Track Training Days

Five of the BFTP group had the opportunity to attend a rider training day at Hampton Downs on 7 Nov.

This day was a real blast. It was designed to challenge the way that we approached riding and accessed our riding knowledge and abilities.

The big field of participants were sorted into three group; novices/slow, moderately experinced/medium and been there, done that/fast. Proir to entering the track, each machine was scrutineered and advice was given on the correct tyre pressures for each machine.

After a tiki tour, each group attended a classroom session (around 10 minutes duration). The groups then did a 5 lap session at slow pace with 2 instructors assessing/observing riders. Each track session was followed by another classroom session, where instruction was given on various aspects that most riders needed to work on, correct/safest lines through corners, braking technique and road/track etiquette.

Towards the end of the day, the pace was increased to the level individual riders were comfortable with. The opportunity to change groups during the day meant that riders were able to be in a group where they felt comfortable.

I highly recommend these days. The Hamilton Motorcycle Club, along with their many sponsors, should be applauded for putting them together. IMO, ACC should encourage ALL motorcyclists to attend these days with the view of them receiving some form of rebate on their motorcycle registration fees.

Those thinking of doing any further training days, talk to Croc, Dodgiti, Max Headroom, Voltaire or myself. We all believe that these days are a must.

One word of warning though. Be prepared to get bitten by the racing bug.

Good stuff it was too!*

*Be warned: The A Grade group was a bit like a track day melee and BFTP bikes get eaten up on the straights and there was no slow pace track time after the 1st session, after that it was WSB action from the pitlane gate. My second session was red flagged due to a 2 bike bin, and that only slowed them down for the first lap of the 3rd session
What you do get in A Grade is track tuition by some of our past and present NZ Superbike legends. Perhaps the guys that did the B or C Grade did more road related stuff.
I nailed the sweeper to the absolute limits of my bike, and had Jared Love come past me on the straight and give me the was buzz of the day. Of course I had previously stuffed it up at least 10 times


I can also recommend this if your in Auckland;

http://www.rrrs.org.nz/

They do more on the training side, very experienced instructors covering all aspects of riding safe on the road. No matter how long you have been riding or how many miles you have covered, I will put money on it that you will learn something that will someday save your arse. It is very intensive and run by our good pals at BRONZ.
And only $50
As well as that, you can come back again if you need to for nothing.
If you live out of Auckland they can arrange a billet, or one of the BFTP members up here can most likely put you up for the night

I ain't going to write an essay, but highly recommend it. Not only do you learn subtle stuff that you probably didn't even realise was an issue, but you get to have a real ball. IMO it is 300% more fun than riding on the road.

I did the novice group and have no hesitation recommending that everyone should do it. You still get to go as fast as you are comfortable going in the novice group.

As a point of interest I asked the speaker if there was any difference in the theoretical lessons between the AB&C group. He claimed that they were essentially the same but with a little more emphasis on some of the subject matter, as was relative to the group.

But I didn't get to do skids on the gravel with the mighty 50cc
The classroom stuff was all about breaking and cornering a bit like the Keith Code DVD I watched a while back.

I enjoyed the day out very much....Poor old Ducati saw redline fair few times.....
Still it never missed a beat...and remained oil tight...
I must get onto the R90 project classic racer.....

The slow group was good as there were not too many in it as you could go as fast or as slow as you felt comfortable with.
I'd probably go to B grade next time as I have mastered the Fizzy Skid.

to Ian ,Crock and the organisers.

Well, everything has already been said, but not everyone has said it . . . . again, a brilliant day which has left me wondering why i left it so long.

As well, it has left me plotting the building of a more focussed bike for *cough* more "training" days . . ..

AMCC run ART days a few times during the year...next one is the 15th of November at Puki....it is amazing to watch the difference in riders from the start of the day to the end...i normally work them but as im off to melbourne for a few weeks i decided not to work that one..

ART = Advanced Rider Training.......

Yeah I saw that. Cycletreads are offering a member discount. But I no be here then as I'm off to Dunedin to pick up Baz.

Geez, is that Baz with one "Z". Please apologise to him for me previously mis- spelling his handle. You've really set him up for some flack chucking a handle like that at him. Poor bastard!!

Don't forget to tell him Brutus is looking forward to meeting a naked one.

Dieseldick
Geez, is that Baz with one "Z". Please apologise to him for me previously mis- spelling his handle. You've really set him up for some flack chucking a handle like that at him. Poor bastard!!

Don't forget to tell him Brutus is looking forward to meeting a naked one.

It's only one z cause there is already 1 in Zook and only 2 in BazZooka. Though I suppose it could be spellled Bazzzooka Bazzz doesn't mind.

Are you coming to Wgtn for the protest rally? Maybe Brutus can perv at Baz's nakedness then. I reckon Baz is an exhibitionist so he'll like that.

flyingcrocodile46
....................... I reckon Baz is an exhibitionist so he'll like that.

I know for a fact that he is an exhibitionist, the other day I came home from work and the garage door was open and Bazzzzzz was showing off for the people walking past......and I swear he is moving closer to my Samantha!!!!

I had a look at his rego papers and it seems that he was bought over from Australia mid 99. We all know what a bunch of show offs those Arsetrailers are.

No. I can't get any more time off until Xmas. Teaching a fabrication/welding apprentice block course over the next 3 weeks. I had to piss in a few pockets to get last Friday off for Hampton Downs.
I think Wickle is going, so i'll slip him some bucks to buy the boys a beer in Welly.

your EFPOS card and pin-number would be better then we could go out on the town..