Time for some more training? ... [SYD]

[Two dogs]

To slow   on the booking Suzy so I am also on the wait list for the 13th

[wayne800]

Got the call up today so now booked for the 13th. Bike has been serviced by George @ D Moto - see you there 

Front tyre is is new but rear is half gone. The CSS website says I need 2mm - that seems a lot to me.

If they knock me back, can I get a new tyre & fitted at the track or should I just bite the bullet and get a new one beforehand?

I might trailer the bike to the track & I've seen the list of things to do for a track day on another thread but as this is a training day any tips?

Cheers

Wayne

[J5]

Got the call up today so now booked for the 13th. Bike has been serviced by George @ D Moto - see you there 

Front tyre is is new but rear is half gone. The CSS website says I need 2mm - that seems a lot to me.

If they knock me back, can I get a new tyre & fitted at the track or should I just bite the bullet and get a new one beforehand?

I might trailer the bike to the track & I've seen the list of things to do for a track day on another thread but as this is a training day any tips?

Cheers

Wayne

iirc min  legal is 1.5mm and thats about what the wear indicators are

[tricolore]

Got the call up today so now booked for the 13th. Bike has been serviced by George @ D Moto - see you there 

Front tyre is is new but rear is half gone. The CSS website says I need 2mm - that seems a lot to me.

If they knock me back, can I get a new tyre & fitted at the track or should I just bite the bullet and get a new one beforehand?

I might trailer the bike to the track & I've seen the list of things to do for a track day on another thread but as this is a training day any tips?

Cheers

Wayne

Don't trailer it, its not that hectic of a day, I rode to it when I went and it was sweet. The only prep it masking tape over your speedo and mirrors. They do that for you.
Get a new Tyre, if your at all questioning it that probably means deep down your thinking you should. The better condition the tyre the more confidence you will have. 1.5 - 2mm on a tyre doesn't last long if your riding in a "spirited" fashion.
Have fun.

[Betty]

Got the call up today so now booked for the 13th.

Alright!

Front tyre is is new but rear is half gone. The CSS website says I need 2mm - that seems a lot to me.

If they knock me back, can I get a new tyre & fitted at the track or should I just bite the bullet and get a new one beforehand?

The tyre guys were there last time, so I assume that is not a big deal. You will probably be using different parts of your tyre too .

Although Tri said it is not that hectic you don't really have much 'free' time bouncing between class and track sessions ... but you wouldn't be installing it yourself.

I might trailer the bike to the track

Again, although Tri said it was not a big deal to ride I say do what you feel comfortable with. At the end of the day I felt fine ... but Julie was pretty knackered before the last on track session. So I s'pose it depends on how much you put into the day.

Oh yeah and if you use a trailer it will be easier for you to take your cup home.

I've seen the list of things to do for a track day on another thread but as this is a training day any tips?

Basically they will do all the things that need to be done, just make sure the bike is road/trackworthy, you have fuel, full leathers and all the other things they mention on the website.

I found that the scutineering was a bit more thorough for the school than it was for the track day.

[suzyj]

Weather might be a little dodgy on Monday:

Forecast for Monday

Isolated showers during the morning. Sunny afternoon. Winds west to northwesterly averaging up to 45 km/h.

City Centre:  Shower or two. Windy. Min 14 Max 20

Penrith:  Shower or two clearing. Min 11 Max 19

Fingers crossed the shower or two aren't over Eastern creek.

[suzyj]

What a hoot!

We had five track sessions, each of which concentrated on a particular skill, with classroom training before and after each one.  On the track we shared an instructor with two others, who watched us ride and used pre-arranged handsignals to teach the skill we were working on.

The first session was on throttle control - we stayed in fourth the whole way round, and didn't use the brakes.  The objective was to set your entry speed well before the turn, turn in, then gradually roll on the throttle the whole way through the turn, using the throttle to stabilise the bike.  I was amazed at how quickly (miles before the apex and just after I've set the lean) I could start rolling on the throttle, and how well it made the bike pull in and settle.

Second session was finding a good turn in point.  They put big tape X marks on the track, and the objective was to hit the marks going into the corner.  Trouble is they were way, way into the corner, and right on the outside of the track.  So gradually I got the hang of delaying the turn in until I made it to the mark, and then being a bit more forceful to get in to my apex.  And it worked!  Rather than running really wide on the exit, it made turns much smoother and faster.

Third session was focusing on countersteering to rapidly set the lean angle whan initiating a turn, so you could comfortably delay turn in, for a faster exit.

Fourth session we concentrated on relaxing, and letting the bike find its own line after the initial steering action to set the path to apex.  By this point it was all starting to come together.  I found this session a lot easier than the one before, and less tiring.  Despite putting in less effort, I reckon my speed increased heaps.

Final session the goal was to sight our entry point, then sight the apex before we rolled over the entry point.  We'd been fixating on the entry point a bit to this point, so once we got there, finding the apex was rushed, and our lines were all over the place.  Getting the knack of sighting the entry point, then looking to the apex to set our line (bikes go where you look) without turning in early was awesome - the corner just opens up and looks so much easier.

Anyway, I'm a huge fan.  If you haven't done one of these courses, you should sign up now.  They're totally no bullshit, straightforward, awesome courses.

Every time I hopped on the bike and did a session, it was better, faster, and easier than the one previous.  My rear tyre is shredded almost to the edge now.  Nothing beats the feeling you get when you lay the bike over for turn 1, with the tacho sitting on 7250 rpm in sixth, and just fly into the corner.

Yeah.  Awesome!

[heatherp]

Thanks for the write up Suzy.  Sounds like a lot of fun.

[Betty]

Thanks for the write up Suzy.  Sounds like a lot of fun.

... and sounds like she just saved you $500

Glad you enjoyed yourself Suzy, definitely worthwhile.

[heatherp]

I don't think I've saved anything Betty.  This just makes me want to do the course even more.  Just a matter of finances, timing and clothing.

[suzyj]

I even hired leathers - $85, I think.   

[heatherp]

I even hired leathers - $85, I think.  

I did read that you can hire leathers.  My concerns would be - would they have any my size and whether I wanted to wear leathers that someone else had worn.  
Don't you have leathers Suzy?  Thought you had a two piece? I have jacket and pants but different brands and don't zip together.

[suzyj]

I did read that you can hire leathers.  My concerns would be - would they have any my size and whether I wanted to wear leathers that someone else had worn.  
Don't you have leathers Suzy?  Thought you had a two piece? I have jacket and pants but different brands and don't zip together.

I wore bike (as in the pedal variety) pants and a t-shirt underneath.  The leathers they had at EC were really new, and they had a good range of sizes.  The guy running the hire bit said that arriving early (I was there when they opened the gates) helps.

I have jacket and pants like you, but they don't talk to one another, as my jacket is Teknic and my pants Dainese.  I was thinking of getting a Dainese jacket to match my pants, but the one-piece leathers were so comfy (at least on the bike - off they're dreadful), now I want a set.

[heatherp]

OK now you've got me thinking.  Thanks Suzy.

[craigo]

Dropped in to check it out. Looked like a cracker of a day. We must organise another track day real soon now.

             

             

Bigger pics on my flickr if you want 'em. I also have about another 300 or so that didn't quite turn out.

Monsters look tough with numbers and clipons


n.b. matty is right as usual with photog stuff. low iso, longer exposure makes for better pics as long as you can pan.