First Track Day Tomorrow

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Just out of the blue decided to call a local race track and ask about track days. Turns out they are having a class there tomorrow. Signed up and I'm pretty nervous now. They teach you the fundamentals of riding in a class then it's off to the track for a ride. You then go back to the class then they critique you. Then more class then track. Figure after tomorrow I'm gonna be a better rider for it. I watched this YouTube video they emailed me and I'm a little nervous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd1xz6kj-N8&feature=channel_page

Never had any formal riding training even though I've rode for years. I figure it's gonna be a humbling experience. You only live once though and it's gonna be great to ride the crap out of my bike and not worry about being arrested.
here's my bike

 

[fbrdphreak]

That's cool, I didn't realize they had bike track days. I'll have to put a bug in my buddy's ear. I'd hate for him to wreck his Busa...

 

[MrWizzard]

Oh you are in for a treat.

And Humbling would be a understatement, depending on how many other noob track people there are out there you will probably quickly feel very outclassed. Stick with it though, once you get into it and get your lines down it’s great fun.
PS get a good night sleep before hand.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Unless you catch the laptime bug.

 

[PottedMeat]

Cool.

I looked the place up and the track is about the same size as the town lol:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=76035...code_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA

 

[MrWizzard]

That's cool, I didn't realize they had bike track days. I'll have to put a bug in my buddy's ear. I'd hate for him to wreck his Busa...

From what I have heard.

Busa as a track bike = bad idea. Especially if you are learning or it is a technical track. Not saying it can not be done. But it's a little crazy.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Cool.

I looked the place up and the track is about the same size as the town lol:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=76035...code_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA

Yeah it's a little drive and definitely small town Texas.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

From what I have heard.

Busa as a track bike = bad idea. Especially if you are learning or it is a technical track. Not saying it can not be done. But it's a little crazy.

Well I have a zx14 and it's basically a busa. I'll do it and see what happens. I'll corner a little slower but I'm coming out of the corner like a raped ape.

 

[MrWizzard]

Well I have a zx14 and it's basically a busa. I'll do it and see what happens. I'll corner a little slower but I'm coming out of the corner like a raped ape.

Should be fun. Get one of those little cameras you can mount on your bike and post some of the video. You may not notice any problem because it's what you are used to.

Good luck have fun.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Should be fun. Get one of those little cameras you can mount on your bike and post some of the video. You may not notice any problem because it's what you are used to.

Good luck have fun.

Thanks. The guy I spoke to over the phone said that they've had Harley's take the course. I'll be slower getting around compared to a liter bike but it's all about having fun for me. I saw on the website they rent out bike cams. I'll look into it. I have a tinted windscreen so I don't know if it will work for me?

 

[fbrdphreak]

From what I have heard.

Busa as a track bike = bad idea. Especially if you are learning or it is a technical track. Not saying it can not be done. But it's a little crazy.

Fair point. I would hope the instructors would instruct those with the faster bikes and disproportionate experience to stay slower on the straights.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Fair point. I would hope the instructors would instruct those with the faster bikes and disproportionate experience to stay slower on the straights.

They have different classes. I signed up for the novice class. I believe all first timers to the school begin in the beginners class. While the novice are in class they have the medium or advanced on the track.

 

[superccs]

Hey Oilfield, I am down in College Station and have thrown myself around Texas World Speedway and it is crazy good fun. If you want to come down and do a trackday at TWS let me know, you might be able to twist my arm into joining you I live <7m miles from track so usually just ride down there with a backpack and enjoy the day.

Practice your body position, braking, and turn-in. Definitely ask questions and to shadow other riders.

Bring a shaded visor, so everyone won't make fun of the silly grin you will have the whole day.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm itching to do a track day myself. Trouble is the nearest track to me is a good 3 hours away so I'll need a trailer and I'd need to get there the night before.

Be sure to update us on how it goes.

 

[punjabiplaya]

I'm looking to do one too. The nearest track doing them to me is about 1hr away. However, they are doing a LeMons race there in a month and maybe watching that will make me want to actually go do it. Hopefully they have a good cleaning crew to pick up after the LeMons cars.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Well I went today and boy was it a learning experience. I learned more today than probably all my years riding together. Definitely worth the money I paid. First few times they took us around the track I could barely keep my big bike up with the instructors pace and they were going extremely slow just to give us an idea of the track. I almost left after the few short laps because I was so disheartened by it. I gutted it out though and returned to the track nervously. I was then able to learn at my own pace and as the laps went on I started figuring out the lines of the track and I was no longer fighting my big bike. I was flowing with the track. It's really a beautiful thing when it works like it should. Of course I was the only zx-14 or busa on the track. All 600cc's or liter bikes. I was no match for a 600 or liter bike on such a tight track. I stayed just fast enough to be in the flow of traffic and could follow behind most guys for awhile but eventually they'd get away from me. Need to find a track better suited for a bigger bike with horsepower. My wife got a couple pics but couldn't get within a 1/4 mile within the track and our little camera couldn't zoom in enough. They had a professional photographer there so hopefully he'll have some good pics of me on the bike tomorrow.
No chicken strips here

 

[MrWizzard]

Glad you didn't give up! Quite a humbling experience at first huh. Stick with it. I still think a busa on a technical track is crazy.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Are you hooked? Presistence!

 

[superccs]

You and your bike survived Hurray. Keep at it, maybe the ZX-14 issn't the right bike for you.... 600cc time?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

You and your bike survived Hurray. Keep at it, maybe the ZX-14 issn't the right bike for you.... 600cc time?

Definitely keeping an eye out for one.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yeah, those big bikes are great for straight line speed. Not so much for tight twisty roads.