the bb trackday thread.
Discussion
tris88 said:
Just booked my first Silverstone trackday direct with Silverstone (June 19th), I've only ever been to Brands Hatch a few times (Indy and GP) with NoLimits so anything I should know about how Silverstone run their days? Also any tips?
Silverstone run days are decent. Like a normal trakday with someone like NL, but you get a breakfast roll and they seed you in the groups themselves based on the info they give youThey're very relaxed, so if you feel you've been grouped wrongly, they'll let you move around.
You only get 6 sessions, but one is 30mins with the sighting laps, and the others are all 25mins, so you get around the same amount of track time.
Each group gets allocated a garage (the garages there are massive), and you have instructors for each group. They're a good bunch of guys, and the ones I know also instruct at the Ron Haslam days, so they know their stuff and are worth getting an early session with to learn your way around the circuit
The GP circuit has got a bit of everything, and it's super wide, so there's lots of space for overtaking, although it does mean that the lines are not always as obvious as at other tracks.
Silverstone generally run their days from the Wing Complex, which is the new pits. They're a good old slog away from the circuit petrol station, which also requires you to remortgage your house to fill up at, so take a couple of fuel cans with you and fill up before you get there, so you don't have to either break your bank or take a 20mile trip around the in roads to get fuel.
It's got a lot of wide open throttle sections there too, so you'll be going through a lot of fuel. I can do 5.5ltrs in a 20minute session there
Watch a load of onboard from there beforehand to get an idea of what's coming up next too as it's quite flat and featureless, so easy to get lost with where you are
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
My times from yesterday. Focused had left the transponders in Spain though so it wasn't run as a chrono day which was irritating, so many people who shouldn't have been in the fast group. Made it nearly impossible to get a clear lap in which is annoying as I reckon I could have gone sub 1:40 if I had a good run at it! Back there on the 11th May though so will have another go at it
graeme4130 said:
Silverstone run days are decent. Like a normal trakday with someone like NL, but you get a breakfast roll and they seed you in the groups themselves based on the info they give you
They're very relaxed, so if you feel you've been grouped wrongly, they'll let you move around.
You only get 6 sessions, but one is 30mins with the sighting laps, and the others are all 25mins, so you get around the same amount of track time.
Each group gets allocated a garage (the garages there are massive), and you have instructors for each group. They're a good bunch of guys, and the ones I know also instruct at the Ron Haslam days, so they know their stuff and are worth getting an early session with to learn your way around the circuit
The GP circuit has got a bit of everything, and it's super wide, so there's lots of space for overtaking, although it does mean that the lines are not always as obvious as at other tracks.
Silverstone generally run their days from the Wing Complex, which is the new pits. They're a good old slog away from the circuit petrol station, which also requires you to remortgage your house to fill up at, so take a couple of fuel cans with you and fill up before you get there, so you don't have to either break your bank or take a 20mile trip around the in roads to get fuel.
It's got a lot of wide open throttle sections there too, so you'll be going through a lot of fuel. I can do 5.5ltrs in a 20minute session there
Watch a load of onboard from there beforehand to get an idea of what's coming up next too as it's quite flat and featureless, so easy to get lost with where you are
Brilliant, thanks very much! Lots of useful info there They're very relaxed, so if you feel you've been grouped wrongly, they'll let you move around.
You only get 6 sessions, but one is 30mins with the sighting laps, and the others are all 25mins, so you get around the same amount of track time.
Each group gets allocated a garage (the garages there are massive), and you have instructors for each group. They're a good bunch of guys, and the ones I know also instruct at the Ron Haslam days, so they know their stuff and are worth getting an early session with to learn your way around the circuit
The GP circuit has got a bit of everything, and it's super wide, so there's lots of space for overtaking, although it does mean that the lines are not always as obvious as at other tracks.
Silverstone generally run their days from the Wing Complex, which is the new pits. They're a good old slog away from the circuit petrol station, which also requires you to remortgage your house to fill up at, so take a couple of fuel cans with you and fill up before you get there, so you don't have to either break your bank or take a 20mile trip around the in roads to get fuel.
It's got a lot of wide open throttle sections there too, so you'll be going through a lot of fuel. I can do 5.5ltrs in a 20minute session there
Watch a load of onboard from there beforehand to get an idea of what's coming up next too as it's quite flat and featureless, so easy to get lost with where you are
Trackday no-longer-a-virgin reporting in!
Had a great weekend at Anglesey on 16th and 17th with No Limits. Before the weekend I'd never been to a trackday, or on track at all in any vehicle, and I'd never been on that bike, and I certainly hadn't done any of it in the chuffing rain! In fact my riding experience is actually limited to maybe 15-20 hours pootling around backroads on an '08 ER6F so not exactly a veteran. Obviously my prep for such a momentous and potentially life-changing occasion involved a quick recce of the track, pie and chips in the cafe, and two too many pints in the pub the night before.
Unsurprisingly I binned it on the wet track in the first session a couple laps after the sighting laps. I was that guy. First flag of the day and it was me. Mint. I think I was too late braking into a corner, still had too much brake when I turned in, and it slid out from under me. Must have been going 10-15MPH so not fast enough to hurt myself other than a trapped nerve somewhere which is still pissing me off. Medics signed me off, Dad and the lads sticky taped up the bike, and I was set to go again.
Had a very slow nervous morning after that in the slightly damp conditions, and faster riders stood me up several times which didn't help my confidence one bit. Luckily the weather improved in the afternoon and I started to enjoy it, started leaning in more, started to brake later, started to get on the throttle earlier, all just in time to call it a day. Buggeration!
Stayed in the van again that night ready to go again on Monday which was a much better day. Weather was way better. Bike had better tyres. I was on a high after improving the day before and had an absolute blast. I was still exceedingly slow compared to the majority other novices but I did manage a couple of overtakes and general improvements.
Long red flag in the last fast group put an end to the weekend but overall it was a superb experience. Finding braking points and pushing them, hammering it round those long right handers, learning not to downchange at 10k revs, etc. all made me a feel a lot more confident. By the end of it I couldn't wait to get back out for the next session and I am dying to go again. Just need to rearrange the garage, get a bike trailer, get a car that can take a tow bar, fix my trapped nerve, cancel the wedding and honeymoon so I can buy a bike and I am all set!
Looking at videos I can't believe how slow I was going compared to how fast it felt but who cares, I had fun
(photo credit to Steve Balmforth on Trackday Addicts)
Had a great weekend at Anglesey on 16th and 17th with No Limits. Before the weekend I'd never been to a trackday, or on track at all in any vehicle, and I'd never been on that bike, and I certainly hadn't done any of it in the chuffing rain! In fact my riding experience is actually limited to maybe 15-20 hours pootling around backroads on an '08 ER6F so not exactly a veteran. Obviously my prep for such a momentous and potentially life-changing occasion involved a quick recce of the track, pie and chips in the cafe, and two too many pints in the pub the night before.
Unsurprisingly I binned it on the wet track in the first session a couple laps after the sighting laps. I was that guy. First flag of the day and it was me. Mint. I think I was too late braking into a corner, still had too much brake when I turned in, and it slid out from under me. Must have been going 10-15MPH so not fast enough to hurt myself other than a trapped nerve somewhere which is still pissing me off. Medics signed me off, Dad and the lads sticky taped up the bike, and I was set to go again.
Had a very slow nervous morning after that in the slightly damp conditions, and faster riders stood me up several times which didn't help my confidence one bit. Luckily the weather improved in the afternoon and I started to enjoy it, started leaning in more, started to brake later, started to get on the throttle earlier, all just in time to call it a day. Buggeration!
Stayed in the van again that night ready to go again on Monday which was a much better day. Weather was way better. Bike had better tyres. I was on a high after improving the day before and had an absolute blast. I was still exceedingly slow compared to the majority other novices but I did manage a couple of overtakes and general improvements.
Long red flag in the last fast group put an end to the weekend but overall it was a superb experience. Finding braking points and pushing them, hammering it round those long right handers, learning not to downchange at 10k revs, etc. all made me a feel a lot more confident. By the end of it I couldn't wait to get back out for the next session and I am dying to go again. Just need to rearrange the garage, get a bike trailer, get a car that can take a tow bar, fix my trapped nerve, cancel the wedding and honeymoon so I can buy a bike and I am all set!
Looking at videos I can't believe how slow I was going compared to how fast it felt but who cares, I had fun
(photo credit to Steve Balmforth on Trackday Addicts)
Berz said:
Trackday no-longer-a-virgin reporting in!
Had a great weekend at Anglesey on 16th and 17th with No Limits. Before the weekend I'd never been to a trackday, or on track at all in any vehicle, and I'd never been on that bike, and I certainly hadn't done any of it in the chuffing rain! In fact my riding experience is actually limited to maybe 15-20 hours pootling around backroads on an '08 ER6F so not exactly a veteran. Obviously my prep for such a momentous and potentially life-changing occasion involved a quick recce of the track, pie and chips in the cafe, and two too many pints in the pub the night before.
Unsurprisingly I binned it on the wet track in the first session a couple laps after the sighting laps. I was that guy. First flag of the day and it was me. Mint. I think I was too late braking into a corner, still had too much brake when I turned in, and it slid out from under me. Must have been going 10-15MPH so not fast enough to hurt myself other than a trapped nerve somewhere which is still pissing me off. Medics signed me off, Dad and the lads sticky taped up the bike, and I was set to go again.
Had a very slow nervous morning after that in the slightly damp conditions, and faster riders stood me up several times which didn't help my confidence one bit. Luckily the weather improved in the afternoon and I started to enjoy it, started leaning in more, started to brake later, started to get on the throttle earlier, all just in time to call it a day. Buggeration!
Stayed in the van again that night ready to go again on Monday which was a much better day. Weather was way better. Bike had better tyres. I was on a high after improving the day before and had an absolute blast. I was still exceedingly slow compared to the majority other novices but I did manage a couple of overtakes and general improvements.
Long red flag in the last fast group put an end to the weekend but overall it was a superb experience. Finding braking points and pushing them, hammering it round those long right handers, learning not to downchange at 10k revs, etc. all made me a feel a lot more confident. By the end of it I couldn't wait to get back out for the next session and I am dying to go again. Just need to rearrange the garage, get a bike trailer, get a car that can take a tow bar, fix my trapped nerve, cancel the wedding and honeymoon so I can buy a bike and I am all set!
Looking at videos I can't believe how slow I was going compared to how fast it felt but who cares, I had fun
(photo credit to Steve Balmforth on Trackday Addicts)
Had a great weekend at Anglesey on 16th and 17th with No Limits. Before the weekend I'd never been to a trackday, or on track at all in any vehicle, and I'd never been on that bike, and I certainly hadn't done any of it in the chuffing rain! In fact my riding experience is actually limited to maybe 15-20 hours pootling around backroads on an '08 ER6F so not exactly a veteran. Obviously my prep for such a momentous and potentially life-changing occasion involved a quick recce of the track, pie and chips in the cafe, and two too many pints in the pub the night before.
Unsurprisingly I binned it on the wet track in the first session a couple laps after the sighting laps. I was that guy. First flag of the day and it was me. Mint. I think I was too late braking into a corner, still had too much brake when I turned in, and it slid out from under me. Must have been going 10-15MPH so not fast enough to hurt myself other than a trapped nerve somewhere which is still pissing me off. Medics signed me off, Dad and the lads sticky taped up the bike, and I was set to go again.
Had a very slow nervous morning after that in the slightly damp conditions, and faster riders stood me up several times which didn't help my confidence one bit. Luckily the weather improved in the afternoon and I started to enjoy it, started leaning in more, started to brake later, started to get on the throttle earlier, all just in time to call it a day. Buggeration!
Stayed in the van again that night ready to go again on Monday which was a much better day. Weather was way better. Bike had better tyres. I was on a high after improving the day before and had an absolute blast. I was still exceedingly slow compared to the majority other novices but I did manage a couple of overtakes and general improvements.
Long red flag in the last fast group put an end to the weekend but overall it was a superb experience. Finding braking points and pushing them, hammering it round those long right handers, learning not to downchange at 10k revs, etc. all made me a feel a lot more confident. By the end of it I couldn't wait to get back out for the next session and I am dying to go again. Just need to rearrange the garage, get a bike trailer, get a car that can take a tow bar, fix my trapped nerve, cancel the wedding and honeymoon so I can buy a bike and I am all set!
Looking at videos I can't believe how slow I was going compared to how fast it felt but who cares, I had fun
(photo credit to Steve Balmforth on Trackday Addicts)
I think this describes everyone's first ventures on track perfectly, the misery, the joy, the fact you think your awesome when your not.
George29 said:
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
My times from yesterday. Focused had left the transponders in Spain though so it wasn't run as a chrono day which was irritating, so many people who shouldn't have been in the fast group. Made it nearly impossible to get a clear lap in which is annoying as I reckon I could have gone sub 1:40 if I had a good run at it! Back there on the 11th May though so will have another go at it
How were FE yesterday, did you get a b
king in the briefing just for turning up ? Who's the day with 11th may ?
I'll be there on the 12th for the NGRRC test day
moanthebairns said:
I think this describes everyone's first ventures on track perfectly, the misery, the joy, the fact you think your awesome when your not.
Feel like I'm on it, and then watch the video back and can't believe how early i brake and how late I get on the throttle
When you down this end of our lovely Island again Alex ?
graeme4130 said:
moanthebairns said:
I think this describes everyone's first ventures on track perfectly, the misery, the joy, the fact you think your awesome when your not.
Feel like I'm on it, and then watch the video back and can't believe how early i brake and how late I get on the throttle
When you down this end of our lovely Island again Alex ?
k knows, shortly. First day on track this year is Monday at knockhill. Then i'll be booking a few more once I know the bike repairs and servicing has been fine. graeme4130 said:
Good effort
How were FE yesterday, did you get a bking in the briefing just for turning up ?
Who's the day with 11th may ?
I'll be there on the 12th for the NGRRC test day
FE were spot on, apart from the lack of transponders. I've never had an issue with them when on a trackday, no idea what all the whinging is all about. I suspect most of it is because not many people like Kev (which I can understand)How were FE yesterday, did you get a b
king in the briefing just for turning up ? Who's the day with 11th may ?
I'll be there on the 12th for the NGRRC test day
11th May is with FE - there is no test day for NG that weekend else I'd be on that instead!
George29 said:
graeme4130 said:
Good effort
How were FE yesterday, did you get a bking in the briefing just for turning up ?
Who's the day with 11th may ?
I'll be there on the 12th for the NGRRC test day
FE were spot on, apart from the lack of transponders. I've never had an issue with them when on a trackday, no idea what all the whinging is all about. I suspect most of it is because not many people like Kev (which I can understand)How were FE yesterday, did you get a b
king in the briefing just for turning up ? Who's the day with 11th may ?
I'll be there on the 12th for the NGRRC test day
11th May is with FE - there is no test day for NG that weekend else I'd be on that instead!
I'll get booked onto the 11th then
graeme4130 said:
After this weeks first visit to Snetterton, I got to add another circuit sticker to the Van
Extra points if anyone can guess them all ?
Vaguely left to right top to bottom. Extra points if anyone can guess them all ?
Donington, Bedford? (guessing)
Silverstone, Oulton
Cartagena, Almeria
Snetterton
No idea ref squashed grey squirrel on the right.
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