Doing the trackday on the 21st. Any suggestions?

[crat996]

I am planning on doing the Moto Authority trackday on the 21st. This will be my first so I am trying to figure out what I need to bring with me as far as supplies. I scored a $1300 set of 2pc Dainese Ducati Corse leathers at Laguna for $330. I have all of the gear that I wear. What kind of supplies do I need to bring for the bike or me to be comfortable and have fun at the track?

[Cloner]

I'd recommend.....

An EZ-Up or similar awning for shade
A chair or two (never know when you'll have guests, but you'll definitely want a seat when you're not on the track)
A spare t-shirt (for the drive home, driving home wet sucks)
A cooler full of water or you favorite sports beverage.  Staying hydrated is CRITICAL to having fun throughout the day
Glass cleaner and a microfiber or soft cotton cloth (or an old sock)
A couple of extra pairs of ear plugs
A hat to wear between sessions (don't wanna sunburn your scalp)
Sunscreen....enough to reapply after lunch
Something lunchy (unless Steve is supplying lunch....the food sold by the track is pretty poor IMHO)
A 5-gallon container of fuel (it goes pretty fast at a pace)
A spare quart of oil
An air pressure gauge
A tank full of compressed air (if you have one....remember, you'll want to set your tire pressure a little softer than you're used to on the street....exact pressure depends on your particular brand of buns, but I'd start around 28 as a blind guess and work down for some tires, especially Dunlop race rubber, some of which runs best under 20)
Tools if you're desperate....but if you wad you're done, so there's really nothing to fix.  Maybe some basic hand tools to fix any minor issues that might come up...but they won't.
Did I mention plenty of water?

I'm sure I'll think of something, but that's a heck of a start.

At Sandia, heat is the enemy and you'll want to spend maximum effort in fighting it.  Keep cool...keep protected from the sun both by shade and sunblock...and stay hydrated.  Get out of your leathers between sessions to help you cool down, and drink more water than you think you should.  Remember, if you're not peeing, you're not drinking enough.

If you start to feel your mind slipping, stop riding.  It's not uncommon for riders to leave before the last few sessions because they've had enough, so don't try to be Superman.  You know whether or not you're in shape to go fast.  If you're not, then don't....that's when accidents happen.

I'll see you out there.  I'm supposed to work a corner for the track day, but I may try to ride if SMRI intend to race in the reverse direction again the following Sunday.

[Ratfink749]

Well damn, thats about as good of trackday advice as I've heard.  I'll be out there riding it as well.  My friend who's coming with me is also a trackday virgin.. I think I'm on #5 or 6... Its addictive like crack, so be prepared to want more when your done!   [moto]

[kingbaby]

Put blue painters tape on your lights, signals etc. Not that the stuff isn't floating everywhere out there, but never hurts to have it. Oh, and sack the mirrors if you can. They love to brake off at those RPM's

[Ratfink749]

From the SMRI website.. Their guidelines:
http://www.smri-racing.org/docs/trackdayguidelines.pdf

[Cloner]

One more piece of advice. 

SMRI doesn't allow riders in the "beginner" group to pass on the inside until after the apex of a turn.  This is LESS of a handicap for passing than you might imagine, so don't let it discourage you from signing up for that group.  I've ridden with you, Craig, and I believe you'd be fine starting in "intermediate", but if you're more comfortable in the "beginner" group, then that's where you should start.  Most of the folks in the "beginner" group are either track newbies or folks who KNOW they're slow. 

If you try a group and feel like you're having to work too hard to pass safely on the outside and that you're legitimately faster than most of the others in your group, then just ask to be promoted to the next group up.  If you're obviously faster than the rest of your group and the closing speeds are VERY high, the corner marshals will ask to have you moved up for safety.

If you sign up for the "beginner" group and want a little instruction there's a free class available to show you the racing line and such.  If you've never been on track before, that might be worth your time, too.  They ask you to follow a "control rider" around the track for the first couple of sessions at a VERY slow pace, but if you're looking to get comfortable without complications or ego getting in the way it's a viable option.

Stay safe, above all.  Nobody wins a trackday, so ride well!

[crat996]

Thanks Scott. That's a lot of good advice. Some stuff I probably wouldnt have thought of. I definitely will start with the newbs because I have never been on the track before so a little help with the line would be good. I probably wil move up after that. Most of that stuff I have except for the EZ up. I might rent one from base for a few bucks.

Tire pressures are really that low??

How do mirrors fall off?  Not saying they don't. I just wouldnt think that would happen.

If anyone has anything else, throw it out there.

Thanks,
Craig

[Ratfink749]

I'm not sure he meant "they love to brake off at those RPMs".. but They should be taken off.  Either that or taped over.  Taking them off just gets them out of the way and subtracts from the list of things that will need to be taped off. 

[Cloner]

Tire pressures are really that low??

How do mirrors fall off?  Not saying they don't. I just wouldnt think that would happen.

Tire pressures on some Dunlop slicks run in the teens.  I run 28/28 on my race bike.  I run 30/28 on my Supersport for track days and 32/32 on the street.  The numbers published on the sides of your tires are for max loading, not for max grip.

They're not worried about mirrors falling off....they're worried about them breaking when you wad.  It's hard to clean up shattered glass and hard plastic, so they ask you to tape over your mirrors, headlight, tail lights, turn signals, and reflectors if you have them.  Similarly, antifreeze is notoriously difficult to clean up so some organizations ask riders to remove all antifreeze from their cooling systems and run pure water or water plus "water wetter", which is a water additive that improves heat transfer but evaporates readily with the water if you wad and split the radiator, water pump housing, or another coolant bearing member.  SMRI doesn't demand that.  

In fact, the track day requirements here are quite easy to comply with.  I don't know why more local folks don't take advantage of it.  Back in the Southeast we paid through the nose for track days.  Here, a track day with an advanced ticket is $70.  At Talladega Grand Prix Raceway, Roebling Road, Jennings Motorsports Park, Carolina Motorsports Park, Summit Point, or Nashville Raceway they're usually $125 to $150.  At Barber and Road Atlanta they're always $200 plus.  We've got a local bargain going, here!

If you can rent an EZ-Up cheap, then do so.  If not, I can arrange a loaner but I have to have it back for the raceday on Sunday.

[kingbaby]

Well, lucky me. Geuss I'm the only guy thats been hit by someone elses mirror when it ejected itself at a track day. so, yes, I meant break, or rattle, or whatever. Hit me right above my right wrist...hurt like hell.
Bottom line, if it doesn't make your bike go, turn or stop... Take it off.
Have fun, you're gonna love it.

[JJ]

  Scott great advice! Thanks! I'm gonna try my best to get those tickets and show up for my first track day...For a change, I'm in town! I'm hoping we will see you there as I would love to get advice on the first day...Now, lets hope they have tickets!

[Cloner]

Well, lucky me. Geuss I'm the only guy thats been hit by someone elses mirror when it ejected it's self at a track day. Bottom line, if it doesn't make your bike go, turn or stop... Take it off.
Have fun, you're gonna love it.

Let me get this straight.....KB is riding along at the racetrack, turning blistering laps on his way to an eminent MotoGP contract at Team Fiat.  He's heeled over with a knee on the deck and is looking through the turn and fully expects to lap some poor unsuspecting poser at the exit when, out of the blue, that sorry SOB threw his mirror at MY KB!!!     Gawddammit!!!!!     Let me find this turd sucker and he's D-E-A-D dead!

Only you, Keith.   

I'd tend to agree with Keith...though for a different reason.  If you wad, all of those pretty things...mirrors....signals....lights....fairings.... are expensive to replace.  If you don't need it, ditch it.  Besides, mirrors are a distraction at a pace, anyway.

[kingbaby]

Uh...yeah...hello, it was all over the news.
Fact, was at the track in Deming, which is make the beast with two backsin awesome track. big fast & smooth. There is a straight that seems to go on forever, and just as I ducked in to pass entering the corner, I heard him down shift through three gears & dump the clutch, then...BAM! here came the hand grenade.
Our track, probably not a problem, unless you go around in first gear the entire time.

Just take 'em off.

[JJ]

I'll have to do for now without EZ-up's (expensive crap!) and some sunscreen! Natural tan in my case helps!   My bills are up already preparing for the track day, but all worthwhile investment...Got a digital pressure gauge, compressed 125psi capacity air tank, chain lube, chain clean, two chairs, painters tape, tools, etc...

I'm running an OEM Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa 120/70 and Pilot Power single compound 190/55. What tire pressure should I start with for each? Like I said, I'm bringing a tank to compensate. I ride usually with 32/32 or 32/34. That works for me on street...I'm riding with the beginners as I have no track experience...If I get too excited and start speeding , I'll bump myself a level.

Now, here's a find! My rear brakes have nothing called "bite", found it at an uphill light today. I never use it, but do I have to take care of it? The fluid is full and I know nothing further!

Thanks!

[Ratfink749]

I'm running Bridgestone's (BT003RS) at 30F 28R for the track. Since it's a race weekend the tire guy might be out there, He might be able to give you a more brand and model specific pressure to go with.  As far as the rear brake, They'll more or less preach that you dont use it on the track as much as possible. (At least they did when I was in the beginner class) I would think if the fluid is full, the pads are good and it "works" you should be okay to tech.  OH and for what its worth, the cheapest EZUP's I've seen are $80-$90 at WalMart (when they have them in stock that is..)  Costco's 10x10 was like $190 IIRC..