RacingOrder.com – Washington Based Motorcycle Racing

First and foremost; Thanks to everyone who helped put the fire out, helped me find my glasses (which were where I stopped), transported my bike to my pit, and in any other way. I’m horrible with names and many of you I’ve never been introduced to, but thank you.

A little history on the bike:
Purchased the bike from Chad Karlewicz (#212 years ago) in August 2009.
Had a fresh AMI build on the motor when he crashed it 3-4 years prior.
Straightened the frame, triple clamps, and forks @ WASCO.
Piece by piece got it race ready.
Very recently Barry freshened the forks and rear shock.
Fresh battery, plugs, air filter, oil (Motorex Power Synt 4T 10W/50) and oil filter.
Newly mounted 211 take-offs ready to go.
A few laps in the last Sat. PR Novice practice.
Just over one lap in the June 1st 2010 NESBA track day.
…this was going to replace the green ZX6R I’ve been racing.

This is per video below, which is made up of 4 separate videos:
1. Before, during, after the crash until I turned it off.
2. Turned camera back on to record fire seconds later.
3. Bike being dropped off
4. Bike aftermath

Video key points timeline:
0:07 – knock sound
1:21 – knock sound
1:28 – fails to shift into 4th until I try a few times (pressing harder)
2:21 – fails to shift into 4th, 2nd try works (pressed pretty hard to get it into gear.)
2:27 – shifted into 6th gear, just headed into the chute. I went frame by frame, and when compared to the 1st lap where I shifted into 6th vs. the 2nd lap, in the 2nd lap I shifted into 6th roughly 4 seconds EARLIER.
2:33 – “pew” sound and the next few frames:
    1. “Pew” sound
    2. Nose dips (camera was mounted there)
    3. Dips more
    4. Starting to low side (on right)
    5. Tipping into the low slide
    6. 13 frames of tipping into the low slide (not sliding)
    7. Finally sliding!
2:33 – bike sliding
2:34 – Bike hits wall
2:36 – Fire!
2:45 – Bike stops sliding
3:32 – I was intending to grab the camera, but realizing that it’s on fire and concerned it might explode with a full tank of gas (92 octane) I run to the wall and hop over it.
3:36 –No, I was NOT trying to start the bike! But the camera moves as it starts to turn over each time. I think the bike is turning over on its own due to the fire crossing wires.
3:57 – Starting of bike stops
3:58 – Grabbing camera
4:03 – Fire extinguisher time
4:14 – ZX6R Wins, fire extinguisher loses.
5:50 – “Where’d my glasses go?” They were, I believe where I stopped. Not 100% sure, but they were fine!
6:34 – Fire truck arrived.
6:44 – Water hits the bike.
6:54 – No more flames, only smoke and steam.

Notes:
– Didn’t feel like the rear locked, felt like my front dropped and then I was on the ground.
– Tank wasn’t leaking gas, it’s a carbureted bike and it did hit the wall rather hard.

What was the cause?
Fine question I’d like the answer to. Hints to this question could be in the video; the knock sound, the hard shifting into 4th, the “pew” right before I go down, the nose dropped right after said sound, and perhaps how I was in 6th ~4 seconds earlier vs. the 1st lap.

Hypothesis #1:
The front calipers required spacers to center align them with the rotors. I was told this is because the triple tree and forks weren’t designed for the bike. However, the bike was previously raced with that setup.

This could have resulted in brake failure due to excessive friction causing the fluid to expand into the reservoir (beyond capacity) and locked my front brakes. This would explain why I shifted into 6th 4 seconds earlier than the prior lap – the calipers were progressively grabbing the rotors, which could have caused my front tire to lock up suddenly.

Hypothesis #2:
Engine or transmission related?

Salvageable parts?
Possibly left rear-set and exhaust system, maybe Scotts steering damper and a heat treated aluminum frame….kidding about reusing the frame, but I do have a title and plate for it.

What kind of gear was I wearing?
– Arai Profile Helmet
– Alpinestars MX-1 Race Suit
– Alpinestars Tech Race Back Protector
– Alpinestars GP Tech Gloves
– SiDi Vertigo Boots

Damage done to gear?
– Helmet had minor rash, but it’s been through a lot, so I’m getting a new one.
– Suit had rash, small rips and tears everything from the lower back, right elbow, left knee, shoulder, sides, etc. Newly embroidered Kyokushin kanji was ruined.
– Left glove torn through two layers of leather leaving a small hole in the palm.

Was I hurt?
Mild concussion, sprained neck, entire right side (elbow, shoulder & hip) is sore.

Conclusion:
Overall I came out of it pretty damn well considering I guesstimate I was going ~130mph. My gear will be repaired, helmet replaced, and I still have my faithful green ZX6R race bike ready to go.

I fully intend on making next WMRRA PR round, if I can corner work Saturday I’ll be cleared to graduate and race my first Expert races (TFS and HW GP) Sunday!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/h6kUtFhJnAc

Gallery of the aftermath:

[Show as slideshow]

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