By David Podolsky

When is a little too much, WAY too much?

Since we got our Ducati 1098S race bike too late to really follow any series, we have only been focused on racing events that are close and provide a variety of layouts so we could set up our machine and get some practice in.

The idea is to roll the dice on the AMA Sports finale at Mid-Ohio which is a “winner takes all” event. Maybe we can pull a rabbit out of the hat there.

Over the Labor Day weekend we went off to Beaverun in the Pittsburgh area of PA to participate in the WERA races.  Jen, a Chicken Hawk Racing employee who participates in Track Days, had never been to a race, so she decided to come along to help out and see what a race weekend is all about.

Having looked at the Mylaps.com site I saw what lap times won the races for the Heavyweight Twins last time out to give me a target to shoot for. The times looked liked a minute flat could win and 1:01s would make us run up front.

I was really methodical since I hadn’t raced at BeaveRun since 2003 and never with the Ducati.  Also because I wanted Jen to see how the steps of getting your bike set for a new track went.

First sessions-       get comfortable with the racing line

get braking markers

                             pay attention to which bumps were a nuisance.

As lap times get better/closer – start looking at tire wear and decide which compound tire is right for the track surface and temperature. Select which final drive gearing (front and rear sprocket size) would be right for the track. Until you are in the ballpark of your eventual lap times you can’t decide these things, including suspension settings, because at 4-5 seconds off your eventual pace you are learning nothing.

I even walked the track at dusk to find the dips/depressions that were setting off some handlebar shaking at high speed as you accelerated onto the back straight.

Saturday was only a 20 minute Solo race with all Heavy-weight bikes thrown in together, so it was a good practice. I started off strong then faded a bit near the end and finished 7th.  Not bad, since some of the front runners on 4 cylinder 1000s would not be the Twins races anyway.

Sunday morning I felt good, and the lap times were good…….1:01s were coming easily and I felt minute flats were no problem in the race so it seemed like I looked good for a top three finish.

Killer start for the race- I went from the 3rd row to enter turn one in 3rd spot passing several guys on the outside in turn one.  I was behind Denny Pasedo on a 999R and Vince LaRusso on another 1098- both do well at BeaveRun and I finished behind Denny on Saturday.  I felt content to stay right there and learn what I could about who was strong where and to observe.

A lap later Vince was on the ground after losing the front going into the long right hander before the front straight.As I followed Denny into turns one, two, and three, I was thinking “we’re going a bit slow but I’m staying right here" as I had no intention to pass.

As we headed up the hill for turn five our corner speed seemed a little slow and as I flicked it over for turn 6 I was on the gas….maybe a bit too much, which can happen when you feel you’re not carrying enough speed mid-corner. OK, it was definitely too much because the back end stepped out as the bike transitioned from right to left.  I rolled off enough to get popped out of seat but didn’t high-side.

I didn’t get the bike under control either. The 1098S bucked underneath me twice as I hung on and then slammed me down on the left side.  I awoke in the ambulance a bit confused but pretty sure I had crashed my bike. That little too much throttle had turned into WAY too much throttle.

Jen had the fun task of following me to the hospital, hanging out while I got a CAT scan, and watching as my “hard drive” got re-booted and my memory came back. She probably saw more of the race weekend experience then I had planned and didn’t even get to go to the Trophy presentation!

Bottom line – I was OK, the bike would be OK and everyone at the track was very cool helping load stuff back in the trailer.

I took my time driving the motor home and trailer and got home late Monday afternoon.

I think back to the first couple of hours I was driving after I left the track that Sunday.  PA has no helmet law and I watched plenty of riders without helmets ride by me - a guy in an RV pulling a trailer.  I kept thinking that if these folks knew what I had been through, and now after a CAT scan and 5 hours, I am driving my 60’ rig they might choose to wear helmets!

I had originally planned to race the next weekend at Summit Point, WV. with the regional CCS races there so I followed through with the plan. Tuesday I was Celtic Performance’s shop getting new tabs welded onto the frame for rear sets, a new tank installed, and a new race body. Friday I was on the track getting my “sea legs” back.  Knowing another wreck was not acceptable I ran about a second off my normal at Summit Point and only did one race on Saturday finishing 4.

Sunday I was in charge of a Sportbike Track Time track day at Pocono Raceway.

I felt better knowing the Ducati and I were both working OK.

Check back soon and see how Chicken Hawk Racing fairs at the AMA Sports Grand Championship.