First Track Day-- Done!

Well today I did my first track day... I am exhausted, but I learned a lot. Mostly got to practice things I knew in my head and have been doing in my body, but got to do them to a bigger extreme and fine tune. My lap times actually got slower as the day went on, mostly because I was taking the time to really find the right lines and not just push my way through the turns. I DID get below 2 minutes once!! LOL!! I was also pretty tired. Had to get up at 4:30am to get myself to the track by 6am, so I could de-street the bike and make it track-ready. My friends Patrick (Born2Run) and Nevin, who are the ones who convinced me to go, went too. Patrick did awesome pulling times around 1:45... is that correct Patrick?

Summary: I took the Novice class with Fasttrack Riders, so we were first out on the track for some slow sighting laps. Then, we went in to the classroom to learn track rules. Back out for more mid-speed laps. Class for discussion on countersteering. Back out for laps, this time split 3 riders to one instructor. They watched us then back in the class for critique and discussion on body position. Back out on the track and the instructor led, then waved us ahead one by one so he could watch us from behind, and then we were on our own. He would catch up periodically to lead us through certain lines or follow to watch and critique after. All-in-all lots of great information, and even though I got slower through the day, I feel I have come away a better rider and I can't wait to get on the track again!! We had friends taking pics of us and of course the track photographers were there. So... I'll get some pics loaded up when I get my hands on them!!

 

My sincerest congrats, K!!!!!!! I'm stoked you had a good time. Can't wait to see the pics.

 

Sounds like a great time, congrats! I also can't wait to see those pics! :biggrin:

 

MUUUUUUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

First KC-10FE on DCIII's an now Chicky on Track Days!

My plans for VFRW dominiation are almost complete!


LOL! Seriously, awesome chick! Please post up the pics soon.

BZ

 

Your tires worked out ok then good to hear. So your next track day is when? :biggrin:

 

Don't start Two LOL!

Let the addiction take its natural course.

BZ

 

:thumbsup: AWEsome Chicky...........cant wait for the pics.

 

I was hoping to get a look at the pics our friend Nevin took to see if any of them were post-worthy. He won't be getting to them until next week sometime. So, in the meantime, you can enjoy some unpurchased pics with the "watermark" on them. I tried uploading them with different sizes but this was as big as I could get them... sorry. I learned I need to get off the bike more... and the latest session he had pics from was 12:40. Later in the day, we were all off the bike alot more, but it doesn't show up in these pics. They had us wear different colored "vests" so each instructor knew who their students were, and the REAL level 1 people knew who the noobs were. So, that's what the flashes of purple are on me and Born2Run. I must say that due to this, and the organization of Fasttrack Riders, it was a really enjoyable day. I would definitely do another day with Fasttrack!! The very last session of the day was a "free for all" where all levels could go out, but by then it was so hot, most riders had left. I was way too exhausted to go out for the last session and I think Born2Run had the track to himself!!







Here's one of Born2Run catching up to pass me... bastage!!


Then while Born2Run was hot on my tail, another guy was in the process of passing me... double-bastage!!

 

awesome.............. do they let old bikes on the track?

 

Well, our friend Nevin was on an old bike. I'm not even sure I know what it was... I think an '86 CBR or something like that? It's painted in the camo pattern and he took it to a soldier send-off and had a bunch of soldiers autograph it. It has the narrow street tires on it. And, he safety-wired it himself with, what looked like unbent paperclips. So, yes, I'd say they let just about anything on the track. You just have to pass tech inspection. You should go Crusty... it's a ton of fun and you really learn a LOT. If you can, do it with Fasttrack and take their Novice class. They take you through everything and really give you pointers along the way. I've heard people talk about other schools and they say they are not as organized as Fasttrack. Of course I can't speak for any of the other schools since I haven't attended them.

 

Heck yes they do Crusty! Get yo butt out their!

Just make sure bolts are snug and the bike isn't puking oil.

BZ

 

Thanks for posting up pics Chick!!!

So WHEN is the next date?????

BZ

 

Uh.... when is YOUR next track date, BZ? :biggrin:

 

OK so I will try to get some pics up here....

The track was so cool!!! Chicky was close - my best lap was 1:42:8. I was hot, getting sore and NEVER wanted to stop. Those of you that have been out know what I'm talking about. If you have not done it yet, sign up.

I am going to a couple of the fastrackriders.com events in Fontana, Ca this summer. Hopefully Chicky will be there with an army of VFR peeps.

Sorry about the pics - I sort of yanked them from the website w/o paying for them, hence the copyright. Hopefully we'll have more pics to post soon.

 

Soon chicky...very soon

BZ

 

Date: June 1, 2009 9:40am
Location: NJMP Thunderbolt
Position: 15 feet behind Granite Blue Metallic 1992 VFR750F

 

I ain't got nothin to say:tongue:

 

aint nuffin but a party bruvver. always!

 

Chicky, B2R, I'm glad you had a blast. Let me know when you come to Fontana, I might drop by there. The only this preventing me from a track day is finding leathers that fit me. Kushitani is asking $1000 to customize a track suit for me but that's too damn expensive!