the bb trackday thread.
Discussion
Biker's Nemesis said:
graeme4130 said:
Went back up to Donington today on a nice last minute freebie.
I've always struggled with setting a good time around there, so had a go at rethinking it a bit.
Set the timer on for one of the afternoon sessions, and was pretty pleased with the improvement
Not sure I had a decent clear lap in this session, and there's still quite a bit to work on, but reckon I can get nearer or under 1:40 before racing there in May
Not bad going, some of my times from june 2014 on my old R1.I've always struggled with setting a good time around there, so had a go at rethinking it a bit.
Set the timer on for one of the afternoon sessions, and was pretty pleased with the improvement
Not sure I had a decent clear lap in this session, and there's still quite a bit to work on, but reckon I can get nearer or under 1:40 before racing there in May
It's a great track, but one I can never seem to string together a perfect lap on.
I'm going to race there with NLR at the end of may, so I'll hopefully get another couple of days there beforehand to see if I can get it all right. I've seen a fair few crashes there, so I don't go as hard as perhaps I could, so reckon there's some pussying around time in that lap to come as much as there is getting better lines
graeme4130 said:
Nice, I've got some work to do then
It's a great track, but one I can never seem to string together a perfect lap on.
I'm going to race there with NLR at the end of may, so I'll hopefully get another couple of days there beforehand to see if I can get it all right. I've seen a fair few crashes there, so I don't go as hard as perhaps I could, so reckon there's some pussying around time in that lap to come as much as there is getting better lines
I only had those times because I was a chrono day so no idea if I have gone faster, I do like Donington but like every track its hard work for me with having a false leg.It's a great track, but one I can never seem to string together a perfect lap on.
I'm going to race there with NLR at the end of may, so I'll hopefully get another couple of days there beforehand to see if I can get it all right. I've seen a fair few crashes there, so I don't go as hard as perhaps I could, so reckon there's some pussying around time in that lap to come as much as there is getting better lines
I saw one of the worst crashes I've ever seen on track at Donington on Monday, start of the second session, down Craner into the Left before the old hairpin, I felt like packing up and going home, it takes nothing these days to spook me.
I've found the more I try to go faster I end up going slower, so I just try to be smooth and keep out of trouble.
Best of luck with the racing Grahame, keep us posted, I am genuinely interested.
Biker's Nemesis said:
graeme4130 said:
Nice, I've got some work to do then
It's a great track, but one I can never seem to string together a perfect lap on.
I'm going to race there with NLR at the end of may, so I'll hopefully get another couple of days there beforehand to see if I can get it all right. I've seen a fair few crashes there, so I don't go as hard as perhaps I could, so reckon there's some pussying around time in that lap to come as much as there is getting better lines
I only had those times because I was a chrono day so no idea if I have gone faster, I do like Donington but like every track its hard work for me with having a false leg.It's a great track, but one I can never seem to string together a perfect lap on.
I'm going to race there with NLR at the end of may, so I'll hopefully get another couple of days there beforehand to see if I can get it all right. I've seen a fair few crashes there, so I don't go as hard as perhaps I could, so reckon there's some pussying around time in that lap to come as much as there is getting better lines
I saw one of the worst crashes I've ever seen on track at Donington on Monday, start of the second session, down Craner into the Left before the old hairpin, I felt like packing up and going home, it takes nothing these days to spook me.
I've found the more I try to go faster I end up going slower, so I just try to be smooth and keep out of trouble.
Best of luck with the racing Grahame, keep us posted, I am genuinely interested.
I'll certainly keep updating on racing progress. I genuinely loved it at Silverstone last month even considering the mechanical problems. I was just gutted my bike wasn't fit for the rest of the weekend's races.
I'm very competitive in my nature, so getting to race was always going to happen, even if I was running around at the back.
I've got loads to learn though, and this is still only my second year of riding bikes, so I'm very open to any advice or tips you or anyone has
graeme4130 said:
this is still only my second year of riding bikes, so I'm very open to any advice or tips you or anyone has
I'm not the one to ask for advice Grahame, there's lots of people on here who have raced that are better placed to offer advice.I'm just a picture whoring old never has been.
graeme4130 said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
graeme4130 said:
Nice, I've got some work to do then
It's a great track, but one I can never seem to string together a perfect lap on.
I'm going to race there with NLR at the end of may, so I'll hopefully get another couple of days there beforehand to see if I can get it all right. I've seen a fair few crashes there, so I don't go as hard as perhaps I could, so reckon there's some pussying around time in that lap to come as much as there is getting better lines
I only had those times because I was a chrono day so no idea if I have gone faster, I do like Donington but like every track its hard work for me with having a false leg.It's a great track, but one I can never seem to string together a perfect lap on.
I'm going to race there with NLR at the end of may, so I'll hopefully get another couple of days there beforehand to see if I can get it all right. I've seen a fair few crashes there, so I don't go as hard as perhaps I could, so reckon there's some pussying around time in that lap to come as much as there is getting better lines
I saw one of the worst crashes I've ever seen on track at Donington on Monday, start of the second session, down Craner into the Left before the old hairpin, I felt like packing up and going home, it takes nothing these days to spook me.
I've found the more I try to go faster I end up going slower, so I just try to be smooth and keep out of trouble.
Best of luck with the racing Grahame, keep us posted, I am genuinely interested.
I'll certainly keep updating on racing progress. I genuinely loved it at Silverstone last month even considering the mechanical problems. I was just gutted my bike wasn't fit for the rest of the weekend's races.
I'm very competitive in my nature, so getting to race was always going to happen, even if I was running around at the back.
I've got loads to learn though, and this is still only my second year of riding bikes, so I'm very open to any advice or tips you or anyone has
king weren't that concerned this time last year as i was struggling to stand having a fag after I rattled my head when I first met you at donnie. I still remember you being more concerned about getting moved down to novice. And with good reason.
Talking of bad crashes and being spooked, I've got one from last time I went to Jerez which luckily turned out alright.
I booked late so was in the second inters group, so had 50 minutes to wait until I could go out. So I popped over to the cafe for a coffee. Someone in the fast group had been leaking oil on the track (he got pulled when they realised) but I literally sat down for my coffee and saw someone I know (on a brand new RSV4) who's a very good rider come round and high side on turn 12 which is the fastest corner. Bike and rider tumbling, I couldn't see if he'd hit the bike or anything. But he sat up, lifted his helmet slightly, then slumped down onto the ground and didn't move again...
They red flagged it, sent the ambulance onto the track etc. Few mins later he got up and actually walked back to the pits and was ok, he'd just winded himself. I guess compared to some of the stuff you guys will have seen it's probably quite tame, but this was the first time I'd seen what I thought was going to be very bad. When I got back to the pits to see if he was there and ok, I found out something like 7 or 8 people had crashed in that first session because of the oil on the track.
I booked late so was in the second inters group, so had 50 minutes to wait until I could go out. So I popped over to the cafe for a coffee. Someone in the fast group had been leaking oil on the track (he got pulled when they realised) but I literally sat down for my coffee and saw someone I know (on a brand new RSV4) who's a very good rider come round and high side on turn 12 which is the fastest corner. Bike and rider tumbling, I couldn't see if he'd hit the bike or anything. But he sat up, lifted his helmet slightly, then slumped down onto the ground and didn't move again...
They red flagged it, sent the ambulance onto the track etc. Few mins later he got up and actually walked back to the pits and was ok, he'd just winded himself. I guess compared to some of the stuff you guys will have seen it's probably quite tame, but this was the first time I'd seen what I thought was going to be very bad. When I got back to the pits to see if he was there and ok, I found out something like 7 or 8 people had crashed in that first session because of the oil on the track.
At the risk of turning it into a right downer, am also rather spooked.. friend of a friend had a bad one last year and finished up in a wheelchair. We've all fallen off, kinda figured if you ride hard it's going to happen now and then - you see how much the racers falling and it doesn't seem so worrying.. have no clue what to think or how to assess it anymore. Probably wouldn't think about it once I was out, but can't really bring myself to book on again. Missing it though.
You cant live life worrying about stuff like that in my opinion. Look at Nemesis - the guy has one leg! Still out there riding and making decent pace and recently got a hooligan MT10
I have friends that do a track day then say 'im giving up road riding' but I personally look at them as different hobbies. I ride both track and road fast but in different ways and Ive had my fair share of broken bones over the years hence retiring from racing in 2014
It took me two years to learn to walk again and I bought my first 'road' bike again after 10 years off while I was in addenbrookes hospital!
If its in your blood dont fight it just go out there and enjoy yourself. I know I worry everytime I ride but alot of it goes when I put my lid on. Lifes too short, enjoy it.
I have friends that do a track day then say 'im giving up road riding' but I personally look at them as different hobbies. I ride both track and road fast but in different ways and Ive had my fair share of broken bones over the years hence retiring from racing in 2014
It took me two years to learn to walk again and I bought my first 'road' bike again after 10 years off while I was in addenbrookes hospital!
If its in your blood dont fight it just go out there and enjoy yourself. I know I worry everytime I ride but alot of it goes when I put my lid on. Lifes too short, enjoy it.
I'm 2 sessions in to my first ever trackday and loving it so far (although I don't want to speak too soon!)
Not sure I have too much confidence in my tyres, they are on my commuting bike and they are fine for the commute but don't feel overly grippy on track. Tyre man said they look fine but I'm probably over thinking it from things I've read on the internet!
Been having great fun chasing some 1000s, Mallory is a track where power isn't everything.
Not sure I have too much confidence in my tyres, they are on my commuting bike and they are fine for the commute but don't feel overly grippy on track. Tyre man said they look fine but I'm probably over thinking it from things I've read on the internet!
Been having great fun chasing some 1000s, Mallory is a track where power isn't everything.
patchb said:
I'm 2 sessions in to my first ever trackday and loving it so far (although I don't want to speak too soon!)
Not sure I have too much confidence in my tyres, they are on my commuting bike and they are fine for the commute but don't feel overly grippy on track. Tyre man said they look fine but I'm probably over thinking it from things I've read on the internet!
Been having great fun chasing some 1000s, Mallory is a track where power isn't everything.
They are getting hot I can tell you that much. They are as you said a commuter tyre so will have their limits but big blobs normally show too much heatNot sure I have too much confidence in my tyres, they are on my commuting bike and they are fine for the commute but don't feel overly grippy on track. Tyre man said they look fine but I'm probably over thinking it from things I've read on the internet!
Been having great fun chasing some 1000s, Mallory is a track where power isn't everything.
Cant be as bad as this below - just had Mason Law and his old man Graham in and he managed this at Donni on his ZX10...
They're even worse now after 4 sessions, the tyre is starting to look oily and blue as well. The sun has just come out to make heat matters worse!
I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
patchb said:
They're even worse now after 4 sessions, the tyre is starting to look oily and blue as well. The sun has just come out to make heat matters worse!
I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
oily and blue is ok as far as I understand, its just the oils of the rubber coming through to the surface. I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
patchb said:
They're even worse now after 4 sessions, the tyre is starting to look oily and blue as well. The sun has just come out to make heat matters worse!
I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
How did the day finish? I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
moanthebairns said:
patchb said:
They're even worse now after 4 sessions, the tyre is starting to look oily and blue as well. The sun has just come out to make heat matters worse!
I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
oily and blue is ok as far as I understand, its just the oils of the rubber coming through to the surface. I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
patchb said:
They're even worse now after 4 sessions, the tyre is starting to look oily and blue as well. The sun has just come out to make heat matters worse!
I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
You're over thinking it. Those tyres are fine, just drop the pressures a bit, road pressures are not a good idea on track. Unless you're a MotoGP god then you're unlikely to be able to out ride those tyres. I'm annoyed I didn't bring my other bike with suitable tyres as I want to go a bit quicker but I've already had wheelspin in 3rd once which shouldn't happen on a 20 year old 600!
Oh well I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and try not to go past their limits.
Birky_41 said:
How did the day finish?
Cracking, last session blazing sunshine, I had a clear track ahead of me for the whole session, it was bliss. Just let me get into a rhythm and had a great session. The thing I found worse about Mallory was accelerating through devils elbow, need to short shift to 3rd as you start to accelerate but I kept catching my toes on the floor. Not a massive issue but I feel if I changed my lines a bit I may stop doing it. Gerrards is an incredible corner, top of 4th up the straight, back to 3rd and tip it in, lovely.
I know I'm very unlikely to out-ride the tyres but they were squirming about a bit and couple of wheelspins coming onto the pit straight were a bit disconcerting on a 100hp 600.
Where shall I book next....
patchb said:
I was running 31 34 hot, is that a bit high?
Holy crap yes 
If you wanted to know why you were sliding and squirming... There's your answer right there
Rear on track needs to start with a 2 when hot. Front at 31-34 depending on tyre is normally pretty good
You wouldn't believe how much hotter a rear gets on track hot, especially when checking cold in the morning
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