Hi all, Time to scratch the itch that has been there since i sold my scooby and stopped doing trackdays! So i'm going to book onto this if the weather still looks ok tomorrow in the novice group... UK Trackdays : Snetterton 8th April 2013 A few questions if at all possible... 1.) Tyre pressures - what should i be running? I'll be riding to the circuit and back and not using tyre warmers (keep it cheap and cheerful hopefully) if that helps? 2.) Tyre heat - how many laps can i expect to warm up the tyres in a 20 min session before i can give it some full lean? 3.) Mirrors - is it mandatory to take these off? Looks a bit of a PITA? 4.) Cameras, more specifically GoPRO and mounts - I'm looking at hiring a GoPRO for the day - can i use the suction cup on the tank facing forwards, will it pass circuit rules and will it stay attached? Or is there a better place to put it? 5.) Noise - anyone any ideas what an Akra can puts out without baffle? Thanks for all the help. I'm excited but at the same time petrified!!!! lol!
1) really depends on the tyres you have, the temp on the day. Normally drop both front and rear a few PSI at least. I ran my Dunlop Sportsmarts about 30 and 33 HOT. so they were about 27 and 29 cold but it was very warm on my last trackday. Best advice is to ask the tyre guy ont he day what temp you should run your tyres at. they are very helpful 2) not suing tyre warmers again depends how warm it is on the day. Normally 2-3 laps I found 3) you can leave them or tape them off. if you leave them tape them up. You should not be looking behind you only what is in front of you. 4) No circuit I know will allow you to have a camera attacted to your body but never seen any issues with it on the bike. But worth tethering it to the bike just in case it falls off 5)Depends on circuits, Pembrey and Anglesey I have never been tested. If the Akra is like my Yoshi then your looking around 105db with the baffle out. a little less with it in. I'm doing Donny noisey TD on the 23rd April. it's 105db and hope to have no issues with the baffle in hope that helps
you can rent tyre warmers for around £27 (includes paddock stands too) for the day, reckon I will do that for my first track day, to see if it's worth buying some at some point? that's with No Limits btw, not sure if all tracks do this?
Excellent, is there always a tyre guy at bike track days? Handy to know I'm running Pirelli Rosso Corsa's which i love in the dry, just hope it doesn't rain! Have you ever used a GoPRO suction mount? Just curious if anyone can tell me if it'll stay on? Agreed on tethering though - good idea! I don't think the Akra is that loud personally (coming from a thumping V-Twin) but it's hard to gauge. Guess i'll soon find out, lol!
Yeah i was tempted i must admit but the idea was to take it steady and keep it cheap to start with - save me going straight out and gunning it like i know i'll be tempted to do! £27.50 is good from No Limits but not sure i want the hassle on my first time - constant use of paddock stands, warmers etc and then you've got to hope you get a space in the garage too for the power supply?
If you are feeling tired then stop. Better to miss a session or two than take a trip in the van of shame.
I did Snetterton a few weeks back, this was my first TD. And yes I was bricking it!. Nearly having an off at Agostini didn't help things much but by the end of the day I like to think my riding was miles smoother. It helps to have a mate to video you for a lap or two, you learn loads about your riding when watching yourself. I've now got some areas to improve and concentrate on just need to book another TD. 1. I have BT16 pros and was advised around 30 psi hot. It was cold/dry that day but tyres were nicely warm after 2 laps or so. Some others in the group had warmers but did seem to be a bit of a palaver. 2. The tyre guys there for No limits are Parkitt racing, they will sort you out on both tyres and Suspension( good idea to get this sorted too!), they will pump them up to road pressures at the end of the day. 3. I just taped up my mirrors, front light and number plate. Wish they would insist on brake lights too as these are quite distracting too. 4. I had a Go pro suction mounted on the tank, it had no problems at 150mph+. Good on the tank as its nice to capture the speedo! 5. Cant answer the noise question but a mate of mine had a baffle-less akro on his ninja 600 and it was only 93DB!. He was a little miffed as it was only 1 db louder than my standard blade! TBH I think their equipment was under registering! BTW the picture in my signature is of me at snetterton, just a second before going uber wide at Agostini. Hope this helps
Oooooh, i'm not the only mad one then, lol! Looks like rain for Monday at present so could be interesting! Thanks for all that, it's definately helping to reassure me, any footage from the day uploaded to youtube? I've done probably 500+ laps of Snett 300 in cars but never on a bike so it's going to be interesting! Great pic. I hear their photographer is pretty good for the day
by these Holroyd £100 british made. after almost 3 days days they are paid for, I won mine but was going to buy a set as they come highly recommended from many others
I have to disagree about the photographer, he seemed to be in all the wrong places. I had about 30 photos taken but only 3 were worth buying . I don't know much if car and bike track riding/driving use similar lines etc, it would be good to know how they compare. Haven't had time to upload any videos bar me going wide at Agostini. This was in my first session! Snetterton - How not to take Agostini - YouTube
Oh dear, well i hope he's better on monday for my day They look very similar lines but the bike obviously pulls a tighter line than a car on some corners, the bomb hole will be interesting as i'm used to being quick through there and taking a large chunk of kerb too - will have to remember not to do that one! Ooops, that's a great vid! I'm sure you could have made it but as you say, 'target fixation', lol! You seemed to be going well for your first session!!! I've just spotted a problem with my plan for a Go PRO on my tank too - i have a tinted screen
Video from the 300 in my scoob Running about 350bhp at the time, mates is 400+ ! Snetterton 14th April 2011 - YouTube
Looks far too tight with cars on the track, doesn't look to be any room for error, what sort of speed do you get in the straights? As for the camera postion some other were using the nose cone, 08+ Blade have a flat spot there perfect for the sucker.
Me and mate have got a little close a couple of times! There is enough space usually, we'd just bully each other! In a car though you do have mirrors which meant people got outbour way like in the video. Must admit I am worried about my awareness of other bikes on Monday with no mirrors! On the back straight on the 200 circuit (pre redesign) it was about 140mph but on the 300 circuit probably 135mph. Went 165mph according to GPS in an 850bhp evo 8 on there though which was cool Doh, no flat spot on my 07 nose cone
I know what you mean about being aware about other riders, found myself indicating a couple of times when 'changing lanes'! and doing a few unnecessary lifesavers. It was hard to forget whats behind you as this is instinctively built in as a road rider. I generally took it easy so only passed a few times during the whole day, I was concentrating on prepping for the corner, getting lines right, getting used to braking distances and trying to hit apexes which I have to admit I need a few more track-days to nail it. Also I have to admit even in the novices there was 1 or 2 who did overtake on approach to corners and blocked my line with a little more risk than I was comfortable with, but hey came out of it unscathed and once I get a little faster this wont happen too often
Glad I'm not the only one concerned, lol! Don't get too fast - you'll end up being moved to the inter group
getting into inters is my intention! btw i studied these vids to death before my track day Snetterton 300 Safety Car Lap - Peter Hickman - YouTube Bennetts Ultimate Track Day - Cal Crutchlow Lap of Snetterton - YouTube
