Spyder's July 5-6 NJMP First Track Day Experience

[spyder]

First of all I would like to thank Jim and all the guys at TPM especially (Omar, Bollar, Dave Z, and Bill Sink) for making my first 2 days at the track the most memorable days I have had in a long time besides my wedding of course... I really had no idea what to expect for my first track days. I have been listening to you clowns for years now about how fun the track is and that once you go to the track you will not want to stop going. Well, I can say that its all that, then some and a bag of chips...

Day 1 - As most of you already know the first half of the day was on the track and in the classroom.. The first two sessions were follow the leader going pretty slow so they could show you the line that you should take around the track. Then on the 3rd session we were followed by the coaches and then by the forth session we were able to play with everyone in the white group. After lunch we then got to actually line up with the white group and go out but still with our blue jerseys on so all the rest of the white group new to stay clear because we did not even know where we were going so how could they. I think the hardest part for me was not having my mirrors on (I guess I always look in them when I am on the street) and learning how hard or how not hard to get on the brakes before coming into the turns. You eventually realize that if you are on line you can really carry a ton of speed around most of T-Bolt.

Day 2 - was really exhausting because I was already tired from my first day. It was also the day that I had the most fun. Being able to go out and just ride my ride trying to follow the line at speed and with the proper form. There were a few times that I went into turn 1 going "OH CRAP" I am going to go wide because I am carring too much speed and then making the turn going phew that was close and, DAYMN I guess I could go that fast everytime around that turn because it set me up perrfectly for turn 2. After lunch I had the worst session possible, I guess my head was somewhere where it should not of been while on the track and I missed a gear going into turn one, went straight and missed the turn. I got back on the track and then pulled off next time around as I was not with it that session. I went and spoke to Dave Z to see if he would work with me and he of course told me absolutely just come and get me 1 session before you want to go out and he would gladly take me around the track. Dave and I line up on the right side and get to go out first. Me follwing him for the first lap then him following me for then next 3 laps. Coming out of turn 10 he passes me and waves me to go into the garage area. We make our way to the TPM trailer and he say's " Welcome to Red Group". I was absolutely shocked as I was not expecting that at all. At this point in the day their was only 1 session left and I got to go out with the red group. Dave told me to line up with him again and he would make sure that the wolves would not eat me alive. So we line up at the right again, this time with another rider trying to get into blue group, and we get to go out somewhat close to the front of the pack. I was tailing the both of them for a few laps and then they pulled ahead then off the track and I continued to the end of the session.

Overall, I have to say that I am hooked on the track and asking myself what the hell has been keeping me from going for the past 5-6 years now? I am not too sure how many days I will get to this season but, I will definitely get to a couple more.