the bb trackday thread.
Discussion
Bit of a tricky day at Snetterton today, although not as tricky as it is for the poor blighters doing the evening session. It's pissing down.....
The track was coolish and dry but there was quite a gusty, strong wind (insert ammusing comment here)which made for some interesting corner entries and arriving at corners quicker than you planned thanks to the tail wind on certain sections. All in all I enjoyed it but a maximum of 15°C and no sun breaking through for most of the time did make it feel like early April, and I had to wear my wooly hat between sessions. The fact that I took tyre warmers for the first time this year did help the grip, so I'll be doing that for the next outing, next week.
If any of you gentlemen and ladies are regular Snetterton trackdayers, please say hi.
The track was coolish and dry but there was quite a gusty, strong wind (insert ammusing comment here)which made for some interesting corner entries and arriving at corners quicker than you planned thanks to the tail wind on certain sections. All in all I enjoyed it but a maximum of 15°C and no sun breaking through for most of the time did make it feel like early April, and I had to wear my wooly hat between sessions. The fact that I took tyre warmers for the first time this year did help the grip, so I'll be doing that for the next outing, next week.
If any of you gentlemen and ladies are regular Snetterton trackdayers, please say hi.
I was on my GSXR 750 L1 road bike. I don't have a dedicated track bike.
It was gusty enough to surprise me coming through the infield slow corners. The faster to corner the less effect it seemed to have. I don't know if there is any scientific reason to back that up i.e. gyroscopic effect etc, but thats how it felt to me.
There did seem to be more than the usual number of run on's on to the grass at corners in my group (inters) so maybe the wind was a factor?
It was gusty enough to surprise me coming through the infield slow corners. The faster to corner the less effect it seemed to have. I don't know if there is any scientific reason to back that up i.e. gyroscopic effect etc, but thats how it felt to me.
There did seem to be more than the usual number of run on's on to the grass at corners in my group (inters) so maybe the wind was a factor?
Tim85 said:
I've done oulton as my first trackday. I did love it and I will go back but for some reason at the moment I just want to try every track I can get to. I did prefer Anglesey and croft to oulton tho to be fair.
Why? Even those who have Croft as their nearest circuit prefer Oulton. Anglesey is good, but the loop on the International circuit which is how most trackdays are run there ruins it IMO. LoonR1 said:
Why? Even those who have Croft as their nearest circuit prefer Oulton. Anglesey is good, but the loop on the International circuit which is how most trackdays are run there ruins it IMO.
I couldn't tell you to be honest. It's probably because It was my first trackday so I don't have really clear memories of it. I'd probably love it if I went back which I will do at some point. A lot of people I spoke to didn't really like croft yet I absolutely loved it, the opposite with cadwell people seem to really rate that and I can't say I hate it but it's at the bottom of the pile for me so far, it must be the huddersfield water making me weird.I can understand why anglesey and croft would be better than Oulton to a newbie track rider. OP is a difficult track with blind bend and lots of bumps. Croft and anglesey are much easier to ride.
I totally agree with you about trying all the tracks. I still love going to new tracks, my advice is try them all.
I totally agree with you about trying all the tracks. I still love going to new tracks, my advice is try them all.
I can understand why anglesey and croft would be better than Oulton to a newbie track rider. OP is a difficult track with blind bend and lots of bumps. Croft and anglesey are much easier to ride.
I totally agree with you about trying all the tracks. I still love going to new tracks, my advice is try them all.
I totally agree with you about trying all the tracks. I still love going to new tracks, my advice is try them all.
Tim85 said:
I couldn't tell you to be honest. It's probably because It was my first trackday so I don't have really clear memories of it. I'd probably love it if I went back which I will do at some point. A lot of people I spoke to didn't really like croft yet I absolutely loved it, the opposite with cadwell people seem to really rate that and I can't say I hate it but it's at the bottom of the pile for me so far, it must be the huddersfield water making me weird.
I agree with your views on a Cadwell. I really need to do Croft again, but with a bike that works. I've never had a bike that's worked when I've been there for some weird reason. I also hate the fiddly bit at the end of the lap. Just out of nosey curiosity what was everyone's progression through doing track days. How many days in novice etc. Last time I was talking to the guy that helps Matt out and he was saying he did one day in novice one day in fast then went to race mini twins. I know that's not the norm but damnnit made me feel s
te ha.
On the flip side an older guy that was Matt's customer/friend, Matt said used to race the tt and dropped back from racing to fast to inters just to enjoy bikes without having that competative edge.
te ha. On the flip side an older guy that was Matt's customer/friend, Matt said used to race the tt and dropped back from racing to fast to inters just to enjoy bikes without having that competative edge.
I did 2 novice, 2 inters then fast. I only did 2 novice because inters was full when I booked and the second inters day because I'd booked 2 in a row. I sort of wish I'd moved up quicker but it was no disaster. Both times I went out with an instructor they said I should have been in a higher group. I found with both novice and inters I was one of the fastest in the group meaning I spent a lot of time catching up to people and getting stuck in traffic. When I did fast I was at a pace that was closer to the rest of the group so I got a lot more clear track. I enjoyed it much more riding with a group of similar pace/faster people than I did with a load of slower people.
I wouldn't hesitate booking a higher group if you think you're ready. People make a big fuss over it, especially fast group but it's not like you're qualifying for a race, it's just fun and you should book the group you'll have most fun in.
I wouldn't hesitate booking a higher group if you think you're ready. People make a big fuss over it, especially fast group but it's not like you're qualifying for a race, it's just fun and you should book the group you'll have most fun in.
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