Ive only done 6 trackdays so still in nappies really but just finding that i need advise from some of you fast boys. Done 2 TDs in inters now 1 at cadwell 1 at oulton and only got overtaken by the instructors. A session in fast on 16th will help a lot i think
Don't go thinking about it too much YT. Take it in your own time and ask people/get instruction from people. If you are doing a trackday with No Limits at either Oulton or Anglesey, the guys from InFront motorcycles are normally there and are spot on with set up. they have also just taken on Ian Mackman full time (he rode the Norton at the TT, former Ron Haslam instructor, totally down to earth guy) for advice and also for onboard tuition. I have booked some time with him for a track day to assist with my body position on the bike as I feel that I still have a way to go. I still look at the top lads in my class and wonder how the hell they do it, but then take a step back and realise they are nearly half my age, but they have been racing since they were 12 or younger, so are naturally going to be on the pace all the time. I thought at the start of the year that I was going well. For my first race I qualified in 10th place, got cocky at Oulton for my second meeting and binned it big time. Picked myself up and had a third race meet, was back on pace, but meeting 5 i binned it big time again. Since then, I have had a huge confidence drop, but have had 3 good meetings and learned more from being slower and deciding to put myself further down the grid, than going balls out, getting some quick times, but then binning it shortly after. Racing/track riding is not something that happens overnight. It takes years to learn. I did about 15 track days before going racing and thought I was pretty handy on a bike, but as it turns out I have a lot to learn still. Stick with it,but don't go worrying about it or hoping it will come overnight. It will all make sense after time!
Just wish id got into it earlier. These kids who's parents get em on bikes and on track young are so lucky
Robin is on the money exactly re racers ages, and that's why all these top and decent club racers are around 15-30 years old, (its only road racers that seem to buck the trend) they have that fantastic mindset that death happens to someone else, and once you start getting grisly like me, you suddenly realise that other person they refer to is yourself, and it does start to have an impact on your ability to keep going faster, that's why I am still a world class footballer, just a shame my legs don't agree with my head. Also as stated relax, and don't think too hard about it, otherwise you will over analyse and end up slower with a head full of doubt.
Yep, I wish I had got into racing when I was 12 or 13 too, but as I didn't I am going to make the most of it now! I have given up road riding to concentrate on racing and am loving every bloody minute of it.
I used to just lean the bike over and not really hang off, but found this to be slower in the corner, since then ive really changed my body position so the bike is more upright and i'm hanging off more to keep the fatter part of the tyre on the ground to get on the power earlier. I also changed my footpegs to the shorter 75mm ones wich helps with ground clearance. this is a pic of me from brands on my Kawasaki
It is never too late, just bear with it. I never thought I would say this, but winning isn't everything. It is the whole thing of taking part in racing that is addictive and such huge fun. I may never win a race or even get within the top 3, but I have met some awesome people and have got some superb memories from it. It is such a buzz when you see your name in print in a magazine or in a programme, getting a mention in the points table or season's review. Nothing can compare to the thrill of it all. Long may it continue.
Yeah well if you dont push it you dont find out do ya i can understand people who go to have a good day out on track but i cant stand people who try and lecture you about pushing your limits on track and say you should always ride really careful. If the track isnt the place to take risks then surely its the road.. pfft!!
As Jimbo says, the spares budget will need to be pretty epic. My 2 offs this year have cost me about £3,000. That excludes the general costs of racing.
Thats pretty good, I once went home with an engine/box and wheels on an old ZX6 race bike, rest was scrap, then 3 weeks later, at Cadwell, lost my brakes on the last lap, and T boned the wall, expensive month that one
I know where you are coming from YT, but you will be as popular as a turd in a swimming pool on most tracks if you turn kamikaze, I suggest calculated risks is the way forward.
Yeah i dont put anyone at risk and i am a very respectful overtaker. What i mean is i dont mind having the back end waggling like a happy doggy and having a cheeky slide coming out of the bends. Use to scare really easy on the road but after a few years you sort of learn to just ride loose and soak up the bumps and wobbles without it affecting you
It is frightening how much it all costs! I honestly hate to think what it has cost this year, but it is worth every single penny no question about it. You make sacrifices to go racing but you never look back and regret it one bit. YT, it will be great to see you out on track. Go for it in 2015!!!!
Good luck to anybody racing cos it can be costly if you are on a tight budget.Love to do it but I'm too old now.Done time in Hotrods in my late teens and loved the long nights getting the gear ready for the weekend.Went through a few relationships where I spent no time with them.Never regretted it. YT best advice is to learn from the more experienced guys and use them as a marker point beat them and look up to the next best guy.Talk to em all and their feedback will help you achieve what you want out of it.Buy the best equipment you could afford. When you are better than the experienced guys,then look at professional tuition.Even the top guys have tuition to improve their game.Good luck mate.
Sound advice there Sideways. Only thing I would say is that you are never too old. My mate Mike who races with me is 66. Goes well too.
