TJ cresting the hill at Turn 4 at Sears Point, May 2001
Racing is what happens when you get two or more people on a racetrack at the same time. It doesn't matter whether they're on lawnmowers or Superbikes, or RollerBlades. It's only impossible to ignore the overwhelming desire to show your opponent that you can stuff it in Turn 2 faster than he or she can. Anyone that's ever been on a racetrack knows what I'm talking about. In my opinion it's one of the greatest things in the world. In amateur racing there is also a comraderie that is unmatched in any other activity I've ever participated in. Where else would you see fellow competitors donating parts or a helping hand to help get a motorcycle on the track in time for a race?
I've been racing my Ducati 916 with the AFM since 1997. There have been a few lean years where I didn't make all the races but each year I've managed to have fun, lower my lap times, and keep my body in good health. Of course things are a lot less hectic in the middle of the pack than they are when you're dicing for the lead. The classes I run are OpenTwins and Open Superbike. Both permit substantial modifications to the machines and we're allowed to run slicks. I switched to slicks as soon as I began racing, and despite some of the inconvenience they cause, they're totally worth it.
My 916 is basically stock but here are a list of the modifications I've made to my bike when it's in race form.
-Marchesini magnesium wheels
-Dunlop Slicks
-Brembo Radial Brake Master Cylinder
-Brembo GP Front Brake Caliper
-Frentubo Carbon/Kevlar Brake lines
-Brembo Supersport floating front brake rotors
-Lindeman Enterprises tuned suspension
-Nichols Manufacturing Flywhee
-Nichols Manufacturing lightened clutch basket with Barnett Clutch pack
-AirTech Bodywork
-Termignoni Carbon Fiber Exhaust cannisters
-Fast by Ferracci Stage 1 Chip
-Fully adjusable billet rearsets with reverse-pattern shift lever
Turn 2 at Sears Point during my rookie year. Post crash picture, note scuffed fairing.
Another view of Turn 2 at Sears, 1998.