Another Trip South.
Mike and I head south yet
again to one of our favorite places to rider VIR for 2 days of riding. Jack
will be along for the second day as Craig sits this one out. Jack is heading
down with Kenny to the ZRX rally after his event for some street rides. Kenny
is hanging out for both days with Mike and I. Our plan is depart on Saturday as
Mike finish up work. Saturday starts out normal for me with a late start and a
late lunch with my wife and son. Afterwards I head off the wire up a computer
in the house. A simple job that turns ugly real fast. Anyways a few hours later
I’m right back where I started just more aggravated. During this Mike calls and
is done with work early. Mike’s has a few things to do and I head off to meet
him at his house. The days prior we talked about alternate routes to the track;
since it is a holiday weekend we are trying to avoid as much traffic as we can.
I talk with others and Mike reviews the maps to make sure we don’t end up in
The sun comes up and we head
off to the track in our normal fashion. Since we’ve been here a few times over
the years we have our routine that we do through. We stop for gas for the bikes
and top off the car. Then stop for breakfast and head to the track, sounds
simple right, not today. First stop for gas goes well, although it’s a new gas
station, we are rolling in a matter of minutes. With the car and bike fuel
already, we need fuel for our day. First Stop is McDonalds; we wait at the
drive thru but no answer. It’s Sunday and typical for the area places open
later then we need on Sunday. So off to the track we go. A few miles later we
Andrea realizes we forgot a pillow. Mike hangs a U turn and we head back to the
hotel. On the ride back to the track we stop at a Burger King, but again that
is not open yet. We our arrival time getting alter and latter, we opt to speed
to the track. We arrive at the gate, sign in and head to the paddock. Paddock
being a loose term, considering for the Patriot course it just the grass area
with a small barn and some pavement to get you out to the grid, not a 5 star
paddock but it will do. We show our
faces and pitch in where needed and say hello to all. With all tasks well under
control we unload and get ready for a days worth of riding.
First call for the riders
meeting is echoed over the PA in the typical fashion that Only Linda can do. At
this point Mike and I usually suit up but today with the temps already in the
80’s we opt to stay cool for a bit longer. Glen delivers the notes and advice
for the days events. One member that is on leave presents Glen with a small
plaque and a American flag that was flown at one of
his base camps. It’s an amazing thing to do and we all feel a bit more thankful
for those that serve and protect us. We head off the get suited up. We have
pitted next to Kenny Roberts so we use the shade of this his trailer to get
suited up and prepare for the day. With the bikes idling away we hear the call
for the first group of the day and we head to the grid. It’s amazing that after
doing this for so long we still get excited about take laps around a track.
Considering it’s only 9am the temps have climbed event higher, which to most
people start to complain but to people like us it mean more traction, which is
always a good thing. I know we are sick people but at the track there are about
100 others just like us. Speaking of people that are on the demented side, like
us. Who else will don a dead cow covering your body from the neck to your toes
with added hard protection around our joints and then put on a helmet in
weather that is more suitable for bathing suits and suntan lotion? It’s funny
to because when I’m not riding and the temps are this high I hear people
complain about the heat and an evil grin comes to my face.
With the day under way we
find the heat has offered the extra traction that we know and love. We cycle
though the groups helping those who we can. Mike helping in the red group and
myself in the Art Basic, I guess I pissed off someone, only kidding it is fun
to see the faces of people on their first track day. We pace ourselves as we
have another day of riding tomorrow and with no sign of relief in the heat
either. Plenty of fluids are consumed and breaks were taken in the AC of the
building. The day progressed with only a few incident and no major injuries.
Considering the combination of a very technical track and very host conditions
that is a major complement by all. As the day winds down we all take it easy
and finish out the day with everything in tack and ready for another day.
Tomorrow will the north course and conserving energy for that is a must. We
load up as best we can and the shuffle of bikes and vehicles starts with us
riding or driving what ever we can to get back an forth. We get our spots from
us, Kenny and we save a place for Jack who is en route to the track for Monday.
Mike, Kenny and I hit the showers while we await Jack’s arrival. Matt, Dan, Joe
and Joe had arrived and got settled into their rooms and garages at the track
and stopped by. I work with Matt and Dan who we converted to track day addicts
last year. It didn’t take much to get them to the dark side.
Time passed and Jack arrives,
parks the rig and trailer. We undo the trailer, load the gas cans and head off
for some dinner. The Texas Roadhouse is the choice for tonight consumption of
mass quantities. Being a Sunday night this place is usually empty and getting a
table is not an issue. Saturday nights are different stories and usually means
a long wait. Being a holiday weekend we never know what’s in store for us. We
arrive and the parking lot is somewhat empty, which is a good sign. We enter
and get seated right away. The waiter comes and we immediately order drinks and
our meals ASAP. Even thought we’d been drinking fluids all day we still need
more. Drinks and rolls come to the table and each is devoured in a flurry of
ice and bread crumbs. The waiter got about 5 steps away from the table before
we asked for refills and more rolls. While we are waiting for the food to
arrive, Mary, Rita, CBRBob, Nemo, Brain and they crew arrive. They are just as
hungry as we were so we toss them a few rolls to hold them over. We ignore the
“don’t feed the animals” signs at the zoo too.
With dinner consumed we head
out for some fuel and other essentials for tomorrow and the drive homeward. The
local Kmart makes a nice place to find what we need and it’s the next parking
lot over so it makes the call real easy to make. We hunt though the store like kids
in a toy store, it’s one of the privileges of being older and making money that
we get to do this. With a cart full we head out of the store. The journey back
to the track involves our last stop that is for some gas. The gas cans filled
to their brims we make the final leg of the trip back to the track. As we
unload at the track the night air is a refreshing change from the heat of the
day. We all settle in for a good nights
rest. Mike, Andrea and I are in the camper. Jack and Kenny head off to a pit road
suite that Jack got for him and Matt, who is somewhere in route to the track.
We set the AC in the camper to Icebox and we get some rest. No messages on this
trip like Mid-Ohio.
With to sun coming up we emerge
from the camper to a cool morning and a clear day ahead of us. We drink in the
cool air and hope it stays around, but as the sun raises the temp come up
rather quickly. Mike and I head over to sign in and get our group assignments
for the day. Mike got tagged with White and me in Red. Once again this year
they know not to put Mike and I together. Jack is
running in the blue group today so we’ll all get some play time together. Mike
and I help out at tech for a bit. As usual I find trouble in the fact that I
don’t have any TPM logo on my shirt. Gallo kindly loans me an official TPM
staff shirt. With the other coaches at tech we all make quick work of the “one
step process” and get rider on their way. As the line slows down I walk away to
get some breakfast and return a few minutes later. With my loaded staff shirt
returned to its proper place I’m once again in the attire that got me in
trouble before. With some quick thinking I grab some TPM sticker and place them
on my shirt. I’m official again and John Stevens catches me and joins in as
does Julie. I wonder why trouble always seems to follow me. Tech is shutdown
for the riders meeting so we assemble. Glen talk about the usually stuff but
since today is Memorial day coach Mel Greene takes command for a tribute to our
active military people and the ones that paid the ultimate price for the
freedom we have today. Mel is a former captain and is able to command attention
of the crowd. Mel ends the meeting a military style that we will never forget.
The day kicks off with the
Red group and I head to the grid like a good little solider. Bert sends me and
a group along the way. I hunt for Allen, from our Mid Ohio adventures, and find
him and we run together for a few laps. White group is up next. Matt and Joe
are in this group. I find them and help them. They have another friend Joe that
is running with them too. We play follow the leader for a few sessions before
they all get bumped to red. Mike is out in white and some red session but we
opt out of blue and let Jack have fun with Matt. With the heat of the day
rising, just like yesterday, we pace our selves as best we can. Funny how
tempting the track can be and push you to ride more but logic dictates the
option to rest and re-hydrate. Mike does a session in blue before lunch and
Andrea and I head up in the tower, with AC, to watch. From our vantage point we
find Jack and Mike and count the gap time. They are running the same pace with
Mike with the slight advantage, but likely can’t see each other. Man if they
knew this they’d be battling on the track. With the end of the session lunch
time has arrived.
Lunch gives us a chance to
get some nourishment and cool off from the heat. We all know it’s important to
drink fluids on hot days like but food never tasted so good on hot days. With
our bodies replenished we head over to watch the lunch time race. Kenny joins
and as the race winds down we suit up and get ready to head out. The day progresses
with only a few incidents and the weather tends to cool down to a more
comfortable level. With the sessions winding down and the day coming to close
we get as much time on the track as we can. That means continuous sessions of
Red, White and Blue. The last Blue session of the day
Mike Jack and I head out together. Jack leads us down pit road. As we exit jack
looks over this left shoulder and I scoot right to go by him but opt not to in
the best interest of fun. We get about ¼ of the way around the track and Jack
ups the pace and its “game on” mode. I shoot under Jack in 7 and take off up
the hill. With Jack and Mike behind me there is no time to look back or let off
one bit. I look for shadows and listen as best I can while running a full pace.
The laps wind down and I hear a different noise behind me. At the top of the
roller coaster Bill Sink sails by me and takes off down the hill. A lap later on
the uphill section I hear another different noise, who can this be? Down
through the Hogpen and out onto the fronts straight. I block to right going
into T1 and I spot a wheel to my left. Not enough to determine who it is but I
know someone is there. Next lap down the front straight the rider goes by.
Ralph as caught me on his R1. We battle for the rest of the lap and half way up
the hill he raises his hand to indicate he coming in.
In my head I’m like ok fine but don’t get in the way because there is likely
either Mike or Jack on my tail. We go down the hill and Ralph slows up but
stays online. I’m not sure if he changes his mind or but as we enter the Hogpen
he comes way off pace and baulks my line. I’m screaming in my helmet because my
drive is now shot for the front straight. I pin the throttle and get as low as
I can. I whip past the tower on the front straight and sure enough Mike comes
by and into T1 we go. Mike leads the way and we shoot down the back straight
and sure enough the checked flag comes out. Mike wins with me second and Jack third,
not that we were officially racing but it was as close as it gets. We pull and
Jack is already in the camper. Jack exits the camper and states he won.
Officially he got the checked flag in the gap between him and Mike. Officially
the rider that gets the checked first is the winner, so by those rules Jack is
the winner. Since we were one never to really follow rules Mike is officially declared
the fastest for the day.
With the day over and the sun
setting we pack up things, shower and ready to get on the road in less than an
hour. The Nascar boys are
coming for a test the next day and we have to exit by 7pm. With out goodbye
said and the hope to see everyone another day we head north for home and work
the next day, reality sucks. The trip home was uneventful and with traffic on
the light side considering it’s a holiday weekend. It’s either that or the new
route we have chosen is the roads less traveled. We arriver at Mike’s house
about 1am and hit the sheets for some rest.
With another adventure in the
history book for Team Xcedrin and more stories to tell to who will listen while
we are sitting on the porch in our rocking chairs.
George Benes
Team Xcedrin #929