Hampton Downs Rider Training

[Highlander]

Yep, there were a few people very fast in a straight line
And a few doing some silly stuff that was not exactly related to a rider training event
I pulled over on the straights to let 'em past but the odd one was trying to still get in front on the corner entry

Yeah, when I knew there was someone behind me I made a point of letting them past so I could focus on my cornering, when I wanted to pass I gave them plenty of room through the corners then took my chance.

[Ascott]

I did the Sunday "rider training day" well run great day, great bunch of people, but that track, what a f...ing beauty! so fast! just brilliant, and I didn't notice any safety concerns. Probably not going fast enough. Had a ball, thank you HMCC!
Al

[ckai]

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.

Have to agree with you here as well. Luckily I was never on the receiving end and never did it to anyone else but I witnessed a few shockers. Dunno about the other groups but ours got a talking to about some racing each other and just trying to get the knee down. I don't have a problem with that, but when you're carving up people that are working on things AND at the start of the day, it seems a bit stupid.

I had some curteous (sp) guys ride with me on the outside of corners so I knew they were there and a few people powering on later out of corners to let me pass. It started to work well by the end of the day. I suppose when all the riff-raff went home haha

For a track day, sweet - go hard. Get your money's worth, blast people, and push yourself. But for a training day - don't use it as a cheap track day and screw with those that are using it for what it is.

On another note, I was wondering if I would have learnt enough to transfer to the road since it was exactly the same as last year. I always knew I would lean the bike better since gives you more confidence in your tyres, but I didn't know about the other stuff. Turns out I use a much better line in corners with out thinking (before I had to think about it)...on the way home an HSV blasted past friends in the car in front so I thought it was good practice He was flying but he cheated by cutting the corners

[JamRoll]

Awesome day on Sunday Thanks to HMCC and everyone who worked hard to get us the weekend, it was really well organised and coaches were extremely helpful. Outstanding track, even lifting the front at 200+ over the crest (bump) was fun. Not too much sillyness out there, just lots of people having fun

[Dodgyiti]

On another note, I was wondering if I would have learnt enough to transfer to the road since it was exactly the same as last year. I always knew I would lean the bike better since gives you more confidence in your tyres, but I didn't know about the other stuff. Turns out I use a much better line in corners with out thinking (before I had to think about it)...on the way home an HSV blasted past friends in the car in front so I thought it was good practice He was flying but he cheated by cutting the corners

Good to know it was of value for you. For me, I had had the bike I took for quite a few years and never pushed it as hard as I did that day. Now I know the limits of the tires and lean angle and also how good the brakes are, never pushed them that hard. all that gives me greater confidence in how hard I can brake, how quickly I can wash off speed, and if I over cook a corner- how hard I can lean and brake. So in that respect I learnt a lot that could save me in an emergency.
Plus I was proud of my bike and how it went. The motor held together at higher revs than it was supposed to do from new, so I can build and blueprint an engine with confidence. Yay!

This does not mean I will ride faster or change how I ride at all, I will just know that the limits of my bike are well within how I ride it on the road.

[ckai]

Good to know it was of value for you. For me, I had had the bike I took for quite a few years and never pushed it as hard as I did that day. Now I know the limits of the tires and lean angle and also how good the brakes are, never pushed them that hard. all that gives me greater confidence in how hard I can brake, how quickly I can wash off speed, and if I over cook a corner- how hard I can lean and brake. So in that respect I learnt a lot that could save me in an emergency.
Plus I was proud of my bike and how it went. The motor held together at higher revs than it was supposed to do from new, so I can build and blueprint an engine with confidence. Yay!

This does not mean I will ride faster or change how I ride at all, I will just know that the limits of my bike are well within how I ride it on the road.

I hear ya mate, and if you're the one that had the red guzzi on the saturday...bloody fine piece of kit

[ajturbo]

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

sooo... your saying i am safe on my bucket then???

[Max Headroom]

I hear ya mate, and if you're the one that had the red guzzi on the saturday...bloody fine piece of kit

Yes he was, and yes it is!

[Movistar]

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?

I know last year the pictures were uploaded to here: http://http://www.hamiltonmcc.org.nz...avId=x34185607

From memory Steve Parker sent an email out to every one once they had them on the site.

Hopefully this year I might find at least one shot of me!

Last year all I got was either the front end or back end in shot (I think they were taking pictures of all the bikes overtaking me...)

[Movistar]

I hear ya mate, and if you're the one that had the red guzzi on the saturday...bloody fine piece of kit

Yes he was, and yes it is!

I second that - very nice!

[Pixie]

I've read various comments about Hampton Downs not having any atmosphere, whatever that means,

It means it isn't a shithole like Pukekohe

[Dodgyiti]

[QUOTE=Movistar;1129505745]I know last year the pictures were uploaded to here: http://http://www.hamiltonmcc.org.nz...avId=x34185607QUOTE]

Thanks for that, yes I checked the site and the pics they have from past ones are pretty good.
I will not be taking the red bike on track again- I built it for the road and 2-up riding, it was nice to do it but I have another Beast for that sort of thing. So at least one pic for the album would be nice.

[insane1]

well i wonder how a big maxi-scoot would handle the track then could be interesting good to see if i could get more than 170 down the back straight did that at puke .

[ckai]

well i wonder how a big maxi-scoot would handle the track then could be interesting good to see if i could get more than 170 down the back straight did that at puke .

Someone did have a scoot there. I only saw it on a few corners on the groups out lamp but it looked bloody entertaining. A bike is a bike as far as I'm concerned. It was also good to see the cruisers giving it death, harley's with towballs and all. Although scary shit when you're following a bike and you can see everything touching down, even sparks.

[Movistar]

There will no doubt be more to come.

Theres a good one of me, bending down adjusting my boot.
You can see the top of my head.

Looks like I'm going to have the same luck as last year when it comes to action shots - zip!

Still, all is not lost. I have faith in the photgrapher.
(sits back patiently waiting for all the photos to be loaded )