Bike only Open Day at Puke

[Redstar]

I went today to puke it was actually a good day out only three riders and three like me watchers but next time I think the $80 is going to part wallet.
I need new tyres anyway. roadworks were no an issue and had a few good blats on the southern motorway on the way home. Its was a really choice day

[KATWYN]

I went today to puke it was actually a good day out only three riders and three like me watchers but next time I think the $80 is going to part wallet.
I need new tyres anyway. roadworks were no an issue and had a few good blats on the southern motorway on the way home. Its was a really choice day

I rode on the track a couple of years ago, and found those side cars zooming
around at the same time really scary...theres not a lot of track or "places to go" when they are zooming around.

I have to admit, riding the track was an awesome experience. Hair raising
being in with the fast guys when you are only a learner. Totally freaking out
that I would do something stupid (inexperience) that would put another
rider at risk. But cornering on the road just after that one time gave me a heap more confidence...then

[MikeL]

Only three bikes??? Probably won't get another bike only day then... :disapint:

I was sooooo tempted to go, but decided that I would be better losing my track virginity (so to speak) in the more controlled environment of a Track Time, so I've registered for 1 Feb. If I'd known that there were only going to be 3 bikes yesterday I would have gone anyway. With only 3 other riders to look out for it would have been relatively easy. On 1 Feb there will no doubt be 30 or 40 other novices of varying degrees of incompetence.
Anyway, I've already started practising for the track: went to Raglan again today via SH22. Only the melting tar prevented me notching up a record time from Ngaruawahia to Tuakau.

[XRNR]

Had 3 good runs then I was hit by food poisioning

Shouldn't it be,
I was hit by food poisioning then Had 3 good runs

[Motoracer]

Oh, I had a lot more than 3... (sorry for the too much info). Glad its all over for sure.

[Coldkiwi]

3 bikes?? eh?? at the start of the day there were at least 6 of us and it swelled to around 8 I think before some people...err.. ran off.... and then at the end there were 3 of us left.
going out with the sidecars would be quite terrifying I'm sure!

[Motoracer]

3 bikes?? eh?? at the start of the day there were at least 6 of us and it swelled to around 8 I think before some people...err.. ran off.... and then at the end there were 3 of us left.
going out with the sidecars would be quite terrifying I'm sure!

Redstar was talking about the saturday openday on the 17th of Jan '04. We went on Friday the 16th Jan '04. Its not often that I get to correct you CK.

[Redstar]

it was Satuday true and there were two formula 5000 a porche a v8 commadore 20 Alafas and twenty or so sliders Koreans mainly.
Bikes were on their own. 20min bashes and the best lap 1min 10 gsxr 750
I think this should be a meet next time.
I was suprised at how good a day it can be.

[Racey Rider]

Well, I got there! First time out on Pukekohe Track. And I must say, I enjoyed the track!
I know some of you think it's boring, But I enjoyed my one day run around it. Perhaps that is because there were no real tricky bits that I couldn't master (Don't laugh Spank!), in a short time. Maybe that's why some think it's boring, 'cause there are no tricky bits. The only other track I've riden is Manfield, and after 4 track days there, I still find it has bits I find tricky.

The sign up/payment side of the Puke day seemed a bit lax. Seemed I could have just turned up and got out on the track without paying or signing anything. (O,,, Only out of towners pay!) Must have looked too much like a Non-Aucklander when I walked into the office cash in hand!

And so much for Bikes Only!!
Come all the way from New Plymouth for a bikes only day, only to be told "They", (whoever "They" were),,, had decided to allow cars as well. Certainly the lady taking my money wasn't admitting it was her decision!

Had a small hick-up when my chain link came off! (Didn't I just ask you guys how to lock wire a chain link?!). Luckily, it happened right before pit lane entrance, and it didn't jam up the back wheel, so just coasted into pit lane.
Thanks to the guys who helped push the bike and carry the chain. So missed a few sessions while waiting for my ride into town to get spare links. (Yes I should have had some, I know).

Last run of the day, and had my wife there to get that important, end of the day - lap time. After 4 or 5 laps my muffler decided to come loose, which put an end to that. Best lap time -- 1m ... something a rather!? Let's just say ... room for improvement.

Still, had a good day. No crashes, just one foray onto the grass after Jennian corner. Keeped it upright this time!

That night, I was suppost to be heading towards Taupo for Sundays races, but had a number of plans not fall into place so missed it. Wasn't too worried as the KR still doesn't feel like it's running as sweetly as it should. Maybe next time.
See ya all out there!
Racey.

[Coldkiwi]

boring? getting your knee scraping on a curb through a blind corner at 180kph is boring to some people!? braking from 250kph for a hairpin 120m away doesn't excite them? It sure gave me thrills!
man, and my friends think I'm nuts doing that sort of speed down the back straight (I'll admit, thats the least exciting part but is still a rush)

and motoracer, you're right, normally someone else corrects me first!

[wkid_one]

I question this tho - it isn't a blind corner if you know what is around it?

Also - getting your knee down on the track is expected......I will still say the track days are boring....and a waste of your tyres......

Racing - well that would be different as there is the human element......track days - meh, once you have ridden the track day once- that is enough

[duckman]

Er ... Not wanting to sound pedantic Wikd but it's called a blind corner because you can't SEE around it. It really doesn't matter if you think you know what to expect when you get around the corner cause there could be a rider down, a flock of seagulls or the Frickin Pope blessing the track

[Racey Rider]

boring? getting your knee scraping on a curb through a blind corner at 180kph is boring to some people!? braking from 250kph for a hairpin 120m away doesn't excite them? It sure gave me thrills!
man, and my friends think I'm nuts doing that sort of speed down the back straight (I'll admit, thats the least exciting part but is still a rush)

Quite right. Any track is only as Tricky, or boring as the speed you attack it!

[Hoon]

I've probably done about 15-20 track days at Puke in the last year and although I do admit it can be a boring track, there is always something I can work on. Each time I go I usually target 2 or 3 turns and measure my progress by my exit RPM (I often scream/cheer wildly to myself in my helmet when I beat my turn best RPM).

I'll keep raising the bar until my bike starts getting funky then I'll move onto another turn.

If I aint sliding mid-turn or already at full throttle then there is room for improvement.

[Coldkiwi]

i think the human element remains at a track day. Thats sorta what keeps me from wrenching the throttle to the stop when exiting the hairpin. I don't want my human elements to leave the ground!!
Wkid, if tracks days bore you, get an R1 again and try and punt it round any track and see where that leaves you. If you're thinking about tracks boring you because you did them on the VTR I reckon you'd get a pleasent surprise with a way sharper bike.