first ducati and first trackday...

[hydra]

hello folks,

i just got my S4 Foggy last month and i'm bringing her to Buttonwillow next monday, June 9th where a couple of friends have organized a little private trackday session. nate kern from san jose bmw racing will be the instructor.

i was informed that i won't need to do the water in the radiator just good tires and tape the lights/signals. i'm currently running pilot power's on the bike which i really like so i'm thinking of getting a new set for the track. the rear one on there is just about at the wear line. the front looks like it can hold up....what do yu guys think? replace both or just the rear?

this will be my first trackday and i'm not the least bit excited 
honestly i've been waiting for this day for a couple of months and i'm thrilled.

any recommendations, advice or input would be appreciated. BTW, i'm taking her to nick from flight cycles to do the prepping.

thanks,

russ

[tufty]

If in doubt (even a little bit) put new tyres on. 30f 28r (cold).

Be prepared to spend every waking hour obsessing over it from here on out.

[NuTTs]

If you can afford new rubber get a new set. If you like Michelin, go with them. Try remove all un-necesary stuff from the bike such as mirrors, signals, lights, license plate..

You won´t sleep well until the big day, enjoy!!

[somegirl]

Besides the bike, do you have all your gear ready to go?

Have a great time, enjoy, looking forward to the report.

[hydra]

OMG, my cherry is finally popped!!!
did my first trackday yesterday at buttonwillow. it was a private trackday and i managed to get in 145mi of track time!
i am now officially addicted!

everything about the day was amazing except for the heat. over 100 degrees!

i'm going to sign up for a track school immediately. who's got one coming up that i could join that's not too pricey but good? i know i've got tons to learn...

[gm2]

congrats!
yep, it's hot out there...

well first, pick your feet up 
you should be on the balls of your feet.. or that last photo is gonna end up dragging a toe and maybe lowsiding you

CSS doesn't really fall into the not so pricey category (though really it's pretty cheap for what you get) but it's a fantastic school.  there are several write-ups and mentions of it on the board. 

Track Daz and some other track day providers also have schools of one sort or another.

[hydra]

THANKS gm2!

yes i did scrape my toe once and it kinda scared me a bit and i stood the bike up immediately, but safely 

i've been checking out the CSS site after i posted. looks like a great school and not too pricey for what you get, like you said.

[sqweak]

+1 on the getting up on the balls of your feet.  Not only will it keep you from dragging one, but you'll eventually get to the point of moving your body off/on/around the bike and the extra leverage is a godsend.

Another +1 on CSS.  My writeup is on this board.

Trackdaz is running their first school on 6/28 at SoW.  They just sold out (sorry bout that ), but there's an empty waiting list.  Might be a bit of a crapshoot since it's their first time out.

[hydra]

hey sqweak, yes i saw your post about your CSS weekend when you posted it originally.

i'm trying to figure out my schedule but it looks like the next time they're around these parts is BW in sept. i'll probably sign up once i can clear those times.

[sqweak]

Check the socal board, a few of us are talking about heading back to CSS in Sept/Oct.

[PHI]

Hey! There is still one spot available for Track Academy by Trackdaz on June 28th. My buddy had a mishap so a spot opened up.

http://trackdaz.com/ti/trackdaz/catgroup.html?category=28%20June%202008%20%40%20Streets%20of%20Willow%20Springs&id=JoCR6mTU

[El Matador]

Nice dude! Seems like you had a great time!

I only have one more thing to add, apart from being on the balls of your feet,

Get your ass off the seat!

Hanging off more will let you carry more corner speed without having to lean the bike as much 

[hydra]

Hey! There is still one spot available for Track Academy by Trackdaz on June 28th. My buddy had a mishap so a spot opened up.

http://trackdaz.com/ti/trackdaz/catgroup.html?category=28%20June%202008%20%40%20Streets%20of%20Willow%20Springs&id=JoCR6mTU

hey phi, thanks for the heads up. let me check my schedule, might be working then but i might be able to get out of it.