Well it all started back in 2006 when I got the bug to race. I have raced cages in the past but this was different. My real good friend and Jeepin buddy Bobby Wooldridge Jr. invited my wife and I to Roebling Road to see this guy Nate (N8) Kern race the new R1200s, (it was so new that he had cardboard and duck tape for a front number plate). On the way home I asked Bobby to keep his eye out for really clean R1100s. A week later Bobby called me up and said, “ I just took in this 04 R1100s Prep, do you want it?” He sent me the pictures. I called him back and told him I’d take it. I emailed N8 and asked for advice about racing the R11s. He came back with instant advice on how to handle that bike. N8 told me about a track day that Barber Motorsports Park was having. So I signed up. Called Bobby Jr. up and borrowed a BMW blue and white leather suit, spent like $800 prepping the bike with new shoes (m-3’s), oil and a pair of boots. That track day was awesome. Hung out with friends, Bobby, Mandy, N8 and David (from parts). I had no fear that day (haven’t crashed as of yet). Decided at that point I wanted to RACE. Went to Daytona with Bobby for Biketoberfest and a new race series MOTO-ST. I pretty much stayed at the track the whole time, just watching and learning from Peanut Farmer “Todd” on how the bike gets set up for each race. Then I volunteered to help SJBMW with holding the flag for pitstops and pit in signals. I had a blast. N8 called me up a few days before new years and said do you want to do a track day on New Years days? I jumped on that, to be able to learn from the man, one on one. N8 is really amazing on the track. I signed up for the Team Hammer Road Racing School/ lic clinic at Daytona. The day finally came to put my bike on the banks of DAYTONA, Yah Baby. First, two practice sessions went off with out a hitch, third session, BAM turn 7 hit the ground hard. Broke three ribs and fluid build up in the shoulder. Dean from SJBMW was a great help with getting my bike back to the pits, and Peanut Farmer with loading my bike on the trailer. Well I got healed up did a few more track days and got my race Lic. Bike week 08 was my first race ever, my goal, to finish all my races, be it 1st place or last place, just finish. Next race was Kershaw, SC. I didn’t get to race do to a broken belly pan bracket and bad karma. So I decided to hang out for the weekend and be N8’s pit crew. (I can change a set of tires in 3 minutes with basic hand tools and a torque wrench). I also got to meet some good folks, Wayne from NC BMW, Max and Barry from BMW N.A. Called it a weekend and started prepping for this past weekend. Went to Jennings GP this past weekend and got my first trophy, 4th place. I would have done better but I decided I wanted to check out sand on the outside of turn 13. the guy behind me said my front was just pushing. MAN THAT WAS FUN. I really want to Thank Bobby Jr for getting me into Motorcycles, N8 for showing me the ropes and understanding how the bike works, Bill, Zach, Hendo and Paul for getting the bike in track condition (I know, I need shocks), Bob and Linda for support and my Wife for letting me do the crazy things I do and a darn good PIT WINCH.
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2000 1100RT 2004 1100S race bike Christopher Clary Owner: TWINS Motorsports LLC
Redstreak2 said:
