the bb trackday thread.

[roboR]

George29 said:

I had something similar when I came off at Almeria. I didn't hit my head but the gravel bounced up and put a couple of stone chips in my carbon helmet. I ended up doing an X-ray of it at work just to make sure it was ok, then had it sanded down and re-lacquered, is good as new now. I'd definitely remove the lining and check the inside of it though

Good idea. I'll take the lining out and check it out inside. And I'll have a look around to see if anything funky catches my eye. If I see something cool I'll use that as an excuse to pick up a new one and retire this as the spare.

[obscene]

I figure I'll ask this now to distract myself from work and everyone here has a lot of knowledge.

Going on my first euro track day to Jerez in April, what bits and bobs will I need? I know I still need to get repatriation insurance. I'm just thinking along the lines of the clear wrap for load up, euro sockets to plug in my warmers?

I have a K5 1000 with track fairings (mainly a road bike in all fairness but I'm thinking about keeping it as a permanent track bike) and just wondering what spares I may need? I have looked at clip ons but I'm hoping not to bin it so not 100% on them yet as I don't think I'll have time to fit them. Debating going =1 +2 and a new chain, buying a quickshifter as it doesn't have one and all my other bikes do. Currently have spare wheels with wets (worth taking?), spare set of slicks (Got some Metzeler Comp K's coming and debating getting some Bridgestone VO2's if I kill the Metzelers plus I can use them when I come back). I plan on throwing my leathers and tools in a box with the bike.

Anything I'm missing?

[roboR]

obscene said:

I figure I'll ask this now to distract myself from work and everyone here has a lot of knowledge.

Going on my first euro track day to Jerez in April, what bits and bobs will I need? I know I still need to get repatriation insurance. I'm just thinking along the lines of the clear wrap for load up, euro sockets to plug in my warmers?

I have a K5 1000 with track fairings (mainly a road bike in all fairness but I'm thinking about keeping it as a permanent track bike) and just wondering what spares I may need? I have looked at clip ons but I'm hoping not to bin it so not 100% on them yet as I don't think I'll have time to fit them. Debating going =1 +2 and a new chain, buying a quickshifter as it doesn't have one and all my other bikes do. Currently have spare wheels with wets (worth taking?), spare set of slicks (Got some Metzeler Comp K's coming and debating getting some Bridgestone VO2's if I kill the Metzelers plus I can use them when I come back). I plan on throwing my leathers and tools in a box with the bike.

Anything I'm missing?

The sockets in Jerez are commando socket 3pin 16 amp.



In April it's possible it will rain but unlikely. When it does rain here the track usually dries up fast, and it's usually fairly hot even if it's raining. However if you do have them then you might as well take them anyways?

I can say (I've only ever rode Jerez, never any other track) that in Jerez it's very lax. I don't know if that's because I use Spanish organisers or if they'll all be like that out here. But in my experience no one has ever checked my bike, my leathers/gear, asked for my license or my age/other details. And every track day I've been to has had kids (8-12 usually) riding around on 125 two strokes etc. There was also an xmax scooter out last time I went. Pretty much no rules to what you ride it seems. Sorry it's not answering your questions , just a bit off off topic info that surprised me when I first started doing track days.

[graeme4130]

obscene said:

I figure I'll ask this now to distract myself from work and everyone here has a lot of knowledge.

Going on my first euro track day to Jerez in April, what bits and bobs will I need? I know I still need to get repatriation insurance. I'm just thinking along the lines of the clear wrap for load up, euro sockets to plug in my warmers?

I have a K5 1000 with track fairings (mainly a road bike in all fairness but I'm thinking about keeping it as a permanent track bike) and just wondering what spares I may need? I have looked at clip ons but I'm hoping not to bin it so not 100% on them yet as I don't think I'll have time to fit them. Debating going =1 +2 and a new chain, buying a quickshifter as it doesn't have one and all my other bikes do. Currently have spare wheels with wets (worth taking?), spare set of slicks (Got some Metzeler Comp K's coming and debating getting some Bridgestone VO2's if I kill the Metzelers plus I can use them when I come back). I plan on throwing my leathers and tools in a box with the bike.

Anything I'm missing?

You're always better to have more stuff and not need it, than not enough and to run out. I'd take loads of tyres as they're going to be expensive over there if the TDO has them, plus I always take my wets and have had to use them at both Cartagena and Almeria (it rained both days in Almeria, so wouldn't have been able to ride without them - it was Mid Dec though)
Other things worth having that you wouldn't perhaps think of for a UK track day are:
Fold up chair - 3 days of sitting on the floor between sessions will suck
Coat Hanger to hang you sweaty leathers up over night
Fuel Filter as Spanish Fuel tends to have crap in it in my experience, or certainly more than UK fuel anyway
Unique tools for your bike, as no point taking a full tool kit as you should be able to borrow stuff there if needs be, and you probably won't have space in your stillage
Kettle/tea bags if you like a brew
A few Euro plug adaptors, although the post above says they have the 3pin leisure connectors, so try and source one of those

[roboR]

graeme4130 said:

A few Euro plug adaptors, although the post above says they have the 3pin leisure connectors, so try and source one of those

I bought the plug/end and wired it onto a normal 4 socket UK extension. So I plug my tyre warmers, mobile charger etc as normal. Super easy and convenient.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Don't forget loads of money for beer and food. I can't stress how important it is to eat and drink too much in the evening, you should also aim to be in bed no later than 1am.

[Birky_41]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Don't forget loads of money for beer and food. I can't stress how important it is to eat and drink too much in the evening, you should also aim to be in bed no later than 1am.

Having done 4 days in Spain recently I can confirm this is some very important information

[obscene]

Birky_41 said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

Don't forget loads of money for beer and food. I can't stress how important it is to eat and drink too much in the evening, you should also aim to be in bed no later than 1am.

Having done 4 days in Spain recently I can confirm this is some very important information

I can probably eat for about 6 people, so if the food is good I'm going broke!

graeme4130 said:

You're always better to have more stuff and not need it, than not enough and to run out. I'd take loads of tyres as they're going to be expensive over there if the TDO has them, plus I always take my wets and have had to use them at both Cartagena and Almeria (it rained both days in Almeria, so wouldn't have been able to ride without them - it was Mid Dec though)
Other things worth having that you wouldn't perhaps think of for a UK track day are:
Fold up chair - 3 days of sitting on the floor between sessions will suck
Coat Hanger to hang you sweaty leathers up over night
Fuel Filter as Spanish Fuel tends to have crap in it in my experience, or certainly more than UK fuel anyway
Unique tools for your bike, as no point taking a full tool kit as you should be able to borrow stuff there if needs be, and you probably won't have space in your stillage
Kettle/tea bags if you like a brew
A few Euro plug adaptors, although the post above says they have the 3pin leisure connectors, so try and source one of those

Ace! Got my tyres sorted earlier. Can't see me destroying two sets, god knows I can't afford to. Will make sure I take my wets. Have seen some of the plugs above on ebay so will get on that. What's the wrap everyone uses called? And what kind of fuel filter do you use?

[Birky_41]

obscene said:

Ace! Got my tyres sorted earlier. Can't see me destroying two sets, god knows I can't afford to. Will make sure I take my wets. Have seen some of the plugs above on ebay so will get on that. What's the wrap everyone uses called? And what kind of fuel filter do you use?

Might have missed the bit you said how long you're going for

I did 2 days at andalusia and should've run a medium front v02 slick but only had soft with me. I killed the front through tear mid way through second day. Almeria was OK though as less sharp braking (it flows better). I did a rear soft after same time and the medium lasted about 2 and 1/2 days before it really started to step out on the right side

My bike was 121 brake at the wheel so not a tyre killer. If I did it again I'd take 3 front and literally a tyre a day for the rear although I'd expect to come back with possibly one rear still

[graeme4130]

obscene said:

Ace! Got my tyres sorted earlier. Can't see me destroying two sets, god knows I can't afford to. Will make sure I take my wets. Have seen some of the plugs above on ebay so will get on that. What's the wrap everyone uses called? And what kind of fuel filter do you use?

This the wrap you want, or something very similar http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162059587454?_trksid=p20...

Worth noting that you're not supposed to wrap your stillage in anything that isn't clear as the customs guys might want to take a peak inside

Also, you can't take fuel cans as it's illegal for lorries to carry fuel without it being listed or something along the lines of that. Whenever I've been, the TDO will either sell you fuel at the track, or you can hire a 25ltr fuel container there to fill up yourself on the way to/from the track

The filter is just a gauze in a pouring funnel like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-160mm-Funnel-With-...

In Cartagena, I used one and was amazed at how much crap gets filtered out the fuel compared to UK fuel - Super Unleaded from repsol is very blue too, which looks weird at first as you feel like you're pouring antifreeze into your bike

[graeme4130]

I assume you're going with No Limits or someone else that use stillages ?

[obscene]

Graeme, lifesaver! Yes going with No Limits.

Birky_41 said:

Might have missed the bit you said how long you're going for

I did 2 days at andalusia and should've run a medium front v02 slick but only had soft with me. I killed the front through tear mid way through second day. Almeria was OK though as less sharp braking (it flows better). I did a rear soft after same time and the medium lasted about 2 and 1/2 days before it really started to step out on the right side

My bike was 121 brake at the wheel so not a tyre killer. If I did it again I'd take 3 front and literally a tyre a day for the rear although I'd expect to come back with possibly one rear still

3 Days. Have the comp k's which I'll destroy first then VO2's spare, soft front, medium rear.

[graeme4130]

obscene said:

Graeme, lifesaver! Yes going with No Limits.

Birky_41 said:

Might have missed the bit you said how long you're going for

I did 2 days at andalusia and should've run a medium front v02 slick but only had soft with me. I killed the front through tear mid way through second day. Almeria was OK though as less sharp braking (it flows better). I did a rear soft after same time and the medium lasted about 2 and 1/2 days before it really started to step out on the right side

My bike was 121 brake at the wheel so not a tyre killer. If I did it again I'd take 3 front and literally a tyre a day for the rear although I'd expect to come back with possibly one rear still

3 Days. Have the comp k's which I'll destroy first then VO2's spare, soft front, medium rear.

The stillages with NL are tight, so pack everything you're taking into soft bags, as you'll struggle to get rigid boxes onto the stillages too.
Both times I've been with NL, I see countless people turn up with big plastic boxes of tools and leathers etc, and have to unpack them to fit everything in. Lots of small soft bags like rucksacks make it easy to get everything on, and your leathers can just be draped over your bike
Also, when you're looking at the upper limit of the stillages, which is defined by the posts, remember that the stillage that goes on top has a good 4-5" of space in the underside of it, so you can still go a little higher.
You can get loads on there if you pack it well.
Swindon drop off's always been great for me, as I literally live 5mins away and my wife's good friends with the girl that runs the drop off days there
You'll have a great time

[obscene]

Brilliant! I was going to chuck stuff in boxes but will use soft bags now. Swindon is only an hour down the M4 being in Wokingham so nice and easy for me

[graeme4130]

After a 7hour round trip, I've got my bike back from MSS today, so now is all ready for 2017
Had a rather large list of things needing sorting, and a suitably large bill to go with it, but any of you that have been to MSS knows that the place is dangerous on the wallet with lots of tempting things to pay for, and a very attractive counter girl that takes your mind off the cost of things - Funny how that works
Anyway, just under 3 weeks until I get to try it out at Oulton park on the 22nd. Let's hope this spring weather hurries up

[Birky_41]

graeme4130 said:

After a 7hour round trip, I've got my bike back from MSS today, so now is all ready for 2017
Had a rather large list of things needing sorting, and a suitably large bill to go with it, but any of you that have been to MSS knows that the place is dangerous on the wallet with lots of tempting things to pay for, and a very attractive counter girl that takes your mind off the cost of things - Funny how that works
Anyway, just under 3 weeks until I get to try it out at Oulton park on the 22nd. Let's hope this spring weather hurries up

Yep I was speaking with her to setup my bazzaz but went with race engineering in the end. Much closer for me though, 45 min drive there tops.

Still waiting for mine though and once back need my suspension guy to fit all the ktech bits and hopefully have it ready

Got mates going snett Sunday which I'll miss and more going on 12th which is touch and go but I'm definitely doing snett on 27th March

[Mr OCD]

Booked Oulton again for 26th July. Three days booked already and it's barely March.

[Birky_41]

Mr OCD said:

Booked Oulton again for 26th July. Three days booked already and it's barely March.

Ive got two booked and dont even have a working bike haha

Soon as I have it back I'll be happy and get a few more booked like you but cant help but worry in the back of my mind about the bike running ok and setting it all up on track first time out

[graeme4130]

Birky_41 said:

Mr OCD said:

Booked Oulton again for 26th July. Three days booked already and it's barely March.

Ive got two booked and dont even have a working bike haha

Soon as I have it back I'll be happy and get a few more booked like you but cant help but worry in the back of my mind about the bike running ok and setting it all up on track first time out

There's nothing like the pressure of an impending day at the track to get the motivation up
I've got Oulton as my first, then the NL race the weekend after
After that, I've got a two dayer at Cadwell and a 2 dayer at Snetterton booked as they were both tracks I wanted to get to last year, but never got around to it.
I quite like the idea of two day trips as, other than sleeping in my cold van, it at least means I don't have to be up at silly o'clock in the morning to get there.
If I like this racing lark, then I think the next purchase will be an old caravan to tow around behind my van so I can complete my gypsy look

[George29]

I've been having similar thoughts about a caravan. It does make sense as pointless having an awesome race bike if you underperform as you don't sleep well. Although I've just bought a new van and that's insulated in the back so am going to see how that is at first

Also I've booked on Donington on 18th April and 4th May with Focused. Anyone else going?