Update (March 1st): Just for giggles, and because the racebike was not ready for the
track, I skipped the late February Thunderhill & Infineon trackdays, & I opted to drive a bit further south to Santa
Rosa, CA for the American Supercamp. The primary purpose of this school was to get a better grasp on bike control when
in the dirt or in non-optimal riding conditions. We learned how to slide Honda XR100s into & through the corners
(via flat-tracking techniques). Furthermore, the school gave us a new perspective on ways to approach corners &
pass other riders. Though I was by no means an expert at the techniques we were taught by the end of the second day,
I enjoyed every minute of it -- even the crashing part! This school was a blast -- I was left giggling in my helmet
after each lap! I recommend the American Supercamp to ALL motorcyclists looking to improve their bike handling skills
in the dirt & on the road. Check out their website for more information:
News (1/23/08): On January 25th, I will be on hand at Eastside Motosport's Women's
Night from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Feel free to stop by -- I'll be more than happy to chat & answer any questions you have
regarding road & dirt riding & racing! Check out the Eastside Motosports website for more info: http://www.EastsideMotosports.com
Update (1/22/08): Fourwinds Roadracing is proud to announce two new sponsors for the
2008 season.
Aberrant Art Custom Tattoo & Professional Piercing Studio has offered to help the Fourwinds
Roadracing Program as a title sponsor with financial help for the WMRRA Roadracing season! Anyone who is serious
about the piercing & tattoo arts needs to check this shop out now! Their staff is comprised of some of
the most talented artists in the industry, & you will not find a place that exceeds their standards in safety -- RN approved.
Check out their website for more information: http://www.aberrantseattle.com
Scorpion Sports, the company that offers riders & racers world-class helmet technology
& safety will be providing gear for the WMRRA roadracing series -- this company sponsors the AMA Pro Ducati racer, Larry
Pegram, as well. Check out their full line of state-of-the-art helmets and accessories: http://www.scorpionusa.com
Update (1/11/08): I couldn't resist it -- I placed the minimum bid on a 2006 Kawasaki
KX100 on Ebay & I won it (ooops! didn't think that was gonna happen). Oh well -- it's time to learn how to
ride two strokes, & how to really ride MX.
Update (1/10/08): Ahh, yes! Another extremely belated update! It's been
a long winter at work (lots of sick folks coming into the ICU -- it keeps us very busy). Luckily, I've managed
to squeeze in further attempts at learning how to ride dirtbikes! In mid December, I headed out to the Evergreen State
Fairgrounds in Monroe. They have an Arenacross series that runs for a few months in the winter. There is something
about the technical riding & brutal physical punishment of Arenacross that attracts me! Oh, & the chance to
go off of some sweet jumps is good fun too!
After going to one of their open practices & realizing that I had not a clue as to what
I was doing, I decided to take Eric Waunch's MX School. I figured this is the best way to learn how to ride my TTR125
in this environment without bunging myself up before the roadracing season starts! Most of my classmates made me look
like an old woman (they were young enough to be my kids) -- this was the BEGINNER class, of course -- and THAT, I definitely
was! However, Eric Waunch broke down the fundamentals of riding in such a way that it was very easy to pick up &
apply immediately. Furthermore, he did a fantastic job in teaching the kids -- I recommend this class to any parent
thinking about getting their children into motocross.
Mind you, Eric runs classes for all levels of ability, & this class will make any MX
rider FASTER. Though my TTR125 was not up to taking the doubles or big jumps, I managed to get practice on a few
of the smaller ones. Eric's class is very comprehensive - it covers bike set up, basic handling skills, cornering, jumping,
speed shifting, braking, & race starts. By the end of the day, I felt 100% more confident, & I was actually
keeping up with & passing some of the folks (kids) in my open practice group. That reminds me -- the school
runs from 7am - 2pm, & you also get into the open MX practice from 3pm - 9:30pm -- it's included in the
cost of the school.
I would recommend this class to anyone (of any age) wanting to become a FASTER & more
proficient MX racer or rider. Check out Eric's website & sign up NOW!
Update (1/1/08): I hope everyone had fun over the holidays! Unfortunately, this
is a VERY belated update. In early December, I saved up enough money to attend the California Superbike School
at Sears Point Raceway in California. The first day was cancelled due to RAIN. Ha! However, we were able to run
on the second day. I would like to thank my instructors for the tremendous amounts help they provided -- the skills
learned from the Level One class gave me an excellent foundation to work from, & the instructors gave immediate feedback
& critique on the areas in my riding that I needed improvement on. Sears Point was an ABSOLUTE BLAST!!
I LOVE technical tracks, and I plan on coming back to this venue!
Furthermore, it was so much fun hanging out with Misti Hurst & her boyfriend
again! We got a chance to catch up on things after the first school day was cancelled. Let me tell ya folks --
this gal is a tremendously talented racer -- she had a fantastic debut in the AMA in 2007, & I'm gonna be cheering her
on again in 2008!
The California Superbike School is one of the top motorcycle performance riding schools
in the WORLD. The techniques they teach can be directly applied to racing & to street riding. You WILL
become a better rider after taking their classes -- hands down. Please visit their website & sign up today!
http://www.superbikeschool.com
Update (10/16/07): Fourwinds Roadracing would like to welcome AMSOIL as a new sponsor
for 2008! I only use the highest quality synthetic motorcycle oil for my race bike - AMSOIL has proven to be one the
finest race-grade oils you can buy!
Since I had previously decided to retire the 2005 GSXR600 from racing for next
year (though it isn't now), I started to spend more time riding other's bikes, rather than my own. Let's see....we've
had some fun on Brenda Wertman's 1st generation Suzuki SV650 (the one that wouldn't run in the endurance race)....we played
around on a 1998 Honda CBR600F3 (Boy! That brought back some memories)...and finally, I had the chance to borrow a Triumph
Speed Triple several times during the Adrenaline Freaks Trackdays (see pics above)...the torque made for good times!
Mike Sullivan's Women's Track Day
Wow! We had over 40 women participate this year!! The bug is spreading, &
I'm thrilled to see so many new women taking up track riding! Everyone out there had a blast - as an instructor,
it was exciting to see all of you improve on your riding skills throughout the day. I hope to have
the opportunity to work with many more outstanding women next year! Way to go gals! Keep it up!
Adrenaline Freaks Trackday - Miller Motorsports Park
(July 2007)
We had a fantastic two days playing around on the East Course. Learning
a new track is always a challenge, but it's certainly worth the experience gained - even in the 105F heat!
Heck, the flash dust storm was good fun too! Maybe I'll get a chance to race on the AMA Course some day...(chomping
at the bit)...
The Alki Sportbike Show & Northwest Food Drive was a great success! As always,
riders & racers from the Pacific Northwest generously donated an incredible amount of canned foods & non-perishable
items in efforts to help those in need in our community. I'd like to thank everyone that stopped by the Adrenaline Freaks
Tent - we look forward to seeing many more of you at the track!
Update 6/1/07: The June edition of the "Seattle Metropolitan Magazine" has
recently published an entertaining article covering women in motorcycle roadracing in the Pacific Northwest - the article features
both Amber Rimes & myself...enjoy!
Training News:
In my efforts to get in shape over the holidays, I've been spending quite
a bit of free time running, weight training, & playing fish (lap swimming)...furthermore, it's off to the Freddie Spencer
Pro School in Las Vegas on February 22nd (by then, I'll have forgotten that I sunk my entire savings for just the downpayment
on this school)! The race bike is getting a thorough check-up - however, I have chosen not to completely Supersport
the motor in efforts to save money, & to work on becoming a better rider with the tools that I currently have. Speaking
of learning to become a better rider...the credit fairies have granted me one wish - my first dirtbike! It's a 2006 Yamaha
TTR125LE - of course, it wasn't hard for Eastside Motosports to convince me to make "a few" performance modifications
/ tweaks (after-market pipe & air filter, new jetting, stiffer front springs, stronger after-market handlebars,
etc). Several of us from the team took off to Belfair for some winter-time fun on December 18th - I experienced
the immense pleasure of bouncing myself off of some trees, getting completely covered in ice-cold mud, & thoroughly breaking
in the little TTR in ways I had never imagined! This was a good start in learning how to ride a dirt bike!
Pics to eventually follow.....
Sponsorship News:
Fourwinds Roadracing has accepted sponsorship from SPIDI leathers, SIDI
boots, & RK Chains for the 2007 Season.
Rick at SB Motorsports has convinced me to scrummage up enough money to visit Thunderhill
Raceway in Willows, CA, for the first time. I will be attending the two-day trackday in October held by the Pacific
Supersport Riders. Yippie!
Miller Motorsports Park Trackday / NESBA - August 6th - 7th
The trackday at Miller was a blast! I was in absolute awe over the facilities
& road coarse. Did I mention the huge garages & the bathrooms with motion triggered lighting?
Wow! The track itself was deceptively fast - you could make up a lot of time overall by just going 1/4-1/2
faster in each corner. Plus, the surface was so sticky and wide that you could get away a lot of silly mistakes. I
spent both days just having fun & learning the track - I stopped midday on Monday just from exhaustion! Maybe
I'll have to come back some day for a race weekend! Pic to follow!
On July 28th, I decided to have Lasik surgery performed on both of my eyes. At this
point, my vision has gone from 20/200 to 20/20! My eyes will still be healing & adjusting during the trackday
at Miller, but it will be the first time I've ridden without glasses! Yippie! :)
Fourwinds Roadracing will be traveling to Utah for NESBA's two day trackday event at Miller
Motorsports Park from August 6th - 7th. This will be my first experience at an AMA level track! Stay tuned for
the post-trackday report!
The Sullivan Race School ran its 3rd annual Women's Only Day at Pacific Raceways on July
27th. I was excited to see so many new women getting the chance to learn new riding skills for the track &
the street. Likewise, it was an honor to be able to teach at this event. I wish every women the greatest success
with whatever route they take in their riding or racing pursuits!
Check out Mike Sullivan's Race School for more information:
On July 2nd, the sportbike community came together for the annual Alki Sportbike Show &
Food Drive. The funds raised for Northwest Harvest marked this event as a tremendous success! Furthermore,
I enjoyed the opportunity to help answer questions concerning track days & performance riding under the Adrenaline Freaks
tent. I hope to see some of you at the track in the near future!
In June, the 2005 GSXR600 was on display at Seattle Cycle Center's Women's Day. I
was blessed with the opportunity to meet other women in the Pacific Northwest riding community! Furthermore, this event
allowed for female riders to gain valuable information on quality riding gear available, upcoming riding events, & clubs
supporting the interests of women riders throughout the area. Check out Seattle Cycle Center for great deals on the
gear & tools you need to keep you going!
The first race weekend is April 1st & 2nd at Pacific Raceways - feel free to stop by
the Eastside Motorsports pits to say "hi." Be sure to watch the action in 600 Supersport, 600 Superbike, &
750 Supersport - oh, and bring an umbrella!
Okay folks! After 5 months of blood (literally), sweat, & hard work, the race
bike is ready to go! It was a valuable learning experience turning a crashed street bike into a track ready, race bike.
I figured out how to do a lot of things - and I figured out what NOT to do (almost drilling a hole through my hand while
attempting to drill out bodywork....slicing open my fingers while laying out aluminum tape for heat shielding). I had
to rebuild the bellypan twice to allow for enough room to adequately clear the rear wheel - that was oodles
of fun!
A huge thanks goes out to George Dean, Joan, & Walter for fixing the REALLY broken
stuff on the bike & doing an outstanding job in tuning her on the dyno. We are going to keep the motor stock
for now. Furthermore, I am extremely greatful for the suspension rebuild & initial set-up Dave Alexander
(Fluid Suspension Science) has performed! One final thanks to Mike Tobin for rebuilding the belly pan the first
time!
New News! Jan. 6th, 2006 - Fourwinds Roadracing is now officially a part of the Eastside
Motosports team for 2006 - I'm looking forward to riding for this outstanding establishment during
the coming race season!
RoadracerX has added another racer to its Privateer Profile spotlight (check 12-22-05
privateer profile archives)!
The National Privateer Website has added FourWinds Roadracing to its list of privateer
racers & teams - go here to find out more:
FourWinds Roadracing has just picked up Vortex Racing & Lockhart-Phillips USA as sponsors
for the 2006 season!
I will be volunteering to represent & promote WMRRA at the Seattle International Motorcycle
Show (Saturday 7-9:30pm)! This organization provides some of the most thrilling & competitive racing in the
Pacific Northwest - come be a part of the family - it's an experience you will never forget! I will be more than
happy to help answer questions & get you started. Feel free to stop by and say hi!
