Day one at Daytona

A busy day of course with 4 bikes to prep, parts in transit, a garage to sort out, tire allotments to discuss, bikes to tech and team processes and details to iron out. There's more than that of course, but the "two veg" can be set aside - only the meat is needed.

Wednesday is a transition day with the final day of AHMRA (I wish I had more time to look at and get up close to some of that remarkable pristine racing heritage, not to mention the spectator bikes that show up!) and the pits filling up with the late arrival AMA privateers and the odd motorcross competitor. It is truly a cacophany of sounds, sights, rushing bodies on pit bikes and mules and personalities wandering around absorbing the scene and limelight.

Safety First Racing had a lot of work to do. All bikes had to be completed with full rebuilds, new swing arms for the FX race bikes with quick change parts, new exhausts from Arata fitted and bikes put through AMA tech. With two lead mechanics and back up mechanics, there was a lot of help on hand and all the parts arrived on time. The first bike went through tech by noon, so that was very reassuring.

Michelin tires were an all day deal with rims needing to be detailed, stickers put on them per rider, balanced, and then consultation wit riders and lead mechanics for tires selected for mounting re slicks or DOT selected for Supersport or FX bikes. In the end by 4pm, all wheels and tires were done, so that was a huge bonus! That gave us all the wheel and tires for Wednesday's practice.

Two other bikes went through tech by late afternoon but one problem child decided to be obstinate and throw an electrical tantrum that by the end of the day was still unresolved much to the chagrin of all. Perhaps the course of action selected for the morning will resolve the problem and the good news is that the bike won't be on track until the afternoon. We will of course still apply the K.I.S.S. principle to keep heads level and not loss simply objectivity.

By end of day, the garage was swept, closed and we left amidst a typical FL cloudburst or two, one unfortunately soaking Mike who was riidng on the of the Supesrport bikes that was leaving to be mapped. I had to go find the local blue blocker sales booth to purchase the ZZ Top 'cheap sunglasses" as I realized I had left then in the truck in CA..... DOH!

Wednesday will be a very busy day. Supersport practice in the morning, FX practice and Supersport Qualifying in the afternoon. All hands on deck from 6.30am until close!!!!!