Trackdays really *do* save lives

**discotex** · 17th January 2009, 21:52

Major near miss on the way home from MotoTT tonight.

Moron cage decides they can't be bothered waiting for the RED right turning arrow and trys to turn in front of the van about 150m behind me in the left of two lanes (I'm in the the right lane).

That red light is there for a reason. It's an 80km/h zone - and I was doing dead on 89km/h heading straight for their door. It was always going to be tight for them to make in front of the van but I didn't have a chance

Got HARD on the picks to give me time to find an escape route then ducked around the back of the car while trailing the brakes to scrub enough speed to miss the curb.

The guy in the van looked at me like

and gave me a big thumbs up.

Pretty safe to say I put the skills learned today at the track to good use there. I've done plenty of emergency braking practice sessions but there's nothing like a trackday to teach your mind to slow down time while under hard braking and know you can still turn. Yesterday I might have frozen up or just braked in a straight line.

Thanks MotoTT

**nico** · 18th January 2009, 06:03

thats awsome

**jrandom** · 18th January 2009, 06:20

Nicely done, discotex!

And, yes. The road is where you need those bike control skills to stay alive, but it's not where you can safely develop them.

Glad to see the message being preached!

**Leong** · 18th January 2009, 07:18

Well Done discotex. You really do learn what a bike can do at the track, and of course that Honda of yours does turn so nicely that its great for ducking around cars!!

Haven't done much road riding recently, actually probably only two Coro loops since Feb 2008, until last week when I did a trip around the North Island. I really enjoyed it but was always wary of pea gravel and melted tar. And the number of people who don't see you, even if you position yourself to be most visible - Amazing. I really hate those that start turning into your lane anticipating your speed so they slot in right behind you... you never really know that they've see you.... so as result I slow a bit and it just gets awkward. Don't mind it at all when I'm in the car.

Just as an aside, re your incident, I'm glad there wasn't any gravel on the road... The track's a much safer environment ...

**discotex** · 18th January 2009, 10:03

Originally Posted by jrandom

Nicely done, discotex!

And, yes. The road is where you need those bike control skills to stay alive, but it's not where you can safely develop them.

Glad to see the message being preached!

Thanks

I've seen too many posts saying "trackdays aren't applicable to the road blah blah wank wank" so felt it prudent to make a point.

Sure learning to corner at 150km/h isn't but everything that gets you to the point of being comfortable doing that is.

Originally Posted by Leong

Well Done discotex. You really do learn what a bike can do at the track, and of course that Honda of yours does turn so nicely that its great for ducking around cars!!

Now if only I could get it to turn to it's full potential

Bring on Feb 27

Originally Posted by Leong

Haven't done much road riding recently, actually probably only two Coro loops since Feb 2008, until last week when I did a trip around the North Island. I really enjoyed it but was always wary of pea gravel and melted tar. And the number of people who don't see you, even if you position yourself to be most visible - Amazing. I really hate those that start turning into your lane anticipating your speed so they slot in right behind you... you never really know that they've see you.... so as result I slow a bit and it just gets awkward. Don't mind it at all when I'm in the car.

Just as an aside, re your incident, I'm glad there wasn't any gravel on the road... The track's a much safer environment ...

Yeah was lucky there wasn't any. It took me a few ms to realise they weren't just doing that roll forward thing when I scanned the intersection.

I don't blame you for not doing much road riding. After the controlled conditions of the track it does feel more dangerous.

I haven't got around to doing the Coro loop but I think I'll be doing it on a weekday if I ever do. I take it pretty easy on the road now that I know I can push it on the track.

**sondela** · 18th January 2009, 12:18

Originally Posted by discotex

Thanks

I've seen too many posts saying "trackdays aren't applicable to the road blah blah wank wank" so felt it prudent to make a point.

Sure learning to corner at 150km/h isn't but everything that gets you to the point of being comfortable doing that is.

Now if only I could get it to turn to it's full potential

Bring on Feb 27

Yeah was lucky there wasn't any. It took me a few ms to realise they weren't just doing that roll forward thing when I scanned the intersection.

I don't blame you for not doing much road riding. After the controlled conditions of the track it does feel more dangerous.

I haven't got around to doing the Coro loop but I think I'll be doing it on a weekday if I ever do. I take it pretty easy on the road now that I know I can push it on the track.

I totally agree, the track is so safe compared to roads and the random behavior of other people, I'm going to do as many track days as I can get, (it's so much fun too!)

**Leong** · 18th January 2009, 17:15

Originally Posted by discotex

I take it pretty easy on the road now that I know I can push it on the track.

Lots of trackday people feel the same. Not only is it safer for your health, but for your license as well!!

Be good to meet you next time.... I spent quite a bit of time yesterday with a mate from Gisborne who was riding a bike I presume just like yours - red/black CBR600RR

**discotex** · 18th January 2009, 17:38

Originally Posted by Leong

Lots of trackday people feel the same. Not only is it safer for your health, but for your license as well!!

Be good to meet you next time.... I spent quite a bit of time yesterday with a mate from Gisborne who was riding a bike I presume just like yours - red/black CBR600RR

Yep that's mine in my profile page and sig. I'm starting to really get a good feel for the bike now. It's taken 3 trackdays but I'm now able to forget how the bike is behaving and think about the track.

Will hook up next time for sure

**Rodney007** · 18th January 2009, 17:52

good shit man,,, got home safely

**colsan1** · 18th January 2009, 17:58

whoever says track skills aren't applicable on the road is a dick.
Anything that enhances the skills and knowledge you have is applicable to road riding.
I've just got my bike back together after a long layoff and i'm finding the NZ roads
very difficult to read compared to what i've been used to in the uk.
I've decided trackdays are the way to go, i need to get my mojo back and the trackis the safest place.

**racer6** · 18th January 2009, 21:04

Sounds like everyone here is appreciating Track Days so, just in case you don't know and want a day somewhere other than Taupo, there's a Kiwi Track Day at Pukekohe on Auckland Anniversary holiday, Monday 26th January.

And... Vans, cars, trucks and buses not allowed in any sessions!

For details visit Kiwi Track Days website

**Clivoris** · 18th January 2009, 22:54

Go racing young man!!!!

**discotex** · 19th January 2009, 11:34

Originally Posted by Clivoris

Go racing young man!!!!

If I still have the trackday bug by April I'm going to investigate getting a 2nd hand race bike for track duty. Then it's just a small step to a race license

**prettybillie** · 19th January 2009, 12:55

Originally Posted by colsan1

whoever says track skills aren't applicable on the road is a dick.
Anything that enhances the skills and knowledge you have is applicable to road riding.
I've just got my bike back together after a long layoff and i'm finding the NZ roads
very difficult to read compared to what i've been used to in the uk.
I've decided trackdays are the way to go, i need to get my mojo back and the trackis the safest place.

Totally agree with this after only one track day - beware who you chose to go to though. From my experience of being a Pit Bitch the MotoTT ones rock the most!