Broadford Two Years Later

[koko64]

It's been two years since my 130mph crash at the technical and physically demanding Broadford Raceway down here in Victoria Australia.

I have already taken two track days a month apart so far and I'm booked in for another in a months time. It has taken about thirteen sessions and about 60 laps to get my head back in the game after a big crash that busted me up and KO'ed me for nearly an hour. The bike miraculously only needed about $1500 to repair.

The first time back I was seriously questioning if I was still up for it, but the 70 year old in the pits next door put paid to that. The second time back a 62 year old on 996 passed my on the outside of a corner called "Crash Corner" (says it all) with a smooth and impressive move. He apologized later but I told him it was a great move and we talked about Ducatis.

In the final two sessions I was 90% back to my old self and a little wiser about overtaking unpredictable, slower riders that can put you in hospital if you chose to carve them up rather than be cautious and sacrifice the lap.

It hit 40 Deg C there on Friday and many went home early giving me a clear track to get my shit together. It must have been 50C in the tin shed pit garages and the track temp must have been very high causing greasy wheel spin.

I am a more alert road rider with shaper perceptual awareness for doing track days and this helped me avoid a head on accident with some dickhead in the wrong lane the other day. We live next to beautiful wine country but there is a downside riding through there. The GLW was pillion and she commented on how quickly I reacted.

Feel alive again.

Cheers.

[stopintime]

Good to hear 

I will do the same in a couple of months - fingers crossed.

[ducpainter]

Nice!

I have a motor for the 996. I'm downgrading a little. It's an 853 with cams.

Should be plenty for me.

[kopfjäger]

 

[koko64]

Be great to hear how all you blokes go.
Also look forward to hearing your impressions of your new motors.

[silas]

Go Tony! Good to hear. One day I'll get to a track. Hard with 2 kids and life priorities though.

[koko64]

Thanks man.

[koko64]

Riding there again on the 7.3.16. Hoping to get the old times back.

You blokes got back to the track yet?

[ducpainter]

Not since last year on a borrowed bike.

[stopintime]

    "Soon" 

[koko64]

Had another hit out at Broady yesterday. Had a great time and actually relaxed. The mild weather helped with no heat stroke. The tin shed pit garages are cruel when it's hot unlike the luxury of the Island. I may get one more day in before the weather turns.

I was reminded how dangerous a track it is, with a rider being seriously injured yesterday. I had the impression that he was very seriously injured.
On many occasions, instead of passing people, I was wary and backed off and my hunch was usually correct with the rider making an erratic move which would have put me off track. Unlike my racing days, at a track day you don't know who is in front of you. Riders with very powerful bikes that park it entering a turn create difficulties with such a tight track. I nearly Liberaced a few riders so had to back off at times.

The Gixxer was awesome lifting the front down the back straight at high speed.

[koko64]

At 52 and suffering sleep apnoea and the effects of once being a sparring partner (forgive me if I'm slow at times), my perceptual speed has diminished. I just cant make those split second decisions as quickly as I used to and I would hate to have to memorize a new track . Therefore passing an erratic rider as a last second option is something to avoid if possible.

The transition from competitor to just having fun has been challenging, but I take heart from the guys in their 60s and 70s that are still out there doing laps and honing their skills at their own pace. As a young man I was a very aggressive racer with a loose style and a very hard late braker even as a C grader resulting in other competitors complaining about me! Nowdays I'm working on being smooth, in line and on and off the brakes earlier to work on corner speed.

I keep hearing that research has shown that motorcycle riding helps stave off dementia, because it's so multi faceted in how it engages the mind and body. It's great doing a sport that keeps you learning at any age. Don't ever stop, as like the martial arts there is a place for older men and an older blokes style. It really is a two wheeled martial art.

[koko64]

Entering turn 1 soon after coming out of the pit lane. It is a double apex uphill corner at the end of the front straight that slingshots you onto the back straight.

[koko64]

The bike after repairs. All the fairings bar the seat unit/tail were in the crash. Amazing. The front sub frame, screen and crash knobs were all replaced as was the pipe and rear sets.

I have the seat low for my stumpy legs.

[koko64]

These Gixxers look better in track trim no doubt. Hard to believe that is the same fairing that went through a 130mph crash. Just a strange crash with the bike ghosting along after she threw me off, up and over.
Thanks to CCW for helping me find a great deal on Woodcraft rear sets.