My first time on the track

[prettybillie]

Well I'm not a track day virgin anymore.

We got up at 6am - yes 6am and it was pouring down!!!! That was it I said, I'm not doing it. Anyhoo, we got our butts into the van with our babies on the trailer and off we headed to the AMCC ART day at Pukekohe.

We did the walk around the course which was really awesome. I was in the Novice Slow Group and the trainers in our group were great. They were very patient and really helpful. After that, it was time to get on the track. This was my first time in a one piece suit too and I would really love some advice on how the hell you are supposed to go to the toilet in one of those things??!!!

I was following one of the trainers to get the lines right and thought all was going ok - not great, just ok. I got off the bike and didn’t really feel that great after the session. This is where it turned to custard a little bit.

After getting back to where my bike was parked, a random dude came up to me, didn't introduce himself and started what felt like he was laying into me. "Fuck you were ugly out there" he said. I then got pulled over and told I should go on the back of the bike of one of the trainers. I wasn’t really comfortable about this as I wasn’t really too sure what the benefit of it was. Anyhoo, I was told that I looked really awful out there so I should do it. To have two people ‘insult’ me like this after already feeling quite upset about how the first session went put me in tears:crybaby:. The big issue was that my bike was too low and needed to be raised…..this is all they had to say!!!!!

Thankfully I was in the pit with my best friend who pulled me out of it and convinced me to get back on (and later having a go at the AMCC people). The bike was lifted a bit and I was ready to go. The next session went a lot better until the second to last lap when I was passed on the inside of the first corner by a MARSHALL!!!! Yes a marshall!!! Hmmmm interesting that AMCC rules are no passing on the inside and their own people can’t follow those rules.

After that session I met this really cool 9 year old called Bob…….honestly this dude is the next world champion rider:gob:! He was telling me all these things I should do and I thought what the hell, nothing to lose I may as well try it. Anyhoo, everything he told me to do was awesome and made me feel so good about my riding!!!

The last session was AWESOME!!!!! Everything seemed to fall into place and I really LOVED it!!! :love:I now can’t wait for my next track day, however won’t be attending anything more run by AMCC.

[rachprice]

Are you fucking kidding me? Who the hell did they think they were telling you 'you looked ugly'? Wankers!

[sinfull]

Sucks to hear you were treated that way !!
Get on to the motott (www.motott.co.nz) website and book yourself a spot in one of their track days !
You won't get spoken to in that fashion by riders or marshalls at all, in fact you'll prolly find riders queing up to help ya in any way they can !
Great ppl great track at taupo and the sun always shines !

[Nasty]

....
The last session was AWESOME!!!!! Everything seemed to fall into place and I really LOVED it!!! :love:I now can’t wait for my next track day, however won’t be attending anything more run by AMCC.

Can't really blame you .. what total and utter pratts .. they have no right to behave and speak to a new rider like that ... and should get over themselves.

You on the other hand by the sounds of it .. ended on a great note ... look at some of the other trackdays around I am sure you will find one which suits you much much better!!!

[Tone165]

Great report, shame about the lack of professionalism shown by AMCC but sounds like you got thru that.

Bob sounds like a hoot, not only a good rider, and confident instructor, but already chatting the chicks up as well!!!!!

Hope your next trackday goes a bit smoother for you.

How would you say the trackday has helped you "on the road"?

I often hear ppl saying trackdays are not relevant to road riding, which annoys the hell out of me, because it is ALWAYS the ones that have not done a trackday that hold this opinion.

Wouldn't it be good if ppl only commented on what they DO have a clue about?

Once again.."Yay for you" Keep it up, and enjoy your riding!

[KS34]

Good on you! for giving it a go. Big ups to Bob! and a big up you to the AMCC! Track days are the best thing for getting to know your bike and to enhance your abilities. just my 10c worth.

[Okey Dokey]

Gosh, that sounds like you had a really rough start what with the cruel comments and all. Good on you for persevering and getting a good feeling going in the end.

Have you been riding for a while now before deciding to try a track day?

[sugilite]

Meh, there are always those that like to bring down others in an attempt to inflate their own sense of self importance. Take no notice of them, esp their 'setup' advice. Just enjoy yourself :niceone:

[Morcs]

AMCC suck. I hope this helps.

And seconded re moto TT.

[slofox]

... the hell you are supposed to go to the toilet in one of those things??!!! .

Errr - I think you're supposed to take them OFF to go to the toilet....:whistle:

[prettybillie]

Gosh, that sounds like you had a really rough start what with the cruel comments and all. Good on you for persevering and getting a good feeling going in the end.

Have you been riding for a while now before deciding to try a track day?

No, I've only been riding a short time and only had this bike a matter of months.

[sarahtvet]

Well I'm not a track day virgin anymore.
You certainly aren't girl and against all odds.
You are an inspiration for getting out there and not only staying the course but coming away well on top :clap:

I have been putting off doing a track day for fear of pretty much all that you came up against and making my bike embarressed :oops:

Heartfelt thanks, I will be looking to get out there myself asap.


After that session I met this really cool 9 year old called Bob…….honestly this dude is the next world champion rider:gob:!

Now I feel old but good on you to take the info from somebody with experience and using it. :sunny:

[Matt Bleck]

Be sure to get down to Taupo for a MotoTT Trackday, the Linesmen are always happy to help and are not insulting. :D

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/15yun2a.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

I mean look at this fella, doesn't he look like a nice guy?

[ArcherWC]

Be sure to get down to Taupo for a MotoTT Trackday, the Linesmen are always happy to help and are not insulting. :D

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I mean look at this fella, doesn't he look like a nice guy?
remind me to keep an eye on my children when you are around

[roadracingoldfart]

remind me to keep an eye on my children when you are around


I tend to agree with you .... dodgy lookin chap aint he !!!!:spanking:

[prettybillie]

I tend to agree with you .... dodgy lookin chap aint he !!!!:spanking:

Hot bike though - so he might be worth following :bleh:

[Matt Bleck]

:(....... ya big meanies!!!!

[roadracingoldfart]

Hot bike though - so he might be worth following :bleh:

OMG another pervert . Always looking at the behind aye . Ummm i mean looking at the behind in front . Ummm ohh crap , i give up.

[Okey Dokey]

No, I've only been riding a short time and only had this bike a matter of months.

Well, I reckon it is really cool that you took to the track and I take my hat off to you. Thanks for the write-up!

[prettybillie]

Well, I reckon it is really cool that you took to the track and I take my hat off to you. Thanks for the write-up!

Thanks!!!! You guys are all great. I can't wait to get out and do my next one and write about it now!!!!!

[Biggles08]

Quite honestly AMCC are a bunch of 'old boys club' mentality people (filled oddly enough with old men too I might add) so full of themselves that they cannot or will not listen to their paying customers advice! This is just another example of such inbred ignorant behavior that seems to prevail on every occasion I have had dealings with them. When will they begin to grasp the concept that they don't need to put themselves up on a pedestal to do their job (paid or otherwise)?! It seems whenever any suggestions or constructive criticism is put to the powers that be in AMCC, their immediate response is one of two:

A) immediately defend themselves with bullshit reasoning as to why it was done that way or;
B) launch into the one making the suggestion with a condescending tone.

I went to talk to this 'person' prettybillie had issues with and he found it very difficult to accept he may have done something in appropriate...If it was myself that had someone come and tell me what I told him, I would have been completely apologetic (regardless of if I thought I had done anything wrong) and would have made sure I went and firstly apologize for making her cry and secondly to restructure in a kinder way what it was that I wanted to say. He did neither.:oi-grr:

Typical arrogant attitude of AMCC that appears to filter down from the top. I vote someone with more time than myself start up a competition Auckland based club....I would be the first to join!

As I have finished another of one of my posts "Sort your shit out AMCC!"

Biggles08

[prettybillie]

I vote someone with more time than myself start up a competition Auckland based club....I would be the first to join!



I would be second!!!!!

[Xile]

WTF???
Go to motoTT trckdays, all bunch of nice people all happy to help you and give you advises ;)
Good on you for going again after the comments from those crazy guys! :niceone:

[twinshock750]

I went to talk to this 'person' prettybillie had issues with and he found it very difficult to accept he may have done something in appropriate...
Biggles08

Interesting.....I've met a few of the instructors, so what did they look like?

[icekiwi]

Good on you for having a go...
Can't take too much notice of what those wallys said..hell isnt it a TRAINING DAY afterall...
See your booked for Mottott,see you there...

[Biggles08]

Interesting.....I've met a few of the instructors, so what did they look like?

I'm not here to slag off individuals so would rather not describe him...but if he had any balls he would have taken it on the chin and rocked up to apologize for his delivery techniques...but as I said he would have required balls to do that.

[sinfull]

Be sure to get down to Taupo for a MotoTT Trackday, the Linesmen are always happy to help and are not insulting. :D

(Picture of some critter removed for fear of getting called uncle pervy)
I mean look at this fella, doesn't he look like a nice guy?


Quite honestly AMCC are a bunch of 'old boys club' mentality people (filled oddly enough with old men too I might add) so full of themselves that they cannot or will not listen to their paying customers advice! This is just another example of such inbred ignorant behavior that seems to prevail on every occasion I have had dealings with them. When will they begin to grasp the concept that they don't need to put themselves up on a pedestal to do their job (paid or otherwise)?!
When ppl stop attending and it hurts the pocket ! (problem is most up that end of the country think a two and a half hour ride to taupo is a long one)

See ya's all at the PMCC round 2 at manfield !

And Billie, don't you worry ya pretty lil head bout gettin down to the motott days none ! (God that sounded almost redneck) There be lot of jaffa's (bwahahahahaha sorry couldn't help myself) that come down to the centre of the universe to play !

[jrandom]

Dunno why you'd want to ride at Pukekohe anyhow, dodgy unsafe shithole that it is.

+1 to all the positive comments about MotoTT.

What were you riding before you got your GSX-R600, prettybillie?

What modifications have been made to its setup from stock? Have you sent Marcus out on it yet to get a feel for any potential issues?

[Biggles08]

Have you sent Marcus out on it yet to get a feel for any potential issues?

WTF????? Its a Suzuki bro! :bash:

hehehe

[jrandom]

WTF????? Its a Suzuki bro!

Helpful c00nt ain't ya!

[sinfull]

WTF????? Its a Suzuki bro! :bash:

hehehe
So are you saying there would be lots of issues ?

[Biggles08]

So are you saying there would be lots of issues ?

Ahhhh....Pretty Billie...I see the problem here....its not a Kawasaki....here, let me take this off, this and this, put this here and that over here....there you go, I reckon you'll go a lot better now its a ZX6R :2thumbsup

[SHELRACING]

Hi Pretty Billie
Granma here.
I race buckets in Auckland and I have done one trackday and the Taupo Road Race Spectacular, Dec 08.

For me the trackdays seem to have (in the novice group) a lot of wanna be riders/racers. (I went in the novice group cause my bucket racer was a pretty slow GS 125cc.)
Some of them think after a couple of trackdays they are A Stroud, but in actual fact they are friggin dangerous.
Those twats only know how to go fast down the straight and then literally stop on the corners & wobble round, which is friggin scary. :nono:

It is far better to be steady and smooth along the straights and also into the corners.
If this means you have to go slower until you get better at it...then so be it!

Do not listen to anyone who doesn't have the very best credentials to teach you.
If you can get some one-on-one coaching, this will help heaps.
I did when I first starting racing and it was real good fun and I learnt heaps.

Keep going and I'm soooo glad you didn't give up.

[prettybillie]

What modifications have been made to its setup from stock?

Being an ex Brian Bernard, I'm not really too sure if I actually want to know everything that has been done to it hahaha. However contrere to what a certain ZX6R rider might think - my baby is the shit and when I learn to ride it properly will crap all over a certain ZX6R mwahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[sinfull]

Being an ex Brian Bernard, I'm not really too sure if I actually want to know everything that has been done to it hahaha. However contrere to what a certain ZX6R rider might think - my baby is the shit and when I learn to ride it properly will crap all over a certain ZX6R mwahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Awwwww nice a smack talking suki gal !!!
You watch ya back biggles08 she got herself a race bike mmmm cool !

If you do manage to make a motott day in taupo see if ya can't get to chat to chris mitchell ! Chris will be the dude with the megaphone at the track day and will be happy to talk to ya ! Owns the local bike shop in taupo and funnilly enough has a lot of folk travelling down from auckland to have him see to their bikes !
Sort of bloke you will enjoy talking to and won't baffle ya with technical bollocks ! Has knowledge that he's always happy to pass on !
Your bike has prolly been lowered to suit a shorter rider and done right will not be an issue with handeling !

[Biggles08]

Being an ex Brian Bernard, I'm not really too sure if I actually want to know everything that has been done to it hahaha. However contrere to what a certain ZX6R rider might think - my baby is the shit and when I learn to ride it properly will crap all over a certain ZX6R mwahahahahahahahahahahahaha

:eek5::eek5::eek5::sweatdrop:sweatdrop:sweatdrop

[jrandom]

Being an ex Brian Bernard, I'm not really too sure if I actually want to know everything that has been done to it hahaha.

Ha ha ha. Yes. So you didn't ask about such things before buying it?

Does it have stock shock absorbers? Springs? Linkages? What's up with those remarks about it being 'lowered'? If the front and rear suspension is adjustable, what are the current settings?

What about the brakes? Stock hoses or aftermarket? How long since they were bled and had the fluid changed? Pads? How worn are the discs?

Does it have a stock air filter and exhaust? Has the ignition and fuelling been remapped?

How long since the chain and sprockets were last replaced?

How many km have you done on it? What tyres is it wearing? What pressures do you run in them?

Where do you get it serviced?

[sinfull]

Ha ha ha. Yes. So you didn't ask about such things before buying it?

Does it have stock shock absorbers? Springs? Linkages? What's up with those remarks about it being 'lowered'? If the front and rear suspension is adjustable, what are the current settings?

What about the brakes? Stock hoses or aftermarket? How long since they were bled and had the fluid changed? Pads? How worn are the discs?

Does it have a stock air filter and exhaust? Has the ignition and fuelling been remapped?

How long since the chain and sprockets were last replaced?

How many km have you done on it? What tyres is it wearing? What pressures do you run in them?

Where do you get it serviced?
Be nice !!!!

Kidding !!! Dan is in fact making a valid point !!!!
dont stress but everything he said in the above post are issues that need to be taken into consideration !

[jrandom]

Be nice !!!!

I'm being nice! If she finds out the answers to those questions, it'll be the first step toward enlightenment, happiness, and the giving of learns to Biggles08.

[Charlie41]

Congrats for doing it!!
I was supposed to attend my first track day yesterday, but it didn't happen :(
Thanks for sharing your experience - and keep reports coming when you do more track days

[Leong]

Good on you for getting out there and doing it!!! +1 re what everyone's said about AMCC and MotoTT. I've done a couple of the AMCC training days and I'm not surprised. If you're really keen to learn (and beat Marcus) there's no better than the Honda Riders Club Days with Aaron Slight. :niceone: He's the best teacher I've come across and the HRC days tend to be lower key events, with fewer people and tend to be slower too. There's one on 26 Jan but it's at Manfeild though a few of us here will there.

Sorry your "First Track Day" was marred by that AMCC guy :bash: , but good to see you're not put off by it.

[BigGuy]

Thanks for the write up prettybillie. It's a real shame that happened to you, but it seems in this sport that there are the fucktards out there who have nothing better to do than act like complete assholes! :mad:

For everyone else, it's exactly reasons like this, that newcomers don't like to ask questions. Remember we ALL started out as learners (some of us are still learning) - I don't care who you think you are!

Now most of you seem to be nice, accommodating people, for the one's that aren't, keep your comments to yourself unless you have something constructive to say (unless we newbies are endangering life or property of course).
You may just find someone who barks back!

Next time attend a Vic Club track day, everyone there was awesome! :2thumbsup

[prettybillie]

Ha ha ha. Yes. So you didn't ask about such things before buying it?

Does it have stock shock absorbers? Springs? Linkages? What's up with those remarks about it being 'lowered'? If the front and rear suspension is adjustable, what are the current settings?

What about the brakes? Stock hoses or aftermarket? How long since they were bled and had the fluid changed? Pads? How worn are the discs?

Does it have a stock air filter and exhaust? Has the ignition and fuelling been remapped?

How long since the chain and sprockets were last replaced?

How many km have you done on it? What tyres is it wearing? What pressures do you run in them?

Where do you get it serviced?

All those questions have been asked - eeeerrrr and I actually have the answers written down somewhere....

I know off the top of my head it has:
Ohlins Front and Rear suspension
Racing Cams
Power Commander ECU
Yoshimura high mount race exhaust

The tyres are black round ones with air in them and Biggles changed me break pads and bled the breaks the other day.

The lowering has been done by Tjebbe Bruin with dogbones.

Eeerrrr dunno if that helps......

[jrandom]

I know off the top of my head it has:
Ohlins Front and Rear suspension
Racing Cams
Power Commander ECU
Yoshimura high mount race exhaust

Cool. We might be able to refine the suspension setup a bit on Saturday.

Glad to hear that loading in a PC map downloaded off the interwebs helped things tremendously; I still think it'd be well worth your while to get the fuelling and ignition set up on the dyno at TripleZee (http://www.triplezeecycles.co.nz/Index.html) as soon as is convenient.

It'll set you back a couple hundy bucks, but there's nothing quite like a well-tuned engine eh!


The tyres are black round ones with air in them

I don't suppose you could pop outside for me and read the writing on the side of them...? Just to satisfy the curiosity of the unwashed masses, and all that.


Biggles changed me break pads and bled the breaks the other day.

'Brakes'. And, good shit.


The lowering has been done by Tjebbe Bruin with dogbones.

As you commented last night, the handling became heaps better when you raised the rear again slightly. You're not that short, so it could be something to keep an eye on.


Eeerrrr dunno if that helps......

Sure does.

:niceone:

[Robert Taylor]

All those questions have been asked - eeeerrrr and I actually have the answers written down somewhere....

I know off the top of my head it has:
Ohlins Front and Rear suspension
Racing Cams
Power Commander ECU
Yoshimura high mount race exhaust

The tyres are black round ones with air in them and Biggles changed me break pads and bled the breaks the other day.

The lowering has been done by Tjebbe Bruin with dogbones.

Eeerrrr dunno if that helps......

The front end internals from that period will more likely be Traxxion Dynamics and the rear shock settings ( internal ) are unlikely to be as suitable for you as they should be.

[jrandom]

The front end internals from that period will more likely be Traxxion Dynamics and the rear shock settings ( internal ) are unlikely to be as suitable for you as they should be.

Will you, perchance, be at PMCC round 2 and available for consultation?

[Robert Taylor]

Will you, perchance, be at PMCC round 2 and available for consultation?

Sorry, no. Have had no free weekends at all since September and none in sight yet.

[jrandom]

Sorry, no. Have had no free weekends at all since September and none in sight yet.

Where would you recommend prettybillie (who's based in Auckland) go to get her suspension set up for her?

[kittytamer]

It's very un-fortunate that your first track day was marred by this dullard, but to tar the whole of the AMCC because of him would be unfair. This was my 3rd ART day and I have always come away feeling very positive and the instructors I have dealt with have been very helpful and accomodating.
All trackdays will have roving marshalls / instructors and they are normally willing to help out with showing you the lines and giving feedback if you ask.
Keep it up, it can only get better from now on after all!

[Biggles08]

It's very un-fortunate that your first track day was marred by this dullard, but to tar the whole of the AMCC because of him would be unfair. This was my 3rd ART day and I have always come away feeling very positive and the instructors I have dealt with have been very helpful and accomodating.
All trackdays will have roving marshalls / instructors and they are normally willing to help out with showing you the lines and giving feedback if you ask.
Keep it up, it can only get better from now on after all!

Well C you know my thoughts on AMCC and that is from personal experience.... I mean if a little club like PMCC can impress a newbie like me over AMCC, what does that tell you???? I think AMCC need to seriously.....seriously look at moving with the times and becoming a little more proactive in promoting a better racing environment for us racers...start with mandatory transponders is what I suggest.

[SHELRACING]

[ I think AMCC need to seriously.....seriously look at moving with the times and becoming a little more proactive in promoting a better racing environment for us racers...start with mandatory transponders is what I suggest.[/QUOTE]

Ummmm!....trackdays, are NOT for racing.

[Biggles08]

[ I think AMCC need to seriously.....seriously look at moving with the times and becoming a little more proactive in promoting a better racing environment for us racers...start with mandatory transponders is what I suggest.

Ummmm!....trackdays, are NOT for racing.[/quote] Really???? oh my mistake :Pokey:

[jrandom]

Ummmm!....trackdays, are NOT for racing.

Biggles08 is talking about race meets, not trackdays.

[Biggles08]

Biggles08 is talking about race meets, not trackdays. Really? Was I? :wari:

[Pussy]

The front end internals from that period will more likely be Traxxion Dynamics and the rear shock settings ( internal ) are unlikely to be as suitable for you as they should be.

Both the front and back would feel fairly harsh if the racing spec valving is still in there, wouldn't it, RT?

[FROSTY]

Billy -- I suspect that what the AMCC guys were Trying to tell you is a bit different from what came outa their mouths.
Especially as they offered to take ya for a pillion ride on a lines bike.
They are all genuine passionate motorcyclists who would be mortified if they knew ya diddn't have a good day.
If its any consolation most folks first time on the track are all at sixes and sevens.
No matter where you go and who you go with next times gonna be better.

[Biggles08]

Billy -- I suspect that what the AMCC guys were Trying to tell you is a bit different from what came outa their mouths.
Especially as they offered to take ya for a pillion ride on a lines bike.
They are all genuine passionate motorcyclists who would be mortified if they knew ya diddn't have a good day.
If its any consolation most folks first time on the track are all at sixes and sevens.
No matter where you go and who you go with next times gonna be better.
Nah Frosty..my first track day was with the great people at motoTT and after my first day out I was hooked and it was the beginning of the end of road riding for me! ;)

[jrandom]

Both the front and back would feel fairly harsh if the racing spec valving is still in there, wouldn't it, RT?

prettybillie was kind enough to let me have a wee play on the bike over the weekend; it felt pretty smooth and compliant to me, nice neutral handling, not harsh at all. Then again I'm a fair bit heavier than her (well, duh) so her experience of it might be slightly different.