For sure this was not one of my best weekends. In practice, glued together Brian and I, as I was able to use my bike also for more seat time.Basically a decision was made last minute to change master cylinders due to Brian loving the one on my bike. It is great, but the MotoST bikes worked very well also. The biggest difference is the fact that the MotoST bike had a remote adjuster on the left bar because Brian and I have very very different likes when it comes to brake pressure feel. I have to have a spongy softer lever for my compartment syndrome (right forearm) and Brian loves the lever way out there and stiff. SO, the remote adjuster is a peice of cake and a few turns it is just right and takes only a second. We were all against it, but it was done. As Brian pitted I jumped on and what I thought was the right direction really bit me/us. I turned the lever even further out. i turned it 3 full clicks with the manual non remote adjuster the worng way and right away into turn one I could barely reach the brake lever. From there each lap pumped up my arm to the point I could not feel the brake lever at all. I lost the front twice and went off the track trying to take the long way around an Aprillia.I have to say though, the crew knew as well as anyone that tehre was a problem. Lap times were 2 seconds off without traffic issues. Period.This past weekend was an amazing learning curve off the track for our team. from the flag man (Dean) to the riders. From here we have way better communication and realizing tribes have one chief!!! There needs to be more indians. I like being an indian, easier job! lol Everyone wants the same common goal and we are getting more efficient at obtaining it, and it shows!

I cannot wait to get back out and reedeem some personal best's next time out. I will be riding with Ivan at the WERA Natl. Endurance race the upcoming weekend at Barber Motorsports park. After much discussion we shoudl all be helping each other and I would really like to see if I can help get a better steup possibly for Team Motorrad as they put alot of heart and sould into this too. We will also be racing the WERA Natl. 600 Superbike race Heavyweight Twins and I think a couple other classes like 750 and maybe a 1000 class on our Team BMWXPLOR.com Boxers!

Great support from the BMW MC Owners Club of Alabama!

Ok going mt. biking.

N8!

UGHHHHHHH! in the previous post I was here at VIR trying to relax from all the traveling and get ready for this weekend. Some NASCAR guys are here testing (some Harvick and Newman guys) and my room is above the pit gargae on the front straight.... These cars are so stupid loud! I guess thats apealing to the low functioning masses that dig it?!

Trying to be positive, i can think of 2 nice things to say about this situation 1) At least they are on a roadcourse and not just turning left 2) I always say hen I see those Pep Boys special honda Civics with the little tin can mufflers and non sponsored stickers all over their car "if only noise were horsepower!" Well, in this case it is. These damn things are screamming.

TTYouseL,

N8!

Finally arrived here in Va. at www.virclub.com

From BMW of Las Vegas, to BMW of Miami, to Le Mans, France, back to NYC then to Atlanta, now here in Va. within the last 3 weeks, lol.

This weekends MotoST race at VIR is in onjuntcion with Rolex Car series and looking at upwards of 50,ooo spectators VIR says.

I am in my room here above the gargae. the garages have been rented out forever and I was pleasantly surprised with one form the folks here at VIR. It is GOLD tohave one of these as there are no other MotoST teams in the garages just $3 million budget a year car teams. This was great and hopefully apreaciated to the fullest!

I am going to a PR event that the track has asked me to attend early at a steakhouse here in Danville to promote the race this weekend.

I cant wait to get started and just get out on the track.

N8!

Hey gang, it has been a pisser of a trip back, but Im not home yet. Missed my flight, no need for details, just missed the damn thing.... So i had to satnd in line as we all do and once I figured out the screwy system in the airport in France, while standing in line for the security check, a whole bunch of French Army and ploice with machine guns came in shouting and you talk about making a situation worse.... "Yadda Yadda croissant..!" basically people were freaking out and I dont have a a clue. I stopped this couple next to me and thankfully they spoke good engish "Zay say zare is a bag left unattended and with no name on it in the middle of the floor..." I asked which direction it was, naturally. We all then had to shuffle past this black Adidas bag that was stuffed to the gills with whatever just sitting tehre. I will say I really didnt care until I had to walk about 5 feet from it. The Amry and Police wouldnt go near it, but mae everyone else go past it.

Finally on the later flight just to find out that i had to get a cab from JFK in NY to Laguardia and my flight to Atlanta leaves tomorrow morning at 6am... SO $500 later and a internet cable that I have to hold into the laptop cause the click tab thingee that holds it in is missing, lol
Hey I got to rip the new modiffied R1200S! It was awesome, the team was awesome, you guys are awesome.

I cannot wait to get to VIR and run up front!

Cheers,

N8!

SHAKE n BAKE, lol Yeah I just went there. Kind of a morning person, lol. So the update, everything is going very smooth except...... the gearbox mrkus tells me is just a little tough into 4,5,6th he feels the clutch is the suspect nothing else.I personally love the gearbox, it is the (as I posted before) the smoothest ever in a BMW. I was told they have changed the gearbox 3 times in the last 3 months and it keeps getting better and better.

I woke up to the WW2 figher buzzz down the front straight and just layed there happy as all get out that everything has stayed the same, very consistant. Attrition is takin its toll, but still a ton of traffic out there as BMW knows we can have alot of endurance, we throw these things around all the time. The new bike is just so much easier to ride hard and (just went by again, beautiul noise) just gets light in the front like a race bike should do on the gas, coming out of corners. 130 hp is what is being claimed. There is more though that can be had I am told. It just revs very quick and as i said engine braking had to be tuned back into thebike as we ALL described the same thing in personal meeting 1 on 1 with the boss.

Nothing has been more gratifying though to be accepeted for my 1:47.3 ap time by my teammates as they brought up that I only had 33 laps total on the bike for the week. They havetested the bike 2 times before for 2 days at a time straight. Im very content other than not being able to race. Markus was funny, he said "Me old man, you, you need to be out dare." Hey there will be more as I am told. Ok going to the pit wall to listen to the bike with the data guy real quick.

Sorry for all the typos, just not looking and typing in a hurry.

N8!

ok so I didnt nap, I was strolling back to the RV and there was this huge pot of met ravioli's in the hospitality tent. I only had a few...Kick ass pit stop just happened, it is very cool of my teammates here to be very cool to me, feeling my pain, and they just told the boss "his times is good for race pace..."lol, only 3 riders! hey maybe I can get the kitchen guy to help my cause, JUST KIDDING, no sabotaging anyone latte! lolOk well I made up some tear off's for Markus's helmet as he was out of them, I had 4 left. They fit an Arai, so thats good. Running out of things to say, sorry.

nate

Nope, they are 100% fine with me just sitting here ready!I think I may nap a little just in case. I hpe all goes as well as it has been. The last pit stop was great, just a little bit trying to get the bike restarted again. Sorry, guys if im being a little short.

nate

Okay, I just went for one cookie instead.Now just my schedule is what they are asking for for future tests of this "modified R1200S....AS great of an opportunity as it is and how much fun it is to ride, I just need to enjoy this but focus on next weekend once this is done.

Cheers,

nate

The bike is running great and everything is llike clockwork for this new team. Bertie has just told me with the data guy they feel much better knwoing that the times being turned during the race now and throughout are what i click off at will during my last 2 stints on the bike.Now more than ever I am feeling good, but again the priority is the team and then myself. Im just wiping some stuff down here and there, getting weird looks while doing it fromthe press guys, lol "you reserve rider, right?!" um yeah, but I am bored as hell!!!!lol, either way, Im asking you guys to help me keep from eating this killer chocolate cake here and the mousse pudding!

N8!

Massive highside exiting T3 and the bike that was on its side was then plowed inot by another rider that could not see through th swerving traffic to avoid it. Our rider Thomas H. just barely missed the bike, but is now looking down during the caution laps, down to the right side of the bike?! I have been watching the replay numerous times, I dont think he did, but may have clipped the lower or something on the fairing of the bike on the ground?! dunno, but he is still out there!

N8

Good morning everyone, the partying by the natives just started back up with the loudspeaker as their wake up call with a song by "The Killers", lol. I think I am more excited than our 3 riders, as a reserve rider, I could not sleep. I have been up slpet for a little bit, Markus (Barth) left the windows open to the RV for the past 2 nights and I do what i can to bundle up. Just me and the techs here in garage (pit box).I was thinking about my week so far. From the 2nd lap fiasco on Tuesday that cut my testing time from 1.5 hours to 10-15 minutes, Wed. practice of a handfull of laps, Thursday handful, Thursday night practice (I think I was only 3rd fastest of us at night, because I could not stop looking at the gorgeous new dash/instrument display all lit up at night, not watching the track or brake markers). Friday, seemingly, my last ride for now onthe machine, as the race starts today! i will have my leathers on and just sitting idle, for 24 hours! Finishing is winning, winning the "Open class" is a bonus! I am amzed at how much of the bike is still stock. There is a bit more I will be reserved, sorry, but out of respect for my colleagues that have given me this awesome opportunity....!The tire choice still baffle me though. The SC1 is a "Blue/Soft", the SC2 is a "Green/Medium", the SC3 a "Yellow/hard". Brain and I know what work for us and the Blue has never been an option as it is a qualifying/sprint tire. The SC2 is the best choice next to the SC3. There is only the choice of SC1 and 3 this weekend?! WHAT? So our over and hour before fuel stops is going to try and be done on a BLUE rear?! Whew, flat track central! I know I am have only begun my 6th season of racing ever, but through a gift and articulation, things have been accomplished by comprehension and feedback from the machine. I wnat what we all wnat for OUR team over here, the best finish possible for BMW's firts official factory effort in forever.From the initial view of this machine, the top triple tree really caught my eye, it iwll be the same as the street version. It is really cool and great looking. I know we all have our own tastes in how things look, but this bike in person has alot of substance. The tail section is complete carbon fiber, no aluminum or any metal of any kind. Valve covers are all carbon fiber. The wheels are just really light and the step up in aerodynamics is worth alot, especially at Daytona! The bike revs ultra quick for being a Boxer and when first fired up there is such a powerful burst of exhaust with a POW that comes from the exhaust tips. Very strong and full of compression. Comming into this weekend a total of 10 hours straight on the drivetrain. Sorry I do not have much more info, but I will be at the laptop during the race starting at 3pm. Would much rather be inthe saddle for over an hour each stint, but I knew this coming in. I know we can win the Open class with the level of consistancy we all bring to the table. If you guys ony knew the speed difference and how hard we had to work just to be in the sub 1:48's. Ok, sorry to be a bit bland this morning, Im not much of a hournalist, just hoping to share a bit and have something for youse when your PC/laptop is fired up. Ok time to get changed for a press confrence at 9.

N8!

Right now there are teams going up and down pit lane practicing pit stops. air guns, rev limiters (60kmh pit speed maximum or $200 US dollar fine, 3x's and your DQ'ed), it is cool our bikes have only in first gear the headlight switch in highbeam rev limiter only allows 58kmh, and it like BABABABABABABABABABAAB really loud all the way to our pit box!

On my cool down lap today, thinking this may be my last time to ride this weekend, I really took a look around at all the people lined up everywhere. They are just fanatical and its great! They were climbing to the top of the fence to wave and be seen, and clapping to our BMW's sight on the track with the sea of HP (horsepower) around us. I knew they could apreciate in T3 and T4 the passes driving hard off the conrners and on the outside of riders, taking the long way around the GSXR1000's and R1's, just to be smoked down the straight, then having a very very tactical game of passing the rest of the lap. That kind of racing makes you really sharp in decision making skills as it may be the last decision you make, lol. I took the data guy's advice, as technical as he is, when reading the data from the previous days qualifying, he said "looks at ze spike on d graph..." commenting on where I spun the rear coming off a corner onto the back straight. It read I spun the tire for 1100 RPM's more than usual for 3 meters. I said "yeah I was trying to get a drive on this guy who was a maniac on this CBR1000. As subtle and crazy smart as he is, he says with a flying elbow otion "use dis and not harm bike" meaning take other evasive actions and not spin the bike up and risk something, lol.

I may have mentioned before, this is the first time I have had my knee on the ground in 6th gear. As I recall (dont have the data in front of me) it was 265kmh at the point of turn in an on the deck. It is a pretty wild T1 here and banging out 3 down shifts from full tilt right to full tilt left, while trailing all the way into the apex, to madly get the bike fulltilt back over for the next right that takes you under Dunlop bridge... the bike is very flickable (yes I said flick and meant BMW in the same sentence) due to the massive lower triples and massive forks on the bike being very rigid! No flex in the front end at all. I am going to assist the phenominal German technical staff with any help they may need buttoning up tonight, so till later!

Nate

sorry to be short, just finished night practice, it was awesome! 6th gear with your knee on the ground with some headlights leading the way! went inot today with 15 laps under my belt total (from the data sheets) and went from a 1:51. to a 1:47.717. At night consistant 49's and teammates consistant 48's low 49's. Just amazing the scene here and how big the roadracing community here makes this!

so now I have corrected, not 22 laps under my belt, but 27! This is a fun track that really teaches me patience. More than any other track, you really have to nail the exit due to long straights started by slow conrners.

This modified R1200S we are testing and racing is just great, keeps getting better each session!

Ok, time for some sleep and some more seat time tomorrow.

N8!

There is now wireless setup in the "pit box" as they call it over here. I will say when I was able to finally access my email here, I was greeted by multiple emails with a post that was on the PP board then forwarded to me. As people have told me, the better you get at anything or the more exposure you get, there will also be more naysayers and negative things said.
When I ever talk about what went on at a race weekend or lap times, I go by what was in front of me "on the bikes" lap timer. It is amazing though that there are people that come on here, have only one post to their made up name, and run....

Regardless, we are at the track at home and here. There is way more that goes on than the bench seat racer can imagine. So relax and just enjoy what we all have a common interest in.
SO, Tuesday was my first practice scheduled and was just for myself to test. Once at the track after the train ride here, the R1200S's modified sat there waiting. So I get my stuff on and at 3:45 was the time to ride. After a briefing on all the buttons and toggole switches, I was off. The bike has a really cool speed limiter that only works in first gear, on pit lane. You can pin it and it just has a stupid low rev limiter and it just sounds cool/funny.
The bike is nimble, the power is strong, and the brakes are unlike any I have ever felt!!! There is so much sensitivity in these big mono block Brembo radial calipers. Well good news or bad news first?! Ok I will give you good first, I saved it, the save of all saves! Beleive it "Coquina".
The first lap was just site seeing and getting a feel for the bike. The second lap I just pulled in for an adjustment.
My 1.5 hours of practice ended up with only about 15 minutes of total seat time as the back up bike was still being prepared. So what to an extent, I am ecstatic to be here and the crew is top notch! So I really needed to put my head down and learn this place for tomorrow (today)
Today practice was 1.5 hours and now the 4 of us share the bike. the first practice ended at Hintereiter 1"48 and change, Barth, 1'50.0, myself 1:51 and change, Rico 1:52.Second practice the 3 were all in the high 1:47's and I only knocked off .75 seconds. After an amazing onboard data logging system and a briefing with the data guy, I could see where I was rushing most of the corners and killing my exit. Using 2nd gear in 3 corners when I can use 3rd, when not rushing the entry. basically i need to relax and really work on the lines around this place. It is a real local yokle track for many riders and there are just some really good riders here, all on litre bikes! lol I mean seriously built superbikes.
Tomorrow is a day and night practice. I was positioned all along to be Mertens replacement as reserve rider. Reserve rider does not race, just there if something happens to the other 3. SO WHAT, again it is a great learning experience and fun to share with friends and supporters ( and non supporters) back home! lol
Im going to go now and just really look at the fine telemetry from the data system that breaksdown the actual length in meters that the gas is on/off and just as much as I can learn and sleep on.
Till later!
N8!

Well hey everyone. Im sitting in a waiting/internet/toilet place here at the Charles De Gaulle airport in France. Im fighting to stay awake! Im beyond tired as I have the hardest time sleeping on planes. My day started yesterday OUR time at Miami airport where I flew to JFK. The flight was delayed at JFK for 1.5 hours due to the Capt. (pilot) of the plane sitting in traffic on I-95.... I missed my train to Le Mans so i will be on the next one in like 2 hours.

Im back, lol, .50 euros later for having to use the bathroom here....! The crapper attendant says to me (I am the only person in line) "So you have to go?!" I was thinking to myself, in dire need TO GO, "Nah, I just love the smell, so I I'll just stand here."

Okay, my abttery is about dead. Miami was the site for round 2 of the Sun Trust MotoST series where Brian and I, for the firts time, had to really earn/ride hard for a podium spot (3rd). Homestead Speedway is a tough track for our bike due to 2 really tight turns. The heat was not so bad my second stint out, but the first really let me know that I did not have the energy from being sick for a week prior. Regardless, I went a bit faster my second stint and then Brian took over. Brian set the quickest time of 1:30.2 and my best lap was a 1:30.8. Im getting over the fact slowly that it is not my bike, lol! Just getting more comfortable with Brians set up suspension wise. We both can throw down very consistant times which keep us as one of the top teams for the series.
There were 3 extra pit stos we made using up precious time for a faulty electric shifter. Finally disconnecting it, we were able to finish the race after battling back to 3rd.
It was really special seeing BMW riders that came to support me back in Feb. at Homestead there again. BMW Motorccyles of Miami and I shared in the fun at their open house. I slipped away for 2 hours and was able to meet some really loyal BMW mc riders/customers, but also customers on looking at their first BMW mc. I high taile it back to the track for the race and hour later. Thank you Doner for the use of your Porsche Cayman, made it back with ZERO tickets! Man that things rips!

Im going to go now so I can see which platform my train will be leaving from. There is just a really calm and focused feeling knowing that i have the best support and interest from a really great mc riding community in the states! So, for BMWXPLOR, BMW MC of Atlanta, my MotoST team San Jose BMW and teammates, BMW MC of Las Vegas, Morton's BMW, and BMW MC of Miami, we are all here and will enjoy next week. Im going to ride hard, but I will say Brian said something really cool as I left Florida. "Stay safe cause we need you for VIR (rd.3 of MotoST)!

Will try and find an adapter so I can recharge my laptop. Tomorrow is the day for the modifeied R1200S to be rocked around the track, today I will be at the circuit right from the train to get familiar with the bike.

Take care,

N8!

Beyond sick sitting here trying to sleep in Homestead (Miami), Fl. I have not been this sick in a long time. Pretty upset at the timing. Regardless if it was 90 today here. I had the clammy skin with cold chills. I really lost some energy with this damn bug I have. REALLY bad timing as I can share some info with you all. A press release will soon follow.

With the very unfortunate accident Stephane Mertens was involved in, I have been asked if I would be interested in riding in his place for the "24 Hours of Le Mans" in France next week. I am still beside myself. A bit overwhelming, but at the same time and opportunity to take with me the BMW riding community that has given me the strength and confidence to acheive what I have in such a short period of time in my career. I will be racing a new R1200S modified. This will be great testing and further the development/direction we are going in the motorcycle world.

I am sad that through injury of such an amazing racer has produced this opportunity, but I will have Stephane in my thjoughts and ride with what he has shared with me the few times I have been around him. He is the text book definition of a class act on and off the track.

Ok, enough for now, I passed on Go Karting this evening to get some rest and try and flush this damn bug out of my system. Brian and I spent most of the practice making adjustments to the bike and learning this new track. We eneded up 4th fastest regardless of my 8 laps and his 12 laps in a 2 hour practice.

Practice at 9a.m. so Im 86!

Thank you all again for such great support and interest.

Nate

Received some bad news the other day about our teammate that rode to the win with us in the Sun Trust MOtoST "8 Hours of Daytona" last October. Stephane Mertens was injured pretty badly while practicing at a track in France. Stephanes crash resulted in a broken hip and other injuries. I wish and hope for a speedy recovery to the 3 time World Endurance Champion and winner of 12 World Superbike races in his career! He truely is a class act and anotehr great mentor in my career. When I think of influences I have gained from great racers I start with Michael Barnes and Vincent Haskovec for persevearance and Freddie Spencer's school with his intructors that always have the best of teaching techniques.


So hey ya'll as they say here in Ga., lol. Well there has been some time sinice practicing in Vegas Saturday before last, then going straight to the US Desmo (Ducati Owners Club) trackday at Roebling Road in Savannah last Monday. Just an amazing amoutn of beleivers made over those 2 days that have only read and heard about how we get r' done on the BMW R1200S! lol (im not that redneck)

With a couple HUGE potential opportunities looming and the MotoST races coming up at Homestead in Miami and VIR, I just cannot wait to get started! Im going to kick the cold and body aches setting in and get ready to run up front and get on top of the box at Homestead Speedway for the 2nd round of the MotoST National Endurance series!

Cheers,

N8!