Does this NESBA rule worry you?

sheepofblue · 07-28-2005, 12:47 PM

24) Must I drain my coolant system? Only Advanced class riders must change from antifreeze to water (see p. 16 in manual for how-to instructions). Engine Ice and Evans Coolant are NO longer permitted!

OK I am hooked and blame Abtech! But I need to do at least one more day before next year. I am mainly comparing NESBA and STT since they have Barber dates before year end and Barber is convenient. Having a 100% no pelt puncture policy for me safety is #1. This rule seems poor and worries me on their safety outlook. While some complaining was made (very little) before Grattan I came away with two impressions; with some common sense on my part track days are fairly safe; TRACK DAYS rock! The crew that organized the Fireblades.org days were 100% beyond safety and I really appreciated that fact (and have no desire to ride with a bunch of squids) I have been told that there will be no matching that awesome job but I want 'close'

Thanks for the further corrupting influence and info.

Red Rider · 07-28-2005, 1:13 PM

There's a current discussion on the WERA board about NESBA and STT. It appears that NESBA runs a more structured and more strict event than STT. As for the antifreeze, CLASS and STAR allow it in all groups, and they ride at all the big tracks around the country (including Grattan) .

mr_rua · 07-28-2005, 1:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

24) Must I drain my coolant system? Only Advanced class riders must change from antifreeze to water (see p. 16 in manual for how-to instructions). Engine Ice and Evans Coolant are NO longer permitted!

OK I am hooked and blame Abtech! But I need to do at least one more day before next year. I am mainly comparing NESBA and STT since they have Barber dates before year end and Barber is convenient. Having a 100% no pelt puncture policy for me safety is #1. This rule seems poor and worries me on their safety outlook. While some complaining was made (very little) before Grattan I came away with two impressions; with some common sense on my part track days are fairly safe; TRACK DAYS rock! The crew that organized the Fireblades.org days were 100% beyond safety and I really appreciated that fact (and have no desire to ride with a bunch of squids) I have been told that there will be no matching that awesome job but I want 'close'

Thanks for the further corrupting influence and info.

I ride with NESBA and not STT, therefore this may be a poor comparison. To me, NESBA is absolutely about safety. I'm not sure what the logic is about allowing the "B" and "I" group to use anti-freeze. It has not affected me on the track or anyone else I know. I think it hasn't affected me because NESBA control riders clamp down folks riding over their head or out of control pretty well. I have seen them pull people off the track due to erratic riding or misbehavior. Of course there will be times when the control riders and/or NESBA officials don't catch everything. That's when they rely/encourage other riders to report possibly "dangerous" situations.

As for other track days, with other organizations. I did a track day with a local motorcycle dealership in VA called Loudon Motor Sports. It was the worst track day I have ever been to. The track day had very little structure, out of control control riders and too many squids wrecking their bikes on the front straight. However the post lunch time sessions were great because all the squids either crashed out or got scared watching their buddies crash therefore not riding. This track day required saftety wiring and anti-freeze was not allowed.

NESBA gets my vote of confidence for outstanding safety!

Zippy · 07-28-2005, 2:17 PM

I ride with NESBA all the time. I guess this has always been the rule that only the Advanced guys have to change out the coolent. They do encourage everyone to do so. What I think is ironic though, is that there are far more crashes per rider in the lower groups than in the Advanced group. If anyone should be allowed to run coolant, it should be the A group, because they crash less and are less likely to make a mess.

It's a great club with generally very good organization, highly skilled control riders, and a strong attitude towards safety. The control riders are mostly all the same guys from year to year. They are experienced, and they stick with the job, even though they are volunteers. Some other clubs seem to have lower standards for who they will let control ride.

RRWANTR · 07-28-2005, 2:17 PM

To me this doesn't make too much sense. All or none imho. In the numerous track days I've been to, the Intermediate group is usually the one with the most crashes (ego, experience etc..). So going by that the I group should be the one needing water wetter.

Personally, I think everyone should be running water/WW as coolant sucks to clean up and is so fricking slippery and screws everyone waiting to get on the track.

Zippy · 07-28-2005, 2:46 PM

I always ran just Water Wetter, and did the safety wiring required for the Advanced class as soon as I started riding them them, even though it was not required for my group.

sheepofblue · 07-28-2005, 2:56 PM

thanks for the feedback on NESBA, STT might win this year though as they have two sets of days and $30 vs $75 signup (and a fellow southerner rides and likes them so there may be a share the pit opportunity)

HondaGalToo · 07-28-2005, 3:45 PM

The club I ride with doesn't require antifreeze removal for any class, and there hasn't been a problem associated with in the 10 years they've been running trackdays.

abtech · 07-28-2005, 9:09 PM

Once again I must point out that I have essentially pissed away over $1000.00 worth of track time waiting for the mess to get cleaned up after Joe Trackstar wadded his bike with antifreeze. This is at 3 different tracks mind you. I am glad that some people have never had to watch the clock wind past 5:00 PM while the corner crew scrubbed down the track because some asshat thought he could "get by" without changing his coolant, but for me, the coolant change will always be mandatory for everyone.

sheepofblue · 07-28-2005, 9:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

Once again I must point out that I have essentially pissed away over $1000.00 worth of track time waiting for the mess to get cleaned up after Joe Trackstar wadded his bike with antifreeze. This is at 3 different tracks mind you. I am glad that some people have never had to watch the clock wind past 5:00 PM while the corner crew scrubbed down the track because some asshat thought he could "get by" without changing his coolant, but for me, the coolant change will always be mandatory for everyone.

Although the $1000 is important (not to mention my time in general) I was more concerned with the hazard of breaking over a hill and having a puddle of antifreeze in the turn because someone binned. I value my fleece pretty high

I was just suprised as it was an enforced rule at the .org days that seemed very reasonable so i wanted feedback on 'other' habits if they had them (sounds like they do not)

garbau · 07-29-2005, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

24) Must I drain my coolant system? Only Advanced class riders must change from antifreeze to water (see p. 16 in manual for how-to instructions). Engine Ice and Evans Coolant are NO longer permitted!

I would guess that the higher speeds of the Advanced riders has more potential to cause accident damage bad enough to cause a coolant leak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rider

CLASS and STAR allow it in all groups, and they ride at all the big tracks around the country (including Grattan)

CLASS is considered 'street school' with instructors and rules. Not sure if STAR is considered a 'street' school or not, but it is very similar to CLASS. They're both schools, and people are there to learn, not to push their limits. Advanced groups at track days is open track -- no passing rules, instructors, etc. More potential for accidents at a trackday.

Red Rider · 07-29-2005, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbau

I would guess that the higher speeds of the Advanced riders has more potential to cause accident damage bad enough to cause a coolant leak.

CLASS is considered 'street school' with instructors and rules. Not sure if STAR is considered a 'street' school or not, but it is very similar to CLASS. They're both schools, and people are there to learn, not to push their limits. Advanced groups at track days is open track -- no passing rules, instructors, etc. More potential for accidents at a trackday.

The "A" group at CLASS is pretty much wide open. My point was that it's up to the organization on whether to allow antifreeze or not.

ND4SPD · 07-29-2005, 12:27 PM

I wouldn't feel very comfortable with it. Water itself is slippery enough.

Linus · 07-29-2005, 12:56 PM

yeah but you can sop it up and hose it away i need be-antifreeze is a little tougher-and besides running distilled water and water weter keeps my bike running close to 20 degrees cooler=more power.