September 10 - A Student's Story

Day 1 - Leaving on a Jet PlaneSaturday 22nd of August

It’s that time of the year again and I’m off to ‘Kevin Schwantz School’.  The third year in a row.  This year being slightly different though as I am going to the “Indy GP Experience School”.  2 days riding with Kevin and the team at the track in Birmingham Alabama, then we all move on to Indianapolis for the Indy MotoGP round.  

I am flying from Heathrow in to Washington Dulles to meet up with Kieron for our mega road trip.  A nice flight time means that I don’t have to get up too early.  Jo & I head for the airport at around 7.30am.  We arrive at Heathrow in good time, get all checked in, have a coffee and the first of my massive cakes, I don’t diet when on holiday!  I say my goodbyes to Jo and head for departures.

There’s the usual Heathrow madness, but once I get to the gate I get bumped to Upper Class for the flight to Washington.  Virgin Atlantic VS021 here I come.  Aboard I have a few glasses of Champagne, some amazing freshly cooked food before going horizontal for a few hours kips before arrival, it really is the only way to travel and a fantastic start to the trip.

I arrive at Dulles late.  Hurricane Bill was off the east coast creating some serious head winds slowing us down.  I experience the usual fun and games I usually have with arrivals.  It just seems to take forever and arriving with five or six other international flights never helps.

Eventually I am through and I meet up with my road trip buddy and two time KSS riding partner Kieron and head off for his home in Gaithersburg to prep for the trip.  It’s raining but still real warm.  First night tradition means a feast somewhere.  Kieron doesn’t let us down, we dine at Fingers & Claws.  Seafood like I have never seen.

Back at Kieron’s I stick visor stickers on all Kieron’s crash helmet collection, which along with a few beers finishes me off, it’s been a long day, time for bed.

Day 2 - Prep DaySunday 23rd August 2009

I awake totally refreshed after a good nights sleep.  The weather today is blue skies and sunshine.  It’s the day before we leave, time to get everything ready for the road trip.  New stickers a plenty for the BlarneyQuick GSXR750, once all cleaned and prepped we load Kieron’s new trailer with the BQ750 and his road going Yamaha.  Once the bikes are on board we load all the kit and supplies and we are locked and ready to go in record time.  The new purpose built trailer making it far easier than the U-Haul from the previous year. 

With the gear all sorted we take a walk down to the lake front for some lunch.  A mega sandwich at Potbelly’s sandwich shop (you spotting the pattern) gets the energy levels back up.  An afternoon of chores and final prep, camera’s, documents, trip to Best Buy etc follow before we head out for dinner at Houston’s for some baby back ribs.  We drop by the classic car shop on the way home to check out some old school cars.  An early night is in order as we leave at 4am tomorrow, night night all.

Day 3 - It's a long way to AlabamaMonday 24th August 2009

4am alarm goes off, quick shower, load the suitcases and we are off.  First leg Gaithersburg Maryland to Birmingham Alabama, 741 miles – 11 hours 34 mins.  We hit the freeway and it’s still quite busy but we need to be out of DC before the rush hour kicks in.  We soon make the outskirts with Kieron at the wheel for the first stint.  It’s dark, I know that sounds weird, but it really is pitch black.  No freeway lights, road works and thin lanes make it an interesting first few hours. 

We’re making good time as the sun comes up and plough through the miles before our first of many fuel stops.  Kieron’s Jeep being a diesel makes stopping not as easy as in the UK where every garage has diesel, here in the US it’s not as common.  We find a stop that has a McDonalds for breakfast, that’s pretty much the pattern for the day, swapping the driving each time.  We leave Maryland (state #1) and enter Virginia (state #2) before hitting Tennessee (state #3).  A few hours later and a time zone change and we’re in Georgia (state #4) before hitting Alabama (state #5).  The time zone change, which we didn’t know about, meant we got to the hotel in plenty of time for check-in before we had to head out to the evening reception at Kevin Schwantz School (KSS).

KSS has moved since my last visit.  The new school now resides out of Barber Motorsports Park facility in Birmingham Alabama.  As we drive in to the entrance you can tell this place is going to be a treat.  The grass perfectly cut (by a remote control lawn mower in places!) the signs, the whole facility is just picture perfect.  Barber is the home of arguably the best motorcycle museum in the world.  We are to have our reception here before we ride tomorrow.  We have some fun and games with security trying to get Kieron’s bikes down to the pit area, but eventually get in.  We unload the BQ750 and go meet Marnie and the guys.  Kevin and the instructors are bringing the bikes down from the shop.  A quick ‘how you doing?’ and hand shakes, it was nice to see everyone again.  A little help to Mom & Dad Schwantz with banners and it’s time to leave for the reception in the museum.

Now if you like bikes Barber Motorsports Park Museum is out of this world.  100’s of bikes, a few cars and other bits n bobs too.  The owner buys, restores and displays every kind of bike you can imagine.  They have some rare, some classics and some new, but the place is awesome.  This is the venue for the reception for the following day’s school.  We meet up with Kevin & the team and some other familiar faces from last year.  It was good to see Dave again, the official photographer who is responsible for many photos in this and the previous books. 

Once name badges are stuck on, introductions and hello’s out of the way, we all jump in a trailer for a lap of track with Kevin explaining the way around.  I had only previously seen the track on the internet, to ride round it albeit in a trailer you got to see what a great couple of days riding we were in for.  

Once back at the museum students and instructors were given a tour of the museum.   We see all the bikes and repair areas.  We also get to see some places not usually open to the public.  It was great to listen to how the museum amasses such a great collection. A fantastic start to the school.   

One by one students begin to leave, I am sure I took 100+ photos in the museum and probably missed 100’s more bikes.  It’s now dark outside and we say our goodbyes until tomorrow and head back to the hotel.  A meal in the local Mexican restaurant is in order where the waiter makes some weird bird noises every time he passes the female staff, maybe this is a courting ritual in Alabama?  Food done, off to sleep as the fun starts tomorrow.

Day 4 - First Day of SchoolTuesday 25th August 2009

So today is Day 1 of Kevin Schwantz Motorcycle Riding School.  Due for an 8am start, but we roll out of the hotel at 7am.  Get there early, get registered, get in your leathers etc.  Check out the awesome surroundings.  The air conditioned class room is on the third floor on the pit complex.  Two rows of desks, with all your class information and goodie bags.  Loads of refreshments, Red Bull, fruit and snacks to get you through the day at the back.  It is a great environment to take class in.  Down stairs (or in the lift) are numerous immaculately prepared Suzuki GSXR600s and Honda CBR600s all line up.  

Schwantz School is now partnered by Suzuki & Honda so you can chose which bike you wish to ride on or indeed both.  The instructor bikes and the camera bikes are also on show.  The instructors all riding GSXR750s and CBR1000s along with the camera bikes too.  There are two camera bikes, one ridden by John Jacobi (nose camera) and the second by Reuben Frankenfield (over helmet camera).  These guys were to follow us around for two days so we can see how we ride back in the classroom on the massive screen.  There are also a few what I would call ‘play bikes’ hanging around for the instructors and Kevin along with three student bikes, Kieron’s BQ750 being one of them.

Back up in the classroom, registration out of the way, official introductions commence.  Due a recent mishap with Taylor Knapp at VIR Lee Acree is to be classroom instructor for the two days.  All the instructors raced, most are currently still racing.  Our track guides for the two days were to be Tray Batey, Ted Cobb, Brad Coleman and Harry Vanderlinden.  John & Reuben on camera bikes, Marnie running the show and then there is Mom & Dad Schwantz on hand along with the reason we were all there Kevin Schwantz.

There were about 15 students and we split in to 2 groups, A and B.  Group A being those that had raced, been on track days etc Group B being those whom just did street.  This is not a race school in anyway and is just the initial easy way of splitting the class in two.  If you feel or are deemed to be in the wrong group you can skip between until you find your comfort zone.

After the basic instructions of be careful and keep smiling are put over group A hit the track.  It follows a basic 20 minute rotation cycle where group A are on track whilst group B have classroom tuition.  Someone has to go out first and it was lucky us. 

Now the weather was great, sunny and warm with a dry track.  3 lanes are available on exit of the pit garages, 1, 2 & 3.  Lane 1 being the fastest, 3 the slowest.  You are encouraged to try and find a rider of similar standard in the first few sessions by choosing a lane and maybe switching until you find someone you can ride with.  Lucky for me I have ridden the last two schools with Kieron so I know we are nearly identical in terms of speed and riding.  We must have ridden a fair few hundred miles together now so also have that trust and understanding.  We pair up in lane 1 on GSXR600s.  Now lane 1 is advertised as the fastest, however each lane only ever goes as fast as the instructor will let you go.  The instructors lead you out and gradually build up speed by watching your every move in their mirrors.  How they ride as fast as they do looking backwards most of the time is unbelievable.  We follow Ted out on that first session, he led us round at a great pace just so we got used to which way the track went.  No point going fast, learn slowly and build your speed, you get to learn the track much better at slower speed, once you know it increase the speed.  Twenty minutes later and not sure how many laps we head back for our first debrief.  After every session the instructor will talk you through what you did right and anything you could improve on.  Nothing much to report, we were riding well.  It was all about learning the track for now.  The track was awesome, up and downs, left and rights, fast corners along with my not so favourite slow ones.  There was plenty of grip out there too and the ever so helpful cones on entry, exit and apex.  All in all it was great to get out there and get the nervousness and cobwebs out of the way.

We all pile back in the lift up to the classroom and swap with group B for their track session.  Everyone is buzzing now, already swapping stories about what the track was like, what they liked, what they didn’t.  Lee calls us to order and the classroom instruction begins.  The class is all about improving your riding skills.  Now everyone has different levels of experience, but get the basics right and you will end up a safer and better rider.  The basics apply to all whether you ride fast or slow.  We were to learn numerous things including visual awareness and concentration, body position and steering technique, cornering lines and reference points, gear selection and shifting technique, braking technique and staying smooth and controlling panic.  In addition to on-bike video instruction and classroom review to enhance our learning experience.  I can’t think of anything that is not covered.  Lee started the sessions with the help of the presentation material and Kevin was also on hand to answer any questions we may have had.  Before you knew it grinning group B were back and it was time for the track again. 

Out we went again on GSXR600s.  Lane 2 this time but faster than the previous session as the track was coming to us, we now knew if the next corner was a left or right.  Brad led us out.  Brad had ridden with us previously at Road Atlanta so knew us fairly well from the off.  We had increased our speed a lot since that first session, the smiles were getting bigger.  Debrief done, back to class.  Chance to get your fluids and energy back up with the provided drinks and snacks whilst Lee covers move class material.

Time for our third session out on track, the last before lunch.  Keiron and I both decide to give the Honda a go and we split up too.  I go out with a fellow brit Nick and Jay whilst Kieron goes out with Sean C whom we have ridden with at the previous two schools.  Nothing major to report, I didn’t get on with the Honda, hit a few false neutrals’ and the throttle was too touchy for me too, back to the Suzuki for the next session.  A few other students made the switch back also, Kieron being one of them.  It’s just what you are used to I guess.  Nice to have experienced the Honda though.

Along with Dave out of track taking numerous photographs of us at various corners there was a film crew in tow.  They were over from Suzuki Japan making a video for the 25th Anniversary of the GSXR next year so we would be filmed entering and leaving the pits as well as out on track.  They even threw a microphone under you nose every now and then – I am so camera shy, err, no, yes, errr.

Time for lunch, great local cooked food whilst swapping stories before we get wind of something very special.  Kevin is to perform some demo laps on his 1993 Championship Winning RGV500 at Indy MotoGP next weekend.  Old Suzuki spanner man Hamish all the way from The Gambia via Scotland (as there was no connection to the US from Gambia!) has been over getting it ready and Kevin is just about to ride it around Barber to check all is okay.  Everyone and I mean everyone is out on the balcony watching the Lucky Strike Suzuki fly around the track with Jacobi in tow on the camera bike. It was just like the good old days, 2 stroke noise and smell, can’t beat it.  I think the only person not to enjoy it was the flag man waiting with the chequered flag, but Kevin took an emergency exit slip road back to the garage rather than take the flag.  Waving the chequered to Kevin on his RGV, that would have been a story.

Lunch done, classroom and track sessions recommence.  Kevin makes it back from his test laps to a 100 questions.  We go back out on track; I am back on the GSXR600s and Kieron now riding his BQ750.  Two track and classroom sessions follow in the afternoon.  We ride with Ted and Tray that afternoon.  Improving our riding gradually over the afternoon with advice from them both.  The last session with Tray had us going the fastest we had been all day.  The track now fully learnt meant we could concentrate on hitting our marks, being smooth and always in control.  We were waved in front by Ted to lead the group in the afternoon, which only happens once the instructor is confident you are in control and safe.  What a thrill riding a great track like Barber with no one out front.  Free to ride but knowing they were behind you and would shoot back in front if you started getting out of control.  It had been day two at Atlanta before I was put out front, so was a great early surprise.

To end the day we have a track walk with Kevin.  Unlike the tour we had on arrival we now had experience of the track.  We all jump in the back of the trailer and get driven to various corners where Kevin explains the best way to get through it, where to break, reference points, apex etc.  At each corner we get out of the truck and get a real close up look, this will help tomorrow for sure.  Then after a quick call on the radio three instructors come through the corner at different speeds so we can see the lines etc.  Ted first (rapid), Brad second (fast) and Harry third (steady).  All three often using different lines gives the students a great idea on how best they should take the bend.  We cover just about all the major corners in the next few hours.  It’s incredible to see the instructors come through the corners so close at speed.  It is also amazing how undulating the track is with some serious hills and cambered corners.  The track walk is a fantastic learning aid.

The day was over, way to soon as ever.  Tonight we were to eat in the shop where the bikes are housed when school is out.  We also had a very special guest, an RGV500 parked up in the corner.  Stories swapped and pictures taken whilst eating Rusty’s BBQ food, spot on.  Tired limbs and minds meant everyone soon left for a good nights sleep to make the most of Day 2.

Day 5 - Second Day of SchoolWednesday 26th of August

Another 8am start after breakfast at the hotel with Sean C, Nick, Kieron, Jay and Jason.  Everyone still buzzing from the day before.  Group and individual pictures taken with Kevin and the we do the clutchless up-shift and throttle blip exercise.  With that out of the way we are straight back in to track and class split.  Group A straight out on track.  Slowly up to speed which was a nice way to start the day, remembering everything we had learnt from the day before.  We rode with Harry too today, so I have now been out with all the instructors.  Each instructor has their own style and ideas, so it is good to hear them all and see what suits you best.  Kevin also ventured out on track on a GSXR1000 today.  Burger’s for lunch before the afternoon sessions.

Kevin takes the RGV out again over lunch and this time flag man gets to wave the chequered flag, he was a happy man today!

Camera bike got me a lot on day two, so was cool to watch yourself back on the big screen throughout those classroom sessions.  Lee pointing out what we did right and what we could improve on.  Looked a bit slow, but hey I can always X2 on the DVD player when I get my copy, you get a DVD on your lap along with a CD of all your pictures from Dave a few weeks after school finishes.

Was out front in nearly all of the sessions today for at least a few laps.  The speed was increasing too.

I beat the flag at one point to get a complete lap on my own, not that I knew that until I got back to the pit to find Ted & Kieron already there.  Then the last session Tray just let Sean C and I go.  Had a great final session enjoying everything that we had learnt and put it all together.  Awesome time, just awesome.

So a final review while group B were out playing, final questions and answers and it was time for graduation.  Everyone that successfully completes the course graduates, anyone that falls has there track time stopped immediately and doesn’t.  100% success, group A & B all came home safe and sound.  One by one, Kevin presents us all with a certificate to acknowledge our success.  Everyone applauds waiting for their turn.  Special prizes for Most Improved rider and Safest rider and then some lucky dip prizes too, everyone goes home happy.

Well not exactly, happy yes, home no, we are all to meet up again at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for part two of this fantastic trip.  As I mentioned earlier this KSS includes hospitality with Kevin at the Indy MotoGP.  We say our Au Revoir’s and head back to the hotel.  Sean C, Nick, Keiron, Jason and I go out for a celebrating meal at a local restaurant.   Now that was an experience too.  14 meals for less than $15  in one place and a menu containing World Famous Meatloaf, which had herbs and a warning “cell phones interfere with the preparation of meatloaf”, enough said.

Day 6 Indianapolis here we comeThursday 27th August 2009

Today is travel to Indy day.  A few of us had decided to drive in convoy up to Indianapolis.  Chris & Jay had left early as they were local(ish) and would see us there.  Keiron, I & the truck would go up with Nick & Sean C who were staying in Nashville over night.  We all left about 10am for the 500 mile, 8 hour drive.  Jason overtook us on the way to pick up Gary driving like a grandma albeit at warp speed.  

The rest of us stayed together until we hit Nashville where we all took a break for lunch.  Tom Tom had guided us in to the main part of Nashville.  We did the tourist bit, photos with all the landmarks and Elvis’s before finding a local joint to eat where we had the best pork sarnies.  A few more tourist pictures and we left Sean C & Nick to continue our drive to Indy passing back into Tennessee before hitting Indiana (state #6).

We got to Indy around 8pm; the traffic had been bad, a bit of rain and a few accidents.  On the way up we were planning what to put on our special Thank You banner for Kevin to be unveiled at the GP.  We eventually decided on the wording and Jason had found somewhere downtown that stayed open late and could make it up.  

We checked in and then headed downtown to meet Jason.  Jason had picked up Gary who was unable to make school but would be attending the GP with us.  We all headed to the banner shop and spent 2+ hours doing final designs on a 12’ x 3’ monster banner.  We got there in the end and were happy with how it was to turn out.  We found what turned out to be our local “Scotty’s Brewhouse” and had some late night food and some beers before hitting home as tomorrow was first day on the Indianapolis MotoGP round.

Day 7 - Indy MotoGP PracticeFriday 28th August

Another early start, not sure if I had a lay-in once?  We were off to the track about 8am.  Part of the trip was full hospitality with Kevin at Indy.  The package included all the benefits of the Corner 9 Club, including climate control and closed circuit television along with fully catered breakfast and lunch with snacks and hors d’oeuvres and a fully catered bar with booze. Paddock pass access and a reserved seat in the Corner 9 Stand also provided.  Kevin was to lead a Friday evening Track Walk, followed by a barbecue prepared by his parents, Jim and Shirley.  Sounded good.  

Kieron had got chatting to some lads in the hotel car park and purchased some tickets that allowed you to ride the track on your bike, so by the time I had got to the car he had already unloaded the road-going Yamaha from the trailer only to find it had a flat (nail) so had switched the number plate to the BQ750 and was ready for the track.  I had my passes too, so the plan was for Kieron to do a lap, swap with me to do mine.  

Today turned out to be just one of those days.  A screw came lose on the way so we had to go back to fix that, then we got separated on the way to the track, so I parked up and started walking to meet Kieron.  That was the complete opposite end to where I was at.  Now if you have never been to Indy it is massive, seriously massive.  It has a golf course in the middle of the oval it’s that big.  Kieron then called to say he had left his tickets in his shorts in the car, I was already half way there so was pointless to go back.  Kieron then called again as he was nearing the front, I ended up running down to where he was and giving him mine so at least he got to ride the track.  It was hot n humid even though it was 8.30.  I had done enough walking already and had not even got in.  Tickets given I started walking back up to my entrance, Kieron got to do his lap and parked up in the infield.  We met up, signed out our paddock passes and started to explore.  There were rider interviews on the main stage, loads of vendors selling gear and then there was the paddock.  After meeting up with a few old friends, Tim, Garrett , Robert, Miguel & Liam we hit the paddock.  We met Marnie, Kevin & the guys down at garage A4.  That was to be home for the next three days.  Jims BBQ’s were down there, along with the RGV surrounded by eager onlookers.  

Kevin had a new set off leathers from Dainese, a new pair of boots from Aplinestars and a new lid from Arai.  All exact replica’s of what he wore in 1993 on the same bike.  It was spooky but so cool.  We spent the day watching qualifying, handing out stickers (well Kieron did) and nosing around.  It was great to be in the paddock, riders and celebs all over the place and a lot of them coming to check out Kevin’s bike.  All the other students turned up too during the day, plus those that couldn’t make the school.

That afternoon the heavens opened and the rain fell like crazy.  That put an end to our scheduled track walk with Kevin and the Schwantz Family BBQ.  They would be the following night now.  Kevin did a Q&A session in the hospitality before everyone headed home for the night.

Kieron went to collect his bike, it was the only one left, he had his shorts on, and had left the rest of his gear on his bike so that was soaked too.  He left the track already soaked only to nearly run out of fuel on the way back to the hotel, then get followed by the cops so had to ride slow.  The track ride had sure taken its toll.

Keiron & I went back in to town to meet Jason & Gary to collect the banner.  It was simply superb!  Miles better than I thought it would be.  So banner in hand we went back to our local for some more grub and beer.  Every bike in Indianapolis must have been in town and they were all parked up as some streets had been closed.  We had a good old nose at some ‘cool’ and some ‘what were they thinking’ bikes.  Jason had a good old chat with the local police before we left, I learnt so much about USA police it was unreal, Kieron and Gary didn’t feel the same J

We headed for home, must have been 1am before we got back, early start again tomorrow for qualifying

Day 8 - Indy MotoGP QualifyingSaturday 29th of August 2009

Back at the track for about 8am.  Today was swag day for me; buy any stuff I needed so I didn’t have to worry about getting it race day.  Breakfast in hospitality, some seriously nice food, before we checked in with The Team down in the paddock.  Hung about during 125 & 250 qualifying before hitting the tracks at various places to watch the MotoGP boys.  My god they are fast and so loud.  Lunch again back in hospitality and met up with email friend David from MotoGPmatters.com

Kevin took a Hondo Moto2 bike out Saturday afternoon for a few demo laps, Marnie managed to get a few of us on to pitlane to watch him go off and come back in.  Swarms of people interested in his every move.  It was cool to be pit side too at Indy. 

The cancelled track walk was not to take place but Kevin took us on a tour of the Honda LCR pit garage and also the Rizla Suzuki garage.  Was great to be up close and in the garage which I only usually get to see on TV.  We spent a good few hours in the garages talking to the staff and checking out the bikes, I had a good chat with Rizla mechanic George about the bikes too.  We then got lucky and got to go out on the start/finish straight to touch the famous bricks that are so associated with Indy.  Photo’s out of the way we head back to the garage for the Schwantz Family BBQ.  We set out a load of tables and chairs whilst Jim & Shirley prepared their famous BBQ.  All the students were there along with people Kevin had invited down.  We ate dinner that night with a varied bunch, Honda, Yamaha & Suzuki mechanics, Chris Vermeulen and numerous friends of Kevin’s.

We presented our Thank You banner to Kevin at dinner.  It went down really well and we would try and display it tomorrow.  Stuffed to the brim, no need to go to town tonight but we decide to go watch the dirt trackers down at the Indy Mile.  Jason, Gary, Kieron and I plug the address in to Tom Tom and we are off.  We arrive at the track and the racing is already taking place.  We take our seats and I was shocked at what was to follow. 

It’s an oval track (ala speedway) but a mile in length; same kind of lose surface means serious hanging the back end out through the turns.  No front breaks on the bikes and unlike speedway there must be 18+ riders, 3 rows of 6 per race.  It’s manic, very fast, just as loud as MotoGP and awesome to watch.  These guys must be mad racing at these speeds on this track.  Everyone is down at the track.  All the teams from the MotoGP paddock, Wayne Rainey, Kevin, and Rossi to name a few.  Kenny Roberts Sr took his 1975 Yamaha TZ750 out for a few demo laps and gave it the full works.  Now that was a noise and a sight.  The racing continued and after a huge crash in the main event the night was done.

Day 9 - Indy MotoGP Race DaySunday 30th August

Race Day.  There signed in and having breakfast at 8am as usual.  Tried to go hang our banner over at turn 9, but a ‘Zero Banner’ policy from the powers that be in the tower meant it wasn’t to be.  Met up with the usual suspects and decided to hang the banner in the paddock before watching the morning warm-up.  People coming and going as everyone was now used to what was where.  We watch Bradley Smith get 2nd place in the 125 race from the main stand.  250’s I just hung around the garage/paddock as Marnie had told us to be back before the end of the race as Kevin was to do his demo laps before the MotoGP race and she would get us on the track with Kevin and the bike. 

True to her word next thing we know is the students and I are all strolling down pitlane on our way to the famous bricks on the track.  I have a paddock stand in hand following Hamish pushing the RGV.  The bike is wheeled out on to the bricks to huge applause.  The 250 trophy presentation out of the way Kevin is presented to the crowd.  At the same side Keiron, Jay, Jason, Gary, Nick, Sean C and I are stood along side unveiling the thanks banner.  What an amazing experience with us the other side of the tape with Kevin and the RGV, the press and all the fans looking on.  Kevin has a chat with Wayne Rainey on the grid, not sure what was said, but a special moment for sure.  It’s not long before the bike is fired up and Kevin gives it the full beans during his 3 demo laps.  We watch them from the pit wall.  It goes by all too quickly as we are ushered off back to the paddock.  Rossi and the boys are about to get ready to rumble.

We go back to the garage with the bike and the gear before heading to the main stand to watch the start of the MotoGP race.  I got goose-bumps watching the flyover during the national anthem.  The atmosphere is amazing as the field races down in to turn 1, the noise is unbelievable.  We watch the first few laps from there before legging it over to our seats at turn 9 where we can see a lot of the track.  The race flies by before you know it and we all head back to the paddock.  Riders eventually leaving the garages off back to their motor homes are grabbed for a final picture or autograph.  We too are done. 

Heading back to the garage for one last time to help clear up and say my goodbyes and thanks to Kevin, Marnie, Jim, Shirley and the team.  Also swapping details with all the fellow students, it’s been one hell of a week.

Sad to leave, but we all do go our separate ways, Keiron & I hit our local for one last night of burgers and beer and crazy waiting staff Jesse & Erica.  Tomorrow we drive back to DC.

Day 10 - We're heading back to DCMonday 1st of September

So with the trailer packed and secure and cases packed it’s time to leave Indianapolis and head back to Maryland.  We leave at about 9am after a quick McDonald’s breakfast.  We hit the highway for the 573 mile, 9 hour journey.  We seem to be the only car amongst a thousand trucks.  The journey sure is picturesque though, fields of corn, massive woodland, hills and rock faces and some very weird advertising boards “Hell is Real!”  

We stop at Debbie’s Delite for lunch, okay I should have turned right.  We enter Ohio (state #7) after about 300 miles quickly followed by West Virginia (state #8) and then Pennsylvania (state #9).  We make a slight detour to pick-up Shadow (Kieron’s dog) from the farm on the way back in to Maryland and an hour later we pull up in the dark back at Kieron’s.  It had been a long day but we were home safe and sound.  We unpack, have a few beers and upload some pictures before it’s time for bed.  Total miles covered 2065.8

Day 11 - It's time to leave - Tuesday 2nd September 2009

Home day.  I awoke to an empty house; Kieron & Shadow had popped in to work for the morning.  I packed up all my gear ready for the flight home later that afternoon.  I transferred all my photographs to Kieron’s laptop and his to mine.  We had 1000’s of pictures; I don’t think we missed a thing.  After a few hours sitting in the gorgeous sunshine Kieron arrived home to take me back to Dulles for my flight home.  Virgin Atlantic VS022 departing 18:40 was awaiting.  

The drive to the airport was hassle free and we made it in good time, I say my goodbyes to my road trip buddy and head for check-in.  Next step departures.  Washington Dulles is quiet a nice terminal and I head for something to eat.  A club sandwich, cookie & ice cream desert washed down with a few beers and I am ready to fly.  

On arrival at the gate my name is called, talk about lucky, I was upgraded to Upper Class again.  Night flight and a flat bed on the plane, happy days.

Day 12 - Back in the UKWednesday 3rd September 2009

We make cracking time on the flight across the Atlantic.  In fact the pilot says one of the fastest crossings he has ever known due to strong tailwinds.  We are back over London before you know it, but the usual holding at Heathrow mean we land pretty much on time.  Waiting for me at arrivals is my lovely Jo, a kiss and a hug and I am home.

Thanks to everyone that made my trip the trip of a lifetime, sure is a family experience going to Schwantz School and the Indy GP Experience made it even more special.  Ride with Kevin and learn so much at school, then go get so close to the riders at MotoGP, that’s what dreams are made of.  Now time to bore everyone with my stories and pictures.