Moto-Brian

You mean you want to be well known as a guy who has waded up more bikes than the entire grid he competes against? Seriously, though, Xaus is a really cool guy. Met him out at Oakley and he was pretty cool. But, he's a crasher. Never forget his crash on the warm up lap out at Laguna...

Was instructing in Advanced all weekend and in tech. Missed your dad's bike, though...

Honestly, the Ebay sets are pure shit and require TONS of time in getting them to fit right. Unless that link is for the street stuff that is in replica paint schemes as they are actually pretty good... The race fiberglass stuff is terrible. Optimal Racing sells sets for something like $380 to your door. Pretty good from what I have seen, but you seriously get what you pay for. My opinion is that you need to check the WERA board and look for good used plastics. You can PM me and shoot me a link for some that you see to get my opinion as many of the sets are different and many companies do different levels of quality under the same name... My top choice is Sharkskins, but you'll pay for them. Attack has some good stuff as well as Armor's top shelf stuff... It's all what you want to spend. Sorry we didn't get to talk long. I usually get pretty slammed and never seem to have time until the end of the day. Good to meet you for the 2 minutes at tech...

He did figure it out. Threw the number 4 rod out of the motor... Toast. The "guy" he was talking to is a great performance tech, as well. Reuben knows more about Zooks, but Tracy isn't a slouch.

FT is a great place to start racing. Very low key, has a good group of regulars that attend, and they are not as pressure ridden as WERA racing can be at times. That being said, they aren't going to have packed grids and a ton of fast guys there. But, racing is racing and we all start somewhere. Every event I attended was done well. They've made some changes for the better in terms of the organization, but the track is neglected, but it IS NOT any of FT's doing. It's the owners. My take on it is if the owners don't give a shit about the racers, why support the track? But, that ends up hurting FT and that's not fair. My feelings are just to cut back in your speed and enjoy the racing. It's what I did when I last went there for a FT event and it was fine.

No chance on fixing the track. The track is a great layout and super fun to run, but in race mode and pushing it, there is a TON of safety issues. The locals will dismiss them as they are used to the place and don't run very fast for the most part. WERA Nationals stopped going because the top riders (Reuben at 35 Motorsports almost ended his racing career there) got together and protested racing there anymore until shit was changed. Guess what? Nuttin's changed...

Tell them your buddy is riding in Novice group and you are there to watch him and help him out.

You can get in. I asked the gate guy and from what he knew, as long as you are there to watch, you'll be in for free. Riding on a bike might be tough to avoid the gate fee as you technically could be a rider. But, I would show after 2 and you'd be fine as it would have already started. If there is an issue, drop my name and tell them I am staff. The gate fee is like $10, I think for the riders...

It is because there is a hired photographer there. He makes a living selling pictures and it would kind of suck having someone else come in and undercut the guy. My suggestion is that if you take pics, you can post here, for example and offer them for free. Or, if you want to get paid, you can post you took pics and ask for the description of the rider and bike and email proofs with a watermark, etc. If they like, they pay... You can simply show at the track and say you are with someone (make sure they are actually there) and take as many as you want for "personal use"...

Look, I'm done. You guys all like this guy or were friends with these idiots. That's cool. I'll part with this and the reason why I quoted you. Brandon shared responsibility the moment he accepted the race. He accepted racing, he accepted being a part of an illegal act. He accepted not caring too much for George being that he was drunk. He accpeted that he could have been killed or that he could get injured. HE RACED GEORGE. His actions were 1/2 of the equation. George wouldn't have got killed had there been no race. The girl wouldn't have been hurt had there been no race. Again, if George would have driven home drunk, crossed the center line and died and hurt the girl, it would be a totally different deal. He was racing someone who was totally agreeing upon the act and the possible results. Why is 1/2 of the equation not being thought of here? Had there been no race... Think about it. I'm done.

Just answer this one question: Was Brandon at all responsible for George's death? After you answer that, understand that the family would want Brandon to pay for being partially responsible. Call it assault, call it whatever you feel is fair. But, if he got charged with manslaughter, he'd have his life ruined, too. That is fairly equal to George being dead and his family (other than is seemingly idiot wife) having their son/brother/cousin, etc. dead. It is also fairly equal to what the girl is going to be going through for the rest of her life. He'd be out in a short period of time on good behavior or something similar. Hell, they'd probably get a minimal sentence, but he'd still have that charge on his record and that would be something he'd pay for all the remaining years of his life. Assault is not enough. If I were the mom and dad of George, I'd pursue Brandon in civil court, as well. He was partially responsible. He accepted the race, he even planned it knowing the guy was wasted. He forced the situation to occur by racing instead of saying "no". He had a choice, too. Brandon gets to walk away from an illegal act that resulted in a death and a permanently injured person. He walks free and clear. Do you think that is even remotely fair to anyone involved? Again, I hope he gets his ass handed to him in civil court. Money doesn't make anything better, but it is another example of a bit of comfort knowing the guy paid for his mistakes.

Look, justice is something that is payment for what you did wrong. It will NEVER help that girl. It will never help the pain she has everyday. It will never help the family. But, understand something (I think unless you experience this, you won't understand), if the people responsible are sent to jail and have their lives ruined, it is something that you look at as "payment" for what they did to your friend or family member. Brandon doesn't benefit, but he sure as hell will have some issues in his life from here on out had he been charged with something that would stick with him forever. When he goes to get a job, etc. Is it justice? Not really, but it is something of comfort knowing he paid for his part in what they did to the girl and her family.

How do you even know what George would do? ANY human being that had this happen would be remorseful - especially if he was still here and facing some serious charges and a civil suit. Doubt he'd be doing cart wheels. Those crimes are situations that show someone gets killed, but you weren't the one pulling the trigger. You were an accomplice. If you are breaking the speed limit let's say, you don't get charged as if you robbed a corner deli. If you are speeding and doing something illegal like racing and someone gets killed, you would get charged with manslaughter. Not premeditated, but still, you'd get manslaughter charges thrown at you. Same with the deli robbery. If you are holding the guy up and he grabs a gun and you react and shoot him and he dies, you get manslaughter. The result is the same. Someone died while committing an illegal act. Period. You are right they aren't the same crimes. But, the death and the fact that the girl was severely injured brings in another element that steps it up from just speeding and reckless op. If George had the choice to be dead or alive, he'd choose alive. However, there were adults that planned out an activity that wasn't like TPing your neighbor's house. They were planning an act that was dangerous and a VERY high risk of injury or death. That is what is involved in racing. He chose to take the risk. If you could talk to him, I am sure he thinks that was a bad decision. But, he chose it. He died. It's pretty black and white. If I die tomorrow at the track, I chose to accept the risk of high performance riding/racing. I am fine with the fact that I may not come home. Have been for over 14 years and whenever that faceshield went down, I forgot 100% about my wife and son. Sounds pretty terrible, but that was how I had to do it. But, I made a choice. I am making one tomorrow and Sunday.

Never heard of him. He's not an instructor, though. There's a TON of local area guys and gals that ride track days at Mid-Ohio. It's actually really cool to meet them all. Really cool to see so many that are enthusiasts.

Yes... You said "George definitely didn't "get off easy". He lost his life, leaving his family behind. That's just shitty." You are saying he didn't get off easy... I didn't mis-read that. You said "However, trying to blame him for George's death was idiotic." You are calling my thought process "idiotic" yet you don't seem to see that Brandon was also racing and the ACT of them racing resulted in a death and a innocent bystander screwed up for life. You said "Had the judge dismissed the case like the defense asked, they could've gone back and charged him with just the assault. That would've been your justice for the girl involved." No, justice would have been to see this Brandon kid get some sort of punsihment. Assault??? Are you serious? You accept assualt but not manslaughter. It's ok to say he assaulted the guy, but it's not ok to say he was responsible to a degree with George's death? They FUCKING PLANNED THE RACE KNOWING THE GUY WAS DRUNK. THEY PLANNED IT. You said "Now they can't go after him for anything really." And there lies the mess. It's amazing that the guy gets to walk out and not have to pay for anything he was a part of. Great system we have, huh?

Look, it's tragic he died. It really is. I NEVER stated I am glad he's dead, that he should have died, etc. But, as Chrome mentioned, he got off easy. He doesn't have to use a walker to get around. He doesn't have any brain damage and not be able to function like he used to be able to. He doesn't have to lose a lot of things he used to be able to have in an effort to get around after a crash and having brain damage. He doesn't have to burden his family to take care of him. He doesn't have to worry about bills to pay for the treatments and dealing with the insurance companies. All that is something this poor girl gets to deal with. George died and nobody pays for what happened. That's getting off easy. Don't sit there and read it that I think he deserved to die. Nobody did.

George doesn't have to live everyday like that girl does. He died. Sucks, but in the end, I'd say she has some serious shit she has to deal with EVERYDAY. He doesn't. He gambled and accepted the risk. He died doing what he knew was dangerous. She was driving fucking home and had her life ruined by two idiots racing. Brandon is as much at fault in my opinion. Like I said, he knew the guy was drunk, he accepted the setting up of the race, he even started off and raced the guy who lost control DUE TO RACING and who got killed and injured an INNOCENT bystander. Brandon's your friend, I understand that. I think he's your friend, I guess... From what you are saying, George is a buddy, too. Do you condone what they did? Do you think it is fair what the woman has to go through everyday now? If you answer those HONESTLY, you'll understand that Brandon has a stake in this and that George got off easy. George's family didn't, the girl didn't, and even to a degree, Brandon didn't. I would say Brandon is pretty damn lucky and really ought to thank everyone for being so easy on him... I hope he gets his ass used off in the civil trial. Again, do you understand that they were racing? They were doing something ILLEGAL. Same as if they were robbing a store. Same as if they were committing arson. Same as if they were shooting at cars on the freeway. All these things can lead to someone getting killed. Had he been with the robber, the arsonist, and the freeway shooter in my examples, he would have been an accomplice. Maybe that's why he got off on manslaughter... But, he should pay for what he did and I think the civil trial will show that. But, he'll get off easy there, too. He'll file for Bankruptcy and not pay a dime or hold it up in court for so long it never gets settled 100%. All the while that poor girl gets to go to rehab, gets to remember what life she USED to have and how it is all changed and will never be close to what she had before. I don't care who it was. My heart goes out to the girl and her family. That's a terrible thing that happened to her. All because fun turned to shit in an instant. But, as usual, nobody gets to pay for what they did.

Only when Gaige and Peters show. They were the only ones to break :10s. FT guys have some fast dude, for sure. Just was saying in general (Other than the two mentioned - Oh, and I think Rowles, too), :10s are the fastest times with FT. Typical guys with FT are doing 11s-12s. No biggie as the track is shit. I used to do low 09s easily and :16s in full dark. Went up there for the first time since 2005 in 07 on a new bike and only could muster :11s due to not comfortable with the track and how rough it got. Was fast enough to secure 2nd in both races with no pressure, but the track was junk then.

Will do, Boogaloo!

Probably be a deal like the school and the cars. I think it states no more than $3500 for the cars. I'd suspect that the price would be about $2500 for these... Basically, if it gets totalled, it would probably be an insurance deal for them and you'd pay the deductible. The deductible is probably that $3500/$2500...

All day. Groups have 20 minute sessions starting at 2pm to 8pm. Intermediate goes out at 2, Novice at 2:20 and Advanced at 2:40. That cycle every hour...

I probably have more seat time on an RC8 and a 600/750/1000 at the track than most people. Not bragging, but just stating to validate my point. The RC8 is more close to a 750 than a 1000. In race trim, it could be competitive slightly with a tuned 750, but against the same tuned 1000 or just in stock form, it will fall short. The bike handles VERY well. Much like a 600 in terms of direction change. However, it falls short on power delivery. Twins are cool in terms of torque, but understand that torque helps out, but isn't the basis of everything that needs to be measured. The RC8 is cool. Is it 1098S good? I believe it isn't. That means it falls short of the 1098R, as well. Which after riding it quite a while, it certainly isn't GSXR1000 or R1 or ZX10 or CBR1000 good. The handling could help it out, but the edge it would have over some of the 1000s, isn't enough. I would bet that against an 08/09 GSXR750, it would be fairly equal even though it has a tad bit more power to the ground than the Zook does. I don't believe the 138 at the ground, though. I think it is more like 125-ish... That's well short of what any of the 1000s have. This is not being brand loyal... Overall, really cool bike and really cool features, but in the end, the competition it is pitted against is pretty tough. The new Aprilia V4 coming soon, the 1198 that is here and the in-line 1000s that are new for 2009 are going to make this bike old within a year of it being out. Now, sound and everything? The 1098S and R are much better sounding. It is tough as the exhaust is out the bottom and doesn't sound as good as the Ducs do. My $.02 as that is opinion only. Compared to a 1098S that I have a lot of seat time on and set-up trials on, the RC8 isn't as good. If you were to take an RC8 and a 1098S and use one rider that has never ridden them, that rider would go faster on the 1098S.

Not to take sides, but it isn't going to stack up well against the 1000...

Not supposed to be really. 138-ish at the ground is more 750 class...

Letting people ride a $20k rare machine is unlikely... Trust me, the Super Duke is a ball of fun to ride and can do some things that would amaze you in the right, capable hands...