Divisionals, Deal's Gap and one dead Moose

The trip to Virginia for the SCCA Divisionals was a complete success. Brother Ed and I each brought home first place wins on both Saturday and Sunday for Team W.A.R.P. Speed.



As soon as we evacuated Danville, and brought Edder back to SC, Mark and I headed for Tennessee with the rockets to experience the legend that is Deal's Gap. Nobody could have prepared us for what we experienced up there. We've heard stories, and seen pictures and videos, but they just don't do it justice. It's definitely something every rider should do at least once. We had trouble stopping at once..... we managed to get in six runs at the Dragon's Tail.... each one a little faster than the last. We swapped out the Busa and the CBR so that each of us could experience the heft of the pig, and the flickability of the agile RR. There weren't many Busas attempting to "slay the dragon" while we were there. It's apparent why....now ;)



I wrestled the Zuki over the mountain on day one. I was fairly comfortable with what it had to offer and how it handled, so I was bitch slapping the twisties in no time. I was thankful for my mirrored shield.... the photographer was unable to capture the retarded ear-to-ear grin (and the occassional flicker of sheer terror) that I wore through all 318 turns. Below is a photo that was snapped of Mark and I at the bottom of the mountain after our first run.



Contrary to the photographic evidence, we were very happy at the time. The detached expressions on our faces were due to the fact that we were still taking a mental inventory of our appendages and digits, as well as utter disbelief that the bikes were still in one piece.

We spent the night in a cottage at the Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville, NC, which is perfectly situated at the beginning of the Dragon's Tail. Beautiful scenery, local wildlife and the tranquil sounds of waterfalls kept us company during the evening hours as we sat on the front porch of the cottage and relived the excitement of the day.



There was nothing to distract us from the pristine beauty of our remote location..... and I do mean NOTHING. No cell phone service, no land-line and no TV. We barely even noticed the lack of technology though.... a few tasty adult beverages, good conversation, and a lot of laughs.... once the adrenaline wore off, we slipped into our respective comas, only to wake up the next morning and do it all over again.

Most of the conversation that first night consisted of Mark trying to convince me to ride the CBR the next day. I was reluctant. The Busa and I had gotten along so well, I didn't want to salt my own game...... muck up my mojo... if you will. Eventually, I gave in... and damn am I glad I did!! It took a few turns to get adjusted to the Honda, but once I did, there was no turning back. Needless to say, I bogarted the RR for the rest of the trip :)



The next night we managed to snag a room at the Tail of the Dragon Resort. Still no TV or phone service, but the atmosphere was fantastic... nothing but bikes and riders.... bar-b-que... beer and good times. We hated to leave.... so much so that we have already planned a return trip the beginning of June :)

Mark was so impressed with the handling of the RR, and frustrated with the fact that I refused to give it up, that he went out and purchased a rocket to add to the paddock upon our return. The next trip to the Dragon's Tail will be made with the '07 1000RR and a brilliant new 2007 Yamaha R1..... what a way to break in a new bullet!

This will do it for me for now. As I type this, Pops and Mark are attempting to extract the now-blown engine of the Moose. This terrible tragedy occured last Saturday during an NCCC race at Reynolds Industrial Park in Green Cove Springs. Pops was piloting the Moose when the engine detonated.



I would have been present for the race had I not been hunting parts for the bike. Apparently I can maintain my composure and keep the RR upright through the 318 turns of the dragon, SIX TIMES, but when it comes to backing out of Sue and Steve's driveway..... not so much. Dragon Slayer I am.... Driveway Slayer.... I am not.

So, as they complete the surgery on the Moose, I will be strapping the pretty new CRG shortys on the black beast. I think it's time for a tasty adult beverage, as I leave you with these parting shots of the flurry of activity going on behind me at MO headquarters......



Almost Clear

4 hours , 75 pounds of cat litter and countless beers later... it hangs there.... like so much CARcass :)





Until next time......

Rubb'er Down :)

Okay, I did say several months ago that if I had gotten slack with the posts again, I was fired. Well, I got slack..... REALLY slack, but I am not ready to fire me yet. I have a good excuse or four.

The new season of MotoGP is well underway. Although I have not been posting results, or updating rider profiles, or blabbering on about the races, I have indeed been watching them. I choose to call this "behind the scenes participation"...... cause it makes me feel better about me :)

Now for the excuses.... first, there's the move. Yes, MO has moved into new headquarters. We're not 100% moved YET, but the computer is functional, and the bikes and cars are here.... what else do we need?? Here's where I boast of the new toy. She's pretty, and she's fast, and she's black, and she's shiney.... mmmm hmmmmm

Mark and I will be hauling the new black bullet, along with one of the Busas,

up to Virginia this weekend to compete in the Divisionals in Danville... which brings me to my next excuse for my slack-ass-ed-ness..... my racing schedule. It has been rather hectic thus far this year. Not only am I attending the divisional and national events with the Moose, but I have also been lucky enough to snag a ride sponsored, owned and provided by none other than Mark (mmm hmmm it's ALL good!)

As for my final excuse, which subtly ties in with the rest of the crap..... Mark and I have been doing a lot of traveling in the last few months. Last month we took 8 (ish) days and drove down to Key West with the two Busas in-tow, by way of Ponte Vedra and Stuart, FL. We stayed in the Keys for a few days, and came back up north by way of Naples for a night and then Tarpon Springs, FL (for a little longer stay than we had originally planned). Last weekend, we straddled the RR and the Busa and took off for Leesburg, FL with Sue and Steve, for the bike festival down there. We arrived back here Sunday night, just in time to pack for 6 days in SC/VA beginning tomorrow morning.

SO.. there will be no updates this weekend... but, I promise I will be more vigilant in the future :)

Until next time......

Rubb'er Down :)