2016 northeast track day thread CT MA RI NY

[Sirref]

If anyone is riding at nyst this saturday with TPM, I'll be there riding. Leaving from there to get to summit for sun/mon since I need the practice time there for CCS

[Ducati999]

I just posted in the Mid Ohio thread. I may have killed my 748 head/motor. With all the job stuff I have been dealing with over the last few weeks, I had to put the entire motor and bike back together in 7 hours. I had the heads off and I was planning on adding a big bore kit to make it an 853. During the rush to re-assemble everything I must have mis-timmed the front cam. I shut down the bike as soon as I heard any ticking (there was no banging and she ran great) but we all know any damage it too much! I can easily get another head for less than $200 on E-bay but I had this one ported and the combustion chamber all done. really hope I caught it before there was any real damage! I have to make time to take the top back down and see the extent of the damage before I can do anything and I wont have time till Thursday. I guess I will have to run the 999 at Palmer now, I wanted to use the 2 days there to dial in the new shock and get the suspension as good as the 9. I will report back once I get a chance to pull the head and check the valves, hoping I retarded the cam timming enough there was minimal contact and I will need is to reshim the valves.

[adouglas]

Take heart in the weather forecast... just checked and looks like cloudy Sunday, but PERFECT spring weather for Monday. 76 and partly cloudy. wOOt!

[Ducati999]

Palmer on Memorial Day Weekend Rocked! Sunday was hot and grip was plentiful. Monday started with rain and after a session or 2 they had to close the track for an hour due to fog and rain! They we only running 2 groups till after lunch, The only difference between the 2 groups was if you had rain tires or not. 30 min sessions for people with rains then 30 mins for those without! I was able to do my fastest riding ever on Sunday and even took the Wifes 250 out for the final Red Group session! I had never run a small displacement bike on the track before, WOW I cant believe how much fun it was! Monday, after the rain stopped, and the track dried out, I dropped down from the Yellow group to Red because I was so sore from the fun day before! After a session or two I started to loosen up and ran some quick laps but since the temp was much lower than Sunday I did not push as hard as the day before. I got some great video of my Wife running her Ninjette and she is really improving! I managed to get my knee on the deck much more this weekend and my form and body position were better than ever (still not saying much)! I cant wait for the track photos to be posted, I am hoping I might have one or two worthy of the "Show your latest Body Position pics" thread. I will leave the rest for others to comment and tell their stories, We leave for Ohio in 10 days

[adouglas]

Yeah, it was a great couple of days.

Unfortunately my nose camera did not function properly. Don't know why... tested it in the car yesterday and all was good.

Oh, well....

Glad to have introduced another guy to the track. Success all around!

PS: Ant, I still think that 748 is just a non-running display piece.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by adouglas

PS: Ant, I still think that 748 is just a non-running display piece.

[Ducati999]

Mr Fist, You have passed and been passed by said non running show piece and Mr Smith you have recorded me riding the non running machine! You will both see when we arrive in Ohio. I just bought the bearing and it cost all of $39. Ducatis are only expensive to own if you bring it to the Dealer

[csmith12]

Lol... I just wanna ride it around the paddock.

[Bigballsofpaint]

If my ducati ever leaves me bikeless at the track, it will more than likely get fixed and sold for something else shortly thereafter. Like that guy in the AM who showed up and ran one session, said his bike didn't like the wet so packed up his ducati and went home....ya right. Its a tool that has a function, and if it cant do that then I will move onto another. This is assuming ive maintained it well....which up to now I have.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Must have been a blast Sunday. Still have to book my first 2016 track day.

[adouglas]

It was indeed. Pics to come...

They have garages now, $50 per bay and we fit five bikes in one. (They forgot to collect... shhhh.)

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

If my ducati ever leaves me bikeless at the track, it will more than likely get fixed and sold for something else shortly thereafter. Like that guy in the AM who showed up and ran one session, said his bike didn't like the wet so packed up his ducati and went home....ya right. Its a tool that has a function, and if it cant do that then I will move onto another. This is assuming ive maintained it well....which up to now I have.

I know its all fun to bust on my 748 and me. Ducati's have a bit of a rep as being delicate but lets not forget that the 748 had a bent connecting rod and a motor full of water and sludge when I bought it for $1200. It is incredible I have done 3 track days on that motor already and all that has failed is the cam bearing. $39 for parts to repair it is still pretty good. You have my permission to be brutal if I cant get it going for the Ohio trip but none of you can even say anything negative about the 999! That bike has been rock solid for multiple track days and road miles

Chris,
You are more than welcome to take the 9 0r 748 out for a session anytime we are at the track together. That is an open invitation to you and the least I could do for the person who has helped me out without asking anything in return

[adouglas]

Well, the good news is that once you get it running reliably, you'll know it so well you'll be able to rebuild the engine blindfolded.

Wait... "running reliably?"


hehehe

(Now watch my rice burner explode on the back straight....)

[csmith12]

We pull his chain and now I got 1st gear clutch problems. hahahahahahahah irony

[adouglas]

Yeah, karma's a bitch, ain't it?

[adouglas]

@Bigballsofpaint @Ducati999 @backinthesaddleagain

Heads up that I just saw a FB post from @ttd regarding June 20/21 at Loudon. This was supposed to be a two-day event with the second day through Razee but signups were light so they're combining and just running Monday, June 20.

This might be our last chance to run New Hampshire with TTD, since returning next year was dependent on good sales. Even though I'm going to Mid-O next week I think I'll sign up for that reason.

PS: Garages at Loudon are included.
PPS: They say it's a very physical track.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Wow. A friend of mine just said sign ups were light. I think Loudon is good to have in the mix. The bowl is fun as is coming out of it up the hill by the former tree house. Main thing there is bumps in turn 3 from the cars and changing traction due to different pavements. I think Palmer is more physical. Felt like I had been skiing after riding Palmer.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Wow. A friend of mine just said sign ups were light. I think Loudon is good to have in the mix. The bowl is fun as is coming out of it up the hill by the former tree house. Main thing there is bumps in turn 3 from the cars and changing traction due to different pavements. I think Palmer is more physical. Felt like I had been skiing after riding Palmer.

Greg, just heard Gordon sold his 69 911s for the price of a nice house. ED totalled his new Panigale. That's 3 for 4. He is getting a superleggera next. I'll be up sometime this summer. It would be fun if Dale and I can do a track day with the Razee's crew.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Greg, just heard Gordon sold his 69 911s for the price of a nice house. ED totalled his new Panigale. That's 3 for 4. He is getting a superleggera next. I'll be up sometime this summer. It would be fun if Dale and I can do a track day with the Razee's crew.

Yeah he finally sold it. I think it went out west for restoration?? Still has a 1980s era turbo though.

Wow so Panigale is Finigale?

Tonys just merged the 6/20 TTD and 6/21 Razee day at Loudon into one day due to low interest.

There will be another Razee one in Sept though at Thompson.

Penguin is doing a track day and school (and novice races) at a new track in Canaan NH also. 4 tracks in New England and I haven't signed up for one day yet this year and have $500 in gift certs to spend with TTD.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Yeah he finally sold it. I think it went out west for restoration?? Still has a 1980s era turbo though.

Wow so Panigale is Finigale?

Tonys just merged the 6/20 TTD and 6/21 Razee day at Loudon into one day due to low interest.

There will be another Razee one in Sept though at Thompson.

Penguin is doing a track day and school (and novice races) at a new track in Canaan NH also. 4 tracks in New England and I haven't signed up for one day yet this year and have $500 in gift certs to spend with TTD.

I have one son at Johnson and Wales, working in Newport at the New York Yacht Club, and the other moving up to Boston in August so it looks like I'll be up there much more often. I've been looking at houses in Bristol, Jamestown, and East Greenwich, RI, along with a few in Litchfield county, CT (Cornwall, Kent, and Goshen), and condos in Boston. With all the tracks in NE, and Dale hounding me to get to the track (car and bike) it seems I will be there soon, at least for the summer and fall.

[Ducati999]

CC Cowboy,
Hope we can all hook up at one or more track days later this year. Always great to meet forum members face to face

[CC Cowboy]

That would be great. There are so many tracks in the NE now that it's the place to be in the summer and fall.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

A friend of mine just said sign ups were light. I think Loudon is good to have in the mix.

Therein lies the problem.

Without enough signups, the track won't be in the mix.

Straight business decision. If you want to ride Loudon, you have to make it a viable proposition.

The non-sportbike track day there was light too... to the point that they ran a group of sportbike riders. I doubt Tony will go back next year.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Enjoy the Razee TTD Monday. I'll be in Maine on vacation and will miss it. Many friends going.

[adouglas]

Yep, I'm heading up for Monday.

[Ducati999]

I am waiting for confirmation that I will be returning to my job, if this happens I want to get back on the track ASAP! Anyone up for a trip to Palmer in July? There is a Thompson trip later that month but if I am able I want to hit Palmer first.

[Ducati999]

JOB CONFIRMED! Returning on a 6 month extension of the same contract with a possabillity of more! This means I have ordered my tires, grips, clutch and lithium battery! I am now going to sign up for the Palmer trip on Sunday July 10th! Let me know if anyone will be there with me!

[Ducati999]

Found what was making the rapping sound from the motor on the 748!

Kind of obvious now! new bearings (@$45 ea) ordered!

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

JOB CONFIRMED! Returning on a 6 month extension of the same contract with a possabillity of more! This means I have ordered my tires, grips, clutch and lithium battery! I am now going to sign up for the Palmer trip on Sunday July 10th! Let me know if anyone will be there with me!

Trying to get some fiends to go.

[Ducati999]

I have not paid for my day yet (just going for the Sun) but I will soon. PM me if you are in and we can exchange info to meet up at the track! I reassembled the 748 motor yesterday but still have to put the rest of the bike back together and make sure the "knocking" is really gone. I also still have to get the new rubber mounted on the 999.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Trying to get some fiends to go.

[adouglas]

Ant's going to Palmer July 10.

I'm going to Thompson July 31.

Hey, @backinthesaddleagain ... when the heck are you going to come out when one of us is at the track? We still haven't met and we're practically neighbors.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Ant's going to Palmer July 10.

I'm going to Thompson July 31.

Hey, @backinthesaddleagain ... when the heck are you going to come out when one of us is at the track? We still haven't met and we're practically neighbors.

I know I know. I signed up for TTD Sunday 9/25 and Razee Monday 9/26. Have to sign up one more cant do 7/31 though.

[adouglas]

I'll probably be doing the September one...

[Ducati999]

I don't think I will make the July 10th Palmer trip, I still don't have my tires. 748 is mostly back together but I still have to finish and test her out. I may join Mr Fist at Thompson and I really need 2 more days at Palmer before the season ends! Hope to see you there.

[Sirref]

Won't be around for Palmer, have a race the next day at njmp

I will be up at NYST on the 24th and then lime rock the following day (25th)

[backinthesaddleagain]

Finally on the calendar. I'll be at Thompson 9/25 (TTD) and 9/26 (TTD/Razees). Now just need a Palmer date. CC- coming up for the razee day?

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Finally on the calendar. I'll be at Thompson 9/25 (TTD) and 9/26 (TTD/Razees). Now just need a Palmer date. CC- coming up for the razee day?

I might be there. Two sons going to school in RI.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I might be there. Two sons going to school in RI.

I'm just glad I finally got some dates on the calendar. Maybe you can buy a salvage Panigale Tricolore??????????

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

I'm just glad I finally got some dates on the calendar. Maybe you can buy a salvage Panigale Tricolore??????????

Cost too much to fix. I've had a Ducati and feel they are like Ferraris, best keep in the garage.