Motorcycle Forum / General / Sportbikes / August 2006

A "Heavenly Save", that is the only explanation I can come up with for not
crashing yesterday 8/21/06 at Summit Point Main. About 35% of my rear wheel
was shattered, gone, blown out, tire off the rim, front wheel, two big
dents, but no blowout.

In the last session of the trackday before the races, I am doing about 100
mph, going through turn 7,8, approaching turn 9. I got a fast leader, which
I am able to stick with until 7,8, & 9.. I go a little wide in 7 or 8, and
hit the rumble strips. My mind tells me nothing to worry about, I roll over
rumble strips in 3, and 10, so my attention is down on the almighty turn 10,
where I expect to pick up ground on my leader.

When I come across the rumble strip at about 100+ all of a sudden I get a
big bang/jolt, as if I hit a pot hole(which I did), I come out of the seat
from the jolt, I am still on throttle, the clip ons do a quick right left,
then the steering damper kicks in. However, I am still in trouble. I don't
dare chop the throttle, I don't dare take my hands on the bars to signal, I
am in trouble and trying to get off the track. Don't want to get azzpacked
or go down.

Still with the speed on, I ease off the throttle ever so gently. The bike
gets more unruly, my mind has almost assured me that I am going to meet the
ground, I eased off some more, the rear want to really go now, finally, I am
close to the grass, and I have scrubbed off speed. Now I made it to the
grass, sill moving, I know brakes are a no-no, I pull in the clutch, and
just let the bike roll and come to a stop. I am still not believing I didn't
go down. I take a quick look at the rear wheel, and it is on the grass, tire
off the rim, and 35% of my rear wheel gone.

No matter that I just thrashed my wheels, I am trying to figure out why I
didn't go down at that speed with that much damage done to my wheel!!!

The crew comes over, and everybody shakes their head at the amount of damage
on my rear wheel, and I was still upright. The only explanation I could give
anybody was that since my last crash here on the 4th of July at turn 10, I
have been to church every Sunday. I am not a deeply religious person, and I
don't push this line either. But, something, somebody, and way out of the
normal kept me from crashing yesterday. Right now, I got two smashed up
wheels and tires, they will be replaced as soon as possible.

BTW, there is a pothole in the rumble strip in turn 7 or 8, on the left hand
side at Summit Point Main.

Just wanted to share this , and not trying to persuade or push anybody to
believe that there is a supreme being or not. Just giving my view/opinon of
what happened.

BTW, they are overnighting me a set of white Carrozerria wheels from CA..
Should be up and running and back on the track in a couple days.. The 26th I
am on Summit Point Shannadoah with CCS..

PICTURES OF REAR WHEEL.

http://www.putfile.com/cehoward