Track day

Brian and I have been talking/wanting to do a track day this spring/summer,....and are gearing up to do so.

I just got a set of leathers, and Brian has a set now too, so we are that much closer to doing a track day.

I think Reg wanted to get involved as well, anyone else want to come run with us ? There is still pleanty of time as we have not yet picked a date. We will probrably do the track at Buttonwillow first.

Here is a link to the group that runs the event we are looking into attending:
http://trackdaz.com/ti/trackdaz/info.html?id=7i8PkV9c

HERE ARE SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS:
Rider Requirements


Bring Your Buddy: You should always bring a buddy who's licensed to drive with you.. best case is you convince your buddy to drive home.
Food: You should bring plenty of snacks and lunch.
Drinks: Water, Sports Drinks, etc.. Bring plenty to keep hydrated
Fuel: Don't be the rider that runs out of gas!
Canopy: Most places we ride don't provide shade. Its a good idea to bring a canopy
Chairs: You've got to have a place to sit between sessions.

Medical insurance (this is for your benefit)

It is also a good idea to keep a card on your person not only at a TrackDaZ event, but at all times with the following information listed on it:

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Blood Type
• Any medication you are allergic to
• Emergency contact person with phone number

Safety Gear Requirements

Back Protector: YES
Boots: High Top
Gloves: Leather
Helmet: Full face
Riding Suit: One- or two-piece full zip leathers. Aerostitch acceptable-must zip together if two-piece
Bike Preparation Requirements
New or near new tires are a must! If in doubt, buy a new set. Tires are available for purchase from a vender at the track.
Wheel weights MUST be taped down.
Mirrors must be removed (Or taped).
Make sure all breakable lights, blinkers, tail, reflectors are taped completely.
Tape over the speedometer or disconnect it.
Brake light and headlight must be disabled (remove fuse or bulbs).
Make sure your exhaust mounting and bodywork is secure.
Safety wiring recommended, but not required.
Suggestion: Coolant should be drained and replaced with Water/waterwetter mix (this actually makes your bike run cooler).

Also take the time to go over your bike before the event, take off the bodywork and make sure everything is in order, wipe up any old oil or chain lube from your motor and body work and make sure there are NO leaking fluids. Make sure your engine oil and brake fluid is at proper level and your brakes are in proper working condition (you're gonna need them). Check that your tires are in good condition and your oil filter and drain plug are TIGHT! Securing your filter with a hose clamp and safety wire is good peace of mind.

 

I'll be doing one of the track schools at Laguna Seca this Spring/Summer (probably the Class one), if you guys ever end up choosing anything north let me know. I'm in Northern Cali, so Buttonwillow is a bit of stretch.

 

Anyone planning on going to the track day in Poconos or Watkins Glen with the Keith Code crew let me know. I am planning on being there. Also TeamPromotion is doing track days at VIR and Poconos.

 

Looks like we are going with March 4 @ Buttonwillow. The group we are putting the event on with is:
http://ti2tt.com/ (Take it to the track ) $160 for the day.

As of today you have about a month to prepare.

 

To DO LIST
.

1. front spings and fluid change
2. brake fluid change
3. clutch fluid change
4. coolant swap for water wetter
5. set front and rear sag
6. new front tire
7. change oil and filter
8. buy boots
9. buy back protector
10. save money for trip

:blah: :blah: :blah: :blah:

 

My view of Ti2TT

OK Guys,

This is just my opinion, so take it for what its worth, but mostly, keep them in the back of your head and be careful. I'm not sure if you've signed up for B group or C group but my opinions would be valid for either group.

I've done quite a few track days the last couple of years, using almost every local track day provider (Track Club, Keigwin, Fastrack, Ti2TT, STT, CLASS, Pacific Track Time, TrakDaz) and basically, I will never use Ti2TT ever again (I've used them twice now).

This is why I say that.

I'm a B group rider, always will be. I stay in B group as it is a group that "suppossedly" doesn't allow inside passing. I'm not there to race. I want to go fast (within my own abilities) and practice my technique, to get better, and TO HAVE FUN.

Ti2TT is run by some young guys, who over the span of their existence, have generated a following of young guys, who tend to be a bit....lets just say... over exuberant, and the organizer doesn't do a good job of enforcing the track rules, because thats the way they ride too.

With Ti2TT, I have never had so many close calls, with riders doing crazy things (inclduing inside passing in the middle of a corner). There were always more than what I considered the normal amount of crashes during a Ti2TT event, due to the lack of control.

I don't consider myself an old foggie, I'm only 49, but the clientelle that attends Ti2TT events, is markedly different than any other provider I've used. I liken it to the stunter crowd. Thats the way a lot of the attendees come across, that type of mentaility and Hooliganism.

While the C group is probably a bit better, their lack of control over the participants would still be present.

I don't want to rain on your excitement, but wanted to make sure you go there with extreme caution. Doing a Track Day can be intimidating enough but add in a "free for all" type atmosphere out there, and it takes away from the enjoyment factor.

Just my .02.......but couldn't keep quiet.

Randy

 

Thanks rmcobb for your advise. I will definately watch out for those situations. I'm worried enough about not going down, and certainly dont need help from some jackass coming thru on the inside.

Unfortunately, my choice to go with ti2tt was based solely on track availablility. It was the track that i wanted to start out on, and they were the only ones doing one on the weekend. I hope i dont regret it.

Anyway,..... i just ordered up a set of knee sliders so im one step closer..... :biggrin:

 

I figured it would be something like this as I read the profiles of the employees there .... not what you would call ex pro racers helping you out...But like Tori say it will get our feet wet and we will just have to watch out. We will be novice so it may be a bit better. Thanks Randy for the inside scoop!

 

No sweat guys.....I thought hard about posting.....cause I didn't want to degrade your excitement. I know how excited I was, for that matter still get on every track day I go to.

Main thing is HAVE FUN, thats what you're there to do. Buttonwillow is a VERY fun track IMO. Its great thats its so close to us, and very reasonably priced most of the time. :smile:

Randy

 

:lever: Everyone deserves a track day. Barber here in B'ham is incredible!

 

Hey guys, another option to consider is REDSHIFT which is a motorcycle safety school. I help them out with start finish tower and hot pit safety. We will be at Buttonwillow on these dates, Mar.5, May 14, Jun.4, Sept.24, and Oct.22. These all fall on a Monday. I will also be attending the Searspoint date May 3, which is a Thursday. You can read thier site at www.rideredshift.com.

 

Bruise,.... i did consider them, but the all monday thing just doesn't jive for me. I cant afford to miss work (commission based pay)

 

Sorry you can't make it, I understand. I have the ability at work to take those days off. You would have a good experience with us, we have a good safe environment in which hone your skills without fear of being run over. If there is that uncontrolled SQUID out there, he or she will be talked to. We also serve up a very nice hot chicken lunch with all the appropriate side dishes, drinks are provided all day. Tori maybe next time. See there!!!

 

Here is a little update.

Saturday Brian (SloVFR) and i stopped in at Central Coast Mechanics and spoke with the owner, Brad. I mentioned we were gonna be doing our first track day in March over at Buttonwillow. He let us know that he will be there as well, and his shop offers a bike delivery service. For $50 they will take your bike there and back in an enclosed trailer. They also offer a discount on the registration for the event.

Also, it sounds like Reg is in on this too. We just need to find him some leathers within the next month.:cheer2:

 

I know you cant get a guarantee on the day off, but keep in mind, they only have a few spots left.....:bump2:

 

Well we went and conquered those RC51, 600r's, Ninja's and showed them, in what Tori calls "Grand Pa Bike", what VFR's could do. A few off road adventures but no lay downs and right back on the tracks pretty much. I ran out of gas due to a non-function low fuel light!!! I got to watch everyone for about 4 laps as I sat in the middle of the track, but all was ok untill I had to push it for 1/4 mile in the dirt !!!!! Um yeah Tori ...... I think He went to talk to that young photo chick..... After I recovered from my small heart attack I got some footage of Tori at the last secession.

We had a GREAT TIME, I think one of the best ever for me. I got my new boots wore down to the bolt holder for the toe slider and we both took our peg scrapers off and still got some contact.

Tori was really schooling most of those guys and I was behind taking up some of his left overs .... We really liked when we out broke and out cornered those road bikes like the RC51 and a host of others... Lots of people on their first track day, but I was very impressed with our performance and I think a few instructors were too...

As far as the school, Very laid back and friendly. If you want some instructions you better ask questions and asked to be followed. I think the class room section had a BIG map of the track and the instructor said " This is the Track. Stay on it. Have fun!" And that was about it .....

Tori was able to get a pic from his sweet talking to the photo girl (while I was pushing bike off track, in dirt, hottest part of the day, having a heart attack, 1/4 mile, or did I say that already). So Im sure he will post that up. Otherwise we ordered their CD of photos, $65, that take about 2-3 weeks to get so we will have some good shots then.

Still amped up from it! I got to go get the bike from Tori's and tear down my left fork as the JB weld started seeping some fork oil we noticed. Well it atleast go me thru the day!

PS: any one got a 4th gen left fork with the drain bolt at the bottom?

 

.....you never listen to me.... "you better get some gas...."

Yep, we had a great time, and i think Ti2TT did a nice job. No delays, problems, or really any issues to complain about. They kept us on the track, and were giving us 30mins at a time on the track. I put in 134 miles on the track !
I think you were busy making coffee Brian when they covered how to go thru the track. Remember them talking about APEX's and the dip at the entrance to turn 2 ? :biggrin:

This is the pic i sweet talked the cute photo chic out of....
(not a good example of of form by any means, and definately not as low as i got the bike.) I think i was working on overtaking the dude in front of me.

 

You need to man.... thats for sure ! I dont want to be the only one shredding tires...... boooyah !