2005 in the Rearview, the M3 did very well (Pictorial) [Archive] - Bimmerforums

Phantom

01-10-2006, 12:53 AM

Security is always a concern for those motel overnights, but I had a few ideas.

Factory alarm on the M3.
Motorcycle cover for the bike when parked to protect from prying eyes.
Tool chest has dual locks.
Fuel jugs are locked to the trailer via steel cable and padlock
Rear wheel of the bike is locked to the trailer.
Trailer is locked to the hitch via padlocked ball socket lever.
Hitch is locked to the car via locking hitch pin.

And, for the final touch, the bike has a Scorpio alarm (http://www.scorpioalarms.com/sr-i500.aspx) with perimeter sensor, motion sensor, shock sensor, and 2-way pager from its days as a street bike
http://www.scorpioalarms.com/images/scorpio/product.jpg

The motorcycle cover hides the aftermarket goodies from view. If a potential thief approaches the trailer to remove the cover or for any other reason, the perimeter sensor with adjustable sensitivity sets off warning chirps, then an alarm. The alarm pages me in the process, and I bust outta my hotel room with guns a-blazin' :)

DenisisTimeless

01-10-2006, 12:54 AM

beautiful bike & car.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 12:54 AM

Thanks. Always hand-washed by me.

In the trunk I stow

4th car track tire/wheel in the spare wheel well
luggage (rollaboard and a utility bag)
front and rear bike stands
wash bucket (you know how SoCal folks are about clean cars )
helmet
fold-up chair
covered plastic grocery bin (peanut butter and jelly, bread, granola/energy bars, Gatorade, Propel, fruit, etc)

Inside the car I carry a coupla Igloo coolers, a second helmet (for car events), and miscellaneous items.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005%20Pt%202/DSC02331email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 12:55 AM

By the way, the Sun Devil Auto van in the "coffin" pic (Post #4) was at my house to repair this -

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005%20Pt%202/DSC02350emailsmall.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 12:56 AM

caused by one of these -

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005%20Pt%202/DSC02352email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 12:57 AM

travelling north on US 95 when I was heading south from Reno-Fernley Raceway toward Las Vegas (400 miles).

When another triple-bottom (that's what we call 'em back in my hometown of Detroit) was approaching, northbound, it kicked up a huge stone, about half-fist sized. It happened so quickly that I barely realized the projectile was headed straight for my left eye just as it impacted, "SMACK!", and put that 8" diameter crater in the windshield. The force was so strong it showered very small, powder-like windshield fragments on my face. Glad I was wearing shades.

Insurance covered the windshield replacement.

Interesting tidbit: I had Sun Devil Auto do my previous windshield repair about 1 1/2 years ago. The tech was a really good-hearted guy originally from Mexico who started doing windshields in Nogales. Anyway, after that repair 1 1/2 years ago he accidentally left his ratchet driver at my house. Over the next 1 1/2 years that ratchet sat unused in the back of my toolbox. I fully intended to call and return it to him, but ya know how the best intentions get forgotten about? Especially when you're frantically wrenching on the bike/car to prep it for the next event? . . .

While selecting from my insurance company's approved shops I remembered how that guy had done such a great job and vaguely recalled which Sun Devil location it was.

Guess what? The same tech showed up again. And I returned his ratchet :)

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005%20Pt%202/DSC02347email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 12:59 AM

Here's a track map of Reno-Fernley Raceway.

The original track runs from Turn 1 thru Turn 15. They recently added the portions with turns designated by letters. October 8 and 9 was the first motorcycle event there on the newly-expanded course. We ran the configuration highlighted in yellow, 4.1 miles long, my shortest lap being in the 2:53s

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005/Reno-Fernley2.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:00 AM

I swear it looks like one of those Family Circus comics where the kid (Jeffrey, I think is his name) wanders all around the neighborhood, thru parks, yards, obstacles, hazards and whatnot, to arrive back home and ask a silly question. Nahmean?

And we all felt just like Jeffrey after the first orientation laps - dumbfounded

In the mountains east of Sacramento on I-80, traveling from Thunderhill Raceway to Reno-Fernley (225 miles):

"Ain't speedin', Occifer!! Honest!"

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005%20Pt%202/DSC02287email.jpg

///M LIFE©

01-10-2006, 01:00 AM

wow thats awesome. I have to exact same boots as you. SMX plus?

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:01 AM

Mountains

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005%20Pt%202/DSC02317email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:03 AM

Lakes, too!

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005%20Pt%202/DSC02295email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:04 AM

I do most of my own maintenance to keep costs down and to stay familiar with the vehicles (Labor ain't cheap, plus you learn how to do trackside repairs).

Weekdays are spent in the garage wrenching on and prepping the bike and car. Sleeplessness due to jet lag from crossing the Pacific usually has me up at 2 am or 3 am for the first five days after returning stateside.

While laying in bed staring at the ceiling I list the things that I should or could do to the bike/car: inspection, oil change, brake fluid flush, coolant flush, rotate tires, change sprockets, lube chain, tranny/diff fluid change, wash and wax, repair seat, change brake pads, rebuild brake calipers, load the trailer, repack trailer wheel bearings, inspect and tighten all trailer bolts, Rustoleum the trailer frame, unload the bike, load the bike, charge the beacon battery, clean leathers, gas the car, gas the bike, gas the fuel jugs, check and set tire pressures, make motel reservations. The list is neverending!

So when buds wanna roll out evenings or on Friday or Saturday night, clubbing, I'm like, "Nah, dude, I gotta be up at 6am, loaded and rolling by 9am, to make LA before rush hour."

Here's a typical weeknight. The car is a '95. I'm the original owner. It has 184,000 miles.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005/DSC00749email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:05 AM

wow thats awesome. I have to exact same boots as you. SMX plus?

Yeah, SMX Plus. Same color?

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:10 AM

Removing stock front MacPherson strut while replacing the front and rear suspension with adjustable coilovers

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005/DSC00512email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:12 AM

After (Bilstein PSS9)

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/FrontSuspension.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:14 AM

Rear install

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005/DSC00509email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:15 AM

Working on the bike

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005/DSC00461email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:17 AM

Pic thru sunroof, somewhere NW of Vegas on US95. Cruising at the speed limit, stretching gas mileage so I can make Vegas without an extra fuel stop.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005/DSC02383email.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:19 AM

18-wheeler is gaining

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/phntomf16/2005/DSC02388email2.jpg

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:20 AM

Still on the way to Vegas, about 100 miles NW

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:21 AM

HUGE Hawthorne army munitions depot, US95 about 300 miles NW of Vegas

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:23 AM

Long road ahead

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:24 AM

Approaching dusk, nearing Indian Springs Auxiliary Air Field northwest of Vegas, where the Thunderbirds practice.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:25 AM

The pics so far are from an October road trip to Reno-Fernley Raceway and Thunderhill Raceway:

Oct 8, 9 - Reno-Fernley Raceway on the bike,

Oct 10, 11 - Thunderhill Raceway in the car,

October 12, 13 - Thunderhill Raceway on the bike,

October 14, 15 - Thunderhill Raceway in the car.

My original plan was to leave Thunderhill and spend October 14 and 15 at Buttonwillow on the bike, but my motor (F4i) spun a main bearing and the water pump failed on October 12th.

The bike was running hot, about 250 deg F. I called Mark Ledesma at North Valley and he advised me not to run if temps went above 260 deg. My built motor with extensive mods made 112 rwhp on their dyno, up from the stock 92 rwhp, so it was expected to run a bit warm with the increased output.

Thunderhill Raceway

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:28 AM

I was keeping an eye on the temps while lapping. Then, getting on the gas exiting Nine, I felt a short pop in the motor and the tranny dropped out of gear. I pulled off of the racing line and slowed, checking the indicators. 270 deg F. I revved the motor slightly with the clutch engaged and felt increased vibration. Something was very wrong. I limped back to the pits, the paddock, and shut it down. The heat from the motor had crept into the entire frame and fuel tank. Standing next to the bike was like standing next to sauna coals, it was so hot.

As it turns out, the original water pump was failing. Over time the blades were breaking off of the impeller and migrating through the coolant passages, obstructing them in places. It was a gradual process that eventually led to almost complete stagnation of the engine coolant. At this point the impeller only had two of eight blades still intact, with a third barely hanging on. The impeller wasn't pumping, and the loose blades were blocking the flow.

We discovered this when Mark disassembled the motor. He said it was like an autopsy, finding bits of water pump in various coolant passages throughout the motor.

I asked if the elevated engine temps led to the bearing failure. He said the high temps have more of an effect on oil breakdown, causing the oil to lose its lubricating properties over time.

The main bearing spun simply due to hi-performance wear over many track miles. The full HRC kit that was installed (pistons, rings, valves, valve springs, shortened velocity stacks, cams, and ECU) raised the redline from 14,000 RPM to somewhere near 16,000 RPM to make the extra power.

The increased reciprocating stresses on the crank from the raised revs simply wore out the motor. The journals that hold the crank bearings had deformed from circular to egg-shaped as a result of the increased up-and-down stresses from the pistons/con rods. The crank was actually hopping up and down slightly in the deformed journals. The repair required totally new engine cases.

Mark said he was amazed when he disassembled the motor; it looked like it had been subjected to some kinda crazy durability testing. It was so ugly he actually call Erion Racing for their input.

Erion Racing says the original F4i waterpump is a known failure item. The replacement part is a redesign with a different, more durable impeller.

Erion also says they raced their F4i motors for 2500 miles between rebuilds due to the bearing journal problem. To date, my motor had 68 trackdays on it, about 37 days with the raised redline. I figure thats about 5000 miles with the raised redline, so I was doubly due.

The failure happened at about 3 pm on the 12th, so I parked the bike on its stands, secured the trailer, and headed back to the motel. The next morning at the track I pulled the oil pan to see what I could see:

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:29 AM

It wasn't pretty. The copper-colored specs in this closeup are just that, copper flakes from a main bearing.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:30 AM

Another metal shaving in the oil pan

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:31 AM

The October 12/13 trackday was put on by Pacific Super Sport Riders, a club from the Seattle area, down for their annual 2-day visit to Thunderhill. I was the only dude from Arizona, REPRESENTIN' :buttrock

Somebody had a leak and oiled about a third of the track, from Turn 10 to thru 15. The cleanup powder is seen in several photos. It's on the inside line in this pic

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:32 AM

Judging from the size of the number stickers they handed out at registration, I think their cornerworkers may need corrective lenses. I actually trimmed the sticker down around the numerals 6 and 7 to fit it on my fairing. Seriously.

Warming up

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:33 AM

Upshifting to 3rd gear exiting the Esses, Turn 13

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:36 AM

At the end of the front straight I was down on top speed by about 400 rpm due to extra drag from that number sticker.

Turn 2.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:38 AM

After dropping the oil pan and realizing that I couldn't track the bike at Buttonwillow the coming Saturday and Sunday (today was Thursday, October 13th) according to plan, I said my farewells, headed back to the motel, and logged onto the 'net to look for car events in the neighborhood (Infineon, Laguna, Thunderhill, Reno-Fernley). It turns out the Ferrari Club was at Thunderhill the next day (Friday), and the Shelby Club was there on Saturday and Sunday.

I made a couple of frantic calls to contact numbers on their websites, and I was in luck! The Ferrrari Club and the Shelby Club both had open slots!! I called the motel front desk and extended my stay thru Sunday. Seven straight trackdays at Thunderhill, I should have forwarded my mail.

Here's a taste of the hardware present at the Ferrari event

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:40 AM

See those DOT tires? They were swapped on at the track from regular street rubber. This 550 Maranello was driven by the club chapter president.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:41 AM

And I mean driven. Much respect, dude. :buttrock

I pulled out to pass the Porsche Boxter S on the straight between 13 and 14, with the 550M right behind me. Both of us motored by the Boxster, completing the pass on the brakes deep into 14. We late apexed for good drive thru 15 onto the main straight. Needless to say, the 550M passed me quite soon thereafter, a vicious V-12 howl bellowing from its exhaust. I smiled all the way into Turn 1

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:42 AM

The 550M at rest

BMpoWere36

01-10-2006, 01:49 AM

Very nice write up. That looks like a lot of work.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 01:59 AM

Thanks. Yeah, it is/was a lot of work. Took me about a week to put it together in my local sportbike forum. It's up to 13 forum pages so far. I'll post more here over the next few days.

Bsaint

01-10-2006, 02:01 AM

wow good shit man very clean car and bike and impressive for a tracked 184k m3

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:08 AM

It's held up very well over the past ten years

Silver

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:09 AM

Another angle

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:11 AM

The engine bay

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:13 AM

Magnum, P.I. showed up

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:14 AM

Yellow

moo moo

01-10-2006, 02:15 AM

Nice pictures. Looks like fun.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:17 AM

E46 M3. Lightened with carbon fiber hood, trunk, roof, fenders, and doors. Hopped up motor, too. Quite fast.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:18 AM

Carbon Fiber weave

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:21 AM

Next upgrade is a motor rebuild to boost output from 240hp at the crank to 250 hp at the rear wheels. It holds its own pretty well, particularly in the turns.

Original (still stock) motor and paint.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:22 AM

I learned from that day's photos that it sometimes lifts the inside front tire when cornering hard

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:24 AM

race-prepped Ferrari

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:26 AM

another one

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:27 AM

One more

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:28 AM

This Cobra replica was sharp

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:29 AM

The owner said that's a PT Cruiser factory color. I thought it was the prettiest car at the track that day

jeebus

01-10-2006, 02:30 AM

I envy your life. :buttrock

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:30 AM

A Dodge Viper came out to play

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:31 AM

And a coupla Porsches

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:33 AM

I envy your life. :buttrock

I've been very fortunate. Hard work is also involved, though.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:34 AM

I used a couple of helmets this year

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:35 AM

This happened at Cali Speedway (Nov, 2004). My lap times dropped about 3 seconds after getting some pointers on lines from Mark Ledesma. I was dealing with a worn gearbox (an F4i weakpoint). I couldn't use 3rd gear so all day I had to double-up and double-down shift from 2nd to 4th and back.

http://www.fastrackriders.com/pages2/assets/images/cal_speedway_AMA_800.gif

Coming off the high-speed front straight into Turn 1, liter-bikes see 160+ mph easily. I'm doing about 145mph in 5th gear, best guess. For One you set up at the extreme right, high up on the banking and as close to the wall as you dare, right elbow inches from the concrete. Lining up on the right like this straightens the chicane. Normally I brake and go down two gears to 3rd into One, but I can only drop down a single gear to 4th before diving left off the banking down into the chicane. The immediate right requires a tremendous countersteer effort. It's like doing an asymmetrical bench press where all the weights have slipped off the left end of the barbell.

Get on the gas thru the sweeping left, then brake and shift down to 2nd for Turn 3. I went double-down and found a false neutral while braking. The distraction drew my eyes down to the tach, away from my track references. At this point Mark, who had been following and coaching for several laps, knew I wasn't going to make Turn 3. I had lost reference and tried to make it anyway instead of safely blowing through back onto the banking. The increased braking effort locked my front. There was a tug on the bars as they quick-snapped full right lock. The bike snap-rolled left, pulling my left arm, still gripping the bar, down with it into the pavement. The asphalt come up to meet my face, filling my face shield and knocking me unconscious.

Mark says my body slid face first and face down, limp like a rag doll, thru the braking zone to the edge of the apron outside of Three. At rest, I was on my back looking up. Mark was on his bike looking down at me. "Are you ok?" he asked. My immediate thought was that I was laying in the runoff area of Three and I needed to get out of the impact zone and out of harm's way. I answered, "I'm going over there." Mark says I looked hopelessly drunk as I wobbled a few steps up the steep banking before stumbling and tripping over my own feet. I sat there as the ambulance approached.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:38 AM

I was released from the hospital at 7pm that evening. X-Rays and CT scan were negative. No concussion, no neck injuries. My friend, Pearl, was in Los Angeles from Singapore, heading to the track that afternoon to watch. She met me at the hospital before I was released.

We went to the track, packed everything up, loaded the bike, then dropped her rental car off at their Ontario office. She rode shotgun as I drove the five hours to Phoenix, arriving at 3 am.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 02:40 AM

Helmet Harbor (my local helmet shop) hooked me up with a replacement helmet in time for Pahrump's track day the following weekend :alright

I rented a ZX6 while the F4i gearbox was getting repaired.

dawgeatdawg

01-10-2006, 04:22 AM

I love the ferrari pics.

Jean-Claude

01-10-2006, 10:32 AM

This might be the best thread I have seen in a while.
Thanks for the hard work with the pictures and typing!

Thread++++

ilia

01-10-2006, 10:56 AM

Man, that's totally the life to live, I'd love to do that once I get settled into work.

I lived in Arizona for a year, it was a really amazing place, and those pictures definately make me want to go back to the desert. Where do you live in AZ?

Ever run at arroyo seco? That's the only one I managed to get out to while I was over there, it was a fun course.

///w3fl3x

01-10-2006, 12:08 PM

That's a pretty cool lifestyle you're living.

I think you're the first that i've actually seen using the trailer hitch on the m3. :eyecrazy

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread for more pictures.

6i9

01-10-2006, 12:20 PM

Wow, your life > me

e39M5

01-10-2006, 12:32 PM

amazing.

Snarcher!

01-10-2006, 12:36 PM

any e30 m3s?

pba110

01-10-2006, 01:49 PM

out of curiosity...what do you do? great post by the way...thanks for putting it up! :)

4ZPN

01-10-2006, 02:42 PM

Nice write up.

builder

01-10-2006, 02:48 PM

That was kick-ass.

uansari1

01-10-2006, 03:11 PM

You, my friend, have a very complete life. Honestly, after reading and seeing just a glimpse, I can't think of anything more you'd need...

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:18 PM

I live in the northwest part of the Phoenix area, near Arrowhead mall.

I haven't run at Arroyo Seco (yet).

I'm an airline pilot for FedEx, based at our Asia-Pacific Hub in Subic Bay, Philippines.

The commute between work in Subic Bay, Philippines, and Phoenix takes me about 24 hours, door-to-door. I usually get a ride on a company plane (FedEx) between Subic and Tokyo, often riding jumpseat in the cockpit if I'm not sleepy. I snapped some pics this year.

These were taken at 35,000 feet

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:19 PM

northeast bound over the Pacific

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:23 PM

between Taiwan and southern Japan

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:24 PM

We had company that day

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:27 PM

This was an Eva Air Boeing 747 out of Taipei. He was at 36,000 feet on the same jet route.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:28 PM

I wonder what passengers would think if they could see this from their side window

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:29 PM

Lanes on the highway separate cars laterally, side-to-side. Lanes on the jet routes separate aircraft vertically by 1000 feet.

The 747 was cruising slightly faster (Mach 0.85) than our MD-11 (Mach 0.84)

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:30 PM

On one trip from Phoenix back to work, I went thru Anchorage and caught a company jumpseat to Tokyo. On that morning we had two MD-11s heading to Tokyo, launching at about the same time. This one overtook us about two hours out of Anchorage, cruising at 39,000 feet while we were at 35,000. He had a higher ground speed at that altitude. This pic is zoomed

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:31 PM

Earlier that morning

Phantom

01-10-2006, 03:32 PM

over Alaska heading toward the Aleutian Islands

MP525i

01-10-2006, 03:37 PM

holy crap! this thread is awesome!

i was going to comment on the mudflaps on the m3, but after reading everything- doesn't matter anymore.

avus is such a hot color!

-mike

///Mr. Three

01-10-2006, 03:38 PM

Great thread! Thanks for all the pics Phantom! Makes me remember how big the world is......

BuddaLun

01-10-2006, 03:51 PM

MOST impressive!!!

E36 owns.

catalyst.

01-10-2006, 04:02 PM

Sounds like your making the most of your life man.. great way to live it up.

how did you become a pilot?

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:05 PM

I wanted to be a pilot since I was about 5 years old. We took a family trip from my hometown (Detroit) to visit aunt, uncle, and cousins in Los Angeles. It was my first time on an airplane (747). My uncle is a retired aeronautical engineer. He had a small airplane and took me flying on that visit. From that time on it was all over for me. So, I tell my uncle it's all his fault that I'm a pilot, now :stickoutt

From there I wanted to be a test pilot, then an astronaut, plus an aero engineer. I was inspired by the manned lunar missions.

I made good grades, earned an appointment to the US Air Force Academy, made good marks there (collegiate boxing All-American, aerospace engineering, with a minor language degree in Japanese), earned a good pilot training slot, applied myself in pilot training, graduated No. 1 in my class, and chose to fly the F-16.

I flew Vipers for 10+ years, based in Japan and Korea, and did my last tour as an instructor, mission commander, asst. weapons officer, and battle staff coordinator in Phoenix. Then I was faced with a 3-way decision: go to Weapons School (civilians know it as Top Gun), go to Test Pilot School, or get out and fly commercial.

I felt I had accomplished enough as a combat pilot (I had passed on what I had learned to my students, leaving a substantial legacy), the Test Pilot program seemed to have hit a wall due to the manned space flight program really slowing down following the shuttle accidents, and my best friend and others were guiding me to FedEx.

So, I interviewed with FedEx and I knew right away that's what I wanted to do next. I flew Vipers part-time for one year with the Air National Guard during my first year with FedEx. My unit wanted to send me to Weapons School, too. Then the opportunity to fly right seat in widebody jets, based in the Philippines, came up. I took it and resigned my position with the ANG.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:07 PM

I put in extra time at work at the beginning of 2005 and used the extra cash to fly my mother, older sister, and younger brother to Asia for a two week trip in March. We spent four days in Singapore, three days in Bangkok, Thailand, and we took a five day motorcoach tour from Bangkok to the northern tip of Thailand, stopping at many historical and cultural markers along the way. We had a blast!!

Mom, brother, and me, shopping district (Orchard Rd) in Singapore

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:10 PM

Mom, sister, and brother, in Ayuthaya, Thailand, an ancient capital

MD326

01-10-2006, 06:13 PM

passion. i love it. you, my friend, are quite the man.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:13 PM

My mom had visited me in 1995 when I was flying fighters in northern Japan, but my brother and sister had never been to Asia.

My original plan was to fly back to the USA to meet them at the airport in Los Angeles and join them for a long family flight across the Pacific, as a gesture to share their misery on the long flight.

Well, I was relaxing in the Philippines as the date approached. I really had the best intentions, but, uh, I said to myself, "Fuggit", phoned them, and told them, "Hey, I'll meet you at the hotel in Singapore."

They flew from the east coast to Los Angeles, then 12 hours from Los Angeles to Taipei, then connected to the five-hour flight from Taipei to Singapore, arriving at 10 pm Singapore time. I caught a company jumpseat from Subic and flew three hours to Singapore, arriving at 7 am.

One of the Thailand royal palaces

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:15 PM

The lawn

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:17 PM

A temple

Thursday1999

01-10-2006, 06:18 PM

All i have to say is wow, talk about an awesome life. *sigh one day

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:19 PM

Inside a temple

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:22 PM

Outside, again

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:24 PM

We visited the town of Lopburi, Thailand, where there is a temple devoted to monkeys.

Thursday1999

01-10-2006, 06:25 PM

best thread of 2006, keep em comin :buttrock

Phantom

01-10-2006, 06:25 PM

This pic is sure to draw comments

jekaio

01-10-2006, 07:06 PM

haha.

EXCELLENT write up.

seriously THE best thread i have ever read here on bf.c.

badass life, congrats on it.

bmwretard

01-10-2006, 07:09 PM

thanks for sharing!

Matt P.

01-10-2006, 07:32 PM

phantom is da man!

awesome pics dude

sben

01-10-2006, 07:32 PM

Yeah thanks for sharing!

I liked the pics over the Aleutians. I once flew near there (route from seattle to anchorage hugs the pacific coast for its duration) and that was by far the most badass flight I have been on. Which begs the question, what has been your favorite flight (for the route, not the aircraft)?

I'm one of those guys who is way too old to have my face glued to the window like a kid yet I still do it every time, even for routine commutes around Texas. I've flown all around the world and flying never gets old. Alas, I decided to be a brain surgeon instead of a rocket scientist :D

carreraboy911

01-10-2006, 08:28 PM

that's awesome!
I am planning to return to the track with the bike after the 2 year absence (due to the newborn son and all responsibilities that come with it)

here are some pics from before

http://russianny.com/Photos002/438362/196/197/m_BEF56D05E36A40CCB8D0DD1F2C3B1B64.jpg
http://russianny.com/Photos002/438362/196/197/m_0D9C8A533EA5472EBEBACC62334781B0.JPG
http://russianny.com/Photos002/438362/196/197/m_BDDC356CBB4C4DC59ED51D4CB021D760.JPG
http://russianny.com/Photos002/438362/196/197/m_69BC09B65BCC4B47AEBBB032D4EACFBD.JPG

and here is my Ducati l

http://russianny.com/Photos002/438362/194/195/m_95517EE916804B31B4DB0A27B1531E7E.JPG
http://russianny.com/Photos002/438362/194/195/m_19B4449302D5412A92E819E5D8B50024.JPG
http://russianny.com/Photos002/438362/194/195/m_D6410D221C0F4C71912C6C9A8AD8BE39.JPG

Phantom

01-10-2006, 08:46 PM

Yeah thanks for sharing!
Which begs the question, what has been your favorite flight (for the route, not the aircraft)?

sben, it was very similar to what you describe. The best route that I have flown to date was an aircraft delivery taking older F-16s from Japan via Fairbanks, AK, to Canon AFB, New Mexico, then picking up new F-16s from the factory in Fort Worth and flying them to Japan via Honolulu, Hawaii.

One of the legs was from Fairbanks, AK along the Alaska Panhandle, over the Cascades, into New Mexico.

Give me a couple of days to describe the entire trip, ok? I'll post it here in a few.

Phantom

01-10-2006, 08:53 PM

carreraboy911,

Dude, you rode a ZX-7RR, plus had the No. 4 plate, No. 3 plate, and the No. 1 plate??

Where is that "worship" smiley?

:worship: :worship: :pimpflash

rcM3

01-10-2006, 09:12 PM

I usually don't post unless I have something relavent to add, but I feel compelled as so many others have before me to compliment you on what must be a fulfilling life full of hard work and rewarding activity. Congratulations and thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work.

JoeyG

01-10-2006, 09:15 PM

High quality thread. Congrats, and thanks.

carreraboy911

01-10-2006, 09:20 PM

carreraboy911,

Dude, you rode a ZX-7RR, plus had the No. 4 plate, No. 3 plate, and the No. 1 plate??

Where is that "worship" smiley?

:worship: :worship: :pimpflash

thanks man !
I love your pics - awesome! Although I don't fly, I know how you feel about the race track!

Here are few more car pics from different tracks -

Watkins Glen

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads6/Alpina+race+track+WG1136945471.jpg
http://russianny.com/Photos002/438362/194/195/m_0E63584BBB05482DBB5B4FD26DA3DB46.jpg

Laguna Seca

http://www.s14.net/photopost/data/500/327LS-car-side.jpg
http://www.s14.net/photopost/data/500/327LS-DUCATI2.jpg
http://www.s14.net/photopost/data/500/327LS-start5.jpg
http://www.s14.net/photopost/data/500/327LS-start2.jpg

:buttrock

Phantom

01-11-2006, 02:47 AM

cool.

In Lopburi I bought a bag of peanuts and made some friends

Phantom

01-11-2006, 02:49 AM

and more friends

Phantom

01-11-2006, 02:51 AM

and MORE friends

Phantom

01-11-2006, 02:56 AM

I ran out of friends at about the same time that I ran out of peanuts

Phantom

01-11-2006, 02:58 AM

Then my brother took over

Phantom

01-11-2006, 03:00 AM

but I think he was being used

Phantom

01-11-2006, 03:02 AM

as a meal ticket

Phantom

01-11-2006, 03:04 AM

'cuz his friends disappeared

Phantom

01-11-2006, 03:07 AM

along with the peanuts

Phantom

01-11-2006, 03:08 AM

and went across the street to play

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:20 PM

we visited a primary school

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:21 PM

on the way to Sukhothai,

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:22 PM

arriving just before sunset

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:25 PM

We visited the border between Thailand and Burma (Myanmar), where we saw a traditional dance and show

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:27 PM

The story goes that the people were sometimes attacked by tigers. As a measure of protection metal rings were placed around the necks of the young children, primarily the girls. The rings would protect the vulnerable neck area. More rings were added as the children grew. Over time the practice was no longer needed to protect against tigers, and the rings became symbols of beauty and status: the more rings, the greater the status/beauty.

The rings don't actually make the neck longer, they push the shoulders down, giving the appearance of elongated necks. The ladies wear the rings for life because their necks would be too fragile to support themselves if the rings were ever removed.

The senior ladies in the pic date from the time that the neck rings were still in practice

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:28 PM

Thunderhill, April, 2005

Installing the Ohlins rear shock and Race Tech fork internals did wonders for the suspension. The increased traction and suspension feedback increased my confidence level tenfold. I had also adjusted my riding position in the turns such that I would rest my lower chest atop the fuel tank, putting my torso directly in touch with the bike's motions.

The day before I set specific objectives for each session. I set the first objective on increased corner speed with increased lean angles. After that I worked on later braking points and trailbraking. Next I targeted specific turns and sight references to increase my steering rate. I shaved four and a half seconds off my previous best lap time, dropping from 2:14.05 down to 2:09.47

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:30 PM

In this morning's riders meeting Lance Keigwin reminded us to ride at our own pace and to not get distracted by faster friends or other riders. He made special mention of a youngster on a 125cc two-stroke that was turning 2:10s laps, and he said not to let that hurt our egos.

At non-competitive trackdays I have a personal rule not to pass anyone on the first lap of any session or until my tires are warmed up, whichever is later. This humble behavior avoids igniting other riders' egos early in the session and tends to reduce testosterone levels of the riders around me, myself included. Plus, if I pass someone in the warmup laps then I at least subconsciously must justify the maneuver by KEEPING them behind me. Nothing is won on the first lap, and on the occasions that I have witnessed tracktime stupidity, it has generally happened in the first three laps of any session. It seems that at half the trackdays I attend someone falls in front of me within the first three laps of the first or second session of the day, usually after gunning past me on the opening lap during warmup. So, my personal rule keeps me from performing the same buffoonery.

While pre-gridding for the second session of the day I found myself lined up behind that youngster on the 125cc stroker. I was slightly miffed because I knew it would distract me. See, If it weren't for my personal rule I would have cleared off past the youngster, powering away down the straight with my 70hp advantage, so that they would not be a factor. But now I was faced with warming up behind the youngster and probably spending the session lapping with the youngster since our lap times were so close. To get clear of the youngster I would have to focus on shorter lap times, eventually picking a way past. That would involve some dicing, and I did not want to compete with the junior rider, nor did I want any attempt to get past to be construed as intimidation.

At the same time I didn't want to throttle back on the out laps to let the youngster open a gap, because to do so I would have to pussyfoot and let those gridded behind me get past, thereby necessitating that I re-pass someone early in the session. Being repassed by me after my wimping out in the opening laps could potentially set off a testosterone burst in that other rider. Ah, the complexities of trackday psychology.

As it was, I spent the first two laps following the youngster, noting the lines and technique. It was quite impressive, and I decided to learn what I could from observing them. Gone was the desire to clear off and lap alone to work on my technique in a vacuum. I was now watching intently, noting where the youngster would gap me and where I could make up distance. The youngster knew the track well, picking precise turn-in points to get the bike immediately leaned over and into the turn. My transitions were slower and hesitant, but once into the turn I matched the youngster's corner speed. I'd make up ground on the blind Turns 5 and 9, on the power down the straights, and braking later and deeper into the turns.

Toward the end of the fourth lap I decided NOT to pass the youngster with an inside move on the brakes into Fourteen. It was safer, less intimidating, and more comfortable to power past down the long front straight. I trailbraked into One, gassed it on the exit, then dipped into Two, the long, 180 degree left-hand sweeper. About half-way around I heard that two-stroke just behind me and was startled to see it pass me on the outside of Two with higher corner speed. I was so impressed that my admiration distracted me from getting a good drive out of Two. I actually noted the youngster step up the pace, as if my pass on the front stretch triggered a switch. In other words, it's ON!!

Slapped back to my senses I cracked the throttle open further in Three and Four, getting knee-down with the increased corner speed. I fired out of Four up the hill to the Cyclone, hard on the brakes, then threw the bike on its side over the top of Five in chase of the youngster. Again, the faster transitions were my disadvantage. The gap remained steady until cresting the blind Turn 9, where I closed the gap and could have dived under into Ten. "Remember, it's a trackday," I reminded myself. I settled in behind the youngster for the highly cambered Ten, braking hard in to the sharp Eleven, and opening the throttle with a flowing line through 12 and 13. I declined another opportunity to pass on the brakes into Fourteen, which left me passing the youngster on the front straight again.

The next lap was a repeat. The youngster came past me on the outside of Two, and I pursued again to Turn Nine. Again I exercised restraint and waited until the front straight to pass. This went on for several more laps, until I finally cleared off and was permanently past the youngster.

Back in the paddock at the end of the session, I passed her a big thumbs up while motoring past her pit area. That’s right, this was a 12 year old GIRL that was lapping with the big boys!

You can see her on the outside in this pic of Turn 1!!

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:31 PM

This year was my first time trying on-track video as a training tool. Vision Wells is often at Thunderhill events with camera bikes and helmet cams. They'll film any or all of three views (front, rear, helmet), and put together a DVD. The finished product can have all three views, a split view of your choice (helmet + front, or helmet + rear), a lap time display, and even a track map with an index dot continuously marking your position as you progress around the track.

Here's a pic of the camera bike following me in Turn 11

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:33 PM

In this pic I'm wearing the backpack containing the camcorder, and you can make out the remote camera mounted on the left side (rider's left) of the helmet

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:34 PM

I didn't get any track time between April and August because I couldn't make it back to the States due to work commitments and schedule changes (paying for that expensive family vacation!!!!). I spent the time repeatedly studying and reviewing the on-track video DVD I had from Vision Wells

Samples here under "Kelly Jones": http://www.visionwells.com/otv/2005_042526-ktt.htm

I noted over and over where I could gain speed and cut lap times. I sent copies of the DVD to family members. My mom said watching it gave her "heart palpitations", and my dad was awestruck, showing it to everyone at the office.

Reviewing the video made a huge difference in my confidence level, too.

At this point I'm still using a "two-finger" braking technique. I hadn't yet switched to four fingers, something I changed to after riding a bike with a slipper clutch. I discovered that I can brake with better feel using all fingers, making small modulations with the pinky and ring finger.

Noting the fork compression and increasing lean angle, this pic also shows that I'm braking harder and deeper into turns, improving my trailbraking technique

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:38 PM

Trackside photography was another handy tool for training. I use it to critique my riding position and cornering stance. Thunderhill's Turn 5, the Cyclone, is similar to the famous Corkscrew at Laguna Seca. Here's a photo sequence

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:39 PM

at the crest

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:40 PM

direction and body position change

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:41 PM

Settling in

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:42 PM

And thru to Turn 5a.

I also critique how far ahead I'm looking thru the turn. When I'm not in the groove and I'm not at my usual comfort level, oftentimes it's because I've gotten lazy and stopped looking far enough ahead. I'm uncomfortable because I'm not seeing far enough ahead and I'm not predicting what's coming up. I'm merely reacting, which leads to tension, fear, loss of smoothness, and a resulting loss of speed.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:44 PM

In these pics I've gained ground clearance by changing to longer footpegs and changing my foot/knee positioning. In the early shots my ground clearance is limited by my toe slider, which would touch down before my knee.

November, 2004,

Thunderhill Turn 11

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:45 PM

Relatively new, unscuffed leathers :)

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:47 PM

April, 2005, same turn.

Hanging off more, looking further ahead, increased lean angle, replacement helmet with scuffed leathers, too :)

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:48 PM

October, 2005

hanging off even more, less lean angle (still warming up), new leathers

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:49 PM

October, 2005

four-finger braking technique

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:51 PM

Car and bike trackdays are organized and structured essentially the same way. Car trackdays have more restrictive passing rules, though. Most organizations only allow passing on the designated straights with a point-by from the car being passed, unless it's an actual RACE group with open passing. Many vehicles at car trackdays are daily drivers, and folks don't want to risk swapping paint.

In my experience, tracking a car is about three times as expensive as tracking a motorcycle, considering parts, fuel, maintenance, tires, brakes, and registration fees. This excludes any crashes, of course. Car damage at track events is very rare.

Bike crashes happen far more often than car damage. In 5 1/2 years of car track events I have seen car-to-car contact only once, and I no longer track with that organization because they are not disciplined. I see single-car damage about one track event per year, almost always due to gross driver error that is easily avoidable.

Tracking a motorcycle is more physically demanding and is a more potent adrenaline hit than tracking a street-legal car. It's like a shot of Jack Daniel's vs a glass of fine wine: both will get you drunk, but there's a big difference in how it happens.

If I'm away from both events, I miss the bike more than I miss the car.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:51 PM

Drivers and riders essentially work on the same things at track events. Hi-performance driving and hi-performance riding are extremely similar. So is hi-performance flying, for that matter. Basically, it's all about

- visualizing, entering, pursuing, and exiting turn circles,
- energy (speed) vs position and properly trading one for the other,
- knowing, sensing, and maximizing your vehicle's performance,
- and making the proper control inputs to place your vehicle where it needs to be.

The differences are basically the behavior differences between the vehicles and the input devices and instruments used to control the vehicles (the man-machine interface).

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:54 PM

The difference in lap times between the M3 and the F4i is about 9 seconds at Willow Springs, a 2.5 mile track

http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/trackinformation/images/RoadCourseLg.gif

the M3 turns 1:39s and the F4i does 1:32s. The bike can probably do 1:30s since accomplished racers turn 1:30s on 600cc bikes. (I have some more room for improvement.)

The bike has a clear acceleration advantage.

At motorcycle trackday events timing is not only allowed, it is highly encouraged. This is in contrast to most car trackday events, where timing is not allowed unless you are in the RACE group.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:58 PM

Ford GT40

Phantom

01-11-2006, 12:59 PM

another angle

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:03 PM

The GT40 is famous for winning the 24 Hours of LeMans during an era dominated by Ferrari. IIRC, the name comes from the fact that the car is 40 inches tall.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:04 PM

This car was a DIY replica in the image of the original GT40. At this point the owner had invested seven YEARS of DIY fabrication of the vehicle. He installed aircraft landing lights as headlights

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:06 PM

The small pod in the center-rear of the roof is a remote camera linked to an LCD screen in the center console of the interior. It acts as a rear view mirror.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:08 PM

This guy is one helluva craftsman. The fiberglass layup is visible in the rear fenders. Check out the scoops and brake ducting to cool the rear brakes

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:09 PM

Details in this photo:

Awesome headers/exhaust
Fuel cell and filler cap
Rear coilover mounting point
Oil cooler

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:10 PM

Check out that oil sump! The electrical plug in the "V" of the black frame tubing at right of the photo is for plugging in a sump heater in cold weather

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:11 PM

I heard him say the motor makes about 700 horsepower.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:12 PM

Shelby Cobra, likely a replica

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:13 PM

Beautiful

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:14 PM

This gentleman had a first-class driving instructor

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:15 PM

class act

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:18 PM

This Mercury hauled ASS!!

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:19 PM

A beauty

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:20 PM

I was really impressed by the attention to detail, especially the air filter recessed into the hood.

In the photo above, check out the ram-air ducts feeding from the front of the hood under the topskin, eliminating the need for a hood scoop and allowing the big block motor to fit with underhood clearance. What an elegant and ingenious solution

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:22 PM

The Shelby Club guys were your classic Ford fanatics, celebrating Ford's history. They were usually in their mid-40s to early 60s, the kinda guys with workshops in the garage who spent their time building, restoring, and caring for older Fords. Being at the track with them was like sitting down with an elder and listening to wise tales of days gone by. Very cool

Phantom

01-11-2006, 01:23 PM

I saw this guy on the trailer as I was packing up

Andres

01-11-2006, 01:42 PM

Captain

01-11-2006, 02:35 PM

I can't believe I just sat here and read threw all 7 pages lol. Very captivating thread! You've obviously worked very hard for what you have. I was quite floored with your work experience.

Very cool.
.

I can't believe it either...i'm kind of mad at Sir Phantom for pro-loning this awesomeness. I can't stop reading.

Phantom,
Congrats on all your success and hard work. I think that was really great of you to take your family on vacation, i'm sure they enjoyed that. You're a good family man, and definetely a hard worker. Keep it up, keep it fun!

Phantom

01-11-2006, 02:53 PM

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

EBM3/4

01-11-2006, 03:37 PM

Awesome. Keep the pics and stories comin as you get em. I couldn't take my eyes off this thread.

MD326

01-11-2006, 05:28 PM

this thread is like crack. i cant stop reading it and checking everying two seconds for updates. damnitttttttttttt. :redspot

David A

01-11-2006, 05:48 PM

This thread is amazing! I rarely post on here but I have to thank you for showing me there are still people out there that work their ass off. AWESOME JOB!

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:02 PM

Here's a Lotus Elise that was at an earlier trackday

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:04 PM

another view

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:08 PM

Toward the fall of 2005 I was looking for more horsepower. My good friend, Ted, from AZ Trackday was selling his Gixxer hybrid (600 frame, 750 motor and swingarm, 1000 forks) from the previous race season. I bought it

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:09 PM

And made an August roadtrip, visiting Cali Speedway, Buttonwillow, Thunderhill, and back to Buttonwillow.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:11 PM

9 trackdays in the space of 12 days. Track configuration, Date, Organization, Laptime, Improvement from previous:

California Speedway Aug 19, 20 FasTrack Riders 1:42.85 -0.3
Buttonwillow, 13CCW Aug 21 The Track Club 2:06.06
Buttonwillow, 1CW Aug 22 The Track Club 2:08.34
Buttonwillow, 1CCW Aug 23 The Track Club
Thunderhill Aug 26 Pacific Track Time 2:04.46 -5.0
Thunderhill Aug 27, 28 Keigwin At The Track 2:01.58 -2.9
Buttonwillow, 13CW Aug 29 Take It To The Track 2:00.41

Thunderhill, August, 2005, entering Turn 10

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:13 PM

I spent the first five days at Cali Speedway and Buttonwillow getting comfortable with the motorcycle.

After that, at Thunderhill I shaved 5 seconds off of my previous best F4i lap (2:04.46 vs 2:09.47). I think half of that was down to the bike and the other half to improved riding technique

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:14 PM

With the slipper clutch I started braking with four fingers. Note the fork compression turning in to Eleven

Captain

01-11-2006, 06:16 PM

And made an August roadtrip, visiting Cali Speedway, Buttonwillow, Thunderhill, and back to Buttonwillow.
This pic is awesome with the flame coming out of the exhaust pipe. Might be time for new wallpaper...

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:16 PM

. . . versus the fork extension hard on the gas out of Thirteen

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:20 PM

This pic is awesome with the flame coming out of the exhaust pipe. Might be time for new wallpaper...

Yeah, that is an awesome pic. Ted had tuned the motor to run rich at idle for smoother throttle response opening the throttle on corner exit. The result is the back flame you see just after closing the throttle. The camera bike rider following me was surprised to see it every time into Turns 14, 5, and 6. It looks cool on the DVD video, too :alright

the leathers are looking ratty with patches and duct tape

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:22 PM

By the way, the 12-year-old girl (Elena Myers is her name) was there again. Check her video at

http://www.visionwells.com/elenamyers/

Her laptimes had dropped since April, too (it was now August), from 2:10s into the 2:01s, I believe. In the last on-track shot of her video you see her ride around me when I'm in traffic. That sh*t was inspirational :buttrock

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:25 PM

My first time on slicks, the bike had so much traction it was incredible. Ted had dialed in the handling over the previous race season. This made a huge difference in my confidence level

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:26 PM

I set specific objectives again, and the next day I shaved nearly three more seconds off my best laptime (2:01.58 vs 2:04.46) by gaining cornering speed with increased lean angle and getting on the gas sooner out of corners. I'm having to retract the inside knee for greater cornering clearance

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:28 PM

Something about the bike didn't feel quite right in certain spots on the track, primarily upsweeps in track slope that compressed the forks while loading the front of the bike. Plus, I didn't have enough arm room and couldn't fit my elbows inside my thighs on the straights.

The front end would wander as the track swept uphill and compressed the forks into the apex of Turn 8. Approaching Eight I was closing the throttle slightly to scrub off some speed before turning in. As my pace improved I was closing it less and less. While filming I progressed to keeping the throttle open into Eight and got a wicked tank slapper at the apex.

The bars oscillated and the bike shook such that it was all I could do just to stay on. I completely opened my grip on the bars and rode atop the seat/tank (the bike was slapping while still leaned over!!). I had turned in just far enough that the bike completed the turn on its own while going into the new pavement runoff outside of Eight, barely into the dirt, and back on the the track surface.

Back in control, I completed five more laps before pulling into the paddock and calling it a day. It was 12 noon and I was fatigued from three straight days of hard riding. I had muscle failure such that my muscles simply wouldn't DO what I was telling them too. I called it a half-day and hit the road, driving seven hours to my ninth and final day at Buttonwillow.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:30 PM

Back at Buttonwillow we ran the standard track configuration (13, clockwise)
http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/images/race_13_config.gif

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:31 PM

Between sessions I adjusted the bars, trying to find more arm room. It seemed they were adjusted for a Tyrannosaurus Rex with little bitty forearms )

At first I angled them too far forward, almost sticking straight out from the chassis. That didn't work

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:33 PM

I found a good compromise position about halfway. I'm about 30lbs lighter than Ted, and the rear was riding too high, making the front geometry too steep and unstable. I adjusted the suspension, dialing out some rear preload. That calmed the front end

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:35 PM

And I was lapping with confidence, again

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:37 PM

That day at Buttonwillow I had turned a best lap of 2:00.41, improving on my previous F4i best of 2:01.84. I wanted to get below two minutes, and went out in the afternoon to do so. I was still getting used to the new bar position and its effect on throttle actuation.

The apex of the last Cotton Corner, before Grapevine, rests atop a hillcrest, much like this photo of Lost Hill

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:40 PM

The pavement in Cotton Corners is older and rougher, offering less grip. I opened the throttle too early cresting the last Cotton Corners hill.

"zzzziiiiiiiIINNNGGG!!"

Dammit!! The thing that sucks about crashing is that the process is so cruel to the psyche. I mean, the fact that you are crashing is bad enough in itself, but there's that brutal week of self-torture contained within the 3 milliseconds during which you realize you're crashing, it's going to hurt, repairs are gonna cost you, it's too late to prevent it, and you're a dumbass .

If crashing was instantaneous the thought would be, "Oooops, I guess I f*cked up." But ya see, crashing isn't instantaneous. It takes time. A long time. Enough time for you to think about it as it's happening. The thought is like this: "Oooops, I'm f*cking up." Note the key difference. "I f*cked up" sounds innocent, a confession asking forgiveness, like you unknowingly made a mistake, couldn't help yourself, and before you knew it you were on your ass, dumbfounded. But the thought, "I'm F*CKING up" sounds intentional, like you are knowingly, stubbornly, willingly DECIDING to f*ck up. One is past tense, the other is present tense. That's because crashing, in its infinite kindness, generously grants you enough time for solemn reflection before impact.

It's a pre-defined process- step over the limit, realize you're surpassing it and can't recover, flash fire of thoughts about the painful and expensive consequences, and then . . . tick . . .tick . . . tick . . . "BAM!!" the crashing, falling, impact, scraping, bouncing, sliding, and tumbling actually happens.

Few things are as pitiful a sight as the practiced and skilled rider in the midst of a fall. Just moments before he was master of his craft. Now he's a helpless rag doll bouncing down the track at the mercy of physics, flapping and flailing before finally coming to rest in a cloud of dust.

Reminds me of boxing. Sign up for a match, and the hours before the fight you're thinking to yourself, "why do I do this??" It's like some twisted self-torture where your guts are tied up in knots all day long; at meals you force-feed yourself because your stomach's filled with more flutters than a butterfly farm.

"zzzziiiiiiNNNGGG!!"

Yep. The revs are soaring, the rear wheel is spinning up. "Man, this is gonna be expensive." I know I need to close the throttle. I know it's too late. I know I'm f*cking up. I also know that I'm gonna cra---"BAM!!!"

Four years of collegiate boxing taught me that my headgear will protect my eyes and that I must open them between impacts to effectively counterpunch. In the same way I've learned that my helmet visor protects my eyes in a bike crash, but there's not much use in having open eyes during a fall other than the sick entertainment factor of viewing yourself being f*cked over even as it's happening. Either that or maybe crashing just happens so damn quickly that I don't find time to reflexively close my eyes.

It was like some horror flick where the gruesome scene is flashlit by the flicker of lightning, moments of scary darkness punctuated by bright glimpses of horror.

As the rear came right out from under the bike my right hip hit the pavement, followed by a good portion of the bike's weight on top of it. The bike and I slid momentarily on our right side, a classic lowside, until the tires again gripped pavement, picking the bike up and flipping it over onto its left side. Since my left leg was still hooked over the top of the bike, I was carried over the highside, landing on my left shoulder and helmet.

My left arm was pinned under me or under the left side of the bike. I was now in front of the bike, and it was pushing me along the pavement. The direction of the slide tried to unglove my left hand. It peeled the glove cuff back, exposing the bony wrist knuckle to bare pavement.

Take a quarter-dollar and place it above that left wrist knuckle, toward the elbow and away from the hand. Next, take your right index finger and tug the skin down toward your hand until that quarter-sized patch of skin is stretched over the wrist knuckle. That patch of skin is now gone, scraped away by the asphalt.

The bike filled my visor so closely that I couldn't discern which part was pushing my head. With my free right arm I frantically pushed the bike away from me. It slid clear, the front tire spin-rubbing against the top of my helmet. I came to rest still on the track surface, curled up and writhing in pain, hands cupping my helmet. After a time I uncurled to check for injuries. I saw the marshaller waving the yellow flag, then the red flag. I looked over my left shoulder to see the bike in the runoff area.

The bike had a carbon fiber tank with a plunger-type fuel cap. I later learned that the fuel cap on top and the fuel pump on the bottom sealed well as long as the bike was upright. But laying on its side the fuel pump didn't seal. As I glanced over, "Poof!!" the bike erupted in flames.

Result

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:42 PM

The marshaller was extremely quick in reacting to the fire. He ran over with his extinguisher and handily put it out. As a prelude to my scene, another Gixxer had caught fire after crashing that morning, so I think all the marshallers were on guard.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 06:44 PM

The paramedics arrived and checked my hip for any obvious fracture by having me lay flat on my back and pressing down on both hip bones of my pelvis. No pain.

I slowly stood and made my way to the ambulance. They bandaged my left wrist and dropped me by my spot in the paddock. The marshallers brought over the bike

bogdan

01-11-2006, 07:32 PM

wow. speechless.

Sucks about the bike going up in flames. Anything salvageable from it?

Your description of the crash made me sit back and chuckle a little bit. I think we've all been there at one point or another, you just put into words well. :D

So, is it too much to ask for a pictured account of flying over Alaska? :)

CRYPTiC

01-11-2006, 07:40 PM

Having all these events in words and pictures is priceless. I need a job and a place that lets me do what you do!

Phantom

01-11-2006, 08:04 PM

wow. speechless.

Sucks about the bike going up in flames. Anything salvageable from it?

I plan to rebuild the Gixxer during my vacation in March. I figure it needs a replacement wiring harness, Pwr Cmdr, bodywork, fairing bracket, clip-on, battery, chain, tires, frame sliders, rearsets, quickshifter, and possibly ECU and rear shock. If I'm lucky the frame won't be bent.

It's a good thing I hadn't sold the F4i.
---------------------------------------------------------
I sat down and rested while assessing the extent of my pain and injuries and their effect on my day-to-day routine. My hip was hella sore. It had a deep bruise the size of a dinner plate from my waistline down to mid-thigh. My left wrist wasn't bleeding. It would heal fine while I kept it well and freshly bandaged. I could make the drive home. And I could return to work on schedule.

A bunch of guys pitched in and helped me load the bike on the trailer. Big thanks!!

Phantom

01-11-2006, 08:06 PM

Once loaded, I rested and ate before driving the two hours to my aunt and uncle's place in Los Angeles (the uncle who took me flying as a five-year-old). I always visit with them and overnight there for the SoCal portion of these roadtrips.

My uncle came out and greeted me as I arrived under cover of darkness. He suggested, "You ought to cover that thing before your aunt sees it, gets worried, and phones your mom." It's funny how even as fully grown men we try to hide our screwups from the lady of the house!!

In the weeks that followed I had serious thoughts about giving up trackdays. My newfound speed and increased skill level seemed to be accompanied by increased crash severity.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 08:07 PM

It took about seven weeks for the skin to grow back on my wrist. I was still wearing a bandage over it during my October visits to Thunderhill with the Ferrari and Shelby clubs. The scar is covered when wearing my watch.

Back in Subic I enjoyed the weather, riding my street F4i with friends, and wrenching on friends' bikes

Phantom

01-11-2006, 08:11 PM

Rico has an F4i, lowered and painted red

Phantom

01-11-2006, 08:13 PM

Bajo brought his 954 over and we fixed his rear brake light switch

Phantom

01-11-2006, 08:14 PM

"Dude, it says so right here in the manual!!!!"

"Oh. Yep. My bad."

JamesM3M5

01-11-2006, 08:19 PM

Captivating. This is one of the best things I've ever read and seen.

If you ever make it to the East coast, you're welcome to stay anytime.

tylerAWe36m3

01-11-2006, 08:25 PM

you my dear sir are an ispiration.

i wanted to be a fighter pilot and blue angel since i can remember. my grandpa was a fighter pilot in the marines flying well everything, bearcats, f4u coursairs, tbf avengers, tigercats, and then the jet age cougars, and panthers.

my dad natually wanted to follow his fathers foot steps and soloed at 16 and got his license at 17. his eyes went bad and he was devistated, his life long dream of becoming a fighter pilot died. but his passion for flying didn't he continued flying his whole life. in his later years he bought a pitts special s2b and later an s1t so he could compete in national aerobatic competions. later he had the opportunity to fly in the reno air races after becoming great friends w/ bob hannah. he was scheduled to fly a p-51 (section 8) in the unlimited bronze, but before the races that september he died in a plane crash flying his pa12 cub.

i like my father wanted to follow the aviation dream and always wanted to be a blue. even when i was 3 i could see a plane from miles away and know exactly what kind it was. sadly my eyes went bad at the age of 14. so my military dream died as well. but my passion for flying and the blue angels didn't go away. our family actually became close friends w/ the blues in the early 90's at one of their shows. we kept in contact w/ a couple of them for about 4 years and traveled to see them when they were close to home. my dad even rode in fat albert during one of the shows and they did a j.a.t.o. take off. he said it was amazing being in plane that big and climing at that rake and rate.

my dad was teaching me how to fly and i was no more than a few hours away from soloing when he had his accident. i haven't been in a private plane since but i still plan on getting my license. my goal is to buy back our t-210 and keep it in the family (grandpa bought it new in 68) N9642R.

anyhoo, your aviation background just hit a spark and i wanted to share as my whole life was based around aviation. pilots have a different language and they understand eachother no matter their background.

can you post a picture of a viper? i am not sure what that is.

also you met juan montoya right? he is my current hero. what is he like? pretty nice guy? did you get to talk to him long?

best wishes, tyler

Iotran

01-11-2006, 08:30 PM

Phantom You Rock! :jump Ultra nice thread A++ :alright

sirtiger

01-11-2006, 08:34 PM

man, thread of the year :buttrock :buttrock

tylerAWe36m3

01-11-2006, 08:35 PM

IchLiebeBMW

01-11-2006, 08:48 PM

Nice toys! :D That sounds like fun. The first two pictures really had me confused!

Phantom

01-11-2006, 10:21 PM

James,

Thank you for your invitation. Let me know if you get to the Phoenix area or east Asia, ok?

tylerAWe36m3,

Glad to hear you and your family share a passion for flying. People who work with the F-16 call it the Viper, although its official name is Fighting Falcon. As you well know, this is what it looks like

(an older photo of an F-16A element over the Nation's Capital)

Phantom

01-11-2006, 10:28 PM

wow. speechless.
. . . So, is it too much to ask for a pictured account of flying over Alaska? :)

My prints from that time (1993-1995) are at home in AZ, so a written description is the best I can do for now.

Here's a pic of my dad's visit to Luke AFB. In the background I'm getting ready to launch

Phantom

01-11-2006, 10:46 PM

In the left photo I'm standing in front of "my" jet. It's funny how it's convenient for pilots to call it "my" jet, because I'll gladly and accurately tell you that, owing to all his/her toils and labors to care for the aircraft, the jet actually belongs to the crew chief. He/She is the unsung hero behind the scenes who keeps the airplane flying and mission-capable.

In the right photo I'm finishing up debriefing an Air Combat Maneuvers sortie where my F-16 student and I (blue) flew 2 v 1 against an adversary (red).

I've reconstructed the engagements on the board with significant remarks, highlights, and lessons learned.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:00 PM

phantom,

as i was writing my post 2 f-15c's were flying over head. it looked like they were flying a c.a.p. they were making huge circles about 15 mi in diameter at around 8k feet. they did about 4 passes and then continued south toward mountain home afb. i have been hearing and seeing f-15's doing this for the past week. it is not normal for f-15's to be flying over a populated city 30 miles away from their base.

are they trainging new pilots or what?

There may be a week-long flying exercise going on and the jets have to hold momentarily and wait their turn to recover due to high traffic volume returning to base.

An actual c.a.p. (Combat Air Patrol) procedure would involve holding for an hour or several hours (with aerial refueling) on station.

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:03 PM

A view of part of Subic Bay

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:05 PM

The amphibious carrier, USS Essex, visited in November

99DINAN3

01-11-2006, 11:20 PM

Awesome stuff Phantom!!! thanks!

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:21 PM

Back in June, 2004, I saw a Suzuki GSX-R1000 cross-posted in Bf.C from Gixxer.com (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229129&page=1&pp=25).

I recognized the license plate format as Singaporean. In the Bf.C discussion I offered info on the mods I could pick out on the bike

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:23 PM

I was looking forward to a Sepang Circuit trackday at the motoGP track in Malaysia that weekend, and I remarked how it might be possible that I would see this Gixxer there

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:29 PM

Saturday morning I see this as I pull into the hotel parking lot

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:33 PM

Later that afternoon I ask some guys in the hotel lobby, "who owns this bike?", and I end up meeting "Throttlestop" and several of his friends. They all rode up three hours from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur for the track weekend, and I tell Arend that his bike is famous and show him the Bf.C thread on the lobby computer.

In the pits at Sepang

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:38 PM

You can read all about it in the trackday report here:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=230118&highlight=evar

Since then Arend and I have become great friends. We hang out on my trips to Singapore. We usually talk over coffee on Orchard Rd, taking in the scenery, before heading to the local motorcycle shop and talking with other bikers.

Earlier this year Arend sold his K4 and got a new GSX-R1000 K5. He recently finished modding it

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:40 PM

dyno plot

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:42 PM

Another view

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:43 PM

Another

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:45 PM

on track at Sepang

Phantom

01-11-2006, 11:46 PM

ok, one more

bimmeracer3

01-12-2006, 12:30 AM

i like the look of the K4 better. Has he seen any improvements by moving up to the K5?
BTW: Thread of BFC history FTW.

Skeen

01-12-2006, 01:32 AM

Awesome! How often do you get to race your kart? Any pictures of it?

Throttlestop

01-12-2006, 01:51 AM

Hey Bimmeracer3,

Phantom alerted me to this thread he got going (its fascinating, to say the least!). He sent me an email an hour ago asking if I could share my views comparing the K3/K4 to the newer model. I'm no expert, but I'll try.

I've owned both bikes (a K3, but its similar to the K4 except for some changes to the front calipers). If you were to examine the specs, the differences aren't huge. The new bike is only around 2 lbs lighter, puts out about 8 bhp more and has the same 32-bit ECU as the outgoing model. As a package, however, the changes produce a bike that is stunning in every respect, except price. The lighter wheels, better concentration of weight around the roll axis and CG, smaller overall dimensions (seat height, wheelbase, mass etc) make the new bike a joy to ride in the twisties. Its basically the same engine, with some evolutionary improvements such as two sets of injectors (vs one on the K3/K4), titanium valves etc) that allow a higher redline, and increased stump-pulling torque (70+ ft/lbs available from 5,000 rpm to 13,000 rpm, max 83 ft/lbs at 10,000 rpm) compared to the older bike. I'm 5ft 6in, and I fit on the bike like a glove, but I have heard complaints from taller folks (>5ft 10 in) that the bike is just too small for them.

Kevin Schwantz (sp?), a longtime Suzuki racer and loyal supporter was asked his opinion at the K5's Australian launch this time last year. He said he was blown away and amazed at the changes (of course he would!) but he did add "watch this year's (2005) race results". He was right, of course. The K5 took World Superbike's top honours with Troy Corser, the AMA Superbike and Superstock crowns, and countless other National and Regional C'ships. Basically, Suzuki caught the other manufacturers with their pants down with this bike.

You can read other on-line reviews of this bike at Sportrider.com and Gixxer.com.

Thanks for the opportunity.

arend.

Phantom

01-12-2006, 02:14 AM

i like the look of the K4 better. Has he seen any improvements by moving up to the K5?
BTW: Thread of BFC history FTW.

I'll ask him

. . . . WHOA! That was QUICK!!

Awesome! How often do you get to race your kart? Any pictures of it?

I raced for three seasons with the Philippine Int'l Karting Assoc., from 2001 to 2003, in the RotaxMax 125cc class. I stopped competitive kart racing when I added motorcycle trackdays. I didn't have enough time to do all three (car and bike in the USA + kart in the Phils.) plus date a stateside girlfriend, so something had to go :help

Here's something I wrote a few years ago describing a karting weekend:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24751&highlight=nogie

I keep the kart at the local track in Subic Bay and I still turn laps on occasion. Wait, not anymore. I just sold the kart this week. Guess I better change my sig.

here's a shot in the pit at Carmona Circuit. I was such a noob that I bought the helmet not even knowing it was a replica of Giancarlo Fisichella's (current Renault Formula One driver)

Phantom

01-12-2006, 02:26 AM

. . . JP Moran passed me on the back straight with a wicked inside late-braking move approaching the hairpin. I heard the tire scrub from his locked rear axle as he went by on my right side, just about sideways. His kart was in the beginning stage of spinning at that point, but his left rear wheel hooked the right front corner of my plastic front bumper.

The tug from the interlocked wheel and bumper arrested his spin, detached my bumber, and sent me wide, almost off the track, blowing all of my momentum. JP was able to complete the hairpin and open a sizeable gap of forty meters or so.

With my front bumper missing the race steward waved a black flag, beckoning me into the pits due to the missing equipment. My pit crew immediately protested, and I was allowed to continue.

I spent the next 5 laps head down, intently focused on consistent lap times, chasing down JP. Lap after excruciating lap, eeking out 6 meters of gain each time around.

In this pic I'm moving left out of JP's slipstream to re-pass him with 2 laps remaining