Stickchick's first Official Trackday

**Biggles08** · 21st January 2009, 14:14

JRRandom has the right line through there...but I wish my bike could turn as tight as your one (going by your line in the drawing!).

**driftn** · 29th January 2009, 12:10

Originally Posted by Stickchick

Well what can I say

Turned up at the track nice and early....after doing some errands for the beloved first, and found shed 26 (Hawkes Bay KBers). Parked up and was told straight away the angle of my bike was wrecking the Feng Shui.

Being the first official trackday I didn't know what I was supposed to do, be, who to see etc and Dan wasn't around to ask so the HB crowd pointed me the right direction and got the bike, gear scrutinised and signed my life away. Got my bike all taped up in the right parts, now I was raring to go.

Being in Group 4 (newbies) I had a pretty long wait and the closer it got to being my turn the more nervous I became.

Session 1 was horrible for me. It just felt so wrong, I was nervous as hell and just couldn't seem to relax. I thought to myself if session 2 is like that I'm wasting my time. I came to have fun and learn some pointers.

However, this wasn't the case. Session 2 was a lot more fun. The lines guys showed me the way a bit but my poor bike doesn't really go very fast on the straights and I was getting left behind (plus the rider may have something to do with the slowness also

)

The only corner I had serious trouble working out was the back sweeper, so I asked Dan if he could take me on the back of Betty to show me the line. Now the line he took... it's just not a natural line I would have taken if I was on the road, but I took his advice and finally managed to make it around feeling quite comfortable.

The more the day went on the faster I felt and the more comfortable I became. By the end of the day my grin was the biggest it's ever been. A bit like when I took my very first road trip to Napier and back.

Thanks to everyone for their encouraging words and to Moto TT... I will definitely be back for some more improvement in my riding.

Thoroughly recommend these trackdays to ALL newbies. Very well run and organised and great for building confidence.

Great effort jody good to see your out there doing it. You do one track day then your hooked. Awesome news.

**driftn** · 29th January 2009, 12:11

Originally Posted by jrandom

'Straight'.

And, yes, that one.

Head in on a tight line, brake while aiming for the generator on the pole on the other side of the fence. You can brake way later than you think you can. Great place to pass.

Don't turn until you're two-thirds (or more) across the track, then turn tight like a hairpin and gas it out hard.

Like this (blue line is an idea for a fast braking point, brake earlier to start with and then move your braking point in lap by lap as you suss it out):

Disclaimer: I don't have a fucking clue what I'm on about, don't listen to me, it'll just make you slow and/or crash, etc.

Spastick line.

**driftn** · 29th January 2009, 12:11

Originally Posted by FROSTY

OHH FFS --A scorpio isn't a lumbering truck like certain suzukis'

Um ok bein semi serious --the point n squirt line will still work but aint the best line on a lighter easier turned and SLIGHTLY less powerfull machine than betty.
A scorpee could pretty much take a SS150 or sorta 125 race line.

I agree with you here.

**driftn** · 29th January 2009, 12:12

Originally Posted by jrandom

I'll stand for you contradicting my advice about that corner once you've shown that you can give me the learn around that track. Deal?

And last but not least, can I get in on this action.

**jrandom** · 29th January 2009, 17:31

Originally Posted by driftn

And last but not least, can I get in on this action.

Frosty's a busy man, but I'm sure he'll be happy to give you the learn if you make an appointment.

**driftn** · 30th January 2009, 07:46

Was kind of getting at giving you the learn but i'll have a crack at frosty too

**Stickchick** · 30th January 2009, 09:03

Originally Posted by driftn

Was kind of getting at giving you the learn but i'll have a crack at frosty too

Coming to Taupo in the near future then? How long before you can ride again?

**sinfull** · 30th January 2009, 09:32

Nice write up Jody !
Saw ya head out on the back of betty and couldn't help but think at the time you poor thing lol !!
Nah them lines are all good, i followed betty round them for many a track day, but then it dawned on me that my greater ground clearance allowed me more options (like inside her)!