This was my first time here and I watched 3 people go down, then everyone is telling me how bad and rough the pavement is. Adding some horror stories about some of the turns.
By the time I got on it I was pretty concerned.
Well Gingerman is no Putnam, smaller, slick and rough with deep grooves and asphalt strips that will grab your front tire trying to knock you off the bike. Some corners are pretty sharp turn 1 and turn 3. Turn 2 was the worst with asphalt strip that claimed many novice, intermediate and advanced riders. That was the place for one of those almost moments for me, and Kevin Wooding the day before.
My front tire got "stuck" in that groove while leaned over and stood my bike up right up. I had to gradually accelerate out of it. Then for a while I was distracted by those strips everywere on the track, since I was scared, I was looking for them...
Second almost moment I was passing a slow rider an a R1 before turn 3 got in too hot and I ran off road going "Agricultural" to make things worse now my seat came unlocked, and it was sliding from under me everytime I was leaning off the seat. I didn't want to leave my session, and I finished like that sliding allover the place on every corner.
3rd almost moment: front straight instructor wave me over to pass the slow group and get in front so he could watch me. So I finally hammer the Rs on the straight forgetting that turn 1 was there. You ran out room fast at Gingerman. So I'm now on both brakes downshifting, rear wheel screeching and hopping, front sliding and the seat comes unlatched again. Let off the brakes lean and countersteer just saving it on the curb... :L that was really close. Now I'm mad and embarrassed the all novice group and spectators saw that. I stay on the inside waithing for everyone to pass me, made a lap stuck my hand out come out of the track popped the seat back in place and got back in.
After that I had a couple of shitty laps since I was scared and pissed. but eventually I picked up the pace again. The instructors were very nice and praised me for my save, next session I was in the novice "fast" group again just 3 of us up to 4 by the end of the day.
By then Dr. Wooding helped me fix the seat. Now it stays latched.
I only saw my speed once it was 110 mph on the back straigth I never glanced down again after all the close calls.
The Gingerman track is fun but very technical by the end of the day my legs were killing me and I was spent. I still rode back home :L
I liked Putnam better, smoother, flat, easier big sweepers nice front straight to relax and open wide. I felt confident on Putnam after few sessions, Gingerman you better stay sharp all day. As for Sportbike tracktime fantastic group of people, we had plenty of instructors and an actual class room session before and after each session. I learned more in one day that I did at Putnam in two. Those guys were very fast and made it look so easy, I had to work really hard to keep up.
