Extra MG Words
MG likes to write so much that he can’t fit it all on his blog so he sent me this:
Erika
Erika sent me this message after the WERA West races this past weekend. We first met at a 2WTD event in Dec of ‘15. My answers are in Italic:
Hey Ed! Congrats on the win and pole positions today!
We stopped by your garage after a race but you were busy talking with a race mate and when we came back you were out and about. So I’ll have to hunt you down another time so you can sign my helmet
I hadn’t been to the track since we saw you at two wheels except to finally take the New rider school and I was focusing on their instruction and getting the hang of being ‘thrown into the Wolves’ in Their A group. I rode in every A group session except for one so that I could have lunch and let it digest. The mock race came up and although pole didn’t mean anything, I made sure I was early for the warm up lap and got into the third place grid. I had a good start but the lack of cylinders and cc meant I would get passed before turn 1! I rode the rest of the three laps without knowing their was someone behind me on a 250 As well! That may have been for the best for my peace of mind! I ended up being the fastest 250 and there was still a small group behind us! It was such a fantastic experience and I totally get why you and every one else gets so excited to be out there. I just wanted to share this story with you because I get very excited and motivated to see fast people like you on little bikes and really kicking butt out there
I will be at SoCal Trackdays this coming weekend and will practice getting closer to the apex since I realize I miss it by a lot of distance.
Look through/above the apex, never down at the ground.
Glad my posture looked good! When you say ‘big hang off doesn’t apply to street bikes’ I feel my style isn’t to hang off much anyways but I notice my tire wear is abnormal though so maybe I should get comfortable leaning with the bike?
Lots reasons for funny tire wear, PSI is #1, don’t worry too much about it as most of what you hear about tire wear is BS, show me next time you see me or send me a photo. Hang off just a little, move your ass only half way off the seat, keep your shoulders square with the bike. Look at the photo of me in “No Elbows.”
I’m not sure what you mean with keeping my eyes level with my head.
Draw a straight line through your eyes and let it extend forever out both sides, keep that line level with the horizon, just like when you’re walking.
Does it mean for me to look farther ahead during the turns?
Yes, that too.
Tuck into the bike more?
No, see photo in “No Elbows”
Anywho I know this is a lot and you had a long weekend so I’ll leave it at that and write more thoughts in my Moto diary congrats again!
Thank you.
Mookie Wilkerson
Mookie had a good weekend with WERA West, he posted this on my FB page:
“I have been with Ed Sorbo of Lindemann Engineering Race Suspension for 2 races now. Before Le-suspension.com, I was concidering the possibility of not racing anymore. When I was convinced by my manager (Albert Monge) to start working with LE-suspension, my race life has taken a MAJOR upgrade!! I wanted to keep Ed Sorbo a secret for myself because what he can do for EVERYONE (good for YOU, bad for me lol). This man/company has been heaven-sent!!! “Thank you ED SORBO for all you have done and will do for my race program!! Words can’t describe the appreciation I have for you. I would NEVER go this fast without your help. Thanks again Ed ……… Suspension Mechanic and friend.”
No Elbows
Still not dragging my elbow, just looking through the turn and still winning.
Photo by MG. ACS with WERA Motorcycle Road Racing
Lucas Oils WERA West Race Report, Round One
WERA Motorcycle Road Racing ACS Race Report:
After two days working and riding with FastrackRiders, I worked for and raced with WERA today. Two races, two pole positions and two trophies. Races were ESS and FSS both on the Iceman 250 Ninja. The poles were because I won both classes last year, two more number one plates. Race one was ESS up against two 300 Ninjas and a R-3, I took 3rd. I won FSS and had another good battle with the R-3, he was in a different class. Tony Serra had a good time too.
Fastrack Riders
When an Umpire does his job well, no one notices. The same is true for the behind the scenes work of any production. At a track day you should not need to worry about the track being ready or the battery in your instructors bike. This was my first event on staff with FastrackRiders. I bring 34 years of racing experience. I got to see the behind the scenes stuff.
Did you notice that they were ready for you in registration, that there were extra people at Tech when you all showed up at the same time, that there was always someone at the trailer to answer your questions, that there were two people working pit out, that the cones were in the same place as last time?
Your weren’t supposed to notice, but I did, I helped make some of that happen and I was pleased to see how well the FastrackRiders Crew worked together.
Suspension Animation #61
In Episode 61 of Deep Thinking, the best motorcycle road racing podcast recorded in the greater Redlands metropolitan area, racers Ed Sorbo and Michael Gougis make history by being the only two racing commentators not talking about Valentino Rossi. Instead, Sorbo tells you useful things about motorcycle suspension. Gougis leaves a slow curveball hanging high and outside, and Sorbo knocks it out of the park.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
GP Bike Ready
I did remember how.
GP Bike
New pistons and reeds for a 2001 TZ250. I wonder how many times I’ve done this.
Happiness Comes From Italy #60
In Episode 60 of Deep Thinking, racers Ed Sorbo and Michael Gougis discuss ready-to-race motorcycles.
Gougis drinks strong coffee. The duo model t-shirts sent in by uber-fan Rick Crespo (that is, Crespo is a
major fan of the show, not the Uber taxi-style system). A discussion ensues about Roman numerals. Gougis
expresses the belief that happiness can be purchased from Aprilia for Euros 79,500.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download







