At Thunderhill on July 18th

When my brand new ContourHD camera fell off my helmet at the front straight of the track before the day was over. It was the first time I used it.



That wasn't the worst of the incidents though, as Trung had an off-track excursion entering Turn 9, ultimately having to jump off his moving bike as it approached the wire fence at speed. He came out relatively well, and though the bike was totaled by insurance, it's going to be an easy fix and will be back in no time.

I have this theory that the more one progresses at their craft, the smaller the margin for error to operate in. It's kind of like sharpening a blade; everything converges at the very tip, where the blade is at its most effective, and dangerous.


We then become masters of walking the fine line.




Following Trung on camera.








Trung had a camera running too a handful of times during the day, one of which was when I was following him while I was recording him.

That was the only time Trung could catch me on camera. :)

MotoGP at Laguna Seca

Is this weekend.

Last year I only went to watch the Friday practices. This year, mostly due to my co-worker twisting my arm, I'm actually going to the Sunday race.

Since the GP racers are going to be in town, Jorge Lorenzo stopped by the Dainese Store in San Francisco for a public appearance and signing. Number 99 is currently 5 points away from the points leader Valentino Rossi (the G.O.A.T.) going into the midway mark of the season. This is only Lorenzo's 2nd season.




Currently trailing by 5 points
from the points leader, Number 46.

Lili, my co-worker, being the crazy fangirl that she is, dragged me out of work an hour early to ride over and see him in person. I figured since I was there, might as well pull off a mid-panel off of my R1 and have him sign it.


Me, Lorenzo, and my mid-panel.


22 years old young. He could be
my little brother!
I've been wondering what was the next thing I was going to do to my R1.

Wonder no more. :)

Back to the Start

I forgot to post that two weekends ago, prior to my cousin's wedding this past weekend, that I was actually at Reno Fernley Raceway (RFR) and did a weekend there. It was a last minute decision after someone offered their spot for me to do two days for the price of one. I thought it was a good opportunity to go back after my very first time (which was my very first track day) back in 2007.



I have to say, either I'm spoiled at all of the California tracks I've done, and/or that I've developed a riding style that was not conducive to RFR's track, but I felt miserable riding that track. In the end, it came down to me realizing that RFR is literally a lot like riding canyon roads; the pavement quality and the pace of the track (over 20 turns, point-and-shoot, etc.) was akin to what I'd find when riding some of the canyon roads I'd frequent. The fastest part of the track was the front straight, diving into turn 1 at over 120mph. That was my favorite part of the track.

I spent the first day toning down my pace to almost 50%, just so I can give myself enough breathing room to learn all 20+ of the turns. When I treated it like I would a canyon run, it became easier for me to go through it.



By the second day, I found a groove enough to up my pace just a tad from the day before, but I still settled for a toned-down run until I left during lunch to make it back home in time for Father's Day.



I have to say, I'd probably choose Buttonwillow of RFR from here on out, and I'm not sure that even a lure of a two-for-one day would bring me back to RFR. MAYBE a two-for-the-price-of-none would...

Don't get me wrong, it's not the track. It's me.

Another One Bites the Dust

My cousin Jeff got married over the weekend, and as one of two of his best men, I was in Reno with him and the rest of his groomsmen last week until this past Sunday. I couldn't take any photos of my time there (especially of the Bachelor party) as I was too busy babysitting the boys, but I'll post what I can when they become available from everybody else.

Suffice it to say, it was apparently a kickass Backelor party I threw, which was a load of monkeys off my back!

And the wedding? Maybe it's because I was part of it this time, but I truly felt that it was a grand and beautiful celebration. I'm not even the groom, but as soon as I saw the bride walk in the room, I was taken aback at how breath-taking she looked, like I've never seen her before in the years I've known her.

I was and still am proud of my cousin Jeff and his bride Shieryl for what they have accomplished. :)