Midwest Trackfest and Rally 2010 (formally Ducati Rally and Trackfest)

[Grifo]

Here we are with Jason DiSalvo, He is a pretty funny very approachable dude. I wish him well.
   

[drewladams]

Track Fest 2010 was a hoot. Rode the hell out of my 1988 Honda CBR 1000F. Unfortunately, I have come to the limits of it's abilities. I am now grinding footpegs and the outside of my boots. I am now able to ride with the top third of the Novice riders, and need a bike a bit lighter, with a bit more ground clearance. That being said, if there are any Hooligans out there who have never tried a track day, I now have the perfect machine to start out on. It will take you from the basics, right up to grinding foot rests and pulling hard up to 125 mph on the front streatch at Grattan. Also, everyone keep your eyes out for a 600cc Yamaha-Suzuki-Kawasaki track bike. I am ready to take the next step up!

[GRUBBY]

He is a pretty funny very approachable dude. I wish him well.

He's a pretty stout looking little dude. I bet he'd whoop the tar out of Pedrosa of it came to fisticuffs.

[Rudge]

Trackfest was a little hot but still a good time. Here are a few shots.

First Duc's to arrive Friday  Doug, Earl and Al


Steve and his 1098


Crashing Sucks   heal-up quick Micheal



Chris Onwiler from  www.TrackdayMag.com   great guy check out his site.
This weekend he was product testing the new KOMODO track and street suit.

[Permisso]

Hey all.  Michael "Curves are hard....literally" Connell here.  Thanks for your thoughts and kind words.  My only complaint about the trackfest was that my weekend was shorter than I would have liked.  That photo of my poor 848 brings a tear, but I'll have it back and ready for redemption at Gingerman shortly.  I'm fine, btw, just a broken rib or two, a few ribs separated from the cartilage, a pulmonary contusion (unlucky to take a hit on such a small and hardened target), a little puncture of one lung.....hmmm, I feel like I'm forgetting something...oh, yeah, a slight concussion.  It sounds worse than it is, really.  

After going to the South Haven ER, I was taken to the trauma center at Kalamazoo.  Where a charming young lady doctor immediately busted me for tensing my abs while she examined me.  An hour later, she busted me again.  I definitely have to do more sit-ups before any more crashes.  Of course, with me wearing a purple t-shirt and the tight compression shorts that were under my leathers, no amount of muscle tone would have been enough for me to look good.  And those shorts left nothing to the imagination, let me tell you.  

A few words on gear.  The AGVsport leathers didn't really come into play in this crash, as the impact was on dirt.  Very hard dirt, but dirt.  The CE armour did what it was supposed to and nothing was really injured where the suit's armour was located.  I had on an AXO back protector, full length, and there were no fractures or even significant bruises to the portions of my spine/back where it provided coverage.  However, I had no chest protector, and that was where I took the most damage.  Want to guess what is on my shopping list?  That's right vicodin.  But right after that is a chest protector.

My Shoei RF1000 helmet took a hit sufficient to crack the EPS liner from the visor port to the left occipital area.  According to my data acquisition, the crash was at ~60mph.  Obviously, that is forward velocity, and not impact velocity.  As you can see from Al's photo of my lid, the exterior remained intact, and I'd say it is a fair assumption that it did its job and dissipated the impact force over a large area.  I don't know how much of a hit it takes to crack a liner like that (pretty damn hard is my estimate), but I credit Shoei for minimizing my head injury.  A little involuntary naptime and crazy talk later...I didn't even have a headache, although I did have some trouble remembering some things for a few days.  I already have a new Shoei RF-1100 to replace my old helmet.  Perhaps other helmets would have done just as well, but this sold me on Shoei quality, and think that I'll stick with Shoei from here on.

Two last things.  First, the video below shows my crash from behind.  Second, I made the mistake of being hurried to get out on the track and started pushing too hard, too soon.  I was behind the bike as I came into turn 10, which has a blind entry, and as a result of carrying too much speed I had to brake very deep into the turn, which in turn put me off line and didn't give me time to settle the suspension.  I knew better, but I did it anyway and didn't get away with it.  It is said all the time, "Ride your own race/ride," and if I had done that instead of pushing while my tires were still coming up and I was getting settled in, my weekend would have been cheaper and less painful.  I won't let myself make that mistake again.  

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[BryanS]

Glad to hear it worked out okay

[screaminss]

thanks for the write up Michael. heal up quick!!!

[Jogitu]

It sucks you crashed. I hope others take this experience of yours and learn from it the easy way. Proper gear IMHO cannot be stressed enough. Make sure you have a properly fitted helmet so it can do the job. Have proper gloves, pants, boots and upper body protection. Yeah you took a lick on a track and in the dirt but this can happen quickly on the street. On the street you likely hit something harder and asphalt will be involved. A tragedy is hearing about fellow riders badly hurt or killed because they chose not to wear the proper gear.

I was glad to see you up and drinking liquid pain killer last Thursday. Thanks for sharing your experience even though I prefer you did not have the story to tell. I hope the 848 recovers as quickly. 

Everybody ride safe.