a request from a couple of racers.

[FROSTY:Me]

Tonite I had a couple of comments about track conduct on open days.
Could we please try to show consideration whilst on the track.
It would seem a couple of the race guys out practicing had some heart stopping moments when "road guys"
suddenly braked on straights or backed off mid corner -not normally an issue but it seems they did so whilst 3 and 4 wide on the track and so blocking all possible escape routes.
On the flip side the other comment was that the speed in general seems to be coming up to almost race pace.

[Two Smoker]

Sorry thats probably my RG, im not braking its just that im going so slow it seems like im braking..... and the mid corner thing is when my peg digs in :disapint: But on the other note, who was the one that went around the outside of a GSX-R600 .........

[Paul in NZ]

Then again.... Look at the other side....

How about some of the racers showing a bit of consideration to street riders who may be experiencing their first time on the track, which we all know can be a bit daunting. Track day is not race day practise round...

Now, while the soap box is out....

The 3 open / track days I have been to here were enough to convince me that I'm not really a racer and that I would never do one again. I thought the organisers (who were racers) were a bunch of slack bastards who were more interested in sucking up to the other "racers" than they were interested in providing an entertaining and safe day out to mr and mrs public that turned up and paid.

At one stage, race bikes were let out with the slow group. Everyone else saw it and went aye aye we can get a few extra laps in here boys and so next slow group session you had open class bikes out mixing it up with youngsters that had been riding for a year or so. Some of the total tossers were buzzing these poor buggers deliberately I though. Some of them were so traumatised they just went straight home after that. They won't be back.

Personally, I think there has to be a better way.

I'm a jumped up officious bastard but I'd do something like a large coloured square on the headlight to identify which group you are in. You can only change groups by express permission... I dunno...

There is no way I'd ride my Guzzi on the track with any modern bike. The lines and techniques are so different it's a disaster waiting to happen (no, hang on, thats me)... But you know what I mean....

The mighty Guzzi can hit maybe 160 to 175 on the front straight at manfield and I need to brake earlier and take a more traditional line. Being passed by someone that has at least 70kph on me and can leave braking for another 50m is bloody stupid for both of us....

Similarly, I have been flat knacker on a VTR in the same place and had a returning rider wobble in from the edge of the track in front of me.. Fark!

I'd love someone to get this sorted out. No, I'm not a softy or an appologist but I have been on the recieving end of both and it's no fun for anyone. If someone got seriously hurt, it could be the end of track days...

Just my opinion of course, your experience may differ...

[Drunken Monkey]

On one side, fair 'nuff. Probably relates to this incident:
I do recall a particular moment where I came up quickly down the straight on 2 small bikes doing around 190 - I was going to split them and the guy on the left decided to suddenly close the gap. With my limited experience, I backed off lacking the confidence to buzz through a gap about a bike and a half wide at 250+, only to have some thou buzz me and run the gap anyway. Saw him shaking his head as he left...

On the ther hand, I'm not making any excuses for that. Open days are exactly that. You can go round as slow as you damn well want. There are dedicated practice days for racers. If people don't get a chance to skill up to at least a basic level on a quiet open day, we're left with trying to mix it up with a lot of hard-core racers on practice day = I'm sure they'd appreciate this even less.

If we all turn up in big enough numbers, then the track marshal can split us up into roadies and racers and there won't be a problem. There's only a couple months left before we all miss out.

(post - um, yeah. What PaulNZ said - must've beaten me to it...)

[Drunken Monkey]

But on the other note, who was the one that went around the outside of a GSX-R600 .........

There was some guy there on a shiny gixxer 6 with crash bungs, race-rep paint an' all - I think his aim for the day was to bust into the high 1:20's... Fark, I think I lapped him more than the <250 class...

So in answer to your question: probably everyone.

[Quasievil]

Simple really split them up into Speed groups basded on rider capabilities

you register in your chosen speed group.

Thats what they do for cars, I was up there two weeks ago and the cars had three groups to drive in, yet Bikes all went out together, I thought personally the bikes looked well behaved ,but i wasnt riding

It seemed the day was set up for cars ,but to get more money in they gave a "token" 20mins per hour to the bikes with all on the track at once,complete with racers.

So the answer is demand speed groups like they do for Cars, simple (I hope)

[Drunken Monkey]

So the answer is demand speed groups like they do for Cars, simple (I hope)

Problem is numbers. Hard to justify giving the track to 4-6 (if there were even that many) dedicated large cc racers while a dozen of the rest of us (and about 30 cars) sit around having a wank...

[White trash]

Great comments guys but you are forgetting one thing.

The "track days" you attend at Puke, are in fact "test days". They are for racers to test their machines.

If you want to ride slowly, go to Track time.

[gav]

Down here at Ruapuna they sometimes run "Have A Go Days" you split into 3 groups, #1 no passing at all. #2 passing only on outside. #3 OK to pass either side, you choose abd can move from one group to another. Usually have a mock race last thing of the day. How about novices wearing fluro bibs?

[Paul in NZ]

Down here at Ruapuna they sometimes run "Have A Go Days" you split into 3 groups, #1 no passing at all. #2 passing only on outside. #3 OK to pass either side, you choose abd can move from one group to another. Usually have a mock race last thing of the day. How about novices wearing fluro bibs?

That sounds promising....

[FROSTY:Me]

Great comments guys but you are forgetting one thing.

The "track days" you attend at Puke, are in fact "test days". They are for racers to test their machines.

If you want to ride slowly, go to Track time.

Um hang on guys lets not turn this into a shit fight.
Something to keep in mind about racers -It isn't uncommen to actually rub fairings in close racing. The need for track room is smaller -What to a road rider is a "close call" is an intergral part of racing.
DM me ol mate I can 100% assure you that it was NOT your lil manuouver that frightened them. It was commented on and put down as - fair nuff -shit happens (OH DM for the record you actually telegraphed your move well in advance.)the head shake was for the guy that suddenly decided to change track position.
It is erratic riding that is bloody scarey.
You ALL paid your money to be there from a learner licence holder to the guy on his ex ray clee gsxr1000. So you All have the right to be on the track
I guess the failing is in organisation -No riders brief to suggest how to ride.
GUYS lets NOT take it as an attack here -but a two way discussion--In other words --dont shoot the messenger.
Oh and the guy on the gsxr600- he is only 17 and had a HUGE off in the middle of the nationals.That was only his second ride since christmas time.
This Is why WE NEED bike only track days.
then the novices can have their own session
Personally I'd like to run lots more track days. You guys really havent noticed it but Ive noticed certain omongst the KB gang whose riding has come ahead leaps and bounds because of track days.

[FROSTY:Me]

actually you know the fluro bit aint a bad idea.

[Drunken Monkey]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up Frosty. Must just be my guilty conscience...

[White trash]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up Frosty. Must just be my guilty conscience...

Too fucken nice for your own good, mate.

[Drunken Monkey]

Great comments guys but you are forgetting one thing.

The "track days" you attend at Puke, are in fact "test days". They are for racers to test their machines.

If you want to ride slowly, go to Track time.

'Controlled testing' is the track management's term. That doesn't imply race practise to me (or do I infer? they make no implication?).
I knew of no less than 4 race and street/race cars that day that were doing laps plugged into a PC to sort out timing, mixtures & other engine management features. They were not practising for an up and coming meet.

Well I do my best to not annoy other users of the track...

I have also noticed the 'briefing for first timers' that the info sheet details doesn't ever seem to happen.