Pukekohe Open Day 26th April

[wkid_one]

For those of you who forgot about last Saturday, there is another Pukekohe Open Day on the 26th April.......

$80 pay on the day........sessions mixed with cars and open wheelers....20 minutes each, usually get about 6-7 sessions for the day if you stay all day!

Great opportunity for learners and experienced riders alike to get in a controlled situation and not be worried about potholes, cow shit, cars, gravel (except PlayerX - sorry couldn't resist).....

Usually limited number of bikes on the track so you get a good chance to ride your own race.......

See You ALL there

Dan

[MikeL]

Hey Dan
I've never been on a race track and I'm a bit apprehensive. At the same time I'm keen to explore my limits (and the bike's) in a traffic-free/cop-free environment. Exactly how feasible is it for a beginner to get on the track and puddle around at his own pace, flanked by seasoned racers doing 240 kph? Wouldn't I just get in everybody's way??

[Coldkiwi]

Thats the cool thing about Track time. They split riders into different groups according to ability. Last time there was a novice slow, novice fast, intermediate and experienced group.

So small cc bikes can happily go around in the novice slow without having to worry too much about getting passed by guys on GSXR 1000's doing near 300kph! Its very well organised and there's no pressure to go faster than you want to. Also, the marshalls provide good advice and show you the good lines for the corners. Its more expensive thana  test day but well worth it if it's your first time on the track I think

[wkid_one]

Yeah Cold is right - the track Time they split you in to groups based on skill - but you do get limited track time and it is a bit more expensive than the Open Days...but if you want the security of marshalling this is it.

I think you will be surprised by the open days tho, most people that went recently were from KiwiBiker and therefore there is an immediate comeraderie.  Also, as there is generally fewer people there, the pressure is down considerably - you get to ride your own ride. 

In essence, the fast go fast, the slow go slow.  You will be surprised how quickly you pace will come up tho - session on session.  It is well worth while - don't be put of 'coz you don't think you are quick enuf or experienced enuf as this is the perfect environment to improve both - plus you meet new people to talk and ride with.

My recommendation is come down on the 26th - and see if you are comfortable to go around.  You don't have to pay unless you ride, which is a bit better than the Track Times where you have to pay miles in advance to make it affordable.

So long as people know you are 'developing' you won't have any problems at all and remember confidence quickly outstrips capacity on the track.....ie ride for your right hand!

[BigB]

Hi Guys

I went down to the open day but decided for my own reasons not to go on the track. I still had a great day with all the other guys from kiwibiker..

Just seeing the looks on there faces when they came in and all the different exprences they were having was worth it.

And where else can you get a bunch of guys & girls talking bikes and walking round with silly grins on there faces???

[wkid_one]

The only reason you didn't ride B was Tracy would have tore strips off you for going around the track on her bike without her!  We know the truth!

[Hoon]

Yep I've only done 2 track days at Pukekohe and this Sat will be my first TrackTime.

The first track day I did I was a little worried too with good reason, I was going out with a sick '89 rgv250 trackbike that I had just bought (specifically to learn track)and never ridden.  The guy next to me in the pits was a top NZ rider on a '02 Gix1K (ex-Andrew Stroud) and he was pulling 59s all day.

My main worry was getting in anyones way but after being passed like I was standing still you get use to guys whizzing by like you aren't even there.  The important thing to remember is to stay on your line and don't do anything unpredictable.

Of course the fear of crashing is another worry but you can only beat that through practice to build up your confidence...oh and also read some Keith Code books and learn how to pay "attention" and unlearn those bad habits.

[Kwaka-Kid]

Yay, ive only done 1 tracktime b4, this sat will b my 2nd, hope to see you all there, my bikes an old blue/black (i got half the old racing fairing on it if i crash i dont care bout it) ZXR400.  Ill be in novice slow and slow is about all the bike is, it neeeds heaps of work, but i dont have the time atm, so im going to race anyways and see how slow it is.

[wkid_one]

KK - please wait until someone is there with a camera!

[moose]

I've only done 2 open days, haven't been able to get to a track time.  I found the open days the best way to seriously increase your riding skills while at the same time pace yourself against the other guys.

It's the perfect place for finding the limits of your machine and seeing how different race lines can increase cornering speeds.

Oh.... you also get to use those bits of your tyres that you wouldn't normally use (you know the bits way out on the edge)

 :bigthumb:

[wkid_one]

They are called CHICKEN STRIPS!

[Kwaka-Kid]

strange that.. my tyres dont have those?
:P ahahah!

 :bigthumb:

[wkid_one]

Tires made before 1974 didn't have them!

[Kwaka-Kid]

damnit they were bought in 75! i thought that ment they were made then! so u mean i bought the ones that were on the shelf for over a year? barsteds... yet economic for me

i still remember getting a tyre (the only tyre in my life ive bought new) for my old XL250, rear, and i asked for the oldest one, i spose theres a reason in the first place it had never sold, fuckt if i can be botherd thinking about it, but they had a 3yo tyre on the shelf! i was like, oh my god! just my luck! ill take it, and got good discount too :P hahah, and apparently my old mans done that with street tyres too, so like, i guess, he buys them new, or, old but new to him, then he passes them down to me as new, well, old and well used, but new to me

hmmm, a tree of good economy. yet its funny, because for the extra $$$ u pay for nice tyres, would sure as hell not pay for 2 indicators on a bike when u crash in the wet, or coz of ur hard tyres.

but ill let you all in on a little secret... the whole trick/idea, is to not crash - keep that one quiet, the bike panel beaters will kill me for telling you all :P

 

[wkid_one]

What - is KK finally admitting crashing isn't the plan!!

God forbid, next you will be putting proper tires on your bike and riding a 100% mechanically sound one.......pick me up off the ground!