sonoma vs thunderhill?

nikeeric86 · March 26th, 2014, 12:50 PM

Looking at doing either sonoma or thunderhill next month, which is more fun on the 250?

Boosted139 · March 26th, 2014, 01:08 PM

Do both! More tracks the better.

Haven't ridden at Sonoma, but T-hill is a very fast track, not so well suited to a 250. But I'd still do it.

Yakaru · March 26th, 2014, 01:10 PM

yeah, pulled up a map of both and neither look ideal -- but my simple rule is the more turns/less straightaways the better the 250 will like the track

A good example might be Streets, which only has 2 short straightaways: http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/page.php?id=31

Zombiphone · March 26th, 2014, 04:30 PM

Sonoma is a fantastic 250 track, as it's technical, straights are minimal, and the turns still flow so it's not a HP track. The elevation and blind turns are an absolute blast, and of all the tracks I've ridden (Which is 6/8 tracks in california- some in more than one direction, and a couple in nevada, arizona, and colorado) it is by far my favorite track. Which seems to be the opinion of everyone I've spoken to who has ridden it, including some very well traveled racers.

I've heard T-Hill is much faster and more horsepower driven, so it's not that 250 friendly, but I won't be riding it personally for a few more months so I can't speak for fun factor.

But.... yeah. Either way, you're cheating yourself if you don't ride Sonoma. I'm sure thunder hill is fun, and I'm really looking forward to trying it when AFM races there in July, but there's just no way it's better on a baby ninja.

alex.s · March 26th, 2014, 04:35 PM

you're making me want to go ride sonoma now.

9lives · March 26th, 2014, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

you're making me want to go ride sonoma now.

I second everything Tiff said. Sonoma/Sears Point to us old timers is one of the best tracks in this country.

rojoracing53 · March 26th, 2014, 05:30 PM

On a 250 Sears Point is the obvious choice but eventually do both.

NevadaWolf · March 26th, 2014, 06:06 PM

Keep in mind not too long from now, THill will be opening up their new track which has a lot more turns in it. Looking at the layouts of both sides, the new one seems to be a lot more friendly to nimble bikes.

Yakaru · March 26th, 2014, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

Sonoma is a fantastic 250 track, as it's technical, straights are minimal, and the turns still flow so it's not a HP track. The elevation and blind turns are an absolute blast, and of all the tracks I've ridden (Which is 6/8 tracks in california- some in more than one direction, and a couple in nevada, arizona, and colorado) it is by far my favorite track. Which seems to be the opinion of everyone I've spoken to who has ridden it, including some very well traveled racers.

haha, goes to show me you can't judge a track by it's outline :P I'll have to put it on my todo list too I suppose!

nikeeric86 · March 26th, 2014, 06:38 PM

Looks like sonoma it is. The CLASS school has an event april 29th, anyone have experience with them?

Jiggles · March 26th, 2014, 07:29 PM

Sonoma for sure, definitely my favorite track so far.

mattv · April 1st, 2014, 12:20 PM

Both are great tracks. It's hard to say which is better. Even on a small bike t-hill is great.

As for CLASS they do things differently from most track days. They are entirely focused on street riding and not racing. Judging from your avatar I think you may not be a good fit for CLASS. 3J's is doing a trackday on the 30th which is probably a better option: https://www.infineonraceway.com/tick...torcycle_days/

KazMan · April 15th, 2014, 08:27 AM

Both tracks stroke a different part of the brain.

Tiff is dead on about Sears Point. Absolute blast and is a riders track so even if you are a bit down on HP to other bikes, you can ride yourself into the game (racing wise)

Thunderhill is a lot like Big Willow. Fast track which at first look seems to be a big HP track requiring big Rex size testosterone chambers. But like Willow, if you can unlock the technical aspects of the track, you can do quite well even on a stock racer with pipe. Get about 4-5 of you together and the track is an absolute hi-speed, well as fast as we can go, BLAST. Drafting and re-drafting and 2-3 wide through the turns!

Can't go wrong with either, but as an old guy, Sears Point still has my heart.

But the new T-hill track should be pretty awesome. If you want to come up the weekend of June 14/15, Z2 Trackdays is the first provider running both the old and new track together for a combined 5+ mile lap! Also, the 15th is our Women's VIP day so the ladies can get 2 sessions out of the deal

Worldtraveller · May 14th, 2014, 02:10 PM

Once the new T-hill (West?) is opened, I def want to try it on the Ninjette. It looks tighter and much appropriate to the 250 than the main track.

March 26th, 2014, 12:50 PM	#1
nikeeric86 ninjette.org member Name: eric Location: lompoc, ca Join Date: Feb 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1992 fzr600 2010 ninja 250 2006 cbr600rr Posts: 71	sonoma vs thunderhill? Looking at doing either sonoma or thunderhill next month, which is more fun on the 250?

March 26th, 2014, 01:08 PM	#2
Boosted139 ninjette.org guru Name: Justin Location: Central NJ Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2009 Triumph Daytona 675 Posts: 334	Do both! More tracks the better. Haven't ridden at Sonoma, but T-hill is a very fast track, not so well suited to a 250. But I'd still do it.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

March 26th, 2014, 04:30 PM	#4
Zombiphone CVMA/AFM #72 Name: Tiffani Location: Los Angeles, Ca Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r (Racebike), 2015 FZ-07(Tourer), 2001 KX65(LOL bike) Posts: A lot.	Sonoma is a fantastic 250 track, as it's technical, straights are minimal, and the turns still flow so it's not a HP track. The elevation and blind turns are an absolute blast, and of all the tracks I've ridden (Which is 6/8 tracks in california- some in more than one direction, and a couple in nevada, arizona, and colorado) it is by far my favorite track. Which seems to be the opinion of everyone I've spoken to who has ridden it, including some very well traveled racers. I've heard T-Hill is much faster and more horsepower driven, so it's not that 250 friendly, but I won't be riding it personally for a few more months so I can't speak for fun factor. But.... yeah. Either way, you're cheating yourself if you don't ride Sonoma. I'm sure thunder hill is fun, and I'm really looking forward to trying it when AFM races there in July, but there's just no way it's better on a baby ninja.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

March 26th, 2014, 04:35 PM	#5
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	you're making me want to go ride sonoma now. __________________________________________________

March 26th, 2014, 06:06 PM	#8
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Keep in mind not too long from now, THill will be opening up their new track which has a lot more turns in it. Looking at the layouts of both sides, the new one seems to be a lot more friendly to nimble bikes. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

March 26th, 2014, 01:10 PM	#3
Yakaru The Violet Vixen Name: Yakaru Location: Issaquah, WA & Las Vegas, NV Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Perigee (250), Hotaru (250), Saturn (300), Pearl (300), Zero (S1000RR), Chibi (Z125), Xellos ('18 HP4R) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '16	yeah, pulled up a map of both and neither look ideal -- but my simple rule is the more turns/less straightaways the better the 250 will like the track A good example might be Streets, which only has 2 short straightaways: http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/page.php?id=31

March 26th, 2014, 05:30 PM	#7
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	On a 250 Sears Point is the obvious choice but eventually do both.

March 26th, 2014, 06:38 PM	#10
nikeeric86 ninjette.org member Name: eric Location: lompoc, ca Join Date: Feb 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1992 fzr600 2010 ninja 250 2006 cbr600rr Posts: 71	Looks like sonoma it is. The CLASS school has an event april 29th, anyone have experience with them?

March 26th, 2014, 07:29 PM	#11
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Sonoma for sure, definitely my favorite track so far. __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

April 1st, 2014, 12:20 PM	#12
mattv ninjette.org newbie Name: matt Location: bay area, ca Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): ninja 300, R6, monster 695 Posts: 5	Both are great tracks. It's hard to say which is better. Even on a small bike t-hill is great. As for CLASS they do things differently from most track days. They are entirely focused on street riding and not racing. Judging from your avatar I think you may not be a good fit for CLASS. 3J's is doing a trackday on the 30th which is probably a better option: https://www.infineonraceway.com/tick...torcycle_days/

April 15th, 2014, 08:27 AM	#13
KazMan ninjette.org member Name: Eric Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): none yet Posts: 228	Both tracks stroke a different part of the brain. Tiff is dead on about Sears Point. Absolute blast and is a riders track so even if you are a bit down on HP to other bikes, you can ride yourself into the game (racing wise) Thunderhill is a lot like Big Willow. Fast track which at first look seems to be a big HP track requiring big Rex size testosterone chambers. But like Willow, if you can unlock the technical aspects of the track, you can do quite well even on a stock racer with pipe. Get about 4-5 of you together and the track is an absolute hi-speed, well as fast as we can go, BLAST. Drafting and re-drafting and 2-3 wide through the turns! Can't go wrong with either, but as an old guy, Sears Point still has my heart. But the new T-hill track should be pretty awesome. If you want to come up the weekend of June 14/15, Z2 Trackdays is the first provider running both the old and new track together for a combined 5+ mile lap! Also, the 15th is our Women's VIP day so the ladies can get 2 sessions out of the deal
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

May 14th, 2014, 02:10 PM	#14
Worldtraveller ninjette.org sage Name: Lane Location: Medford, OR Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 (trackbike), CBR600RR, GS500F Posts: 588	Once the new T-hill (West?) is opened, I def want to try it on the Ninjette. It looks tighter and much appropriate to the 250 than the main track.

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