NESBA Road Atl pics 5/23

cbr99xx · 05-23-2004, 7:50 PM

Had a great time!

Got up to around 90 deg. here today, first track day this year... I am wiped... more later.

Edit: Deleted attached pics and added link to my gallery. http://www.fireblades.org/photopost/...ry.php/cat/606

SuperDave · 05-23-2004, 8:02 PM

Excellent! Bet you were whipped near the end of the day. I still don't see how guys (and gals) do back to back track days. BTW, you may have to remove that "poser" signature. SANDBAGGER!!!

cbr99xx · 05-24-2004, 9:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Excellent! Bet you were whipped near the end of the day. I still don't see how guys (and gals) do back to back track days. BTW, you may have to remove that "poser" signature. SANDBAGGER!!!

Thanks SD... I've always wanted to be thought of as a sandbagger.

My opinion of NESBA has changed a bit after this weekend. My brother was doing his first track day Sunday and his experience was less than desirable. After two sessions he took off the gear and resigned himself to watch from the grandstand. I suppose that I never really noticed how little the CRs pay attention to new riders until I saw them in action Sunday.

My older brother is in no way a newbie and really shouldn't be classed as a re-entry rider. But... until this last year he hasn't sampled the performance and handling of the more modern sport bike. Learning to trust today’s sticky tires and improved handling after having an 80's superbike as your last ride takes time. Time... time seemed to be a precious commodity at Road Atlanta with NESBA yesterday.

I was in the same group as my brother and would lap him twice in the same session (in all fairness, we didn’t start at the same time). I'm not bragging, just trying to illustrate what my brother was dealing with yesterday. He was being passed in corners, on the inside, with very little room (2-3 ft) to spare. It was obvious that he needed some attention from the CRs yet none ever was paid. I would think that working with new riders would be a priority with any track organization if they want to grow.

After having witnessed this I would never recommend a new track rider use NESBA as their first track day experience. Maybe this was an anomaly but NESBA was quite aware of the newbs… they had to take their extra 20-min (first timers) riders meeting. All it takes is a bad first experience to totally turn someone off to the track. I would think that every precaution would be taken to insure every new member had a pleasurable experience… This was not the case for my brother.

I would like to add that my brother was not doing the free intro deal. He paid the 75.00 membership fee as well as 200.00 for Sunday’s Road Atl. Track day.

Now... as for myself. I am addicted, NESBA is a dealer, I'll be back.

bubba · 05-24-2004, 9:22 PM

the experience there was not as enjoyable as it was in the NE.

On saturday there were times when the beginner group went out with 2 CR's there were more than 30 riders in the BEG group. I too was being passed deep in the corners and did not like it at all, it wasn't the fact that they were passing me, it was that they were told NOT to.

The same happened with the CR, during the first 2 laps - FULL Course Yellow, there was to be NO passing and sure as ****, at the end of the back straight the CR and his group came zooming past me into 10 and then had to jam on the brakes.

I would love to ride with other groups, but do not know who to go out with.

How did the shortened day go on Sunday? Did you feel cheated? I sure did on Saturday, got rained out after lunch

cbr99xx · 05-24-2004, 9:48 PM

The shortened day due to the quiet time in the morning may have added to the situation that my brother found himself in. I was swearing up and down to my brother that the first two sessions would be slow, that was not the case. We were told there would be standing yellow for the first two laps of the first session... there was not. Heck I had a guy pass me before we even made it half way around the track (short chute after the esses) I looked up and saw there was no standing yellow at the next corner and let it rip myself. I can't imagine how it felt to be passed by two 150 mph rockets on either side of you and you haven't even completed one lap at your first track day.

The sessions usually speed up as the day goes on. Since the morning sessions were to be cut short by the quiet time NESBA decided to up the pace early. Great for me... bad for first timers.

From what I hear from the guys that were there on both days, riding time was about the same for both days after adding in the rain delay on Sat.

cbr99xx · 05-24-2004, 9:52 PM

Pit pics

Chrome Dome · 05-24-2004, 10:05 PM

What does "CR" stand for?

I'm considering attending the NESBA track day in Seattle next month. I've never been to a NESBA track day. The seven track days I've been to so far were put on by 3 different management teams and there was a HUGE difference between the 3 (the opposite sides of the spectrum - safety and no restrictions).

One focused (and strictly enforced) safety and passing rules.
One is kind of in between safety and not caring much.
The third seemed to not care at all. Once the track was hot, we were on our own.

I wonder where NESBA falls...

cbr99xx · 05-24-2004, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome Dome

What does "CR" stand for?

I'm considering attending the NESBA track day in Seattle next month. I've never been to a NESBA track day. The seven track days I've been to so far were put on by 3 different management teams and there was a HUGE difference between the 3 (the opposite sides of the spectrum - safety and no restrictions).

One focused (and strictly enforced) safety and passing rules.
One is kind of in between safety and not caring much.
The third seemed to not care at all. Once the track was hot, we were on our own.

I wonder where NESBA falls...

CR= Control Rider

Well to tell you the truth after having done three track days with NESBA all I can really say is they are inconsistant.

At Road Atl. and Barber last year I would say that your second description would fit. Yesterday at Road Atl. I would say that your third description applies. I have never seen anyone black flagged or pulled off by a control rider for bad passes yet I have seen several bad passes.

NESBA has several divisions so what may be a problem down here may not be a concern where you sign up. In other words YMMV.

Chrome Dome · 05-25-2004, 2:00 AM

Do you know if NESBA allows you to pay the day of the track day?

I live in the land of the rain, but I have no desire to ride in it. Most track day "sponsors" up here require payment in advance, but allow you to pay the day of for about $30-$50 more. I couldn't find the info on NESBA's website...

cbr99xx · 05-25-2004, 7:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome Dome

Do you know if NESBA allows you to pay the day of the track day?

I live in the land of the rain, but I have no desire to ride in it. Most track day "sponsors" up here require payment in advance, but allow you to pay the day of for about $30-$50 more. I couldn't find the info on NESBA's website...

If there is a way to pay the day of the event I don't know of it.

From NESBA's website,

Quote:

FREE Rain Insurance - If an event is cancelled due to rain, you get 100% credit, even if you didn't show up.

click on 'Become a member'.

ccwilli3 · 05-25-2004, 9:43 AM

Good pics CBR99xx! You are looking good man!

cbr99xx · 05-25-2004, 4:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccwilli3

Good pics CBR99xx! You are looking good man!

Thanks CC!!! I'm workin' on it.

tigerblade · 05-25-2004, 5:19 PM

Great pics! Sorry to hear your brother had a bad experience. Did he seek out a CR for help? If so, it sucks that he didn't get some help/advice. If not, the student/teacher ratio is sometimes such that you need to be proactive in getting assistance.

cbr99xx · 05-25-2004, 9:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerblade

Great pics! Sorry to hear your brother had a bad experience. Did he seek out a CR for help? If so, it sucks that he didn't get some help/advice. If not, the student/teacher ratio is sometimes such that you need to be proactive in getting assistance.

No, he never asked for help/advice from the CRs. From his point of view they were part of the problem. By this I mean... If they aren't going to make sure that others are abiding by the rules how or why should he expect them to help with any other aspect of his riding? BTW I know the CRs can't see everything but from what I've seen... they see nothing! (There are corner workers out there also.) Throw in the fact that the promised sighting laps under standing yellow didn't happen may have helped to developed a certain amount of distrust of NESBA in general.

Honestly, I didn't realize that his day was going that badly until he had the gear off and already decided he wasn't going back out. Not that I would have been able to do or say anything to help him out (those of you with older brothers will understand this statement).

ccwilli3 · 05-25-2004, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbr99xx

No, he never asked for help/advice from the CRs. From his point of view they were part of the problem. By this I mean... If they aren't going to make sure that others are abiding by the rules how or why should he expect them to help with any other aspect of his riding? BTW I know the CRs can't see everything but from what I've seen... they see nothing! (There are corner workers out there also.) Throw in the fact that the promised sighting laps under standing yellow didn't happen may have helped to developed a certain amount of distrust of NESBA in general.

Honestly, I didn't realize that his day was going that badly until he had the gear off and already decided he wasn't going back out. Not that I would have been able to do or say anything to help him out (those of you with older brothers will understand this statement).

Sounds a lot like the experience I had with them...

bubba · 05-26-2004, 9:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome Dome

Do you know if NESBA allows you to pay the day of the track day?

I live in the land of the rain, but I have no desire to ride in it. Most track day "sponsors" up here require payment in advance, but allow you to pay the day of for about $30-$50 more. I couldn't find the info on NESBA's website...

show up at the track - you must pay the nonmember price within 15 days. I think it is like 40 bucks more

tigerblade · 05-26-2004, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbr99xx

No, he never asked for help/advice from the CRs. From his point of view they were part of the problem. By this I mean... If they aren't going to make sure that others are abiding by the rules how or why should he expect them to help with any other aspect of his riding? BTW I know the CRs can't see everything but from what I've seen... they see nothing! (There are corner workers out there also.) Throw in the fact that the promised sighting laps under standing yellow didn't happen may have helped to developed a certain amount of distrust of NESBA in general.

Honestly, I didn't realize that his day was going that badly until he had the gear off and already decided he wasn't going back out. Not that I would have been able to do or say anything to help him out (those of you with older brothers will understand this statement).

Well that's too bad. I've been at days before where you expect certain rules to be followed (like no passing on the inside) that weren't.

cbr99xx · 05-26-2004, 1:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerblade

Well that's too bad. I've been at days before where you expect certain rules to be followed (like no passing on the inside) that weren't.

It's funny what you get use to, being passed a 150 MPH with 2ft to spare doesn't bother me. Even checking up because someone is coming inside on me doesn't ruin my day. But for someone who has never seen these speeds before... I can see where it would make them uncomfortable.

Maybe it's not a total loss... I may have him talked into trying Barber.

slowpoke · 05-26-2004, 1:59 PM

Nice pics, man! Too bad about your brother, though. I can kinda relate to how he feels. I've done a few trackdays in the intermediate group and in the rider's mtg., they go through their bit about about leaving 6' distance between someone you're passing and no passing on the inside, etc. But I've been stuffed on the inside and had people go by close enough I could reach over and grab their elbows. It seems to me that some of the guys in intermediate should be running in the advanced group, or maybe my slow azz should go back to the beginners.

A few times it seemed like there were an awful lot of bikes in that group too. I guess I really should get a beater for the track.

tigerblade · 05-26-2004, 2:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbr99xx

It's funny what you get use to, being passed a 150 MPH with 2ft to spare doesn't bother me. Even checking up because someone is coming inside on me doesn't ruin my day. But for someone who has never seen these speeds before... I can see where it would make them uncomfortable.

Maybe it's not a total loss... I may have him talked into trying Barber.

Very true. It's different if you know it's a possibility. If you're at a trackday or school and they specifically forbid things, they definitely should not happen.