Cartagena track day?

[caduceus]

I've had my Ninja for a week now and done just over 200 miles, and loving every minute. In for a service, chain kit and headstock bearings next week, so I'm hoping it's going to feel more confidence inspiring after that, as it feels a bit nervous at the moment at the front.
Anyway, I'm gagging to do a track day and I'm not sure I can wait till next spring/summer. So a euro track day is beckoning I feel. How is Cartagena as a track day for the novice? I'm thinking about doing Brands next Saturday just to get some pointers and experience in the meantime. But the Spain one is in January, so hopefully it'll still be warmish..

Any tips/advice welcome and appreciated.
Cad

[Tim85]

ive not been but im booked on in early feb to go. Im not sure if youve done many track days before or if this will be your first but Ive done a few uk days but only 1 euro weekend so far and the european one was much better. Alot more chilled and relaxed atmosphere with plenty of track time to actually work on different things. The only impression i got from the no limit staff was a lot of racers use cartegena as a test track early in the year so they said the pace is much faster than at tracks at the back end of the year. not that thats a problem but i have a couple of friends about to move up to fast group in the uk but no limits advised them to go in the bottom group for these days.

[ccr32]

You'll be fine at Cartagena, and it should teach you a lot about the bike as there are enough corners (and variety of corners) for you to learn a thing or two. And I'll echo what has already been said about it being a more relaxed environment to do a TD in as there is not the normal mad rush you get at a UK one to be there early to secure a garage and get out in every session - in fact, the last session on Day 3 when I was out there a few weeks ago ended up just being open pitlane and me and a friend were the only two bikes out (admittedly as it was getting dark..!)

Can't comment on the days at Cartagena at the beginning of the year (as opposed to the end) but would seem to make sense - it is used pretty regularly for BSB pre-season testing I am told.

Would be worth doing Brands next weekend too if you can as, let's face it, it's cheap - I'll be going if it is dry.

[redback911]

Just came back from 4 days at Cartagena. Defintely echo the "relaxed" feel of the place. I really enjoyed the track, on my RSV4 it was mostly 2/3 gear, with 4th on the start/finish straight. Seems like quite a technical track with various lines possiblem, gave me a lot of time to learn to use the RSV. Asphalt was a bit dodgy (bumpy) in places but nothing serious.

ccr32 said:

Worth doing Brands next weekend too if you can as, let's face it, it's cheap - I'll be going if it is dry.

How was Brands btw? I was tempted to book but, just been spolit with the weather and could not face a wet track.

[ccr32]

redback911 said:

Just came back from 4 days at Cartagena. Defintely echo the "relaxed" feel of the place. I really enjoyed the track, on my RSV4 it was mostly 2/3 gear, with 4th on the start/finish straight. Seems like quite a technical track with various lines possiblem, gave me a lot of time to learn to use the RSV. Asphalt was a bit dodgy (bumpy) in places but nothing serious.

ccr32 said:

Worth doing Brands next weekend too if you can as, let's face it, it's cheap - I'll be going if it is dry.

How was Brands btw? I was tempted to book but, just been spolit with the weather and could not face a wet track.

Didn't go... it snowed!

Glad to hear you enjoyed Cartagena

[redback911]

ccr32 said:

Didn't go... it snowed!

Bugger, bloody weather. Back in Suffolk and its wet and miserable, feel like heading straight back to Spain.