to complete the swap. Just as Mike and George compete the work on the George’s bike Jack is back. We hustle to get Jack’s bike done and we have a few minutes to rest and get our grid positions for the race. Once again the theme is a rough start but it gets better.

Race #7 is our first race. The race starts and we all survive Turn 1 and the first lap. Jack passes George and leads the way with Mike close behind. As we approach the Museum turn George tries to pass Jack on the inside at the Jump. Jack slams the door and George is hard on the binders. Georges tire go high into the air as he misses Jack by an inch if not less. Luck was on our side this time. We are all at full tilt and soon the white flag is out. In the last turn George makes his move on Jack. At the line it’s Jack by a matter of inches over George with Mike close behind. We all head in to the paddock to talk about the race. We are finding that the heavyweight class my not have been a good idea. The normal heavyweight bikes, 750 and 1000 twins are using their power to rocket off the long turns and gap us and the other 600’s in the Heavyweight class. The concept was there but our lack of track knowledge was missing. Lesson learned.

As we await our next race #11 we start suiting up during the calls for Race 10. As we sit in the trailer Jack hears third call for race #11 and we take off and head down the pre grid for the race. As we do the warm up lap we notice Gary, Jeremy, Dave Z and others from our previous races and we move to our grid positions. As we all take our grid positions and the row that George and Jack are in has 5 bikes in it and Mike's row has an additional bike in it too. The grid marshal hold up his clip board, signally we are ready we ready to start the race, oh well we guess all is well. Off into turn is the normal cluster of bikes and after a few laps the pack thins out. On the last lap the race the red flag comes out for a downed rider that tossed it away under braking at the entry of the Alabama coaster. Scoring under a red flag reverts to the previous lap. As we make our way down pit road. George is called side by the CCS officials, then Mike then Jack area called over too. Now we are in trouble. We find out we were in the wrong race, hence extra riders in our rows. We talk with the officials and we are fined $75. We have the option of not doing our race and not paying the fine or paying the fine and still do the race we signed up for. Jack opts to not ride the next race and therefore not pay the $75 fine. George and Mike decide to race in their race and pay the fine. Mike and George shoot over to the pre-grid and to be let out. Lucky for Mike and George and not so lucky for downed rider, but the clean up takes a few minutes and they get a quick rest. While waiting George says to Mike “Are you warmed up now?” Mike laughs and says “Sure.”

Mike and George grid up for race 11, the correct race, this time. The green flag waves and we all rush for turn 1. Scanning the traffic ahead for any indication of trouble we all safely make it though turn 1 and 2. The race progresses as George and Mike make their way though the field and finish the race. George finishes ahead of Mike in this race, with Jack watching from the tower. A bit tired and in need of a drink Mike and George head to the paddock and laugh about the mistake as Jack comes long. Mike, Jack and George head over to officials to determine their fate with doing the wrong race. As we all enter the nicely air conditioned CCS officials area and we find our $75 fines awaiting all three of us. Fines can be paid in cash here or by credit out at registration. Jack heads off to find the official to negotiate his option to not pay as Mike and George head to the air conditioned spectator area to cool off and watch some races as they await Jack's return. Jack is spotted at the side window so Mike and George head over and to see how things went. All is well with Jack and the CCS officials, he has no fine. The team head back to the paddock to jump in the truck and head out to registration for Mike and George to pay their fine. As they approach the registration building there is no one there, which is nice considering Thursday’s slow process. Fines are paid and the team heads out for some dinner. We point the truck towards Ruby Tuesday to get Jack credit card that was left there the other night. We have another great dinner, when your hungry any dinner is great. The waitress makes note of our wrist band and asks if were watching the races. We state we are racing and it seems to make an impression on her. I guess 3 mature looking guys don’t fit the image of racers, which make it even funnier. With our egos well intact we leave we make a quick stop for some gas and some ice cream and we head back to the track. Camping pass in tack we breeze through the gate and onto the paddock. We get our showers and recharge our selves with some snacks and watch the remaining DVD in the American Pie trilogy, American Wedding. As the movie end and we hit the lights and get some rest.

Sunday arrives and we ready for our last practice session. Jack does his session and Mike and George enter the track together and run the session nose to tail. The session ends and we await our races. Today we have races #4 and then race #12, with longer ASRA races in between. Race #4 starts the same as all others, no problems ahead of us. The race is fun and we all finish on 2 wheels and smiles. George leads Jack followed by Mike. As we await race #12 we cook up some food and watch the ASRA races. We head over to the museum to pick up some gifts for the family and ourselves. As we make our way back we stop at one of the viewing area on the back section of the track to watch a race. All of the spectator areas are on the hills to help you see as much of the track as you can. Barber has the no grandstand policy because Mr. Barber wanted the track to be like tracks across the pond. Another attention to detail that makes Barber a cut above most tracks. As we find our vantage point we note a fellow TPM shirted racer close by. We talk and hang out with him for the race. After the race we head back to prepare for our final race. We tend to get ready early and wait around for what felt like hours and on the first call we head down for our race. We tell each other it’s 6 laps and keep it safe and sane and we can go home just the way we came, ourselves and bikes intact.

Race 12 starts with the usual mad dash to turn one and all of us survive without an incident, the wide track helps. George takes the early lead of the 3 members of Team Xcedrin. Jack passes George but George gets Jack back. The race finishes and with George, then Jack, then Mike all 3 of us upright and on 2 wheels. A wave to all of the corner workers on the cool down lap to show our thanks and appreciation and our mission is complete. We make our way to the paddock to load up prepare to head out. After we are loaded we hit the showers and Jack heads for the photographer for our CD and George heads down to get the final results for the weekend races. Jack got our lap times for the weekend earlier. Quick goodbyes to all that are left and we hit the road for the journey home.

The trip home always seems longer and we stop for dinner at an Outback Steakhouse, which we always seem to eat at on our many adventures. We put a few more miles under our belt before stopping overnight for some sleep. Morning comes early and the trip home is a review of the weekend and plans for the next big adventure in 2007. We finish the trip from where we started, Craig place. Craig happens to be there, after working most of the hours of the weekend and is ready to head back to work. Another chapter can be added to our book with more stories to tell the grandkids, and whoever else will listen, in our older years while we sit in our rocking chairs talking about the old days.

At least the stories will be of what we did vs what we wanted to do.

Barber standings amongst Team Xcedrin

George with 5 - 1^st 1 – 2^nd

Jack with 1 - 1^st 2 - 2^nd and 2 - 3^rd

Mike with 3 -2^nd and 3 – 3^rd

Overall Team Xcedrin standings

George 8 – 1^st and 4 – 2^nd

Mike 3 – 1^st 6 – 2^nd and 3 – 3^rd

Jack with 1 - 1^st 2 - 2^nd and 2 - 3^rd

Best lap Barber Laptimes:

George 1:42.011

Jack 1:43.159

Mike 1:43:280

Overall Mid Atlantic standings

George 120^th with 110 points

Mike 152^nd with 89 points

Jack 250^th with 41 points

Official Results:

Friday:

GTU Team Challenge

Pos Laps Number Bike Size Name

1 54 112 SUZ 600 CITY GARAGE SCOTT HARTER, ST LOUIS, MO. Scott Harter,Paul Hopkins

2 54 151 HON 600 LITHIUM MOTORSPORTS MARK SCHNETTLER, SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI. Mark Schnettler,Tony Kasper

3 53 636 KAW 636 FLC3 RACHEL SASSES, STERLING, VA. Jason Gibbens,Kevin Tate

4 52 13 YAM 600 FRED N RICH RACING RICH DEROUSSE, NEW BADEN, IL.

5 52 707 HON 600 STEELCITY RACING KRISHNA PRIBADI, ANNISTON, AL. Krishna Pribadi,Chris Doktor

6 49 918 HON 600 TEAM XCEDRIN JACK DECK, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ. Jack Deck,George Benes,Mike Mellen

7 48 999 YAM 600 TEAM MS RACING GARY CAIN, FREEHOLD, NJ. Gary Cain,Brett Garrettson,David Zylberberg

8 15 716 SUZ 600 SUPERJOHNAFRAGILISTI C. JOHN MARABL, ATLANTA, GA. John Marable,Donnie Hendry

9 1 4 KAW 636 FAST LANE RACING GTU RICK BEGGS, BRISTOW, VA. Rick Beggs,Robert Wilkey,Kevin Tate,Trey

Akropovic GTU Amateur

Pos Laps Number Bike Size Name

1 9 119 KAW 636 ROBERT WILKEY, FAIRFAX STATION, VA. Fast Lane Cycles,Repsol,Dunlop,Graves,LP

2 9 779 YAM 600 BRET GARRETSON, ORRTANNA, PA. Lockhart-Phillips,Dunlop,HotBodies,Vorte

3 9 853 DUC 749 GARRETT RICK, NAPLES, FL.

4 9 332 YAM 600 DAVID JACKSON, KENNESAW, GA.

5 9 720 YAM 600 JEREMY TURNER, BRANCHVILLE, NJ. Turner Landscape, WFORacing.net,Michelin

6 9 818 HON 600 GREG BORDELEAU, HICKORY, NC.

7 8 20 HON 250 JIM BERGEY, TORONTO, ON.

8 8 187 HON 600 STEVE KENNEDY, CHESAPEAKE, VA. www.SalvageDirect.com,Redline Performanc

9 8 199 HON 250 MIKE ABOYOUN, WAYNE, NJ.

10 8 929 YAM 600 GEORGE BENES, EASTON, PA. Team Pro-Motion

11 8 999 UNK UNK GARY CAIN, FREEHOLD, NJ. Titan Metal Products,Team ProMotion.com,

12 8 221 HON 600 DEREK ALBAND, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.

13 8 136 YAM 600 JEFFERY WEIL, WHITEHALL, PA. MartinMoto.com,Pirelli,EBC,Silkolene

14 8 147 SUZ 600 JARED EGGE, NORFOLK, VA. LP Racing

15 8 235 YAM 600 WARREN DUBOSE, MARIETTA, GA.

16 8 167 HON 600 MICHAEL MELLEN, QUARRYVILLE, PA. Team Pro-Motion

17 8 322 KAW 636 BRIAN SMITH, GRASONVILLE, MD. B&E Motorsports,Christian Sportbike Raci ng,Vortex,Amsoil

18 7 324 YAM 600 JOHN DECK, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ.

19 7 317 HON 600 JEROD KIZER, DANA, IN. Lockhart-Phillips,Vortex,Parts 411

20 7 815 SUZ 600 EDMOND DEMATTIA, CENTREVILLE, MD. Lockhart Phillips,Michelin,Vortex,EBC,B& E Motorsports

Saturday:

Amateur Heavyweight Superbike Race 7

Pos Laps Number Bike Size Name

1 6 119 KAW 636 ROBERT WILKEY, FAIRFAX STATION, VA. Fast Lane Cycles,Repsol,Dunlop,Graves,LP

2 6 779 YAM 600 BRET GARRETSON, ORRTANNA, PA. Lockhart-Phillips,Dunlop,HotBodies,Vorte

3 6 307 YAM 600 THOMAS MOORE, SELMA, NC. Quality Painting Unlimited Inc,Team Powe rsports of Garner

4 6 52 SUZ 750 MARTIN CROTTY, ASHBURN, VA.

5 6 291 SUZ 750 FREDDY FREES, RED BUD, IL. AGV Sport,Bridgestone,Vortex

6 6 198 SUZ 600 JONATHAN BRASWELL, BRISTOL, TN.

7 6 14 SUZ 750 CHARLIE K MAVROS, LUTZ, FL. Dunlop,Vesrah,VP,Hotbodies,Pit Bull,AGV, Suzuki

8 6 720 YAM 600 JEREMY TURNER, BRANCHVILLE, NJ. Turner Landscape, WFORacing.net,Michelin

9 6 769 SUZ 750 TIMOTHY FOWLER, NEWBERRY, FL. Tim Fowler Farrier,Michelin,Mellimoto,Lo

10 6 56 SUZ 750 PHILLIP DOYLE, PULASKI, VA. Cornerspeed.net,Mason's Cleaners,Mark4 S

11 6 636 KAW 636 JASON GIBBENS, CHANTILLY, VA. FastLane Cycles,Dunlop,WoodCraft,Vortex, Pit Bull

12 6 527 YAM 600 RICHARD DUBARTON, NORTH HALEDON, NJ. Trick Motorsports,Bonz-I

13 6 219 DUC 998 R. TRAVIS MARSHALL, FLOWER MOUND, TX.

14 6 324 YAM 600 JOHN DECK, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ. Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club

15 6 929 YAM 600 GEORGE BENES, EASTON, PA. Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club

16 6 999 UNK UNK GARY CAIN, FREEHOLD, NJ. Titan Metal Products,Team ProMotion.com,

17 6 167 HON 600 MICHAEL MELLEN, QUARRYVILLE, PA. Team Pro-Motion Sport Bike Club

Not Registered;

Amateur Middleweight SuperSport Race 10

Pos Laps Number Bike Size Name

1 6 779 YAM 600 BRET GARRETSON, ORRTANNA, PA. Lockhart-Phillips, Dunlop, HotBodies, Vortex

2 6 307 YAM 600 THOMAS MOORE, SELMA, NC. Quality Painting Unlimited Inc, Team Power sports of Garner

3 6 668 SUZ 600 ALEX MARSHALL, VINTON, VA. Cycle Shack, Pirelli, Vortex, Vesrah, Pit Bu ll

4 6 720 YAM 600 JEREMY TURNER, BRANCHVILLE, NJ. Turner Landscape, WFORacing.net,Michelin

5 6 79 DAVID ZYLBERBERG, CLIFTON, NJ. MartinMoto.com,Redline Motorsports,Turne

6 6 818 HON 600 GREG BORDELEAU, HICKORY, NC.

7 6 187 HON 600 STEVE KENNEDY, CHESAPEAKE, VA. www.SalvageDirect.com,Redline Performanc

xx 6 929 Yam 600 George Benes, Easton PA Team Pro-Motion

8 6 122 HON 600 ERIC DOUGLAS, FRANKLIN, NC. Mom & Dad,Dennis the Plumber,My kids,Pir

9 6 136 YAM 600 JEFFERY WEIL, WHITEHALL, PA. MartinMoto.com,Pirelli,EBC,Silkolene

10 6 636 KAW 636 JASON GIBBENS, CHANTILLY, VA. FastLane Cycles,Dunlop,WoodCraft,Vortex, Pit Bull

11 6 999 UNK UNK GARY CAIN, FREEHOLD, NJ. Titan Metal Products,Team ProMotion.com,

xx 6 167 HON 600 MICHAEL MELLEN, QUARRYVILLE, PA. Team Pro-Motion Sport Bike Club

12 6 527 YAM 600 RICHARD DUBARTON, NORTH HALEDON, NJ. Trick Motorsports,Bonz-I

xx 6 324 YAM 600 JOHN DECK, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ. Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club

13 6 325 YAM 600 OTIS TILLMAN, AUSTELL, GA.

14 6 147 SUZ 600 JARED EGGE, NORFOLK, VA. LP Racing

15 5 119 KAW 636 ROBERT WILKEY, FAIRFAX STATION, VA. Fast Lane Cycles,Repsol,Dunlop,Graves,LP

16 5 783 YAM 600 JEREMY BENNETT, FERNANDINA BEACH, FL. Parts 411.com,Vortex,Michelin,GMD,Galfer

17 5 317 HON 600 JEROD KIZER, DANA, IN. Lockhart-Phillips,Vortex,Parts 411

18 5 178 KAW 636 CHRISTOPHER MCCALLA, ELIZABETH CITY, NC.

19 2 28 YAM 600 JON SIGMON, RALEIGH, NC.

Amateur Heavyweight SuperSport Race 11

Pos Laps Number Bike Size Name

1 4 119 KAW 636 ROBERT WILKEY, FAIRFAX STATION, VA. Fast Lane Cycles,Repsol,Dunlop,Graves,LP

2 4 779 YAM 600 BRET GARRETSON, ORRTANNA, PA. Lockhart-Phillips,Dunlop,HotBodies,Vorte

3 4 668 SUZ 600 ALEX MARSHALL, VINTON, VA. Cycle Shack,Pirelli,Vortex,Vesrah,Pit Bu ll

4 4 291 SUZ 750 FREDDY FREES, RED BUD, IL. AGV Sport,Bridgestone,Vortex

5 4 52 SUZ 750 MARTIN CROTTY, ASHBURN, VA.

6 4 720 YAM 600 JEREMY TURNER, BRANCHVILLE, NJ. Turner Landscape, WFORacing.net,Michelin

7 4 307 YAM 600 THOMAS MOORE, SELMA, NC. Quality Painting Unlimited Inc,Team Powe rsports of Garner

8 4 56 SUZ 750 PHILLIP DOYLE, PULASKI, VA. Cornerspeed.net,Mason's Cleaners,Mark4 S

9 4 105 SUZ 750 GILL CUTCHEN, BIRMINGHAM, AL. 1-888-Fastlap.com,Lockhart Phillips

10 4 929 YAM 600 GEORGE BENES, EASTON, PA. Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club

11 4 79 YAM 600 DAVID ZYLBERBERG, CLIFTON, NJ. MartinMoto.com,Redline Motorsports,Turne

12 4 999 UNK UNK GARY CAIN, FREEHOLD, NJ. Titan Metal Products,Team ProMotion.com,

13 4 769 SUZ 750 TIMOTHY FOWLER, NEWBERRY, FL. Tim Fowler Farrier,Michelin,Mellimoto,Lo

14 4 167 HON 600 MICHAEL MELLEN, QUARRYVILLE, PA. Team Pro-Motion Sport Bike Club

15 4 636 KAW 636 JASON GIBBENS, CHANTILLY, VA. FastLane Cycles,Dunlop,WoodCraft,Vortex, Pit Bull

16 4 31 KAW 600 JAMIE KNUTH, COLUMBUS, OH. Lockhart Phillips,Parts 411,1-888-Fastla

17 4 783 YAM 600 JEREMY BENNETT, FERNANDINA BEACH, FL. Parts 411.com,Vortex,Michelin,GMD,Galfer

18 4 198 SUZ 600 JONATHAN BRASWELL, BRISTOL, TN.

19 3 169 SUZ 750 RAY SANDERS, NAVARRE, FL. Pit Bull,Vortex,Dunlop,Sharkskinz,Woodcr aft,Suzuki,EBC

20 3 322 KAW 636 BRIAN SMITH, GRASONVILLE, MD. B&E Motorsports,Christian Sportbike Raci ng,Vortex,Amsoil

21 3 371 SUZ 750 HEATH MASON, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL.

22 3 122 HON 600 ERIC DOUGLAS, FRANKLIN, NC. Mom & Dad,Dennis the Plumber,My kids,Pir

Sunday:

Amateur Heavyweight SuperSport

Pos Laps Number Bike Size Name

1 6 119 KAW 636 ROBERT WILKEY, FAIRFAX STATION, VA. Fast Lane Cycles,Repsol,Dunlop,Graves,LP

2 6 779 YAM 600 BRET GARRETSON, ORRTANNA, PA. Lockhart-Phillips,Dunlop,HotBodies,Vorte

3 6 853 SUZ 750 GARRETT RICK, NAPLES, FL.

4 6 307 YAM 600 THOMAS MOORE, SELMA, NC. Quality Painting Unlimited Inc,Team Powe rsports of Garner

5 6 52 SUZ 750 MARTIN CROTTY, ASHBURN, VA.

6 6 668 SUZ 600 ALEX MARSHALL, VINTON, VA. Cycle Shack,Pirelli,Vortex,Vesrah,Pit Bu ll

7 6 291 SUZ 750 FREDDY FREES, RED BUD, IL. AGV Sport,Bridgestone,Vortex

8 6 811 SUZ 750 LEE SCHMITT, BIRMINGHAM, AL.

9 6 720 YAM 600 JEREMY TURNER, BRANCHVILLE, NJ. Turner Landscape, WFORacing.net,Michelin

10 6 79 YAM 600 DAVID ZYLBERBERG, CLIFTON, NJ. MartinMoto.com,Redline Motorsports,Turne

11 6 769 SUZ 750 TIMOTHY FOWLER, NEWBERRY, FL. Tim Fowler Farrier,Michelin,Mellimoto,Lo

12 6 929 YAM 600 GEORGE BENES, EASTON, PA. Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club

13 6 527 YAM 600 RICHARD DUBARTON, NORTH HALEDON, NJ. Trick Motorsports,Bonz-I

14 6 56 SUZ 750 PHILLIP DOYLE, PULASKI, VA. Cornerspeed.net,Mason's Cleaners,Mark4 S

15 6 221 HON 600 DEREK ALBAND, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.

16 6 324 YAM 600 JOHN DECK, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ.

17 6 999 UNK UNK GARY CAIN, FREEHOLD, NJ. Titan Metal Products,Team ProMotion.com,

18 6 167 HON 600 MICHAEL MELLEN, QUARRYVILLE, PA. Team Pro-Motion Sport Bike Club

19 6 783 YAM 600 JEREMY BENNETT, FERNANDINA BEACH, FL. Parts 411.com,Vortex,Michelin,GMD,Galfer

20 5 322 KAW 636 BRIAN SMITH, GRASONVILLE, MD. B&E Motorsports,Christian Sportbike Raci ng,Vortex,Amsoil

Amateur Heavyweight Superbike

Pos Laps Number Bike Size Name

1 6 119 KAW 636 ROBERT WILKEY, FAIRFAX STATION, VA. Fast Lane Cycles,Repsol,Dunlop,Graves,LP

2 6 779 YAM 600 BRET GARRETSON, ORRTANNA, PA. Lockhart-Phillips,Dunlop,HotBodies,Vorte

3 6 52 SUZ 750 MARTIN CROTTY, ASHBURN, VA.

4 6 811 SUZ 750 LEE SCHMITT, BIRMINGHAM, AL.

5 6 720 YAM 600 JEREMY TURNER, BRANCHVILLE, NJ. Turner Landscape, WFORacing.net,Michelin

6 6 899 PETE CAPONI, CHARLOTTE, NC. Performance Honda,Vortex,VP Fuels,Hotbod

7 6 56 SUZ 750 PHILLIP DOYLE, PULASKI, VA. Cornerspeed.net,Mason's Cleaners,Mark4 S

8 6 929 YAM 600 GEORGE BENES, EASTON, PA. Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club

9 6 999 UNK UNK GARY CAIN, FREEHOLD, NJ. Titan Metal Products,Team ProMotion.com,

10 6 527 YAM 600 RICHARD DUBARTON, NORTH HALEDON, NJ. Trick Motorsports,Bonz-I

11 6 324 YAM 600 JOHN DECK, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ. Team Pro-Motion

12 6 738 SUZ 650 PHILLIP SCOTT, GIBSONIA, PA.

13 6 167 HON 600 MICHAEL MELLEN, QUARRYVILLE, PA. Team Pro-Motion Sport Bike Club