Street GT goes trackin' (a pic heavy second track day write up)

[Dietrich]

Just did my second track day ever last Sunday.  It was nearly a year ago to the day that I did my first, also on the GT.  This bike puts smiles on my face like no other, and for some unknown reason has also made me a better rider by leaps and bounds.  Granted, I'm no racer, far from it, but these bikes are fun to ride fast.  I think its the overall package of the bike's positive response to rider input and the rewarding rush of doing it right.  Highly recommend for anyone to try out some riding courses and a couple track days. 

Anyway, if you can't tell by the $hit-eatin' grin on my face, I had FUN!

Going through tech inspection.  They always give me a hard time about my bike running on rubber bands.  I told then I wind them up extra tight for track days:


I had a couple friends with me (1098s & R1) so even though I rode to the track, we had a nice little pit area:






The GT in "track day" mode.  Home made seat, droped rear fender, el cheap-o bar ends:


I was signed up for a half-day, which meant 4, 20-minute sessions. I tried out the "superstreet" class because the beginner class isn't allowed to pass in the corners.  I figured it would be OK if I was slow in superstreet, at least I could ride my own ride and not be held up in the corners.  As it turned out it was perfect, I passed a few, and got passed by several.

The track:


The fun:








Pit stop:


More sessions:






Done. Pirelli Diablo Rossos did great, even with a few thousand miles on them already:






I seem to have improved in the last year, but have a lot to work on.  Definitely need to hang off more.  The bike did great, very stable even with my ham fisted control job.  I hit the rear brake lever at some point, which bent it back a little, and scraped my left boot a couple times. Chirped the rear tire on downshifts while braking for a couple corners, and spun the rear up powering out of a corner once.  What a rush! Can't wait for next time!

[NAKID]

Awesome man! Looks like you had a great time...

[Randimus Maximus]

Nice Dietrich! 

[PragB]

That is way cool!!! I like your little skull dude on your headlight tape... lol... Looks like a ton of fun, one day I need to finally take my bucket to the track...  [moto]   

[triangleforge]

Great photos; looks like a splendid day!

[DucDucDave]

That's it -- I'm goin' next time.

Nice work, D!!

[Dietrich]

Thanks guys, it was an awesome time!  Maybe we should all figure out a weekend that works for everyone and all sign up for the same day?  I definitely want to get out there again, especially when it cools off a bit.  Pennyrobber, are you listening?! 

[NAKID]

What did this weekend cost you?

[Dietrich]

Cost a big fat... $0.  I won the half track day as a door prize at the last Moto GP party, generously donated by AZ Trackday, so other than a tank of gas and some smart water, nothin.  I was even given the power beans by a friend!   

A normal track day costs about $179 for a full day, $129 for a half day.  Free leather rentals usually.  The two groups in town that run track days, and have lots of info on their sites, are:
AZ Trackday www.aztrackday.com
And AZ Tracktime by TEAM Arizona: www.aztracktime.com

[Randimus Maximus]

even at those standard prices, they're a pretty good bargain for a track in your virtual backyard.

closest track to Denver is Pueblo, which is nearly two hours away 

[sdlrodeo]

That is awesome!
I rode one of the GTs at a Demo here in Dallas, and man, If I had the money for another bike, I'd be hard pressed between that and the Hypermotard. I REALLY liked the way the GT went, handled, and stopped. Mucho gusto mi amigo. I'm a little jealous of you mister D.
Steve

[pennyrobber]

Thanks guys, it was an awesome time!  Maybe we should all figure out a weekend that works for everyone and all sign up for the same day?  I definitely want to get out there again, especially when it cools off a bit.  Pennyrobber, are you listening?! 

Oh, I am listening all right. Maybe I will get lucky and win a freebee at the next motogp party. I am ready for the track, but I don't know if the track is ready for me.

[monsterduc]

closest track to Denver is Pueblo, which is nearly two hours away 

It's a fun track though - elevation change, dragstrip straightaway into a long right-hand sweeper...fond memories riding there.  I don't know how it is now but about 10 years ago the track rental rates were really affordable but there was no kind of organization.  It was pretty much pay your fee and go on the track.  No tech inspection, no corner workers, no ambulance.  Hell, there was even a couple of cars on the track with us at one point    but it was sort of fun to blow past the Corvette down the straight.  Anyway...

Dietrich, curious to who and how some of those pictures were taken.  Like the chicane shot from the freeway side 

I'd love to do a trackday with you guys!  The problem is all of my riding gear is in the back of my storage unit  down in Tucson.  Yeah, I REALLY was not thinking when I packed it in.   

[Dietrich]

Dietrich, curious to who and how some of those pictures were taken.  Like the chicane shot from the freeway side 

I forgot to give the track photographer credit - The on track pics were taken by Franco Valentini. He's there at just about all track days and then posts the pics on his website for purchase, very cool service. www.francosp.com  I bought a CD that had my pics and he even printed the CD label with one of the pics...coool. 

[monsterduc]

Oh yes, He has taken several good shots of me.  I was just too cheap to buy the pics