You know if you're hooked in racing when....:
you'd rather go for sale items for your clothing.
you no longer scout for sneakers but you scout for boots.
you don't care how your bike look but you care how it performs.
you put leathers at least once a week.
you eat skip dinner to save up for a spare part.
when you cut down on one dish daily so that you can train once a week.
you forgo that rad sneakers to pay for annual racing license.
you read about viscosity of motor oil and compounds of tyres.
you dream you're popping wheelies after a race.
you don't care bout how dirty your hands get.
you search youtube videos for tips and techniques in racing.
you can't be bothered about anything else pissing you off.
the mechanic becomes your friend.
half of your friends are your race buddies.
one album in your friendster profile is dedicated to racing.
you wake up 630am just to go to the track(which is about 30km away) before your afternoon shift.
your aws is totally spent on spare parts, licenses, oil, etc bike-related.
to be continued....
U know if....
More race photos
chasing the pack
one down, one more to go
3 fast riders, 3 slow riders..LoLTuesday updates
#311 battling on wet tarmac. Heat2 chasing rider number 12.
It's been quite awhile since I updated. Has been busy with stuffs, the race and all.
Last week was filled with Ain....LoL.... we managed to clear up on things and gosh it feels great to get some things off the chest. :) We came to an understanding and so yeah, that's about it.
My First Race Experience:
So came the day, the waiting for 14th December was dreadful especially when it's your first race! Anxiety filled me, I slept rather late the day before and was awoken by the cool breeze. I got more anxious when rain started to pour in the morning and the weather forecast didn't look promising with rain over the next 12hours. However there's always a first time to everything but to race in the rain and wet tarmac certainly needs a transplant of steel testicles.
I packed my suit and all and head to Tuas in a raincoat. When I was there, there were supermotos everywhere, ktms, huskys, xrs and of course the drzs. The sight of seasoned racers and race teams certainly made me a nervous wreck. I was greeted with some familiar faces, my cuzzen was there too getting ready for the race as well.
Cut the story short, the announcement came for qualifying round. My heart was pumping pretty fast and rain was pouring but I knew I must go, I couldn't turn back for the love of the sport I have to overcome this fear of riding in rain. First few laps was getting used to the slippery tarmac around the corners but after that I was zooming in the rain, sliding occassionally and having near falls only to blast and kick out to safety. I got 10th place, I was pretty surprised that I got 10th out of the 18 participants of the super-novice category.
The horn sounded and they announced that it's time for heat one. I was on grid 10 and then they shifted me to 11th cos apparently one of the participants did not have his transponder(a sensor thingy). Ok fine, no complaints so they put him before me, so what, 1 grid doesn't matter much. I never race before and I lost out at the starting point as many just blasted at the start without worrying of their front wheels popping up....MY VISOR FOGGED! I LEARNT A VALUABLE LESSON AND I WILL CERTAINLY GET AN ANTI-FOG VISOR APPLICATION. So I was racing in 50% vision. I got 13th place out of 17th(cos one of them low-slided and fractured his wrist) So that makes me as good as last 5 riders....LoL. AT LEAST IM NOT LAST! PHEWWW...Wasn't that satisfied with that heat cos partly of the visor thingy, I knew I could've done better.
The second heat came and I was at grid number 13. This time round, I started off very good with the boys in front but they loose me at the corner where proven that they have bigger balls than me to have blasted thru that sharp bend. Vision was better as the rain subsided and temperature wasn't as cold and my visor didn't fog much. and before I knew it, I lapped a rider oredi....and then I got trouble overtaking the next one as he efficiently blocked my lines(path). Then came the gear mis-shifts which costed me a few seconds and one position. My cousin fell, if not he would've maintained his 3rd position. I continued chasing the guy infront and finally managed to overtake him. I finished 11th. Not bad but not good either....cos I knew I could've pushed further...
Next time, next time....LoL
It was hell of an experience and I certainly satisfied my childhood dreams of racing. That pat on the back as we were leaving the pits for the tarmac certainly felt good and finishing the race felt even better, especially under the horrid condition for a race.
All I know is I will continue racing...if Angelo(he taught me a little bout racing supermotos) at the age of 51 can still race and get 2nd place. Why should I stop and be unactive and probably be a couch potato?
Supermoto aside, other interests seemed to be pouring in as well, ever since I moved. I have a running buddy, Ain and gosh I ran more nowadays and exercise, I'm hoping to be fitter and join Ain and her friends in future 'friendly' marathons that they usually participate. I was tempted to sign up for one in March actually except I feel that I've not run nuff, although its only 10km which we do rather regularly in army. But I guess you'd see me soon, just running in events for the feel and fun of it. Winnings not everything and to win, you need to finish first! So actually finishing is first. LoL
Another thing has got me hooked is floorball, thanks Fathih, Hairul, Ross and Taibah. I got hooked! We'll have more floorball kay? It sure is much hella fun than soccer, sorry soccer fans but this is what a no-sports kinda guy feels....LoL...
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Life in general:
Tonight's the 2nd night, 1st night duty went well, tommorow's my sleeping day, looking forward to fixing my bike and all...i'm gonna learn more bout my bike so I can DIY more and save on moolah's paying mechanics.
Ok gotta go guys....:) Love ya all for bringing me where I am. Btw, not being selfish, I just hope my cousin's granparents changes her mind bout moving in to his vacant flat, cos I like being alone. LoL
