Trackday slowbies

[dpex]

I feel like I've done a gazillion track-days in between a few races, but the group I get the greatest pleasure from talking with, are the newbie/slowbies.

Niether term is meant in any derogatory way. They ARE new, and they ARE mostly slow....well, most are till toward the end of the day; then those who wished to explore some boundaries can often, quite easily, go up a group.

I met one dude riding a 500cc 'elderly' sit-up-and-beg bike at one recent.

If he ever got over 100kph I would be surprised.

But geez, by the end of the day he was buzzing because he'd gone to his 'perceived' limits, and he wasn't in the least bit phased at being mixed in with 'all' groups for the last run.

At one stage I watched Gareth Jones roar past him, so fast, he was sucked along in the slip-stream. But did he care? Nope. He was just having a grand time.

Most other bikes flew by...most of them...and he simply held his line; as he had been instructed, and got on with it. He was fizzing as he packed up to ride the two hours to home.

Me and Clivoris helped him get his bike ready for the track.

He was over the moon that two strangers just stepped up to the plate to help him out. But that's the way the track/race community mostly operates.

Sue (Motott) once told me that some insurance companies had arrived at the conclusion that those who had done a few track-days were far less likely to become road-kill because they'd got their rocks off at the track.

I know that for me, blasting on the roads is yesterday's hit.I just don't need to do it anymore.

I've been listening to various discussions amongst the conveners of track-days...'Mostly' the discussions are about how to get more bikers to attend.

Seems to me that the target-market should be weekend warriors.

I stop and chat, on the road, to varous in this group and the theme is nearly always the same. 'Aw man! I just did 'X' road. What a buzz! I got up to (pick a dream figure...normally about 200kph better than Stroudy could do it) and I just felt????'

Yeah, right. Cows, sheep, gravel, tar-snakes, oncomings. Oh yeah. That's really safe.]

I have to bite my tongue to stop myself going into "Buddy, you ain't lived till you've come three-abreast, at 180+, into the chicane at Taupo, and held your balls till the other two brake first."

But a) they can't even begin to imagine such an event. And b) I get the distinct impression from many that they might not like to experience such and event.

So I mention track-days. Talk as hard as I may...and believe me, talking is what I do best...'they' seem to have the impression that track-days are ego-trips for anyone but beginners.

You all at Motott, Reedline, KTD, AMCC, might like to think on that and consider ways to attract raw newbies.

I can think of dozens of ways to attract the Road-warriors.

The more you attract, the safer the biker population gets.

But if you, KBer reading this, haven't done a track day, then do one. Enter the slowbies. You can upgrade during the day if you feel good about what you're able to do.

Believe me. You'll came away with a whole new sense of what you can and can't do. And there's no bastard laughing at you. In fact even the super-fast welcome your presence because we're all there for a common purpose.

To learn how to go fast, safely.

[Richi]

Im a new rider I am very keen to get out on the track. From what ive heard its relatively cheap entry and im sure there would be so much to learn.

Just usually they're during the week i assume some people are happy blasting round the roads on the weeknd and wont bother takin time off work.

Only thing stopping me is a wee bit of cash I dont own any leathers as of yet but they will come :) Cant wait!!

[sinfull]

Wellcome back to cyber space ! How were the trout treatin ya ?
Dont forget the plugs man !!!

Manfield central districts mc trackday 10th jan
Taupo kiwitrackdays.co.nz 16th jan
Taupo motott.co.nz 17th jan
pukekohe redlinetrackdays.co.nz 17th jan
Taupo triumph rat trackday but all bikes wellcome 18th jan
Manfield Victoria racing club fun day 18th jan
pekekohe kiwitrackdays.co.nz 26th jan
Taupo redlinetrackdays.co.nz 5th feb

And on and on and on hehehehe

[dpex]

Wellcome back to cyber space ! How were the trout treatin ya ?

The trout have obviously gone on holiday. :--((

Wanna know my best time at Taupo?

Tee hee. Not telling ya!

[MadDuck]

But if you, KBer reading this, haven't done a track day, then do one. Enter the slowbies. You can upgrade during the day if you feel good about what you're able to do.

Ok I will bring my sporty to the next one :laugh:

[dpex]

Im a new rider I am very keen to get out on the track. From what ive heard its relatively cheap entry and im sure there would be so much to learn.

Just usually they're during the week i assume some people are happy blasting round the roads on the weeknd and wont bother takin time off work.

Only thing stopping me is a wee bit of cash I dont own any leathers as of yet but they will come :) Cant wait!!


For 'most' trackdays, the cost is about $100. But you could do the Taupo day, on 10th Jan, for $40. But be there early, first in, first served, and the limit is 120 riders.

However, the slow group is nearly always the least populated.

Pity, really. It should be the most populated.

Go have fun. It's quite safe, and very tightly run.

[dpex]

Ok I will bring my sporty to the next one :laugh:


You wanna join me, Sinfull and Jrandom for the contest at Manfield on 24/25th. Frosty reckons you can ride. That's good enough for me.

[wbks]

anyone going to the one on the 17th?

[dpex]

Wellcome back to cyber space ! How were the trout treatin ya ?
Dont forget the plugs man !!!

Manfield central districts mc trackday 10th jan
Taupo kiwitrackdays.co.nz 16th jan
Taupo motott.co.nz 17th jan
pukekohe redlinetrackdays.co.nz 17th jan
Taupo triumph rat trackday but all bikes wellcome 18th jan
Manfield Victoria racing club fun day 18th jan
pekekohe kiwitrackdays.co.nz 26th jan
Taupo redlinetrackdays.co.nz 5th feb

And on and on and on hehehehe

I meant to mention. I have a friend of a friend who can do you a really good deal on coal. seven cents a KG, delivered!

[sinfull]

For 'most' trackdays, the cost is about $100. But you could do the Manfield day, on 10th Jan, for $40. But be there early, first in, first served, and the limit is 120 riders.

However, the slow group is nearly always the least populated.

Pity, really. It should be the most populated.

Go have fun. It's quite safe, and very tightly run.
You better show up at manfield on the 10th david or you will be all lonely at taupo !!!!
Yeah but it was a short track man them times are what most do on the full lol

[blossomsowner]

does pukekohe have track days?

how are they advertised?

what are the requirements to attend re bike specs and riding gear?

cheers

[MadDuck]

You wanna join me, Sinfull and Jrandom for the contest at Manfield on 24/25th. Frosty reckons you can ride. That's good enough for me.

Wouldnt be a fair contest

[dpex]

You better show up at manfield on the 10th david or you will be all lonely at taupo !!!!
Yeah but it was a short track man them times are what most do on the full lol

I'll be there...at Manfield.

Tell the track times quip to Stroudy, et al. You wish. :--))

[scracha]

Yep, the racing is a buzz. I'm dithering about ditching the road bike.

[sinfull]

I'll be there...at Manfield.

Tell the track times quip to Stroudy, et al. You wish. :--))

Haha you just wait till next saturday mate ! I heard you might just be a force to recon with for the old steam train now ! So might just have to pull me a rabbit out the hat !

[dpex]

Wouldnt be a fair contest

Aw, we wouldn't mind paying out the scotch to the real shiela.

[sinfull]

does pukekohe have track days?

how are they advertised?

what are the requirements to attend re bike specs and riding gear?

cheers
If ya bike is warranted then ya wont have a prob (tyre pressure ! Think tyres before ya go out) If you wear boots gloves protective trou and jacket they'll let ya out there ! (leather is the go for road or track but cordura will get ya out there)


Wouldnt be a fair contest Mad i tell ya mad ! Be good to see ya blattin around on the sporty !


Yep, the racing is a buzz. I'm dithering about ditching the road bike.
Yep spose to be doing a club ride from down this way up to the naki morra but meh cant see the point in wasting rubber on road riding !


Aw, we wouldn't mind paying out the scotch to the real shiela. Bourbon my man bet she drinks bourbon ! (fine taste i recon she has)

[dpex]

does pukekohe have track days?

how are they advertised?

what are the requirements to attend re bike specs and riding gear?

cheers

Okay. Well done for asking.

Your bike doesn't have to have oil or water overflow catchers, or wired sump-plug or wired oil-filter for a track-day...Don't know why, but they don't.

You need....Leathers, or Cadura (if you're brave enough) Good gloves, properly-fitting helmet, the 100 bucks entry fee, and gas.

You elect the group 4 to begin. If you think you're bit of a knob jockey, then still go with group 4 to begin. You can always move up during the day.

AMCC (Puke) does a really tight operation. You'll get to 'walk' the track. And when you get going you will have line-marshals leading you for the first two circuits. If you ask, they will lead you at any other time you ask. And they are really good riders who know what it's like to be a newbie.

On the net, go to AMCC. There you will find the schedule.

Have fun. Go hard.

[MadDuck]

Mad i tell ya mad ! Be good to see ya blattin around on the sporty !

Ohhh yeah the sporty at splash would be a challenge


bourbon my man bet she drinks bourbon ! (fine taste i recon she has)

Yep got it in one....whats this scotch stuff he talks of :mellow:

[sinfull]

Ohhh yeah the sporty at splash would be a challenge



Yep got it in one....whats this scotch stuff he talks of :mellow:
Any bloody thing would be a challenge at splash from what i hear lol but then i never rains when i'm on the track !

Oh the scotch ? lol It's his shout at the end of the pacific series !!!

[Usarka]

Judging by the waiting lists for MotoTT I'd be surprised if attracting more riders was there #1 business objective.

[dpex]

Haha you just wait till next saturday mate ! I heard you might just be a force to recon with for the old steam train now ! So might just have to pull me a rabbit out the hat !


With all that hair, you don't have room for a rabbit in your hat.:-)))

Coal! Seven cents a kilogram!

You've been talking with Random, ain't ya. Geez, you two. Beating up on an old man like my bike.

Shame on you.

[dpex]

Any bloody thing would be a challenge at splash from what i hear lol but then i never rains when i'm on the track !

Oh the scotch ? lol It's his shout at the end of the pacific series !!!

You wish, Buxton!

[McWild]

I think a barrier for many new riders is that they tend to have spent all their bike budget on bike, and cordura road kit, then once they realise that the track is realistic they find themselves wishing for a set of leathers.

Well, at least that's what happened to me. But I'm saving!

[dpex]

Judging by the waiting lists for MotoTT I'd be surprised if attracting more riders was there #1 business objective.

Yes. You're quite right. But there's AMCC, Kiwi Track Days, redline Track Days, and then of course, there's those mad buggers who race....but that kinda comes after a few track-days unless you hve really big balls.

[sinfull]

With all that hair, you don't have room for a rabbit in your hat.:-)))

Coal! Seven cents a kilogram!

You've been talking with Random, ain't ya. Geez, you two. Beating up on an old man like my bike.

Shame on you. i been watchin ya lol may not have made it up there but ! http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~marktime/results.html



You wish, Buxton!
Bwahahahahahaha (runs off to google buxton)

[Reido]

can anyone give me some more info on trackdays please =]?
im really keen to do one or two..

things.. must wear leather right? can i hire gear? (just pants)
any regulations for helmets etc?

how much riding on track can i expect.
Insurance?.. umm yeah

cheers
Reido

[blossomsowner]

Okay. Well done for asking.

Your bike doesn't have to have oil or water overflow catchers, or wired sump-plug or wired oil-filter for a track-day...Don't know why, but they don't.

You need....Leathers, or Cadura (if you're brave enough) Good gloves, properly-fitting helmet, the 100 bucks entry fee, and gas.

You elect the group 4 to begin. If you think you're bit of a knob jockey, then still go with group 4 to begin. You can always move up during the day.

AMCC (Puke) does a really tight operation. You'll get to 'walk' the track. And when you get going you will have line-marshals leading you for the first two circuits. If you ask, they will lead you at any other time you ask. And they are really good riders who know what it's like to be a newbie.

On the net, go to AMCC. There you will find the schedule.

Have fun. Go hard.




will go have a look
cheers

[dpex]

I think a barrier for many new riders is that they tend to have spent all their bike budget on bike, and cordura road kit, then once they realise that the track is realistic they find themselves wishing for a set of leathers.

Well, at least that's what happened to me. But I'm saving!


You can do a track-day in Corduras, Mcwild, just do it in the slow group unless you want to buy a new set.

Corduras, as I understand the matter, are a one-hit outfit. You come away with most of your skin, but the need to buy a new set.

Corduras are good for the road...if you're biking mostly safely. But they're still one-hit.

You don't need to buy expensive leathers; just leathers. You skid the arse out of them, then you take them to Kerry. She gives you the Billy about what a useless set of leathers you have, then she fixes them, and poom! You'e on the track again.

Kerry fixes cheap leathers for less than the price of a meal at a half-way decent restaraunt.

The message here being, buy cheap. Then after you splat, Kerry will double stitch the bits which should have been, and you'll be away.

Kerry, BTW. Can be found in St Kevin's Arcade. Auckland. Finest woman I've met in a long time.:--))

[dpex]

i been watchin ya lol may not have made it up there but ! http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~marktime/results.html



Bwahahahahahaha (runs off to google buxton)


Yeah well. Just 17 seconds behind Stroudy does it for me. That's just 14 and a bit percent slower.

Coal! Seven cents a kilogram!!! :--))

[Sparrowhawk]

I'd love to do a track day, I just gotta replace my front disc first (it's warped), and scrape some cash together for the entry fee! You guys are talking about binning it as if it's a likely thing if you do a track day. Is that right?

[roy.nz]

MAte i believe in track days, before my first day the road would be my track, now after the first one i cant wait for them so i can go as fast i as can. I love track days, just need to follow someone faster and better so i can get the line and faster. :headbang:

[jrandom]

Coal! Seven cents a kilogram!!! :--))

'ang on 'ang on, weren't you supposed to be doing 1:22s? kiwifruit said he timed you at 1:22 on Sunday. That's the best that he and I could do on Betty on Track 2, y'know. Had me sweating big cold drops.

But I don't see you going faster than 1:26 during TRRS on the website.

I begin to suspect kiwifruit of dastardly eggings-on. What a naughty man he is!

The Glenlivet in April will taste sweet.

:2thumbsup

Edit: Oooh, wharfy's quicker than me by 2 seconds, can't be having a Hoe Net beating Betty, eep. Wish I'd done Clubmans on Sunday now. Sniff.

[Trudes]

The track is where it's at! Where the hell on the road can you fall off and someone instantly starts waving a flag at on coming traffic so they know to slow down and not run you over while you take a little lie down in the middle of the road and the ambulance only takes a few minutes to get there?
Really is the best place to blow out the cobwebs and try some new tricks.

[Morcs]

Judging by the waiting lists for MotoTT I'd be surprised if attracting more riders was there #1 business objective.
Really? I just booked and paid for a spot for Jan 17th.


Yes. You're quite right. But there's AMCC, Kiwi Track Days, redline Track Days, and then of course, there's those mad buggers who race....but that kinda comes after a few track-days unless you hve really big balls.

Only Moto TT is covered by the insurance companies at current, the rest are just open days in comparison.

[jrandom]

Really? I just booked and paid for a spot for Jan 17th.

I thought only Group 1 had spots left.

Are you going out in Group 1, Morcs?

:corn:

[MsKABC]

Do they have a nana class? Coz that's the one I'll belong in :lol:

Hubby and I are keen on doing some track days on the little beastie we just bought for me, should make quite a good little track day bike. And with my new set of Quasi leathers, I'm good to go :niceone:

I'll be watching this thread with interest, cheers!

[racerhead]

Do they have a nana class? Coz that's the one I'll belong in :lol:

Yep what your looking for is group 4:niceone:

Its the best thing you will ever do on a bike

[MsKABC]

Yep what your looking for is group 4:niceone:

Its the best thing you will ever do on a bike

Yeah, quite looking forward to it actually, but I know I'll be really nervous.

Something I was wondering though - obviously many of the skills you practice out on the track make you a better rider on the road, but are there any pitfalls to look out for? I.e. things that don't carry over onto the road, like cornering lines etc? Just curious. :)

[Morcs]

I thought only Group 1 had spots left.

Are you going out in Group 1, Morcs?

:corn:

Well I havent been on a track in over a year, so I thought group 1 would be a splendid idea.

[racerhead]

Yeah, quite looking forward to it actually, but I know I'll be really nervous.

Something I was wondering though - obviously many of the skills you practice out on the track make you a better rider on the road, but are there any pitfalls to look out for? I.e. things that don't carry over onto the road, like cornering lines etc? Just curious. :)

Ye cornering lines would be one of the big ones alright but I found it pretty easy to switch between track and road frame of mind. The track will teach you so much about your bike and will give you skills that will help for the rest of your motorcycling life.
The first time I did a trackday I was pretty nervous but as soon as I was out on track I was fine because your concentrating on everything around you and your nerves will be gone.
If you can follow one of the lines riders for a few laps so you will know from the start which are the correct lines which will make it easier for you

[jrandom]

Well I havent been on a track in over a year, so I thought group 1 would be a splendid idea.

Way hey hey, the learn the learn!

[McJim]

I have had a bit of a mixed bag of experiences with track days.

First track day was Taupo on a VTR250. 10/10 - KiwiBiker day - I had a ball.

Second Track day was Pukekohe on a 636 ZX6R. 6/10 Kiwi Trackday - got put in the medium group (despite wanting into the slow group) and got scared shitless by bastards taking me on the inside at pace. They were spoken to and moved to the fast group so I got better throughout the rest of the day.

Third Track day was at Teretonga run by a local Motorcycle club. 1/10 I went out in the 'Have a go' (they didn't have Fast/Medium/Slow like other organisers) session - supposedly people who hadn't done Teretonga before and I saw a LOT of loony riding - no one was spoken to so I fucked off home after the first session and vowed not to go back to Teretonga.

People need to look after noobies at track days instead of posturing on their bikes and showing off.

Some of us don't have balls the size of watermelons and DON'T WANT TO HAVE EITHER!

[kiwi cowboy]

Ok I will bring my sporty to the next one :laugh:

Dont joke about it mate. There was a fella in the have a go class at the burt munro and he had the biggest grin of all of as i recon and he could peddle the bugger too:yes::yes:

[sinfull]

I'd love to do a track day, I just gotta replace my front disc first (it's warped), and scrape some cash together for the entry fee! You guys are talking about binning it as if it's a likely thing if you do a track day. Is that right?
I ain't binned in 12 months of doing every track day i could and the bins i've seen, make me say there are usually only 3 or 4 reasons ppl do
1/ they dont listen to the organisers and give it shit in the first couple of laps chasing racers (who have warm tyres)
2/ they try to get that "one more" track day out of their tyres before changing them (worn a flat spot on the road and want to use up the edges)
3/ they have totally "up the crap" suspension http://www.racetech.com/articles/SuspensionAndSprings.htm
4/ they are pushing boundaries to find the bikes limits
Track days are about having fun and learning a few things you might not know ! The terms winners and losers are reversed, the only losers are trying too hard to win !


The track is where it's at! Where the hell on the road can you fall off and someone instantly starts waving a flag at on coming traffic so they know to slow down and not run you over while you take a little lie down in the middle of the road and the ambulance only takes a few minutes to get there?
Really is the best place to blow out the cobwebs and try some new tricks. Just to clarify re Trude's post ! She was racing, not attending a track day so was pushing her limits aye Trudes ?


Yeah, quite looking forward to it actually, but I know I'll be really nervous.

Something I was wondering though - obviously many of the skills you practice out on the track make you a better rider on the road, but are there any pitfalls to look out for? I.e. things that don't carry over onto the road, like cornering lines etc? Just curious. :)
I have found the only thing thats changed for me re road riding, is it bores me to tears now, so have stopped going as much !
Oh and i have also slowed down a HELL of a lot !


I have had a bit of a mixed bag of experiences with track days.

First track day was Taupo on a VTR250. 10/10 - KiwiBiker day - I had a ball.

Second Track day was Pukekohe on a 636 ZX6R. 6/10 Kiwi Trackday - got put in the medium group (despite wanting into the slow group) and got scared shitless by bastards taking me on the inside at pace. They were spoken to and moved to the fast group so I got better throughout the rest of the day.

Third Track day was at Teretonga run by a local Motorcycle club. 1/10 I went out in the 'Have a go' (they didn't have Fast/Medium/Slow like other organisers) session - supposedly people who hadn't done Teretonga before and I saw a LOT of loony riding - no one was spoken to so I fucked off home after the first session and vowed not to go back to Teretonga.

People need to look after noobies at track days instead of posturing on their bikes and showing off.

Some of us don't have balls the size of watermelons and DON'T WANT TO HAVE EITHER!
Think you will find things have changed a little Jim !
Motott run an exceptional track day, where they will not tollerate any passing on the inside with the slow or medium groups, Chris and the crew will spend extra time with new riders if they ask for it, showing lines, talking tyres and suspension set up etc ! They Scrutineer your bike and wont let ya on the track if your brakes are worn or chains slopping around etc ! Then pull out all stops to help get you out there ! One example is a track day a month or two back where 4 bikes failed scrutineering due to worn brake pads but all riders got out there (helps that Chris owns a bike shop locally)
Attended a kiwitrackday last month where the numbers were down to a point he prolly lost money and there was talk of turning the 4 groups into two (fast up with the racers and slow up with medium) of course the faster guys loved the idea (more track time) but Dave wouldn't budge from the original format as it was all about having the slow riders feeling safe out there so all the groups had empty tracks pretty much !
Think most trackday organisers know as dpex said where the butter comes from for their bread ! It's the newbies who want to have a go at a trackday, as the racers will usually only attend when there is a shortage of meetings (cost of rubber and all) !
Cant say what the southern trackdays are like but have found all i have attended up here to be more fun than i could put into words !

[Trudes]

Just to clarify re Trude's post ! She was racing, not attending a track day so was pushing her limits aye Trudes ?



Oh for sure (pfft, my limits are constantly being pushed, or is that my buttons!?), however the same does apply to trackdays, it's safer than the road as there's no on coming traffic, flag marshals (usually) to warn other riders of hazards and an ambulance on standby (again, usually).

[coffeejunkie]

Oh for sure (pfft, my limits are constantly being pushed, or is that my buttons!?), however the same does apply to trackdays, it's safer than the road as there's no on coming traffic, flag marshals (usually) to warn other riders of hazards and an ambulance on standby (again, usually).

Yes trudes i agree with what your saying, Track days are great for finding out what you and your toy is capabale of doing.......I personally can't wait for this Saturday.......Be intresting to see what balzy can do on the misstress.

My mind is at rest knowing that if he wants to be silly buggers that he's not going to get run down by on comming traffic, That there maybe an ambulance to drag his sorry ass off the track and most of all i'll be right there if he does fuck himself up, LOL, An last of all no :Police: to give him a ticket,

Oi are ya brusies a nice shade of yellow yet? hehehehe

[Trudes]

Oi are ya brusies a nice shade of yellow yet? hehehehe

I've been taking arnica and I'm convinced it is making them just fade away instead of making me look like I've had my arms up a lamb's bottom!!:sick:

[sinfull]

I've had my arms up a lamb's bottom!!:sick:That's just wrong !!!!!!!

[dpex]

'ang on 'ang on, weren't you supposed to be doing 1:22s? kiwifruit said he timed you at 1:22 on Sunday. That's the best that he and I could do on Betty on Track 2, y'know. Had me sweating big cold drops.

But I don't see you going faster than 1:26 during TRRS on the website.

I begin to suspect kiwifruit of dastardly eggings-on. What a naughty man he is!

The Glenlivet in April will taste sweet.

:2thumbsup

Edit: Oooh, wharfy's quicker than me by 2 seconds, can't be having a Hoe Net beating Betty, eep. Wish I'd done Clubmans on Sunday now. Sniff.

Nar mate. He timed me at practice. 1:22.2, I believe, 'cept I was in the wrong group so it didn't count for the grid. Mind you, even when I got to my allotted GP, some other dude had nicked it and I was relegated back one and right out right.

I completely lost the plot on Sunday. Don't know what was wrong. Kept messing up T7 and the last S. Might have had the hand-brake on, too.

However, due to a rather fascinating discovery made today, all about levers and Newtonian shit, I can't help but feeling...well, shall I say, 'encouraged'?

Ratification of this little discovery will occur on Saturday at Manfield.:--))

So don't start dreaming too soon about free Scottish urine.

[vtec]

Totally true, I was pretty loose on the road before, but now I don't take any real risks on the road, because when you've got the track as an outlet, the road just seems like a shitty dangerous track with lots of retards on it. No point whatsoever going fast.

Get to the track, it could save your life. And is probably the biggest buzz available to mankind.

[dpex]

Way hey hey, the learn the learn!

It'll be G1 for me and Mr Sinfull on Saturday. Race-rules apply! Oh yeah. :--))

Mind you, he might get down-graded to G2 if he keeps spilling coal on the track.

I meant to ask, J. Does that Betty Boop of yours run on petrol or steam?

[jrandom]

Nar mate. He timed me at practice. 1:22.2

Ah, I see. Of course, of course.

Must kinda suck to be going four seconds a lap faster during practice than you do during subsequent races.

:cool:

[dpex]

I ain't binned in 12 months of doing every track day i could and the bins i've seen, make me say there are usually only 3 or 4 reasons ppl do
1/ they dont listen to the organisers and give it shit in the first couple of laps chasing racers (who have warm tyres)
2/ they try to get that "one more" track day out of their tyres before changing them (worn a flat spot on the road and want to use up the edges)
3/ they have totally "up the crap" suspension http://www.racetech.com/articles/SuspensionAndSprings.htm
4/ they are pushing boundaries to find the bikes limits
Track days are about having fun and learning a few things you might not know ! The terms winners and losers are reversed, the only losers are trying too hard to win !

Just to clarify re Trude's post ! She was racing, not attending a track day so was pushing her limits aye Trudes ?


I have found the only thing thats changed for me re road riding, is it bores me to tears now, so have stopped going as much !
Oh and i have also slowed down a HELL of a lot !


Think you will find things have changed a little Jim !
Motott run an exceptional track day, where they will not tollerate any passing on the inside with the slow or medium groups, Chris and the crew will spend extra time with new riders if they ask for it, showing lines, talking tyres and suspension set up etc ! They Scrutineer your bike and wont let ya on the track if your brakes are worn or chains slopping around etc ! Then pull out all stops to help get you out there ! One example is a track day a month or two back where 4 bikes failed scrutineering due to worn brake pads but all riders got out there (helps that Chris owns a bike shop locally)
Attended a kiwitrackday last month where the numbers were down to a point he prolly lost money and there was talk of turning the 4 groups into two (fast up with the racers and slow up with medium) of course the faster guys loved the idea (more track time) but Dave wouldn't budge from the original format as it was all about having the slow riders feeling safe out there so all the groups had empty tracks pretty much !
Think most trackday organisers know as dpex said where the butter comes from for their bread ! It's the newbies who want to have a go at a trackday, as the racers will usually only attend when there is a shortage of meetings (cost of rubber and all) !
Cant say what the southern trackdays are like but have found all i have attended up here to be more fun than i could put into words !

What he said.

Good heavens, My dear Willie has a serious side after all.

Coupling on Willie's wise words, the two track-day organisers upon whom you can rely to provide a very 'safe' environment, are Motott and AMCC.

Start there and move up to the slightly less controlled, IF YOU WISH!

But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter which track-day you attend, they're way, way safer than riding on the road.

[dpex]

Ah, I see. Of course, of course.

Must kinda suck to be going four seconds a lap faster during practice than you do during subsequent races.

:cool:

Suck doesn't even begin to explain it. I think poor old Zimmer might have being having her period. :--(((

[jrandom]

I meant to ask, J. Does that Betty Boop of yours run on petrol or steam?

You know the throttle from the brake
You know your straight line from a curve
You've got a lot of nerve
But I know you

Give me steam
And how you feel can make it real
Real as any place you've been
Get a life with the dreamer's dream...

[Subike]

somebody in an earlier post metioned that leathers need to be zipped togeather at the waist, is this correct?
Or can leather pants, leather jacket (Bike riding gear of course) be two seperate items in good condition and good fit?
Are riding boots a must, or can work boots be used?
Helmet and gloves go without saying

[Sue VFR]

somebody in an earlier post metioned that leathers need to be zipped togeather at the waist, is this correct?
Or can leather pants, leather jacket (Bike riding gear of course) be two seperate items in good condition and good fit?
Are riding boots a must, or can work boots be used?
Helmet and gloves go without saying

Your seperate leather pants and jacket are fine for a track day, and a good thing is having the armour in place, and fitting well to stop it twisting out of place if you do need it to protect your bones. A back protector is another good thing... just incase.
Work boots will be acceptable (not gumboots). The higher the sides the better to protect your ankles... just incase.
IMO all these things are just as important on the road as on the track.
Look forward to seeing you sometime?
Cheers Sue

[lankyman]

Is my mate on his learners allowed to have a go on my 400 at a track day?

[Sue VFR]

Probably... need to check a few things with you and your friend first though.

[CHOPPA]

Nar mate. He timed me at practice. 1:22.2, I believe, 'cept I was in the wrong group so it didn't count for the grid. Mind you, even when I got to my allotted GP, some other dude had nicked it and I was relegated back one and right out right.

I completely lost the plot on Sunday. Don't know what was wrong. Kept messing up T7 and the last S. Might have had the hand-brake on, too.

However, due to a rather fascinating discovery made today, all about levers and Newtonian shit, I can't help but feeling...well, shall I say, 'encouraged'?

Ratification of this little discovery will occur on Saturday at Manfield.:--))

So don't start dreaming too soon about free Scottish urine.

When my mates timed me at manfield i was doing 5s! Not sure what happened but when i got my lap timer my times were more like 10s... Must be the weight of the lap timer or something... :whistle:

[jrandom]

When my mates timed me at manfield i was doing 5s!

Mates are good like that aye.

:lol: