Taupo track surface?

[Teambwr47]

Is anyone on here aware of the repairs that have reportedly been done to the track surface for A1 GP using a resin to fill gaps/cracks in surface.

My understanding is that its not at all bike friendly in terms of grip?

[Benk]

Its on turns 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12 from memory.

Was bloody slippery in the morning, but seemed OK once things had warmed up. Felt pretty nervy on it though. On some of the turns you can get a line between the white line and the resign, but there aint much room there. Could make for a few spills. Its not just the resin either, the patches themselves dont seem the greatest. Oh well, same for everyone.

[kiwifruit]

They seemed fine to me, no issues at all.

[Shaun]

They seemed fine to me, no issues at all.


Yea but you are blind and eat to many pies

[kiwifruit]

Yea but you are blind and eat to many pies

Being blind probably helps as most of the "problem" is, in my opinion, psychological.

I haven't had a pie in over a year :bleh:

[scrivy]

Yea but you are blind and eat to many pies

Blind as a bat I agree!!!!
Pies?? Mate, fruitybits goes to the gym 3 days a week from 5 in the morning, and goes running 3 nights a week for over 2-3 hours, and cycles 3 other nights a week for 3-4 hours. I don't think he's too un-fit!!!

Still couldn't hang onto the freakshow though...... :2guns:

Pies, now you're after Kickahomo............

[Quasievil]

The new black appearing surface repairs seemed a bit slippy in the early morning to me but once the sun appeared they seemed fine.

you can go through the inside line and miss them or the outside line and miss them just dont go through them if wet or cold, thats my take on it, best line is on the inside of them anyway, so use them as a tool.

already posted this but here is Saturdays video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjXUbmxroww

might get an idea of where they are at least.

[Shaun]

Being blind probably helps as most of the "problem" is, in my opinion, psychological.

I haven't had a pie in over a year :bleh:


Agreed and O



Being to healthy will only take you to the Doctor Bro

[discotex]

Being blind probably helps as most of the "problem" is, in my opinion, psychological.

I agree bar T14. I was sliding front and rear on that sucker all day at the HRC trackday whenever I took a line that crossed it.

But then I'm not riding at race pace...

[CHOPPA]

Na the repairs are shit! Theres room to run fast lines just dont make a mistake...

[erik]

I've been trying to avoid the patches, mostly. T2 and T9 I just go over it, but still don't trust it like I'd trust a nice piece of tarmac. I'm pretty sure the rear has let go once or twice on the patch on T14 so I usually go around the outside. Maybe next track day I'll test the patches a bit more, in case I'm being overly cautious for no reason...

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

what is the common phrase "if your think you can or think you can't, you are correct"? Im sure the racers who can block that stuff out will be going frigan quick on sunday. Not that my opinion is worth much...

[Robert Taylor]

One thing to be always abundantly aware of with Taupo track is that the track temperature is always low because of its demographic location and height above sea level. So getting tyre temperature and keeping cold shear at bay is always a challenge in winter, especially if you are always looking for maximum performance, as most racers do.
So arguably the seal patching is more of an issue than with other tracks because of the temperature problem.

[GIXser]

One thing to be always abundantly aware of with Taupo track is that the track temperature is always low because of its demographic location and height above sea level. So getting tyre temperature and keeping cold shear at bay is always a challenge in winter, especially if you are always looking for maximum performance, as most racers do.
So arguably the seal patching is more of an issue than with other tracks because of the temperature problem.

thank you for your analytical approach on this Robert !;)

[Marknz]

One thing to be always abundantly aware of with Taupo track is that the track temperature is always low because of its demographic location and height above sea level. So getting tyre temperature and keeping cold shear at bay is always a challenge in winter, especially if you are always looking for maximum performance, as most racers do.
So arguably the seal patching is more of an issue than with other tracks because of the temperature problem.

demographic location ??

[Tony.OK]

I found them better in the arvo, but still couldn't apply throttle on it, just lit the rear up straight away. Found that I could coast over without any braking or major inputs but the confidence was affected quite a bit.
They knew the job had been fucked up, there wasn't enough grit mixed in, letting bikes out on it in the damp would just be asking for trouble IMHO. Pretty dissapointing really...............back to Manfeild! :yes:

[Shaun P]

demographic location ??

Most likely geographic.....? better call the dictionary police haha

Good point though about the altitude never really thought about that.

[Robert Taylor]

Most likely geographic.....? better call the dictionary police haha

Good point though about the altitude never really thought about that.

Try demographic disposition!!

[FROSTY]

Ok guys yesterday I had a bit of time to chat to track management.
We were " lucky" enough to have our trackday after a big drift meeting.
The drifters laid a fair bit of rubber and metal down.
ANYHOO --The track manager was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He had to get the emultion down or A1GP wouldnt run.

They are fixing the track but need to do the job propperly as in not just a patch up job.
That means closing the track whilst and after the repairs are done

[sinfull]

He was saying last night that they ran out of sand while doing the emulsion !
Thats why the turn into pit str8 feels dodgiest, cause it is, there aint no sand in or on that one and they had to get it layed that night !
he was saying they are gonna redo ALL the patches with an emulsion that has grit suspended in it ! Recons it won't polish off and will shred tyres rather than them slide on it !!!
Waits to see ! Truth will be in the testing !
Beauty is they realise they need to cater for bikes with the increase of trackday companies, race meetings booking it out now !

[slowpoke]

But it ain't gonna happen before the weekend, so it's a leisurely breaky/brunch on Saturday before getting into it and gulping brave pills by the kg on Sunday race day.....and in the mean time I'm gonna replace all the crash knobs (front axle, rear stand pick up, engine mounts and bar ends) with castors just in case....

[sinfull]

But it ain't gonna happen before the weekend, so it's a leisurely breaky/brunch on Saturday before getting into it and gulping brave pills by the kg on Sunday race day.....and in the mean time I'm gonna replace all the crash knobs (front axle, rear stand pick up, engine mounts and bar ends) with castors just in case....
Pictures a bike sliding sideways at 80 kph into pit wall on casters !

Just put blinkers on ! Oh and good rubber lol ! Been a number of track days runnin accross that shit and it's still fucking with my head !
The only real dodgy one is the final corner ! The others ya can still apex on the inside of of the shit ! But the last has only about 8 inches of grip tween the white line and glass all the way round ! Ya can go with a wide line, but not if your defending lol cause sure as hell they will give it a go !

[Tony.OK]

Pictures a bike sliding sideways at 80 kph into pit wall on casters !

Just put blinkers on ! Oh and good rubber lol ! Been a number of track days runnin accross that shit and it's still fucking with my head !
The only real dodgy one is the final corner ! The others ya can still apex on the inside of of the shit ! But the last has only about 8 inches of grip tween the white line and glass all the way round ! Ya can go with a wide line, but not if your defending lol cause sure as hell they will give it a go !

Hell 8 inches should be more than enough to play with..................I get away with alot less:blink:

[Shaun P]

Try demographic disposition!!

Hmm I think you must be good at cryptic crosswords

[scuzeme]

I could go out there with a bucket of emulsion and redo the whole lot in an hour or so with the sand!
This is serious shit man i could hurt myself or worse hurt the yamakazi :wari:

[codgyoleracer]

One thing to be always abundantly aware of with Taupo track is that the track temperature is always low because of its demographic location and height above sea level. So getting tyre temperature and keeping cold shear at bay is always a challenge in winter, especially if you are always looking for maximum performance, as most racers do.
So arguably the seal patching is more of an issue than with other tracks because of the temperature problem.


Roberts onto it, Taupo is in a natural bowl as well & the cold air just sits there, Ah the days of racing there with white frost on half of the old sweeper are fondly remembered.........

[sinfull]

This is serious shit man i could hurt myself or worse hurt the yamakazi :wari:
:Pokey: Ya could always slow down through them 8 corners mate ! :lol: :dodge:

[Starky307]

My first track day was on Friday and the mentioned bits of patch work put the shits up me in the first two sessions. Once the cloud/mist lifted and burnt off and the track warmed up it wasn't as bad but still caused me issues with line choice. I really didn't like the last corner onto the finish straight as it also had the statring grid lines painted around the corner right where I wanted to be.

Other than that it was a really good day.

[Two Smoker]

I really didn't like the last corner onto the finish straight as it also had the statring grid lines painted around the corner right where I wanted to be.


Dont worry about it mate, the painted lines do nothing. The white line next to the grass on the outside of the corner only causes a little wheelspin and wiggle...

Cant really comment on the track conditions as of now. But agree with Robert.

[Mental Trousers]

The patches didn't worry me too much at all, except for turn 5 (some plonker left a puddle of oil on the track and the line I use takes me straight through it not sure if it was the emulsion or some residual oil but I had a bit of a slide out of 5 so I took a wide line through there all day) and the final turn. I was riding straight over the patches, onto the inside line, clipping the apex then accelerating out over top of the patches again. No problem.

[scrivy]

Ah......... the more bad surface areas, the better for sidecars. Means I don't have to use too much throttle to break it loose!!!!!!

Also means that my passenger won't get a chance for a break!!! Now that's what Im talking about!!!! Hee hee.... that'll teach him for calling me soft.......

[icekiwi]

They gave me the shits for awhile till I grew some gnads (small ones at that)
Felt the bike move on them a lot less when it warmed up.

[Robert Taylor]

Is it really acceptable though that in this day and age the seal patching job is substandard, irrespective of ''running out of sand'' and a deadline. You are their customers and they are charging a going rate per customer for the use of the track. How may extra bikes may get dropped incurring expensive repairs because the track owners are effectively hiring out a track substandard for their paying customers? A number of riders who are otherwise familiar with the track wiill turn up none the wiser and may end up on their backsides.
Motor racing is dangerous but that doesnt allow itself as an excuse for substandard work. Food for thought....

[Maido]

Is it really acceptable though that in this day and age the seal patching job is substandard, irrespective of ''running out of sand'' and a deadline. You are their customers and they are charging a going rate per customer for the use of the track. How may extra bikes may get dropped incurring expensive repairs because the track owners are effectively hiring out a track substandard for their paying customers? A number of riders who are otherwise familiar with the track wiill turn up none the wiser and may end up on their backsides.
Motor racing is dangerous but that doesnt allow itself as an excuse for substandard work. Food for thought....

I 2nd these thoughts, also not only the fact that it could cost you money, but more importantly your life.
As Tana once said "we aren't playing tiddley winks". Racers have enough on our plates on the track without this sort of nonsense.

[wharfy]

:Pokey: Ya could always slow down through them 8 corners mate ! :lol: :dodge:

That's MY plan ........

[Tony.OK]

Is it really acceptable though that in this day and age the seal patching job is substandard, irrespective of ''running out of sand'' and a deadline. You are their customers and they are charging a going rate per customer for the use of the track. How may extra bikes may get dropped incurring expensive repairs because the track owners are effectively hiring out a track substandard for their paying customers? A number of riders who are otherwise familiar with the track wiill turn up none the wiser and may end up on their backsides.
Motor racing is dangerous but that doesnt allow itself as an excuse for substandard work. Food for thought....

If this was the US someone would be getting sued already, I'm with you Robert, just not cricket for a supposedly international track.
Track day is not too bad, but come race day when everyone wants the same line:shit:...................................I'll be staying on the inside so I don't get taken out:no:

[Starky307]

How may extra bikes may get dropped incurring expensive repairs because the track owners are effectively hiring out a track substandard for their paying customers? A number of riders who are otherwise familiar with the track wiill turn up none the wiser and may end up on their backsides.

I hear what you saying but to be honest the 3 crashes I saw on the Friday went like this,
Crash 1, front wheel washout on corner 2 of the first lap, Group 1 rider session 2
Crash 2, front wheel washout on corner 2 of the first lap, Group 1 rider again, session 3
Crash 3, between corners 8&9 something went wrong and was a big tumble, requiring ambo help off the track, Group 1 rider again.

As it went on Friday the first two spills were from what appeared to be eager riders on cold tyres and a cold track, the last one, not to sure what happened there.

[Starky307]

Dont worry about it mate, the painted lines do nothing. The white line next to the grass on the outside of the corner only causes a little wheelspin and wiggle...

Cant really comment on the track conditions as of now. But agree with Robert.

It was really noticable in the first two sessions, the bike was stepping out on each white line, once the track warmed up and the tyres were hot the issue went away, but was still in my head.
I guess that is the whole point of the track day, to learn what the bike a does in different situations and with different setups, lesson learnt.

[Patch]

I hear what you saying but to be honest the 3 crashes I saw on the Friday went like this,
Crash 1, front wheel washout on corner 2 of the first lap, Group 1 rider session 2
Crash 2, front wheel washout on corner 2 of the first lap, Group 1 rider again, session 3
Crash 3, between corners 8&9 something went wrong and was a big tumble, requiring ambo help off the track, Group 1 rider again.

As it went on Friday the first two spills were from what appeared to be eager riders on cold tyres and a cold track, the last one, not to sure what happened there.
and what does that have to do with the price of fish eh??? or the point of the thread


For far too long we have been putting up with substandard service in this country, hence why folks like Mr. Taylor and Co. are very busy and other folks are not.

[FROSTY]

A number of riders who are otherwise familiar with the track wiill turn up none the wiser and may end up on their backsides.
Guys Im gobsmacked at this sort of comment. What the hell happened to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY??
Hey Im not saying they shouldn't get onto sorting things out THEY SHOULD --and by the way will
but FFS quite honestly in my opinion if someone bins on the slippery stuff rather than pointing the finger they need to look at themselves first and foremost.
Ok Ill rephrase.
During the winter series how many guys crashed at splash?? Its a known issue isn't it? so why aren't manfeilds management being sued over it??
Or The bumps going into Jennian at Pukie
OMG what about the manhole covers at Pearoa?

[FROSTY]

and what does that have to do with the price of fish eh??? or the point of the thread
I believe EVERYTHING. The point is the patches DIDNT cause crashes

[GSVR]

Maybe there could be a water truck to water down the track between races then it would be consistantly inconsistant.

I personally think that a track surface should be of a consistant high standard for roadracing. This brings out the best in rider and machine.

[Benk]

Maybe there could be a water truck to water down the track between races then it would be consistantly inconsistant.

Dude, that would make it more consistent. Shit, but consistent.

[Patch]

I believe EVERYTHING. The point is the patches DIDNT cause crashes
so, why bother mentioning it then??


The point made it is possible and being charged full price for a substandard track is not on, but hey its unzud we accept this shit but why should we?

Can't be that hard to close it and fix it properly . . .

[FROSTY]

Hey Im not disagreeing with ya dude. Im just sick and tired of the lack of personal accountability being constantly deomonstrated.

[FROSTY]

so, why bother mentioning it then??


The point made it is possible and being charged full price for a substandard track is not on, but hey its unzud we accept this shit but why should we?

Can't be that hard to close it and fix it properly . . .
So when dya propose they do this ?
Rephrase that --Track bookings are made 12 months or more in advance in a lot of cases. I was in the situation of having the track closed on the date of a KB trackday. Id booked and paid for the day months in advance . 100 people had organised and paid to be there that day.
This means SOMEHOW the repairs need to be sceduled around the bookings.
This means either a repair that could just rip back up if not given enough time to cure or a bunch of pissed off track users

[Tony.OK]

Hey Im not disagreeing with ya dude. Im just sick and tired of the lack of personal accountability being constantly deomonstrated.

Personal accountability may be fine for a track day Frosty, where the only pressure is on yourself, add a race to the equation and things will be alot different.
I was there last Fri and there was no mention of repairs, no signs saying the track had substandard repairs. Only word of mouth via other riders.
Comparing it to Manfeilds bumps etc is not even close to being the same thing, this was a repair done knowing that it wasn't up to scratch, but acceptable to those with 4 wheels.
Shouldn't we expect better from a track that we are paying to use, this is why we get off the public roads isn't it? If the councils do road repairs aren't they legally obliged to have signs to warn people?

I know they are trying to remedy the problem, and good on them for admitting an error, but givin the potential danger involved it should've been sorted sooner.

Ok tanty over....................lets go racing on Sunday:done:

[FROSTY]

Personal accountability may be fine for a track day Frosty, where the only pressure is on yourself, add a race to the equation and things will be alot different. Why ?--same rules apply ride to the conditions
I was there last Fri and there was no mention of repairs, no signs saying the track had substandard repairs. Only word of mouth via other riders.
Sorry dude but the trackday organiser should have warned you of the issues.
Comparing it to Manfeilds bumps etc is not even close to being the same thing,
this was a repair done knowing that it wasn't up to scratch, but acceptable to those with 4 wheels.
Tony not pointing a finger cos I wasnt there but im amazed the trackday organiser didn't mention the issue in riders brief.

[Danger Dave]

As it went on Friday the first two spills were from what appeared to be eager riders on cold tyres and a cold track, the last one, not to sure what happened there.[/QUOTE]

the back end step out on the repair patch causing a highside.:oi-grr:

[Danger Dave]

Tony not pointing a finger cos I wasnt there but im amazed the trackday organiser didn't mention the issue in riders brief.

The issues were metioned in riders briefing and we had to delay the start as the track needed to be sweeped

[Tony.OK]

The issues were metioned in riders briefing and we had to delay the start as the track needed to be sweeped

Ok my bad, must've missed that part.

[Kickaha]

This means SOMEHOW the repairs need to be sceduled around the bookings.
This means either a repair that could just rip back up if not given enough time to cure or a bunch of pissed off track users


The repairs don't need to be scheduled around the bookings

They cancel the bookings, they close the track, they repair it properly and give them enough time before they let vehicles back out on it

Any other way of doing it means a sub standard repair

[Starky307]

As it went on Friday the first two spills were from what appeared to be eager riders on cold tyres and a cold track, the last one, not to sure what happened there.

the back end step out on the repair patch causing a highside.:oi-grr:[/QUOTE]

I'll give you that one about the thrid crash as he had stopped moving when I went past, I could of sworn he had binned it before the patch on turn 9 but now thinking about it maybe that is what happened.

[sinfull]

they repair it properly
That remains to be seen !
The chap we spoke to on tuesday night said they put down a test patch of the new "soon to be laid" emulsion and had a car do a burnout on it ! Said patch held up to said burnout, with it (in "His words") shredding the tyre !
Ok cool ! But i'd like to see a patch 12" wide placed on a corner, say T9 and have (mmmmmm someone other than me) go over said patch at full noise on a racebike before they go to the expence and effort of doing said repairs to all the corners ! And who's to say they won't polish off to a glass finish again ? Know it has go worse in the last few months (could it be the temp dropping or the resin polishing up ?)
Sure the chap who was talking about it seemed sure it won't with the grit suspended in the emulsion, but then he probably drives a V8 and don't hold a bike licence !
Would hate to see another fuckup ! But what to do ?

[Robert Taylor]

I totally agree with Frosty re personal accountability, heck fFrosty you must be a card carrying tory like me!!
But there is also a responsibility for track owners to provide a decent facility with a decent surface.
Car racing may bring in the biggest revenue but Im sure these track owners wouldnt like to lose the ( albeit smaller )revenue from motorcycles.
In that light I think they should be more attuned to providing a minimum standard of safety for motorcycles.