Video from lap at Spokane (T2 through T8)

(keep in mind, this was Laura's 2nd time on the track)

Today was a private track day at Spokane.  It was skillfully organized by Daryl and Friends.  We showed up about 7:30am and it was pouring!!  We didn't even unload the trailer for a bit. by about 9:30, it was still pouring but we optimistically unloaded the trailer and Louie started finalizing the R6.  Around 11 or so I wanted to ride a small dirt bike someone brought so instead of squidding it, I threw on my leathers and helmet and zipped around the pits and the inside of the track towards turn 4.  The leathers must have been the key to the weather because shortly after I pulled them on, the clouds started clearing, the rain stopped and, miracles of miracles, the track was drying off - I WOULD be riding today after all!!

We pulled the FZR out of the bed of the truck and I finished gearing up.  The group gathered and we split into 2 groups: beginner and advanced.  I headed out with the beginners.  The first stretch - leading out to the straight away - was a nightmare.  There was VHT on the track which is slicker than ice and I started my ride at this track with a back wheel spinning, the tach quickly rising and my speed dropping.  I got lucky and once the back finally stuck, I didn't throw the front tire in the air and instead took off down the front straight.  turn 1 is a slight right kink leading into turn 2, a sweet left hander (I'm finding that I am more comfortable in left turns than rights....so far).  After that there's an uneven, not quite straight portion that nearest I can figure contains turn 3.  Then turn 4 is roughly a 90 degree right and then a series:  slight left, hairpin left, nearly hairpin right.  the first hairpin still spooks me - the pavement is rough and I'm unsure of the line.  I make it through, just taking it easy and then head towards the final turns.  I make it through the next 90 degree left and final sweeping wide left and back onto the front straight.  More VHT.  Great.  I'm scared to death but determined to keep my speed up.  I keep my eye on my tach and remember that my goal today is to keep the revs up and try to redline the bike and see where the rev limiter kicks in.  I got up to 12K and it never kicked in - but my gut did and I shifted.  I make it 3 more laps before the session is red-flagged.  Someone crashed but is fine.  I'm all nerves because despite 4 laps, I have NO IDEA what the turns are let alone the lines.  Each turn is still a surprise - I felt like I wasn't' going to get the hang of the track and I was frustrated!!  but I make the best of it and head to the pits, determined to figure it out and head back in the next session. 

Next session I go out again - avoiding the VHT this time and working on my 'form'.  I have a habit of talking, nay, shouting to myself in my helmet.  The next couple of laps sound like this:  "point your elbow, drop your shoulder, hold the throttle - you can DO it!"  peppered with "The bike WILL stick!!!"  I'm finally getting the hang of the track, am able to predict a few of the corners and manage to tip the bike more than before.  I even decide to scoot my butt over and try to get 'off' the bike in the corners - one step closer to getting my knee down.  This session ended after the full 20 minutes and no accidents. 

Third session I ask Louie to come out with me and critic me and show me lines - maybe teach me a thing or two.  I'm ready but he's not so I do a couple of laps and expect him to fall in behind me at some point.  I work on the butt scoot and trying to hold my speed in the corners.  Louie joins me on lap 3 (or was it 2?).  He follows me for a lap and then pulls in front of me on the front and I follow him.  Careful not to lose too much speed and trying to follow his lines. he's off the bike, no knee down but we're not going fast enough for that.  I improve a little more - partially because of the lines he's showing me, partially because I'm so anxious not to hold him back.  I haven't timed any laps to date but I know I'm getting faster and I'm feeling more confident.  He motions to me on the straight to open the throttle up and I do.  130 or so is now my new top speed.  Just typing that gives me a grin. We head in as the session ends. 

Our conversation in the pits goes something like this:  "you need to get off the bike more"  "I WAS getting off the bike"  "no - you weren't" "yes I WAS!"  etc.  all said with grins and giggles.  It certainly felt like I was moving off the bike.  But I've seen the pictures, I trust him (and all the other people who SIDED with him - it's a conspiracy I tell you!).  I wasn't off the bike.  That's my next goal.  And the reward is going to be huge!!  If you watch the video, you'll see that if I HAD gotten off the bike, I would have gotten my knee down:  The ULTIMATE goal!

All in all, my times have certainly dropped, my form is improving, my confidence is soaring, and it will all translate into being a better over-all rider.  Next Up:  winning lotto and more track days. (A woman can dream, right?!)

Check out the pictures, same day, same track - don't I LOOK faster than him?