Rainy weekend at Blackhawk Farms

[sockmonkey]

It was a long discussion, mostly involving everyone around us saying "do it... do it!!" We'd really already decided we would, but the next question was which bike to run - the Hawk in GTL or the old R6 in GTU. Hmmm...

We settled on the Hawk after a couple people mentioned that the lightweights were usually a smaller class. They couldn't have been more wrong. It was the biggest class with some of the fastest bikes. Great. Turns out if we would have run the R6, we probably would have gotten third, and my bike wouldn't have been crashed. (by the other rider)

I was more comfortable with the idea of running the Hawk anyway. I'm not accustomed to big inline fours, and it was wet. Really wet. It was raining all weekend and I really didn't want to take the chance on someone else's bike.

... and so, this was how a Hawk was entered and managed to finish a two hour Team Challenge endurance race. A little worse for wear, but it was a lot of fun.

Oh yeah, we finished 5th in GTL/10th overall.

http://www.gron4.com/2007/event081907/131/

[whiskeypigeon]

Wow, I didn't realize it was 2hrs. Glad you had fun. Wish I could've been there instead of Cancun. Oh wait, no I don't

I know I said I would never do an endurance race, but i've changed my ways so if you want to do a Team Challenge next year, i'm there

[sockmonkey]

Yeah, it was actually really cool... in a 25 minute GT Lights race, I start wondering "ok, when is this damn thing over?" but when you know it's not going to be over for a long time, you definitely settle into a groove. There's also the added excitement of changing riders and fuel stops... oh yeah, if you want to do a TC next year, a bigger fuel tank might be a wise idea.

Dave was running in second when he swapped with X. Unfortunately X crashed and couldn't continue. There were two 2-smoke teams from our pit area and they both crashed as well, one bike had to finish with no tail.

http://www.gron4.com/2007/event081907/82/

Oh, and there's more pics of Dario on my bike mixed in with his photos:

http://www.gron4.com/2007/event081907/808/

[whiskeypigeon]

oh yeah, if you want to do a TC next year, a bigger fuel tank might be a wise idea.

Want to go in with me on Will's 5gal CF tank? It would only be $350 from each of us

one bike had to finish with no tail.

That is so crazy looking. Looks like he's just popping a squat on the pegs.

Oh, and there's more pics of Dario on my bike mixed in with his photos

Damn it looks wet. How did your rain tires work out?

[Doc]

Congrats on trying a GTL. I haven't done that yet but I might have to try it.

It looks REALLY wet. Great that you got out there... I know some people would have said screw it.

[sockmonkey]

Rain tires are the bidness! I wasn't pushing that hard, but I never felt slippy anywhere! I was a little worried 'cos they're old and worn, but damn, no complaints. Dario was pushing a little harder than me (his laptimes were a couple seconds faster) and he slid out at T5.

Doc, even practicing in the rain can be really beneficial. Teaches you to be smooooooth. I'm actually diggin' the rain riding, but I don't think I'd ever do it without rain tires.

[Doc]

I have rains. I have only had to use them once and I feel the same way. I was gripping better than those without.

[whiskeypigeon]

I've noticed quite a few different styles of rain tires in my searches (turbine pattern vs. block pattern). Are there some that work better than others (Brands)? All of the ones I have found are full rain slicks and not the medium rain tires.

[sockmonkey]

Dave said that the Bridgestones are the best ever, but have been unavailable all season besides one set that was purchased at the Red Flag Fund auction. Dave tried winning them, but let the other guy, Paul, get them. (Both are STT instructors). Paul absolutely *flew* on those tires this weekend on a liter bike.

X likes Michelins, currently has Pirellis 'cos that's what came on the spare rims.

Mine are shagged out, 5 year old used Dunlops and they worked great. Stuck in the rain, and didn't melt into goo when a dry line formed. (Joel, X had an old set of rains that fit the wheels and are a much softer compound than the pirelli dual sports)

I'm of the opinion that unless you're super fast in the rain, that brand and tread don't matter nearly as much as dry tires.

[whiskeypigeon]

Gotcha. I was debating between Bstones and Michelins. There is only a $40 difference between a new set so I will probably go with the BS (I can pretend to be a fast guy ). I am crossing my fingers every night that I can get through the rest of the season without them, but knowing my luck it will rain.