Friday 31 October 2014

2014 Off season plans!

Nothing too exciting planned for the off season but this is pretty much a summary of what I'd like to do in preparation for next year. 

I downloaded and printed the RACE Superseries Race Book. I'll be going over it in the weeks to come and make a decision on whether or not I want to race next year. I feel like I still have some improvements to make before I can confidently be on any kind of grid. I'll be spending a lot of time at Shannonville next year hoping to make some improvements and may enter in a race round or two depending on my progress. They do require a few modification in order to be race legal such as safety wiring, an oil catch can, no aftermarket wheels and so on. I'll have to have a closer look at the rule book to know exactly what I can and can't use. 

In other news, I decided to put my 750 up for sale and go a different route. I originally wanted to sell it so I can "upgrade" to a 1000 supersport. Having ridden on the track a lot this year, I no longer see the sense of an SS on the roads. Especially since you can't really use them for their intended purpose unless you ride like a complete tool which is never a smart move. 

Looking at getting a street legal supermoto, I still have to decide on what make/model I want but it looks like KTM 690 SMC is on top of the list, however since they aren't released to the Canadian market, looking for a used 2010 may be the only option and a bit difficult since there wasn't many sold back then anyway. 

I'll be at the January Super Show having a look at the different makes/models and if I find something interesting, I might just pull the trigger! 


SMP Long - 2nd of October, 2014. Hosted by Rider's Choice.

I wasn't expecting to make it this day, but the weather was in the high teens/low twenties and I was able to book the time off work. I couldn't ask for a better end to a successful year at the track. "Successful" is a relative term, made some great friends, no crashes/injuries, vast improvements with my body position, dropped my lap times and always made it home in once piece.

For the first time, I wasn't really "on" that day, I wasn't able to keep relaxed/focused and the lack of sleep sure didn't help. I managed to get 3 sessions in and called it quits before I made any bad decisions. I was a little bummed out about that since the weather was perfect and all. But what can you do? If you're not feeling, you're not feeling it. There will always be a next time. Even if it's 6 months from now. :(

On the other hand, it was great seeing Matt McBride passing people on 1 wheel and putting down some seriously fast laps. Made for an entertaining day nonetheless.

As always, Rider's Choice hosts a great day and I'm excited to go back next year. Time can't go by fast enough!

I wasn't able to get any decent footage since my track time was very little but I managed to get some photos. Thanks to Bill Murphy for the great shots and all the effort it takes to make this happen for guys like me.














That's it for 2014 folks! I'll be updating the blog in case I decide to do anything to the bike in the off season. It will be a long long winter... :(