BMW'S RETURN IN FORCE TO DAYTONA IN MARCH

[Wild Will]

I'm curious if anybody will be in Daytona to see the four R1200S HP2 Sports compete with the savage beasts from Italy and Japan in Formula Extreme?

[fnfalman]

I'll be waiting with bated breaths. Can't wait to see The Roundel in action at California Speedway.

[DarthRider]

Awright...head-banging on the high banks !

[jb44]

I'm usually at every bike week.

Most of the time I'm too woozy from smelling burnt rubber and breathing exhaust fumes to find my way inside the speedway.

:icon_rolleyes:

jb

[Elsie Smith]

I'm curious if anybody will be in Daytona to see the four R1200S HP2 Sports compete with the savage beasts from Italy and Japan in Formula Extreme?

Unfortunately, I won't be there, but there are several people going down from our local club...apparently T4's the place to be

[kocook]

Had planned on it, but mainly to hang with and help the SJBMW crew. Given the new AG agenda, don't think non-team would be very welcome. I figure Chris, Willie and Brian will be far too busy to have time for more than a passing hello. I will watch on TV and root for Brian and Nate, though.

[JCsman]

Had planned on it, but mainly to hang with and help the SJBMW crew. Given the new AG agenda, don't think non-team would be very welcome. I figure Chris, Willie and Brian will be far too busy to have time for more than a passing hello. I will watch on TV and root for Brian and Nate, though.

Exactly my thoughts.

[fganger]

Well now,

Please be kind, I'm writing this on my stinking phone. The BMW camp seems so lonely, no Dean, Will, George or the other "guys" from our Cafe site. Only the Pit Tootsie and I are here to hold up the Cafe honor. It's tough duty, but one we are willing to take on.

Will, if you read this, please know that your son misses you greatly. He was the only one here today to oversee the work. By the way, during the time trials he and the young English chap came in 1st and 2nd. BTW, just as your son predicted.

Hugs and kisses - Frank

[fganger]

BTW, this is for Brother Dave. Young lad, I finally was able to wear the wonderful shirt you have me.

/Users/frank/Pictures/iPhoto Library/2008/02/29/DSC_1056.JPG

It was quite painful to try and bend my stinking arm that way. However, the Pit Tootsie helped cause me a bit more pain, "Dave will feel badly if he does not see you wearing the shirt," I was told. "So don't make me get tough with you, If I need to be forceful I'll do it, but I'd rather be gentle with my husband." Yea - right.

Just in case this does not come through, I'll post the same shot off my Smugmug Account. All of the shots taken today 8/29/08 can be found on my Smugmug Account. That would be "firstcoastphoto.smugmug.com" I will make the album easy to find. Anyone who wishes to purchase a shot off it may do so without a penny markup.

Hugs and kisses,
Bonnie and Frank Ganger
First Coast Photo.

[DarthRider]

Frank - Let me know when it happens...there's nothing there.

[Wild Will]

Thanks for the news, Frank. Mini Cooper and N8! 1 and 2! Way to go, guys. I see great stuff coming from Nate and his team this season and beyond. A nicer, more sincere racer you'll not find anywhere. Nobody takes the time with his fans like Nate does. He makes everyone feel at home; I've seen it over and over again. He has a good heart and a fast line; his crew are honed to an edge and he's hungry.

The competition that will out power the BMW's are the 848 Ducati, a marvelous machine, and way ahead of last year's "legal" Moto ST competitors. In a way, it's not fair competition; the rwhp figures are in another class than the BMW 1200, even given the displacement difference. The water cooled Buell and the Aprilia Mille are also way more powerful than the 1200S. Let's hope for some outstanding handling, and deep braking from Nate and Richard Cooper.

BTW, I heard Cooper came to the states on his own nickel (pound?) to lend a hand with BMW racing in the USA. Way to go, Cooper! I'll try to post pics daily from Daytona. BTW, that 848 is a dedicated race machine fitted out for the street for homologation purposes. It's a painful street ride, but excells on the track. It's a gorgeous bike, too.

[Gord]

Well now,

Please be kind, I'm writing this on my stinking phone. The BMW camp seems so lonely, no Dean, Will, George or the other "guys" from our Cafe site. Only the Pit Tootsie and I are here to hold up the Cafe honor. It's tough duty, but one we are willing to take on.

Will, if you read this, please know that your son misses you greatly. He was the only one here today to oversee the work. By the way, during the time trials he and the young English chap came in 1st and 2nd. BTW, just as your son predicted.

Hugs and kisses - Frank

Frank - you have been more quiet than usual on the site and given your latest trials and tribulations, it is perfectly understandable. You are a trooper being out there showing the colours! You have my respect. But of course that is because I live vicariously through your willingness to get involved!

[Gord]

Please be kind, I'm writing this on my stinking phone.

Another one of your great qualities Frank. Everything about you stinks!

Of course I love you for that! :058::ymca:

[DarthRider]

Another one of your great qualities Frank. Everything about you stinks!

Of course I love you for that! :058::ymca:

Gord, please...never run out of Scotch ! :remybussi:

You should have seen what I sent poor Randy in a PM the other night. The Crown Royal night...

[Rchop]

Gord, please...never run out of Scotch ! :remybussi:

You should have seen what I sent poor Randy in a PM the other night. The Crown Royal night...

I tthboubt ibt wabs fbunny Dave!! LOL

[Wild Will]

Forgive me for getting back on track, momentarily: Frank just caled from Daytona, and there was a heinous crash involving Thomas Hinterreiter, one of the German riders. The bike was totalled, I believe it was the "good" Moto ST bike, and I've no word yet on Hinterreiter.
This road racing is serious stuff, Kemosabe, but it all trickles down and into your fancy R1200ST, so take heart and think a good thought for Thomas.

[fganger]

Well I'm finally back home. For some stinking reason, yesterday's shots from the track did not load. Oh well! This time I've checked my photo site and the pictures are in fact being loaded. It will take a bit - I think I shot about 185 shots yesterday. I've not had time to go through the shots and eliminate the scrap. I just wanted to get them up as quickly as possible.

Once these load, I'll post the shots we took today.

BTW: The Pit Tootsie was using my camera so I took a shot of Nate and Richard coming across the finish line with my phone. :icon_redface:

I'll try and get that up as well.

Stinkin' Frank

[fganger]

For those who are interested, Bonnie and I have gotten all of the first day of Daytona on my photo site. We are now putting on day two (today).

That would be:
http://firstcoastphoto.smugmug.com/
of course. :)

[Wild Will]

"Signit" over at Pelican posted a great link to the real deal about BMW racing FX: 5 seconds!

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/bmw/hp2-sport-at-daytona-75315.html

It appears that Thomas Hinterreiter is having his wrist pinned presently, and will be out for the 200. I imagine his heart is broken. All this leading up to the Daytona 200, and you crash in practice. The whole Atlanta team is bummed as well, but Richard Mini Cooper will no doubt step up to take his place. What providence that Nate Kern invited Cooper stateside for th Moto ST.

BMW of Atlanta are setting up Nate's personal "S" up for the Moto ST 3 hour.
I'll be watching lap times online from Moto ST's website. Who said this racing was easy, cheap or painless? Maybe it was Dean, but he has a credit card...or so I heard.

[fganger]

Day three:
Nate First
Richard Third

[bmwdave52]

I saw on the BBC World news that BMW was going to lay off 5600 people by the end of this year.

[Wild Will]

Thanks, Stinkin' Frank and Pit Tootsie, for the splendid photos from trackside Daytona!

http://firstcoastphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4431343_DKoM2#P-1-20

[fganger]

Well now, the Moto-ST is on, Richard is riding first. He started pretty far from the front. Right now he is sixth, Nate is getting psyched up and ready to go.

So far so good.

[fganger]

WOW, our guys are now fifth. Sixth is a lap back from Nate & Richard.

[fganger]

They are now third - think good thoughts

[fganger]

Super Cooper in the saddle and they are now in second place.

[fganger]

Well they are at 88 laps out of 108. Our guys are in third. However they are within spitting distance of first - who knows?


Crap - 92 laps and they fell to 4th.

[1997MGP]

Third is possible cooperman is hunting them down :eusa_clap:

[fganger]

It's over - Super Cooper crossed in third.

[Wild Will]

Spectacular racing! BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta took the podium from Roadracing World's Suzuki and all the Buell 1125's. They won this race on Nate's personal, essentially stock R1200S. The crew did have to remove the heated grips! The winning Aprilia is good for 118 rwhp off the showroom floor, and the BMW, with around 107, still took podium!

The only bike you can comfortably ride to and from the track and be competitive with everything that shows up! Damn, wish I could add an "S" to my stable, but am unwilling to eat oatmeal for the rest of my life.

Congrats to everyone involved, and congrats especially to Lynda of Atlanta BMW for taking a stand, insisting they compete in the race. Well done!
Thanks to Stinkin' Frank for a lap by lap phone description of the high points.
AND, I now have Cici's phone number! Forget about it, Dave.

[Deans BMW]

Job well done, congratulations are definitely in order.

[fganger]

Will I hate to have to correct you, but so be it. They needed to remove his license plate as well. :)

By the by, I'm posting the days shots.

Stinkin' Frank

[DarthRider]

Congrats BMW of Atlanta...sounds like a great race !
Sounds like maybe a little behind the scenes drama was going on...isn't there always !

[fganger]

"Job well done, congratulations are definitely in order." Dean you slug, don't talk to me. The kitty's were all psyched up, just waiting for you to arrive. You should of seen the look in their eyes as I tried to explain that "Uncle Dean" would not see them this year. I can't begin to describe the sadness in our household.

You are very lucky that a cats memory is about an hour long. Bonnie and I have tried not to talk about it out loud for fear of the results.

Oh well, there is always next year. :(

[fganger]

What is truly amazing to me is that in the past three days, we have had over 5,500 people check out the first three days of Daytona on my photo site alone. To me that is absolutely amazing. I must take the time to thank all of you for your looking at the shots. I would love it if you would/could post comments as you look at the pictures. Comments tend to make us better.

Thank you again - My hats are off to this site members and their friends. Wow! Do you know how much of a weight that is on me and my team members?

All I can say is thank you so much.

Stinkin' Frank

Good lord, and I've not even posted the shots of the women's nude cole-slaw wrestling yet. :)
Date/Time = Number of visitors
PS - Monday 7 am = 7,500
10 am = 8,600
5:30 pm = 9,960

Tuesday 7 pm = 16,400

Wednesday 7 am = 17,185

[fganger]

I hate to say it, but I must tell the truth. If Dean, Will, and George were here, we would of done better. There is no doubt in my stinking mind on that one. Oh well, at least Will well be coming in a couple of days. I truly believe that younger riders/team members look up to older members who have "done it all." Motorcycling is no different.

Stinkin' Frank

[Wild Will]

Frank,

For those of us who are "hooked" on roadracing, your photos brought it all home, up close and personal. You, Joe Malak and I played phone tag as we watched the times live online, and watched the drama unfold. I don't know how many can appreciate this fete, accomplished on a stock street bike against hyper machinery. I don't know what happened to the new Harley/Buells, but they all disappeared mid race. Must have been the Rotax mills...

As you said, if only Harley had the brains to see the forst for the trees, they could have lured a hundred thousand enthusiasts to the race if they only conceded to renaming the bike "Harley".

Nate called this am, and he is stoked, and filled up to his young eyeballs with the myriad items overseen by any race team manager. He's doing abgreat job, obviously. So are you, my friend. Cici has a sweet voice, by the way...
Tell Pit Tootsie I'll see here in a few days, and to lighten up on the black and blue marks on her conquering hero's extremities, if just for the week.

[fganger]

Will lad,

Thank you for your comments. Not quite sure if I deserve them, however, I think I (we) have posted more shots than anyone else of the racing. I'm sorry to say I just could not shoot today. The "antique/old/etc." are great to see, however, I'm just burnt. My plan is to go tomorrow and get some shots for our site. I imagine the most important part is taking shots of the bikes, up close, rather that at a distance on the track.

If I'm wrong, please let me know and I'll make whatever changes are needed to get the correct shots. :-)

Young lad, just one more thing - - TELL THE PILOT TO GET THAT STINKING PLANE HERE "REALLY FAST." Too bad you were not able to grab our Dean on the way out, but I really do understand that with his Grand Project, his time and his money are not his own to work/play with. They belong to the bank.

Dean lad, the next time we travel West, you can bet on the fact that the Pit Tootsie and I will stay at your place. Who knows Dean, you may be just at the brink of incorporating a number of these bunkhouses. Hmmm . . . one at Daytona, at Sturgis, etc. Sounds/looks good to me. :eusa_clap:

Dean just one more thing: are you going to be setup for Master Card/Visa?

Stinkin' Frank

PS: I'm really sorry to repeat myself, I would really appreciate viewers posting comments; comments designed to make us better. PLEASE!

[Deans BMW]

[QUOTE=fganger;56714]


Young lad, just one more thing - - TELL THE PILOT TO GET THAT STINKING PLANE HERE "REALLY FAST." Too bad you were not able to grab our Dean

Dean just one more thing: are you going to be setup for Master Card/Visa?

Stinkin' Frank

QUOTE]

Mz Pam has instructed me to provide a "Donation" Box on the Bunkhouse kitchen counter...........HMMMMM, a Mastercard/Visa terminal..........HMMMMM

[fganger]

For those who may be trying to check out "Day 4 & 5" on my photo site, I'm sorry. After the storm we had today, I can barely send anything. I only had about 50 images to post, and I think two have gone through in about four hours. :fitz:

I've not forgotten, it's just out of my stinking hands. By the way, I have a bunch of closeups of the New BMW racers and the crew from the Fatherland to help them along. :star:

At this rate, the races will be over before I get the images posted. :nono:

[DarthRider]

Screw the Donation Box ! Just sell beer for $5.00 a can...you'll make more money.
Or...pipe Rush Limbaugh to all quarters and offer to turn him off for $50.00. You'll make a lot o' money !

[Wild Will]

By the time the weary travelers brave Baghdad Drive, they'll be helping themselves to whatever's in the donation box...
Dave, beer's already $5 a can.

[fganger]

For those on the Cafe who have been following the Daytona races, I'm posting "Daytona 2008 Day 6" right now.

firstcoastphoto.smugmug.com


Stinkin' Frank

[Elsie Smith]

Frank, thanks for posting pictures. I've been checking them out!

[fganger]

Elsie lass,

Thank you for your comments. BTW, I'm done posting todays shots.

Wild Will should have a bunch as well.

Stinkin' Frank

[Wild Will]

http://wildwill.smugmug.com/photos/264201063_U4akR-L.jpg

It's been a whirlwind week, and I'm not home yet. Tonight if all goes well.
I'll be writing my experiences in On The Level, so if you're a BMW fan, get a subscription; Anton knows the address. There's going to be lots more racing info in the magazine, and "insider" info. A word about that; daily, as Dean can attest, there are new developments and plans made for the next race. We'll be concentrating on the west coast, except when we're racing on the east coast or in between, but it won't be like it was last season, with Dean and I ensconced in the Toyota Crapola, shedding parts and oil all across the nation.

Nate and Atlanta will concentrate on CCS sprint racing so hopefully he can retake the #1 plate, and the Moto ST series. Congrats again to Atlanta for their podium finish on 2 March. They have a serious team and some excellent talent. As Nate was having his hand repaired by Dr. Tota in the Stinkin' Motorhome, I reminded him that he was an 'extreme athlete'; all these fast guys are, and injury awaits at every turn. Hinterreiter, Penzkofer, Parriott, Cooper and Kern ALL went down during this event. Brian and Richard were able to pull it together and pull off an amazing finish. BMW are very happy. There will be more sponsorship funding available for us now.

Ironic that the British and American riders were successful, while the Germans had some foul luck, especially Hinterreiter who faces several operations on that highly complex part of the human anatomy, the hand.

The German BMW race team performed flawlessly, and were completely professional. Kudos to BMW for providing a stellar weekend filed with exciting events for their fan base. That hardbound book that Dean wrote about last week was given out to the tune of 500+ to every guest who was fed and entertained by BMW at the Fan Party. That generosity will, I hope, be extended to the racing teams like San Jose and Atlanta. The horizon looks bright indeed.

Frank has stellar photos and will post them from time to time. I can't thank he and Bonnie enough for providing the team with an air conditioned motorhome, and me with an F650! These guys are the salt of the earth. I heard enough from Frank this week that I urged him to write his memoirs. I sincerely hope he does, because his adventures in Alaska are the stuff of Hollywood fantasy, only for Frank and his brother, it was real. I saw the bullet holes.

Thanks to Nate for inviting me to be a part of the scene. Stay focused and remember you are a professional extreme athlete; no one can take that away from you, and everybody falls down from time to time. Have a wonderful season; we'll stay tuned.

It was especially good to spend time with Kevin Cameron, the Cycle World tech guru, Odin the big Dutchman and my drinking partner, as well as king of GP and WSB photos Kel Edge. Chris Hodgson was lucid and had more time to talk about the future this time, since the Germans were at his beck and call. The conversations at the bar were world class, and this was an historical event I'll not forget.

Dean, you were with me in spirit and at least half a dozen times a day on the cell. Now get that sheet rock out of your life, my boy.

[DarthRider]

Good to hear from you Wild Will !
Sounds like you had a most interesting & fun Daytona.
When did Cooper crash ? Practice or...? You are certainly correct that these pros are extreme athletes. Nothing riles me quicker than to hear some no-brainer talking smack about "dare-evils and death-wishers". Or that motorcycle racing - or any motor racing - is not an athletic event.
Kevin Cameron has been a hero for many years, glad you got to meet him. He is also *very* knowledgeable about aircraft of all types, and especially appreciates radial engines.
Looking forward to hearing more...

[Nail24]

Sorry I didn't get the opportunity to meet you at the fan party Will. Maybe it was all the women hanging on your arms. Next time.:pot: Nate has lots more racing in him. Hope BMW signs Cooper before he gets away. As Frank says, He quite a lad.

[Elsie Smith]

Hi Will, Thanks for posting the picture of Brian and Richard and your report. I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences in a future issue of On The Level!

[Wild Will]

Cheers Bubba, Elsie and Dangerman. Cooper crashed in the March 2 Daytona Moto ST race, injuring his knee. The team ( BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta) won a podium on their first outing against superior machinery (RWHP-wise, anyway)
on a stock, street legal R1200S owned by Nate Kern. Extraordinary fete!
Thomas Hinterreiter also crashed in that race and has a massively injured hand, requiring many operations. He flew back to where the medical care is free soon after the race - Germany.
It was an incredible experience, and I'm very glad to be back home on the left edge again, up where the people are scarce but the roads are heavenly!

[Optimus Prime]

We'll be concentrating on the west coast, except when we're racing on the east coast or in between, but it won't be like it was last season, with Dean and I ensconced in the Toyota Crapola, shedding parts and oil all across the nation.


At least promise that you two will come to Road America or Mid-Ohio. I know I'll be at those races.

Also, can we find a way to keep tabs on when and where there will be BMW motorcycle racing? I'd like to catch Nate's races when he's in the area.

[AntonLargiader]

Also, can we find a way to keep tabs on when and where there will be BMW motorcycle racing?
We'll have that covered in OTL, and probably on the RA website also.

[Deans BMW]

The schedule will be kept up on the www.sjbmwracing.com site.

[Deans BMW]

From San Jose's site.

2008 RACING SEASON
Take a look at the Race Tracks we will race at this year click here
DATE
SERIES
CLASS
RACE TRACK
STATE

MAR 8
AMA
Formula Extreme
DAYTONA
FL

APR 20
AMA
Formula Extreme
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
AL

APR 27
AMA
Formula Extreme
CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY
CA

MAY 18
AMA
Formula Extreme
INFINEON RACEWAY
CA

MAY 29 - JUN 1
AMA
Formula Extreme
MILLER MOTORSPORTS PARK
UT

JUN 6 - 8
AMA
Formula Extreme
ROAD AMERICA
WI

AUG 1 - 3
AMA
Formula Extreme
MID-OHIO
OH

AUG 15 - 17
AMA
Formula Extreme
VIR
VA

AUG 29 - 31
AMA
Formula Extreme
ROAD ATLANTA
GA

AUG 31 - SEP 5
SCTA/AMA
Land Speed Trials
BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS
UT

SEP 27 - 28
AMA
Formula Extreme
LAGUNA SECA RACEWAY
CA

OCT 18
MOTO-ST
SST - 8HRS
DAYTONA (tentative)
FL

[Steve Carlton]

There was an earlier tentative schedule posted that included MotoGP weekend at Laguna Seca July 18-20. I assumed FX was running along with AMA Superbike, but I guess not. Please tell me I'm wrong...

Show me a link that has the FX schedule. I can't believe it's not easily found on some AMA site. How lame is that?

[Elsie Smith]

At least promise that you two will come to Road America or Mid-Ohio. I know I'll be at those races.

Also, can we find a way to keep tabs on when and where there will be BMW motorcycle racing? I'd like to catch Nate's races when he's in the area.

Check Nate's site at www.natekern.com
Currently it shows July 4-6 at Road America for ASRA Thunderbike

[Wild Will]

http://wildwill.smugmug.com/photos/264177154_tdoFJ-L.jpg

Brian Parriott painstakingly wrapping his hands before the race. The blisters are deadly unless you wrap the hands. In the background you can see Rosa in the master bedroom, and the BMW waiter who catered to the racers' every need. He was a slightly rotund gentleman with an official team shirt and he never missed one of the plethora of umbrella girls who were hanging out at the BMW garage, hoping in vain for a glimpse of the absent macho sex symbol Dean. Timing is everything.

[fganger]

Will lad,

I only see three people in that picture; Rosa, Brian, and me. Now who could be the "slightly rotund gentleman with an official team shirt," asks I. :icon_redface: You don't mean . . . :(

Stinkin' Frank