Nate Kern

2009-03-09T08:59:00.001-07:00

Hello Again!
I know that the 2009 season will have many challenges both on and off the track, but I am ready. I am ready because past obstacles and hurdles mage me strong, and I know that 2009 will be conquered just as past seasons were. Through perseverance, passion and belief in BMW Motorcycles, along with the freight train with no brakes that of BMW riders and others that support me…WE WILL WIN.
The 2009 season started this past weekend. Yes, I am racing BMW Motorcycles. The opportunities that have been knocking went unanswered due to my belief in the “conquest” to prove the true performance of BMW Motorcycles.
I entered and raced four races at Daytona International Speedway. With a first, second, third and fifth place finish, my equipment let me know that they were tired from never being freshened up. That, though, is the true measure of my BMW Motorcycles race bikes. They keep running; they keep going regardless of the relentless pressure of staying up front versus sky-high revving Japanese and Italian competition.
Robbing parts from the trusty R1200S to get the HP2Sport right was the answer in the epic race of the weekend – the 600 Grand Prix race. Starting 17th for the 6-lap race, I knew we had our work cut out for us. With a great launch and a rather nutty pass here and there, we were in fifth starting the second lap. At that moment going into Turn One, we were 4.1 seconds off of fourth place, and in a four-way battle for the lead. Briefly it crossed my mind to settle for how tough it was to get to fifth, knowing they (top four spots) will draft themselves away from me. I put my head down and did what I knew I could do better – crush the infield section and show that we were not just going to roll over and settle for fifth without trying.
With my single HP2Sport and no back-up HP2Sport (nor parts), I decided to hand that bike its own ass. I rode it as hard as I could. Making up ground over the next 2 laps, I drew closer and closer until I caught a whiff of the draft on the exit of the chicane. We then passed for fourth and now the leaders were right in sight. That was enough to send me into overdrive. With this 600 Grand Prix race of seriously modified 600’s that rocket around the high banks, our seemingly big air/oil cooled Boxer was hauling the mail! The only places I knew I could get by was truly “The Long Way Around” on the outside of Turn One, on the brakes. That is a nutty pass; it is using the small part of the tire due to heavy lean angle, coming from top of 6th gear down to 2nd (2nd due to the ultra tall 2.54 final drive ratio) gear.
I committed to going up to the wall and not shutting off until the one marker I made the pass on the outside and at that moment we were 4 wide into one. First, second, third and I headed hard into the left handler and being on the outside was truly the WAY long way around (Ewan has nothing on this). With the final slip of the clutch, backing my way into second gear. The driveline hooked up into a nice slide while re-engaging on the small part of the tire, all the while with my knee planted and sliding across the asphalt, I was on a fine line with the front brake well on and the rotors wanting to pull me down into the ground. For every hop of the front wheel, the front end tucked then caught, tucked then caught, due asking too much of the front contact patch (asking it to turn, hold weight of bike up, and slow down). I rode the final line trailing that deep into Turn One. This was the only way to let them know I was coming.
After easing off the lever and lowering my center of gravity to the point I was resting my elbow on my inner-knee, the bike kept turning and heading into Turn Two and I was now in third!
From there the infield was the best point of taking the lead. We were all over them because that easy part is riding, the banking was the tough part coming up, lol. Without a safe pass and knowing I should not be leading at Daytona on the last lap, I sat back. I sat back a hair too long going into 6. The rear tire was already going off and not giving me the optimal drive any tire should give you after only 6 laps. Well, our rear shock has three hard seasons on it and no budget to rebuild it. I tucked for all it was worth and turned it to the stop. The HP2Sport’s flawless shift assist was beautiful and at the line we were 0.5 seconds from the win. Settling for third was a better feeling than the and second place (by 0.001 seconds in the National ASRA Pro Thunderbike) later that race weekend.
N8!

2008-08-12T19:31:00.001-07:00

... at Barber Motorsports Park.
Barber Motorsports Park has always offered a mix of challenges, but there is one very strong point for our BMW racebikes. With the tight corners that do not agree with our wheelbase, there is one turn that is the strongest for us on the whole circuit. Turn 4 is a very fast, uphill right-hand turn that levels off as you crest the turn flat-out in 4th gear. Due to our superior telelever and paralever suspension coupled with the longer wheelbase, we can hold the throttle wide open here while the rest of the field (in any class) has to close the throttle for stability. This allows us to shoot out of T4 with close to a 5mph advantage over 600s, 750s, and 1000s! This weekend was comprised of 6 races; one of them being the National ASRA Pro Thunderbike class that we currently lead.
This race is special every year because of the amount of BMW riders and dealer/club support. We entered our Boxers in five sprint classes: Supertwins (The fastest litre Twins on the market), 600 Superbike, 600Supersport, 750 Superbike, and CCS Thunderbike.
The weekend started off with a win in 600 Superbike against some talented riders on ultra-lightweight, high-revving 600s. That set the tone and from then on the level of energy amongst the BMW fans was sky high! The next race was 750 Superbike. On the warm up lap I realized instantly that I pulled a bone-head move. In all the excitement, I forgot to put on new knee pucks as I took the old ones off. I had a decent start and was running second coming up to T5 and I felt it was time to take the lead through our massive Brembo Brakes on the BMW HP2 Sport! I got in a little too hot on the brakes going for the lead and realized it was not going to stick. For the left-hand turn, the bars were fully lock up against the frame, countered all the way right. I was still hard on the brakes, trying to re-engage the drive-train through the clutch after two down shifts into 2nd. I stood the machine up and went straight off into the grass. We were able to stay in it hard enough to scrub off a lot of speed before the grass, so the save was not too spectacular. Once I got the bike stopped and turned around in the grass, I fell back to 15th position in the quick five lap sprint. From there, I put my head down but realized I had no knee pucks, which made it very difficult to carry the corner speed neccessary while trying to keep my knee from dragging and ruining the race suit. Regardless, my head was down and we charged our way back to 4th with only a few bike lengths behind 3rd place at the line! It is still so much fun and we are proving our BMW can do it!
The 600 Supersport was a battle for as long as we could keep the gap small on the straights at Barber. We settled for a commanding 3rd place finish, not on the strong HP2 Sport but our R1200S Thunderbike! Then came the CCS (regional) Thunderbike race. This was a pre-game warm-up for the National Thunderbike race the following day. I heard a noise coming from the left cylinder on the warm-up lap that I realized was louder since practice that morning. With the drop of the flag, I never looked back. Knowing there was a battle brewing behind me, our team was able to cross the line on the R1200S Thunderbike 15 seconds ahead of the competition. There was still a gnarly noise coming from the bike, but no loss of power, luckily. With Jim Doyle's help (a proud customer of Engle Motors in Kansas City, MS), 2nd Lt. Alex Deseta of Charleston, SC (US Army), and Ralf Wilkowski of San Diego, CA., we were able to find the problem and make the neccessary changes for the next day’s ASRA National Thunderbike race. After pulling the left valve cover off of the R1200S, we noticed one of the four massive studs holding the rocker arms sheared off. The big nut on the end of the stud was flying around and the rocker arm was smashing the valve cover the whole time I was racing. With no noticeable power loss, we still won the race. Amazing reliability! With that found, my pride and joy in my National Championship-leading "A" bike was down and we need to get to work on switiching the suspension over to the "B" bike. The electric shifter is such a bonus on the "A" R1200S, so back to getting it done manually! The new day started and the "B" bike went .4 seconds faster than the "A" bike and we were ready! BAM, we were off and as I ran it into T1, I never looked back. Team BMWXPLOR.com checked out with a five second win in the ASRA Pro Thunderbike class, further extending our points lead with two rounds to go!
Thank you tremendously to Jim Doyle, Ralf, Alex, the BMW MC Club of AL., BMW MC Club of GA., BMWBMW.org (love you guys), BMWSR.org, Atlanta BMW MC's, Engle Motors, Mortons BMW, and BMWXPLOR.com! We are on our way to a National #1 plate that all BMW motocycle owners can wear and share! N8! Kern

2008-08-12T19:29:00.001-07:00

Round 7 of the National ASRA Pro Thunderbike series headed to Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. This is the fastest track on the circuit; yes, faster average speed than Daytona. With the national championship getting closer, I knew this would be a pivotal round. Getting ready for the race weekend was tougher than I realized. I rented a truck from Enterprise and loaded as much as I could into the 6 ft. bed and I was off. Arriving 17 hours later (at 1am), knowing I needed to be at the track by 7am, really set the tone for the day. No worries, I knew Jim Doyle from Kansas was coming! Jim has selflessly helped me from Topeka, now to Road America, and onto Barber.
There was so much riding on that weekend that I could not have done it without him. To top it off, a USGPRU race team based out of Nova Scotia called RAT (Remote Access Technologies) was ultra helpful with the pit space and canopy we could not fit in the truck. I met them at the Summit Point round of ASRA and we all clicked really well and had fun.
So, feeling rather sluggish and cramped from the straight drive, I did not expect much, lap-time wise. We got one of the R1200S's ready and went out for practice. To my surprise, I was 0.3 seconds (1'29.7 in 2007) off of my fastest race time from the season before. That really made me feel better and it was on from there. With the National Pro Thunderbike race as priority, I knew there would be two opportunities to race my top competition, Factory Buell racer extraordinaire Dave Estok. Dave is a great racer and pushes me and the BMW R1200S pretty hard. There would be two CCS Thunderbike races, one Supertwins, and the National ASRA Pro Thunderbike.

Not to bore youse, but all I can say is - it was on! Dave was ready and so was I. From the start, the first CCS Thunderbike race came down to the line, with a draft pass for the win with under 0.1 seconds separating us.

The second race was the Supertwins race, where we ran our Thunderbikes again and Dave got the better of the battle by exactly 0.1 seconds at the finish line...this time.

The second CCS Thunderbike race was rather uneventful, due to Estok's bike breaking on the warm up lap. We won by a wide margin.

Now it's time for the ASRA National Pro Thunderbike race. We wanted it. I was on pole, with Estok on the front row also. The flag dropped and this 10 lap sprint on the huge 4.1 mile track was a barn burner. The most ferocious braking battles took place in T1 and T5, drafting and side-by-side corners all throughout the race. We swaped the lead four times on one lap. With a way shorter wheelbase, Estok was able to pull about 4 bike lengths each time from Canada Corner to the front straight. On the last lap, we had a braking battle into T5 from top of 6th gear down to 2nd gear as fast as we could. I won, but then he came down hard but under control into Canada Corner, hoping to pull a bigger gap with 3 turns to go. I really put my head down and made sure I optimized contact patch for traction off the corner, through more body position off of the bike and less lean angle. The center of gravity we are keeping off of the top of the bike by hanging off into the direction of the corner allows the bike to keep turning, but having the bike more upright allows us to get on the meat of the tire sooner and pull the trigger/throttle faster, while clearing the cylinder heads over the raised rumble strips.
Off of the last corner the gap was not nearly as big as previous laps and with a perfect draft pass, Team BMWXPLOR.com nipped the competition at the line by 0.09 seconds!

Thank you BMW riders that rode from all over to witness and share in the fun! One race closer to that # 1 plate that all you BMW riders deserve.

Nate
N8!

2008-07-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Teammate Richard Cooper and I had a tremendous showing at the Virginia International Raceway (June 21-22) during the ASRA Pro Thunderbike and CCS Thunderbike races.
I managed to grab four first place finishes on both the BMW R 1200 S and the new HP2 Sport race bikes. I also set the all-time ASRA track record time! Cooper not only grabbed two podium finishes, but also set the qualifying track record time at the VIR.

For me, the biggest thing that stands out is that how the BMW R 1200 S never lets me down. It gets faster every time I race it. The R 1200 S is so versatile.

I got the top honors at the ASRA Pro Thunderbike national race on the BMW R 1200 S, while Cooper finished in the third position, and then I did it again in the CCS Thunderbike regional race while still on the R 1200 S, with Cooper achieving the second position.

Cooper and I have such a great relationship; it is the highest level of team work and sportsmanship that I’ve experienced. This was Cooper’s first time at the VIR, so I tried really hard to get him up the speed as soon as possible because I wanted to see two BMWs up on the podium.

I set the ASRA track record of 1:31.9 in the ASRA Pro Thunderbike race, while Cooper set the qualifying track time of 1:32.4 during qualifying for the same race. We could not have been hotter on our BMWs that weekend.

Cooper and I were blown away by the level of support from so many BMW riders at the VIR that came from all over.

I changed my bike to the hot new track-ready BMW HP2 Sport in the CCS Supertwins to finish first again. The number two spot crossed the finish line 8 seconds later. I also grabbed the top finish and crossed the checkered flag four seconds ahead of the next racer in the CCS 750 Superbike class, which features some of the best 600 and 750cc racing motorcycles.

I really credit the awesome support from the BMW community for the great showing with Cooper at the VIR. The BMW riding community is strong in the US and Cooper was surprised by the level of support that we get at these races. He said he realizes why I keep going faster every time.

I think we're well on our way to this year’s ASRA championship!

2008-06-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

Back in the Republic of Georgia and for sure I am still riding high from this past Monday's trackday! The opportunity to ride with our West Coast friends and BMW riders was something I could not pass up. About 7 months ago via email Ralf and I spoke of a BMW trackday in Southern California. Its was simple to me - you get the track Ralf, and you bet I will be there. After we hung out and spoke further at the IMS show in Long Beach, it was in stone for me.
So June 9th was the date and man, it came quickly. Logistics would be tough as to how to we would get a bike there. BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas made sure the R1200S they have for me to race would be available.
This whole event at Buttonwillow (Bumpywillow) Raceway was the work of one man, Ralf Wilkowski. With very quick commitments from BMW riders all over Ca., this event was shaping up. I flew out to Ca. and spent some time this past Saturday at Ralf's local dealer, San Diego BMW Motorcycles. Rack another one up, another dealer that "gets it!", meaning that they understand the value of relationships first and naturally the numbers will come. With San Diego BMW Motorcycles' involvement the day was even better.

This is a great time to share a really cool story. An R1200SGS rider from Norfolk, Va., named Jody was riding in WV at a trackday when I met him in 2007. We hit it off instantly besides the fact that he was on a BMW motorcycle. We kept in touch and hung out at Morton's BMW Motorcycles open house and then at the D.C. IMS show in Feb. That is where Jody informed me he would see me in two years. He is a career Navy Officer and being stationed in Japan. His wife and kids would be joining him there later this year. Well some divine intervention landed Jody and his ship, the USS George Washington, at the San Diego Naval base due to a fire while en route to Japan. Fortunately, none of his crew was badly injured. I found this out because he showed up at the San Diego dealership while I was there hanging out with their customers. It was really cool as he said he heard I was going to be there.
I told him that the trackday was Monday and he knew nothing about it. From there I just inquired to see if there was a motorcycle he could potentially ride on Monday. San Diego BMW Motorcycles was beyond generous and made sure he had a bike to ride and gear head-to-toe!!!!! Just awesome! Jody was speechless and still in disbelief. Later on Sat. I got the best tour of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier. Even more love and respect for our United States military personnel. Amazing ship and jobs everyone has to keep us safe!

Sunday rolled around and oh yeah, I sat next to a great couple on the flight out named Mike and Trisha. Mike is a Navy Medic (E-6) and after the 6 hour flight we found out we had alot in common. I ended up going to The Rock Church with them Sunday morning before we headed out for the track. Thank you guys for that awesome experience. Around 2 Ralf, Jody and I set out for the track. The drive through some mountains and then into this very flat valley was awesome. No wonder its so expensive to live there; the scenery is great. We checked in the hotel and then met up with some great PelicanParts.com members at the Willow Ranch BBQ joint for some grub. Many faces were put to the screennames and throughout dinner we all just had a great time. I sat next to Eron and, man!, the guy really knew his track stuff and it showed the next day on his BMW R1100S!

Finally Monday June 9th came and we were off for the track. Buttonwillow Raceway is a track in the middle of the valley and very flat. Some man made eleveation changes, but ultra-bumpy. It was the perfect training ground for the "real world" riding motorcyclist encounter off the track. Off camber, blind hill turns, and bumps were some of the fun we learned to tackle together. I had so much fun and was blown away by how much these riders really wanted to learn. I knew with the mix of BMW models there and my experience with Boxers and K bikes, we would have a great time. After chatting a bit with each rider and then riding together, we narrowed down what the riders wanted to work on individually. From there I used the San Diego BMW Motorcycles R1200S for two up rides (taking passengers) around the track. That was just an absolute blast!!! Then to see the riders go out and apply what they learned first hand was even better.

There is so much more I could say, but I dont wanna drag out one of the best days I have ever had on two wheels. I cannot wait for the next time!

Packing up this evening for the XPLOR Blue Ridge ride this weekend. This will be total fun and a chance to see and hear what people want to know about BMW motorcycles. From there, Richard "Mini" Cooper will be flying Monday to get ready for the following weekend's ASRA Natl. Pro weekend. Two Beemers again flying in formation and for sure Richard wants to reverse the outcome from Daytona in the ASRA Pro Thunderbike race. Friday we will be practicing (20th) and then we go racing Sat. and Sun. Dont miss the chance to see a very, very talented and fast racer at VIR.

Thank you everyone for you comments that are piling up in the email in reference to the posts here. I have tried to get the Blogger issue cleared up and get them on here, but it's hit or miss. Sometimes it goes through and sometimes it doesn't. So Jason, Kevin, Tarci, and others... apologies for not being able to publish them.

Ok, off to the range to train and blow through a couple hundred rounds. Will be at BMW MC of Atlanta tomorrow and then off to Va.!

Cheers,

N8!

2008-06-03T10:25:00.000-07:00

The 3rd round of the National ASRA Pro Thunderbike series headed to Summit Point, WV.
Going into that round I knew the competition was hungry and for sure did not want a repeat of what happened 3 weeks previously. The BMW HP2Sport still has not changed from its showroom stock condition. I felt the need to keep stock and prove what it can do, as if a customer just bought it. The shocks have not been revalved and/or resprung, which is the most necessary upgrade for racing.
With a win in 750 Superbike (Heavyweight Superbike) that shocked all the spectators and riders alike at Summit Point, our BMW HP2Sport did it again! This time I was blown away by the lack of sportsmanship as I found out, almost the hard way, on the warm up lap. This past race weekend was the first time I have ever left the HP2Sport out under the canopy over night. I did not practice on it, as I knew what it was capable of from the day before. Due to limited budgets, I wanted to conserve tire wear and race fuel. On the warm-up lap, the machine about spit me off every time I pulled the trigger. Something was terribly wrong.
As I gridded up on the front straight to start the race, I hopped up and down on the seat and man, did it feel like crap (rear shock). I reached down for the compression adjuster and found that it was completely turned all the way out. That left me in total disbelief. No time to check the rebound. 2 board, 1 board, BAM nailed the holeshot into T1. With the lead now I had a dilemma - lead it and stay out front knowing I can't get the power down safely/efficiently, or just go for some good points and bring it home?! The latter quickly faded away, as I was livid! We ended up winnning the race Monday (Memorial Day) morning.
Backing it up a day to Sunday. The Morton's BMW crew and BMWBMW.org members who volunteered the time and effort to put us up front, had some work to do. Morton's BMW brought the R1200S that Mini Cooper rode at Daytona. The bike was the heaviest and dynoed good power, so that was my choice weapon for ASRA Pro Thunderbike's 4lbs. per HP ratio class. Qualifying was a game. It always is. No one wants to give the seemingly "old man's" BMW a tow down the straights for a good draft. That ever-precious draft at Summit can start a really good lap going. So, I put my head down and did what I could. Came up .3 seconds short of the pole and qualified 2nd. I was not happy at all with that because I went .8 seconds faster in practice that morning. Oh well, time to get ready for the CCS Thunderbike and 600 Supersport race.
The same players in the Natl. ASRA Pro Thnderbike were in the CCS Thunderbike so it was a big pregame warm up. Less than stellar launch, but was able to outbrake everyone into T1 due to my Telelever front suspension. I have never experienced the ability to go so deep on the brakes on another motorcycle. From there I ran 4 laps with .3 seconds of each other and was able to pull away for the win. This turned up the heat for the next day. The competition was now even more fired up.
The 600 Supersport race was awesome! We led the first 2 laps and then Robert Jensen, who I feel is the best privateer in the country, came past on the brakes to start lap 3. I put my head down and wanted to show that our BMW HP2Sport does not just run past good riders, but can hang with great ones! At the line we finished a strong 2nd, just over 1 second behind.
So back to Monday, Memorial Day... a day that I know personal friends of mine who are serving and everyone else who knows someone serving our country keeps in the thoughts all day. This day was going to be a great showdown. I had to forget about the mysteriously and drastically changed rear shock that found my compression and rebound adjusters backed all the way off. Hmmm... Just added more fuel and rode stronger. So now the ASRA Pro Thunderbike race is gridding up. The top 4 spots were only seperated by .4 seconds. Another crappy launch but repeat on the brakes into T1. With the lead going into T2 I was energized. I started to calm down and just hit my mark. With no draft and decent headwind down Summit's long straight, the pack was leap-frogging each other closer. Finally I had a front wheel shown to me. That made me think I needed to push a bit more there. The 10 lap race had a just an awesome lead change around 7 to 8 times. 3 laps to go and a Factory Buell racer and another rider who I know is ultra- talented, Dave Estok, ran down the the side of me into T1 but no worries, we both stayed up. It was pretty early in the brake markers so I was not expecting it. Dave ran wide and fortunately stayed up. What I did not know was the Morton's BMW R1200S I was racing still had the heated grips hooked up. I would later find out why I was swallowing my tongue and having trouble with my fading melting brain for the last 3 laps, as the high position was on! So here is where it gets interesting, especially for anyone who has EVER raced anything under the sun...
Last lap was a jugg-dragging fest. I have never ever dragged the cylinder heads for a whole lap, everywhere. Every corner, not due to going blistering fast, but due to brain melting. Literally, I was thinking, man it's only 80 degees and a great day for racing, not the 100+ we are used to at Barber. Last corner T10 is a fast 4th gear (for me) right-hander onto the front straight. As I drive off the corner, I see the checkered flag waving about 200 meters down the straight. NATURALLY what would any racer do knowing they are being drafted to the line?! This is where I found out the direction some racing is going.... I took a look over my left shoulder, while wide open on the gas, and I could see the 2nd place rider drafting me. He dips left, so NATURALLY as I look forward I dipped left, then right, and we crossed the finish line. I took the hard fought win in the Natl. ASRA Pro Thunderbike race.
Well you know, when I heard, "Nate Kern to the scoring tower", I didn't think much of it. Boy, did I think alot when I left, though. I was penalized 10 seconds onto my race time and dropped to third. I was accused of "blocking". I simply replied "I was just racing", the same way any other series and or race comes down to the last lap being drafted. In this series, regardless of the situation, last lap or not, you have to just hold your line and let the next rider draft by you. So all in all we still lead the natl. championship, but 9 valuable points were lost.

2008-05-08T08:50:00.002-07:00

Back in Ga. after 5 back-to-back race weekends. From Atlanta to Jennings, FL (4hrs.), then back to Atl., a few days later to Carolina Motorsports Park in SC (4hrs.), to pack up and head over to Barber Motorsports Park (3hrs.), and from there straight to Topeka, KS (15hrs.) After a great weekend of racing in Topeka, I started the trip (19hrs.) to Summit Point, WV.

The first three race weekends were close enough to where I call home that I could recharge. The drive to Kansas on my own was SO boring, I was annoying myself! The break I took from driving when I stopped at the BMW MOA office in St. Louis was great, though. Ray, Vince, and the gang were busy as ever doing all they can for us MOA members. Knowing that the race in Topeka was pretty far west and the budget is what it is, I found myself without my full time techs. That's where Engle Motors of Kansas City, MS, stepped up. I really didn't think there was another dealer out there that could rival the genuine and amazingly warm welcome that Morton's BMW in Frederickburg, VA, offers to everyone. Well, there is, and their success comes from those principles. Everyone feels like they were just invited over for dinner when they walk through the doors. Ok, so no home cooked meals everytime but the same great feeling of family and friends that go along with it! That makes me think of something new to write about... food! Man I'm hungry thinking about home cooked dinners.... lol

With support from Mike Jones and his service dept. at Engle Motors to a long time and very loyal customer Jim Doyle, the 2nd round of the ASRA Pro Series was better than I would have expected. Now I am not at all happy with 2nd in the ASRA Natl. Pro Thunderbike race, but I was content with being on the pole and leaving with the championship lead. Spending time with BMW riders and future ones was really my highlight. Call it what you want for those that read this with their own agendas and opinions, but we are all motivated by different aspects. Mine is people. The more the better, and it brings the level of energy to your riding. Try it sometime, you may see a difference....! Thank you Engle Motors for giving me the support that showed our strength on the track!

I know I am not getting into too much of the actual on-track fun I have had showing what our BMWs can do, but I will say I am loving that BMW HP2Sport more and more! The R1200S's still have the duties of going for our Natl. Championship, but the HP2Sport is giving us even more credibility with wins in the 600 and 750 Superbike/Supersport classes within the regional CCS Pro races.

I was really looking forward to getting back to Summit Point Raceway, surprisingly. It's really not the track itself, but the awesome turnout we always have of BMW riders and families of BMW riders. The BMWBMW.org club out of DC and Morton's longtime support was, for sure, a great mix for another successful weekend. Little did I know how fast we would go!!!!!!!
With the newly repaved circuit, we were all expecting better feel. The place is bumpier than ever and the "cages" (cars) were let on too soon after repaving and have pretty much ruined many of the turns. Oh well, that actually suited our 3-inch plus wheelbase! ;) Right away we were in the hunt for classes I did not think we could win with a stock suspension setup. All I can say is, neither did the competition! With wins on the HP2Sport against very, very good competition, we can only go better with the right set-up. 750 Superbike, 750 Supersport, 600 GP, and Thunderbike were the wins of the weekend. 600 Superbike and 600 Supersport netted a 2nd and 3rd place finish!

There are 2 stand-out riders everyone knows in that neck of the woods, Brain Stokes and Mike Himmelsbach.

Shoot, be right back...

BACK, friggin days later, ok so this will be a bit short. There is a lot to do to get ready and head back up to WV for the ASRA National. Rather short handed this season and with a limited budget, but we are still out to prove we can get it done! The BMW family of riders have been ultra-supportive each season and this year it is even more appreciated. With some great tracks coming up, be sure to come hang out with us and enjoy the sound of the Boxer going flat out against some of the best riders/ machines around!

I did want to mention some names if youse do not mind. BMW MC of Atlanta, Morton's BMW, Jerry Duke, Kevin Weber, Tom and Gerry from Sidestandup.com, Engle Motors in KC, MS, BMWBMW.org out of DC, Jim Doyle, Ralf Walkowski, and so many others have and are making this season a front-running one! Thank you!

June 9th will be a stellar day ripping around the track on the West coast with some great BMW riders and enthusiast. Ralf Walkowski from the PelicanParts.com board has put together an awesome trackday at Buttonwillow Raceway (still some space available). Then from there, I look very forward to riding with everyone who can make the BMWXPLOR.com event in VA., it is a ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains and I am going to break out the streetbike and enjoy some roads and lunch with everyone! (Also, a few spots have been added, as it is a full event!)

2008-04-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

Good morning fellow BMW riders and race fans. Our 2008 season kicked off at Daytona and went pretty great. My BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta-prepared racebikes were flawless as usual and making great power! I started the season opener instructing in the prestigious Team Hammer School and helping riders learn their way around Dayton Intl. Speedway. Our CCS sprint races were a good warm-up with top 5's and a win before the Natl. ASRA Pro Thunderbike race.

Former Boxer Cup competitor/European Superstock winner/World Endurance rider Englishman Richard Cooper came over to ride one of my R1200S's under the Morton's BMW flag. The Frederickburg, Va.-based dealership has been ultra-supportive over the past few seasons and wanted in on the fun, too. I knew Richard was looking to ride the BWM again and I knew I had another bike as a back-up there. So a few phone calls and prep work on the bike, and "Mini" Cooper was at Daytona with us with all covered! Cooper and Austrian racer Thomas Hintereiter were on hand to race with me for Team BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta in the Sun Trust MotoST series opener (Daytona 300).

Our MotoSt bike was my "B" bike from the '07 season just basically outfitted with a quick fill gas tank for faster pit stops and that's it. The bike was perfect and the rider line-up was dubbed a podium team for sure. Tragedy struck as Thomas was sent out for some seat time in a CCS sprint race, though. A four-bike crash exiting the chicane, caused by a chain coming off a Ducati 1098 that wrapped around the countershaft sprocket took Thomas with it. Thomas had nowhere to go and badly injured his hand. The Team BMW MCs of Atlanta's R1200S was destroyed in the crash also.

From there on the mood was somber. The Natl. ASRA Pro Thunderbike qualifying was coming up and we had to be ready. Cooper and I went out Boxer Cup-style and pulled each other around the track with big drafts. We went one-two on the front row, with Cooper 2nd and I managed a pole position out of it - until we went to the post-race scale and dyno inspection. At a certain weight I was allowed to make 108.3 RWHP on the ASRA dyno and, well, I made 108.4!!! "You have got to be kidding?!" I thought. So Mini Cooper went to the pole position and I was moved to 4th on the grip, still front row at least. Come race time, Richard and I checked out from the start. We were not separated by more than a few bike lengths for the whole race. Cooper would draft by me on the banking, I would outbrake him into one, then he would outbrake me into the T3 "Intl. Horseshoe". I tried every possible combination of draft and line on the banking I knew and always came up half a bike length short at the stripe.

Not until the second-to-last lap of the race did I miss a shift and that backed me up about 8 to 10 bike lengths. That was enough to get a major draft and run on him to the line, though. Starting the white flag lap, (last lap) I made sure he lead through the infield; I did not want to even have a chance of leading into the chicane on the last lap. Exiting the chicane for the final time, I rolled off and on the throttle quickly to give me that gap I needed for a good run on Cooper. It payed off and I was able to slingshot past him to the finish line for the win. The biked passed post-race tech no problem due to the added weight we put on the bike so we would not dyno over the limit (4lbs. per HP).

Ok, I have to go unload from this past weekend's races at JenningsGP (CCS SE), where I can say proudly I got my **lls back in the wet! It rained all weekend and we were able to pull off some podium finishes.... Will finish Daytona weekend and our "Cinderella story" MotoST finish, AMA Daytona 200, then Jennings this past weekend.

N8!

Finished up some logistics for this weekend and new changes for the rest of the season today. In a nutshell, Daytona was great. The MotoST race was put together by BMW MC of Atlanta. We decided to use my BMWXPLOR.com "B" bike as our platform. With the new rules for the spec fuel we had to use (lower octane than last year) and higher HP limits, we were already feeling the disadvantages. To our surprise, with the great mapping Zach is always able to build, we were within 1.5 HP of the legal limit with ZERO motorwork. The eight was also within a few lbs. of the legal weight limit. So, we were ready to go with "Mini" Cooper and Thomas Hintereiter. With Thomas's terrible injury and knowing how this all came together within 2 weeks of Daytona, we decided to use my stock street bike (BMW R1200S). So while I was racing the rest of the CCS races on Saturday, the team was taking all of the lights, license plate bracket, ABS, mirrors, and such off to make the bike close to being track-ready. With no pit stop practice, we headed into the MotoST hoping for the best. With a major weight disadvantage and the stock telelever arm that does not allow the bike to turn as quickly as the RT arms we fit to our racebikes, we worked hard. That payed off as we managed a podium finish on a stock BMW R1200S! Hats off to the BMW MC of Atlanta rookie crew!

From there, the Factory BMW German team came over to debut the new HP2Sport in the AMA Formula Extreme Daytona 200 opener. With some set-up and a few practices we all qualified very well, considering. The day of the 200 had a Weather.com description of "Hurricane force winds"... go figure! No big deal, as we all had to deal with it. The AMA kept pushing back the morning warm-up, thinking the 50+ mph gusts would calm. They didn't. Once we took to the track, we were having a handful with the wind on the banking. No worries, again we adapt. Well, nothing could help me other than going slower, which is not an option, for the gust that came into T3. Right at the lowest point of the corner (apex) a gust came in as I even thought about picking up the throttle. With the cool surface temps, SC3 rear (hard compound), the perfect gust as I opened it up for the drive off the corner.... well she just spun up the way she always does, but the wind unloaded the contact patch enough to really break it more loose than ever. As it reconnected the typical monor highside, not all the way over the bars, but staring into the oil coolers. I felt as if there was a moment of saving it, but as I looked up from my over the windshield Six Flags ride I saw the metal armco wall with no protection on front of it. I let go. The bike stayed up and just ghost rode almost to T4 and lofted peacefully on it right side and didn't even crack or scratch anything, due to falling in the grass. The initial impact shot a serious pain through my right hand. After a quick visit for Xrays but no MRI, I received a bunch of Novacain shots and hurried back for the warm-up lap. I almost missed the warm-up lap for the 200, due to not being able to get my glove on my hand. I rolled out and did the warm-up lap. I could not feel the brake lever and could not tell if I was all the way off the throttle a couple of times. I made the toughest decison of my life. I rolled onto pit lane and realized today was just not my day. Trying to be a hero could really hurt someone else, my bike, and myself. Pride hurt more than my hand. After the MRI I had a partial tear of a tendon in my right hand and ligament crap too, but as it has been healing I have been rebuilding the strength in it.

Alright, more laundry and stuff to get ready for CMP this weekend.

Cheers,

N8!

2008-02-26T14:18:00.000-08:00

The season is finally here. Just cause we are not physically at the track does not mean we have not started racing! BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta has been working very hard to get ready for the season opener at Daytona. Preparing the BMWXPLOR.com R1200S's and the new and sole BMW entry into the Sun Trust MotoST series. That's right, BMW MCs of Atlanta is entering MotoST on its own. With support from enthusiast BMW riders and BMW MC Club of Ga. , we will enter the MotoST series at Daytona. Through purse money earned in the MotoST series, that will go towards the next round, and so on. With that incentive, the team has even more reason to work together.

My quest for the CCS #1 plate again will be a fun challenge, along with the National ASRA Pro Thunderbike Championship. With the momentum built up through the past few seasons with BMW clubs and rides, they now have more to look forward to! More and more riders are attending the races and leaving with an experience and feeling of loyalty to the brand.

I am also excited to say that Morton's BMW has prepared one of my back-up bikes for Richard Cooper, the highly talented rider from the UK with serious BMW Boxer experience. With a very tight budget and my own program going in Atlanta, I still wanted to find a way to help "Mini" Cooper (5'3" 118lbs) out. Mortons came through as did BMW MCs of ATL., via their own expense. Through hard work and selflessness, both dealerships have always been very inviting to the public. That also makes them very successful.

So, here is the schedule for Daytona: Thursday the 28th I am instructing in the Team Hammer School and practicing. Friday is the first official day of the Championship Cup Series (CCS) and American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA). There will be practice, some sprints, and qualifying for the ASRA Pro Thunderbike. Sat., March 1st will be busy with multiple sprint races and the Pro Thunderbike final, capped off with a 2-hour MotoST practice. Then comes Sunday, March 2nd. This will be even busier than Sat, with even more CCS sprints and the MotoST Daytona 300 (3.5 hour endurance race). Whew, rather wooped just thining about it. Once the helmet is on and the flag drops, being wooped is the last thing on my mind!

We got some good testing in yesterday at JenningGP through excellent help from my head tech Bill Walls and great support from Paul Eberil. Tom and Sue from SidestandUP.com motorcycle radio show were also in attendance to see our BMW rip around the track.

SidestandUp.com is a great and growing motorcycle-only radio show. Each Tuesday I will be on and sharing in the fun of the 2008 season. SHOOT, I didnt realize the time, I have to get to the airport and pick up the Peanut Farmer (not literally, thank goodness at 240lbs of solid muscle)! Yep, he is back and ready to go!

Ok, so real quick...Sidi boots, Suomy Helmets, and Pirelli tires are back on board and better than ever. I am stoked to say that I will be wearing Kushitani race suits this season. Ultra-strong but very lightweight, pre-stretched leather. Wore them yesterday and they are awesome! Kushitani gloves, too! These are all main ingredients to a safe and fast season.

TTYouseL,

N8!

2008-02-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

Unbelievable!!!!! I received a call from the Marietta PD asking me to describe my equipment stolen.... and after I described it to a T, they replied "Come and get it!"

My helmets, boots, suit, and other items stolen out of our BMW race trailer was found in a stolen truck that broke down! I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I was and could not believe it till I could see it. Sure nuff, all was there!

Ok, a bit short on time, but I need to get to the gym. Look forward to seeing ALL of you at Daytona!

Kevin, looks like I will be in Topeka....

N8!

2008-01-25T12:27:00.000-08:00

Things are shaping up for the new season and really no set-backs at all. There is even more of a buzz for the season opener and the momentum has gained from last season.
The BMW clubs and dealers have already planned the majority of the season. More rider training days are being scheduled due to the success of the few days we had in 2007.

More dirtbike riding and the daily gym regimen will only help for a great season. I have mentioned other training aspects that help with the focus and mental part of racing, but I will say the best training has to be the dirtbike! It stinks that I waited so long in life and my career to really get into the offroad thing, but man, it helps! I have never ridden anything bigger than a XR100 till about a month ago. Looking really forward to see how much more it helps with roadracing this year.

Ok talk to youse later!

N8!

2008-01-24T08:36:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since I have posted really anything in regards to anything. Mainly due to the SPINELESS masses that feel they need to hide behind a screen name when talking sh** about someone. Everything I post is always cut and pasted elesewhere as food for the spineless.

More or less, it really does suck that my trailer was broken into. 50% of me wnats to think random thug BS and the other 50% is pre meditated. Regardless, there are so many OXYGEN THEIVES out there that cannot stand up like a man daily, but slouch and hover over their keyboard hoping some other low functioning masses will accept them.

Pelican Parts board and many other club message boards have been ultra supportive based on one thing, FRIST PERSON interaction with me. Not WHAT THEY HEARD yadda yadda. From my IMS show experiences the past 2 months I have met many people that can decide for themselves what they think of me and life in general without needing their "boys" or their gang/click validating their BS. Funny, lol, really it is (cannot stop laughing) how the few people that I know who you are, but do not realize that I do (BS does have a face), could not come up to me at the shows, but I CAME TO YOU. Hmmm, nothing to say then though. I still greeted you with a smile and a more than sincere eye contact that instinctively made them look anywhere but at me.

There are still many good people out there and so many more that love racing in general.

So yes there is a reward for my stuff stolen. If you do find it somewhere PLEASE do not have it shipped... I WILL COME GET IT PERSONALLY!!! ;)One of the Suomy helmets had a custom base coat from Suomy made for me. The Neil Hodgson replica has only been sold in a red base and a matte black/grey "Laguna" edition. The one stolen had a Pearl White base. Same graphics as Neils lids, but what is red on the stock helmet is white. 2 others stolen also (Laguna Hodgson and Suomy Spec1R "Gambler")

This season is the same as any other. Our pit area is always open to anyone sharing the genuine passion for our sport, their families, and friends. The only thing different is, I am turning it up even more on the track. Riding harder and faster just to piss the very few off that hate the fact a BMW and I are running up front. Period.

N8!

2007-12-31T20:05:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

N8!

2007-12-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at Roebling Road Raceway was a Frank Kinsey trackday. I have not attended one of his events before and it was extremely well run. The wind was a sustained 20 mph with gusts up to 35mph. The turn 8 onto the front straight was pretty wild. The front straight wall just channeled the strong head wind straight into the T8 and you really had to be ready to counter the bike wanting to wash out from underneath you. All in all it was just great to be back on the bike.

This was the first time riding since the Pirelli tire test at Daytona. I left the test with way more comprehension of chasing bike setup/problem solving. Even with the wind gusts, you could still feel the bumps exiting T2. Just a few clicks of rebound really settled the front end. Many folk's do not realize that the front shock (yes front shock, there are no springs in the forks, for non BMW riders info.) does not have seperate rebound and compression adjustments. Rebound and compression is in the same adjuster on the botoom of the shock. SO, lol, when you need more of one, the other is also being changed. Kent at GMD Computrack Atlanta ahs found awesome ways of fattening up the compression to not throw it to far out of wack when changing it.

I hope to be able to get some more riding in soon. The weather is still way better down South this time of year. Mountain biking more as much as possible and eating right is a the difference from when I was up North. Meaning, not being able to be outside and staying as active due to 30 to 40 degree days, you tend eat a bit more! lol Dieting is really the hardest of the two. We all have our favorite food groups, just some are not the healthiest!

Volleyball 3 times a week, gym 5 times a week, and on the mt. bike 5 of the days also, I feel I can eat anything. lol Stinks there is a Steak n' Shake in at the front of my driveway.

Take care,

Nate

2007-12-11T19:34:00.000-08:00

Man Nov. 15th was the last post here! Not like I have had my laptop with me or anything, lol. I have been traveling a bit and also taking time to get ready for next season. There was the Pirelli tire test at Daytona then off to Long Beach for the IMS show. I recently returned from the IMS show in LB and now gettting ready to practice at a couple of different tracks this weekend.

Right now my main focus is strength training. Mt.biking each day and marsmanship at the range. The next IDPA match is coming up and it is a great way to relax and find a balance between speed and accuracy. The mt.biking has been a real challenge though. One of the guy's on my team and from the shop is just awesome on the trails. He kicks my butt everytime we go on the bicycles. It is great training.

Getting ready for new challenges such as the biggest of my career is the Daytona 200. I have always wanted to run it, but I never thought it would be on a BMW. For sure there are always opinion's on how the bike will perform, but we have to start somewhere. This new dual overhead cam HP2 Sport is getting better and better each time I can ride it. The tire test yielded some great data and the Germans are doing their homework! The 200 has it's own nature. There are so many factors and aspects that we cannot rely or focus on any single one. There was not much of a draft due to the limited # of bikes on the track during the tire test, but the top end will improve even more in March.

We are looking forward to 2008. The overwhelming support from BMW riders and riders in general is strong. From trackdays with the nation's leading trackday company Team Pro Motion to CCS/ASRA/AMA races, there will be alot of seat time to further the development of our BMW motorcycles.

There is alot to be thankfull for this Holiday season. Many of us have family and frinds that can be with us that are serving in our nation's military. Keep them in your thought's and prayer's throughout the Holiday's.

Nate

2007-11-15T06:26:00.000-08:00

The seasons are changing here in Ga. but they are not as apparent as up north. Went for a ride yesterday and it never fails, someone asks about the BMW R1200S i was riding more than once. Whether it was the sound or the just the look of the machine, obviously not enough of them out there. It's always cool to share the info with folks and then I started wondering about all the other R1200S owners, they go through the same things when they ride I bet.

Staying in shape physically and mentally is not as easy as it seems during the off season. Depends on whats going on in one's life. There is really no good excuse. You just have to do it, to make the best of opportunities. Playing alot of volleyball in a pretty competitive league and shooting alot. Great for hand eye coordination and fun zeroing in various weapons. IDPA matches are a hoot too.
Riding at the Northeast Florida MW riders day at Jennings was a blast. Many BMW riders and others were there to learn. There is so much comprehension you can learn before you even put your helmet on. The monkey see monkey do is not the best approach on the track. If one cannot understand why the instructor is on a certain part of the track or has their body in a certain position, then they will not learn as easily, and it's not the safest. I look forward to riding again with that club in the near future!

My team and i have received alot of responses about trackdays and private training days and we are looking into more of them at Jennings or Roebling Road. Frank Kinsey runs a great school at one of my favorite tracks, Roebling Road Raceway. There are also very good track day instructors I have met out there that are dedicated to paying riders, members or not, and give them the time and experience for a great day. Bill Sink is one of them from TPM and DJ here in the south from NESBA. Those two guys stand out due to their consistancy on and off the track.

The Pirelli Tire Test at Daytona is getting closer. After having much success on Pirelli race tires, now there is further opportunity to push them. For this test at Daytona I will be riding the new BMW HP 2 Sport. The much needed seat time and ability to further develop machine and rubber is awesome.

Ok well hey, gonna get going. Many thanks to the ultra supportive emails and calls for what we have built here. Keeping the eye on the future and staying positive!

N8!

2007-10-25T16:03:00.000-07:00

Daytona down. The season end is here. Just when the excitement of Daytona's 8 Hour race is slowly fizzling, I realize that the BMW community and others who share in this genuine interest.

From the beginning the 8 Hours of Daytona was going to be a slugfest. The whole rider lineup was strong. Team Roadracingworld.com's two entries and ours were just slugging it out, professionally. It was just pure fun. Strategy from the pits and the actual action on the track showed what an amazing series this can be, especially with te right announcer portraying the events!

In an even more close to home hit that I received, that has had me and # of people beyond puzzled, an unbeleivabley bizarre twist has happened. Behind the scenes. The few of us know. Sorry for the suspense. All I can say is the heartfelt sincere response I receieved has opened up my eyes and others. Growing has been the biggest challenge for myself and many others at times. Things are said, but what is heard then acted upon are what matters.

There are many that say with suuccess comes hatred and jealousy. I never knew what I was getting into with this sport. From bad decisions and way way bad miscommunications full circle many have been changed, inculding myself. I strive to be as serious about my offtrack professionalism as I do when I am ridng. Funny thing is the folks that make me a daily target on their radar's and say what they feel they know or heard.... they will never change.

Only people with direct contact with me, people that know my passion and what this has doen to change my life will understand. I cannot change anyone's mind who does not know me.
What we take is only what we earn.

I cannot thank BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta enough for their beleif in me and knowledge of how to "GET IT DONE!"

San Jose BMW, the biggest and best learning year of my life on and off the track. This past weekend proved to all of us that we have what it takes to get the BMW motorcycle to the front, not by ourselves, but as a team.

Morton's BMW has stepped up at every chance to share in the ability to run upfront and show that they stand behind their brand.

Nate

2007-10-17T04:17:00.001-07:00

Good morning everyone. Today we set out or Daytona Intl. Speedway, with Todd "The Peanut Farmer" Cutchins driving. This is the last round of the season and for sure a good one. With a revised Turn 3 "Intl. Horseshoe" as it is called, I look forward to getting there and learning it the best I can.

This past weekend I enjoyed Morton's BMW's open house in Fredericksburg, VA. It was a huge turnout and the weather was perfect! Afterwards we went clay pigeon shooting and watched some football. Just a great day all around. After Daytona is BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta's open house. They have a great customer base and this will be my first one finally since I have moved here. So now it is time to get my race face on. Besides a sprint race or two, we have the Natl. Pro Thunderbike race and the Sun Trust MotoST 8 Hours of Daytona on Saturday, inot the night.

OK, well here we go, closing down the laptop, and 7 hours of running laps in my head on our way
to Daytona. Thank you BMW motorcycle owners everywhere for your amazing and awesome support.

N8!

2007-10-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Alrightee then, where were we. So hey, the season is winding down in regards to racing, but the trackdays and involvement of our BMW riders is just getting started. This Monday we will be at Jennings GP for a personal training trackday with some BMW riders here in the southeast. I would like to do more of these days this off season, please contact Bill at BMW MC of Atlanta for more info.

VIR 2 weeks ago reinforced just how much more the R1200S has in it. The bike just keeps amazing me. With the direction I would like to go in racing and the opportunites next season, we are pushing the R1200S to the limits. Two 1st place finishes were great, but the 3rd in the 600 class and the 4th in the Unlimited Grand Prix, racing against the latest litre bikes the rising sun has to offer, we found another 2 + seconds inthe BMW R1200S (a little over 4 seconds @ VIR since accident!). The bike has not changed an ioda, we just pushed ourselves as a team in the pits, in practice, and during the sprint races to see where we can make progress. That momentum from the awesome race weekend, our BMW riders were able to take with them back to their local dealers and clubs as a victory of their own. Everyone was hanging over the front straight wall and with each pass to start a new lap, peripherally I could see everyone's excitement!

This past Monday was Morton's BMW's trackday at VIR. IT was in conjunction with Team Pro Motion track day club, and the sold out event for Morton's gave such a refreshing look at how excited BMW riders are! From F800's, RT's and K/R S's everyone was focused and wanted to learn. I have to say I was most impressed with a gentlemen from VA. on a new RT. Francois (sp?) was just so fluid and smooth and with this made him go go really good around VIR.
Got Road?(PP) and our other R1100S rider excelled alot in just that one 20 minute session alone.

With Daytona aproaching and then the WERA race for BMW MC's of Las Vegas Nov.3/4, we will be running up front as a team and enjoy the momentum going into the off season. IMS shows are a high priority and I hope to see everyone there.

Cheers,

N8!

2007-09-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

Very relaxing and quiet at VIR www.virclub.com I wanted to come up a little early and just have some time to reflect and get ready for the weekend. Also to figure out where the future may take me. When I think of how much has been accomplished through way more than just my hard work, but others support, the feeling is unbeleivable.

There is so much more to learn in this roadracing game. Wrapping up this season will bring 6 years of racing in my life. So many people have contributed in more ays than they know and I hope everyone can say they have stood on the podium with me You all have if you did not know it. At times before, during, and after races it hits me that this is real and it is happening.

This weekend is going to have some more great BMW riders coming from all over not just to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Boxer (K bike too this weekend!), but to also share in the fun f being a BMW motorcycle owner. The facility here is hands down the best inthe country. Why? Because of the VIR Lodge (hotel) on the infield, the suites above the garages, the Go Kart track that is second to none (new 9hp Karts!), and amazing scenery. The staff at the track aslo has the professionalism needed to be the best with great southern hospitality! Oooops, cannot forget about "Aunt Millies!" the best little secret in the South! Pizza and Ice Cream (what I call traction control! lol) that is out of this world.

Ok enough for now about just why this is my favorite place. Tomorrow I am going to visit Danville's Tank Museum. The largest collection of armor in the world I am told. Then check out the awesome Private Security forces training center here. Some awesome stuff goes down in the training, from driving to shooting.

Cheers,

N8!

2007-09-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

HUGE thank you for the turn out at Summit Point for the ASRA Natl. races this past weekend. My BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta prepared R1200S's ran flawlessly! The Morton's BMW hospitality area was just awesome, AGAIN! BMWBMW.org of D.C. was in full force and we did a couple parade laps at lunch! The RTP demo I rode for the parde laps was really cool and the sirens and lights and all made me realzie why Cops get all giddy when they use them! lol

Mr. and Mrs. Massey, Kris and the boys, Tina, Jim, Elsie, Carlos, all the BMW family and to many to list, thank you for the enthusiasm! COuldnt hear youse screaming in T7, but everyone around did! lol

See youse at VIR next week! Go Karts @ VIR?! Who wants some?!

N8!

2007-09-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

Had a great day testing/practicing at Barber Motorsports Park yesterday (Birmingham, AL), left Atlanta for Chicago today, and heading to WV on Wed. as soon as I land for the ASRA Pro Thunderbike Natl.

Details to follow for the PR event here in Chicago. Will be fun, I can say though! My BMW MC of Atlanta prepared/powered R1200S's re just flat out flying. It has been awhile since I last raced a K1200R Power Cup bike. Most say how they do not enjoy i o the track at all, but I think it's great! Awesome perfromance streetbike, on the track it makes you earn every inch of pavement though. Not by any means to hard to go fast on, just challenges your comprehension on how chassis and suspension work at speed. In 2006 we were able to pull off 2 wins in Unlimited Superbike, one at a new track for us. Just awesome the way it pulls and pulls and pulls.... The bike has great power all the way through.

Have to admit that my R bike skills are semi lost for about 2 laps trying to get readjusted from the K bike. You get used to the power and it's amazing how much I didnt realize how alot of guys just love to pull the trigger and blast down the straights, but man you really can carry some decent cornerspeed on the K bike.

Ok kinda rambling, I know I have been rather tardy by not posting here, but I have had some tough decisions to make lately and doing whats right and for the better has taken alot of time.
It's all good though, love our bikes and riders!

Cheers,

N8!

2007-08-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

Replying to your post honda39...

Congrats on being able to get that R6. You must be doing something right to have the chance to race at such a young age, keep it up! The best advice I feel I can give you is be very "conistant". On and off the track. Doing what it takes in a race to run up front obviously takes some hard work, or just work at all. So apply that same attitude off the track. Consistancy will get you noticed buddy!

Comprehension and problem solving is key to consolidating time. Alot of that can be learned in school. I know I sound like some old fart giving redundant advice, but you asked, and I am telling you. There is just great training in how to problem solve and that same training you get in math class may not be the exact same equation, but trains you on how to solve a problem that may come up later while at the track. May be geometry of the bike or suspension problems that require you to have that valuable training you forced yourself to do a year or two earlier while in you desk at school. Alot of my success starts before I even put my helmet on. Understanding how tires work and knowing how suspension reacts to inputs is key to running up front. Hopefully you can ride a BMW around the track one day, it will open up your eyes and knowledge of how and why bikes work the way they do. Great training/race bike!

Ride smart, know your limits, and gradually try new things, do not rush into them. Maybe in the future we can get a chance to ride together at the track and I look forward to helping you.

Cheers,

N8!

2007-08-21T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hiya, listen, for those that have left comments here, I TRUELY apreciate them. I have not been able to reply on here for a long time now due to some thing with the password. I can psot but not reply with a commet on my own Blog, lol. I have read all of them and due to that I get many emails because alot of people know that. So no ones ignoring anyone here, lol.

Never ridden better and the lap times prove it, due to the amzing amount of support from everyone!

N8!

2007-08-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

Hey gang, had an opportunity to race at Infineon Raceway in the beautiful Napa Valley of Ca. this past weekend. Being a new track and 26 laps total around there (found out this morning), I was okay with what I knew in practice, but now it's time to find places to pass. For those that have seen how other regional pro series work, they grid amateurs with amateurs and experts with experts, even in a 2 wave start.... not here. Grid sizes are always determined by the size of the track, for saftey reasons of course. Not here. Race one was 750 Production. 2 waves and 72 RIDERS!!!!!!!!!! SEVENTY TWO! 5 to 7 second gap between waves. I was gridded 69th at the back of the second wave. lol In the 8 lap sprint I finshed 12th overall. lol, was just crazy passing 4 bikes at a time inthe corners, when the lead of the 4 was already commited, knee down, but enough off line to muscle our jugs between him and the curbing.... so 57 bikes in 8 laps was a real eye opener and I am very happy for the support and the show we could put on.

Open twins, gridded 32nd and finished 6th, got rather greedy trying to reel in 5th just ahead, but it was not in the cards as Brian even admitted the bike I was on just needed a stiffer spring, 44's was all we could muster with the settings. The bike had good brakes and good power. The electric shifter stuff that has plagued the team all season here, they are great when they work, but when they dont.... you see up close what the tripples really look like and how clear the windshield really is, as you bounce your chest n' helmet off of them.

Last race was 750 Superbike. gridded 59th as I recall and finshed 13th. The tiress were cooked (same for all 3 races). As I learned the track better, the tires were pushed harder, and the blowing through the stroke of the rear shock was more prevalent due to running wide with more tire spin. Best thing was just sharpening my decision making skills on passing by starting so far back. T1 and T2 at the start of these races were litterally cattle runs, no daylight except for what you made.

Regardless, the bike worked well, and Brian and I had a great dialogue. Fly home tomorrow, cant wait to ride again!

N8!

2007-08-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

It's so friggin hot down here and this past weekend in AL. at Barbers Motorsports Park it was 103 degrees! lol Asphalt hit 141 degrees and tires were getting slick from overheating. Regardless, BMW fans/family came from all over and it made my job alot easier actually. There was just a really good feeling instead of a bad one, fromthe accident there 3 months ago. Beng knocked out instantly during that accident was the best thing. I didnt remember a second of it and I just rode the track the way I always did in practice, then went faster as the weekend went on.

Another track record we set in the ASRA Pro Thunderbike class. VIR was a good feeling considering the way I felt physically, setting that record, but Barbers was also acheived through the support and enthusiasm of our BMW riders! As soon as you even stepped into the sun it would feel like a light burn, it was hot, beyond humid, and still we had the best fan base there. No manufacturer could ask for a better owners base, in my opinion.
So the weekend ended up with 2 wins, 2 seconds, and a very, very fun 4th place fromthe back of the field in the 600 Grand Prix race. Just a great battle in funny to watch the body language of these 600 riders after getting in their heads when showing them a wheel on a "WHAT"..... "A BMW!" lol

I look very forward to getting out west this weekend and basically learning a new track, hanging out with BMW riders, and regaining my endurance and strength. It is still real though as much as I try to ignore it, the pain, but it keeps you working!

TTYL, N8!

2007-08-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

No racing in Germany this weekend coming up. My grandfather is not doing so well and my Grandmother has never seen me even ride, so they asked to go to Barbers in Alabama for the ASRA races this weekend. I informed BMW AG that their offer to come back and race at Oschersleben was just awesome, but explained my situation. They said I made the right choice as there will be many more times to ride the bike over there.

I did mention though that there was another great candidate I team with if needed! SO, I practiced at Barbers weekend before this past one and at a trackday with a bit of traffic was able to go .5 faster than I have ever gone there during a race.
The nature of the track is a very tough one though for our wheelbase. So I am just going to do my best to get a better set up in the bike and get it to turn. Your only full throttle about 20% of the track and during the "G" out (compression going up the face of a hill) you ry and tame the tire spin with more rebound to get the traction down and tire to grip when you hit the crest of the hill and the back end unloads.

We are going to try a better brake set up also. The back of my pads boiled literally at Road America causing to much brake fade, lol. I still run everything stock right through the lower triple to the calipers. Stock pegs, handle bars, yadda yadda.... the bike is just alot of fun!Hope to see youse at Barbers?!N8!

2007-08-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Howdy all. I didnt thinkyou could get a cold in the summer... go figure!? Last weekend I had a great time at Barbers Motorsports Park practicing for a couple of days and riding with fellow BMW riders. With a stock R1200S BMW motorcycle I took about 10 people for rides around the race track and that was alot of fun. It was fun to see their reaction when the got off of the bike and to hear how much they didnt think a BMW could do what we did.
Passengers ranged from 100lbs. to 240lbs. and it was a learning curve for myself too!

I have opted to stay at home and not race in Germany on the new R1200S based platform I tested months ago in Le Mans, France. I made this semi tough decision due to my grandparents wanting to come see me race at Barbers the same weekend as the World Endurance round in Germany (Oschersleben). My grandfather is not doing to well and my grandmother has never seen me ride, so thats what I am going to do. There is also a very big support base between the AL., GA, and TN BMW riders. Whatever I can do to support bmwxplor.com I will.

Barbers is the toughest track I have raced on with a BMW. The nature of the course is alot like Sachsenring in East Germany. Your only full throttle about 20% of each lap and always leaned over it seems. Alot of trailbraking and many blind corners. Really I think what is the toughest aspect is the T5 and T6 area. Hairpin or bus stop corners just do not suit our wheelbase, but we find ways to counter that the best we can. We have been able to win numerous races there last yaer, but the competition has stepped it up and the classes I am running are bit tougher than last season.

This race will be next weekend and I hope to see as many of youse as possible and just share in the great diretion BMW is going in!

Cheers,

N8!

2007-07-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

Hi. I know the past 2 months have been a pretty wild ride. Physically never felt worse while trying to get healthier, but I have never ridden better or fatser in my career. Weird.

I was finally able to get through to this Dr. that has been seeing me since my accident. I told him mulitple times thta my neck is getting worse. The pain was pretty unbearable at times and just never tappered off. "First things first, let's deal with the leg and knee...." he replies. Well, my neck is just on the back burner. I dealt with it. Im dealing iwth it still. Yesterday I had a follow up for the wrist and leg and now that it is satisfactory I said, "My neck still hurts..."
I know I have a good tolerance for pain, but geez louise. He puts me in for an Xray. WHADYA KNOW, a fractured vertabrae!

I was livid, actually freaking pissed! This whole time yeah we've been able to run upfront and win races, but man the pain is just unreal. Then I was told that it's an old fracture. No kidding, 2 months old. It's in the T1 and just downright crappy. Yeah I have been rather irritable due to lack of sleep. Just cannot sleep, just a constant pain. Dr. says well maybe we can see if it's a disc or muscular. Yoouve got to be kidding me again. My PT, after a thoroughly long eval. does not want to touch me. She says it's not either, it's structural more or less.

Went to get a 2nd opinion today. The Dr. was great, very gruff an dto the point. Not as old as the other says (fracture), and needs an MRI for another dimensional loook at it. I can still do stuff, due to what I have already accomplished with it. Long term effects are serious though. SO, just need to get this crap over with and get ack to making BMW owners proud.

I think the MOA rally was awesome. I didnt realize how many folks knew about this blog and or had their families following things. LOL, I think it's funny how many BMW riders said thier wives and grilfriends say it's "OK" to go and be a part of this Conquest of ours to race BMW's and prove their validity. Meaning, they have either been to the track and or heard through the grapevine how great a time it is and condone thier spouses involvement, lol. Jus pretty cool.

Camp Gears at the BMW rally centered around the next generation of BMW riders. With a seminar based on decision making and riding comprehension, I had a great time sharing and talking with the young riders. I found it to be such a tough time to touch base on so many important aspects of motorcycling in a short period of time. I would love to be involved as much more with anything I can hlep the BMW MOA with in the future.

With that being said, I look forward to another BMW MOA rally and just thankful for the support I recieve from group of riders that any manufacturer would love to have, and BMW has them!

I will be at Barber Motorsports park for some practice and possible 2 up rides on the BMW R1200S 7/28-29 next week! Come and enjoy the track and commraderie.

Cheers,

N8!

2007-07-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

Well hey, had a blast this weekend! There were some bumps in the road for some, but we just put gas in and fresh tires. It was great to have Brian out there with me finally this weekend in National Thunderbike. We broke away, a lapped rider really slowed me down but he pace was anough to just check out. Buell riders EVERYWHERE! 2 BMW's on the podium. We were able to pull out two wins in the CCS Thunderbike (same competitors as Natl.) and in Supertwins I made a fubar decision. I went out with pads that were just shot. After leading a bit, the lever just went to the handlebar. Pulled in.SO, after a really good podium ceremony for ASRA Tbike, I was disqualified for one hp over the 4lbs. per hp ratio. LOL, we just drink alot of fuel at the pace we were running. I even added 16 lbs. of diving belt weights.....

Oh well, so hey MotoST was up last. Parriott did great getting us out there early. Brian said he wanted me to ride second. period. Didnt happen. Pace car comes out during a full course caution, does not matter what kind of lead you have you just lost it. As the field filed up behind the pace car. The rider put out by SJBMW, passed the pace car.....?! SO, the fireld had to be picked up again and it took forever. eating alot of fuel and time. BOOM pace car is off the track and Montano leas the field into one and outta sight. Comes around in 5th. Brian goes back out and all was left on the table with the fuel gamble. Hey we had to win it to have a shot at the championship. Mathmatically it is just not in our favor. Would have loved to have ridden as the pace that was after the rider change was 30's and 29's, did that all day long with discomfort, but way obtainable.Im just glad to be racing again and tehre is just not enough time in the day to tell you how many great BMW riders I have met this past weekend. PP members, MC Cafe.... you name it. Just great folks that were looking for a great time! We gave it to them.

Thank you all very much for taking the time to come and wear you BMW aparel and be able to stand a couple of inches taller after seeing jugs flying across the line first!Just really need to rest the leg and wrist. Hopefully for not much longer, but after VIR 2 weeks ago, my physical therapist said I set my wrist back 2 weeks in PT. Dont and cant afford anymore set backs, we need to stay running upfront for all of you!

Cheers,

N8!

2007-07-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

All I can say is this was the save of all saves and actually GOD pulled us ( my bike and I) through.

Simple. Road America is a very VERY fast tack. Down the back straight, 4th gear, R6 in front of me and a bit to the left. I have my head down and just ripping, I notice through my windshield the back of this R6's tailsection rise, the rider sits up, and as he is working the throttle (elbow up and down, to me a missed shift, and vigorous effort to get back in gear) the rider drifts to the right.... All I could do is shut my left eye and stick my elbow out bracing myself. His rear tire smacked square into my left header pipe and cylinder head. Crushed the header pipe (bent the exhaust in 3 places), broke our upper fairing, blasted the oile cooler off of mount. I went off of the right side of the bike dragging my leg and barley hanging on left handlebar. Boot skipped so fast and hard off the pavement, it went and tip of my boot was wedge between shock and paralever arm. lol Rear tire rubbed tip of my boot bottom, close one, almost got sucked in. The bike just kinda uprighted itself from tank slapping and the kill switch somehow was pushed and thank goodness settled down the bike from slapping me all the way down the track.I came to a stop and rested the bike on the wall and just sat down for a bit.

Only thing I was left with was more thankfullness to be here and badly bruised left foot! lol SO, my team is here and we are very happy to be here. More than just a couple of crew guys. Rode good and hard today. Physically gettin stronger each weekend. 2 weeks ago was my first race back and I even didnt know what to expect. Team BMWXPLOR.com, BMW MC's of Atlanta, and Morton's BMW pulled out a new ASRA Thunderbike track record at VIR, put it on the pole, won one race and a second in the other! With help from 84 BMW riders total over 2 days, their enthusiasm helped me pull it off! Best of luck to everyone this weekend.

N8!

2007-06-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

hello and thank youse so much for just awesome support! It goes very far as you can see. Adrenaline is a wonderful thing! I am still beside myself about taking the pole and setting a new track record for the Natl. Thunderbike class. After quaifying everyone was all ecstatic as i pulled in, I figured 5th or 6th. I could not get e clean lap and finally after waiting for a lap for someone fast to come by for a tow, I just said "if Im gonna be on the front row I have to do it myself". We did. The one single lap I just thought about every corner, talked to myself throughout the lap and the single lap with no draft did it for us!

The win in CCS Thunderbike was only because of the BMW riders camped at the Morton's BMW hospitality tent in T4. The second, third, 4th, and 6th laps were under the pole time and broke the existing Tbike record I set earlier. The BMW riders were just in force and 2 laps to go there was just so much pressure and pain in my knee, to look up before the turn and see everyone cheering proved to me we could withstand more! lol

Go karts that evening with all the BMW riders was so much fun! Wild Will was flying and is an amazing person! This friend from California flew out and had a chacne to see first hand what a community of BMW riders we have from all over! I cannot wait to come out West and see the guys from the Pelican Parts board and Motorcyclist Cafe, great supporters!

Supertwins on Sunday I rode my backup bike as i keep neglecting it and not getting it set up. I went out on it and I will ome clean, lol, I told my mechanics and a few folks, but the steering dampner broke because of me!:) I was just a bit giddy and wanted a really crossed up wheelie coming out of 3 up to 4. I started it off with my kee just off the ground and my wrist was so taxe from the day before, lol, I could not shut off as quicky as I needed to and it sat down crossed all the way up and on the gas...... I can laugh now but not then. Little did I know I snapped the steering dampner clean off the telelever arm. I found out as i was battling for the lead with a 999r mounted rider and with the knee on the deck it was slapping feverishly and then about 5 times per lap. On lap 3 i looked down thinking why is the damn dampner not dampning!? It was just dangling. I backed it off to 4th.
ASRA Tbike was just a dogfight from the start. The way scrapping was done early, i knew and had a serious hunch something was not right. Holeshot, led up to 4, Estok slipped by, and from there I realized I just did not have the endurance after the 6 weeks off after 2 surgeries. I parked it in 7 and 3rd and 4th went by. I just sat backed and watched what I just knew was going to unfold. I told my team I had a feeling before due to the way they were riding that morning and waht was said the night before about a BMW being back up front after a 6 week hiatus! lol

SO, it happened, Bilanksy (heck of a rider!) just plowed the front way to deep into 7 on the next lap collecting Brian and they both wnet down hard (both ok!). SO whew, 2nd place now and just maintain it. I was fading, I will admit it. Then a wheel snuck up next to me and I looked over and I was like man, who is this?! Arnie got by riding eratically, i just figured it was an easy pace so I will just sit back and draft him to the line to regain 2nd. Well, again being a wimp, I let the femur bruise get the best of me, I went wide in 3 after repassing 2nd cause I thought he would go a little deeper. He took the bait so i could get back into cruise mode. Then tucked the front in T4 right in front of Morton's BMW's hospitality tent. From there 2nd place was just handed over again.

Thank you Morton's BMW and BMW MC of Atlanta for one of the best weekends ever all things considered.

So many people to thank, friends from HS, Lynda, Tyler and the Sinnwell family, Elsie, BOB, Tina, all the great kids that just give me so much more energy! Such a great turn out with so many people having fun...... priceless!
N8!

2007-06-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

I have been staring at this little box where I can create this post for 10 minutes now. I do not know where to start. You have heard me say over and over again what motivates me. You all know. Some riders it's feeling like a rockstar, some sponsors, and some.... money. What matters the most in the situation at hand this weekend is people.

It is exactly 6 weeks ago that for the first time in my 5 1/2 seasons of racing in my life, I have been hurt. Hurt and had to miss a race due to injury. Regardless GOD has given me what he has before, a chance, again. The amount of pain from lack of motion and soreness in my knee and wrist from 2 surgeries, has been blown away by what we accomplished today as a TEAM! Going inot this weekend I was realistic. For once I was going to listen to Dr.'s and peers, take it easy. I did. :)

There was the level of focus that can only be induced by something that has again never happened to me. This 6 weeks off of a motorcycle made me realize what and who I was missing. Some days there is enough pain to make you think, then others all you can think of is racing. I can finally say this, I love what I am doing. Yes I know it is hard to beleive, but I just liked riding for our BMW riders and people. If I wanted to make money, I wouldnt be doing this! lol

From practice this morning to now, I have never experienced such a level of focus and support as today. National ASRA Pro Thunderbike qualifying was today. Two rounds of 15 minutes practices this morning left me all swelled up and peircing pain. Only to have found out after a 12 minute qualifying, I had taken the pole position and a new Natl. Thunderbike track record time at VIR for the Thunderbike class! lol I still dont beleive it. The momentum that brought and adrenaline, I felt pretty good. Not great, but good.

There are two Thrunderbike races as this is a combined Regional Pro weekend with the National ASRA Pro weekend. SO CCS Thunderbike was today and the National Thunderbike we qualified for today is tomorrow. As race 6 came closer, ther CCS Tbike race, basically a warm up for the National Tbike regulars, I got that exctied feeling I have not felt for awhile. From flag to flag, led the whole race with the current National Tbike champion in hot pursuit. I looked up twice at T4 (turn 4) where Morton's BMW of Fredericksburg, Va. had their hospitality tent and to see the awesome number of BMW riders with their smiles and hands in the air, it was like a shot of morphine. The pain subsided breifly and gave me the extra I needed for the last 2 laps!

Our Team BMWXPLOR.com/BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta/Morton's BMW in Va., NO ONE could ask for a better team!

Thank youse more than you will ever know!

Time to sleep a bit, then Supertwins at noon and the Natl. Tbike race is on around 5. i hope I have the strengtha nd endurance to go the distance around 5pm.

Cheers,

Nate

2007-06-11T13:17:00.001-07:00

Okay, okay, apologees for another delay in posting here. Thank youse for all the emails and hello's! So, I have been riding the street bike for 2 days now and it's pretty good. My wrist with the newly inserted screw (weeks ago), is the least of my worries now. It is my right knee. The tip of the femur has a still very serious bone bruise. Just sucks. No worries though.

Was able to et some decent miles in, but tough to move the body around on the footpegs (right).
Rolling on and off the throttle is getting quicker and smoother. Trail braking is just as normal as ever. Feels great!

With everyone's unparalleled support (bmwxplor.com, pelicanparts.com, motorcyclistcafe.com, to name a few), a new race suit is being finished up by Vanson. The relationship and sponosorship from Vanson has always been great and I cannot thank them enough for keeping me on board through some restructuring. Suomy helmets work, period. The helmet saved my life. The flat spots on the front and rear of helmet, dead stright blows, no scrapes, just blunt straight hits from the asphalt (what knocked me out) were absorbed by this amazing helmet! The Suomy also offers the best in peripheral vision. The sides are a few mm back on each side than other helmets I have worn. 3 mm or so is a huge difference when it comes down to seeing what is next to you or coming at you.....
Sidi boots and Spidi gloves, because of them I have hands and feet that were untouched in this 130 mph violent tank slapper. The wrist injury and the chunk o' meat out of my knee was all I was left with! THANK YOU sponsors for beleiving in me cause I beleive more than ever in you and your products!

I hope to practice for a day at Jennings GP or somewhere before my frist race back. I dont know if it will be much of a race that we are used to, due to lack of motion and muscle loss, but i will be on the bike and on my way back to full strength! I would not miss the VIR ASRA race for nothing.

Upwards of 100 BMW riders, their families, and friends will be at VIR I am told by the multiple BMW clubs involved! Just great is all I can say. I have the best in Physical Therapy working with me and it is just going to be a celebration for us all!

Ok, going riding, again!

N8!

2007-06-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

Good morning. Leaving for physical therapy soon. These darn leg muscles just won't regenerate fast enough. Gosh. I also just found out one of my favorite racers i have always looked up to, Michael "Barney" Barnes just broke his scaphoid bone in his right wrist out at Infineon. Freak accident too, on the warm up lap. This little BS bone that has low blood supply as it is, is pretty commonly broken in alot of sports. Barney will be back in action in July!

Apologees for nothing to cool to write about, but I have to get going. I will say I had seen a very funny/random t shirt the other day, it said "rehab is for quitters", LOL. Most mught find it ignorant, but I could not stop laughing, was just so random.

Cheers,

N8!

2007-06-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hi ya'll, I guess thats how they spell it donw here?! Maybe they don't even know how to spell YALL?! It's Friday and there is only so much PS3 that can be played while waiting for muscle and motion are trying to be regained in my wrist and knee. I was at the shop for a bit and it was great to see the bikes ready to go.

Sitting on the bikes is not a problem now. Full range of motion, just trying to transfer weight on the pegs is still to painful. No worries though. I hope to be fit enough to help the our MotoST team win and to have fun in WI.

Tomorrow is a fun get togetehr with BMW MC of Atlanta, who has just an awesome dealership and has what anyone could ask for in a BMW MC dealership. They are just busy. Period. Not enough though to share the race bikes with our customers, public, and friends! Hooter's is sending chicks from their corporate store to.... I dunno hand out napkins for messy wing fingers?! Well they will be there and again just a great day to celebrate with our race team and customers.

Ok, I look forward to seeing youse at the shop!

N8!

2007-05-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

1 o' clock today I start PT!!!!!! Woo friggin hoo! I cannot wait to get back on and get started again with my life. Not like this set back is not a part of life, it is. It has allowed me to slow down for a second or two and realize whats what and who's who!

HE has allowed me the chance to keep racing, I could not be happier. A bit more motion in my leg and with the return the Dr. said was possible, but "take it easy" at VIR in June!
The wrist though has to wait unitl next week for PT , just the R knee for now. There is alot of atrophy and the right leg needs to be basically rebuilt in the muscle dept. No worries.

What really has been on my mind since yesterday, still, is the amount of mail and supprot I have receievd from BMW riders everywhere. When I say everywhere I mean palces like Afghanistan. I don't know if this BMW rider stationed in Afghanistan would like his name on here, but if so afetr I check with him, I will. This BMW rider sent just an awesome letter and reassurance in what WE are doing. The race suit that I will be wearing from what our community felt they wanted to do for me, will feel great everytime I put it on!

Ok have to get ready for PT and I guess they dont want the stinky flip flops worn there. I wore them to the Dr.'s office and his eyes were tearing I think, they are pretty abd after I saw his face. lol

Cheers,

N8!

2007-05-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

Morning, I have been up for a few hours just feeling bad that I cannot come through for a very very supportive club, BMW MC Owner's of Alabama at a rather large rally in Huntsville, AL. This is a club who's president visited me each day in the hospital, members came through out the week, and even drove me home 2.5 hours from the hospital. Im dealing with an infected knee now, the amount of fluid and burning sensations/heat my knee is generating, myay delaythe start of physical therapy this week if it does not subside. It is at its worst when standing and or wallking around. Basically just overdoing it could delay me getting back to racing, I cannot afford that. Again, anther frusteration.....

June 23rd/24th is and will be what the Doc says my first race weekend back. I cannot wait. I hope to be 100% by July 6/7/8 in WI. for ASRA Thunderbike and MotoST. Hopefully I will hear from the west coast soon, have not since accident...

We will be running up front in no time though, just have to get back some lost muscle and motion, no worries though!

Sorry for not having much more to say just sitting, waiting, wishing, (Jack Johnson song).

Eveveryone, please have a safe and fun Memorial weekend! Ride smart!

Cheers,

Nate

2007-05-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

Well hey there! Before I head out to grab a bite to eat with some friend's that are gracious enough to pick me up, lol, I wanted to say hello to all of youse.

I am really excited that I can move way more than expected so far. I day dream a bit, come back to reality, realize I WILL be racing again soon and not listen to the crap phone call I got last night! Yeah through pain people tend to get a differ aproach to life and things, but we are all different. What may cause another to regress makes another motivated.

Not once have I given into this bullshit undercurrent of who is better, why do some have more people support than others, articualtion into a strategy for better success ignored, so what, LOL!
Ths is still such a small part of our lives (being directly involved). Then I think of how many people should be involved, why sit back and not enjoy the extra benefits of being a BMW MC owner.

I cannot wait for Physical Therapy. This Thursday stitches come out (knee and wrist) and same day PT. Headaches are subsiding rapidly and have not and will not take any more of tht Percocet crap, more toruble than it's worth. Would love to eat more, but 2 differ days of breathing tubes stuffed down my throat, from surgeries, has left the passage way realy scraped up and almost everything burns, oh well, milkshakes rule! lol Thanks Chris for the ride to get the shake.

TTYouseL,

N8!

We feel strongly we have gotten to the very bottom of this freak, straight line (go figure?!), failure of something on the machine. Does not mean others are any less nor should be looked at harshly, it happened. I am healing very well. I have a bigger family I realize now than ever. Funny, went from just my Grandparents to the BMW family!

2007-05-10T15:31:00.001-07:00

thank you BMW riding family. its ahrd to type with head and hand jus in alot of pain. but hey I learned a lesson still to be articulated.
peicing together and closure is here for me through highly respected officials and the cornerworkers stopped by my hopital room.
what has been posted elsewhere and numerous same accounts. i just know it was a 4 hour, not my bike, nothing but cruise time (40th to 15th in 2 laps). I was already up right and driving off the corner way out of six. on the meat of the tire and the bike went violent. I was just along for the ride the harder the bras slapped lock to lock. i woke up on the shoulder of the highway being put inot an ambulance that did nt break down. i was out for 28 minuutes.
about 4 oz. filet missing from my right knee/leg where aparently pinned underneath, broken rib off of the left of my spine about 3 inches out, concussion, 3 hematomawhatever's, and a screw in my right scaphoid.

just draining the bottle hanging from y leg 2 times a day via the neverending help from owners of BMW of Atlanta. Lynda has been more of a mom to me in 6 months than my own my whole life. thank you bobby for your dupport and everyone of you that is just as genuine as they come for the passion of our bikes nd sprt. PLEASE recognize and surround yourself/patronize dealers as Atlanta, Morton's, San Jose, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Gina's BMW, dealers that are successful and will continue to be becasue they are like youse. passionate and family. Through www.bmwxplor.com I ask you to say hello and share your thoughts of your bike, your club(s), your trips, and just why motorcycling is the choice that defines us!
I will be back for June 9/10 shakedown run at Roebling Road, but really VIR June 23/24th is OUR homecomng

ALABAMA BMW riders are the reason im home safe and when at the hospital stayed sane with daily visiits thank you connie, vance, marie, ron, my grandparents, and for all the flowers (VIR THANK YOU). man I cannot stop typing and the tears are distortng the screen . BMWBMW, Hampton Road BMW club, EMO, AL. and GA. Owners clubs, MOA, GONZO Touring team, NC tar Heel riders and more.... just makes me want to come back more than ever.

gonna yak, chheers

N*!

2007-05-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

thank you BMW riding family. its ahrd to type with head and hand jus in alot of pain. but hey I learned a lesson still to be articulated.
peicing together and closure is here for me through highly respected officials and the cornerworkers stopped by my hopital room.
what has been posted elsewhere and numerous same accounts. i just know it was a 4 hour, not my bike, nothing but cruise time (40th to 15th in 2 laps). I was already up right and driving off the corner way out of six. on the meat of the tire and the bike went violent. I was just along for the ride the harder the bras slapped lock to lock. i woke up on the shoulder of the highway being put inot an ambulance that did nt break down. i was out for 28 minuutes.
about 4 oz. filet missing from my right knee/leg where aparently pinned underneath, broken rib off of the left of my spine about 3 inches out, concussion, 3 hematomawhatever's, and a screw in my right scaphoid.

just draining the bottle hanging from y leg 2 times a day via the neverending help from owners of BMW of Atlanta. Lynda has been more of a mom to me in 6 months than my own my whole life. thank you bobby for your dupport and everyone of you that is just as genuine as they come for the passion of our bikes nd sprt. PLEASE recognize and surround yourself/patronize dealers as Atlanta, Morton's, San Jose, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Gina's BMW, dealers that are successful and will continue to be becasue they are like youse. passionate and family. Through www.bmwxplor.com I ask you to say hello and share your thoughts of your bike, your club(s), your trips, and just why motorcycling is the choice that defines us!
I will be back for June 9/10 shakedown run at Roebling Road, but really VIR June 23/24th is OUR homecomng

ALABAMA BMW riders are the reason im home safe and when at the hospital stayed sane with daily visiits thank you connie, vance, marie, ron, my grandparents, and for all the flowers (VIR THANK YOU). man I cannot stop typing and the tears are distortng the screen . BMWBMW, Hampton Road BMW club, EMO, AL. and GA. Owners clubs, MOA.... just makes me want to come back more than ever.

gonna yak, chheers

N*!

2007-04-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-23T19:28:00.001-07:00

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!

2007-04-22T01:21:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-21T11:51:00.001-07:00

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

2007-04-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-21T11:47:00.001-07:00

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!

2007-04-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-19T14:01:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-16T05:29:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-03-30T16:48:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am typing under 50 feet o water right now! lol I never expected to have such sinus/allergy attacks being in a place with now trees or grass... Las Vegas is a trip! From the beautiful desert to the people watching, just a wild place. I still just cannot beleive how blessed and fortunate I am to have the opportunities and abilities. When I flip through the chapters of my life and read the what the majority of people say "should" have been my life, again just fortunate. Through popular public opinion, the avenues in life for many kids that come from tougher domestic situations, are very few and far between.

Racing is beyond memtal than physical. Whether it's sinus infections, traveling, or just stress, the level of focus is greatly hindered. Some weekends you are just shot out of a cannon and others you are crawling your way up that cannon just to getyour head out of barrel. This weekend feels that way.

There is not enough time in the day to articulate my enthusiasm for this conquest, to prove that you cannot judge a book by it's cover to the motorcycle world! Th BMW riding community, BMW, then myself has been a natural recipe for success. Relationships create numbers, period. Many dealers have those relationships on the outside of the tunnel that they can only see #'s. The word of the day is natural to me, "naturally" those relationships WILL create #'s across the board. That is why I have really enjoyed my endeavors with BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas. With an awesome amount of tourist coupled with their rental of BMW motorcycles, realtionships are the priority. The new ownership has already proved that! Riders should seriously consider coming to Las Vegas and renting the BMW mc's here and riding to the rim of the grand canyon or Hoover Dam! Ask for Troy when you do, he is an asset to BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas and the industry!

SO, tomorrow is a day of testing to get a good base line setup in the R1200S that resides here at BMW MC's of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Classic course will be very green (slick) from the amunt of dust and sand that blows across the track. It seems to raelly only have a semi techinical section from turns 3 to 6/7? We will see. The RT final drive may not be the best greaing for this track, but logistically the S drive was not available. From what I have seen and heard, thsi will be a mini rally just for an open practice! lol I think that is great. BMW riders have the chance to hangout, eat,a nd drink with us all day at the track. Upwards of 100 BMW riders are slated to come out. From Miami testing a couple months ago to Las Vegas, just awesome! I would like to personally thank BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta's service dept. for giving me great macnines to add the credibility to the BMW R1200S's we race. Bob Hancock for just taking the time to help at Jennings practice days at last minute notice. Bob is a an R1100S/1200S owner and is the perfect expample of what BMW has for motorcycle owner's!

Tonight Im off to dinner with eth EMO club here in Las Vegas! The European Motorcycle Club is the BMW MC club of Alabama, BMW BMW.org, and hampton roads BMW MC Club in Virgina's west coast equivelant! Some great Thai tonight and some hot laps tomorrow is one the menu.

Whoa, hey Brian from Cirque Du Soleil's (spelling?) show "O", THANK YOU IMMENSLEY for the chance to see the the most amazing show of all time, ever. The most powerfull display of athleticism and choreography. The music is live, the singing live. Something everyone should see in their life time.

Cheers,

N8!

2007-03-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

Man o' man, this past weekends WERA/AMA Natl. races were straight up crazy! lol
I cannot even begin to tell you the great feeling of getting back on pace/form from last October, finding a great set up that I think will be a great baseline setting for many of the tracks I go to, and just taking OUR BMW to a new arena (series) furthering our conquest!

Some pessimism entered my mind coming into this weekend. Alot of things have to fall into place for a clear head and focus. Finidng out about this race weekend last minute was the first thing. Second, there was no techs/mechanics available due to illness/deaths in their families, which I felt bad for. It was a very humbling experience to go to the track on my own which has not happened for awhile. Unloading bikes, equipment, rolling each bike to tech inspection, then going back with helmets/leathers, yadda yadda... Now time for balancing act getting bikes on rear stands, front stands, tire warmers, after getting the many feet of cord from the power box...

Missed the whole mornings practice sessions, and now lunch break has faded and it is time to start back up practice. SO, finally some seat time. Chasing set up issues at Daytona and trying to shrug off some new life issues off the track was my biggest competition starting my 2007 season. Soon I would find that 2007 has finally arrived! I was really happy to figure out the issues with regarding my A and B bikes differences. The forst batch of R1200S BMW's that came late in 2006 with Ohlins (sport Supension package) had a rear shock that had a body length of 16cm. The BMW R1200S I received as a laterproduction date, with Ohlins rear, has a 16.5cm rear shock body length! TADA! Just that 10mm in difference was pretty drastic.

(I will finish this posting in a bit, I have no more Jack Frost Latte left and the place is filling up here at the Cocoa Bean cafe)....

Ok back online, so Friday had one practice at 20 minutes, then upon closer insepction of the schedule I noticed there was qualifying! The WERA/AMA Natl. 600 Superstock, 600 Superbike, and Heavyweight Twins Superstock classes are super competitive with the latest and greatest 600's that are at least 60 lbs. lighter and 4 inch shorter wheelbase. When asked in tech inspection which classes we are going to run, I said the 600 class, that was met with a couple laughs... Again, new arena and alot of folks may have read or heard about what we have accomplished on the BMW motorcycles we have raced, but they are going to see first hand what the hype is all about.

Due to changing wheels, I was only able o roll out on the track with 4 minutes left in qualifying. That gave me an out lap and one flying lap to get in the fastest time I could, with one lap. Wound up 17th out of 38. lol Friday's time was a 1:17.8 as I recall. My goal and thought's were set at breaking into the 16's, period. The way the bike was handling, not knowing if I was going to have to keep running the same tires for a bit, I just did not know. So 16's were just reaistic to me with the set up/geometry issues I was chasing. Saturday was a chilly 40 degrees for pactice witha serious headwind down the front straight. I was on a shagged rear tire from the day before, as the new asphalt at the track was hard on tires. With that same set of tires, I ended practice in less than favorable conditions 6th fastest (600 practice) with a 1:16.7! WOOHOO! I knew it could only get better with warmer weather. It was awesome.

That was great, Saturday was just practice. Sunday were the races and I elected to sit out the 600 Superstock to concentrate on Heavyweight Twins Superstock, with a great racer by the name of Trey Batey. He is a great racer and has gone undefeated inthe HWTSS race for 3 seasons or so. Sunday practice just got better! Ripped off a 1:15.6 in practice and by now I was really excited too being back to the ol' N8! from 2006. With great anticipation growing now from the previously laughing nay sayers, the HWTSS race had the front straight lined with people. I was ecstatic hearing that people thought I was the one to give Mr. Batey a run for his money on the factory backed Vesrah Suzuki. As we line dup in our grid positions, Trey was starting on the front row and I was on the 3rd row. I knew I needed that consistant, great launch I get and go deep on the brakes past the handful of bikes in front of me to tuck in behind the leader, Trey. BAM, green flag waves and I was shot out of cannon. At that same moment the guy in front of me on row 2 wheelied so out of conrol and very amateurly sat it down to the left where I was. I had to get on the binders so hard and check up from rear ending him that my race was finished for the lead. I put my head down and charged hard turning a string of 15's which had me way out in second place by lap 3, but not enought o catch the leader. Settled for a boring 2nd place finish.

Then cam the 600 Natl. Superbike race, this was to be just a really fun race and prove in a BIG way that "YOU CANNOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER!" I head out for the warm up lap and at really good pace I came out of T4 into the fast left hand T5, this is where I encountered an oddest situation I have seen in awhile. As I decide to take the long way around another rider, the outside pass, top of 3rd gear (about 90mph.) This Yamaha R6 mounted rider who was initially leaned left as he should be, driftts even wider, than anyone needs to in that corner, then realizes that I am there, panics hard enough that he tucks the front (crashes hard from excessive front brake use), and now his crashing, sliding bike is ready to hit me. I stood my bike up hard and gassed it off the track away from the carnage and now I have my own carnage I am trying to stop! I will admit, my butt was eating the seat I was pretty scared! lol Through GOD and the ability HE gave me, I stayed with it, did not give up, mild rear brake, and clutch in I was able to save it. From there I looked back to see the other rider laying there. First thought was DAMN, I saved it, I looked up and thanked HIM, then I just felt bad for this guys move he made. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured rider in this incident.

The BMW just grunted through the deep sand run off area and made it back onto the track. Once up to speed I rodunded T9 just as they through the flag to start the race! LOL I just put my head down and was at least 5 seconds off of 37th place in last!!! Now this was funn with two "n's"!!!!!!! I had a blast catching the field and blatsing our underrated BMW R1200S to a 12th place finish in the 10 lap race!

Now the weekend is winding down, I am pretty happy with the results considering,a nd For Sunday I had 3 great helpers in Ron Riggins, Damon Gooch (Col. US Army), and Bob Hancock! All loyal BMW motorcycle owners! Then we found out that the injured rider form the warm up lap melee stated to an official "I rear ended him" and forced him to crash! LOLOLOL You have to be kidding me. 1) I was on the wrong end of his bike to be rear ending him (his handlebar end and front brake lever has left some serious bruises on my left shoulder, as he stood the bike up into me), 2) 90% of the time you get rear ended or in the other riders words "ass packed", both bike crash, 3) there is not a nick on my bike not even a scratch. CSI Savannah eh'?!

Regardless, I hope he is recovering well and fast. There is a long season ahead of both of us.

Next I am practicing in Las Vegas at Las Vegas Motorspeedway for an upcoming WERA WEST race in June. BMW Motorcycle's of Las Vegas is one of the leading BMW dealers in out conquest to prove to the motorcycling community that WE have the machines be class leading on and off the track!

Cheers,

N8!

2007-03-17T18:09:00.000-07:00

Hi there. Yes I know, I know, I have not been writing. Initially it was just getting ready for the season, then a little low spot in my life, then when I was ready to wite on my blog the password stopped working!?

It has taken a bit to collect my thoughts and debrief about Daytona. This past weekend started our 2007 season for Team BMWXPLOR.com at Daytona Intl. Speedway. With not as much laughter towards the BMW motorcycles we race, there was total silence when my teammate and I went 1 - 2 in qualifying for the National ASRA Pro Thunderbike race. Brian ripped off a 1:49.6 and I went 1;49.9 to fill the front to positions on the grid! From there the rain came for the actual Thunderbike Natl. race. With the whole shot I was able to clear from the field into turn one by about 5 bike lengths, but to fast, and in the downpour almost plowed the front right off of turn 1. Saved it and fell back to 5th, then as my visor fogged up, there was pretty much no visibility and went off a 2nd time pushing to get back inot the top 3.
This was a hhumbing experience I must say. For the first time in a long time we were not up front on our new R1200S and it showed. I cruised around to a lowly 11th place finish and knew it would be a better day on Sunday. Sunday morning practice was still half wet and half dry. Went pretty good and then come race time, dry. This was the CCS Thunderbike race, a seperate one from the Natl. that Brian and I entered for seat time to get ready for the MotoST race. This would be my first time testing a ride height adjustment to an alreaady ailing rear shock that was completely out of compression adjustment. So, due to the rain there was no time to see if we were going in the right direction, just go race it!
The R1200S was running a little wide mid corner, and enough to just hae to wait to pull th trigger which in return caused me to stay leaned over to long. You really wna t minimize lean angle, and get it on the meat of the tire ASAP. So, another holeshot and with the lead in 4 of the 5 lap sprint, as the paced went faster, the 3mm adjustment was the wrong direction, the bike just went wider, off the gas, mid corner. Lost alot of time and lapped traffic, yes lapped traffic on the 4th lap had Brian squeeze by and take the win. As long as it is another BMW I am totally fine with it! lol So another 1-2 for us!
MotoST 3 hou endurance. We proved October was not a fluke. Brian started the race and when he handed over the bike to me, on his 2nd stop, we had a 23 second lead. At the end of my 2 stints, 44 laps later, we had a 40 second lead. As Brian went back out, with 14 laps to go, the motor stopped. All i can say is we proved that we are the team to beat, on a what, BMW?! There is raw credibility to our performance driven machines and direction we are all going in! Thank you BMW riders and supporters!

Cheers,

N8!

2007-02-25T05:44:00.000-08:00

What can I say, 5 more days until I get on track to start my 2007 season (at Daytona Intl. Speedway). Today will be the last day of the IMS show here in Atlanta and there is a really great fan base down here of loyal BMW mc owners! There is alot on my mind but I do not have alot to say. Just quiet focus and running laps in my mind of what needs to accomplished to run up front next week.

My bikes have never been better thanks to BMW Motorcycles of Atlant's service dept! Zach, as I have mentioned many times before, is and will always define what awesome/amazing skill he has as a tech/mechanic! I may not race the K1200R Power cup bike to concentrate on the R1200S. We will see. I will shake down the K1200R on thursday in practice. Qualifying for the National ASRA Pro Series Thunderbike race will be fun and the race will be crazy competitive! I cannnot wait! We are still proving you cannot judge a book by it's cover, as there are still some disbeleivers, lol.

We have a great race trailer and truck for this season. Awesome crew. Behind every great rider is agreat sponsor naturally. BMW Motorcycles are for sure on their way to an awsome performance line coming in the next few years! I am stoked to be a part of it and running up front to add the credibility to the brand!

Cheers,

N8!

2007-02-12T03:12:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Just got in literally from 12 hour drive bak from Miami (Homestead Speedway). I entered 2 races this past weekend for some seat time and to laern the new track before MotoST goes there in April. For my first time Im ok with two 3rd place finishes... Led the whole race in Supertwins and on the final lap, lapped traffic was 3 wide in front of me, I came barreling off the front straight top of 5th gear cranked over and just no where to go while hard on the binders. Almost ran off while trying not to rear ened the lapped riders. That allowed the 2nd an 3rd guys to slip by. I reeled them back in to within 4 bike lengths, until more lapped traffic a few turns from the finish line had me lose touch for a possible draft to the finish. lol The second race I held onto 2nd for much of the race, then I went back to test mode and tried some new lines, and brake markers, ended up 3rd again.
On the way home, at around 4 a.m. in the Atlanta area, I was rounding a bend on the highway and ther were headlights coming right at Chris and I. With a little patience we were able to avoid this worng way driver down I-75. The trailer and truck were all over. Just heard on the news, that worng way driver just killed one person moments after our paths crossed.

Regardless, the real win was the amount of people in and outside of our pit garage!!! Amazing is what people were saying about the R1200S in action.
Special Thank of BMW Motorcycles of Miami and 441 BMW of Ft. Lauderdale! The group ride you both created on such short notice was great! Huge thank you also to Chris Clary, fellow BMW rider that came down to help me and none of this would have been possible! I will not ride a bike I worked on! lol

N8! Kern

2007-02-08T09:08:00.000-08:00

Getting all kinds of giddy thinking about the firs actual race of the season this weekend! Now the 2 races on Sunday are not official points races towards any championhsip, they are to me practice, testing set ups, and learning a new track!

We are racing Homestead again this season for an official race in MotoST, I want to learn this track before it really counts! I will be gridded (starting ) pretty far back in the field. I dont care, im going to the front. I have Saturday to get a good feeling of the track and layout. It looks like no official mechanic support this weekend... but Chris Clary is an amazingly dedicated BMW rider that is making the 12 hour trek with me!

Zach of the Ducshop in Marrieta gave me a way better than stock motor R1200S to try. With the custom map and race fuel, we developed 7 more HP with out touching the motor. The airfilter we have found is the most restrictive part of the bike. Without it or a less restrcitive filter the bike dynoed at a whopping 122 hp at the wheel instead of 118!

We are getting there, BMW of Atlanta is just getting the bikes ready today. They will put two great looking running R1200S's on the trailer this evening! Sticky Business www.stickybusiness.net is the official sponsor for our image through graphics and vinyl. Just wait and see what has been done for our official BMWXPLOR.com race trailer! This weekend low key, truck, 2 bikes on an open aluminum small trailer, and an easy up, lol. Under the radar and mor GO than SHOW!

SO, time to get more focused and think about alot of key decisions passing and working my way to the front in the 7 lap sprints!!!

Cheers,

N8!

2007-02-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

Back from Jennings finally. Almost wadded up the truck and trailer trying to stay awake... lol
I have NEVER had an incident trailering/driving my race equipment around for 5 seasons. last season I drove 39k race weekend miles alone, not including the 20k personal.

So my day started at 4:30am. Was in bed before the Superbowl was even over, lol. COuld not sleep to well, I have not for almost a year now, crazy. As my alarm sounded I just slwoly started my day and loading everything I laid out the night before. I knew it owuld be cold down there in jennings, Fl. and a high of only 52 today actually. I rolled into the track around 10:30am. said hello to the track manager Paul and owner of the facility, as they are always very welcoming of me and the BMW. Once back at the truck I took out my gear bag and threw it in the back of the truck bed and proceeded to take my boots off and roll up my coat into a pillow and sleep in the back seat. For only an hour I could shut my eyes. I sat up and looked out the back window in a panic for some reason, just to find 5 guys standing around the BMW R1200S I was to practice on today still on the trailer.

I then noticed a very familiar site through the group. A lone R1100S BMW motorcycle was directly across from me. Knowing I was alone, which really is not the safest way to go practicing/racing/at the track period when riding, so was this other BMW rider. With his R1100S side bags off the bike, lenses all taped up on the bike, and a foldout lawn chair, lol, he was ready for business with his heated grips on! LOL As I sat there watching this fellow BMW rider freeze his cojones off, I just slipped on my boots and staggered out of the trcuk and over to min in the 40 degree morning. "Dude nice bike.." I think I said stupidly, lol. The rider sticks out his hand and says "Jim Moore", I greabbed his hand and said "Nate, nice to meet you"
Jim went on to say "Nate Kern..?!" I just said laughing "Nope just Nate!"
We went to go sit in the truck and out of the cold. It was a really cool to see another BMW rider come out of his shell and to get the ackowledgement/recognition of our efforts over the past 2 seasons.

SO i finally suited up and go ton track around like 1:15. Quickly the tires did what I expected... slipped, slid, and spun everywhere. I accounted for tire pressure to decrease through rapidly losing heat from the warmers. So I just rode the 20 minutes like Cinderella on ice and spooked more people than I thought, lol. Had 3 guys come up tp me after that first practice and were all fraking out about how I kept it on two wheels.... it was not that bad! :)

SO I rode the second 20 minutes and pitted in after 3 laps and had a fiend form my old Hooter's Suzuki team come and set my pressures on hot pit. As I rolled out, the sun came out and we were on pace of a 70+ degree day sliding and spinning, had a blast actually! Then came the last session. There were a few guys down from Canada practicing, which I thought was cool until they let it get the best of them a BMW WAS PASSING THEIR CANADIAN NATIONAL 600 SS R6's.... This cannot be, their body language and shaking of their helmets in disgust as the motor by me, just to get out braked deep and pulled on off the corner's by the seemingly overweight, long, underpowered R1200S I was on, they thought...

So I ended the session early to get ready to go out and show Jim Moore around on his R1200S in the Novice/Intermediate group. Jim rode really well and learned quickly!

AS I was leaving, the animoscity did not stop there. A couple of guys were BS'ing in the can "What he just shows up on the Bimmer, rides 3 sessions, taers it up and leaves..." LOL I was just laughing, um, in my own little office overhearing them!

Now I am really wooped, again had a really hard time staying awake driving back. Thank goodness for otehr people horns and those rumble thingees on both median and shoulder that make noise when you drift 3 lanes!

N8!

2007-02-04T18:54:00.000-08:00

So the Bears are losing, no big deal... I would have liked to see the underdog win as we love seeing the so called underdog BMW win too! The Eagles are not in the big show so Im not to ineterested. Partly ue to me getting ready to practice tomorrow in Jennings. With only a forecasted high of 56, I will no ride unitl a little after 1pm.

What I think really stinks is I have now goe from 2 people helping and going down tomorrow to just me. Not the best of situations. Driving 4 hours, unloading the bike, getting ready, riding, getting out of gear, loading bike, and driving back 4 hours... lol, This was the norm for my first 3 seasons of racing, but I was just going by the verbal commitment from my guys here in Atlanta.

I have not been on a bike since Ca. a month ago. Need some seat time before Homestead's CCS races next weekend. I will be racing 2 races This upcoming Sunday as some off season races to get ready for Daytona's season opener March 2-4th.

Okay, turning in now. Night!

N8!

2007-01-28T09:31:00.000-08:00

Awesome weather here in New Orleans this morning. All these IMS shows and events have me so ready for the season. I cannot wait to get on the bike and pickup where I left off last season. Just go tin from the gym here at the hotel and i am trying to stay away from all the great food down here! lol

Have about 7 more lbs to be at the weight I feel is optimal for flexibility and mobility while on the bike racing. Now that I have my mt. bike back, I need to find some good single tracks and get the cardio back up!

I cannot thank Sidi, Spidi, Suomy Helmets, and Vanson Leathers enough, for their unparalleled support this season!

Cheers,

N8!

2007-01-27T07:27:00.000-08:00

Good morning all who read this blog! Raining here in New Orleans and just had a minute. Busy day planned by BMW for me and I have only a bit on here. It's amazing waking up thinking "hey, I race motorcycles for a living..." lol, pretty surreal when you get down to it. Rewarding after the road traveled before and after I started riding motorcycle at the age of 20. When I started racing at 24 as an amateur, in 2002, never did I think that single weekend in 2002 would be my last weekend as an amateur. Fast forward to 2005, when no one had the beleif in the BMW R1100S outside of the Boxer Cup that was finished in 2004, the lonely machine was left to collect dust by all the competitors, but one! ;)

As you have heard me say many times, you cannot judge a book by it's cover. This motivates me to go faster on the bMW and to add the credibility the machines deserve. So for 2005 and 2006, credibility was earned on a very bumpy road. While others were sitting at home, on the couch, and off of the track, the BMW riding community and I were out to let everyone know we have a platform that we can build off of. Then came the R1200S. Through two consecutive championships and carrying the # 1 plate, others that wanted something to come to them, are now magically on board enjoying OUR fruits we had to earn over the past 2 hard seasons. Good for them, they should enjoy and put in the same dedication needed to go further.

I am not a beleiver in "I and Me", but "we and us!" Once that is acheived validity will come forth in positive agendas!

Ok, off to the gym, then...?!

N8!

2007-01-25T21:14:00.000-08:00

Rather late down here and all this traveling should make me tired. With so many running through my mind from how I got here, to wanting to go faster next season, missing some people that are not around anymore, and remembering all of those who have helped me get to where I am. Once the season gets under way I will be traveling a bit in my "conquest" of proving the credibility the BMW motorcycles have in the performance/racing world.

The perseverance over the past 3 seasons to this moment, just a surreal ride. From the lowest point in my life, living in my car for a week, to a mother that does not accept that I race professionaly, and made it without her help. When I left home at 16 it was for no other reason than the path that GOD has laid before me. Everything in ones life is coincidence unitl you BELEIVE. I tend to not beleive at times I am really even blessed with the gift to make a BMW go fast.

I moved down south for a few reasons. One is the amazing mechanics, that give me great bikes to go fast on One of them was with BMW, but still takes his time to help me get up front. To practice down here is great, but it is way fewer times than planned. To be down here and just try and give a natural common courtesy, that takes zero effort for me and most, just is not so for some. Regardless, we have a great season ahead. Once underway I will have some great support from BMW logistically. WIth BMW of Atlanta spinning wrenches and keeping my bikes tify when in the southeast and Morton's BMW doing a stellar job in the Mid Atlantic! BMW of Las Vegas, as I have commented before is a under new ownership, and has major potential in the southwest! Already, they have the pure understanding that numbers are acheived through relationships, they make that a priority as other dealers do! BMW of Las Vegas and I have some great events this season for the southwest market!

This 2007 season schedule is almost in place. Going into this season I am beyond happy/proud to have the following sponosors not in front of, or behind me, but beside me! BMW Motorrad USA, Suomy Helmets, Vanson Leathers, Sidi Boots, Spidi Gloves, Remus Exhausts, Team Pro Motion Sportbike Club, House Industries, Motiv by ATC Trailers, and the best riding community any motorcycle manufacturer could ask for in our BMW mc owners!

Take care,

nate

I cannot wait to get back on the bike and get ready for Daytona!

2007-01-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

Crazy amounts of traveling lately, but it has been a really cool experience! As I last left it, I did get my rear Ohlins shock back. TSA threw Delta under the bus, then I went to Delta with an astronomical invoice, and the shock re apeared magically! I will say there was 2 VERy helpful employees of Delta Airlines though, they were great!

I flew into DC last Thursday for the IMS (Intl. Motorcycle Show) and by far was the best response of mc riders largely due to my racing in the Mid Atlantic area. WIth 400 or so posters signed and just an awesome opportunity to be the guest speaker for BMWBMW.org club... just a great weekend! Really this past weekend reinforced why I do this and why the BMW has so much more to it than others know! To meet other R1200S owners/riders was also a cool bonus, like June, a new R1200S owner.

From DC I drove up to the Philly area to spend time with Reed Motosport management. With a few days in Doylestown, I then drove up to Hacketttown, NJ to visit with the Castiglia's. Their son had asken me months before to come in for his 3rd grade show and tell. To spend time with Nate Castiglia's 3rd grade class and do a helmet safety/ pro-arts/sports talk was really gratifying! From there we went and ate lunch at thes little tables and chairs, lol. Again, just awesome!

Now I am sitting and mapping out my season from Morton BMW's open house (2/17) to November WERA race at Las Vegas Motorspeedway for BMW of Las Vegas!

This 2007 season for sure will be another front running season! With so many supporters like BMWBMW club, BMW Motorcyle Owners of Alabama, MOA, to name a few, we have already won!

Cheers,

N8!

2007-01-10T08:32:00.000-08:00

Just in from BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas and it was a crazy trip! Packing for my trip last Thursday was not fun and I had to carry my Ohlins front and rear shock for the bike i was racing this past weekend. Each shock was individually wrapped in bubble wrap. So I checked in, received my ticket, and got on the plane with wild Gator fans and not enough Buckeye fans!

Once on the ground in Vegas, grabbed my bags and was on my way to the dealership. At the dealer first thing I wanted to get the bike finished and quickly went for the shocks in my bag.... front was there, rear shock GONE!!! The bubble wrap was still inthe bag though from the rear shock. I was pretty devastated as this was my first time racing on the West coast, brand new track (California Speedway), and the showing I knew I could have would have been more realsitic with the shocks that I have developed and allowed ride the way I need to.

So a stock shock was fitted up and from there I was able to start getting a new game plan on. Thats when I remebered there was a call missed from Chris at San Jose BMW. I gave Chris a call and when asked, that is when he was told about the shock ordeal. Chris was great and was able to help the est he could with another stock Ohlins from the R1200S, but with a slightly stiffer spring for the BMW of Las Vegas race bike. So at least we were in the parkng lot of the "ballpark", but not yet inside the "ballpark" of the settings needed to run upfront during the race!

Once on the way it was pretty cool to drive thrugh the Mojave desert a bit and see some awesome scenery. Saturday morning would bring even more stumbling blocks. I was on a waiting list now to practice. Once finally on the track at around 1 pm. Half the day was gone and I had about 4 - twenty mnute sessions to learn a very ocal track to the So Cal. racers that go pretty good there. The first practice session ended with a 1'42.500 lap time. I was told I needed a 1'34"s to even think about the podium in the WERA West race there. Well, after some serious settings searching, and 3 more sessions aorund that place, lol, ripped off a 1'34.890 as the sun was going down!

Now I am feeling great about Sunday and the passiveness was settingin amongst the other racers that just had a BMW motorcycle go by them sideways and then was gone! Sunday morning came and at th hotel, maybe a slight breeze. At the track, UNBELEIVABLE! I have never experienced wind so strong and it was no raining, and the sun was out! The gusts topped 70 mph and just constant wind that was so strong all day it blew away the airfence (safety barriers that are inflated), a Port-O-Potty (nasty), and if tehre was a serious accident a helicopter could not land to escort a rider to the hospital. So the races were cancelled.
I was feeling really great and just could not wait to get out tehre and show the credibility of the BMW race bike on the West coast and to give the owners of BMW MC of Las Vegas the exposure they deserve!

Back to Vegas and then on my way home all I could think about is the red flags that went up from the missing shock... I was pretty eager to get some closure on this missing shock ordeal. Due to the fact that the bubble wrap used for the rear shock was still in the bag, red flags went up. Why didn't they take the wrap with the shock? Why was the front shock unwrapped, rewrapped, and left in bag? Basically alot of phone calls and an in person trip to the TSA office/ Delta office in Atlanta airport, brought forth pretty much nothing.
A TSA supervisor gave me the skinny on "prohibited" and "hazmat" items. The items are taken and immediatly logged. They get a sticker with a log # on the item. There is no shock logged on the date of my flight last Friday morning to Las Vegas. from my bags check in tag. After a conversation with TSA, they threw Delta under the bus so i wnet to Delat Airlines office. I thought I was getting somewhere when the gentleman said "Oh yeah, one of the guys downstairs had seen it on Saturday. Finally I thought, it still alive. Gave my cell to Delta representatives felling optimistic. 9pm Tuesday night a call from Delta stating the search was off this evening for the missing shock. "We will resume the search in the morning Mr. Kern..." the Delta rep. said.

Just very inconsistant and I just cannot beleive the front shock was left, rear, missing, and no log # for what was "taken" out of my bag.

See all of you in DC and NY IMS show!!!!!

N8! Kern

2006-12-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

Wow, thanks for the emails! Yep, Im still around and have been recovering from some sort of flu... oh well. Just got in from JenningsGP in Fl. practicing. had a great run and found some really good rear shock settings for tracks with no elevation changes.

I returned to the North for a few days to meet up with good friends and attempt to not be alone this holiday. On the way back I spent some time in Wilmington, DE with Rich who designs the N8! shirts. The BMW MOA ran a pretty cool ad for the shirts and I am very sorry for the fact that the link to the shirts was not put on my site as mentioned in the MOA magazine.

http://www.houseind.com/index.php?page=clothing&category=kern

This is where you can find them. This has been a really great thing when I see the shirst out there, it gives me that little extra to turn it up and put our BMW motorcycle up front with the other manufacturers bikes!

The past 2 seasons have been surreal. I still pinch myself and realize I would not be here without the help of others. Not coming from much to having this new family in BMW riders, I could not ask for more! OK, lol, maybe some more gearing selections for my R1200S.
So many new people/riders to share the fun with, but then there have been few lost and I wish they were here to see the return on their dedication and excitement.

It looks like I will be racing next weekend at Fontana in Ca. for some much needed off season practice. With this WERA WEST race I think the grids are set by points. With zero points, i will be heading from the last row to the front on BMW R1200S from Las Vegas BMW!
BMW of Las Vegas is under new ownership and with their drive, passion, and desire to be upfront on and off the track, count on them to be a great source for your next BMW motorcycle.

BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta gave me an awesome bike to practice on today. Still, everytime I walk in to their dealership its like the first time, open and caring.

Ok, going to hit the hay. Thank you again for another awesome season and 2007 has some great events in store for our riders!

N8!

2006-12-17T19:06:00.000-08:00

Hey guys. Left the show sometime ago. Had a great day and met some awesome BMW riders! Just reinforces the personal aspect of why I race BMW's, great people! After about an hour of hearing the plans for the west coast effort spearheading an attempt at AMA FX on an R1200S, I had to just go and talk with some great BMW riders in the display an get away from there. Having the opportunity to race an R1200S 50+lbs. lighter and 20 plus more hp... would be awesome. It wont happen. There are dealership owners passionate and beleive in the new platform BMW has for us to race, but the time and budget are not there. Regardless, we will do all we can within reason to get a bike into FX without the sharing of help or knowledge from the west coast. I have a GREAT group of techs and BMW dealers in the East that will give me the best bike they can to tackle an even larger endeavor like FX. Moto-ST should be the primary focus as it has been proven we can compete and run up front against highly factory backed teams like you had a chance to see at the 8 Hours of Daytona. Moto-ST is a more interpersonal way to get our fans and BMW owners more involved than racing AMA, where we are not that obtainable by our fans who keep this going. Forget sitting in the stands, come on down to the wall and smell the racing up close in Moto-ST.

There is no "I' and "me" in TEAM. It's "WE" and "US"!

I have seen BMW riders now coast to coast, there is still no better support than having them in your corner through thick and thin. Cant wait for East Coast IMS shows!

nate

2006-12-13T20:48:00.000-08:00

I have been in San Mateo for a day now and it is a really cool place like Long Beach. There is so much elevation change here with the hills and all. I took the rental car on these wild twisty roads down to this state forest off of Skyline blvd. and there were some decent size redwood trees!

Last weekend in Long Beach brought out some great BMW riders and motorcyclist in general. This makes me want to get out west here and do some racing and trackdays. I am going to visit some BMW mc dealers tomorrow and I am really looking forward to seeing San Jose BMW. BMW of Santa ruz is not to far from what I hear either.

BMW MC of Long Beach had some great representatives at the LB show. There was also geat crew from BMW MC of Ventura representing too! MP works there and is one of the top techs in the country.

N8!

2006-12-01T18:40:00.000-08:00

Writing youse from the Ga./Fl. border and another oportunity to practice this off season. If any BMW riders or non want to stop in, the pit area is accesible. Sorry for a short entry, but Im just relaxing and thinking about tomorrow.

Hey, by the way I have found another great site to go with www.pelicanparts.com to talk about motorcycling and BMW motorcycles @ www.motorcyclistcafe.com .

After meeting members of the MotorcyclistCafe.com I was interested in keeping in touch and again just sharing in the fun and conversation of what we all love, motorcycles.

N8!

2006-11-27T18:38:00.000-08:00

Another evening here in Kennesaw, GA. I now realize I have to many winter clotehs for this neck of the woods. Its just warm each day, so far. As I wait for my bikes to be ready here, I am attempting to help get ur season together for 2007. As I contemplate what kind of truck and trailer to use, I also wondered if there were BMW MOA or BMW riders out there that are principals or management at a truck dealership?! After season of racing I have seen what works and does not on race trailers, as that is the least of my worries. Nothing to big, but nothing to outgrow during the season either.

With the great time I had at Heartland park in Topeka, KS this past season, there is a real ineterest in going back there and putting it on the pole (not second fastest) , winning, and hanging out with the great BMW mc owners like Dave Mootz, Bill Mundis, and Kevin Nixon...
Some awesome people in many cool places, yes KS has some cool parts, lol.

Im really looking forward to the practice this weekend and then gettin out to CA. for the two IMS shows in Long Beach and San Mateo. Would love to alos know what can be done to our R1200S to get a little more power ou tof it for the races at Daytona in March, SJBMW have the knowledge, just need to share! ;)

N8!

2006-11-23T17:34:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving eh?! I know many of you have already traveled to and from your families today. I wish for everyone to stay safe and that we all remember what we are thankful for?!
I am in Atlanta now for a bit just getting ready for my season in 2007. Training, practicing (4 tracks within 3 hours), and traveling to IMS shows. There will be a bit to get sorted before the east coast IMS shows start. I will say I miss the Philly area already, but knowing that there are great people all over the country that I now have a chance to hangout with on and off the track... 2007 will be great!

So last Saturday I flew up to Vanson Leathers for the day, I am proud to say that I have the oportunity to keep racing in their suits that are the safest racing suits out, period. Vanson wearing BMW riders can attest to that too. Mike, Kevin, and I went to eat at this Portugese place that was just stellar and from Philly to Mass. and now GA, I am feeling it! lol

While on my way to GA. I had an awesome experience stopping in Morton's BMW in VA.
Jeff, Steve, and Stuart (Mortons BMW service manager and 1983 BOTT Daytona race winner on a BMW motorcycle!) had a great time discussing the future of our bikes and just really showed optimism I have not seen many places. I look forward to seeing Morton's BMW and their crew this season when logistically and geographically I am in their area. There are many great BMW dealers that have been ultra supportive and during the course of 2007 I look forward to helping them out and vice versa.

Oh yeah, never have I ever had better BBQ so far than a little 50's place called Allman's near Mortons BMW!!! Mmmmmm mmmmm!

Hey everyone, ride smart and say hello when you can and I look forward to seeing youse at the IMS shows!

N8!

2006-11-14T06:02:00.000-08:00

The 2006 race season has come to a close with the exception of a few track days and IMS shows....and then winter will be upon us. It's a long season in the northeast for any avid motorcyclist, but fortunately I have plenty to keep me busy. This past weekend, I traveled to BMW Atlanta and on to VIR for some track time. All those long hours in the car has allowed me time to reflect on some recent events. As the season closed I found myself in transition and was not sure how everything was going to play out in the future. It was a difficult time and things are looking up. I have been fortunate enough to have great support from BMWNA, and the BMW community. I have had the pleasure of meeting people who are friendly, supportive, compassionate and have a genuine interest in what I do. It's a great opportunity to share my passion of racing on an incredible machine and I am truly honored to be a part of such a great circle. I appreciate all the confidence you have in me and it's difficult to put it into words. I can only hope that you all know how sincerely thankful I am. I now look forward to 2007 !

Nate Kern

p.s. Thank you for the emails regarding the little tip over late in the day at VIR. No it was not anything with the bike or track, just me pushing and not concentrating on my shifts. Im not out there to cruise around... Picked the bike back up and rode it back to the pits. BMW Motorcyles of Alanta do great work on my bikes, so no worries. I wish they were closer, lol.

2006-11-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

Just wiating patiently for the AM to get here and get back out on the track. It seems like forever since Daytona. Looks good for decent weather. Tire warmers would have been a big help this time out for safety reasons. Team Pro Motion is running the day and seat time is valuable. TPM has always given the bast seat time around. Talk about seat time, driving down to Atlanta to get my bike and then back up here was some good "seat time". I have the proper final drive for VIR and this facility at VIR is always just a welcoming track! It is a riders track!

I sat around the hotel today watching a car club from N. Jersey run around.... Needed some action, so the go kart track here is awesome, not your run of the mill down the shore kart's.
That was a good time and then the off road rally course where the rain made it even more inviting had me see if an H3 could get within a top 5 laptime of rally cars purpose built for it.... LOL, it did well within and would have been good enough for 3rd in their last race, aw man!
Then I found this hill to see how much air could be reached in it.... :)

After some great pulled pork from a lil' hometown BBQ joint with friends I have not seen all season, now some correspondance with an even greater group of supporters and friends.

I need to turn some times tomorrow to burn off Aunt Millies "Cheeseburger pizza", trust me, delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

N8!

2006-11-07T06:23:00.000-08:00

Its starting to get chilly here in Ardmore, PA. Its no Daytona! After many emails I have received I was hoping to hear from youse on your interest in riding together at a trackday or rally?! I will be leaving this week sometime for Atlanta to pick up one of my racebikes and then heading to VIR to practice with teampromotion.com
Then Dec.2 in north Fla. at Jennings Grand Prix track in Jennings, Fla., Dec. 16th at Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, GA., and from there I dont know just yet. I do know tha I will finallyhave a chane to hangout with my West Coast friens and BMW riders as I will be at the Long Beach IMS show Dec. 10th through 13th.! I cant wait!

My affiliation with Main Line BMW has ended and I cannot thank them enough for their support and loyalty as it was mutual. I hope to be able to still send them customers and have the ability to help them with their #'s across the board. What hasbeen achieved through Main Line BMW would be hard to duplicate elsewhere. Now I am on a mission to help all dealers and give even more credibility to BWM motorcycles in the performance market.

Congrats is on order to the new owners of BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas, they are in a "hot" spot and I wish the best in 2007! Of course San Jose BMW is right on par with their reputation of winning and to be able to share that with them is a whole nother level of success!
Morton's BMW in Va. and I will be together at their open house in Feb. and to share inthe fun and success is one of my very very valued and loyal sponsors, Vanson Leathers (vansonleather.com). Im really looking forward to that event!

Ok, here we go, need to train a little today and spend sometime with my new puppy!

N8!

2006-10-30T08:58:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. This blog has been very neglected by me and I apreciate the emails. I have hinted before about me trying to understand a blog's significance. I mean I really dig it because no matter what part of the country or world, I can keep in touch. There is also a part of the blogging that demands tact. I know of a few that are in Iraq and reporting THE story and not stories that are agenda oriented is real. There are times when i want to explain why I am not punctual, but regardless, the time is being well spent to bring all of you more performance on and off the rtack for next season!

To say I love what I am doing is an understatement. I now know what it is like now to be acknowledged for a natural ability. Also having the chance to share this fun career with others and seeing their reactions and excitement is the really true sense of me doing this. There are many people that can say "I could make much more doing other jobs..." but the fact of the matter is we are passionate and our cups are full doing what we do! Another really cool aspect of this amazing season BMW motorcycles and I had, is being able to meet and ride in front of other BMW motorcycle owners not just on the east coast.
When disaster struck on the last lap of the Natl. Thunderbike race in Heartland Park Raceway Topeka, KS, there were many BMW motorcycle owners there to help without ZERO agenda. These Kansas and Missouri BMW riders took the time to come support our effort and help prove BMW motorcycles have the credibility to be preformance bikes. Not only did they watch the races, but offered a place to stay and meet their families. afterwards.

Sometimes there is just so much going on personally and business wise that I dont make the time to be on here as much as I should. One thing is for sure though, I have a place to come to and keep in touch with those that beleive in my future and BMW motorcycles.

This week coming up is going to have some serious decisions to face. NO dont worry, the oportunity given by another motorcycle manufacturer will never take me away from these great BMW motorcycles and the even greater BMW motorcycle riding community!

It looks good I will be at the east coast IMS shows. Tell your local riding group and friends so we can all start the 2007 season aas strong as the Championship winning 2006 season!

N8!

2006-10-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

Here we are. Im going to type what at times I feel are excuses for not being punctual here. On the other hand my typing is not stellar, but then again I could work on that too!
So, after leaving Munich I started to feel and hear the pressure that was being heard through the grapevine. Few questioned my abilities at the "national" level and wondered if I really had the skills necessary to complete an endeavor that would not have been possible without my efforts over the past 2 seasons. Without the feedback from our amazing BMW riders community on what they have experienced also, there would not have been a history making weekend as we just completed! Thank you BMW riders!

Once my trip started from Devon, Pa. where Main Line BMW motorcycles is located , the 6 hour drive to pick up the one of the best crew members any team could ever ask for, which San Jose BMW was soon to find out, Todd "The Peanut Farmer' Cutchins would hopefully break the silence. The silent trip down to the bottom of Va. did wear on me a bit, replaying what has been tossed around in other peoples minds. Well I realized finally that what we have accomplished this season and last was not a dream and it really happened. We ran up front and we did it on a BMW motorcycle. This was a stage to perform on and thats what my team and I did. From the open practice this past Thursday to the races on Sunday. There were no more questions. Everything was answered. The bike ran flawless due to BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta's top techs and the lap times never leveled off. Even after our historic win in MotoST Sun Trust "8 Hours of Daytona" Saturday night under the lights teamed with legendary San Jose BMW , I felt that was not enough. I was content enough for each days performance, but there was always a new day. A major help daily was another great bmw rider I had the honor to meet, a gentleman by the name of Will from Ca. . He was a another inspiration on top of many at each race weekend my team receives!

It was an absolute honor to have been teamed with Stephane Mertens (3 time World Endurance Champion) and Brian Parriot this past weekend.

Capping off a season with a consecutive #1 plate for the 2006 CCS Mid Atlantic and Southeast Championship, including 9 regional class championships, and 4 National class Championships. Then a win through perfect execution from the riders and pit crew of the MotoST Sun Trust 8 Hours of Daytona, what more credibility is needed?

Nothing would make me happier than to see everyone at IMS shows and other events in 2007!

Thank you Main Line BMW, BWM NA/AG, Suomy helmets, Vanson Leathers, House Industries, BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta's technical support, Sidi boots, Spidi Gloves, Spectro Oils, Remus Exhaust, and all the loyal BMW motorcycle owners around country for another mulitple Championship winning season!

N8! Kern

2006-10-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

(yawn) still not adjusted to the time change all the way, lol. Currently sitting in a coffee shop in the city of Munich and of all names of this place, "San Fransisco Coffee House".... Amazing, over the past few years i have been outside of the US I get the occasional person that wants to tell me what they think of the US and Bush, lol, and most of the time its not positive comments. BUT they still want to name their businesses after US names?!?!?! I find it funny, but I do not buy into wasting oxygen on an issue I cannot change alone. SO, I can say that I love this place. Munich is a great city and the pride and atmosphere is great. There were many firsts one being my first time wearing "lederhosen" to Oktoberfest (spelling?)! I could not stop laughing!!! i was actually in this ol' skool leather Bavarian drinking giddyup outfit and I dont even drink! Going to what I had asked my colleague over here "so Andy, is this just a get togetehr of some of your work friends... you know, maybe 100 people or so?!" Listen, Im smarter than I look, but when he said "No, TENSOUSAND people!" I was like "whaaaa?!"
As ususal Andy never let me down, there are literally like 8 to 10 thousand people in this city square area choosoing their "Bier Garten" (beer garden) and having the time of their lives dancing on benches and lughing and singin... To good of a time! Ok I had a one or two beers and they are no joke over here!

Besides trying to stay up on a mt. bike riding and attempting to stay away from the amazing food that tends to pack on the lbs., there is a really care free atmosphere. rained each day off and on and a bit chilly, but its a good cold. While out today I saw driving around the new almost finshed BMW X5. Awesome. As for my time here I am actually taking a nice debrief from the two wheel world, but its tough when your getting buzzed in traffic by the new BMW F800 parallel twin motorcycle and all the bikes here. I will say that the F800 in the flesh is great move for our market and BMW is on the right track. The bike just has really neat appeal for all levels of riding and demographics. In its urban jungle here the bike just fits. On the highway, it fits, not as I had pictured it. The styling... you will see eventually!

I know soon that I need to get back into the mode that has afforded me this time off and thats running up front on a motorcycle no one in our market or any market as a matter of fact would imagine winning, at any level. Daytona again will be another great run for all of us and from there I would really llike to share the bikes abilities with more of you during the off season.

I still pinch myself as other racers and spectators ask why sometimes, because I know now it is a gift and not right. Everything in my life was coincedence until I BELEIVED. Once you beleive nothing is coincedence.

See you all soon at Daytona and congrats to Brian Parriot and San Jose BMW with a solid performance at Infineon!

N8!

2006-09-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

Super long week it seemed like, lol. Especially when your a bit sore and stiff! Still cranking away on the mt.bike and setting sights on the Race of Champions at Daytona Intl Speedway. What we (all of us BMW riders) have fought for all season is the chance to grid up (by points) at the ROC. Each season all the regions top ten riders around the country are gridded by points from their respective regions for the start. Winning the the championship in your respective region of the coountry helps with this process of gridding, but winning at the ROC gives you a National Championship in that respective class won that weekend. That is the primary focus for Main Line BMW as we have raced hard all season to get there. Then the prestigous opportunity to race the innaugural Moto-ST 8 Hours of Daytona Oct 21st cannot be overshadowed.

From my first time ever really seeing a BMW motorcycle, yes literally, in 2003 and riding one a few times that year let me know "hey this is cool, where were these bikes this whole time..."
That was when I had first met Brian Parriot and was like WOW, that guy can ride and that BMW (R1100S) gets it done! I learned more than Brian knows sitting back and watching him work during the 2004 BMW Motorrad Boxer Cup series. Not knowing the tracks at all and with Brians 2003 experience in Europe, he was the man to watch. His 2004 season was far less supported than 2003 and his challenges of staying in the game were aparent, basically he succeeded and made it through the season and that says alot to me about him off the track, no one knows more what thats like than me. My first 3 seasons were that way and I did not know any different. The valuable lessons I learned about racing and life from the 2004 season, which I guess now I can openly talk about now, has afforded me the chance to type this today. Thank you friends and school loans for the priceless expereince!

In a nut shell, after being informed that my Boxer Cup race bike that was already in France from Daytona, could be ridden for the rest of the season at my own expense! Full time student and then this happens, lol. Hey, I would not be where I am without the help of countless people and GOD, put them in my life for a reason and vice versa. Not just to win, go fast, and keep to myself, but to share this gift and all the excitement it brings to ones life involved. This is a small window and to be able to share it down the road from now with as many people as are involved now, priceless.

So, my boss's (team owner) wedding is tomorrow and then off to Germany to see some cool stuff. Once back its all business. It pretty much stinks that our West coast friends and riders cannot make it nearly as easily as the East coasters, but this 2006 season finale will be ridden by myself and my teammates as if youse were there!

Really honored to be teammates this fall with another amazing racer and mentor, Stephane Mertens. Three time World Endurance Roadracing Champion from Brussels, Belgium.

Oh yeah, GO EBOZ (Eric Bostrom) at Mid Ohio this weekend for the AMA Formula Extreme finale! A win makes him the AMA FX champion!!!!!!

N8!

2006-09-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

If could have posted Friday, all I would have said was "speechless". Cause and effect has taken over Friday. Apologees for being vague, but it is not the time and need to be tactful. I will say I dodged a bullet and GOD kept me safe with an incident that could have been avoided through awareness. 2 weeks ago when I VERY discouraged by the fact that I got in only 3 laps of pratice in WV before I was ordered off the track because of oil filling my belly from an oil filter 2 threads from falling off. Not having that oil filter properly attatched caused a catstrophic failure.

I learned a very hard way just how much damage can be done from loss of oil pressure. i wont drag this out, but put yourself in my helmet. 3rd gear, rev limiter, knee grinding the asphalt and completely flat out as far over as we can go, the motor through the whole connecting rod straight through the top of the motor into the gas tank. It locked up so fast that I was still in a riding position as the bike flipped out from under me at 105 mph, and proceeded to desintegrate as I took the 3rd most violent tumble of my career. It just happened so fast and as i was flipping I could see the amount of smoke coming from the exhaust... I knew tha bike broke bad.

FOUR times this season mechanical faliures and none from the assembly from the factory, all due to improper servicing. When you start running up front and pushing a BMW to its imits every other weekend, it takes a crew that I have acquired just recently to keep Main Line BMW's championship winning racebikes healthy.

SO the drama feels free to continue at this 2006 Championship winning weekend at VIR. I will say I ripped off a lap time in practice this morning that was .2 seconds off of the fastest I have ever gone around this track on a BMW Boxer. Off the launch of the GTLights race my mid pipe came apart and literally my rear end (butt) was being burnt. The mid pipe was shooting raw exhaust through the exhaust heat shield, melted the tail section, and burned the seat to the point it was catching the foam in the seat on fire. My left butt chek was so hot for the whole race, I was hanging off the right side of the bike all the way through 6th gear and down the whole front staraight away to cool it off, lol. Zach, the hands down best mechanic anyone could ask for was so amazing. The amount of carnage this exhaust burned through underneath the seat made me start thinking about pulling off the track during the race. I was having very disturbing quick flashbacks of the 100+ mile per hour get off the day before with no warning. The gauges were going nuts, the rpm tach was bouncing up and down so fast, the yellow trinagle warning, the red warning trinagle, the brake failure light, the fuel warning, speedo... you name it was all going ballistic underneath the windshieled. I shut one eye and pinned it down the straight past the pit in to exit the trck and realized that I just passed up my ne opportunity at that moment for the safe haven of pit ro and seeing what is wrong. No, I have great BMW riders from all ove rthis wekend, I am going to finish and ride on feel of the motor and no RPM tach or gear indicator.

I won 2 races to day and great reat battles in the 600 class and 1000 class that resulted in two 4th place finshishes on our only R1200S now. This is a fast track and the BMW R1200S held its own and only lost ground on the straight aways!

Ok 3 races tomorrow and then we can ALL own a # 1 plate!!!!!!!!! again

Good night!

N8!

2006-09-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

Soon I will be able to get to VIR and ride. As Main Line BMW's R1200S racebikes are being prepped and serviced, I am running laps in my head on how to improve the bikes stability for the high speed switch back (chicane) at Daytona. I think the bike was made to tall at Barber and has it a bit unstable on fast direction changes. VIR will be an important weekend to really listen to what the bike is telling me and make the correct adjustments. GMD Computrack of Atlanta has been an important part of the development process and is logging every adjustement and measurement.

I would have been able to get going earlier, but a major discovery in our final drive has set us back a day. It is well worth the wait! Main Line BMW has had a tremendous season and to miss something as serious as this could have been pretty unhealthy, lol We just received the updates also to the computer which seems to have way better throttle response.

Very anxious to finally wear some boots that dont require more maintenance than bikes! Sidi boots will be my new sponsor and Spidi gloves! Sad to say that I have blown out zippers in every pair of bo0ts I have worn this season from another manufacturer of race boots. We finally woke up when I realized that we should not be saftey wiring and or duct taping boots that are supposedly designed to withstand the torment of roadracing.

Some key ingredients to going fast consistantly and safely:

Vanson Leathers
Suomy Helmets
Remus Exhaust
Sidi boots
Spidi gloves
Pirelli tires (Trackside Racer Supply)
Spectro Oils

The additional track time teampromotion.com sponsors me with is also very imperative. I havenot been able to make it out toas many events while chasing multiple championships, but there is quality track time and people involved with TPM!

Finally I have tried the summer undershirt that BMW Motorrad offers in their aparel catalog. At first I thought from seeing it on display that it would be to loose underneath my leathers and bunch up, it does not. I also did not feel it it would allow me to move around freely in my suit, it does. It is really great to be able to finally stay cooler vs. wearing the typical under armour shirt that really does not allow the perferations in my Vanson suit to keep me cool.

There is some work to do this weekend and it is not all fun and games, lol There may be another great season for our riding community coming to a close, but progress and bettering our last race weekend does not stop!

Will be back tomorrow gang!

N8!

2006-09-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

Cant sleep due to falling asleep earlier. Waiting for the AM to get the racebikes on the lift at BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta. While here in GA. I went and at esome Italian food and it just does not have that Philly flavor, lol. I will say though the South has some great BBQ and outside of Barber Motorsports Complex where I had an awesome outing with BMW riders, tehre is a motorcycle resort I have heard of for a bit, but finally made it. 29 Dreams motorcycle resort has the best ribs I have had in a long long time! It is the most motorcycle friendly place with all sorts of different bikes, groups, people, and the atmosphere is just relaxing and inviting. From old BMW's to new Harley' to BSA's... it's all there and it is a really clean place i recommend for anyone traveling in the area!

The BMW Motorcycle Club of Alabama is a great group! The racing aspect isa fun one and it brings out alot of riders, but to be able to relax and hangout in the evenings as an MOA member and just another BMW rider is cool. Cannot wait to ride Barber again!

VIR will play a big role in wrapping up the 2006 CCS Overall Championship in 2 regions. Once the weekend is over officialy just know that the # 1 plate is for all BMW motorcycle owner's to share. It would not taste as good or have the same substance if you could not enjoy backing up the off season small talk when someone questions a BMW's capabilities. Everyone's emails are getting me fired up for VIR and I am getting my sights more zeroed on on Daytona, but one weekend at a time!

Hope everyone has a great week and check in soon as we will be heading into the final weekend of the regular season!

N8!

2006-09-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

Soggy day here in the Philly area. Not to crazy about the fact that the roof vent door on the race trailer was left open and the wind ripped it off, so now its kinda wet inside the trailer. Once I get down south I hope to have enough time to get a new vent cover on. After my entry here I need to make a to do list for tomorrow as I have found out that there are some parts needed to get ready for the Race of Champions at Daytona. Major thing is 2 R1200RT final drives just to be in the ball park for gearing, they are on back order. We have some time, not much.

Really glad to hear that my buddy Tyler is home now from the hospital and we apreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. He is a trooper! The one day I have coming up to test is at Barber Motorsports Park this Sunday and try and see how some geometry changes height wise will effect clearances. From there its just putting in consistant times and really working on consistancy regardless tire wear. Daytona will be a great time in October and awesome opportunity to race at night. Before then I still need to focus on VIR the following weekend. It is the final round of the CCS Mid Atlantic and Southeast Overall Championship. I love that track!

With as much success as all of us have been able to show this past 2 season's on the BMW motorcycles, I want to share these final to rounds of 2006 with as many as possible to keep the nergy alive over the off season. I plan on making a West coast visit and hopefully the weather is not to bad and it would be great to do some riding with some folks out there and get in some seat time at the tracks out there too!

Enough rambling, now that I have re read it, lol just a bit tired.

- N8!

2006-09-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

Another day coming to a close and without anything eventful. I will say that Im not happy to hear my buddy Tyler had to go back in for surgery to fix the rod that placed in his back to help with conditions due to Cerebral Palsy. He is tough and at times I question if I am nearly as tough as him? That kid has gone through a bit and let's us know where we stand...
This past race weekend was alot of fun and showed the rest of the competition that it is not just my abilties that put our new BMW R1200S out front with little development time on it, but the support of the BMW riding community that allows you to reach a bit deeper and actually focus better. It is gratifying to hear more and more voices from the crowd acknowledging that BMW is onto something in the motorcycle performnace world and not to be overlooked or misjudged, lol.
A funny story I was reminded of Sunday that happened last season at Summit Point Raceway was one of the most oblivious things I have done in my career that looked pre meditated, but far from it... I wear tear off's on my race helmet that allow me to pull a thin film of clear plastic off of my visor when it gets full of bugs at 100 plus mph. Well on the warm up lap I got splattered pretty good and rolling into my grid position on the front straight, I was undecided if it was enough that I couldnt see clearly and tear it off or keep it just in case. Well the 3 board was up and the rest of the field was filing into their spots on the grid and I guess I lost track of time, but I decided to go ahead and rip it off and for some odd reason I felt bad throwing it down on the straight?! Well Nate you j.a. that is the better than a turn where someone could fall because of it. So I decided to shake it violently in my right hand to the guy gridded next to me to throw it in the grass next to him. He already had his bike in gear and half heartedly looked at me like "What?" I just kept shaking it at him. He reached over and grabbed it in a confused way and I yelled "throw it in the grass!" I took a quick glance and saw that the one board was just turning sideways to start the race and I quick pulled in the clutch and gave it some gas in time to launch it at the shake of the flag while this poor guy is sitting there with his arm out holding my tear off tab still... man I felt bad.

Im looking forward to working with Zach again from BMW Atlanta and getting Main Line's new R1200S prepped thoroughly for the last two rounds of the season!

Til next time, ride smart gang!

N8!

2006-09-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! Amazing support from BMWBMW.org and even online through emails from those on the left coast! I had exta energy seeing all of these BMW riders along turn 8 and it showed. It was alot of fun running the 600 and 1000 classes and showing the bike true potential. Winning the 3 races was fun, but not nearly as much as seeing the faces of litre bike (GSXR/R1/CBR1000...) riders on the cool down lap. I cant bleive I had a career first of jumping the start. That has never happened and I guess thats how bad I wanted it, i couldnt wait lol. I knew there was a stop and go penalty involved where I needed to enter pit lane (no speed limit :)), come to a complete stop (feet down), and then pull back onot the track. I knew it and i went ahrd on the first lap. I screamed down hot pit and went from first back to 14th. With 6 laps to go we ended up finishing 3rd.

From the parade laps at lunch for the BMW riders to the kids faces having fun, we could not ask for a better weekend. Im glad my buddy Tim Dennis is ok, he had a big crash in practice, also my buddy Greg who didnt have to get air lifted thank goodness. GOD has been good to all of us this season and we have so much to be thankful for. Im just beside myself right now. I dont want this dream to end!

VIR is coming up (9/23-24) and it is the final round of the CCS MA/SE Regional Pro Chamiponship. This is where I plan on wrapping up our # 1 plate for a consecutive season. It is for EVERY BMW rider to wear. The single digit saves a lot of weight having less vinyl, lol!
The evening of the 23rd maybe we can all head to Aunt Millie's just outsdie the track. Greatest little pizza place in a Civil War era little town/building.

Thank you again BMWBMW.org for your choice of this race weekend to have your annual picnic and a huge thank you to Erick Schnorbusch a fellow racer who has been taking time out of his own race weekends to help make sure my wheels are on right, justto go out and beat his Milles (Aprilia's)!

N8!

2006-09-09T17:44:00.000-07:00

Fun day today. I entered the 600 class (Middleweight Grand Prix), which was one of the first races of the day and I wanted to see right away about our gearing during race pace. Practice was tough to get a clean lap. The final drive out of the R1200S GS was just right for this track. The stock R1200S final drive last time here was just in between gears to many times each lap.

The 600 class always brings out the best and worst in people. The best is when it makes beleivers of the BMW motorcycle and the worst when 600 riders happen to finsh behind the BMW and all of sudden Im cheating or now Im the bad guy... its a shame. I finshed 5th on the 600 class and it was alot of fun each lap. The GTLights 30 min. race, we won by a bit.

It was great to see Main Line BMW customers at the track and run up front. Tomorrow is a rather big day and the oportunity to also give BMW motorcycle owners a peice of the pie.

I hope to also solve a potential problem. I think we may have bad fuel, hopefully its just that. The bike was sputtering a bit towards the end of the race today and I think it is just when I hit heavy lap traffic that the rpm's were a bit lower than they usually are and that put me in a flat spot in the rev range due to not having any mapping yet.

ok gang, be good and see youse tomorrow!

N8!

2006-09-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

West Virgina... uh yeah, well not exactly Jersey... lol I cant even begin to tell you the day I had. I get to the track early to get in some seat time and loosen up. 3 total laps inot the day the session ends (got out there late, by myself all day). Besides the track looking and feeling like I am racing in Baghdad (day before the cIA was doing its anti terrorism driving course on the track). Mud everywhere dried up, on the line, in the apexes... Regardless there was an announcement made over the loudspeaker about oil on the track. i didnt think much of it cause the last peoepl to touch my bike was BMW Atlanta, so I thought. Back at the shop I do remember asking for at least an oil change on the "A" bike... As it turns out it was my bike that was leaving oil, again... Oil filter loose and my right boot covered in oil glistening in the sun due to the right valve cover gasket not on properly.

After those 3 laps I just loaded the bike up and took it to get repaired. I got back to the track and set out to set up my pit area. Thanks to a great friend, Erick Schnorbusch, that is at pretty much every weekend I am, unloading the trailer and awning was not to bad. Until i split my finger nail getting it caught in the lever for the generator, trying to get it out, unbearable pain for a bit, lol Then foot slipping off stock rubber foot peg that was wet trying to show another raceer who was asking questions about body position on the bike, which I slammed my shin into the cylinder head and the tri prong oil fill cap put a whole down to the bone, crazy amounts of blood. Ok well, either way, I didnt eat all day except for waht i had for breakfast and that has alot to do with the loopy brainfarts I was having and banging myself up. Had a good dinner and tomorrow is a new day and I will get back to racing and not piddling!

Special thanks to Erick, mark, and Wayne for helping unload the trailer!

N8!

2006-09-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday and I will be leaving for the 2nd to last round of the CCS Mid Atlantic regional Pro series. I look forward to this weekend due to the fact that BMWBMW.org has made this weekend their annual picnic at the race track Sunday the 10th. With many BMw riders there, it will be even more gratifying to stay up front.

I spent the other evening at the shooting range and finally brought back that focus I feel I have been missing with all the un needed drama this season has brought me off the track in regards to my team. Since Barber ASRA weekend, I have found that my results that weekend were the same as other weekends, running up front, but my "cup" was full! I felt complete having a team around me and a mechanic that shares the exact same agenda, winning!

From Mandy at the BMW MOA and Ray Zimmerman of the MOA to the MOA members, to all the BMW riders, we have amomentum I knew would be here through all of your support. After this weekend is the final round of the CCS Mid Atlantic/Southeast 2006 Regional Pro series. Nothing feels better than to give our community another # 1 plate consecutively. Also an oportunity i know BMW riders have mentioned to prove during the off season to all the nay sayers they have run into, not a one season wonder! lol

From here there Daytona ROC (Race Of Champions) This is where the countries top 10 regional racers come together for National championship honors. To be # 1 in the country in that class. Last ROC I finshed runner up in 3 national classes... not this year.

There is also an extra twist to the season at this final race weekend. The details are not finalized, but I am beyond proud to to be associated with this endeavor...

Im looking forward to seing those who can make it and riding hard for those who could not make this weekend!

N8! Kern

2006-08-31T06:08:00.000-07:00

Pretty grey here on the out skirts of Philly. I have come down with a bit of a cold and need to kick it before next week. I am hoping and praying for no rain for our race at Summit Point next weekend. That track is affectoinatly known as "Slippery Point". No throttle or brakes and you still end up tipped over there. So thats what I have been thinking about and trying to finish this season off strong.
Rather sad I cannot make the next ASRA Thunderbike National in Illinois. I have no mechanical support and I cannot drive out there 16 hours, unload the trailer, practice, qualify, and race on my own. I have tried it before and have won, but theres only so many times you can go there.

With as much drama as one season could hold for a competitor, I still find myself fortunate. Frotunate because I am a racing a BMW. A BMW mottorycle with a community/family that is eager to help and ride great distances to share in this small window in our lives. Without all of you I would not have even half the success I have had on our BMW motorcycles.

If you dont mind me saying, for those who know me better, you know exactly where I am coming from. Some people ask "how do you d0 that on that big ol'..." Ability has bit of bearing on how I can ride sucha long wheelbase machine, but the rest is having the oportunity to feel like I am sharing this with family. I never had anyone to share my abilities with growing up. Any sport I played I excelled at, but still no one came to watch. I quit alot, even at all my coaches attempts to get me to stay. Most of the time I just went through the hardships of making the team just to hangout with friends, then quit once the season started. NOW, nothing makes me happier than doing the best I can for a riding community that has shown me more support than I have ever had. There is a really cool feeling of knowing that getting around the track quicker to show whomever it is on pit wall that "hey, Im still in that position or further" is motivating. I never knew that this machine could change my life off the track as well...

N8!

2006-08-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

Finally home, driving home in puring rain, after 5 races today, for 4 hours... lol Whew!
This weekend was a learning curve, first thing I learned is I made the bike to tall for this track with the setup in it from Barber. The swithcbacks and changing direction so rapidly with such a high center of gravity made the bike tank slap a bit and I was eating rear tires like fuel. So a bit of rear shock/geometry issues. Either way, this little rinky dink track at I think 1.5 miles with 12 turns as I recall, is suietd for go karts and Motards. 6 races total, 5 wins and a second. The next thing I learned is to not over do it on Ibuprofen, Aleve, and Creatine gel (to early) to combat a slipped disc. It was rather painful for a bit, but as they say down south "we got er' dun!"

The second came with just running it in to hot into turn 3. The R1200S is just as forgiving as the R1100S. Even with your knee on the ground you can have the front brake on and tuck the front more controlable than any other bike I have ridden. The cylinder head saved me 3 times this weekend. running it in deep on the brakes, losing the front enough to bounce the head off the ground and upright me to keep going. We did put it on the pole for Unlimited GP qualifying, a litre bike class, on a half wet half dry track. The R1200S was great and allowed me to get my feet back in the wet.

This weekend was bare bones and fun. No tech, but my friends and BMW riding community are getting me through this season! (just remember to pump the brakes back up... LOL)

Drew, your the man!

N8!

2006-08-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

Sure enough, Shennandoah Circuit is here. Main Line BMW and i are looking forward to anotehr great weekend. This weekend i am going to concentrate on bike set up and body position more so than I usually do. To ride the Boxer fast you have to have a comprehension of centers of gravity. Bod position is key as you need the necessary feedback to feel what the front end is doing through the Tele-lever.

I am ready and I am going to the front!

I look forward to seeing all that can make it and sharing with those of you supportes online!

N8!

2006-08-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

Another Wed. before a race weekend and just trying to put tohether many "to do" lists. One list is making sure everything is in the trailer since I have been flying solo here and there, another "to do" is actually doing on the track, lol. This track coming up (Shennadoah) I know I have complained about in the past, but it is a gerat training track. the amount of turns that you have to connect the dots is amazing. I would expect the 600's to get er' done way better due to wheelbase, but... :) The new R1200S is really a blessing from BMW. The bike has alot more development to go, but the best time of my weekend at Barber ASRA (1'34.9) would have put us off the last row in the AMA FX race there.

I have been trying to find a bit more to do then worry and wonder about things on and off the track which tend to take a tenth of a second or two away here and there. There are 4 rounds left in the CCS series, we have been running well despite drama and mechanicals, lol My true focus is development and gettin the ride heights/ geometry right. From there I am really counting on San Jose BMW's Chris Hodgson to do what he has always done, make a faster R1200S!

It's pretty neat to see the bike run wide here and there and have a bit of trouble in a corner with curbing and cylinder heads, but no matter how much I come back boggled on how to decipher the bike and track, our BMW riding community is always very supportive and positive. Then with no adjustment to the bike, but adjustemnt to my focus and a better positive attitude that rubs off from the BMW riders there and online, geez I just go out and put down a fun/competitive lap time that is better than when no one is there! lol

So this weekend I am going to really ocus on the bike more and reinforce what theFreddie Spencer riding School has engrained in me which has made me even more successful, body position. Body position and centers of gravity are so key to feedback which dictates lap times and staying even safer! :)

Ok well a mt.bike ride then some PS2 should shape up this evening before loading the race trailer all day tomorrow.

Oh yeah, Peter R. your wifes a keeper, shee lets you play PS2 with me when she is like ready to burst anyday and lets you ride all over the place and hangout, LOL We are all looking forward to the arrival this week buddy!

N8!

2006-08-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

I know, I know it's been a week. Thank you to everne for their emails wondering what's up!
I have to say I have been reflecting on just how great it is to be a part of this Conquest in my life. I guess Im getting older, lol. There are windows i truely beleive now in our lives to be a part of something. Whether it's histroy making or not, something productive not just in a business or financial sense, but a personal sense. this is really just a cool feeling to beable to have this BMW motorcycle community involvement outside of racing.

I had a great breakfast with some great riders/people in Frenchtown, NJ yesterday. To be able to just sit around and hangout felt great! We were able to talk about everything under the sun and not have to breach the racing subject to much. i thought that was cool because they are content with my efforts to prove our machines and are also up to speed on whats been happening not just through here.

I want to add a really awesome entry into my long list of neat people I have met. Though this person I have not formally met, but I have received an email in reference to questions I had about the new Moto-ST series. Steve McLaughlin, the R90S BMW pilot that won the 1976 Dayton 200! His emails weer just as though he was siting BS'ing on the front porch, reinforces everything any has said about the guy to me, genuine.

I have to say that that reminds me of when I was in Germany in 2004 for the Boxer Cup race the following weekend at Sachsenring (tough track!) My plans in life were to teach US History. i have always loved how and where we came from in this great country. So while I had o race in multiple countries in the Boxer Cup, I always made a point of seeing something that had to do with our history and theirs, over there. To make a long story short, on a tour of Dachau Concentration Camp outside of Munich, I entered this last rom on the tour. Everyone else there was pretty tired and didnt bother with this room full of patches and insiginias worn during the Second World War. I this room was this older gentleman wearing a Screaming Eagles 101st jacket with his back to me. I dont know why other than my love for oral history, I asked him "if you dont mind me asking, were you here, did you liberate this camp...?" He proceeded to tell me his beginning to the end of his tour. I said 'Man that sounds alot like "Band of Brothers" (the best WWII documentary/series ever). Just then another gentleman came up and said proudly "yes it does because this is Don Malarkey!" NO KIDDING! I just shook a hand that had so much history pass through it. The accurate and epic history that the "Band of Brothers" went through is something we should all see. To be able to meet Mr. Malarkey there in Germany was amazing! An original member of the "Band of Brothers".

Hey that totally beats being blown off by Johnny Bench at 7 years old asking for an autograph, LOL.

Ok, well this weekend coming up is another Shennandoah round of the CCS Mid Atlantic Championship. This track is hands down the most dangerous track in the country, but I would just like to hopefully add a little bit to my points lead to defend our # 1 plate on the BMW. This track is so small and rinky dink that it is great for spectators, you can see 3/4's of each lap, but pretty cruddy for the riders. So come out and hangout, you can do everything and go anywhere but on the track, lol

I would like to thank 1) the BMW motorcycle owners for their unparalleled support 2) Main Line BMW 3) BMW NA/AG 4) Suomy helmets 5) Vanson Leathers 6) Team Pro Motion 7) House Industries 8) Spectro Oils 9) Trackside Racer Supply (Pirelli) 10) BMW of Atlanta and Zach!!!

All are key ingriedients if you wnat to go fast!

N8!

2006-08-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

WOW, I dont know where to start! From reading the beginning of my last post to sitting here now... I will say that the BMW motorcycle owners community never ceases to amaze me!!! From Elsie in D.C. who basically rides her RT hours upon hours away to help take care of logistics in the pit area to Jose who rode up from Miami just to hangout, and everyone else in between, amazing. Well it showed just how much I dig their support.

I entered 13 races to A) redeem BMW's reputation of reliability and B) to prove to myself that the mechanical failures that have happened more than once were the stciking points of why i have crashed. 13 races which included National Thunderbike. 7 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds (National Thunderbike podium), a 4th , an 8th (destroyed rear tire), and there is one more missing. I have to look?! Sorry. My highlight was the Unlimited Superbike race. I wish I was that fresh for the National Thunderbike race, as I was for Unlimited Superbike. We finished 3rd after having to chase down a CBR1000. Then the 4th in Unl. Supersport wasalot of fun. I was getting crushed down the straights, but was able to us the awesome telelever front end to go way deeper on the brakes and carry more cornerspeed, then get on the gas earlier. Pulled to within 3 bike lengths on the final corner, just to get motored to the line by about 20, lol. 4th nevre felt so good! LOL

I will say again that the whole weekend was great due to Main Line BMW's belief, BMW NA's belief in the marketing return, the BMW motorcycle owners community, Zach from Atlanta who is the best technician I have ever had in my career, period, Bobby and BMW Atlanta.

On an even better note, my buddy Tyler who had a pretty in-depth surgery to have a rod placed in in spine to help with his Cerebral Palsy, is finally on his way home from the children's hospital. I have been thinking of you buddy, and I know our BMW riding community said prayers for you! I was shocked by how many people actually read this blog, lol. Wish i could have more to say, Im still pinching myself.

N8!

2006-08-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

We're a bit closer to this big weekend ahead of us, and things are not as ready and focused as I would like. The bikes are coming along slower than expected, but I will shrug it off. It's not nearly as bad as it has been in the past. I have a great technician working on the bikes and and an awesome one in Zach coming to the track. Its funny how it strikes me each time that i type here how I have to be reserved and tactful, but a blog seems to have a pretty general consensus about how one should be able to vent and have fun. This season has come close to topping any roller coaster I have ridden in life.

The BMW motorcycle has change my life. On the track I feel is self explanatory. Off the track, the machine has changed the way I look at people, machines, and again just life in general. I mean I have learned the value of not judging a book by it's cover. My typical athletic self growing up always wanting to win and never picking (for lack of better terms) the fat kid for my gym team in school. WELL the FAT KID has prevailed in the R1100S vs. the rest in 2005 and the leaner meaner R1200S has fulfilled it's pre-conceived notion I have always had. Through the K1200R I have found a better way to challenge my knowledge of chassis and riding. Again, the BMW motorcycles have shown me the value of not judging anything by it's "valve" cover.

We know how busy this weekend is going to be and I look forward to a team working as a team with a strong passion to be up front and letting the competition know our agenda.

A very positive note is how I have been contacted by more than one Buell racer interested in learnign about the R1200S in the new Moto-ST series and asking me which dealres nationally would like to be involved for their market area. Gratifying.

Ok off to play PS2 MotoGP 4. Go ahead and laugh, but it is an awesome way to stimulate the rapid problem solving/decision making process that racers resolve each lap on the track. Its wub, twu wub! ;)

Nate