Calling all CT MA RI NY riders - 2015 track days

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by csmith12

I got everything squared away. Will be buying my spots (both days) next paycheck. Kevin is now a 100% confirmed rider as well.

Dis gunna be fun!

Sorry if this has been covered before but you all know I am slow in more ways than one! Who is Kevin? I know he is your friend/ridng buddy--any chance on a little of his background/what level he rides on. Hope its not the same as you as we may get lonely in the sundial race group!

[csmith12]

Kevin would be a solid blue group rider, but he is conservative... I will let him decide what group to ride in. He almost always comes to the track with me, and I can only count on one hand how many times I have been without him in the past 2.5yrs. Not many people are as a good friend as he is.

I asked Tony to put me in the same group as ya'lls. I wanna see how much ya'll progressed.

Can't wait!

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by csmith12

I asked Tony to put me in the same group as ya'lls. I wanna see how much ya'll progressed.

Can't wait!

i havent

ZING

[ttd]

So the standard rule/response applies when asked to ride "down" a group to be with friends.

First off - I suggest trackdays be run as an individual sport. When run as a group (even if only two), the chance for problems goes up. These include:

1 - Riders riding over their head to keep up with / or impress, their buddy.

2 - Riders riding as pairs, or worse (more than two)... the problem comes when other riders catch up to you they are unable to pass both bikes so they follow... and the next person has the same problem so they follow... next thing you know we have a train of bikes and everyone is pissed off and complains to me the track is too crowded.

3 - And finally, the danger of riding as pairs, or more, is that if one person goes down they often take the next person who is following too closely. Instead of a simple low side with one bike... now we have multiple bikes tangling and when bikes and bodies mix there is the potential for bigger injuries and longer shut downs of the track.

So... while I do allow it, you can see I really don't like it. Going on 20 years of running trackdays and I've seen it all... and I know the things that cause issues. Staying together for more than a lap or two significantly increases the chances for bad stuff to happen.

My number two guy is Ken Condon and we've done hundreds of laps together on tracks all over the country. We have learned to do it for a bit, but then one of us will back off and separate. Otherwise, we start pushing eachother without even realizing we're doing it.

[adouglas]

Chris, I've signed up for yellow at Palmer -- been riding red so far, but I think I might be ready. We'll see how it goes at Thompson next month. I'm riding red group there.

[Ducati999]

I will sign up for Yellow also but may have to DOWNGRADE depending on how fast the yellow group is running. I have only done red so far and last trip to Palmer I was passing way more than getting passed---only when I was "flowing" well. I am unsure if I will be able to maitain the pace throughout every lap of every session. Lastime i was not exceeding 90MPH on the front straight at Palmer. This was a personal choice but I do not want to cause any issues for anyone else. I will have to think about this alot before I decide what group I sign up with.

TTD: Tony, Anderw and I have been riding in the same group since we started doing track days and there will be no issue with one pushing the other to ride over their head and we do not follow each other or "ride together" on the track but sometimes we do catch up to one another. I understand your concern and we assure you there will be no such problems from us. Last thing either of us want to do is cause issues for ourselves or others! Love the Palmer Track

[Sirref]

I'll start the 2 days in the novice/slow group but will probably move up quick so long as I figure out the track

I always ride a few sessions of novice when learning a track even though I don't have to anymore, helps me be comfortable with the idea of slowing down a bit to better learn the track

also damn ttd membership isn't cheap, def signing up as a guest since I'm not in the area to ride 5 days to break even

[Bigballsofpaint]

Ya i wish TTD went to more track like TPM does, i know they have a good thing going with Thompson and now Palmer though. I did the membership this year, next year im not sure what i will be doing since id liek to try out more tracks in the area. Heck i may not even get my moneys worth out of the membership, money got tight the last few months, but hopefully i can squeeze 2 more days in at some point.

[csmith12]

Cool! Thank you gentlemen, looks like one day of yellow for me, then guessing blue for the 2nd day I guess.

No worries Tony, and your concerns are noted. At least for me, this isn't about trying to put in laps together. I am trying to maximize time spent in the paddock with friends. Sure, we will see each other out on the track but that is about as far is it will go.

Kevin and I are hauling waaaaay too far to for silly stuff to be a factor.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

i havent

[ttd]

Sounds good all.

Remember, Thompson CT we run 4 groups so RED is pretty much beginners and pretty slow riders.

In Palmer, it's 3 groups so the RED group pace is faster. There are still some beginners, but there are also some quicker riders.

Anyway, we are pretty easy going about moving to different groups as long as we are not too full in the group you are trying to go to. Also, be sure to only ride once per clock hour

[csmith12]

I fancy myself as a beginner from time to time.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Wish I could have made it over there with you all.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Wish I could have made it over there with you all.

Hold up!!! What does that mean? You aint comin' to Palmer or you talkin' bout something else?

[backinthesaddleagain]

Oh hey what dates aRe you guys going?

[csmith12]

Aug. 10/11th @ Palmer

[backinthesaddleagain]

Ah that is the week I'm on vac in Maine.

[csmith12]

ME/MA close enough for me. Besides, what is there to do in ME anyway? Harvesting maple syrup?

[backinthesaddleagain]

Lol. I leave the cold ocean in ri to go to the frigid ocean in Maine.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Lol. I leave the cold ocean in ri to go to the frigid ocean in Maine.

[adouglas]

Old Orchard Beach, just south of Portland, is sometimes jokingly called the "Canadian Riviera." It's about as close as they ever get to a real beach... so popular in summer that there are highway signs in French.

It's freakin' freezing.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Sept 9 at Palmer is a Razee/TTD. Can sign up at Razees for $200. Great crew of people, been selling bikes and supporting all forms of motorcycle racing since 1947.

[adouglas]

In for July 12 at Thompson with TTD. Staying red this time around.

@Ducati999 is planning to be there too, with his wife (her first track day! )

Hope to see some of the fence-sitters come on out!

c'mon. Stop waffling. It's one of the very best things you can do with your motorcycle.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

Ya i wish TTD went to more track like TPM does, i know they have a good thing going with Thompson and now Palmer though. I did the membership this year, next year im not sure what i will be doing since id liek to try out more tracks in the area. Heck i may not even get my moneys worth out of the membership, money got tight the last few months, but hopefully i can squeeze 2 more days in at some point.

Word on the street is that some of those days are going to be cut down, there will still be a ridiculous number of days and tracks available but they made a slight mistake by doubling up on days so many times. TPM for the majority of the season is running two tracks on the same weekends. I firmly believe that their titanium membership (pay for every single day of the season up front...requires 18 track days to break even (23 against the full throttle membership)) is worth it (which I intend to get for next season) I'll be staying lightweight class due to $$$ so running that many days without worrying about running out of tire money will be a blast


unrelated: my august is insane, I'm probably going to end up skipping AUG 1-3 at VIR in order to make it to this event but even then I'll still be at the track every other weekend

[Ducati999]

Just signed (and paid) for July at Thompson. I hope many of you can come out and ride with us! This will be my wifes first track day and she will enjoy the support of the members of this site. Mr Fist aka Adouglas and Jonnypyro07 as planning on being there and we hope/invite anyone else to stop by and say hello. My wife always make some great Philippino treats for the trip so come out n enjoy. I will be brining my (supposedly) non exsistant 748 out for its maiden track run. This will be me next to last track trip this year. We only have the Palmer trip in August left before track season is over for us!

Hope to see many of you out on the track and lets hope for a rain less first trip for my wife.

[backinthesaddleagain]

I'm in for the Razee -TTD day in September at Palmer. Discounted to $200. Any way wife bought me Q3 for wedding anniversary and new boots for bday this week. So I am psyched. Hope I can wait until September or another track day to replace tires.

[csmith12]

Paycheck going into the bank today!!!! After the check clears, I will be buying my spots!

Can't wait for this and to ride with ya'lls again!

[csmith12]

I am working the trip $$$$ budget now and about to buy my spots.

Bleedin' Christ, if ya'lls don't show... I am hunting you down since I am in the neighborhood.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Im already paid for both days pal! Ill actually get to stay the night and talk to you for more than 10 mintues!

[csmith12]

Nice! We all HAVE to pit together this time around. Is there ample space? If we can put up 2 or 3 easyups that should reserve enough space. No?

[adouglas]

Paddock at Palmer is a lot of packed dirt/gravel with some asphalt... basically a road leading from the tunnel to pit out, plus a couple of strips along pit wall. The goal is to get a spot along the edge of the road... Some people wind up being entirely on dirt.

Naturally everyone tries to get as close to pit out as possible, so unless we all arrive pretty early chances are we won't have a chance to pit together if we try that.

What we did last time worked pretty well... Ant showed up first and parked about 100 yards from the tunnel exit, on level ground (there's a bit of a hill and he parked at the top). We all got to pit together as a result.

I looked at the Google satellite photo a couple of days ago and it showed the actual track and pit area, but this morning it's showing an older, pre-track image. Check from time to time... imagery exists and Google will eventually catch up.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Wel ive got a 10 man tent and ez-up so let the party begin!

[csmith12]

We will figure it out when we all get there I guess.

Here is my tow rig so you can recognize me when I roll up.

[Sirref]

^ there is a distinct lack of red in that picture

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Sirref

^ there is a distinct lack of red in that picture

ikr!!!!

After 10yrs of red cars/suv's and such, I am ready for a color that is NOT red. #511 will remain red though.

[Ducati999]

I will be there 100% for a single day and I will do everythig short of getting fired to be there both days. I had to use all of my vactaion time for our upcomming trip so I am not sure I can get both days off. I am going to request both off without pay and insist I require at least one. Since there is well over a month before the date I think we can work out someone to cover for me on both days. Really looking forward to riding with all the guys from here. IS there any way we can put a Post in the main forum to get more people to check this thread out. We may get a few more members to come out with us. It would be great if this was the largest member attended event to date! Just 150 ninja 250's running around the Palmer track with a few R6's, GSXR's and Duc's thrown in for fun!

[adouglas]

PALMER!!!!





@csmith12 @Ducati999 @Bigballsofpaint @backinthesaddleagain

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by adouglas

PALMER!!!!





@csmith12 @Ducati999 @Bigballsofpaint @backinthesaddleagain

SO Great it deserves to be said again!

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

SO Great it deserves to be said again!

[backinthesaddleagain]

Heading there on Razee /TTD in September. Looks cool.