2015 Daytona 200 Race Report

Daytona 200 Race Report

The 74^th Daytona 200 was quite an eventful race for everyone involved.  The Woodcraft/Penguin Racing Kawasaki ZX636 worked very well during the course of the weekend, and we have a lot of people to thank for contributing to the effort in many different ways.

The team sorted through some typical Daytona issues early^th place.  We then went out in qualifying session two and put in some good laps on a race tire and then put on a soft qualifier to try to better our times, but we pushed a little too hard in a couple places and could only match our race tire pace.



in the weekend, and the bike really started to come around on Friday afternoon before qualifying.  Our bike had the fastest trap speed of all the Kawasaki’s during the qualifying session, and after Q1 we found ourselves in 5

Starting from the third row we had a great chance to run with the lead pack.  We had a good restart after the first of 4 red flags during the day brought us back into the pits before the first lap was completed.  The pace was fast up front and I watched a ton a positions swapping around in the first few laps.  With Daytona being such a long race, our strategy was just to make sure that we hung onto the lead draft and stayed within a few seconds of the leaders until the first round of pit stops.  We ran our fastest lap of the race (1:51.9) on lap nine as we made a push to stay with the leaders.  When the lead pack caught the first group of lapped riders it was crazy!  That served as a separator and broke the pack up a bit.  As the first round of pit stops was approaching, a red flag halted the action.

We got a good start to begin lap 20, and ran again until a third red flag halted the action 11 laps later.  This would alter the pit stop strategy for everyone in the field.  Our plan was to run as long as we could on each tank to avoid losing track positions on another red flag.  We were running with the lead pack and looking to pass eventual 4^th place finisher Bostjan Skubic, but when we were forced to tighten our entry entering turn 6 we lost the front and crashed into the air-fence at about 60MPH.  Luckily, I was unhurt but the bars bent to the point where I only had a couple degrees of steering movement, and it looked like our race was over.  Luckily, the 4^th red flag of the race came out a few minutes later, and I thought that we might be able to get back into the race.  We managed to limp the bike back into the pits and my fantastic crew pulled parts from my spare bike and managed to secure a few parts back together with zip ties and duct tape.

The final start went smoothly and we were right up front, and when I looked up at the leader board I realized that we were a lap down and in 18^th place.  Our fight was to get back as many positions as possible, and with the help of a fantastic final pit stop we were able to get back up to 12^th place in the final 26 laps. 

Many thanks for the help we got from so many people for this event.  First and foremost, I need to thank my crew members who came down to help during this race.  I am especially thankful for my wife Margo for all her support, son Austin who was in charge of the fuel, and daughter Amanda who ran the towel and drinks during pit stops.  Wheel changes and lots of work in the pits all weekend long were run by Waylon Dempsey (who also built me great motors), Chris Holske, and Steve Aspland.  Jerry Wood manned the extinguisher and ran pit stop inspections, Dee Wood kept a detailed race chart, Jerri Boatman ran our pit board, and Joanna Piepiora was ready and willing to help with anything that was needed.

Nordica and First Trax Sport Shop put together a raffle for some top shelf ski gear, and we owe both them and all the people who supported us by buying tickets a big vote of thanks!  We got support from a bunch of great companies to put together our Kawasaki 636’s.  Woodcraft, Penguin Racing, Kawasaki, Armour Bodies bodywork, Dunlop tires, Maxima Oils, Vanson leathers, Arai helmets, TCX boots, Held gloves, Penske shocks, GMD Boston, Arrow exhaust, Street & Competition, Bazzaz, VP fuels, Van Waylon engines, Robs Dyno, Zero Gravity windscreens, Turn One graphics, Speedcell batteries, Vesrah brakes and K Tech forks.  I also want to thank Justin from Adrenaline Cycles for fantastic work on a dry break fuel tank, Jason Farrell for help with some spare parts and for being a perfect drafting partner and Jeff Maloney from GP tech for lending us a top shelf quick fill fuel tank.  Finally, I want to thank all the supporters we had cheering us on both at the track and at home.  We are very fortunate to be part of a great family of racers who support each other in this sport we all love.  

Coverage will be on http://www.fanschoice.tv/schedule soon as it was broadcast Live on the internet.

While we wait check out this YouTube Video
https://youtu.be/zGXwE-VU-ok

Daytona 2015 – Day 1 Penguin Racing

Daytona 2015 – Day 1 Penguin Racing

The weather has been cooperating this week with just a little rain last night so bike week and the Daytona Race have gotten lucky with great weather. Sunny in the mid to high 80s

Our first day started out with a couple of issues to overcome. Minor oil leak and some problems with our quick fill systems but these are being sorted out. First laps on the track found us in the top three for fast lap times. We spent the day working with both bikes. Each set up a little different to get a good feel for the setup we will be  using for the 200 mile race

After some suspension changes in the last session we are running 8th fastest of 58 entries with a fast time of 1:54:35

Geoff May and Danny Eslick lead the group with lap times in the 1:52s

We will find more speed on Friday with a few changes we are planning to make in the morning practice and qualifying later in the day.

Will be back to you with more updates and
pictures Friday night.

Thank you all for your support.

Special Thanks to Nordica Ski Company and First Trax Sports

SPOT Trace Theft-Alert Tracking Device

Yes, it happen to us at Rising Sun Cycles many years back. We had just returned from a race at Mid Ohio and were going off to a Ducati track Day with a different truck and trailer. Luckily we got back early enough to unload the race bikes from the trailer before leaving.

A few days later we went back to the other trailer and all we found was our locks laying on the ground. The trailer was gone along with many items and tools we had left in it never to be seen again.

Do not let this happen to you!

Purchase your Spot Trace now to keep whatever it is that you own. The unit is small enough to be hidden in your trailer, motorcycle, snowmobile, boat, airplane, car, construction equipment, etc.

http://www.rscycles.com/product_p/spottrace.htm 

Once activated and powered on, SPOT Trace will acquire its exact coordinates from the GPS network. SPOT Trace sends the GPS location to communication satellites. The satellites relay the message to a ground network, which uses the internet to route the message to your phone or computer. SPOT Trace allows you to monitor your asset and track its movement in near real-time via Google Maps™. Because SPOT Trace uses satellite technology, it can communicate from some of the most remote locations around the world. Never let your most valuable asset disappear without a trace.

For a limited time you will receive a rebate of 50% after purchase and activation of your Spot unit.

Our Price: $99.95

List Price: $119.99

50% Rebate on all Spot units when activated before January 4, 2015

Limited Time Offer

Offer Valid 11/02/14—1/04/15

50% Off all Spot Devices mail-in rebate after purchase.

Just purchase and activate your device during specified dates to qualify for offer.
Qualifying service plan required. CLICK HERE for more info

http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=278603840&menu=1  Features This device requires a service plan. Click here for details.  SPOT Trace - Theft-Alert Tracking Device  Using 100% satellite technology, SPOT Trace tracks your most valuable assets virtually anywhere in the world, on your phone or computer. Affordable and easy to use, SPOT Trace is a no-brainer for your cars, boats, motorcycles, toys and other valuables.  SPOT Trace Message Options and Modes:  Tracking: View your asset's GPS coordinates on a SPOT Shared Page or our app*.  Movement Alerts: Receive notifications when SPOT's vibration sensor detects your asset has new movement.  Dock Mode: Configure your device to track an asset that is primarily stored on the water.  Power Off Message: Receive a notification if your device is powered off.  Low Battery Message: Receive a notification when the device's batteries are low.  Status Message: Receive a once per day alert, to let you know your asset is secure.

The CycleMount™ Mirror Mount for GoPro® cameras

The CycleMount™ Mirror Mount for GoPro® cameras performs two tasks in one. It secures the motorcycle’s upper fairing and provides a sturdy, completely adjustable, and easy to use GoPro mount.

By mounting the camera where the mirror would have mounted you get rock solid video in a nice front (or rear) facing view that is convenient, out of the way, and reliable. No more failed sticky mounts, no more bodywork damage, and no intrusive suction mounts on the tank!

How’s it work?

The secret to the CycleMount™ Mirror Mount’s adjustability is the 360 degree rotation. No standard GoPro® mount allows for rotation, meaning if the mount isn’t exactly straight or exactly perpendicular to the direction of travel, the camera cannot be aimed correctly. The CycleMount™ Mirror Mount solves this by having a central pivot pin that allows for full 360 degree rotation meaning no matter what angle your front fairing sits at you can point your camera perfectly straight and lock it down for rock solid video.

Having a camera mount bolt directly to the structure of the motorcycle improves video quality dramatically by eliminating the flex and vibration associated with stick on mounts on flexible bodywork. The upper fairing stay is the ideal location for a camera mount because it is solidly attached to the frame of the motorcycle and provides a clear view forward off the front of the bike or rearward towards the hand controls allowing for stunning video.

Of course, using these mounts, the camera can be securely mounted anywhere on your bike by adding a backing plate inside the cowling at the mounting point. 

 

Why CycleMount is better

• Rock solid video
• Completely adjustable for perfect aim
• Doubles as mirror block-off plates
• Strong and Durable
• Easy to use
• Quick to mount and unmount camera without tools

CycleMount Application List

The Care and Feeding of a Yamaha TZ250 Grand Prix Machine

“Tribal Knowledge” is an unfinished work based on what I learned about tuning a TZ250 by racing a few of them in Hawaii and North America. It was my idea but I needed a writer. Jim Hubert wrote it based on a few long phone conversations. Michael Gougis helped with the editing. The knowledge herein is not mine, it is the shared knowledge of a community of racers and it is yours to use. By using this knowledge you are obligated to pay it forward.
Ed Sorbo 3/26/14

Please go to Ed's website to read the entire informative article.

http://www.le-suspension.com/tz-250-tuning-secrets/ 

Tribal Knowledge

(The Care and Feeding of a TZ250)

Copyright 2004, Jim Hubert

This article is the culmination of a series of conversations with
former 250cc GP front-runner, Ed Sorbo. For those of you who don’t
know Ed…

Best race of all time: Brainerd in ’99 Finished 6th. Started
from last on grid. 15 MPH slower than the guys racing with.
Announcer said he moved from paradise to live in a motorhome. That
is why! WRITE INTO A STORY

From the outset, Ed wanted it clear that although he might be the
one willing to sit still long enough for me to write it all down,
the information contained herein is not all his own discovery. Ed
feels indebted to a number of racers and tuners, especially his
racing partner — Bruce Lind. In fact, it was Bruce who coined the
phrase “tribal knowledge pool” when referring to the body of
information amassed by TZ racers. This article is a start at
disseminating that knowledge. Most of the information is hands-on
nutsy-boltsy stuff but there is a fair mix of theory for those of
you who want to know “why” instead of just “what.” Don’t be scared
off by this because, as Ed is fond of pointing out, “If you’re
smart enough to ride the motorcycle, you’re smart enough to work on
it.”

This article discusses the 50.7mm-stroke vees from model years 1991
to 1999. Those model years comprise the bulk of the machines
inexpensively available. If fact, Ed estimates there are probably
1000 such machines in the US today. The AMA’s opinion
notwithstanding, 250cc 2-strokes are not going away overnight.
Considering that most parts for the ’99 model are backward
compatible to the ’91 machine, and that Yamaha is obligated to
provide parts for 10 years for a given model year, racers should
have ready parts availability until at least 2009. Additionally,
Ed believes that if there is sufficient demand, aftermarket
suppliers could step in to fill the void.

In many ways, the short-stroke vee engine represents a good
compromise for the racer on a tight budget. For one thing, the
engine cases — which are based on the TZR250 street bike — are
pressure cast. This equates to a longer life span than the sand-
cast cases used on 2000+ models. Similarly, the short-stroke
engine should have a longer service life than the “square” motors
which are more heavily stressed.

Ease of Maintenance:
Ed says many racers get the wrong impression of how much effort is
required to keep a TZ in top condition. “They see us working on
our bikes all the time and figure it’s a bitch to keep them running
right.” Quite the opposite is true, “We work on the bikes because
it is so inviting. Ease of maintenance was high on the list of
priorities when the TZ was designed.” For example, an experienced
mechanic can remove and replace a TZ crank in an TWO HOURS, BRUCE AND I DID IN 1.5 ONCE hour at the
racetrack. The crankcases split vertically, so that the bulk of
the engine can remain in the frame for the procedure. If you
destroy the crankshaft in a 4-stroke, your weekend is over.

Full Disclosure:
Racers endorse products and services for a variety of reasons –
sponsorship, contingency money, perceived value, future
consideration, and friendship immediately come to mind. When we
mention a product or service by name, it is entirely possible that
an alternative, competing one, will work just as well, perhaps
better, for you. We have endeavored to be as objective as
possible. In some cases (Rino fender, for example), there is no
competing product. In others cases (Kawasaki wrist-pin trick), we
hope it is apparent that we don’t have an agenda to forward.
However, in the interest of full disclosure, we want you to know
that Ed was WAS AT DIFFERENT TIMES (IS?) sponsored by Silkolene, and received contingency
money from VP Fuels. OTHERS? BRIDGESTONE, EBC, SILKOLENE, TSUBAKI, RK, BARNETT, SPEED TUNE, VP

Please go to Ed's website to read the entire informative article.

http://www.le-suspension.com/tz-250-tuning-secrets/ 

Brought to you by:

 Steven Aspland

Rising Sun Cycles LLC
US Importer for Battle Factory Products
GPS Lap Timer/Recorder
Bonded Importer # 9912AZ725
860-916-3696 http://www.rscycles.comRising Sun Cycles on Facebook – Click Herehttp://www.srasplandmarketing.com

Start Sharing Your Gauges Today - Dashware

An excellent complement to our
Qstarz GPS Data Logger
and Lap Timer product line

http://www.rscycles.com/category_s/373.htm 

Start Sharing Your Gauges Today

e are happy to announce the release of DashWare version 1.5
with guage importing and exporting built in.  Now, you can
easily share your custom gauges with your friends and colleagues.

To see it in action, view the video tutorial on our website.

Customers can get version 1.5 for free at the
Download DashWare page on our site.

Also, we are adding a gauge sharing section to our website
in April.  You will receive another email when it is ready.

Have fun,

The DashWare Developers

Yamaha TZ250 GP race bike for sale and other Product news as well as listings on eBay

Product Updates

Replay  Releases their 1080XD Mini Camera Ruckpack has a new flavor - Blood Orange SBS road racing pads available from Rising Sun - Looking for track side dealers New Products RS Taichi Gloves, under race suit garments and armor Products being added to our Catalog Silicone hose kits brake line kits Cafe Racer Items Nitron Shock absorber Works Performance shocks

Parts and Accessories on eBay for Specific Bikes

Honda RS125                   CBR600RR/F4I Honda RS250                   VTR1000 CBR1000RR Yamaha TZ125                  Moriwaki  MD250H Yamaha TZ250                  Yamaha YZF R-6 More listings on our site and eBay CLICK HERE

2003 specification 2007 build Yamaha TZ250

Rising Sun Cycles is selling our 2003 specification 2007 build Yamaha TZ250 Frame # CG15C-000141  http://www.rscycles.com/category_s/21.htm Minimal usage since last total rebuild. Will be dressed up in all white new bodywork.

Save Cash on your Energy Bill

Recently I was introduced to a company which supports the production of Green Power here in the USA. Their sales format allows you to reduce energy costs in the home or business for you and your family and the opportunity to create a lucrative part time business for yourself if interested. The company is expanding across the country as these services are deregulated and at this time they are very active in the North East but offer and means for everyone in the US to contribute to the production of Wind Power.   Click on images for more information Just like back in the day when the telephone business was deregulated and broken up which allowed many companies to jump in and created competition, the same is happening in the energy business.

WHY WE RIDE and Moto 5 Videos

WHY WE RIDE - a documentary film that shares   the passion of motorcycle riding Order today  http://www.rscycles.com/product_p/dv1156.htm     MOTO 5  From the creators of the epic film series "MOTO The Movie", The Assignment Inc. is proud to present their latest and most anticipated installment to the film franchise, "MOTO 5". Without reservation this is by far the biggest and baddest of the "MOTO The Movie" films.

Guide to Guitar Patterns

Helping a friend and fellow racer to market his very well thought out guitar lesson series. Check out the sales page if you plan to learn or already think you understand the instrument. CLICK HERE Learning Guitar from a different perspective - When you see the simplified presentation of fret patterns you will be amazed at how easy this will make getting by the initial steps of understanding the mechanics of guitar playing.