Mad Mac is back! Drag racing accident not the end.

[Mad Mac]

About two years ago, I broke my collar-bone and was briefly knocked senseless after an ugly launch at the drag strip (operator error). In pain and anger, I sold my precious and swore never to ride again, then could think of nothing else.

My 1998 Yamaha V-Max had carried me 67,000 miles in six years without complaint and through many adventures. Now, I have a new ride and am starting over looking for new adventures.

[VermilionX]

do you intend to go back to drag racing?

congrats on getting back to the sport.

[Andrew]

Welcome back to riding. Let me know if you ever ride through San Antonio.

[Mad Mac]

do you intend to go back to drag racing?

That was my first and last night at Angleton Dragway. During the informal pre-race practice runs, on my fifth pass I was up against a pickup with a blower. Naturally I couldn't let him win but I was unable to hear my own ride and didn't understand what was happening to me. Lost it with a burnout-double-donut from hell off the line.

At least that is what my friends told me. I don't remember anything after the light turned green. But still, I believe that motorcycle drag racing is safer than riding on the street.

At the drag strip, there are no cell-phone talking, mini-van driving, inattentive soccer moms, no truck-driving drunken motorcyle-phobic rednecks and no crazed deer to contend with. There is no sand in the curve, anti-freeze at the stop sign or black ice waiting for you. It's just you and your machine. I recommend it. Knock yourself out. My accident was strictly my own stupidity and lack of experience. Got my itch scratched, though.

[VermilionX]

im not really interested in drag racing

but...

i wanna learn to do a WOT launch and the ability to react fast when the light turns green.

[Mad Mac]

im not really interested in drag racing but... i wanna learn to do a WOT launch and the ability to react fast when the light turns green.

The famous drag racer Dale Walker wrote a series of Riding Info articles about launching a V-Max. I would have been alright if I had remembered to do everything. You might want to take a look at that.

You know this, but for any newbies out there, if you think you want to launch hard from a stop light, don't forget to make sure the cross traffic is stopped and there are no late runners crossing on the pink - that's the interval of time before their stop light has reached a full red glow.

Get your GSXR buddies together and go to your local drag strip. Yeah, peer pressure, that's the ticket.

[jonnythan]

i wanna react fast when the light turns green.

That's a damn good way to get yourself killed, whether in a car or on a bike.,

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

Welcome to the forum Mad Mac, that's an awesome picture in your signature!!

[Mad Mac]

...that's an awesome picture in your signature!!

Thanks. There is a wallpaper sized version available at http://www.best-motorcycle.com/rides/to ... ornia.shtm

[Toyuzu]

Welcome back, Mad Mac. I'm a returning rider myself. I'm also looking forward to the day when I'll pick up a V-Max. It's at the top of my "motorcycles I must someday own" list.

Have a great time getting back into the sport!