Hampton Downs: is there an issue?

[NinjaBoy]

The bump is wicked and scary (I have done track days on my Fireblade). I am curious to know what bike the unfortunate rider was on?

He was on a CBR600 according to the article :
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10684284

[cowboyz]

I really object to that article on quite a few levels.

1. racetracks are so often referred to as the place to push the boundaries in a safe environment. Are they now saying that the racetrack is not the place to push yourself. maybe it would be more responisble of them to have signposts and suggested speed limits on each corner.

2. I knew Tim. Despite taking a few lines of text out of context on an online forum he was an extremely level headed and caucious rider on the road. I never had the chance to ride wtih him on the track but he was no slug on the road. He definitely had some skills and a desire to be exilarated. I imagine that he was pushing his limits on the track - where it has been promoted to push your limits and paid a price without considering the cost of admission.

Seems very likely the organisers are covers their arses. No surprise. Next week they will be promoting how safety concious they are - and no need for any repairs or air fences.

[BoristheBiter]

I really object to that article on quite a few levels.

1. racetracks are so often referred to as the place to push the boundaries in a safe environment. Are they now saying that the racetrack is not the place to push yourself. maybe it would be more responisble of them to have signposts and suggested speed limits on each corner.

2. I knew Tim. Despite taking a few lines of text out of context on an online forum he was an extremely level headed and caucious rider on the road. I never had the chance to ride wtih him on the track but he was no slug on the road. He definitely had some skills and a desire to be exilarated. I imagine that he was pushing his limits on the track - where it has been promoted to push your limits and paid a price without considering the cost of admission.

Seems very likely the organisers are covers their arses. No surprise. Next week they will be promoting how safety concious they are - and no need for any repairs or air fences.

+1

All you will see is the arse covering by all involved.
The media always take things out of context and put it forward in a way they want it told.

if the track is as safe as they are saying (i know there are always risks) then how did he die?

[scracha]

I really object to that article on quite a few levels.

Plus they implied he was at fault

Plus there's no MotoGP races in New Zealand so it's not like air fences have been removed.

Plus they're going on about amateur riders returning to the circuit. AFAIK there's only 2 non-amateur road riders in New Zealand.

Plus they've tanken soundbytes from all and sundry

[Sketchy_Racer]

if the track is as safe as they are saying (i know there are always risks) then how did he die?

It's a race track, they are all dangerous. You could bubble wrap an entire track and someone would still die, it is just the nature of the sport! It is a calculated risk to ride motorcycles, let alone ride them stupidly fast around a race track.

Hampton Downs is not the danger track it is being portrayed as, sure it has some flaws, show me a track that doesn't! The pit wall at manfeild is pretty much in the same boat, the on difference being that there isn't the bump.

Personally I love the bump, I think it adds a cool character to the track, the biggest problem with it is that when people get a scare from it and shut the throttle, it makes the stability problems worse. Keep it pinned and it almost doesn't exist! Well, on a 600 anyway.

RIP Tim Porter

[Robert Taylor]

My condolences go out to Tims family.

An expert analysis of the setup of the bike will I think tell the story of why as I heard the bike got into quite a tankslapper. Its all about setting the bike up for the demands the circuit places upon it. If the setup of the bike was in some way deficient then that would explian rather a lot

[Peter Smith]

My condolences go out to Tims family.

An expert analysis of the setup of the bike will I think tell the story of why as I heard the bike got into quite a tankslapper. Its all about setting the bike up for the demands the circuit places upon it. If the setup of the bike was in some way deficient then that would explian rather a lot

That's why you should get off the computer and finish rebuilding my rear shock.

[Biggles08]

My condolences go out to Tims family.

An expert analysis of the setup of the bike will I think tell the story of why as I heard the bike got into quite a tankslapper. Its all about setting the bike up for the demands the circuit places upon it. If the setup of the bike was in some way deficient then that would explian rather a lot

Although Robert, this would imply it is unsafe to take ones roadbike off the road and go hell for leather on a race track without having had your suspension set up for the track (proportionate to your skill level). So really you are saying the track is unsafe at this point in these circumstances are you not?

Personally I think Glen S was more on the money in this instance and if you 'back off' at the wrong time you will exasperate the situation. Another contributing factor no one has mentioned was where he was on the track...as I saw it he was too wide coming into that corner and most likely it all turned to custard very quickly as that kink is blind coming up the hill. I remember the first time I went around hampton I noticed that and made a mental note to be facing the right direction before the 'hump' in question.

It is fun and kinda cool getting a little wobble on over there but I would be suprised if it isn't removed now...and I wouldn't be upset about it either.

[sAsLEX]

I remember the first time I went around hampton I noticed that and made a mental note to be facing the right direction before the 'hump' in question.

Which corner on this track will cause you to slam into a wall if you fail to take a corner?


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[BoristheBiter]

It's a race track, they are all dangerous. You could bubble wrap an entire track and someone would still die, it is just the nature of the sport! It is a calculated risk to ride motorcycles, let alone ride them stupidly fast around a race track.

Hampton Downs is not the danger track it is being portrayed as, sure it has some flaws, show me a track that doesn't! The pit wall at manfeild is pretty much in the same boat, the on difference being that there isn't the bump.

Personally I love the bump, I think it adds a cool character to the track, the biggest problem with it is that when people get a scare from it and shut the throttle, it makes the stability problems worse. Keep it pinned and it almost doesn't exist! Well, on a 600 anyway.

RIP Tim Porter

As i said there are always risks but to have a design or construction fault, and face it there is a fault, is a different story all togeather, and knowing about the problem and not having safety in place is negligence.

You can harpe on about Manfields wall or Pukekohe's but how long have the been running to how many deaths.
I am not talking crashes as there are always crashes when on track, but deaths cased by the track.

[cowboyz]

Hampton Downs is not the danger track it is being portrayed as, sure it has some flaws, show me a track that doesn't! The pit wall at manfeild is pretty much in the same boat, the on difference being that there isn't the bump.

HD is a track that has been engineeered and built in the modern day.. Not 40-50 years ago. and designed for bikes. thats like says. jumping out of a plane naked and skydiving are the same thing... just one there isnt a parachute.


RIP Tim Porter

.................................................. .....

My condolences go out to Tims family.

An expert analysis of the setup of the bike will I think tell the story of why as I heard the bike got into quite a tankslapper. Its all about setting the bike up for the demands the circuit places upon it. If the setup of the bike was in some way deficient then that would explian rather a lot

I am never riding a bike without ohlins again! its just far too dangerous!

[Robert Taylor]

.................................................. .....

I am never riding a bike without ohlins again! its just far too dangerous!

That is not what I am implying, nor should such a flippant statement be made in light of a familys loss. In fact that bike had an Ohlins rear shock fitted. But what of the external settings? What about the front settings? That is what I am asking. That bump can set up some undesirable dynamics and as Sketchy stated rider reaction needs to be ''correct''. There are many factors that likely will have contributed to this tragedy but also the settings ( sag, spring preload, clicker settings, basic geometry, tyre pressures etc ) that will have needed to be in a sensible zone.

[Marknz]

I've been led to believe that keeping on the gas and gripping the tank with your knees is the best rider option in this instance. Aside from the bike set up that Robert is referring to, is that correct? Would more experienced racers like to comment?

[cowboyz]

crashing while pushing yourself is eniviable. its the cost of the crash that is in question here and apparently ... dying at hampton downs is acceptable if you ...

have recently brought a honda.

post on kiwibiker

ride as fast as you think you can on a racetrack

the article is shite. fullstop.

[White trash]

crashing while pushing yourself is eniviable. its the cost of the crash that is in question here and apparently ... dying at hampton downs is acceptable if you ...

have recently brought a honda.

post on kiwibiker

ride as fast as you think you can on a racetrack

the article is shite. fullstop.

That's how I read it too. Disgusting journalism.