Anyone ever ridden at brainerd?

Rios929 · 06-23-2005, 1:41 PM

I will be doing a trackday at brainerd on saturday. It will be my first time there, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips.

thanks

ND4SPD · 06-23-2005, 1:47 PM

Stay off the grass

abtech · 06-23-2005, 3:13 PM

Keep it pinned in sixth through the turn 1 kink.

maxib · 06-23-2005, 3:26 PM

Rios929, although I have not taken my bike on that particular track, I've been there many times. I have connections to a few CRA racers that have Brainerd as their home track.

PM me your email addy and I'll forward your request to them. Although short notice, perhaps one or two will respond directly.

Who is sponsoring the trackday? Usually, the sponsor will have helpful info as well when you get there.

The only advice I can give is after T10, be careful entering the dragstrip beginning the mile straight as it can be squirrely from whatever the stuff is leftover from the last drag race.

Also, stay off the grass! (+1)

maxib · 06-23-2005, 3:30 PM

Do NOT do what abtech recommends until you've had several laps and fully warmed tires! Until then, keep it a couple hundred rpm below the rev limiter!

Jeez Frank, it's his first time there!

(I know it's all in fun...

)

Rios929 · 06-23-2005, 4:29 PM

Trackaddix is putting on the event.

my email is Rios929@hotmail.com, thanks maxib!

abtech · 06-23-2005, 5:11 PM

Rios, sorry, I guess I thought everyone in the midwest knew the standing "bench racing hero story" and turn 1 at Brainerd. Once you get familiar with the track and your tires are warm, you can explore the depth of your soul through Brainerd's turn 1 (sort of like turn 8 at Willow). The fast guys do in fact keep it pinned in top gear through this corner, but I don't recommend it for a BIR newbie.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the straight is pretty long and if you are on-track early in the morning when it's still cold, make certain you have warmed up your engine thoroughly. Like Road America, many engines have blown at the end of the straight because the oil wasn't up to temp.

Rios929 · 06-24-2005, 1:02 AM

Yeah, I've attended a few AMA races at brainerd, so I am familiar with the infamous turn one. Just haven't experienced it for my self yet.

At least I'll be on an SV, so I won't be going mach1 into turn one

maxib · 06-24-2005, 7:33 AM

Oh, one last thing before I forget and go to work! Rios, you do understand that a track report is MANDATORY don't you?

slh929rr · 06-24-2005, 10:25 AM

What do you want to know?

The track is bumpier than it looks. Track is wide!! Quite a few of the corners are on camber banks. Lots of run off, in most areas, except if you go off in turn 2 at 130mph, you are in the woods, and your bike is trashed. If you go off straight in turn 4, there is a trench there 30-50 feet from the track also. The right side of your tires get warmed up before the left side. Many a rider goes down in turn 4 (the first left) because of cold tires.

Turn 1 is "almost" full speed, but on a 929, I would back off a bit. It eats up the right side of the tire cuz you are on it for awhile.

Turn 3 is the tightest corner until you get to turn 9 (The back stop). Otherwise the corners pretty much get less tight. if you are looking for a good laptime, you need a good drive out of turn 10 onto the straight.

If its even sprinkling that day, you need to be careful on the straight, especially the beginning part. Stay on either side, or right in the middle where there is "cement". Its gets slippery from the crap they put down for the drag racers.

It is for sure a fun track. Just enjoy yourself. Take some time and learn the track.

They will hopefully tell you, that if you enter the track from the pits, stay high in turn 1, pick up speed and then take your normal line in turn 2. If you drop down into the corner right away during a hot session, you are taking a big chance of getting creamed by a guy that just got done doing 165 down the straight and is banking into turn 1.

I guess that is really all I can tell you.

Later