Manfeild test day Friday

[KS34]

I decided to take friday off and go to Manfield for the test day, and I'm glad I did. I meet some great people, Dave and his wife, Dave has a k7 750 the same as mine only pretty trick, Glen Skachill and Chris Osbourne were also there and once introduced they were more than happy for a chat and Chris was fantastic giving some much needed info on suspension tips. A big thanks Chris, this was my first time with fiddling the standard suspension and although I must have come across as pretty thick he was more than happy to help. Anyway last time I was at Manfield I did a 1:18.3 with a slipping clutch and I was convinced I could do a bit better. For the first session out suspension settings were standard and I went out and felt pretty confortable considering I had not been on the bike for 2 months and came in with a 1:15.9!! I was leaping for joy. Its hard to explain that feeling we all get when things go right but it's a goodun! So after Chris had explained a bit of stuff I had a fiddle and got back out and did a 1:15.7 a wee bit pissed as Dave came in and he was on high 1:14's he's a nice guy, not his fault I was slower, and I had to suck it in and concentrate on the job at hand, my head was not in the right place I was trying a bit hard. I played some more and went out again, head is in right place and took off not pushing just relaxing and enjoying myself, and enjoy myself I did, came in with a 1:15.3 Stoked! unfortunately Dave had a slide coming out of the hairpin and came off, luckily the bike was'nt too bad but Dave looked a bit worse for wear (hope you are ok dude!). Next time out and the rear started sliding a bit out of turns and I'm still a lift off sort of guy instead of keep the power up it sort. Mentally it got to me the tyres are 3 trackdays old I know I should of persisted but I found myself running round in the 17's not alot of fun. At the end of the day though I was Happy, I acheived more than I thought I could, I learnt plenty, meet some fantastic people and most of all I know next time I go back I can go even quicker with the knowledge I gained about the bike and myself. I'd also like to thank Big Rick (my pitcrew) you rock! and Daves wife for some great photos below.
One small thing I must mention is concern over the test days becoming abit like trackdays, there were a couple of bikes out there that were headlight wearing road bikes with the guys just out for a fang, and a slow one at that! and an SV650 rider that was just dangerous!

[Deano]

Let the good times roll !!

[325rocket]

Let the good times roll !!


Haha. so does that make you the dangerous SV650 rider???

[KS34]

Deano would be quicker on a pushbike than this person was on the SV!:eek:

[Tony.OK]

Nice one man....................was that Dave with all the tatoo's on the other semfiddy?
If it was..................next time ya see him tell him I said he's still a slow prick!:bleh:

[KS34]

ha ha Yep thats our man:doh: Great to see you have the new bike dude.

[quickbuck]

One small thing I must mention is concern over the test days becoming abit like trackdays, there were a couple of bikes out there that were headlight wearing road bikes with the guys just out for a fang, and a slow one at that! and an SV650 rider that was just dangerous!

That is a Major......
I know there are some racers that do use a pretty much standard road bike, but I also know they (the particular SV650 I'm thinking of) aren't that slow....

[sinfull]

when's the next test day ? I need some track time on the new bike !!!

[Tony.OK]

when's the next test day ? I need some track time on the new bike !!!

http://www.manfeild.co.nz/events.asp?filter=3 ;)

[KS34]

That is a Major......
I know there are some racers that do use a pretty much standard road bike, but I also know they (the particular SV650 I'm thinking of) aren't that slow....

I think the important thing to remember is the words "Test Day". And I'm not slagging Slow racers, I'm one! The person on the SV and it was a race bike had obviously not raced and I'd be supprised if they had done much riding at all, it was just very dangerous as they were all over the track in an eratic fashion. The guys with road bikes were just a pain in the bum.

[scuzeme]

Your not slow mate leave it out!

[Shaun]

Be carefull guys, I said the very same thing years ago on here, and man did I get slagged

[roadracingoldfart]

I think the important thing to remember is the words "Test Day". And I'm not slagging Slow racers, I'm one! The person on the SV and it was a race bike had obviously not raced and I'd be supprised if they had done much riding at all, it was just very dangerous as they were all over the track in an eratic fashion. The guys with road bikes were just a pain in the bum.

Dont take it as a dig but ...
Did you give the said rider a bit of advice or just avoid him to make it easier ???
If you just ignored his riding badly then the next time you have to avoid him may be at a race meeting, we all got to start out as bad / slow racers, the diff is in the advice and training given, then ability can come out.
A mate of mine is what i call an awesome rider on the road but he couldnt keep up at a CD day and he was on a 1098. I made him follow me for 6 or so laps and he didnt know the parts of track i showed him could be used , good road riders dont always make good racers.

Paul.

[KS34]

Dont take it as a dig but ...
Did you give the said rider a bit of advice or just avoid him to make it easier ???
If you just ignored his riding badly then the next time you have to avoid him may be at a race meeting, we all got to start out as bad / slow racers, the diff is in the advice and training given, then ability can come out.
A mate of mine is what i call an awesome rider on the road but he couldnt keep up at a CD day and he was on a 1098. I made him follow me for 6 or so laps and he didnt know the parts of track i showed him could be used , good road riders dont always make good racers.

Paul.

See where you are coming from, and at a Trackday thats fine all the luck to them I wouldnt offer them advice myself, but would certainly point them in the right direction (and they were in a garage with plenty of talent) but again it wasnt a trackday, and a trackday is where you should start not in the thick of a test day. I think this also comes back to needing to pass a race licence rather than buying one but as we know thats a whole other thread thrashed before!
Ken

[KS34]

Your not slow mate leave it out!

Pull the other one ;) , When I get down to the 1:11's I'll start calling myself quick dude!

[Sketchy_Racer]

Pull the other one ;) , When I get down to the 1:11's I'll start calling myself quick dude!

You'll be doing those lap times in no time mate. Just keep working away at it!
Oh and thanks for the coffee, went down an absolute treat! Loved it.

Cheers,

-Glen

[oyster]

I assume what you call a "test day" is contract individual hire between the rider and the circuit owner/manager. In the south they are called "multihire' mostly Tuesdays and Fridays at Ruapuna. What responsibilities the management have over safety leadership in such matters of speed differential /competency matters is questionable. In the school holidays I often take a group of a dozen or so youngsters out to Ruapuna for training. The way I manage it is to get an MNZ permit, steward and suitable first aid coverage. Then you at least have a suitable "platform" for managing it safely.
If there were concerns re other users out in the same sessions riding in a way that compromises safety, then it would be discussed jointly by the steward, the rider and circuit managers.
Anyone who goes out in an open session of riders with mixed speed / competencies who plans to go "full race pace" is , in my view, (and that of rule 6.10) the dangerous one. If it's really bad, you must accept the rights of the others, and live with it, or go home.

[Sketchy_Racer]

"Test Days

Test days are open to all competition vehicles that have the appropriate vehicle licencing, personal safety equipment (including helmets, overalls, covered shoes), and vehicle safety equipment (including a certified roll cage, fire extinguishers). The vehicles must also abide by our noise regulations of no more than 80 decibels in surrounding areas of the circuit."

Off the manfeild site. It is a test day for competition vehicles, so really road bikes shouldn't be out there. The only reason road bikes get out on the track is because the track guys have no idea about bikes. If you want to take a car it has to have a certified roll cage, extingushers etc.

[oyster]

Yep Sketchy, you've answered half of it. You've paid good dosh to go out there and it's the circuit's responsibility to ensure other hirers are compliant. If it affects you, complain until it's fixed.
The other half of the problem is the compliant user but slow by virtue of the bike or rider competence levels. That still needs to be addressed, via suggestion of my post (that's how we do it)
Remember: NOTHING comes before safety.

[sinfull]

Anyone who goes out in an open session of riders with mixed speed / competencies who plans to go "full race pace" is , in my view, (and that of rule 6.10) the dangerous one. If it's really bad, you must accept the rights of the others, and live with it, or go home.

Yeah so slow down you guys ! Please heehe

What i'd like to know is do ya have to book for fridays test day or do ya just rock up to the manfield office on the day ?

[Kendog]

"Test Days

Test days are open to all competition vehicles that have the appropriate vehicle licencing, personal safety equipment (including helmets, overalls, covered shoes), and vehicle safety equipment (including a certified roll cage, fire extinguishers). The vehicles must also abide by our noise regulations of no more than 80 decibels in surrounding areas of the circuit."

Pretty sure my bucket qualifies, when is the next one :shifty:

[Tony.OK]

Yeah so slow down you guys ! Please heehe

What i'd like to know is do ya have to book for fridays test day or do ya just rock up to the manfield office on the day ?

Nah mate. Just rock up there, pay ya hundy and go crazy.
Some days are near empty, but expect it to be busy before a race meet.

Normally the cars and bikes alternate 20min sessions.

[Sketchy_Racer]

Pretty sure my bucket qualifies, when is the next one :shifty:

It sure does haha. It'd be hard not to fall asleep on the straights though wouldn't it?

[Kendog]

It sure does haha. It'd be hard not to fall asleep on the straights though wouldn't it?

I would have the Ipod going listening to some good tunes :whistle:

[koba]

I would have the Ipod going listening to some good tunes :whistle:

So you now have a fuel tank that whould be good for more than 1/2 a lap?!

[Kendog]

So you now have a fuel tank that whould be good for more than 1/2 a lap?!

Damn, my cunning plan foiled.

I have the beginnings of a real fuel tank (thanks Skunk) A bit more work to go.

[roadracingoldfart]

Damn, my cunning plan foiled.

I have the beginnings of a real fuel tank (thanks Skunk) A bit more work to go.


Are you saying that Skunk is getting you tanked ????
Thats a bit dodgy init ?

[Kendog]

Are you saying that Skunk is getting you tanked ????
Thats a bit dodgy init ?

It is being created at Skunk works, some would say that that's dodgy, I say it's the true bucketing way :cool: