I’ve combined my love of track days with my love of data analytics. Here’s a summary of data from my lap timer. Dashboard Powered by Tableau

I love the craftsmanship of Ducati motorcycles but it’s impossible to resist upgrading it. I’m a fan of subtle enhancements and details so I went with machined parts that blend with the amazing look and finish of the factory bike. Random Track Picture (I’m in the yellow helmet)

The AMA is responsible for creating rules for the motorcycle racing series that ensure fair competition between motorcycles of different manufacturers and construction. The AMA Sport Bike series mixes motorcycles with 2, 3 and 4 cylinders from many manufacturers. Lately, the underdogs (Buel) have been doing really well and people are starting to suspect that the rules are slanted in their favor. The AMA recently dyno tested all the bikes and released the minimum and maximum weight-to-power ratios.

We got in another track day at Streets of Willow a few months ago and I’m finally posting some pictures. I managed to bring my lap time down by 5 seconds and Joel managed to destroy his motorcycle. It was hot, somewhere around 90 degrees.

I’ve recently uploaded some HD footage I have from my last trackday at Streets of Willow Raceway to youtube. This is all taken with a Sony HC1 video camera mounted to my gas tank. Luckily I managed to get some clean laps in before the track got crowded. This track is so bumpy that the camera mount can’t keep the camera pointed straight for more than a few laps! Oh, and I think I improved my laptime by about 5 seconds from the time this video was shot (the second session) and the last afternoon session I did.

Finally, another trackday at Streets. Last time I had this minor issue with cold tires. No way that was happening again. Stephane is busy healing so Joel and I requisitioned all his gear - car, trailer, generator, tire warmers - you name it we requisitioned it. I got one of these newfangled camera mounts for my video camera. Too bad the Suzuki gas cap is built like a graham cracker and broke while I was putting on the damn thing.

Stephane and I did a two day trackday at Buttonwillow. It was between 95 and 100 degrees most of the day, but going for two days was an interesting experience. We drove up Friday night and got to Buttonwillow at around 1am in the morning. The hotel screwed up our reservation but made good by giving us two rooms for the night. The first day was tough. It took a while to get used the heat and I had never been on the track before.

I just got back from the MotoGP race in Monterey! These machines sound nothing like any race bike you’ve ever heard. The first time I saw the MotoGP bikes drop down into the Corkscrew for practice on Saturday they were louder, brighter, more colorful and just plain more impressive than anything I expected. I had a pit pass but didn’t really make much use of it. I watched the Ducati bike do some engine revving and thought I might get a peek at Rossi in person, but that was a silly idea.

Just finished another track day at California Speedway in Fontana with Stephane. This was the fourth track day we’ve done at this track. Here’s my favorite crash sequence - gotta love the legs in the second to last panel - ouch! The Speedway New Tires I ditched my Perelli Diablos for some new Dunlop 208 GPs. They seem to have a more predictable sliding, but slide more often. They also shed rubber like crazy.

Another track day! This is the 3rd trackday I’ve been to at the Speedway in Fontana. The first time was really just to get to know the track. By the end of the day we were doing laptimes that placed us in the intermediate group; so that’s the group we’ve been riding with the last two times. Get your suspension tuned by someoe (I had mine done by RaceTech). It only takes about 20 minutes.

Preparation The biggest pain in the ass part of a trackday is getting everyone’s bikes and equipement into and onto the trailer. Last time we went I rented a UHaul trailer and my ramp was about 3 inches wide. This time one of the guys at work loaned us his trailer which made things much easier. Joel (dark blue CBR600) helped load the trailer while I stayed at work until 9pm trying to fix one last bug in the game we’re working on.

First trackday! Many more followed, but this is the one that started it all. I started out on Saturday trying to load my bike onto the trailer using a dirtbike ramp by myself. I ended up turning it on halfway up the ramp and gassing it onto the trailer. It wasn’t a pretty site and plenty of people decided to stop and watch instead of help. I finally made it to Adam’s house and his roommate helped me load his bike.