Gorel Power!

Happiness is Fatherhood

2007-10-01T16:44:00.000-04:00

I was hoping when Shana and I got the Yamaha PW50 and training wheels that Logan would eventually grow to riding it on his own - my how far we've come this summer. After returning today from the sporting goods store for some knee pads that fit the 'lil man, to the orange cones we purchased together for our backyard "track", all of the tools are now in place.

To get him comforatble and off of the Honda we were sharing, I put him on his own bike sans gear to get him comforatble and turned the limiter down. As it barely moved, he bagan smiling and yelling, "look-I'm doing it Dad, I'm doing it all by myself!!!" I had not seen him that excited since his actual birthday, and here he was now doing it-all on his own.

So the next time out when I asked him a few days later if he wanted to ride his dirtbike - I added in a bonus. I was going to ride the Honda 50 and he could ride his Yamaha and follow me around! He ran to the garage and began grabbing his bike, but I had to slow him down a bit as now was the time for the safety gear. My father was down visiting as well and found a few small American flags which suited perfectly for his "starter" duty as he watched and laughed as to what unfolded.

For a 3 1/2 year old boy to don his chest protector, helmet, gloves, long pants with hiking boots, and his favorite race jersey....he was now ready-reallllyyy ready to go for it. If we're going to make a go at it- we'll do it the right way and avoid injury-brush that dirt off and get back on that horse if it decides to spit us off. After a few hours now weeks later, racing together and "battling" elbow to elbow-a few rams and collisions for general purpose-the boy has no fear....entering turn 1 like a boy possessed! Welcome to the "little big show" my son.....it's going to be a long ride for you and me.

Happiness IS Fatherhood.

Too pretty to race......never!

2007-09-13T22:59:00.000-04:00

"I built me a trailer queen" as I spoke to some admirers this past weekend in the paddock for the CCS/ASRA Nationals at Summit Point in West Virginia. They looked at me like I'm crazy, well maybe I am but I built it to race-not sit in a museum, well at least not until it's earned that right as other great machines have that have come before the ThunderDuc.

So let's see, gridding up Saturday in the expert Thunderbike final was my most intimidatin race moment yet in my short career. To my front was Nate Kern on the #1 Morton's BMW, to my right was #123 Dave Estok on the Deeley HD Buell, and then there's me..on the #165 Martinmoto Ducati......sweet! So I actually finish the race in 10th out of 22(21 finished, the 1 crash happened in front of me and almost took me out entering T1 on the brakes!) so my FIRST TOP 10 as an expert!!!! Sunday I then followed that up with a solid 9th (of 20) in the Lightweight Gran Prix expert sprint. A great weekend overall and some supporters there too.

A shout out to Jeff Grube and Bill Smith for riding their Triumph's down almost 4 hours each way..just to watch the 1 saturday race and deal with the 90+ degree heat all day-THANKS GUYS!!! And thanks for wearing the ThunderDuc shirts!!! Also special thanks needs to go to Mike DiAntonio and his son Mike, for trekking down from Wildwood, Nj. to shoot pics of me all weekend as we push this envelope further with the marketing opportunities, sponsors, and friends met all around..the pics speak for themselves. And there's always more at http://www.thunderduc.com/ if you need a fix.

This week's news is RevIt! clothing is shooting their 2008 catalog at Pocono Raceway. RevIt! is a premier clothing company for motorcyclists that we sell at Martin Motorsports, as well as outfitting me for this 2007 season as seen in the pic above-the best gear PERIOD! So what you may ask? They borrowed my bike for the shoot. My bike. Ever had that happen to you? How about after building a race bike and then racing it? Me neither until this week......WOW!!!! Some good stuff happening up there today, when the phone rang and Wil from RevIt! asks, " Hey Chris, everyone loves this bike of yours, it may even make the cover." "Is it or would it be okay if our professional driver does a burnout on the front straightaway checkers for a shot..they really think it will look great?"

I'll thank them for the new tires next time......

Finally...it all comes together!!!!

2007-08-20T13:43:00.000-04:00

So after 2 months of having home internet issues, the wife and I finally got the hookup with some DSL...did I mention we had dial up for the last 5 years.....no wonder things took so long. So toady I'm on vacation, enjoying the quiet and peace and am passing along the Gorel blog info as needed, much needed.

After the last blog, I had ridden the new Ducati Hypermotard to an annual breakfast gathering in Ephrata, Pa. the first Sunday in July leading a pack of bikes from our dealership (http://www.martinmoto.com/) . I didn't realize how much I liked that bike for the street and my style-but man it does it for me. The following weekend was the dealership's 3rd annual trackday for our customers at Pocono Raceway and I had been designated as the head coach and pulled together a great crew to help make the day safe for all that attended. The ThunderDuc was able to shine as we showed it off in the expert group, as well as show some proper racing lines to the Intermediate and Novice riders. All in all a great day and weather, and hardly any incidents to speak of.

Directly after this event I had my 5 spoke wheels committed to a great guy named Dave in Australia who I had met on the Ducati Sport Classic Forum (http://www.ducati.ms/) . I also was able to sell off my stock spokes and 2 piston calipers to a guy named Tony in New Zealand whom found my add on my favorite Ducati Monster forum (http://www.ducatimonster.org/) . So after selling both sets and having a little bonus for my hard work in July, I was ready to FINALLY complete the look of the ThunderDuc with a brand new set of tubeless, laced spokes from Italian manufacturer Alpina. Thanks to Phil Krug at PAK Bikes (http://www.pakbikes.net/) who is the new official U.S. distributor, we ordered up a tasty set of silver rim and spokes to red hubs for the racebike.

While awaiting the wheels, my sponsor and friend Doug from Shadow Video Productions(http://www.shadowvideoproductions.com/) had offered me a few days at the track on his bikes and to come play. So the end of July I went to Pocono again and tested his 2004 Triumph Daytona 600 trackbike again(he bought from us at MartinMoto only 2 days prior). The bike is a great tool and all around fun machine, but Mother Nature worked against us that day with the New York Sport Bike Club, and we packed it in early.

A week later in early August we had a Ducati DEMO day which was fun as well as finally showing off the ThunderDuc and it's new wheels. I have also purchased some new high end race rotors and pads and will be updating here in the coming weeks. Those tasty bits as well as the new Ohlins steering damper we'll be fitting to cure the tank slapper and high speed wobble issues we are having with the generic one on the bike now. Further reinforcing that quality equipment is out there, and you do LITERALLY get what you pay for.

Last weekend I ventured to Pocono again with Doug and the SVP crew for a fabulous day on the 2.5 big track...what a rush. Top speed on Nascar's bankings to some 3rd gear right handers that are totally blind with little runoff. Doug had a great day with business and I rode for what seemed like forever on his 2002 Suzuki GSXR750 camera bike- another reminder to others around that the limits of a good stock machine these days are much higher than the rider using them. The ThunderDuc got in 2 good sessions but a continuing fairing bracket fitment issue resulted in us calling it a day early on the machine so no further damage ensued. On the way home, I dropped off the Duc with a good friend and sponsor Chris Spohn at Endurance Engineering who is making an all new aluminum fairing bracket for this specific Sport Classic- a one off right now. I should be picking the bike up late next week with it installed, then install the new damper, rotors and new pads...as we prepare for the upcoming September 8-9 CCS/ASRA National at Summit Point in West Virginia.

We'll be capturing the bike pics, action shots, and race weekend highlights in full in the future with new contributing photographer Mike DiAntonio from Wildwood, Nj. Mike, the fellow owner of a Ducati Sport Classic and partner with AquaBeach Resort has recently donated to the team with a generous check as well as making the ThunderDuc his new project to add to his portfolio......here's a new one to keep you all with us. Sorry it took so long to get back, but thank you and again- check us out at http://www.thunderduc.com/ !!!!!

Do you love your bike?

2007-06-03T16:51:00.000-04:00

I do. Like finding that one to spend forever with, this bike I truly believe is the one that will never leave (I have a 2 year max ownership problem). I can't stop looking at it, starting it, showing it and the racecraft to others. As the ThunderDuc is now complete, I'd like to thank more folks for making this project happen.

Nimi Natan from New Hope, Pa. heads Aquetong Captial Advisors (www.AquetongCap.com) and is true Ducatisti if there ever was one. After purchasing a 2007 GT1000 from me, we began emailing each other as to each other's individual modifications and preferences. Nimi took it upon himself to supply ThunderDuc Racing with a sizeable donation that was a key ingredient in this machine seeing the light of day.

Thanks Nimi, here's to you...and to those that think that dreams CAN come true.

Ride safe my friend.

ZARD.....a new 4 letter word you NEED to know.

2007-05-16T23:09:00.000-04:00

Let's talk brass tax here people, no one likes to wait. Whether it's for this blog or in building a racebike such as the ThunderDuc, patience is truly a virtue. The bike as I write this is 99.9% done and is at the dealership on display-mind you the final pics will not be here until this weekend.....tease I know.

What I CAN offer is this remarkable experience with the U.S. distributor for the wonderfully handcrafted ZARD exhausts, Annitori out of California. When Dave Brown of Bela Son Marketing, my wonderful friend that he is-THANKS DAVE!!!, called me last week and mentioned that a certain box had arrived to his door, and pro-bono I may add, I think I fainted. Annitori the wonderful people that they are listened to Dave and the ThunderDuc program and the bike, and my love for the ZARD that was designed FOR this Ducati, and only the 2006 model as well....and they actually gifted us with a FREE system valued at $1500!!!! UNBELIEVEABLE!!!! THANK YOU ANNITORI!!!!

The I mounted it up, plugged in our Ducati Performance ECU and airbox lid and fired her up.

What happens next is history baby, remember this is the calm before the ThunderDuc storm.....and it's coming.......

So thanks to Dave at Bela Son and Annitori once again, guys-you ROCK!

Dave and I are pushing for the website to be up soon so earmark this address NOW! www.ThunderDucRacing.com

Did I mention that our ThunderDuc Racing online STORE is now open??? Hell yeah!!!! http://www.cafepress.com/thunderduc

There now, see what you get for being patient?

Stay tuned..it's getting soooo much better and check out the Ducati.MS forum link for more ThunderDuc build up pics for now......

ThunderDuc suspension by Penske and Traxxion Dynamics

2007-04-16T16:50:00.000-04:00

Well thanks to PitBull race stands I was able to remove the Ducati rear shock and forks effortlessly and send them out as needed. The forks are currently at Traxxion Dynamics in Georgia receiving adjustable fork caps and their AK20 fork kit including springs, valving, everything that a quality 20mm fork kit can offer the Ducati's original non-adjustable Marzocchi forks.

I must thank Tim Godshall at Penske Suspensions in reading, Pa. . Tim is a super nice guy and handles both suspension sales as well as racer support, from their highly engineered shock absorbers to their Penske fork piston kits. Great quality, great pricing, local business and local employess working hard to deliver great products as well as the technical support and local rebuilding/revalving possibilities. Penske will be making me a Twin clicker 8900 series shock for the Sport Classic Ducati, only their second one to date and hopefully not their last, the Ohlins stuff is nice for sure but for the same price you can have a shock made to your exact weight and abilities rather than just a high end generic. I know, I had one-I sold it for the plain fact that Tim Godshall and Penske are worth supporting and have the race wins and trackside vendor support (Traxxion Dynamics and others) to back up their product.

Tim told me 3-4 weeks, but for some reason I believe ThunderDuc may see it a little earlier than that.

We're getting our money's worth-be sure you are too.

Did someone say PARTY!!!!

2007-04-16T16:27:00.000-04:00

This is why you have a child if for no other reason.

30ish degrees, 20 mph winds, and the kid wants to ride his new bike.......

Hell Yeah Logan, let's go.

Because you've got to have friends....

2007-04-16T15:54:00.000-04:00

If ever there was a time for friends, the time has been this month. From Mike Solick mounting Avons on the 1975 Yamaha RD350 street project, to Jesse Reifsnyder doing a fresh top end on my son's 'as new' PW50 birthday gift.

Been a busy week working on these two machines alone, the RD though will be a continued restoration. New battery and plugs, cleaned the carbs. last night but need to drain the winter fuel in the tank next. I hope to run that by next week, but also found a screw from the tach. just laying loose under the bezel so now I want to pull the gauges when time permits. The hope is to have that to ride to work on Saturdays when not having to take Logan to daycare.

True friends make us stronger, and make us better......

If you truly love someone....set them free

2007-04-12T00:22:00.000-04:00

A stock machine in my garage is an abnormality. Any of my true friends know what Gorelizing a bike is all about. This Ducati Sport Classic will be a great race bike, know why-the details. This bike so far has been downright easy to wrench on, well thought out, and just plain fun. You would think a guy that writes these updates at midnight and wrenches well into the morning hours would get some sleep.........

Can you really blame me? Live your life for the day, for tomorrow may never come.

I will begin documenting this great bike, it's parts, it's suppliers, ThunderDuc and it's meaning, my new logo, the people behind the scenes (Dave Brown from BelaSon Marketing LLC.....you rock!), the people involved that have put up the cash and are coming to the track, the website going live, product evaluations, so many things......

The updates are gaining energy, revs are building......it's almost time, the season is upon us.

I plan to be ready-commitment is what you make it, the easiest day......was yesterday.

Happy Birthday Logan, my son!

2007-04-06T21:24:00.000-04:00

I know you'll not read this for a few years, turning 3 today-but you and your mom are my life.

Bike's aside, I love you and if it all goes away tomorrow-it was fun while it lasted.

Happy Birthday and wait until you see what has in store for you........

Funny what a simple overbore and fresh topend will do for a 3 year old with training wheels.......

That update coming next Monday after the 'family' birthday party-can't discount a birthday with the Easter Bunny at 3 years old people-LOL

You should have seen his face-last night Fox motocross gloves(black), jersey(Yamaha blue), and 2006 season higlights on AMA motocross-kid did not want to go to bed........

Today though was National Spiderman day for those not having a 3 year old son- I swear it looked like a Holiday between the party stuff my wife did for him and his class at daycare-Toddler 3 Rocks!!!! God bless you Shana for all you do woman-seeing him light up is the world right now.........oh, and mom's cupcakes of course....mmmmm.

A birthday week to remember this year at my house for sure...........feel like being a part yet?

I am officially Ducatisti.....whatchyagonnadoboutit!!!!

2007-04-06T21:19:00.000-04:00

1 month later.......

I picked up my brand new red mono 2006 last Thursday on march 29 for my 34th birthday........put a whopping 14 miles on it on the way home from the dealership.....then having to begin the race prep as we're running way late now to be taking our time.

Race kit is all here as of today, yeah!!!!! Thank you Jon Bekefy at Ducati-if you ever see this!!!

Bodywork...cool, so old school bad ass in primer awaiting it's 'personality'.

Termignoni race exhaust kit-sold, racing with a Zard...why, because it's ThunderDuc...and I think they like me...

DP ECU and filterbox lid-bingo

Ohlins forks-sold(thanks AZScott!), sending stockers to Traxxion Dynamics for AK20 kit and adj. fork caps this week-hence staying WERA legal.The fork swap netted me Monster S4 5spoke Marchesini's.....got a new 800ss axle and spacer to mount the front, and 5mm caliper spacers for now to keep the calipers WERA SS legal. Getting a custom 2 indiv ss brakeline kit made up.

Woodcraft rearsets and clipons-rock!

DP lightened 525 14/48 gearing for now(no need for 520 kit yet)

Pirelli Diablo superbike slicks 120 SC1/180 SC2

*other bits not mentioned yet......

Started race prep, removing lights, planning for safety wire, removing charcoal canister and brake light/sidestand switch wiring, then move to turn signal housing when clip ons added(after forks return).ThunderDuc logo being finished up this week, web domain rights taken, hosting service at ready- then go live soon and post the documented pics.The logo will go to the T shirts and anyone wanting to purchase one will just Paypal through the site and place order.Portion of the T shirt sales will benefir the Red Flag Fund for injured racers and their families.

Rev It! Corse GT race suit at Spyder Leatherworks now getting logo'd up and bike and rider are to be on track for initial break in by early May.1st race is Memorial Day weekend at Summit Point, Wv. with CCS/ASRA and see what we have to work with.........

I emplore you if the season is arriving now, and you are reading and enjoying...then please, stay tuned- when the site goes live, I'd love to have you as a guest and follow along as we all have fun.I have raised about $2,000 cash so far as well as some nice sponsorships with some quality vendors and businesses, as well as a local Monster rider's club in our area. It humbles me that it hasn't just been a "pat on the back", but people have actually outreached and believed in me, the bike as fun thing, a cool marketing concept trackside, and just happy to be a part of.I will be thanking those that have quite publicy in the very near future, those of you so far reading this that have been a part-you know who you are-and feel good, this is a great thing indeed and something to look forward to in the coming years-this bike is timeless, technology will not replace it as it's replaceable. From that askewed view, it's old technology as any air cooled twin is....fools I say after being one myself.

I can't stop the BOOM going off in my head.......

2007-02-26T22:00:00.000-05:00

It sounds like.........THUNDER!!!! Attention all citizens, attention all racers! So thanks to Ducati North America last week announcing that they will be offering a limited 50 "race kits" available, special racer pricing, and contingency for their current stable of vintage looking Sport Classic machines. Not a big deal right, no-unless you're me and wanted one of these bikes a year ago for the street and thought about building one for the track but just COULD NOT afford it, nor did it make sense with last years GSXR program I ran in a fight to earn my expert roadracing license.

So I did what any Irish, raving lunatic, mad race bike garage scientist who's ridden on and owned every major brand of the "big four" from Japan would have done....I sold out. Yes, I decided that you know, for all of the stress this past year with my bike, and procuring parts, and the whole Jennings trip....that I wasn't really having fun. I mean I love my bike and all.....but it looks like every other one that's been done like that- so I listed it for sale. If it sells, then I'm officially over my head and in a bigger heap of trouble right? Then why can't I sleep, why do I foster constant thriving ideas in my head of an all new program, a racebike platform of a different nature, of a Ducati air cooled L twin of all things????? Why oh why??? You know why?

THUNDER.

The bark of that Zard twin piped Sport Classic in bright Ducati red that I rode last summer has never left my mind. The look of those laced spokes for God's sake....I'm only 34-not 64! But it draws me. Like a supermodel in looks, like classic Black Sabbath in my head, I was born in the 70's....so why not? No one's racing this bike, who would? Can't be competitive....look at it! Haha naysayers........looks like my GSXR is already sold(as of yesterday). But hell if that falls through-I'll find a way-I always do, at getting what I want.

Well I want this. I already ordered the limited Race Kit option 2 package with full Ohlins, Termi exhaust, and body kit. Oh it's happening. Funny thing is, so many people love Ducati. Ducati themselves LIVE to race. My customers have never even been to a race to watch me on my Suzuki's(nor my wife or son, or mom, or inlaws, or....) too far they said, at 3 and a half hours to Summit Point. Yet this word of me and the Ducati is spreading like wildfire, people are offering to donate money, time, and resources into this-just to feel a part of it, to watch it grow, and watch it race......hell if I win. You can't imagine what memories conjure up from pure strangers and their 'vintage' days. Define vintage and you define these Euro bike loyalists.

Just getting there and doing it, with friends and supportive sponsors, on a bike that has barely seen a race paddock in the USA, yet is bled from the very history of International Roadracing, from the last 50 years - we've already won! It's about heart, it's about free thinking, comraderie and thoughtful resources, it's from sponsors who understand that deep down, they want to feel apart of something good, something whole, and a team that stands for something.

For my father the supportive Harley die hard, my mother the still constant worrier, my wife my best friend, and my son my biggest reason every day is worth cherishing...........this 2007 season is for you.

ThunderDuc Racing

The best is yet to come. This blog has been a resource but stay tuned, as there is a storm coming......a BIG STORM! Remember that name, it stands for Ducati, it stands for grass roots racing with no politics, it stands for friends and family, it stands for quality vendors and their gear. It stands for fallen riders, Ducatisti of course but anyone and everyone we've ever lost that was as passionate as bikes as I am-I ride for you.

ThunderDuc Racing-

Be careful of your dreams, they may just come true.

Why Winter testing starts with the word Winter

2007-02-22T02:03:00.000-05:00

Sooooo, it's been a month and it's 2am- off season(?), I say never. So after the finishing and bike prep., the stress of it all since October, the 15+ hour travel to Florida(each way!!!), I get to Jennings GP and ask, "is all of this worth it?" The answer quite simply in all Gorel endeavors-is yes. Roadracers Steve Bani, Joe Russo, and I hit the hotel in Valdosta, Ga. which is about 10min. from the track Sat. eve after a nice sit down dinner. That night, torrential downpours, and then freezing temps, man I feel so lucky in life, I swear. We awake to clearing skys and a 'balmy' 35 degress, just what we need to get us all juiced up about testing our 100 plus horsepower racebikes, on cold pavement, cold slick tires, and thin leather suits with my preferred full vented perforations....absolutely perfect-here goes, hang on!

So we unload, I take my time through Sunday working through teething issues(small oil weep here, rubbing rotor/caliper there), and get some seat time. My bike is not the insane beast I was worried about-turns out it's easy to go fast on for a full tilt 750, and a lot less of a workout then when it was a 600. The suspension sag that Troy Mengal from Martinmoto set for me was all but perfect, as I turned out a little fork rebound-the chassis stayed as it came-and rode well. I put in a few hot laps, scuffing tires, remembering Jennings layout-trying not to highside in the cold-dedication.....yes.

We load up the trailer and hit the hotel, clean up and partake in what may be the most memorable dinner out, possibly in my entire life. Between the scenery in there, the Valdosta accents, the Crocodile we ate, or the sweet potatoe pie that somehow I inhaled laughing and had to use up about a pound of napkins to unload like tissues(hurt actually).....that made the trip. Stayed up late like schoolboys and yet Joe and I are early 30's, Steve going on 50-just what roadtrips and bikes are about-memories.

So after evening temps. dropping into the teens, Monday morning clouds and highs in the 30's.....I realized that this allot of work and commitment-with few payoffs unless at the National level and preparing for Daytona with a full crew to help, while you sit and stay warm. Instead I was out in the cold, adjusting this, tightening that, take a few laps-then repeat. Better now than April when it's time to put the hammer down. I ended my Christmas present destination trip by getting in a few hot laps chasing Mike(on his '05 R6) and then his Dad Bill(TZ250) around on the track at a very good clip(pace). Also realized that I'll never use all that my bike now has to offer. Borge Larsen, the owner of the track and I chatted after he and I diced around Sunday(I found out he was the owner after the conversation). His track weapon? A pre-1990 Yamaha FZR400 chassis with a built FZR600 motor, lightweight and great power to weight ratio. When he first went by-I swear I thought some local had a hot(built), old school YZF750 or FZR1000 from the tailsection. After then talking to him and he's a big time WERA expert I felt good and bad. Good, because I hang with a guy that rides this track whenever he wants-year round. I was there a year ago, and had about 30min to an hour of seat time on my new steed. Bad, because I was on a bike easily making 40-50 more horsepower and yet he put up a fight, had the endurance to keep going, humbling as I had expected.

I never dream or aspire to be the fastest-just fast-er than some. I built my bike into this trick machine that I truly love for trackdays...but the new realization of being an expert roadracer means full commitment to the machine and the track-that's hard to do on this platform and the competition well, they speak in results-lots of them. As I sit here and write this, family asleep for hours....things are going to change around here with the inventory. I have a project I've been working on since last week, 2 -3 weeks after the return from Jennings GP in real time.

I want to have more fun, go fast, but be competitive.....may be time for some Thunder to come........before the lightening......stay tuned as a bomb's about to go off in the Gorel race camp.

Be careful what you ask for

2007-01-26T22:21:00.000-05:00

So for the last 2 years I've been lucky enough to be invited to a 2 day track 'test and tune' day down in Florida by CCS/ASRA(formerly FUSA) hotshot Mike Himmelsbach, which is in late January. I leave in an hour for a serious 15 hour raod trip with pals Steve Bani and Joe Russo, both WERA and CCS regular fast guys. Drive all night and half a day- unload trailer at track and lock up, hit hotel on Georgia side-sleep, wake up early Sunday and ride from 9-5-hit hotel, then repeat Monday morning, 9-5-then pack and leave ASAP-drive all night and half the day-unload-say hi to family, sleep-wake up and back to work.

If that wasn't enough work-the fact that I decided to change my entire bike from a mildly built 600 to a full professional grade 750(an extra 30 horse we now know from the Dyno!), new Ohlins forks, Attack adjustable triple clamps, BPD shock linkage...could I have made it any harder to go to Florida and NOT be comfortable with an ALL NEW bike basically? As if that wasn't enough, there were a few bumps along the way from the motor being dropped in shipping, then not starting due to timing issues, then the bike was dropped(not by me) during loading, then the muffler replacement stress, re-bending the 'was perfect' subframe, then getting the bodywork back 2 days before loading(not knowing how the changes would look), to the then BENT front wave rotor(a $300 piece alone!) that HAD to be replaced within less than 48 hours after mounting new tires(did I mention the front $1,000 Marchesini wheel got caught in the tire machine jaws and was scratched?)-thanks for overnighting that Adam!

I write this as a relief-I'm leaving soon, heading out to pack up and head over to Steve's by midnight, freeze, put my stuff from my trailer to his huge car hauler(hey, we're taking 6 bikes total!)..............you just have to appreciate the money wasted, headaches(literally), bad attitudes. But that can do spirit, the aspirin, the RedBulls, the feeling of knowing you've overcome something greater than even you can control............that's why I do what I do- can't wait to get on the bike and feel it out-get comfortable, then start pushing......because in the end, I'm dead without that push.

Wish me luck.

You know your kids addicted when....

2007-01-26T22:15:00.000-05:00

He goes crazy at not even 3 years old-for indoor, gladiator style, bar to bar motocross. Between the drive to the Reading Soverign Center with Logan and my Dad for the 2007 BooKoo Arenacross, listening to Godsmack in my truck the whole way, catching dinner at Arby's, and then Logan going totally nuts when the racing broke out......makes me proud to be a moto Dad-and fun for my moto Dad to be there with us as well-a very cool night indeed. Mommy decided she needed a break so she chilled at the house while we boys had a special Saturday night-still blows me away how awesome she is, I am truly very lucky.

2007-01-26T22:11:00.000-05:00

So Santa comes and brings every one new moto stuff. Mommy got a Triumph shirt, Dad a calander for the garage, and Logan...well, the kid made out-big time. A battery powered trike to race around the house with, Travis Pastrana's new Lock-N-Load DVD, a new(old school-well 2000 anyways) X-Games Pastrana poster that takes up a quarter of Logan's wall now, plus the cool Bubba Stewart wind up jump cycle, new Yamaha tuning fork hat, and on and on.

2006-12-21T16:00:00.000-05:00

Smiling at the track, hanging with my pal Brett Scott-another hardcore Suzuki GSXR750 enthusiast.

It's rare that I smile, and the devilish grin here is why I do what I do, when I can do it.

Thanks to my wife Shana for putting up with me over the last 8 years. Stronger willed than I am, and just as stubborn.

God bless my 2.5 year old son Logan for wanting to be like Daddy.

Welcome aboard the Gorel adrenaline train!

2006-12-21T14:09:00.000-05:00

Wow, never ever thought this would happen. After 33 years of life and trying to find another way to enjoy it, I've finally decided to write about the exploits of the Gorel's and the quest for the ever elusive adrenaline kick that I constantly am in search of.

Please stay tuned, it will be an exciting ride. From my youth running the Fonz sticker equipped push bike down my driveway to destruction, then to my first real bike, a Honda ATC70 in 1980, to the 2007 Roadrace season aboard my firebreathing Suzuki GSXR750 built my me and my fellow co-workers at Martin Motorsports here in Pottstown, Pa.

One wild ride for sure, get your helmet and hang on!