Hampton Downs Rider Training

**Dodgyiti** · 8th November 2009, 08:23

Originally Posted by White trash

Glad you had a good time, but I've not seen any serous critisism of HD yet. Something that DOES concern me a little before I've ridden it is the crest before the kink past pit entrance with a concrete barrier on the outside. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but I'll still give it a nudge.

Guys on the more powerfull bikes in A grade found the front lifting on the crest, just makes it more exciting. The barrier is not as close as it seems when your on track, you would have to be very silly to get in trouble there because the kink is not a very fast one.
The most important thing is to get out on the track while it is still smooth and lovely before some dick books in a truck race and chops up the surface like Puke

Right now it is smooth and grippy, enjoy it while you can

**White trash** · 8th November 2009, 08:26

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

Guys on the more powerfull bikes in A grade found the front lifting on the crest, just makes it more exciting. The barrier is not as close as it seems when your on track, you would have to be very silly to get in trouble there because the kink is not a very fast one.
The most important thing is to get out on the track while it is still smooth and lovely before some dick books in a truck race and chops up the surface like Puke

Right now it is smooth and grippy, enjoy it while you can

Cheers for the advice.

Lend me the Grisso for the 22nd?

**Dieseldick** · 8th November 2009, 09:04

Originally Posted by White trash

Glad you had a good time, but I've not seen any serous critisism of HD yet. Something that DOES concern me a little before I've ridden it is the crest before the kink past pit entrance with a concrete barrier on the outside. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but I'll still give it a nudge.

Hey, it's something I thought of too before entering the track. It's no where near as bad it looks, as long as you don't get too heavy on the front brakes when you're at the crest. I did this on one run, while carrying a bit too much speed. Theres quite a bit of room though before getting into serious trouble.

Besides, undulations, down hill entries to tight hair pins and off camber corners are all part of a decent track challenge.

**Dodgyiti** · 8th November 2009, 10:42

Originally Posted by White trash

Cheers for the advice.

Lend me the Grisso for the 22nd?

Sold it Jimmy

But built this up instead, 79.2 R/W hp big brakes and about 30kg lighter than std. Prime target for a bit of hoonery

**White trash** · 8th November 2009, 11:00

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

Sold it Jimmy

But built this up instead, 79.2 R/W hp big brakes and about 30kg lighter than std. Prime target for a bit of hoonery

That's bloody stunning mate, nice job!

**Devil** · 8th November 2009, 11:01

Originally Posted by Dieseldick

as long as you don't get too heavy on the front brakes when you're at the crest.

Just for reference, you shouldn't be anywhere near the brakes around the crest, even on a superbike...

**Dieseldick** · 8th November 2009, 12:04

Originally Posted by Devil

Just for reference, you shouldn't be anywhere near the brakes around the crest, even on a superbike...

Very true, but in the heat of the moment you can find yourself in that position. Even some of the guns will do it.

**RDjase** · 8th November 2009, 12:42

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

The most important thing is to get out on the track while it is still smooth and lovely before some dick books in a truck race and chops up the surface like Puke

Truck racing and drifting , The 2 most stupid forms of track destroying motorsport(Very vaugly call sport)

Does truck racing still happen? havnt seen or heard of it for ages , Bloody good too

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

hoonery

Top effort on the bike and the new cool word

Originally Posted by Dieseldick

I haven't been on a track for over 20 years and have avoided doing so on a bike for fear of divorce proceedings. Hell, I'd really like to do the Post Classic Series.

You said you would get the racing bug after Taupo last weekend mate , Good stuff aye

**Pumba** · 8th November 2009, 14:17

Originally Posted by Devil

Just for reference, you shouldn't be anywhere near the brakes around the crest, even on a superbike...

+1

Although I will admit it did shock me a bit the first time I hit it at pace

The track is great. You are going to need hoursepower and a good suspension set up to be real quick there.

**rocketman1** · 8th November 2009, 21:10

Yeah did the rider training with the Hamilton Motor Cycle club on the weekend.
I can say it was a very well run event, on a great track, the club and the sponsors have put on a great and informative event, on a very challenging track. With a strong emphasis on training, not racing.
The surface of the track is very sooth and very grippy, it also has plenty of width where needed. The tight left hander / hairpin that feels like it drops about 10metres in about 30metres and tightens up as get into it is absolutely stunning, what a great change to have track that is not boringly flat.
The track owners have something to be proud of here, the design of the track is a credit to them.
They still have fair amount of work to do to get the complex complete, but it has the making a damn good circuit.
Cant wait till next time.

**ckai** · 8th November 2009, 21:53

Originally Posted by White trash

Glad you had a good time, but I've not seen any serous critisism of HD yet. Something that DOES concern me a little before I've ridden it is the crest before the kink past pit entrance with a concrete barrier on the outside. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but I'll still give it a nudge.

You want criticism? Here's criticism...it's too short. And it's extremely heavy on the right hand side of your tyres. The car racers are going to murder their left rears. It'll be good when the extension is done so there is more lefties in the mix.

Otherwise awesome track and the wall...no problems. You're generally using the right hand side of the track at the point and as mentioned you'd have to miss up big to get near it.

The best thing is multiple lines through corners i.e. outside passing if you have the balls

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

Guys on the more powerfull bikes in A grade found the front lifting on the crest, just makes it more exciting.

It's even unloads the rear if you don't have enough weight on the rear

Originally Posted by rocketman1

The tight left hander / hairpin that feels like it drops about 10metres in about 30metres and tightens ...
The track owners have something to be proud of here, the design of the track is a credit to them.
They still have fair amount of work to do to get the complex complete, but it has the making a damn good circuit.
Cant wait till next time.

A few people (me included) were having "issues" with the right hander just before the hairpin (short straight then tightest/narrowest corner). It's pretty much the only part of the track that's narrow and with the cones they had it was certainly tight. Would be nicer to do without them so not sure if they were there to slow things down or not.

Agree the owners can be proud, it's gonna be a great complex.

**Rodders** · 8th November 2009, 22:15

Originally Posted by White trash

Glad you had a good time, but I've not seen any serous critisism of HD yet. Something that DOES concern me a little before I've ridden it is the crest before the kink past pit entrance with a concrete barrier on the outside. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but I'll still give it a nudge.

Hey Jimmy - I think you'll love the crest !! I'm sure you'll be able to let the front come up over the crest while cranked over and pull a nice mono all the way around and past the pits!! Concrete wall shouldn't be a problem but who knows when you get 4 or more superbikes at 250 plus battling ??
I had my first tday on the Gixxer today which was a blast- great circuit - nice with the elevation changes. Trashed (no pun intended) my racetecs as did most on soft rubber - nearly highsided when it let go round big sweeper onto straight-out of the seat moment. Had alot of fun trying to follow Jared Love. Nice to give the gixxer a little bit of gas!!

**Dodgyiti** · 9th November 2009, 06:20

Yeah, it was a great day alright, any of you guys got any pictures loaded up?
My Mrs was supposed to be there snapping away but never made it.
Who was the photographer posted on track?

**Highlander** · 9th November 2009, 06:38

I was really enjoying it but twice had someone I didn't know was there cut through my inside just as I was tipping into the hair pin (as I was following the line of mats they had put down).
First time unnerved me such that the rest of that session I was real jumpy and couldn't get my head right. Second one freaked me out I finished that lap and didn't get back on the track, and now couple of days later don't much care if I never do.

If we were racing then fair enough, but that wasn't the idea of the day and frankly that ruined it for me.

Couldn't identify the bike / bikes that did it so no point in complaining to the organisers.

Otherwise they did a sterling job. Nice track. Top effort by the volunteers of the Hamilton Motorcycle Club. Good on them getting ACC and the road safety people from the various councils on side.