AMA Superbike Races Barber Motorsports Park 4/20-4/22

[LoDownSinner]

See some of the best riders in the world at one of the prettiest tracks in the world.

Who's going?

Who's camping?

[JohnBryer]

I wish! I'll be there the following weekend riding Saturday & Sunday with NESBA.

[kf4cln]

Ill be there Sat-Sun
Sat will be workin as a Paddock Marshall and Sun running the radios, oh boy cant wait !
I wonder is they will let me ride my recumbent on the fan laps :lol2:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/kf4cln/Bike%20pix/bananabob.jpg

[LoDownSinner]

What are the duties of a Paddock Marshall, and what can they let BBOers get away with? :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[kf4cln]

What are the duties of a Paddock Marshall, and what can they let BBOers get away with? :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

From what I read, the paddock marshall is more like a people watcher, as to say.
They make sure folks dont get in the way of racers and teams while they go about their duties.
Im thinking that all the racers love BBOs and are more then willing to give test rides on their bikes, surely I cant be wrong, can I ?:lol2:

[kf4cln]

Hey LDS , who are some of the famous names I should look for at the races ?

[LoDownSinner]

Anybody in leathers!

Anyone that races at that level is among the best riders in the world.

Let's see...
Miguel DuHamel, Jale Zemke, Matt Mladin, Ben Spies. anyone with the last name Hayden, Michael Jordan, Josh Hayes, Aaron Yates, Jamie Hacking, Josh Herrin, Larry Pegram, John.Haner, Jason DisSalvo, Ben Attard, Matt Lynn (I race against his dad), they're all great!

The guys back in the last row of the paddock usually appreciate a helping hand.

[Java]

I'll be there. We're getting all our "base camp" stuff out of mothballs this weekend.:woot:

[kf4cln]

Ill be uh slumming it at the Marriot , thanks Visa Marriot rewards points !

[LoDownSinner]

I'll be there. We're getting all our "base camp" stuff out of mothballs this weekend.:woot:
Is Jeff coming this year?

Are you guys heading down on Friday?

[Karl_L]

I'm in and I'm interested in camping, I think I can get Friday off. When is everyone getting there?

And is anyone doing either of the fan rides?

[LoDownSinner]

Thirty bucks for one lap at walking speed? If I'm not going fast enough to get air cutting the curb on the Coaster, I'm not interested. No thanks!

We're more than likely heading down Friday morning or Thursday evening. If we head down Thursday, we'll stay in a hotel that night.

Not sure if we're riding or trailering. If we trailer, we can take multiple EZ-Ups, possibly a generator (anyone want to bring a small TV? I can bring DVDs and XBox MotoGP...), all kinds of cool stuff. If we trailer, between what Java brings and what we can haul, we can setup a pretty decent BBOBOO (BBO Base Of Operations).

[mechdziner714]

Alright this starting to sound real interesting. Whats the deal on tickets its GA right. Is there a chance of selling out. Camping permits? Can you have a campfire, if so Ive got Wood.

[Karl_L]

My boss is on vacation that week and he put me in charge so I think my first executive decision will be to take Friday off. I went ahead and got my weekend pass and camping pass along with a paddock pass.

[Catt42]

Its AL, straight south on I-65 and hang a left @ Birmingham.

http://barbermotorsports.com/events/hondasuperbike/event-ama-general.php

[LoDownSinner]

Alright this starting to sound real interesting. Whats the deal on tickets its GA right. Is there a chance of selling out. Camping permits? Can you have a campfire, if so Ive got Wood.
Camping permits are like 50 bucks this year for the weekend.

Cycle Gear and Bloodworth's have weekend tickets for 50 bucks. They're $55 on line, and more at the gate.

Paddock passes are 10 or 15. Tip: If you get a paddock pass, you can use the showers any time, not just during the early morning or late evening hours.

It's just east of Birmingham on I-20.

I'm not sure on the fires.

The wood sounds like a personal problem.

I also recommend some time in the museum. It's absolutely unbelievable. It also affords the only decent view of the Coaster and the 'museum turn' (the site of Catt's asphalt surfing adventure).

[LoDownSinner]

Anyone interested in a ride out to 29 Dreams for dinner one evening? It's an awesome road, and they sponsor a buddy of mine that races WERA.

[Karl_L]

Anyone interested in a ride out to 29 Dreams for dinner one evening? It's an awesome road, and they sponsor a buddy of mine that races WERA.

Sounds good to me!

BTW, what is 29 Dreams and what road?

[mechdziner714]

Looks like fires are allowed just not directly on the ground, in a grill is OK.

[LoDownSinner]

29 Dreams Motorcycle Resort | 53707 State Highway 25 South | Vandiver, Alabama 35176 | (205) 672-0309 | (Fax) 672-8628 (http://www.29dreams.com/)

[Stymyx]

Is Jeff coming this year?

Are you guys heading down on Friday?
Abso-damn-lutely I'll be there! SOMEONE has to bring you your breakfast beer, man! :twisted:

I've got Friday thru Sunday off, and I'm pretty sure Java does too, so we're planning to head out Friday morning. I'm hoping to get out there before lunchtime (if I have anything to say about it!) Hopefully we can get all our camping spaces together and have a big ol' block party!

[LoDownSinner]

MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Breakfast beer!!!

[mechdziner714]

Beer, its not just for breakfast anymore.:twisted:

[Stymyx]

Not sure if we're riding or trailering. If we trailer, we can take multiple EZ-Ups, possibly a generator (anyone want to bring a small TV? I can bring DVDs and XBox MotoGP...), all kinds of cool stuff. If we trailer, between what Java brings and what we can haul, we can setup a pretty decent BBOBOO (BBO Base Of Operations).
That's ironic. I JUST bought an Xbox 360 a month ago, and one of the first games I bought was MotoGP '06. I STILL can't keep a bike on the track on that thing!

I've got a 19" TV I could bring. Would that be too much for your generator?

[LoDownSinner]

I haven't bought one yet. Does it pull more wattage than a set of tire warmers?

I don't have the 360, but hear MotoGP '06 is pretty awesome!

[Stymyx]

I’m not a big gamer and I really bought the Xbox 360 more for using as a Windows Media Center Extender (I won’t bore you with the details), but I figured I had to have at least a couple of games, so I got MotoGP ’06 and NHL ’07. MotoGP ’06 is awesome. It’s really hard to play, even at the Rookie level, where you only have to worry about throttle, brakes and leaning (no shifting). I let Java try it and he got all the way around one lap at Laguna Seca without crashing once, and he had NEVER played it before! Me, it took about 5 laps before I completed one lap without crashing!

I’m not sure how much wattage this TV pulls, and unfortunately I don’t have any wattage meters to use to find out what it draws. I hear those generators can power full-sized refrigerators, so I don’t think a TV would be a problem. Anybody out here have any thoughts? And LDS, do you know what your generator is rated for, power-wise?

I guess I’m digressing from the subject of this thread, but the idea of a bunch of drunken reprobates (myself included, of course) huddled around a TV at night playing a motorcycle simulator outdoors in the middle of a campground sorta intrigues me!

[LoDownSinner]

I haven't bought the generator yet, but I'm probably getting a 2000 watt.

Can you play head to head on the version of MotoGP you have?

[Java]

Geez, we're talking generators, now. Too bad Barber has a noise curfew in the campground.
(How many amps does a Marshall stack draw, anyway?):rockon:

[Stymyx]

I haven't bought the generator yet, but I'm probably getting a 2000 watt.

Can you play head to head on the version of MotoGP you have?
You CAN play head-head on a horizontal split-screen and you can choose to play as any of the riders from the 2006 season. You can also do individual time trials and there's some skills competition options as well. I have two controllers so we could actually do some head-to-head racing. The only problem is that you can't have just two bikes on the track. You're still on the track with 17 (I think) other bikes at the same time. I'm still learning the whole thing so I'll have to check to make sure.

2000 watts ought to be plenty for the TV AND the Xbox. We'd probably even have power to spare for a blender AND an amp or two! :mrgreen:

[Java]

We do need to warn people about the "House Rules". Should you choose to play as Pedrosa, whenever my wife or one of my children walk by while you're playing, they will feel free to slap you upside the head........

[LoDownSinner]

Geez, we're talking generators, now. Too bad Barber has a noise curfew in the campground.
(How many amps does a Marshall stack draw, anyway?):rockon:
Is that why the people behind us had the generator with straight exhaust pointing at us running all night?

A 100 watt head will draw about 400 watts running wide open.

Hmmmm... Guitars, eh? I dunno about leaving them in a car all day, though.

[Java]

Oh I remember the generators on the "other side" of the fence, all right. I just meant we couldn't play very late anyway. And yeah, even keeping them in the car, we've had some pretty huge temp swings there in the past. Nothing I'd want to put any of my babies through.

[Stymyx]

Perhaps it would be wise to scope out our camping spot on the OTHER side of the campground this year, away from those damned RVs.

As a very wise man once observed about RVs:

"Yeah, they're ugly and square, they don't belong here
They looked a lot better as beer cans"

[LoDownSinner]

Or take a parabola with which to reflect the sound of the generator directly back at them...

[guitardad]

Looks like a great weekend - pics, OK? I'm gonna be in Wilmington (http://www.capefear1000.com/) that weekend.

[Catt42]

That looks like lots of fun Chaz. We expect a full report on all the cool roads you ride....

[Stymyx]

Looks like a great weekend - pics, OK? I'm gonna be in Wilmington (http://www.capefear1000.com/) that weekend.
Oh, I think between LDS and myself*, we'll have the pictures covered! When I was out there in '05, I took over 2,000 pictures. Of course, only about 175 of those were actually salvageable in Photoshop!

*EDIT: Oh, and Karl_L takes a mean picture too!

[LoDownSinner]

Barber is great for pictures. I only wish we could go up on top of the tower at the AMAs...

[LoDownSinner]

OK, me and Catt and Stephen are heading down Thursday.

No generator, though...

[kf4cln]

Great ! now I cant bring the marshall stack. I dont know how many people attend the event, but swing by the paddock Sun and say hello, I am a marshall. I know I dont ride , but I read the post everyday.and enjoy the post.


Find me!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/kf4cln/Washington%20Square/robert.jpg

[Stymyx]

OK, me and Catt and Stephen are heading down Thursday.

No generator, though...
We have a tentative schedule now. Me, Java & crew won't actually be heading out until about 2:00PM or so on Friday. That means we'll be out there by about 5:00PM. Dewayne, I'll sent you a PM to confirm I've got your cellphone number, so we can call you when we're in the neighborhood.

My next mission before the trip: Looking into renting a generator. :twisted:

[Karl_L]

*EDIT: Oh, and Karl_L takes a mean picture too!

Thanks! But I really need to get my Minolta cleaned & checked, it's not taking the best pictures lately. Maybe that's because I hadn't touched it for 10 years?

I am really looking forward to this weekend. My tickets have arrived and I'm already getting my gear ready to go.

http://karl-l.smugmug.com/photos/93747205-M.jpg

[Stymyx]

Rats! I just found out that the Cycle Gear in Lawrenceville, GA (the location closest to me) is NOT selling tickets. Guess I gotta get 'em on line and pay the extra junk fees.

[LoDownSinner]

You should haave said someth yesterday. I didn't order our camping passes until last night.

Hmmmm... I could pick yours up here, if you want me to. But not the paddock or camping passes.

[Stymyx]

Nah, that's cool, Dewayne. I just now bought all the tickets on the Barber web site. I didn't know they offered Will-Call pickup and I was afraid we'd end up having to buy them when we got there (and pay the much higher prices!). I was also afraid by ordering on-line they'd tack on $20+ in junk fees. Turns out they only tacked on an $8.00 handling charge, which isn't too bad.

So Dewayne, Karl, Steve, what kind of beer do you prefer? I'm buyin' & bringin'! :woot:

[LoDownSinner]

Yuengling is the official breakfast beer of Barber!

[Stymyx]

Yuengling is the official breakfast beer of Barber!
Ahh yes, of course. How quickly I forget. You introduced me to Yuengling on the Barber trip in '05. I'll have to get the Yuengling out there, since it's not sold in Georgia.

[mechdziner714]

I got the tent set up in the yard airing out and most of the other gear laid out. Got my tix @ psychl gear yesterday, had to get out and ride somewhere. Does anyone know if there are trees in the camping area, if so I'm bringing a hammock.


Just about any beer not made by the big 3 is what I prefer, but its all good.

[Catt42]

Stephen, yes there are trees, if we get on that side of the camp ground. Since we are planning on getting there Thursday night, we will probably have our pick of places to camp. I am looking at near the woods, but not to far from the "facilities", for those late night hikes.....

[Stymyx]

If I recall, that's the RIGHT side of the camp (as you enter from the street), away from the RVs.

By the way Stephen, just to set your expectation: The campground is literally just a wide open field. No buildings, sheds, fire rings, hookups or anything. They DO, however, have about a dozen very well-maintained outhouses. The trees border one side of the field and the RV section borders the other.

[Catt42]

Yeah, Jeff to the Right of the entrance. Is that cool with you guys? or are you bringing a generator to add to the noise?

[Stymyx]

I know Ruthe is concerned about the wind, so I don't really know if one side or the other is better "wind-wise". As for the generator, I'm still looking into possibly renting one for the trip.

[LoDownSinner]

Closer to the trees would be less wind.

If you rent the generator, I'll chip in.

[Stymyx]

Closer to the trees would be less wind.

If you rent the generator, I'll chip in.
You know, I realized how stupid what I said above sounded AFTER I posted (I should have edited it). Yes, I agree, closer to the trees would indeed be less windy. I just spoke with Tom & Ruthe and they said the "tree" side would be OK, but they also suggested not being too close to the outhouses, so we're not constantantly hearing people walking by going to and fro all night. Just a thought.

Someone at work told me late today that Home Depot rents generators, so I'll check them out Tuesday. I appreciate the offer! :thumbsup:

[LoDownSinner]

You know, I realized how stupid what I said above sounded AFTER I posted
Welcome to my world...

[LoDownSinner]

Cyclespace.com and Hooters are celebrating the AMA race at Barber Motorsports Park. Kick off the weekend with your fellow motorcycle friends and racers. Good times and people along with the fabulous Hooters Girls.

Location:
Hooters
5263 Hwy 280 in the Brook Highlands Shopping Center
Birmingham, AL 35242
205-437-1880
(about 15 min. from Barber Motorsports Park)

Time:
6:00 - 10:00 pm

Come out and meet the Hooter's Racing and Cyclespace.com racers.

Dyno runs all night at $25.00 each

Free giveaways for dyno runs and Apparel.

I got these details off of another forum. I like H(.(.)ters!

[Stymyx]

Heheh-heh. You said hooters! :rockon:

[mechdziner714]

You know those owls can be awfully noisy at night.

[LoDownSinner]

If they delivered, would they be called Knockers?

[Missy B]

Ahhh, the mammaries............errr....memories....

http://www.blairlair.net/images/LDS/hooters.JPG

[LoDownSinner]

Thanks for photoshopping to remove all the drool as well as my tongue hanging out. :mrgreen: :thumbsup:

[Stymyx]

...and the view from the girl's perspective...

http://Stymyx.smugmug.com/photos/144569720-L.jpg

Sorry, couldn't resist!

[Catt42]

:crackup: :crackup:
:crackup: :crackup:



Um, I mean :slap: how dare you.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

:wavey:

[LoDownSinner]

OK, the cast and crew so far (chime in if I've overlooked someone):
LDS
Catt
Java
Ruthie
Stymyx
mechdziner
Karl_L
kf4cln

Anyone else?

If anyone shows up at the last minute, look for a blue EZ-Up in the camping area with 714 on it in yellow duct tape.

[Catt42]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c162/catt42/Stuff/Bham4-21-07.jpg

WOOOOOOO!!!! HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Weather looks great. (at this point)
*Crossing fingers n toes and knocking on wood.

[LoDownSinner]

OK, the cast and crew so far (chime in if I've overlooked someone):
LDS
Catt
Java
Ruthie
Stymyx
mechdziner
Karl_L
kf4cln
Lee

Anyone else?

.
OK. I just found out that Lee from the first Deal @ Deal's Gap will be there, I don't know if he's camping, though...

[Stymyx]

Java, Mrs Java, their girls and myself are on-track to head out there Friday afternoon after Elizabeth (Java's daughter) gets out of school. Hopefully we'll be on the road by 12:30PM, but no later than 2:00PM.

Turns out I won't be brining a generator after all. Too expensive to rent ($180!) for the amount of time it would actually get used. I'm all for frivolous spending, but even I have my limits! I'll just have to use some of the money I'm saving for more beer. Damn!

Safe journey, everyone. See 'ya there! :banana: :woohoo3: :rockon: :woot: :woot: :rockon: :woohoo3: :banana:

[Catt42]

Cool
Safe trip to all of you!!! Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

[mechdziner714]

I'll just have to use some of the money I'm saving for more beer. Damn!

Getting Dewayne all liquored up is way more entertaing that TV/Xbox would ever hope to be:mrgreen:

Safe travels all, I hope to be there Friday around noon ish.

[Karl_L]

I expect to get on the road sometime tomorrow morning. I have an inverter I can bring, I think it is 400 watts with 2 power outlets.

[Catt42]

See y'all tomorrow.

[LoDownSinner]

400 Watts won't even power the chargers for your iPod, GPS, laptop, camera, phone, and go-go-gadget ADVRider salute...

[LoDownSinner]

The campsites were almost full already.

We're almost in the same spot as 2 years ago.

Look for the blue EZUp with 714 on it.

[subvetSSN606]

Have a great time... Sorry I can't be there.

Tom

[Steve]

See y'all tomorrow.

I'm not sure I can find the campsite. Why don't you and LDS come over and pick me up at the HRCA tent. :-)

[LoDownSinner]

The palacial BBO Chalet (cleverly disguised as a blue ez-up with the letters BBO on it) has been relocated to the turn fifteen area.

[Steve]

Uh oh, that's pretty close to the Ducati pavilion. Could mean trouble. Just had a lengthy phone conversation with my spoose, who thinks I should go ahead and get another bike to enjoy in the few years I have left...

assuming I survive another day among the Birmingham drivers.

[LDYAPXR]

spoose? Is that a married moose? LOL Have a great time ladies and gents! I have to wait here in NorCal for our races to be rained out yet again at Sears Point in May and then I have the lovely USGP(BABY!) in July!

[subvetSSN606]

The palacial BBO Chalet (cleverly disguised as a blue ez-up with the letters BBO on it) has been relocated to the turn fifteen area.

I hope that was done by you and not by a tornado!

Tom

[LoDownSinner]

Weather was great all weekend.

Well, except for the one brief moment that it rained riders, motorcycles, and motorcycle parts at the beginning of the front straight today...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nhTR6CXJYI

[subvetSSN606]

Yow! Looked like it was a good thing the first down bike was where it was to launch the second bike over the first rider instead of going right into him.

Tom

[Karl_L]

Wow! We could see the entry to that corner from where we were sitting but couldn't see the exit where the crash happened. We did see the big cloud of dust though.

[Stymyx]

Man, that last angle of the accicent in that video was especially gruesome. Amazing that they walked away from it!

Set your TiVos, folks. Here's Speed Channel's schedule for the replays of the races.

4/24/07 12:00 PM AMA Formula Xtreme
4/24/07 1:00 PM AMA Supersport
4/24/07 2:00 PM AMA Superbike Championship - Day 1
4/24/07 3:00 PM AMA Superbike Championship - Day 2

Hopefully I'll have my pictures posted by late tonight. I'll let everyone know when I do.

[kf4cln]

Any one got pictures........stupid non riding member here forgot the camera.
Had a great time anyhow. I knew i was hooked while on the tram and hearing the bikes and almost straining my neck trying to see the track ! Also, I have never seen so many motorcycles and riders in my life. The hotel we stayed at had to half full of riders that had made the trip.

[Steve]

Sunday at Barber (not)

Or

How I Ended Up in Robbinsville, North Carolina




Hi Folks,

Long story but I know you can read faster than I can type. Woke up yesterday at 3:00 a.m. again in the noisy motel, couldn’t get back to sleep so I decided to watch the 250 race from Turkey at 5:00. Of course, the MotoGP live feed which worked fine the two previous mornings for practice and qualifying was SNAFU’d on race day. *&^%$#@!

After repeated attempts to get the video working for the big race, with no luck, it’s 7:00 a.m. and the race will be under way. OK, I’ll just watch the video some other time. Only now I have six hours to kill before the first race at Barber, where I just *know* the track announcer is going to “spoil” the MotoGP race results. Decision time:

1. Face the traffic, dust, hot sun, and try not to listen to any MotoGP spoilers…

2. The open road beckons…

So I packed up, checked out of the motel, and hopped on those Birmingham concrete freeways for one last time. As soon as I cleared the city limits, I jumped over to Rt. 11 to begin the ride north. Within a few minutes, I felt So. Much. Better. Rolling through the countryside and the small towns like Ft. Payne, the “Official Sock Capital of the World” was making up for the lost sleep and frustration. Throw in Rt. 68 from Ducktown to Tellico Plains, add the Cherohala Skyway, and I was one happy, tired old fart when I checked in to the Microtel in Robbinsville 315 (s)miles later.

It was cool for the ride up to Deals Gap this morning, and it looked like all the bikes were still parked at the Resort when I rolled by at about 7:45. Thus my personal record remains intact; no one has ever passed me on the Dragon. :-)

It was great to see all the BBO campers, many for the first time, after running into Catt and LDS at the Honda tent on Friday. The Hooters experience was memorable, even while remaining stone sober for the ride "home".


This morning at the Gap
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/srmccollom/Road%20Trips/Barber%202007/Barbertrip101.jpg

This afternoon on the BRP
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/srmccollom/Road%20Trips/Barber%202007/Barbertrip106.jpg

[Stymyx]

Any one got pictures........stupid non riding member here forgot the camera.
Had a great time anyhow. I knew i was hooked while on the tram and hearing the bikes and almost straining my neck trying to see the track ! Also, I have never seen so many motorcycles and riders in my life. The hotel we stayed at had to half full of riders that had made the trip.
Mine are up on http://stymyx.smugmug.com/gallery/2750405#146377274

LDS has got some up on this thread (http://www.beginnerbikers.org/forum/showthread.php?p=235661#post235661).

[LoDownSinner]

Any one got pictures........stupid non riding member here forgot the camera.
Had a great time anyhow. I knew i was hooked while on the tram and hearing the bikes and almost straining my neck trying to see the track ! Also, I have never seen so many motorcycles and riders in my life. The hotel we stayed at had to half full of riders that had made the trip.
I kept asking around to try and find you, but no luck...

[Cindy]

Yikes! Hair-raising video...