MotoTT trackday, Friday 29 Feb

[Shaun]

A big thanks to MotoTT for another great day at the track!

Also a big thank you to Shaun Harris for taking the time to look at a complete stranger's suspension setup. Not only did he measure the bike up for me and give me directions of what to do with it, but also lend me his tools so that I could adjust the shock's pre load for better handling coming out of corners. I had some issues with sliding and running wide at the exit of the corners, the being 996 quite torquey at low revs and having a poor rear setup doesn't help, giving me a few big moments, leaving 2 meters of black rubber marks at the exit of the back sweeper when the rear started to slide on me.
I think Shaun's suggestions improved the handling quite a bit, but there's only so much you can do with the stock Showa shock and a too soft spring, so next I'll swap it for a Ohlins I've got my hands on...

Cheers Johan- Sorry I was not any more help to you on the day, I was suffering from a really bad head cold, and the way my body and mind is at the moment, it really wiped me out. I actually slept inside my trailer for 1.5 hours on the day, just like a little old man


I did have a blast having the couple of sessions I rode in though, it was fun to be back on the track again.

MotoTT crew, Bloody well done, on a fantstic smooth day

I should be a lot more healthier by the next one in April!

[discotex]

You have to be really careful overtaking at that spot cause everyone seems to have their own ideas as to where the racing line is and swerve all over the place to get to it! I gave massive room at that spot from that point on as can be seen in my video posted earlier in this thread due to now knowing where the fuck people were going to end up going.

That's soooooooo on the money. I'd got used to being out the front (well catching up to the back actually) of the slow group in clear air that when I went in the middle of the combined 3/4 group I just about got taken out on the hairpin.

I'd been doing the line where you cut in, drift out, then cut in again that you're doing in that vid and it seems to be really smooth and quick.

Only problem was some of the guys in the 3/4 combined group were trying to go around me out wide having no idea I was going to drift out which meant I ended up aiming at them mid corner. I know I should hold my line in that situation but I'd end up running them off into the grass...

Any ideas of what to do next time would be appreciated. Made me think next time being at the back of the fast group would be a good place to be.

[Biggles08]

At the end of the day you are supposed to hold your line... person passing gives way, and only passes on the outside. Only time you should back off in a situation like that is if you are the person passing and cannot complete the pass safely.

So in my case, I backed off because he came into my line....who's at fault then?? Me I would say...too keen, too early in the session hence my front wasn't heated sufficiently and I had reduced braking effect...lesson has been learn't (although the bike in front did not hold his line).

[Shaun]

I have just watched the Vid of the Aprillia crash, Yes the guy made a big mistake, but abusing him on here is going to get nothing done in a healthy way, very glad the rider that was hit, was not taken down as well, and I am very sure, the Aprillia rider has learned a valuable lesson, and lots of others from watching the crash video, and realising just how easy it is to make a very serious mistake!

Hope the Crashed rider is OK

My thoughts on how riders can be safer at track days, are simple really

STOP FOLLOWING EACH OTHER SO CLOSE- IT IS NOT A RACE- AND YOU ARE NOT RACER RIDERS

The last track day I was at that was not a MOTOTT day, had a shit load of crashes on the day, I was really very surprised and shocked by it all, and the real main problem was, riders following each other so close, SO IF ONE GOES DOWN, you follow suit!

Give each other more room, and stop trying to be racers, these track days are to go fast yes, but also to go fast SAFELY PLEASE.

I know this sounds a bit funny coming from some one like me, but I have been in the race game for over 23 years now, and it is very easy to stand back, and see what are some of the safety issues on a race track.

[Pussy]

Well said, you handsome little ginga!!

[Acid]

heyas, was a great day out on track.
Will be there next time.

[Biggles08]

Heres another angle on the crash seen at the end of DMNTD's vid...you can see the R1 sliding down the drag strip followed by the rider on the ground behind... freaked me out this one as it was pretty high speed and close to me.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mxPHvqpjDQ[/YOUTUBE]

[BarBender]

Unfortunately IDrumm locked up his front at 200kmph under brakes and had a wee slide He's 99.99% fine btw
As we're a combination of Norfland and B.O.P blokes his bike was promptly duct taped back together so he could ride it back to TGA

Have only just heard what happended and seen the vid in full!
Gutted for you D.
Sounds like you're OK

Good to know the big fella was behind you and first on the scene.

[Tickler]

thanks to the wonderful world of technology we can all see what happened from multiple angles and learn from it without actually having it happen to us or right in front of us!

That aprillia crash almost happened to me in group 4, the guy came across (as is fully allowed to and should), but being able to see it coming and having a good sized following distance meant there was no problem.

Trackdays are a hell of a lot of fun, but they arent race meetings. Everyone has to (and usually do) accommadate for other riders.

Cant wait for the next one. but i think i may move up a group so as to make future days safer for me and everyone in the group.

[Chrislost]

i had been wondering what the F caused him to come off there...

exactly the same thing happened at the last trackday i was at exept 2 bikes were taken out by the "keen" one.

[Usarka]

Unfortunately IDrumm locked up his front at 200kmph under brakes and had a wee slide

I think your phrase was that he pulled a "rolling slidey" ^TM

[enigma51]

Cheers shaun for all the help and thanks to motott for a good day.

[Shaun]

Idrumm, way kool mate, looked at the DVD and was actually kinda stoked for you When we spoke at the track I did not really under stand the full deal- yea I knew it was fast there, but Dam mate, you were passing the crew who were in the chicane BUt then I just As I,ve done simillar shite mate.

Kinda kool in a bizzare way to have dam fast get off eh

[boomer]

What a great day! Many thanks for great effort to MotoTT!

One of the rare incidents, and the only one that required medics, happened right in front of me, on a rare occasion when the camera wasn't on strike.

So, a special present for an over-eager gentleman on Aprilia, tending to his broken bone(s):

All I can say is good that no one else, other than the person causing it, went down!

you're sounding good I, and thanks for posting the video. I think someones going to have plenty of time to reflect there wrong doings. Who ever it was.. and i know a few of you.. that was a pretty stoopid place to try and pass some one. Karma paid out straight away for you!

heal quick and hopefully you learn.

Here's some footage of me chasing a GSX750 on my 04/05 ZX6R 636. Oh what joy :-) Wooooop wooop!

O is for Biggles.... and Oar Some !!!! nice work bro :-) looking good!!


It looks like it was a fantastic day with lots of smiles all round. Im VERY jealous!!!!!

ps.. Mr J Random.. 'Hold Tight, Fast ride!" said the man with a very slick bike

[Waylander]

Heres another angle on the crash seen at the end of DMNTD's vid...you can see the R1 sliding down the drag strip followed by the rider on the ground behind... freaked me out this one as it was pretty high speed and close to me.

Shit. Looking at that it's a wonder he got of a lightly as he did. Good gear and nothing solid to hit. Thank god for the track aye.