Track days in March --- too cold?

[Esceptico]

Have been thinking of doing at rack day at Snetterton on 10th March. Don't think I've ever done a day so early in the year. From the more seasoned trackday riders on here...is that too early? Chance of it being too cold/too wet?

[Fleegle]

I've done Snetterton in March

The only guarantee you have is that it will be cold. Pot luck as to whether it will be raining or even snowing. Maybe, just maybe, the sun will shine.

If you are going at any pace, your tyres will more than likely get knackered as the track temperature will be so low. There will be lots of red flags, mainly due to crashes at Montreal and Oggies


Have a good day and take it easy

[Bikesalot]

I've been tempted by that....Would use road tyres I think.

[Esceptico]

Fleegle said:

I've done Snetterton in March

The only guarantee you have is that it will be cold. Pot luck as to whether it will be raining or even snowing. Maybe, just maybe, the sun will shine.

If you are going at any pace, your tyres will more than likely get knackered as the track temperature will be so low. There will be lots of red flags, mainly due to crashes at Montreal and Oggies


Have a good day and take it easy

That doesn't sound too encouraging...

Out of interest, why does the low track temperature make a difference?

I don't my pace will be that high given how infrequently I get on track and that I would be using my rather new and still rather shiny GSXR-750 and would very much like to keep it that way!

[Fleegle]

Esceptico said:

That doesn't sound too encouraging...

Out of interest, why does the low track temperature make a difference?

I don't my pace will be that high given how infrequently I get on track and that I would be using my rather new and still rather shiny GSXR-750 and would very much like to keep it that way!

Sorry, it wasn't meant to discourage you

Track surfaces are quite abrasive. Tyres become malleable when hot and move around. Even with tyre warmers at that time of year the heat will soon drop out the carcass. Once the heat has dropped out they will start suffering cold tear. Tyre pressures go some way to managing it, but it can be a game of cat and mouse all day trying to find the optimum pressure as the temperature changes

[Esceptico]

Fleegle said:

Esceptico said:

That doesn't sound too encouraging...

Out of interest, why does the low track temperature make a difference?

I don't my pace will be that high given how infrequently I get on track and that I would be using my rather new and still rather shiny GSXR-750 and would very much like to keep it that way!

Sorry, it wasn't meant to discourage you

Track surfaces are quite abrasive. Tyres become malleable when hot and move around. Even with tyre warmers at that time of year the heat will soon drop out the carcass. Once the heat has dropped out they will start suffering cold tear. Tyre pressures go some way to managing it, but it can be a game of cat and mouse all day trying to find the optimum pressure as the temperature changes

Thanks. How much would you drop the pressures from normal? It has been about 20 years since I took my own bike on track (have been using hire bikes on the odd occasion I've managed to do them) so not sure what to do.

I have asked a friend of a friend if he is interested in the day and so won't be able to back out if he is up for it. So sort of half-committed.

[Fleegle]

Esceptico said:

Thanks. How much would you drop the pressures from normal? It has been about 20 years since I took my own bike on track (have been using hire bikes on the odd occasion I've managed to do them) so not sure what to do.

I have asked a friend of a friend if he is interested in the day and so won't be able to back out if he is up for it. So sort of half-committed.

It's so long since I've taken a road bike on the track I can't remember. I'd probably start off somewhere around 30/30. I'm sure someone will be able to correct me

[Biker's Nemesis]

I did a 2 day TD at Mallory at the beginning of March 10 years ago.

It was very cold, it snowed, I fell off coming into the pit lane on snow, out of the 8 of us that went 6 fell off.

I would never bother doing another one at the start of March in the uk now, April is the earliest I consider any uk TD.

[stew-STR160]

And then there are us idiots who will be racing at Donington 24/25th March...

I've been trying to get some Pirelli rain tyres I can use if the temps are cold/greasy. I've got Dunlop wets for full on wet stuff, but a cold track and trackday/race tyres does not work out.
Nearly lost the front end at Mallory Nov 2015. Cold, wet, no heat in tyres or track.

[MotorsportTom]

Fleegle said:

Esceptico said:

Thanks. How much would you drop the pressures from normal? It has been about 20 years since I took my own bike on track (have been using hire bikes on the odd occasion I've managed to do them) so not sure what to do.

I have asked a friend of a friend if he is interested in the day and so won't be able to back out if he is up for it. So sort of half-committed.

It's so long since I've taken a road bike on the track I can't remember. I'd probably start off somewhere around 30/30. I'm sure someone will be able to correct me

I've taken a few road bikes out on track and any advice I have sought, 30/30 was always a good start point. Including a track day in October 29th/30th (can't remember which) on a CBR600 at Snetteron on Pilot power 2's I think

[Fleegle]

stew-STR160 said:

And then there are us idiots who will be racing at Donington 24/25th March...

I had my first race there 10 years ago to that weekend.

Not ridden a 2 stroke in 20 years, never raced, it snowed overnight, and just when we thought the worst of it had been, it started hailing golf balls while we were forming on the grid. No wets allowed!!

I survived 3 races out of the 4. A real baptism of fire

[stew-STR160]

Fleegle said:

stew-STR160 said:

And then there are us idiots who will be racing at Donington 24/25th March...

I had my first race there 10 years ago to that weekend.

Not ridden a 2 stroke in 20 years, never raced, it snowed overnight, and just when we thought the worst of it had been, it started hailing golf balls while we were forming on the grid. No wets allowed!!

I survived 3 races out of the 4. A real baptism of fire

That's nuts. Did you use your stabilisers(legs) Haha.

[Fleegle]

stew-STR160 said:

Fleegle said:

stew-STR160 said:

And then there are us idiots who will be racing at Donington 24/25th March...

I had my first race there 10 years ago to that weekend.

Not ridden a 2 stroke in 20 years, never raced, it snowed overnight, and just when we thought the worst of it had been, it started hailing golf balls while we were forming on the grid. No wets allowed!!

I survived 3 races out of the 4. A real baptism of fire

That's nuts. Did you use your stabilisers(legs) Haha.

No, but I did use my arse to slow down at Coppice in the last race. (along with about 5 others)

[graeme4130]

It can be pretty hit and miss in March. Could be lucky and have 18 deg and sunshine, but could also be 5 degrees and driving rain/sleet
I'm there on the 19th to try and get my head around the track as I'm racing there the weekend after and can't do the Friday test, so I'll ride my older bike and use an SC2 Supercorsa as they deal with the colder temps quite well (and they just happen to be on that bike already)

[dibblecorse]

Yes

[stew-STR160]

graeme4130 said:

It can be pretty hit and miss in March. Could be lucky and have 18 deg and sunshine, but could also be 5 degrees and driving rain/sleet
I'm there on the 19th to try and get my head around the track as I'm racing there the weekend after and can't do the Friday test, so I'll ride my older bike and use an SC2 Supercorsa as they deal with the colder temps quite well (and they just happen to be on that bike already)

You racing in GP1? I'll be there for Golden Era Supersport.

[graeme4130]

stew-STR160 said:

graeme4130 said:

It can be pretty hit and miss in March. Could be lucky and have 18 deg and sunshine, but could also be 5 degrees and driving rain/sleet
I'm there on the 19th to try and get my head around the track as I'm racing there the weekend after and can't do the Friday test, so I'll ride my older bike and use an SC2 Supercorsa as they deal with the colder temps quite well (and they just happen to be on that bike already)

You racing in GP1? I'll be there for Golden Era Supersport.

No, in 1000Cup through NLR. I think Thundersport are there later in the year, and at Donington that weekend

[crashley]

Luck of the draw. I've done Brands in March before and it was bloody hot. March is a funny old month. Prepare for rain/cold and hope for sun!

[stew-STR160]

graeme4130 said:

stew-STR160 said:

graeme4130 said:

It can be pretty hit and miss in March. Could be lucky and have 18 deg and sunshine, but could also be 5 degrees and driving rain/sleet
I'm there on the 19th to try and get my head around the track as I'm racing there the weekend after and can't do the Friday test, so I'll ride my older bike and use an SC2 Supercorsa as they deal with the colder temps quite well (and they just happen to be on that bike already)

You racing in GP1? I'll be there for Golden Era Supersport.

No, in 1000Cup through NLR. I think Thundersport are there later in the year, and at Donington that weekend

Doh, getting mixed up as to what track we're talking about.

[obscene]

I've got Donny on the 3rd of March. Not sure what to expect. Least if it pisses with rain I can use my new wets As mentioned, I reckon road tyres are the best option due to the cold.