Track Weekend May 14th 2005 @ Coimbatore
This was where it all started, i cant thank my friend Anand enough for introducing us to the race track. I didnt have a bike ready to ride at the time and Anand was kind enough to let me ride his RX. None of us except Anand had any track experience, it was an amazing learning experience. We thought we were hot shot riders from riding on the street, when we heard the kind of laptimes racers where doing and realized we where nowhere near it was such an eye opener. Most of us picked up fast but then the initial learning is always the most rewarding, you cut several seconds in one go and feel all great about it, but it gets harder and harder. Still this was the beginning, soon everyone was bitten by the bug and the rest is history.
After loading up the bikes at Anands place i left in his Scorpio while Anand and Arun opted to ride down on their beemer bikes, there was much anticipation and excitement, it was a great feeling to be doing something new. We arrived in Coimbatore late friday night and checked into the hotel, inexperienced as we were the booze flowed and all were merry. In the morning we had to be out early and those boozers and pot heads hung over from the previous night were left behind.
At the track Anand explained the flags and gave us intructions on how to ride first time out, Anand had a handful to do with setting up his bike and getting track time while looking out for everyone else in the process, helping out those who didnt have gear (me included) etc, we were all extremely greatful. Soon the late comers arrived and the pits was a hive of activity, stepping back and watching it all from a distance i knew i had stumbled upon something i was going to love. I got to ride Anands bike which was decent and another friend Ramchands RD which i liked even better. None of us (except Anand of course) knew enough to setup a bike or even cared for tire pressures at the time (so so important). When we had spills we couldnt tell why it happened, there was so much to learn. Ramchands RD felt great though and i had quite a few fun laps on it, he actually got it down in bits and pieces in the trunk of his car and assembled everything at the track, serious commitment there. Abhi rode his bullet and was very impressive, he proved to the rest of the crowd that a bullet can be ridden well on track. Prashanth in true classic style rode a vintage race jawa with full fairing, quite a site that was. Leppard, Sanju and gang had RX's and everyone had a blast. The crazy Geroge got his RX and rode well, in is eagerness to go faster he came in sunday monring, set out on track before any of us and promptly ran into the pit wall after exiting the last corner onto the straight. He was lucky not to suffer anything more than a broken arm, that was the only serious crash of the weekend, he was whisked away in an ambulance accompanied by Anand and would catch up with us later. Mr Calm and Cool Vignesh went about his business on his sweet RXZ, he improved consistently throughout the weekend. Arun rode his CBZ and was another cool customer on track. At the end of the weekend they arranged a 10 lap race for us with transponders, as expected the RD pulled away from anything else before in true killer style i seized it on the 7th lap. It was fun while it lasted though and i managed a best time of 1:27.
It was hard to leave and return to our boring lives, the track addiction had begun. Most of us left with more questions than there were answers for but one thing everyone agreed to, we couldnt wait to get back again!
A lot of detail escapes me now as i write this log 2 years later, its only now that i've grasped the importance of capturing these moments in a writeup because no matter how good your memory is, you will forget stuff over time.
Raghu hung around all day with numerous cameras around his neck taking our pics. Thanks to him we have some good pics to show of the weekend.
Click on the pictures to enlarge
RD 350 in the boot All ready Going out on Anands RX
Mr Smooth, Anand Abhi on his bullet Wounded soldier, George
Me on Ramchands RD RD Siezed but spirits high
Me on Anands RX Prashanth The Pits
Group Photo