Mid-Ohio V4

[csmith12]

Come ride an awesome track with a bunch of cool peeps. Details here.



Cost
1 Day event - $195 / Late: $215
2 Day event - $365 / Late: $385
Max Time Twilight (Intermediate and Advanced riders) - $150 / Late: $170

The Plan
Ride for 2 days of solid, fun riding. You can be in for both days or just one of the days. Free camping is now allowed! I will make myself available to answer questions, help with bike prep/adjustments or generally anything else you might need.

Typical Schedule
7AM - Gates to paddock open
7AM - 8AM - Registration
8:30AM - Riders meeting (mandatory or you don't ride!!!!)
9AM - Hot track with Intermediate group going first
12 Noon - Lunch provided by the track staff
1PM - Hot track
5PM - Closed track

After hours
Parking lot madness, fun and other shenanigans
Paddock party, food, drink all the essentials and bike prep
My pit bike will be fully ready to be crashed... ummm I mean ridden.

Reference threads V1 V2 V3

Since it's fairly early and I plan on being there for most of the dates, I am leaving the dates open to whoever wants to come. But if we all can get together that would be cool!

Extra Bonus!: I am a CR here, feel free to pick my brain and take advantage of all my time.

Ping!;
@choneofakind
@snot
@Sirref
@snot
@helmet
@lowcel

Everyone else is invited too

[snot]

Not sure I will make it this year
I wish they had days on the weekend.

[lowcel]

Fine, if you insist I'll go....

Originally Posted by csmith12

Come ride an awesome track with a bunch of cool peeps. Details here.



Cost
1 Day event - $195 / Late: $215
2 Day event - $365 / Late: $385
Max Time Twilight (Intermediate and Advanced riders) - $150 / Late: $170

The Plan
Ride for 2 days of solid, fun riding. You can be in for both days or just one of the days. Free camping is now allowed! I will make myself available to answer questions, help with bike prep/adjustments or generally anything else you might need.

Typical Schedule
7AM - Gates to paddock open
7AM - 8AM - Registration
8:30AM - Riders meeting (mandatory or you don't ride!!!!)
9AM - Hot track with Intermediate group going first
12 Noon - Lunch provided by the track staff
1PM - Hot track
5PM - Closed track

After hours
Parking lot madness, fun and other shenanigans
Paddock party, food, drink all the essentials and bike prep
My pit bike will be fully ready to be crashed... ummm I mean ridden.

Reference threads V1 V2 V3

Since it's fairly early and I plan on being there for most of the dates, I am leaving the dates open to whoever wants to come. But if we all can get together that would be cool!

Extra Bonus!: I am a CR here, feel free to pick my brain and take advantage of all my time.

Ping!;
@choneofakind
@snot
@Sirref
@snot
@helmet
@lowcel

Everyone else is invited too

[Sirref]

Put up some dates, I'll make it a point to be there



so long as I don't mix it up with a race weekend I'm good, I'm thinking July again since it was a great trip then.

Or we could do Mid-O May to go along with January Jennings

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by Sirref

Put up some dates, I'll make it a point to be there



so long as I don't mix it up with a race weekend I'm good, I'm thinking July again since it was a great trip then.

Or we could do Mid-O May to go along with January Jennings

I'm planning on being there for all of them.

2015 SCHEDULE
Due to computer conversion, enrollment is not available. Please check back soon!

April 26 (Twilight)
April 27
May 17 (Twilight)
May 18
May 19
June 9
June 21 (Twilight)
June 22
July 5 (Twilight)
July 6
July 7
July 20
July 21
August 3
August 4
August 17
August 18
September 20 (Twilight)
September 21
September 22
October 5

*Schedule subject to change

[Sirref]

That's a lot of track days, I'm jealous

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Sirref

That's a lot of track days, I'm jealous

He gets to ride them all for free.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by csmith12

He gets to ride them all for free.

let me emphasize the jealous part then

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Sirref

let me emphasize the jealous part then

ikr....

Originally Posted by lowcel

I'm planning on being there for all of them.

If you don't come out an A rider by the end of the this year with all those days on the schedule. Imma take a ratchet strap and pull you around the track.

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by csmith12

ikr....



If you don't come out an A rider by the end of the this year with all those days on the schedule. Imma take a ratchet strap and pull you around the track.

If things go well I hope to bump to A on May 18th. That gives me two track days at Barber in March, then the Twilight on 4/26, track day on 4/27, and twilight on 5/17 to get used to the new bike and to hopefully remember how to ride after a long winter.

[csmith12]

Oh yea... New track bike! I know that feeling as I just went through it last weekend. Was just different enough to throw my game off a tad. I can't wait to do it again!

[Sirref]

That's around the same time I intend to be able to ride A.......

at least I'm not too far off when I really get on it, I just need to be able to get on it without a race environment

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Oh yea... New track bike! I know that feeling as I just went through it last weekend. Was just different enough to throw my game off a tad. I can't wait to do it again!

I'm hoping I can find someone at Barber to set up my suspension. I have no idea how to do it.

I'm going from an 04 CBR600RR to an 09 ZX6R. It's going to be very different.

[csmith12]

As far as planning dates go, let me toss these out for everyone.

July 6
July 7

or

August 3
August 4

These are Mon. & Tues. dates.

[Sirref]

Both of those dates work for me, the august date will likely be easier to do financially

my race dates are here and I'm free pretty much any other time
http://www.ccsracing.us/schedules/2014/maschedule.html
starting from may 24-26 @ summit point, skipping the final at daytona in october if I'm not top 5 going into it.

[csmith12]

Oh!!! I get a free garage as a CR... hmmmm, this will add an interesting twist to things. 4 bikes can get into the garages without any issue.

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Oh!!! I get a free garage as a CR... hmmmm, this will add an interesting twist to things. 4 bikes can get into the garages without any issue.

Pretty sure you will be sharing a garage with the other CR's. You are supposed to be in one of the garages x through x so that the other riders will know where to find you for advice.

[Sirref]

If it's mid summer I'd be willing to go in on a garage w/some folk since I think @lowcel is right here about the CR garages

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by lowcel

Pretty sure you will be sharing a garage with the other CR's.

Yea could be, we will see. I am not forced to use the garages but it will be nice when it rains and such. I still have the belief to be out in the paddock with everyone else too, as it's my style to be friendly like that.

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Yea could be, we will see. I am not forced to use the garages but it will be nice when it rains and such. I still have the belief to be out in the paddock with everyone else too, as it's my style to be friendly like that.

Assuming you will be doing novice since it will be your first "full time" year I doubt you have much time to hang out with us out in the paddock. 20 minutes on the track followed by 20 minutes in the class room followed by 20 minutes of questions. Not to mention, you will want to try to get out for a session or two with the Intermediate and / or advanced to stretch your legs a little.

You are going to be one busy man!

[Sirref]

Well I know one thing, no matter how much faster I get across the next few months. I'll ride novice day 1 next time I get to mid-O. The classroom stuff they have there is endlessly useful. Even the professionals, especially the professionals, can always improve the fundamentals

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by Sirref

Well I know one thing, no matter how much faster I get across the next few months. I'll ride novice day 1 next time I get to mid-O. The classroom stuff they have there is endlessly useful. Even the professionals, especially the professionals, can always improve the fundamentals

Their school is top notch. I believe to get the same level of instruction you would have to pay several hundred dollars more elsewhere. Not to mention if you go earlier in the year it is almost one on one instruction.

If anyone is curious, here is a write up I did last year after my first couple of track days.

http://ohioriders.net/index.php?/top...s-at-mid-ohio/

I spent the past two days, Friday and Saturday, riding at the Mid-Ohio track. Prior to this I had only ridden at the track for one day at VIR with PRE and it was a very wet day. I have to admit I was a little concerned at how Mid-Ohio would compare seeing as how they aren't an organization, they handle their own track days through the track. Come to find out my concerns were not justified, I had an amazing weekend.

When I got to the track on Thursday night the parking lot was pretty much empty. I was a little surprised since there was a line of 60ish vehicles waiting to get into VIR ten days earlier. I started setting up and I started speaking to one of the coaches, Patrick, has a multicolored 08 CBR600RR.

As the weekend went on the coaches / control riders just kept getting nicer and nicer. I don't believe there is anything these people would not do to help a new / fellow rider. Everything they did was positive.

The teaching for the novice group was more than I could have ever expected. Friday morning I registered then attended the riders meeting at 8:20. After the riders meeting we met up in the "classroom" for our first lesson. That is where the main instructor, Mike, introduced us to all of the control riders, established groups (2-3 people per group) and went into the basics. Approximately 20 minutes later we got out of the classroom, got dressed, then got on the track at 20 minutes before the hour.

After our first session we put the bikes up, grabbed a bottle of water, then back to the classroom. The main lesson for the first session was to get the feel of the track and to learn how to get off of the track for pit row. For session two the goal is to get around the track without brakes to teach us how to better anticipate turns. This was a bit of a challenge but it was a great learning tool. Time to hit the track again.

After the second session back to the classroom. This time they show us some basics about body position. Things most of us know but have a hard time actually doing, myself certainly included. I know I feel like I am hanging off the bike like Rossi. Unfortunately pictures and video prove otherwise. I am working on it though. For our third session we are working on entering the corner a little later and hitting the apex correctly. Time for the track.

After the third session it is lunch time. The raceway provided huge subway subs, cookies, chips, etc. You couldn't ask for more. Once lunch was over we went back to the classroom. We reviewed everything we had already covered and talked about braking and acceleration. Simple things that are easily overlooked. Mr. Clean broke things down like you wouldn't believe. It was amazing. This time when we go back on the track we do leap frog. This means that the first lap the coaches lead. The next lap he goes to second and one of the riders go to the front. Then following lap the other rider goes to the front. This gives the riders a chance to be on their own and still have supervision before we are just "let loose" so to speak. It was awesome!

After the forth session we go back to the classroom and are told that from here on out we get to go out and ride our own pace. Passing is allowed but only in one place, the long straight. Only "rule" is that it has to be a very safe pass with 15 feet between you and the other rider.

On the track as a "free" rider was an amazing feeling. It let you know how much you had learned and how much more comfortable you feel on the track than when you started. The coaches / control riders would jump in front of you any time they thought you could use some help with lines. However they didn't do so in a way that made you feel like an idiot. They were perfect!

At the end of the day I was exhausted, mentally and physically. After we were finished multiple coaches came up and gave me feedback. They were able to do so in a completely positive way. When they would tell me that I blew a corner they would take their time and tell me how I should be doing it. They didn't care to do this multiple times with the same two corners either. They understand that we aren't going to be perfect the first, second, or even 50th time.

I ended up passing out in the back of my truck around 10:00. I got up the next day to do it all again. The only difference was on day two was that I did the "advanced beginner" course. With this course it is pretty much the same, exception being that you don't really do the drills. This allows you to ride at a little faster pace however still being supervised by the coaches. You still do the classrooms which is good since we were taught so much it is tough to remember it all. It was perfect. To make this day even better we got Pizza and apple pie for lunch. It was another perfect day!

I honestly believe to get an equal amount of one on one (or two on one) coaching you would have to spend two to three times as much money. I still don't think you would ever find a better group of people though. To make all of this even more amazing all of these people are volunteers. It was also nice meeting some great forum members, Niles, Grant, Forest to name a few.


Clif notes - Perfect weekend, perfect people, perfect coaches, can't wait to come back. Only difference is next time I'll be in intermediate!

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by lowcel

I doubt you have much time to hang out with us out in the paddock.

No worries mang. I will pull some time from somewhere.

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by csmith12

No worries mang. I will pull some time from somewhere.

There is always time for you to cook dinner. Just sayin'.

[Sirref]

Good write-up :thumpbup:

I feel similarly about my time at mid-O last summer, of all the times that I managed to get to the track that trip was when I learned the most and had the most fun for sure.

My first track day at shenny was critical since I learned that I didn't know how to ride like I thought I did

Then I went to mid-O and they taught me how to ride like I wanted to, only the lessons didn't kick in on their track because it was such sensory overload to where my mind needed time to absorb it before it could genuinely be used. I spent every moment I could working with the coaches there because I felt, correctly, that it was an invaluable experience and opportunity for me to improve as a rider even though I couldn't see the results while I was there.

Jennings is special to me as well since it's an incredibly fun track that can be ridden in the winter and it's where I first felt like I was truly doing things right and riding properly quick on the 250, and it's also where I learned how to handle my 600 and how to be comfortable on it. A huge jump for me in every single way, particularly mentally. Despite having spent more time at jennings than any other track, as well as going faster there than any other track that I've been to, I greatly prefer mid-O to it for the excellent staff and the knowledge that what I took away stuck with me.

Now for the next chapter of my track riding evolution, CSS @ NJMP and marrc @ summit main are the schools while NJMP, summit main, and VIR are the tracks to hit as hard as possible

[lowcel]

Myself and a couple of friends are heading down to Barber in March. Anyone is welcome to join us.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by lowcel

Myself and a couple of friends are heading down to Barber in March. Anyone is welcome to join us.

Will see what I can do.

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Will see what I can do.

It will be a great opportunity for you to shake some babies and kiss some hands.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by lowcel

I started setting up and I started speaking to one of the coaches, Patrick, has a multicolored 08 CBR600RR.

[Sirref]

From my experience working with the guy that's a damn accurate analogy

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by Sirref

From my experience working with the guy that's a damn accurate analogy

I know there are some riders that have mixed opinions of him but he was always good to me.

[csmith12]

Now now, it takes all kinds to make the world go round, yin and yang if you will. Believe it or not... there are people that don't like me, and that is fine enough, their choice... Maybe they will like Pat better I just thought it was a funny pic.

[lowcel]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Now now, it takes all kinds to make the world go round, yin and yang if you will. Believe it or not... there are people that don't like me, and that is fine enough, their choice... Maybe they will like Pat better I just thought it was a funny pic.

Why would we not believe it?

[csmith12]

bwahahahahahhaha

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by lowcel

I know there are some riders that have mixed opinions of him but he was always good to me.

I never said he was a bad guy, I like him personally. He helped me quite a bit with my body positioning errors "if you don't feel like you're hanging off too far you're not hanging off enough, if you do feel like you're hanging off too far you're still not hanging off enough. lead with your head and get it as low as you can and you'll get it"

With that said, he's not the most approachable on first impressions but if you see past that he's a chill guy afaik. I can be the same way myself from time to time. There are at least a dozen people who have told me that they thought I was an arrogant douche before they really got to know me to realize that what they saw wasn't me at all.

He's definitely not sunshine and rainbows though, but that begs the question. Is it better to have a polarizing personality where you work really well with some people and poorly with others or a "people pleasing" personality where you're ok with everyone? I'd take polarizing myself

As a coach he does well, at least for me. Sometimes you need a bullshit free opinion why your riding sucks and what it takes to improve it

[csmith12]

Ben

I sure do miss me some Mid-O right?

[Sirref]

Yeah, Mid-O is great

I'm getting psyched for summit main though, memorizing the track via video laps from CCS expert middleweight races. That's gonna be a super fun track, there are parts that remind me of Mid-O and parts that remind me of Jennings so I should be able to piece it together for some flying laps in time to race it

[snot]

I will admit skittles is not my favorite. I think it is great he has helped others and I hope he continues to succeed in helping riders improve. I am sure we both learned a lot that day, I don't hold grudges and i do believe in second impressions.
I will be at Putnam at least once this year. I am going to the Dragon instead of Mid Ohio this year.

[gogoKawi]

All of the dates are during the week? I guess this gives me an excuse to take some time off for a field trip! Now to bump these dates against the race calendar and figure something out.

[Sirref]

Which race calendar are you going with dre?

If you've got a way to haul 2 bikes we can cut the gas cost in half