Hampton Downs: is there an issue?

[BoristheBiter]

Risk management

1) Track, move the wall / air fences etc as neccessary. Remove the lip.

2) Ensure that machines being ridden are set up in a safe manner that will not cause instability or if they get out of shape they are responsive enough to regain some stability. Currently this is to a major degree self policing but it scares me how many machines are badly set up with external adjustments only and that often raises the possibility of getting into grief. What also has to be considered is the safety of other riders in your immediate vicinity.

More education needed for riders and much more setup knowledge at dealer level. How could anyone argue with that?

This is more than about the track itself

Your having a laugh aren't you?
I thought this was the reason for riding on a track.
Guess you do know more than me.

[Robert Taylor]

Your having a laugh aren't you?
I thought this was the reason for riding on a track.
Guess you do know more than me.

No, Im being deadly serious. I dont think there is any excuse for being blase or flippant about machine setup when it can endager your safety and that of others by increasing the risk of having an accident. Be it on road or on track.
I aplogise profusely for actually being concerned about such issues.
The culture of blame is alive and well in New Zealand but the whole context has to be looked at, as will the coroner if he is diligent in his duty.

[Gremlin]

I reckon a tight chicane after the sweeper, perhaps on the bottom of the hill or on the start of the hill, a proper permanent one, something as tight like the one near the end of the Donington course.

Wheelies would be an issue, but it would be right in front of the stands so great for spectators, make the pit entry safer, as you have the entry before the chicane (well, possible to have it afterwards I guess). Speeds past the wall/hump would be lower and the start line wouldn't be so much of an issue position wise, as speeds would be lower entering turn 1. Actually, a fair bit like the end of the Taupo full track...

I reckon it would make it pretty mint.

[White trash]

You and I agree on almost everything Robert, I'm lucky enough to ask for your expertise and guidance on a raft of issues and believe you'd never wittingly put me crook.

However. Regardless of what caused the loss of control, the fact is that a fucking great wall resides a mere 2 feet from the track edge. On a bend.

[Robert Taylor]

You and I agree on almost everything Robert, I'm lucky enough to ask for your expertise and guidance on a raft of issues and believe you'd never wittingly put me crook.

However. Regardless of what caused the loss of control, the fact is that a fucking great wall resides a mere 2 feet from the track edge. On a bend.

Correct and I think no-one disagrees that the proximity of the wall is a substanial issue. Im highlighting that accidents can ''start'' because of other issues.

Both issues are extremely valid

[Kickaha]

I reckon it would make it pretty mint.

It's pretty fucking mint as it is without having chicanes added to fuck it up

[Pussy]

However. Regardless of what caused the loss of control, the fact is that a fucking great wall resides a mere 2 feet from the track edge. On a bend.

Spot on, Jimmy. That IS the problem!

When you're up to your arse in alligators, one must never lose sight of the original intention to drain the swamp.

A concrete wall killed Tim

[Quasievil]

No, Im being deadly serious. I dont think there is any excuse for being blase or flippant about machine setup when it can endager your safety and that of others by increasing the risk of having an accident. Be it on road or on track.
I aplogise profusely for actually being concerned about such issues.
The culture of blame is alive and well in New Zealand but the whole context has to be looked at, as will the coroner if he is diligent in his duty.

Am I completely reading this wrong but to put this into the discussion as back up for RT
I think I understand the point your making,your right, machine setup is a fundamental part of riding safely at speed on any track, whats hard to understand about that people ?
If your going to go and thrash your stead of choice on a track it is prudent to make sure your machine is setup right, that includes suspension.............accept the fact that RT knows about this subject embrace it and learn from him and others with such expertise, or ignore it at your peril...........you decide.

While Im at it, some of the gear you lot wear leaves ALOT to be desired

[Pussy]

Am I completely reading this wrong but to put this into the discussion as back up for RT
I think I understand the point your making,your right, machine setup is a fundamental part of riding safely at speed on any track, whats hard to understand about that people ?
If your going to go and thrash your stead of choice on a track it is prudent to make sure your machine is setup right, that includes suspension.............accept the fact that RT knows about this subject embrace it and learn from him and others with such expertise, or ignore it at your peril...........you decide.

While Im at it, some of the gear you lot wear leaves ALOT to be desired

The best suspension set up in the world won't help you when you plough in to a dirty big concrete wall

[roadracingoldfart]

shut up robert your a dick

Hahahaha , tell it like ya mean it Craig.

A 75km long piece of straight race track with no corners whatsoever should eliminate all corner related incidents....... , boredom & going to sleep at the bars at 300kph could be a slight issue though.

its simple mate, take a book to stay awake.

At least all the girls afford me that courtesy! Luckily Craigs only association with me is twiddling with his suspenders!

That just sounds wrong Robert.

The best suspension set up in the world won't help you when you plough in to a dirty big concrete wall

Thats 100% acurate. Also even with the correct suspension setup the chance of machine or rider fault still equals a concrete stop point. Mindless.
I assume the wall at Taupo (our other international track ) has slipped the mind of you all. Its a track design mindset we have in N.Z. that allows cockups to be built cause fuckin ACC will take the sting away and pay the bills. Then nobody has to put the hand up to take the sword falling syndrome.
Tim may just make a differance now.

[White trash]

Am I completely reading this wrong but to put this into the discussion as back up for RT
I think I understand the point your making,your right, machine setup is a fundamental part of riding safely at speed on any track, whats hard to understand about that people ?
If your going to go and thrash your stead of choice on a track it is prudent to make sure your machine is setup right, that includes suspension.............accept the fact that RT knows about this subject embrace it and learn from him and others with such expertise, or ignore it at your peril...........you decide.

While Im at it, some of the gear you lot wear leaves ALOT to be desired

I know you're fucking joking now mate. Had poor old Tim been wearing a full Knox suit, complete with Knox restraint system and a Knox pair of sunglasses, he still would not have survived HITTING A FUCKIN WALL at that speed.

Yes. Riders need to take some responsibilty for their setup. At worst, enjoying their track day more and saving tyre wear. At best, avoiding an incident that could kill them.

They also need to invest a bit of forethought in their riding aparel, making their day more comfortable and potentially saving their life or nasty injury.

Fact remains, a man was tradgically killed after coliding with a solid object that arguably should not have been there.

[Quasievil]

I know you're fucking joking now mate. Had poor old Tim been wearing a full Knox suit, complete with Knox restraint system and a Knox pair of sunglasses, he still would not have survived HITTING A FUCKIN WALL at that speed.

Yes. Riders need to take some responsibilty for their setup. At worst, enjoying their track day more and saving tyre wear. At best, avoiding an incident that could kill them.

They also need to invest a bit of forethought in their riding aparel, making their day more comfortable and potentially saving their life or nasty injury.

Fact remains, a man was tradgically killed after coliding with a solid object that arguably should not have been there.

I dont think RT was referring to the actual crash involving Tim was he??
If so I stand down

[Gremlin]

It's pretty fucking mint as it is without having chicanes added to fuck it up

I have a supermoto... I like corners, the more the better Them horrible sportsbikes fucked off down the straights then held me up in the corners

[Robert Taylor]

The best suspension set up in the world won't help you when you plough in to a dirty big concrete wall

That is correct John and I have been at pains to point out that I too have issue with the proximity of that wall. But great suspension and overall bike setup may just preclude veering off line and making contact with that wall. Or any immovable object, on track or on road for that matter.
Im merely highlighting that badly maladjusted suspension often sets up the start of a crash, yes the end of that crash was tragic because it was a solid object in close proximity. And that issue needs attention.

[White trash]

I dont think RT was referring to the actual crash involving Tim was he??
If so I stand down

Well, all of the comments are in a thread discussing perceived design flaws with a race track, revisited following Tims untimely demise. I think there's a tie in yeah.

And I've never known you to be one to stand down mate.