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Thread: Picking a trackday group

  1. #16
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    Come talk to us

    Hey guys, I work with the organisers at the Hamptons events and while I can't speak of the other organisers around the country, we do our best to identify and talk to those who are riding dangerously, erratically, or are just too fast or too slow for the group they are in.

    Sometimes it is hard to pinpoint who a rider is (I.e. A complaint saying 'a blue gsxr something passed too close' helps but isn't conclusive) and other times we get two sides to the story. I have personally been the subject on a complaint where I was accused of passing too close (not while marshalling!) but on review of the footage it was a clean pass with two metres space given and a low speed differnential - we couldn't determine why the rider was so freaked out. Just an example, but it shows the need to be objective and ensure that no ones day is ruined if we can avoid it.

    The best thing to do in all cases is to come and see one of the marshalls (find us wearing yellow vests) or the guys in course control. We can go an observe and take action from there. We WILL review the riding in that group and take action if required. The days are intended to be safe and fun for all.

    My advice to you would be to either a) ride in the fast group where passes are typically clean and most know each other so there is a fair amount of respect, or b) ride in a slower group.

    However, do consider that in a slow group it will be YOU who is the one exceeding the capabilities of most. If you look to be carving up don't be shocked if you are asked to move. Novice riders require lots of space and respect. If you can ride fast group you are a fairly fast rider and by definition will not quite fit with the novices.

    All in all have fun and talk to us if you have concerns. That's why we are there. If in doubt you can come talk to me or any of the guys. I'll be in a yellow vest on a white RSV4 or green ZX10. Name is Dave.
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  2. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by sharp2183 View Post
    Hey guys, I work with the organisers at the Hamptons events and while I can't speak of the other organisers around the country, we do our best to identify and talk to those who are riding dangerously, erratically, or are just too fast or too slow for the group they are in.

    Sometimes it is hard to pinpoint who a rider is (I.e. A complaint saying 'a blue gsxr something passed too close' helps but isn't conclusive) and other times we get two sides to the story. I have personally been the subject on a complaint where I was accused of passing too close (not while marshalling!) but on review of the footage it was a clean pass with two metres space given and a low speed differnential - we couldn't determine why the rider was so freaked out. Just an example, but it shows the need to be objective and ensure that no ones day is ruined if we can avoid it.

    The best thing to do in all cases is to come and see one of the marshalls (find us wearing yellow vests) or the guys in course control. We can go an observe and take action from there. We WILL review the riding in that group and take action if required. The days are intended to be safe and fun for all.

    My advice to you would be to either a) ride in the fast group where passes are typically clean and most know each other so there is a fair amount of respect, or b) ride in a slower group.

    However, do consider that in a slow group it will be YOU who is the one exceeding the capabilities of most. If you look to be carving up don't be shocked if you are asked to move. Novice riders require lots of space and respect. If you can ride fast group you are a fairly fast rider and by definition will not quite fit with the novices.

    All in all have fun and talk to us if you have concerns. That's why we are there. If in doubt you can come talk to me or any of the guys. I'll be in a yellow vest on a white RSV4 or green ZX10. Name is Dave.
    I lap around 1'22", not really quick I know, based in that what do you recommend? I know each day varies a lot depending on riders who show up, mind you good riders like Avalon etc just got round.

  3. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by vinducati View Post
    I lap around 1'22", not really quick I know, based in that what do you recommend? .......
    turning the throttle some more.

  4. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by vinducati View Post
    I lap around 1'22", not really quick I know, based in that what do you recommend? I know each day varies a lot depending on riders who show up, mind you good riders like Avalon etc just got round.
    Would you consider that sort of pace to slow for the fast group at Playday.
    In the medium at that pace I come across blocks of slower riders.

  5. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by vinducati View Post
    Would you consider that sort of pace to slow for the fast group at Playday.
    In the medium at that pace I come across blocks of slower riders.
    It's not always easy to base it on lap times I admit. There's often a big jump going from Medium fast up to fast, where times can be quite fast on any given day.

    If you are wanting to go faster and you are finding that riders in medium fast are too slow, then on that day then a step up to fast is warranted. Remember it's not the lap times you are doing but the way you are riding that makes the difference. The fast guys will just go straight around you and be on their way of you hold a nice consistent line.

    At 22s I would start in medium fast next time out and play it as you see fit. Come and talk to me in the first session and I can come out with you and have a looksee. If traffic is good then no problems, if it's too slow you can go up and practice in a group where you will be slow, not fast. More to learn there in my opinion.
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  6. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by vinducati View Post
    I lap around 1'22", not really quick I know, based in that what do you recommend?
    Stick to the fast group.
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  7. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by cassina View Post
    They did say they felt under pressure to keep up though if you read post 1. Being under pressure to keep up can be deadly on or off the track.

    Thanks for all the advice.
    I will stay with Med Fast for now as a start point and decide depending on the riders there on the day.
    It is not that I feel pressure to ride quicker than I can.
    More I don't want to muck up other riders enjoyment of the day.
    But as you say, the riders can let the track day staff know if there is a problem and the good riders pass clean and easy.
    The track day staff should be able to ascertain whether someone is in the wrong group.
    And yes Dave I will come and see you at the next Play Day event I attend.

  8. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by vinducati View Post
    Thanks for all the advice.
    I will stay with Med Fast for now as a start point and decide depending on the riders there on the day.
    It is not that I feel pressure to ride quicker than I can.
    More I don't want to muck up other riders enjoyment of the day.
    But as you say, the riders can let the track day staff know if there is a problem and the good riders pass clean and easy.
    The track day staff should be able to ascertain whether someone is in the wrong group.
    And yes Dave I will come and see you at the next Play Day event I attend.
    Cool, good result. Catch you at the next one.
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  9. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by tigertim20 View Post
    Think about your pace when lining up. i.e. if you are a moderately fast rider for that group, try to get roughly in the middle of the queue waiting to go out. It isnt fool proof but it does help
    Yep. You could drop down to Med and be first out the gate like Lorenzo. But to be honest I have found riding around other riders of comparable skill to be plenty of fun.

    Quote Originally Posted by nodrog View Post
    fuck that, google trackday crashes on you tube.

    cameras cause accidents obviously.
    Lies. I crashed and I totally would have been sweet if I had a camera on.

    Quote Originally Posted by cassina View Post
    You can get educated on how dangerous it is by just watching but maybe
    You can, in the same way watching a ton of porn makes you a pro at sex.

    Quote Originally Posted by cassina View Post
    They did say they felt under pressure to keep up though if you read post 1. Being under pressure to keep up can be deadly on or off the track.
    And dropping down a group would be avoiding the problem rather than addressing it.

    Quote Originally Posted by vinducati View Post
    The track day staff should be able to ascertain whether someone is in the wrong group.
    Good stuff. I think it's hard for organisers sometimes, I imagine it only takes a couple of assholes with delusions of grandeur to make you sick of approaching people and asking them to move down. And I guess more people approach them asking to be moved up, than to be moved down.
    "It's hard to keep an open mind, when so many people are trying to put things in it"

  10. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Erelyes View Post
    ... You can, in the same way watching a ton of porn makes you a pro at sex...
    Where's your evidence?

  11. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Moi View Post
    Where's your evidence?
    *Sploosh* 10char
    "It's hard to keep an open mind, when so many people are trying to put things in it"

  12. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by Erelyes View Post
    *Sploosh* 10char
    I think we'd better let this thread get back on track...

  13. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by cassina View Post
    You can get educated on how dangerous it is by just watching but maybe most that participate have a she'll be right it will never happen to me attitude. After all in the other thread a few days back other posters were only able to identify the absence of off track hazards with no mention that they themselves could become hazards to others with out even leaving the track.
    Look, I'm sorry but that is bullshit. Most trackdays are very well organised, cater for a range of abilities and most of the time have people who are there to help you, if you only ask.

    I did a trackday on Monday as it happens. Trevor Pierce Yamaha organised it. I for some reason got put in the slow group - which actually had some value because one of the corner complexes I have issues with was broken down for us and used as a demo. Very instructive. I was much better through there the rest of the day because of it.

    They are running another in February. Come along, bring your bike. I will share a pitbox with you and help you prep your bike and generally assist where I can. You can learn some stuff and have a good time doing it. Genuine offer.

    I got bored after the second session on Monday because it was a no passing group so I went to another group. As it happens I got bitched out (by a guy sharing my pitbox...) because I passed him. And I'm like "Its a trackday - I rode round the outside of you there was nothing dangerous." I actually prefer the fast group because at least the people in it are decent riders... I remember going down the back straight at Ruapuna a year or so back thinking "Fuck yeah, this is fast" and being passed at the entry to T1 by Ryan Hampton on the inside and Dennis Charlett on the outside... going about 60kph quicker than I was... they subsequently fucked off not to be seen again. I may have even been lapped in a ten lap session

    I was schooled on Monday by a 14 year old on a 300cc Yamaha R3... I am by no means quick.
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  14. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by vinducati View Post
    Thanks fo the feedback. I am going to go out in the slow group and practice some of the lessons form the Californian Superbike School, been trying to go fast and have fallen into old habits.
    Turning in to soon, incorrect body position etc.
    Then when I feel like it will move up.
    I expect the organisers to move me if there are issues with my riding.
    Although, I always treat all riders on the track with me with respect.
    Thanks again, see some of you at the track.
    Cheers
    Come abit further south to a Taupo MotoTT day. Heaps different to the Playday HD day, its a good experience.
    It does get abit annoying going out on the Hyosak GT250 at HD in Med/Slow, 600-1000cc bike come flying past and slow me down into turn 1, than again into T2, than I can pass them pack on the brakes into T4. At HD I observed a lot of guys on bigger bikes that were fast on corners were in Med/Slow group, and new times on big bikes that are slow in corners go into Med/Fast Group.

    Taupo I find is not a stop go track and I think it is abit bigger to, you don't get tangled up with other riders as much

  15. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by sharp2183 View Post
    It's not always easy to base it on lap times I admit. There's often a big jump going from Medium fast up to fast, where times can be quite fast on any given day.

    If you are wanting to go faster and you are finding that riders in medium fast are too slow, then on that day then a step up to fast is warranted. Remember it's not the lap times you are doing but the way you are riding that makes the difference. The fast guys will just go straight around you and be on their way of you hold a nice consistent line.

    At 22s I would start in medium fast next time out and play it as you see fit. Come and talk to me in the first session and I can come out with you and have a looksee. If traffic is good then no problems, if it's too slow you can go up and practice in a group where you will be slow, not fast. More to learn there in my opinion.
    I'm in a similar spot with Med-Slow to Med-Fast. Not sure if I should go up or not. What would you say is a good indicator that someone should go into Med-Fast?

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