Racing crashes

**HDTboy** · 7th August 2006, 12:47

Originally Posted by Goblin

YouYa see that's where I had hoped there was going to be a bit of "race start" training at the SH/JM/AS trackday. Would be good to have a start practice session at trackdays. I guess the only practice I will be getting will be dragging my mates off at the lights.

When I get my bike back together we'll have to find a quiet bit of "private test track" and have a few drag races.

About the crashing thing. While it's a distinct possibility, if you ride to 80% of your limits, you will greatly reduce the likelyhood of crashing, the more practise you get at racing the faster you will go.
The reason I think I've crashed my bike so often in the time I've had it is that I've been riding outside mine or the bikes limits tyring to find exactly where they are. I've been taking the approach of trying to find the limits quickly, as opposed to slowly working outwards towards the limits.

**Racey Rider** · 7th August 2006, 16:38

I haven't been racing long. But to start with I had a few crashes. Each crash taught me some things.

Crash 1: RG150 - Being competitive, I didn't want to just toot-ill around the track. I wanted to be as fast as those guys that had been doing it for some time. This meant, to stay with them in the first lap, I had to ride 'outside my experience' at racing. This made me make mistakes, as I wasn't as smooth as the 'Fast' guys. Each mistake I made (locking up brakes etc) by trying to hard to keep up before I was ready, put the bike out of shape all the more, putting me in bad track position, and in the end, out on the grass. Crash! roll roll roll.

Crash 2: KR250 - This was another bike I had brought to try out for racing. Having the two bikes didn't leave me any money for maintenance. Then bike really needed a new front tyre, but more than that, it needed the front brake caliper given a overhaul as it was binding. (which I didn't really understand till after my crash). In with the hordes of F3 bikes coming into the first hairpin after the start line (lap 2/wet track). There was a bit of a traffic jam on the tight line, so I proceeded to out brake, and go around them all on the outside line. Crash. Lesson learnt? Make sure your bike works well. (Brakes are smooth). Plus, there is less grip off the racing line.

Crash 3: KR150 - coming round a sweeper, engine partially seizes, locking the rear wheel for a second. I pull the clutch in, but straighten up and end up running off the track, crashing in the mud. Lesson learnt: I could have made it round the corner if I hadn't paniced. Aways look where you want to go, Not where you think you might go. Cause if you Look there, you will probably Go there.

Crash 4: KR150 - Practice day, doing well, a little rain starts falling. Still doing well, pushing it hard. Till I lose the front end in one of the sweepers, and go sliding across the track. Lesson learnt: That old front tyre can't handle that amount of lean in the wet!

From my point of view, your better to crash on Practice days than Race days.
If you crash on Race days, you've just lost a Heap of Points as well. So learn what is 'Over the limits' on practice days, so On race days you can ride 'Too the limits'.

It's also good if you bring spare parts with you that you might break in crashes. Pegs, clip ons, levers, a bit of 'kneed-it' for cases.

I need to get faster. I want to get faster! so I intend to push myself harder at my next practice and be falling off finding the limit sometime soon.

**Goblin** · 7th August 2006, 16:43

Originally Posted by HDTboy

When I get my bike back together we'll have to find a quiet bit of "private test track" and have a few drag races.

About the crashing thing. While it's a distinct possibility, if you ride to 80% of your limits, you will greatly reduce the likelyhood of crashing, the more practise you get at racing the faster you will go.
The reason I think I've crashed my bike so often in the time I've had it is that I've been riding outside mine or the bikes limits tyring to find exactly where they are. I've been taking the approach of trying to find the limits quickly, as opposed to slowly working outwards towards the limits.

Yes we will have to.

Hurry up and get your bike back together....I'm gunna need all the practice I can get.

I'm going to go for the "slowly but surely" approach, although it did look like fun in the mud.:spudbooge

**motobob** · 7th August 2006, 16:46

Goblin Wouldn't worry about crashes they just find you. Hopefully they are getting bored with me and will find someone else. I hear you mean on your roadie so falling in a realitively safe enviroment should not be an issue. You'll find your not even thinking about it.

Your mate Sug should keep an eye on you and help avoid mishaps.

**Goblin** · 7th August 2006, 17:00

Originally Posted by Racey Rider

I haven't been racing long. But to start with I had a few crashes. Each crash taught me some things....

From my point of view, your better to crash on Practice days than Race days.
If you crash on Race days, you've just lost a Heap of Points as well. So learn what is 'Over the limits' on practice days, so On race days you can ride 'Too the limits'.

It's also good if you bring spare parts with you that you might break in crashes. Pegs, clip ons, levers, a bit of 'kneed-it' for cases.

I need to get faster. I want to get faster! so I intend to push myself harder at my next practice and be falling off finding the limit sometime soon.

Cheers Racey Rider! You're not exacty slow on the 150 through the corners. I was well impressed with your cornering speed

I have noticed that everyone has their own unique track style of riding. I just have to get as much track time as I can to develop my own style. It's all rather exciting and quite frankly, a tad addictive!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 7th August 2006, 17:18

I've been racing on and 'off' for years, and still crash!
The last one 'Wanganui' was nasty, and not my doing, but that's all part of it.
I suggest for your first few meetings, simply start off the back of the grid so you don't get caught up in any first turn pile ups!!

Like people here have already said, if you're not trying to set the world on fire, no real reason to push it too hard and bin it.
If you get hooked (and I'm sure you will!) and want to take it seriously, then I'm afraid crashing is all part of it, and it will happen!!

BUT, as long as you know why you crashed, learn from the experience and do your best to not make the same mistake again....then all good!

**HDTboy** · 7th August 2006, 17:18

Originally Posted by Goblin

Yes we will have to.

Hurry up and get your bike back together....I'm gunna need all the practice I can get.

I'm going to go for the "slowly but surely" approach, although it did look like fun in the mud.:spudbooge

Sponsors readily accepted

Did the crash you watched me have look as fun as playing in the mud?

**Goblin** · 7th August 2006, 17:21

Originally Posted by motobob

Goblin Wouldn't worry about crashes they just find you. Hopefully they are getting bored with me and will find someone else. I hear you mean on your roadie so falling in a realitively safe enviroment should not be an issue. You'll find your not even thinking about it.

Just hope I'm not that someone else. The only issue I have with falling off is seeing the bike getting broken. It's not even my bike to break. I'll admit I do like to go hard on my rat so this racing scene will be a good outlet for me.
Thanks for your input motobob

See you out there some day soon.

**Goblin** · 7th August 2006, 17:48

Originally Posted by HDTboy

Sponsors readily accepted

Did the crash you watched me have look as fun as playing in the mud?

Cheeky prick! It was you and texmo that made playing in the mud look like fun...specially when you came in grinning like a cheshire cat!

Pity you're paying for it now though.

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

If you get hooked (and I'm sure you will!) and want to take it seriously, then I'm afraid crashing is all part of it, and it will happen!!

BUT, as long as you know why you crashed, learn from the experience and do your best to not make the same mistake again....then all good!

Yeah...guess I will have to resign myself to the fact that one day it will happen. I think I've done well to keep it upright on the road as long as I have. I did learn something from all me road crashes so at least I know not to make those mistakes again.

Hope you weren't too messed up after Wanganui. That'd be a pretty unforgiving circuit to bin on.

I've always had a secret desire to race at Wangas and Paeroa....I'll get there yet!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 7th August 2006, 22:58

Cheers to you!

Mashed my ankle into lots of wee bits, but may still make it back this year!
Make sure if it's the one place you do ride, ride Wanganui!

Lotta fun.
Well...normally!!

**Goblin** · 8th August 2006, 18:21

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Cheers to you!

Mashed my ankle into lots of wee bits, but may still make it back this year!
Make sure if it's the one place you do ride, ride Wanganui!

Lotta fun.
Well...normally!!

Ouch!! Bugger 'bout your ankle. Hope you do get back into it this year.

I remember, as a child, watching the live coverage of Wanga's on Boxing Day. It was the only thing ever worth watching over the whole christmas period! I thought it looked like too much fun so when I was old enough I started to ride down there every year to see it for myself. Have only missed a few years when my kids were tiny. Then when Paeroa started up it was great to have another big street meet! Have only missed one Paeroa in all these years.

**Kickaha** · 8th August 2006, 18:52

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Mashed my ankle into lots of wee bits,

I didn't "mash my ankle into little bits" but I just got the plaster off monday after a fracture of my posterior malleolus (whatever the fuck that is) and now the bastards want a 6 week stand down before I can race again

I'm off to see the GP in three weeks and even then I miss two meetings over the next two weekends

**Crasherfromwayback** · 9th August 2006, 07:23

neither, but it sounds sexy!
Fuck, I was in non weight bearing casts for four months, and I'm still wearing a very gay looking moon boot!
Funny thing is...I got so sick of my crutches, I used to hop every where.
This actually stress fractured a metatarsel in my left foot...so I finally got the cast of my right leg, and had to have my left leg put in one!

Nice work eh??!!

Good luck with your recovery, may see you at the GP......I'll be the one (probably of many) hobbling in my moon boot!

**Goblin** · 5th April 2007, 21:02

Well, it happened. My first racing crash at my 6th meeting...and it happend in practice.
What did I learn?

Dont trust the guy you've never seen before...the one on the brand new bike!
When someone does something completely stupid, make sure I'm not anywhere near them. (and dont expect an opology when they do hit ya)
SV650s do wicked stoppies and bounce really well off tyrewalls.
The track hurts when you go shoulder first into it.
Racers I know are really wonderful, caring and helpful people.

Hospital drugs make me

This didn't put me off racing!

Have only glanced at my bike since crashing and dont know when I will be able to get it going again but I will be back.