Pukekohe - Sat 17 Jan

[MaxCannon]

Surprised there isn't already a thread here for this.

Yesterday I did my first track day at Pukekohe. It was run by Redlinetrackdays (as I understand things it's the first they have run).
I had a blast, saw some seriously quick riders, met a few KB members and had a good chat about bikes and general bullshit.

I was a little apprehensive when I first turned up (in fact I was shitting bricks).
There was some pretty serious machinery registered for the novice group and on a fast track like Puke I was worried that I'd get in the way.
First session was cut short by an off (not me). Good to see the rider came out with no damage and his bike seemed alright too.
Second session I was getting more confident, scraping the pegs and (at the hairpin) the centre stand. Although it's not a race I found myself in a friendly "battle" with a ZZR 600. I was quicker some places - he was quicker in others. Down the straight we were dead even.
Before the third session I had a chat to one of the lines riders and put an extra click on the rear shock.
With growing confidence (both in my and the bandits abilities and the fact that the other riders weren't going to clean me up) I was pushing as hard as a I could.
With the advice from the lines rider I was getting into the Jennian sweeper at 180kph and getting a good drive onto the back straight.
My top speed was 220kph just as I hit my braking marker (the 200m board).
Got a bit of a thrill when I passed a 675 Daytona, a Duke 999, quite a recent ZX6R and a Repsol Blade.
Obviously the riders were going as fast as they were comfy with and it's not a competition event.
The Ducati later went past me in the same session like I was standing still !
I had to leave after the third outing - not sure what time the whole thing finished up.

In summary - wicked fun. If you haven't done a track day you should seriously think about it. I picked up a ton helpful pointers and advice form talking to the experienced guys and watching the faster groups.
Plus I got to push my machine to it's limits in a controlled environment.
It's not as safe as sitting at home wrapped up in cotton wool but it is safer than riding to work everyday.

[centercore]

Yeah the day was wicked fun. I met up with you before the last session. Pierre(Howdamnhard) is the dude on the zzr.

There were only two 250 riders there, one being myself. I learned heaps and the Redline dudes took some of us aside and taught us some lines. They also came around talking to mostly everyone when we weren't riding.

The track isn't in the best condition, but fuck its fun.

My mate got to choose a envelope to win the augusta but only won gloves and a free trackday. He got 42 when it was in 24 I think, they even showed us after.

Overall awesome day out.

[prettybillie]

Awesome to hear I wasn't to only one needing new knickers when I got to my first track day!!!!