Calling all CT MA RI NY riders - 2015 track days

[Ducati999]

Chris,
No worries! I am super glad you even recorded a run for me I heard about your get off but it sounded like an act of valor more than a mistake I went to Thompson for the track walk with Andrew this morning. SUPER JEALOUS! he is riding and I am sitting on my butt! They are running the track backwards! The long straight up hill into the blind left, left right is amazing! You cant see the turn till you are right on top of it--and then you cant see the apex until after you start your turn in! Crazy kind of fun! I will let Mr Fist tell the tail since I just walked the track and he actually rode it There was some drama but he will tell all I am sure.

On the home front news-- Wife and I are both getting memberships for next year She went from "I dont think I will ride the track at all next year" to pre-committing to 5+ days all because of PALMER!!!! She is even willing to make the multi hour drive out to try Mid Ohio--She does insist we get a hotel if we do go--but that is a minimum of 6 track days next year I like 2016 already! not to mention my 748 suspension will be going out for total rebuild, 853 big bore kit and slicks/rains ready for anything! Come on Spring time!

[csmith12]

Valor.... not hardly, ya'lls know I am much too modest for that kinda talk. I have mixed feelings about the whole event but glad it turned out the way it did. I did what I knew would save the rider's neck in front of me. Honestly, it was terrible riding on my part. I had the skill to turn around him, but it would have been really close. From time to time, when I replay it back in my head, I second guess myself that I could have spent that 25ft turning the bike instead of braking. What I didn't have was the skill to predict which way he would slide and those inches might have mattered. I aint much on leaving things to chance or blind luck.

Good news on the memberships! It's amazing what a good experience at the track can do. Git those bikes ready!

I can't wait to hear how Thompson is backward. I bet that crest is da bomb! And hope any drama doesn't include any bumps or bruises.

[adouglas]

Thompson backwards is awesome.

That crest is deceptive. You can carry a TON of speed through there and down into the first turn... The whole turn 1-2-3 complex, which takes you onto the oval, is fantastic.

Oval turn is the same. Bridge turn is the same more or less, but for some reason I never quite nailed it. Hairpin is easier because it's uphill.

Turn 7 (clockwise 3) is deceptive... looks like you need to slow down but you don't. It falls away from you a bit. Late tip-in, drive it out and hold on... A couple of people went down here.

The final turn is pretty much a 30 mph throwaway, but that's okay.

Made a lot of progress yesterday with overall pace and roll-on. I was a lot quicker by the end. Didn't make any breakthroughs with quick steering, but that's okay. As long as I'm advancing I'm happy.

[adouglas]

@Ducati999, @Bigballsofpaint, @backinthesaddleagain.

By the way, Tony now has a married couple membership... early purchase price is $700 for both spouses.

There will also be other purchase options for next year, including four-packs, six-packs and the regular membership.

Prices go up in mid-October.

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Thompson backwards is awesome.

That crest is deceptive. You can carry a TON of speed through there and down into the first turn... The whole turn 1-2-3 complex, which takes you onto the oval, is fantastic.

Oval turn is the same. Bridge turn is the same more or less, but for some reason I never quite nailed it. Hairpin is easier because it's uphill.

Turn 7 (clockwise 3) is deceptive... looks like you need to slow down but you don't. It falls away from you a bit. Late tip-in, drive it out and hold on... A couple of people went down here.

The final turn is pretty much a 30 mph throwaway, but that's okay.

Made a lot of progress yesterday with overall pace and roll-on. I was a lot quicker by the end. Didn't make any breakthroughs with quick steering, but that's okay. As long as I'm advancing I'm happy.

Just a thought about the Bridge turn #5. Wonder if it is because you are turning right not left. I tend to turn left better than right but I am not sure why. I hava a real bad injury to my left elbow and I have some issues when hanging off the right side of the bike but this is not the only reason. I will have to focus and see what exactly is causing this issue for me but I wonder if something similar is happening to you.

[csmith12]

Following Ducati999

Link to original page on YouTube.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

Just a thought about the Bridge turn #5. Wonder if it is because you are turning right not left. I tend to turn left better than right but I am not sure why. I hava a real bad injury to my left elbow and I have some issues when hanging off the right side of the bike but this is not the only reason. I will have to focus and see what exactly is causing this issue for me but I wonder if something similar is happening to you.

No, I have no problem at all turning one way vs. the other. I really do think it's a visual thing. The picture is very cluttered going CCW, and the flat light made it hard to find reference points on the track surface.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by adouglas

@Ducati999, @Bigballsofpaint, @backinthesaddleagain.

By the way, Tony now has a married couple membership... early purchase price is $700 for both spouses.

There will also be other purchase options for next year, including four-packs, six-packs and the regular membership.

Prices go up in mid-October.

Thanks Andrew - but I am not marrying any of you. wait is that $700 for two memberships...

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Thompson backwards is awesome.

That crest is deceptive. You can carry a TON of speed through there and down into the first turn... The whole turn 1-2-3 complex, which takes you onto the oval, is fantastic.

Oval turn is the same. Bridge turn is the same more or less, but for some reason I never quite nailed it. Hairpin is easier because it's uphill.

Turn 7 (clockwise 3) is deceptive... looks like you need to slow down but you don't. It falls away from you a bit. Late tip-in, drive it out and hold on... A couple of people went down here.

The final turn is pretty much a 30 mph throwaway, but that's okay.

Made a lot of progress yesterday with overall pace and roll-on. I was a lot quicker by the end. Didn't make any breakthroughs with quick steering, but that's okay. As long as I'm advancing I'm happy.

Sounds cool. Was it the "short" or "long" course? Hairpin makes me think long.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Thanks Andrew - but I am not marrying any of you. wait is that $700 for two memberships...

Right... $700 covers both husband and wife, i.e. $350 each.

For the rest of us, the cash price is $425 until mid-october (or $450 check/charge), after which time the prices go up.

Since there are lots of changes coming with packages and such, it's fully refundable should you change your mind once further details become available.

I'm doing the full membership because it worked out for me this year.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Sounds cool. Was it the "short" or "long" course? Hairpin makes me think long.

Yes, long course.

I like it better this direction, but I heard every possible opinion.

[csmith12]

Lol, I am thinking about a membership so I can ride Palmer again and some of the other cool tracks.

[adouglas]

Might as well buy a summer cottage up here. That's a hell of a drive....

Word has it that NH is coming back, so I'm guessing we'll have three tracks to choose from. Tony also hinted that he's trying to talk Palmer into letting us run backwards.

[Ducati999]

I would enjoy running Palmer backwards!

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

I would enjoy running Palmer backwards!

T2 backwards though....

[adouglas]

You mean clockwise T2 or CCW T2?

Going CCW, the whole complex leading up to the oval is AWESOME!!!!! Super fun.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Yes, long course.

I like it better this direction, but I heard every possible opinion.

My take would be...

If run CCW, the track would flow much better, less point n' shoot due to less hairpins. Especially the "short course" layout.

[adouglas]

Well, there's really only one hairpin anyway.

The big difference is in the 1-2-3 section (CCW) leading onto the NASCAR oval. Going CW there are cones to point you and slow you down due to lack of runoff. No such thing CCW.

Same at the bridge.

So yeah.... flows better.

Also, most of the real maneuvering is done with gravity and camber to help you going CCW. Not true CW.

[ttd]

To clarify... the husband/wife membership is $725. $425 for the main and then add $300 for the spouse.

Sorry if I mis spoke at the meeting.

Still a great deal though!

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by adouglas

You mean clockwise T2 or CCW T2?

Going CCW, the whole complex leading up to the oval is AWESOME!!!!! Super fun.

T2 in the direction we went, with the stone wall there

[adouglas]

Um.... different track.... Talking Thompson, not Palmer.

[Sirref]

but I quoted "palmer backwards"...

[adouglas]

Oh, duh...

Bet it'd be fun. You mean the one at the lowest point of the track, right? I think it' be much the same... a run down the hill, a lot of speed and gravity to help you slow for the next turn coming out.

[Bigballsofpaint]

No dice on getting any friends out for this. They are going to try the track labor day, but that's it

[adouglas]

Jay, are you riding Labor Day?

[Bigballsofpaint]

Nah, im going to save my last trackday for Thompson hopefully since I haven't been there this year. I didn't want to payextra booking late, and my g/f wants to have a party on labor day so im not going to argue. But sept 27th or 28th, ill be riding!

[adouglas]

So your friends are going to Palmer for the try-the-track on their own? That's just short of bizarre, considering how hard you've tried to get them to accompany you.

I can do the 27th for sure but probably not the 28th. Let me know ASAP. You're gonna LOVE it CCW.

BTW, last time there I went for garage space. For a one-day thing, it makes sense. For a weekend it starts to get too expensive. Much more convenient that hassling with an EZ-up and all that. I'm going to do it again.

[ttd]

FYI, garages are now through me and I lowered the price. 20 for one day... $30 for two. Includes electric.

[Sirref]

that is a crazy low garage price, njmp is my standard and that runs $100/day

[backinthesaddleagain]

Anyone else coming to Razee TTD? low price.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by adouglas

So your friends are going to Palmer for the try-the-track on their own? That's just short of bizarre, considering how hard you've tried to get them to accompany you.

I can do the 27th for sure but probably not the 28th. Let me know ASAP. You're gonna LOVE it CCW.

BTW, last time there I went for garage space. For a one-day thing, it makes sense. For a weekend it starts to get too expensive. Much more convenient that hassling with an EZ-up and all that. I'm going to do it again.

Ez up? I'm too lazy to open my folding chair. Though i did set up a tent at nyst. I did like having the garages at Loudon but don't really miss them , barring rain that is. Half the time I am walking around talking or going to class sessions anyway.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by adouglas

So your friends are going to Palmer for the try-the-track on their own? That's just short of bizarre, considering how hard you've tried to get them to accompany you.

I can do the 27th for sure but probably not the 28th. Let me know ASAP. You're gonna LOVE it CCW.

BTW, last time there I went for garage space. For a one-day thing, it makes sense. For a weekend it starts to get too expensive. Much more convenient that hassling with an EZ-up and all that. I'm going to do it again.

We may do a morning group ride up there so they can try the track. I offered to pay for a friend, i think they are just scared. Kids these days...hopefully this helps them see the light.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Just watched the video, looks cool. Those car slicks near pit out look a bit odd. Was that to create a chicane and slow things down near the pit out merge? Maybe if they had some orange on them they wouldn't seem so odd to me...

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Just watched the video, looks cool. Those car slicks near pit out look a bit odd. Was that to create a chicane and slow things down near the pit out merge? Maybe if they had some orange on them they wouldn't seem so odd to me...

They are where they are and in the configuration they are (artificial chicane) to keep the speeds in check for turn 2 or 3. Otherwise A/Black riders would be taking that corner at a buck 30. And the runoff is sketchy for that kinda pace.

[Bigballsofpaint]

They have like an orange X sprayed on them if I remember correctly. Its not for Pit out though, its to slow you down for the corner. If you look straight ahead theres a massive rock you can hit. Without the chicane there Tonys says you can prob take that corner near 100 at a high level, which puts you wide and more in danger. The chicane and slowing you down after the main straight right there gives you a lot of room for error. They also have a row of cones after that pushing you left, because turn 3 can be taking at a good rate, and if you go wide and run off theres another nice cliff.

[adouglas]

Just signed up for Sunday 9/27 at Thompson CCW, one day only. Will be using the garage.

Also in for next year's membership before the price increase. That puts break-even just over four days... five days and you're saving.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

They have like an orange X sprayed on them if I remember correctly. Its not for Pit out though, its to slow you down for the corner. If you look straight ahead theres a massive rock you can hit. Without the chicane there Tonys says you can prob take that corner near 100 at a high level, which puts you wide and more in danger. The chicane and slowing you down after the main straight right there gives you a lot of room for error. They also have a row of cones after that pushing you left, because turn 3 can be taking at a good rate, and if you go wide and run off theres another nice cliff.

The first tire was the one that bothered me most, especially when an instructor's knee hit it and it rolled into my knee. Luckily a non-event. I really liked coming down the hill after the third tire there, third gear, whack the throttle open and blast into 2. Was fairly slow in the 4/5 combo, though someone said I had the 4 down but I always felt a slow climb up to 5 if in 3rd gear, too much wheel spin if in 2nd gear(guess I "just" need to carry more speed). Coming out of 5 pointed with the arrow I always shut off too early due to that rise and can't see the cone right away. One time I shut off late and for some reason neglected to turn and had a nice downhill run in the dirt and rocks along the left side of the track. Luckily kept it on 2 wheels.
Tough day probably mid 90s and humid. Lots of physical and mental fatigue I would say. New bridgestones S20 worked well (Evo front, non-Evo rear), not intended. First time I ever wore a front tire to the edges.

I rode up with my friend Bill and wanted to give you all a thanks for stopping by and saying hi to him back at Thompson. He really appreciated it.

[csmith12]

Nice save on turn 6 into the downhill, that would be a tough ride!

[adouglas]

Greg, I know the feeling. I keep rolling off too soon there too, and for the same reason.

That's where the new rider on the Ninja 1000 who pitted next to us when Chris and Ben came to visit went off. He kissed the tire wall but no damage and I don't think he actually went down.

I also got the impression that he didn't learn from the experience. Struck me as one of those guys who's always riding just a bit over his head.

[csmith12]

That crest is no joke and takes BIG balls and confidence in the brakes to stay full throttle over it knowing there is a steep downhill section just after it.



Ninja 1000 guy's evidence