[mr_rua]

Just got done with the intro session of my first track day ever with NESBA at Summit Point (Jefferson) this past Sunday (06/14/2004). Holy shiznits! What a freaking awesome experience. Got to ride behind a control rider who's been riding for over 20 years and runs WERA events (his name is George, don't remember the last name). Fortunately for me, the other "intro" guys were a bit slower than me, so I was able to ride behind George and learn a few things about riding! Actually make that a ton of things about riding. I now know, I know nothing about gear selection, carrying the right entrance speed, picking the right lines, etc... What a humbling experience, but well worth it. Had chat sessions after every foray out on the track and got to ask questions and get pointers.

Man, now I know where all the fast guys go and that's to the track. I'm so hyped about getting to another track day to learn more about riding!

Riding on the track is 300 times better than any street road I've ever been on. Don't have to worry about dirt, oil, jersey walls, cars, etc... that are associated with the street. I'm actually thinking about not riding a sport bike on the street ever again!

I will note this though, I had a bit of a negative experience with some other riders who were riding Ducatis. They came as a group and were quite abrasive with everybody else not riding a Ducati. What's up with that?

Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to the next track day that I can get to, to do a lot more learning!

[abtech]

"I will note this though, I had a bit of a negative experience with some other riders who were riding Ducatis. They came as a group and were quite abrasive with everybody else not riding a Ducati. What's up with that?"

Ask Chain . . .

Glad you had a great time and welcome to the addiction

[SuperDave]

Glad you had a great time! Yea, there's a few in every crowd. My 2nd track event had this cocky ass on a brand new $13000 Aprillia. He wouldn't listen to the control riders, passed his own group, complained to instructors we were too slow him. Later I saw his bike being loaded back up, he wadded it half way through the day in turn 1. The next year I saw him again, now he has a Ducati. I asked if he was the guy I saw go down last year and if that was his Ducati. He said, 'yea, that was me, and yea that's my new Ducati, nothing against Honda but I wanted something with charactor'.

[cbr99xx]

Welcome to the addiction!

[mr_rua]

Thanks guys! Man, I haven't stopped thinking about track day and going back since I left the track on Saturday. I was up until 3am this morning thinking about what I need to do to get back to the track. This IS truely an ADDICTION!

SuperDave,
Funny you mention the "character" thing. Cousin of mine, was told the same thing by a Ducati Monster owner, when he was standing outside at some motorcycle dealership parking lot. The guy was also complaining that his Monster was constantly leaking oil. My cousin then said, "Well you better watch out because some of that character is leaking all over the parking lot!"

Oh, btw...Three bikes ate it at the track that day. Two of them happend to be Ducs. Not sure what that exactly means and if it is some kind of indication of Ducati owners. I suppose it isn't fair to make blanket statements about Ducati owners b/c I have a good friend who rides a Ducati also and is the most laid back friendly person.

Oh well, back to thinking about track day!

[Chain]

Originally Posted by abtech

"I will note this though, I had a bit of a negative experience with some other riders who were riding Ducatis. They came as a group and were quite abrasive with everybody else not riding a Ducati. What's up with that?"

Ask Chain . . .

[in my best Thurston Howell the 3rd voice] "Oh dear boy, if you don't ride a Ducati, you're not really a sportsbiker."



Just kidding of course.

Glad to hear you had a good time. I had a total blast on my first track day earlier this year (well, a track school, just in the interest of accuracy). And don't let the Ducati snobs getcha down - we're not all snotty pricks.

[Chain]

Originally Posted by mr_rua

Three bikes ate it at the track that day. Two of them happend to be Ducs. Not sure what that exactly means and if it is some kind of indication of Ducati owners.

I don't think it means much more than the guys on those particular bikes were riding beyond their skill-sets this day, that's all.

[arndogg]

Originally Posted by mr_rua

Thanks guys! Man, I haven't stopped thinking about track day and going back since I left the track on Saturday. I was up until 3am this morning thinking about what I need to do to get back to the track. This IS truely an ADDICTION!

SuperDave,
Funny you mention the "character" thing. Cousin of mine, was told the same thing by a Ducati Monster owner, when he was standing outside at some motorcycle dealership parking lot. The guy was also complaining that his Monster was constantly leaking oil. My cousin then said, "Well you better watch out because some of that character is leaking all over the parking lot!"

Oh, btw...Three bikes ate it at the track that day. Two of them happend to be Ducs. Not sure what that exactly means and if it is some kind of indication of Ducati owners. I suppose it isn't fair to make blanket statements about Ducati owners b/c I have a good friend who rides a Ducati also and is the most laid back friendly person.

Oh well, back to thinking about track day!

I know what you mean. I just finished my first track day on Memorial Day weekend, and it was definitely a blast. I gotta find my way back.

As for the Ducs, wouldn't you know it, but on the 1st session of the day, 2 goofballs on 748s in my group(beginner) ate it on the 2nd lap trying to outbreak each other into a turn. I guess they didn't care that there was NO passing in turns for our group, and forget about heating up your tires.

[SuperDave]

The owner of Nelson Ledges strongly recommends that buddies who show togethor seperate into different groups. At first some may not understand why, then it becomes very apparent why.

[Red Rider]

And yet another trackoholic is born! Glad to hear you had such a great first time experience. You'll probably find that you'll have a whole new perspective on street riding after riding on the track. The thought of dealing with dumbass drivers, oil, gravel, cops, etc., becomes less appealing after spending a day blasting around the track. As for the Ducati riders, you'll always find someone who has a 'tude on or off the track. IMO, attitudes and tracks are not a healthy combination.

Now sign up for Grattan where you can do it all over again for 3 days straight!

[CBRBob]

Welcome to your new 'habit'! Now you need to get on a better track, Jefferson is kind of a strange track. No flow, always slick etc. Glad you had a good time!

[mr_rua]

Chain,

"I don't think it means much more than the guys on those particular bikes were riding beyond their skill-sets this day, that's all."

Wasn't trying to say that Duc riders were bad riders. I think I phrased what I wanted to say incorrectly. So please accept my apologies if you thought I meant that Ducati riders are bad riders. I really don't feel any animosty towards anyone who owns any particular brand of motorcycle. If you can ride in control and be cool to everybody, I'm okay with ya regardless of what brand of motorcycle you ride.

Red Rider,

Man I'm really thinking hard about signing up for Grattan. I know for a fact that I could learn a ton from riding behind the likes of you or for that matter anyone else going. I have 2 problems that I need to deal with first:

1) Transportation; I have no means of trailering my bike all the way to Michigan for 3 week days. I borrowed my father's truck and a friends trailer for my 1st track day and that was just for one Saturday.

2) I just moved into a brand new house and will be moving the missus down from Philly during that time frame. I just gotta come up with a super duper good excuse and probably some super duper expensive jewelry.

I'll try to swing it, but I don't think it's going to happen. The missus would probably hold it over my head for the rest of my life.

CBRBob,

The control riders did mention that Jefferson is a bit of an odd track. Especially the residual peanut oil they laid down on the Bus Stop turn to teach police officers how to control a slide of a vehicle. But I think, I have to master the Jefferson circuit before I move on to bigger and "better" tracks. I found myself double apexing the 1st turn (I think they called it carousel) quite a few times. I watched the advanced group go around the carousel without having to double apex the turn. I know, I'm just starting off and can't do everything exactly like the advance riders, but I'm aspiring to become as good. I'll need a ton of practice before I even get anywhere near as good as the advanced riders. And that's if I ever get to that point. I'm just trying to go slow and learn how to be smooth first before I try to go fast. I was just floored as how good the control riders and advanced riders were so smooth and fast! I did just about everything wrong on the track that day. So I have a lot to correct and learn before I become even marginally decent going around any track.

[HondaGal]

Congrats! If you think Jefferson was fun wait until you hit the main course at Summit. Then you'll see what fun really is.

Now sign up for Grattan. THAT is gonna be fun!!!!

[HondaGalToo]

Don't feel you have to master the Jefferson Circuit before going to any other tracks. That's definitely not the case. In fact, I think the Jefferson Circuit is a poor excuse for a racetrack. I rode on it once, and I would never waste my money to ride on it again. So, don't let that limit you. Sign up for other tracks. The Summit Main course is awesome.

[tigerblade]

Originally Posted by mr_rua

The control riders did mention that Jefferson is a bit of an odd track. Especially the residual peanut oil they laid down on the Bus Stop turn to teach police officers how to control a slide of a vehicle.

They put a slick, hard to clean substance on the track ON PURPOSE?!

Glad you had a good time and welcome to the addiction!

[HondaGalToo]

Originally Posted by tigerblade

They put a slick, hard to clean substance on the track ON PURPOSE?!

Yes, they do, as they use it for police training. Then they still make it available to track day organizers for motorcycle track days. Nuts, huh? The club I ride with thinks so, too. We rented it once. No one liked it, so we now only rent the main course.

[abtech]

Mr. RUA: You should give some serious thought to making it out to Grattan at least for 2 of the three days. It is a most excellent course and you will get the opportunity to ride in an extremely low pressure, non poser atmosphere with people you have known for some time.

[matt232]

Originally Posted by abtech

Mr. RUA: You should give some serious thought to making it out to Grattan at least for 2 of the three days. It is a most excellent course and you will get the opportunity to ride in an extremely low pressure, non poser atmosphere with people you have known for some time.

Damn it!!! Just so we, down here in OZ, aren't constantly teased by this kind of post I think we should put this show on the road. Next year it shouldn't be 'making it out to Grattan' but rather 'making it out to Phillip Island'.

[CBRVFR]

Great write-up, Mr.Rua, you've captured the thrill we have all felt.

...and Matt, we'd all love to go, but I'd have to buy a seat for my 954 AND my wife, so.... $$$$$

Why don't you Aussies look into having a track day for yourselves?

[matt232]

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

Great write-up, Mr.Rua, you've captured the thrill we have all felt.

...and Matt, we'd all love to go, but I'd have to buy a seat for my 954 AND my wife, so.... $$$$$

Why don't you Aussies look into having a track day for yourselves?

We can't even manage to get two people to go on a weekend ride together.....mind you, it is winter atm so its pretty tricky. It would be great but not sure if there are any multi track day events around here we could tag along with, doubt we have the numbers to make it viable all by ourselves otherwise. And I don't think we have a Abtech & Co equivalent down here (or do we Aussies?).

Perhaps a few feelers would be a good idea though.

[bwhip]

As a Duc owner, I feel it is beneath me to respond to this infantile thread...

Just kidding!

Congrats on your first track day!

I can't wait to continue my addiction this Saturday and Sunday when I head to Pahrump, Nevada to have some fun in the sun! Shouldn't be too tough to warm the tires!

[tigerblade]

Originally Posted by abtech

...non poser atmosphere...

Speak for yourself. I'm poser-rific.

[mr_rua]

Well, the missus said no to Grattan.

But on the lighter side of things, my buddies and I have tenatively planned to go back to Summit Point on the weekend of Aug. 21 to ride the new Shenandoah Circuit!



I'm also hoping to get in another track day in the month of July. Now I just have to figure out how to sneak out of the house without the wifer knowing I'm going to another track day!

[HondaGalToo]

Originally Posted by mr_rua

But on the lighter side of things, my buddies and I have tenatively planned to go back to Summit Point on the weekend of Aug. 21 to ride the new Shenandoah Circuit!

Don't hold your breath on that one. The completion date for the Shenandoah Circuit has been postponed until September, if then. The club I ride with just had our July 19th date cancelled.

If you're looking for more Summit Point dates, Reduc will be riding the Main Course on Monday, June 21st, and Team Promotion is on the Main Course on July 3rd & 4th.