8hrs at DAYTONA - Oct. 20, 2007
RACING THE F800 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MOTO-ST |
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F800 Daytona crew: Ben, Pete, Dan & Tim |
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Unique new vertical twin motor |
We had to convert it from belt drive to chain drive for Daytona - we needed more gearing
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Brett goes over his check list |
Ben, Tim & rider Tom Montano prepare the bike |
The Canadian Film Crew is with us every step of the way
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Kathleen sets up an awesome lunch for the 2 MOTO-ST crews
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Rider Steve Atlas brought along his own motivation
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Dan & Tim do the required Fuel Capacity Test with MOTO-ST Officials
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Before the F800 team heads to the track, Chris holds a strategy meeting with his riders. |
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Both of our MOTO-ST bikes are parked at the Pit Wall before the 2hr practice session |
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Chuck Sorensen laid down some awesome laps |
Steve Atlas was the fastest of our 3 riders |
With 20 minutes left in the practice session, Steve went down & the bike tumbled. When we got the bike back to the pits, we could see how bad it really was. Thank goodness Steve was OK. |
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The bike was destroyed. Handle bars broken, fairing in pieces, the clutch cover cracked open, front wheel was bent & the front & rear sub frames were both broken.
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Steve was very depressed. No harm, no foul - that's racing Steve! |
Chris said "We're here to race - let's fix it" so we tore it apart & started the repairs
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Finishing only 20 minutes before the start of the 8hr race. The F800 was ready for action! It looked a little bit like "Frank'n Bike" with the body all stiched together, but most of the extensive repairs were hidden.
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George is our Fire Guy (left), Tim (right) is Fuel Man and prepares the quick fill gas rig |
Everyone gets busy organizing the pit area
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Ben ponders the possibilities of the coming hours |
F800 rider, Tom Montano, talks with R1200S Fuel Man; Jeff
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Tim & Jeff - Gas Guys |
Pete lets the F800 off the stand as the Film Crew catches the action in the pits
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Tim is suited up in his Fuel Guy garb and Fire Control guy, George Steele stands by
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F800's Crew Chief, Pete Hunter, gets focused |
The 8 Hour Race Starts |
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A proud crew poses with the repaired Frank'n Bike before the start of the race |
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Chuck Sorensen was first up - his performance was flawless |
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Chuck dices with the famous Jay "Springer" Springsteen #9 |
When Chuck came in to hand off the F800 to Tom Montano, the track announcer was on hand for a quick interview |
Kathleen brings out the big gun (new camera) |
Chris was acting as Crew Chief for the R1200S team but didn't hesitate to check up on his "other team" (us) - don't worry Chris, we're working hard, honest
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Tim & Dan get ready for the next pit stop |
Steve Atlas was perfect & ran faster than he had in practice |
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Pete watches for the F800 to come in. Tim (right) waits for the word to "Get Ready"
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Steve comes in, Tim fuels the bike |
Things must be going well - Chris is smiling |
Some people deal with stress & excitement better than others |
Light turns to dark. (LtoR) Film crew, Jeff, Chris, Pete, Ben & Tim |
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Chuck Sorensen runs thru the infield with a Buell in tow |
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Steve Atlas takes us into the night as he leads the #24 Ducati. (That Ducati (#24) would eventually t-bone our R1200S with only 30 minutes left in the race). Tom, Steve & Chuck took the F800 from 14th starting position to 7th place by the end of the 8hrs - very impressive for an un-tested race bike that had been seriously damaged the day before. (below) Our #4 leads the way on the banking. |
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The crew celebrates when Steve brings Frank'n Bike home in 7th place |
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The F800 Crew takes a look at the amazing bike |
Both Crews congradulate each other on an Outstanding Race
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The Successful San Jose BMW F800S Racing Team with: Tom Montano, Pete Hunter, Ben Mellen, Dan Fosgett, Tim Johnson & Steve Atlas (Chuck Sorensen not pictured) |