redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 20, 2004 05:14 PM
Backmarker Racing does it AGAIN!
It looks like Jonathan and the boyz have done it again and will be getting back into the next issue of Road Racing World magazine with their recent fourth place finish (in class) in the last CMRA 5 hour endurance race at Hallett. They also moved up to sixth in class in the season standings. If luck continues to go our way, they still have a shot at getting back up to fourth by the end of the season. If it wasn't for the carb disaster we had during our last visit to Hallett, they'd already be knocking on the door of third place in the standings.
For the event, they finished 18th overall out of 45 teams and are currently 25th out of 86 teams in the season standings. We can easily get into the top 20. Breaking into the top 15 is "mathematically possible', but extremely doubtful. Again, that is if luck is with us for the final two events. Both of them will be at the Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX. One is a 6 hour and the other is a 5 hour.
Such is racing.
As for our "transmission issues" with the '99 R6 team endurance bike, we chose to just get a used engine and swap it with the one having the tranny problems. Since we got just $450 in the other motor, I'll just wait and work on the original one during the off season. The second motor performed flawlessly for the whole 5 hours, on a 1.7 mile tight road course that involved a lot of shifting. Luckily, our sprocket selection, tire choice and suspension set up was spot on.
Probably the biggest challenge for the guys was the fact that they were running the race clockwise on the track. It was a direction that they had never done before in all of the previous races or open track days there. Needless to say, the race line didn't have near the rubber on it as the one for the opposite direction. All the same, just about all the other teams there were in the same boat we were in.
The guys were pretty pumped about the finish, but still kind depressed over the lap time difference between us and the third place (in class) team. The guys are so close to and want a podium finish so bad, they can taste it.
Even though their lap times were up to three seconds a lap faster than ours, I explained to them that it was not as big of a gap as they imagine and after five hours of racing, they were only 8 laps ahead of us. The class winner was 11 laps ahead. The fact that we made seven pit stops/rider changes and they just made five could have easily made up two of those laps.
I also told them that if each of the team's riders got a tad more consistent in their lap times (while still allowing for traffic), we could have cut another two or maybe even three more laps off. If we organize our pit stops/rider changes a little bit better, that too could cut another lap off. Just having me in the pits, instead of the edge of the the track logging lap times, might be worth a few seconds. Okay, maybe a half of a second or so.
Hell, there is six of those eight laps right there and the riders' average lap times would not have really changed. Just been more consistent. Now if we cut a quarter of a second off of each riders' times, we would have been firmly in third and shadowing the second place team. Anyway... in my humble and uneducated opinion, endurance racing isn't really about the fastest lap times, but more of an overall strategy for the whole race.
Of course, being all of our first year at this (with the exception of our newest rider who's just now getting back in to it after a 15 year break), I still can't help but BUST WITH PRIDE over everything they have achieved in such a short time. At the start of the season, I thought that the team's learning curve was going to be a lot steeper than it has been.
Not that having a first season where three riders have been injured (including one trip in the back of the ambulance) and having one major as well as a one minor mechanical failure during a race has not been tough, but they have all been things that we have been able to overcome.
Hopefully, by the time the next race come up in five weeks, we'll have all the riders healthy and present. We are still basically shy two riders. One is recovering from an ankle injury and the other's wife is due to delivery their first child in less than a month. You could say that his "kitchen pass" has been cancelled until their son is born.
There's even more good news.
As I had mentioned in an earlier post, our first season's expenses could easily hit $30,000. From the looks of things right now, we'll likely get out of this season for less, but not by much. Odds are it will still be over $25,000.
To help in addressing that issue, we are currently working with a couple of motorcycle dealers on a effort to at least have them offset some of the team's overall expenses. We were real encouraged when they agreed to doing a radio station remote broadcast and promotional campaign (both radio commercials and direct mail) centered around having potential customers come to the dealership and visit with the riders of Backmarker Racing LLC and see the bikes, trailer, etc.
The two dealerships have already joined together and cut a very sizable check to pay for all of this. They have tentatively planed for the remote to take place in about four weeks from now. There is a good possibility that there might actually be two radio stations (both from Clear Channel) doing a remote at the same time and tying in a charity motorcycle ride to the dealerships as well. Catering and other additional aspects are also in the works for this event. If all goes well, we will continue with the negotiations on how they can support the team for next season.
The down side is that I'll have to bust my ass to get the trailer ready for the event. That will include getting the interior finished and putting all the decals and striping on before then.
To add furter excitement, the team is also working with a internationally known, yet unnamed energy drink company for additional support. Though they have a presence in many forms of motorsports, they currently do not have one in CMRA and are seriously considering on changing that for next year.
Not to mention the fact that we plan on "turning up the heat" on our current supporters and asking them for an "increased involvement" in our next season.
Ah... but just like racing itself, all or part of this could just as easily fall through at the last minute and we'll be right where we started at the first of this season. Broke. In other words, I'll believe it when I see the deposit slips of our team's account.
All I really got to say is that the boyz have been kickin's some serious ass and I'm just so damn proud of them and to have the chance to be a small part of it all!
GO BACKMARKER, GO!
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
   
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kz2zx
Pro
Nobody in Particular
Posts: 1166
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posted July 20, 2004 05:18 PM
Man, Red -
You make it sound so possible to a guy like me - so accessible.
I am jealous as hell - you're doing what you love.
____________
ASMA 47
WERA 147
www.dhowellbooks.com
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 20, 2004 05:25 PM
 Edited By: redelk on 20 Jul 2004 18:25
Of course, it would REALLY BE NICE if some "unnamed company" out on the left coast stepped up a put us on some nice new 636s so we could get rid of our ratty ole Yamaha R6s and then we'd be seriously competitive.
One could only dream, I guess.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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Michael Lee
Zone Head
Purchase Ivy
Posts: 729
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posted July 20, 2004 05:28 PM
Grats, keep it up . . .
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted July 20, 2004 06:09 PM
great job red, glad things are going well for you all.
keep it up, and drop a line if you need anything
  
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted July 20, 2004 07:17 PM
Way to go! Man, that's so cool! Just shows you what good planning and consistent performance can do!
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BackMarker
Novice Class
Posts: 96
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posted July 20, 2004 07:41 PM
Edited By: BackMarker on 20 Jul 2004 20:42
Maybe I could help out by being a back up rider.
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jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted July 20, 2004 07:49 PM
Well, and it really is in no small part to Red. I mean, shit. He preps the bikes, gets them working mechanically and when he says, "They are ready to race," he's not guessing.
He IS an integral part of the team and in NO way plays a *small* part. I might be the team bitch but Sherman gets shit done. And if there's tires to be changed or bolts to check he's all over it like a Repulican on money.
The fact that he changed out engines on an R6 is no small feat. Cleaned it, made that bike ready to race - and it performed flawlessly. Without Sherman we would be trying to figure out how to get that engine in the bike the night before the race.
And Kz2zx, it IS accessible. If we can do it, anybody can. It's a matter of getting started and where you want your money to be. It's what club racing is all about.
It not "The Boys" but US. Dammit Sherman - without you on the pit wall watching over us, without you making sure we have fuel, without you making sure we aren't getting in over our heads and staying out too long, without you making our pit strategies we'd be hosed.
And, yeah. I AM proud to be a member of this team, dammit. We are doing very well. And it's because of every goddamned one of us.
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted July 20, 2004 08:58 PM
Congrats!!! and Red you know I have been waiting for one of those nice ZX10R's to show up so I can start Dragracing it!!! LOL...
you guys are kicking butt!! Keep it up!
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 20, 2004 11:52 PM
Edited By: redelk on 21 Jul 2004 09:26
Okay, now that I've finished stroking the fragile egos of those prima dona riders of MINE, I can tell the the "truth". Without me, those hapless fucks couldn't find the starter button, much less finish a single lap. I've almost got them trained and realizing that it is indeed, all about ME!
Yeah.... whatever.
Really, Jonathan's right. It's all about "TEAM" and there's no single person on the team more "important" than any of the others. No matter what their lap times are. Fast or not as fast does not matter, because without any of them, the team does not do as well. I know we could have done better in the last event if everyone was there and healthy. Again, that's racing. You can't always have it your way and luck does not always reside in your paddock.
The guys have taught me (and I have taught them) that just because I don't actually ride does not make me any less of a part of the team. At least that's what they tell me when it comes time for paying for shit.
Everyone has a task to perform and actually riding is just a small part of it. One keeps the books. One buys the food and cooks the meals. One get the parts and fluids and so on. At anytime, any of the other members can step in and handle the tasks of another member, if they can't do it at that time. Including actually working on the bikes.
We might stumble from time to time, not tighten a minor bolt, get the wrong tire compound or something like that, but we learn from it and try not to make the same mistake twice. Okay... a third time. Still, we are all proud of what each member has done to get us where we are and we have many damn good reason to be so damn proud as peacocks.
Another equally important part is the support we get from our friends both at the track and on these forums. Slug and several others have been VERY helpful in answering stupid questions I might have about these damn R6s and without ya'll's help and support, we'd be no where near where we are right now.
Now send us a fuckin' check! I'm tired of eating grapes and shreded wheat or grilled pork chops and potato chips!
KZ - Again, Jonathan is right. Though it might sound expensive, you got to remember that we now got five R6s, a SV650, a TZ250 (and maybe 2 TZs) and a 24' trailer to pay for and maintain. Not to mention our "Uber Scooter" pit bike which seem like I work on it more than the race bikes.
One could easily go to the track or check out E-Bay and score a decent race bike for $3,000. Combine that with a tent, a utility trailer and some tools and your ready to go racing. There will always be someone at the track that will help you out with spare parts or setting up your bike and often it's for little or no charge. All you gotta do is ask. One could easily compete for just a few hundred dollars a weekend. Going to open track days would be even cheaper. When compared to street riding... well there really is no comparison.
I would hve never thought that I'd give up a weekend of riding the back highways to do something like this, but I learn so much just sitting in the paddocks that it actually makes me a better rider when I do go out on a weekend we are not racing. Mad Mike and many others here can tell you that it's not just road racing either. Similar experences can be found at the drag strip as well (just not as cool or fun ).
You'll always learn something new at the track and just in case you think you know it all, lady luck will teach you something else (usually as she leaves your side). I have seen countless crashes both on the streets and on the track. What's really suprised me is that without exception, the injuries and damage at the track are less than half of what I've seen on the street. Not to mention the fact that the speeds are usually double at the track. I can assure you that your chances of getting hurt are far greater when you pull out of your driveway than it is when we unload from the trailer. Weird, but almost always true.
Swft, we're not quite to the point of "good planning and consistant performance" but we're learning what the rewards of such are (usually with the other teams). Like life, there are good days and there are bad days. We've come to appreciate the good ones and are leaning how to minimize the bad ones (since they will always be there). It's amazing how things learned at the track can just as easily be applied in almost every other aspect of our daily lives. It's almost a religion in itself. Of course, I still say a prayer before the start of each race or practice. Just in case, you know.
Backmarker - it's bad enough that our newest rider is 10 years older than any of the other riders, stays up later, drinks more and smokes, yet still is faster than the young bucks. we can't afford to have another one like you. It'd send the lil' boys over the edge!
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted July 21, 2004 03:25 AM
Well I am happy for you all, if not a bit envious...I love riding the track, I just know I am not fast enough to run up front, so I will stick to track days and enjoy hearing about your exploits on and off the track......lol keep it up fellas....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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dnwhoop02
Expert Class
Posts: 204
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posted July 21, 2004 06:55 AM
Congrats Sherman and the rest of the Backmarker Racing team! I didn't make it up to Hallett this time, but I will definitely see ya'll at Cresson next month. I'm planning on corner working, but this time it'll be to fulfill the requirements as a provisional novice! I've been looking for a race prepped SV for a while and I think I've found one in Houston, although the owner is still racing it and doesn't want to let it go til after the last races in Oct. So anyway, I hope to see ya'll out there at MSR....
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David
'04 ZX-10R
'00 SV650
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted July 21, 2004 08:05 AM
race prep that ZX10 and get to racing David......lol
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 21, 2004 08:25 AM
Jonathan has a race preped SV he might want to sell. He's currently talking to about trading for a TZ.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted July 21, 2004 11:23 AM
Whoop - you got mail.
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DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted July 21, 2004 12:25 PM
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DaytonaSportbikes Forum
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DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted July 21, 2004 12:26 PM
Seriously, great job boys.
Dave
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DaytonaSportbikes Forum
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 21, 2004 12:27 PM
Love it. Just drop the pic and leave the "flakes".
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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dnwhoop02
Expert Class
Posts: 204
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posted July 21, 2004 01:39 PM
Edited By: dnwhoop02 on 21 Jul 2004 14:42
quote:
Whoop - you got mail.
no, YOU got mail... aww yeah... j/k
anyone else see that episode of South Park? (you got served)
anyway... Jonathan... are you the one that called me? That's my post on the CMRA board. When you called you woke me up from a nap, so I was all disoriented and stuff, and I don't remember what I said or if I made any sense....
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David
'04 ZX-10R
'00 SV650
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 21, 2004 08:03 PM
Until recently, the sanctioning body we race in, CMRA (Central Motorcycle Racing Association) used to be affiliated with the larger CCS (Championship Cup Series)/Formula USA. CMRA's Board of Directors chose to break away from CCS and go it alone. Not being as well established or a fraction of the size of WERA, it looked like it was going to be an uphill battle to just continue to exist.
Well, with over 800 members, CMRA is currently showing CCS and WERA to level of riders we have in or lil' racing group at the AMA Grand Nationals at Mid-Ohio. Theis is where the best riders of all the road racing sanctioning bodies get together and show there stuff.
The three-rider team of Ty Howard, Ben Thompson and Logan Young won the 2004 AMA Sports Road Race Club Challenge Championship by virtue of their consistently high finishes. CMRA had the best score among very competitive teams from ASMC, CCS and WERA. Also CMRA's 20-year-old Logan Young won the 2004 AMA Horizon Award for Road Racing.
Not to mention the numerous other wins and good finishes by CMRA's riders in all of the expert and novice classes. CMRA might be a small organization and we only have four tracks to race on (some of them in less than "pristine" condition), but it is because of these challanges that make it easy to stack up any CMRA rider to one of any of the other larger and better established racing bodies out there.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted July 22, 2004 09:13 AM
LOL Dave! That DEFINATELY needs to be up in the race trailer....
I don't remember the song, but there's a nice little line:
"...causin' mass destruction..."
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harryzx-12
Needs a job
Posts: 3643
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posted July 22, 2004 12:04 PM
Good job, backmarker racing team and RedElk.
____________
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
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kz2zx
Pro
Nobody in Particular
Posts: 1166
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posted July 22, 2004 03:49 PM
quote:
KZ - Again, Jonathan is right. Though it might sound expensive, you got to remember that we now got five R6s, a SV650, a TZ250 (and maybe 2 TZs) and a 24' trailer to pay for and maintain. Not to mention our "Uber Scooter" pit bike which seem like I work on it more than the race bikes.
Yes. It's my short term goal to buy an EX-500 racebike - one someone's already changed the forks and swingarm and wheels on - and a cheap trailer, and join a club and race one weekend a month for a series next year.
I think I can do this for around $3k capital investment - bike and trailer - and about $350/month for racing, gas (for the tow vehicle!), tires, etc.
This wasn't my goal before buying the 10R, btw - my goal was to buy a second streetbike. That one will wait for another year...
____________
ASMA 47
WERA 147
www.dhowellbooks.com
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted July 22, 2004 06:13 PM
KICK ASS!!!!!!
Outstanding job fellas, I'm very proud of you guys. I'd really like to make one of your races in the future.
What's the closest you guys get to "my neck of the woods"?
That'd be awesome.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 23, 2004 06:50 AM
Sadly, nowhere near ya, Rick. The races closest to you is usually WERA or CCS events. CMRA currently holds events at the following:
The Motorsport Ranch - Cresson, TX
Texas World Speedway - College Station, TX
Oak Hill - Henderson, TX
Hallett - Hallett, OK
Hell, we don't even have any races in our OWN "neck of the woods"! That doesn't mean your welcome to come join us at any of our races. We have three remaining this season. Twice at Cresson and one more at Oak Hill.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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