Grattan Lap Times

KF810 · 06-28-2006, 2:54 PM

Seeing as this seems to be the Grattan page, I was wondering what a decent lap time around there is. I went once and I'm going back there at least 3 more times this year. So, cough 'em up, people.

Linus · 06-28-2006, 4:45 PM

1:19.25 and you may be able to keep up with Denning and Pegram. Really if you are in the mid to low 30's that is a good pace-sub 30's and you can do sprint races. But seriously the numbers on the timer won't reflect how much fun you are having at Grattan. It's a fun track and you are'nt getting paid so don't risk it too much. Grattan is pretty technical with all the blind turns-and it is not as forgiving as say Gingerman. Binning it at Grattan is typically pretty costly-I should know.

Since you are doing the A2A days, have Mike Keene show you the lines through Grattan, If Section 8 superbikes is there ask one of them for help as well. Or anyone else who is from Fireblades who consider Grattan thier Home track, aCBRVFR, GT, Abtech-specially Abtech, Red Rider, HRCNick etc.

KF810 · 06-28-2006, 4:56 PM

Hey, I go through Holly for work once in a while.(railroad) I've only been to Grattan once now, and I was just curious to what a respectable time was. The guys from Section 8 (the guy on the duc 999r was hauling ass) were there at the first day I went to, and since it was my first track day ever, I was just concentrating on not seeing my bike or myself fly through the air. How about times for Gingerman??

KF810 · 06-28-2006, 4:59 PM

I'm just trying to have a goal by the end of the year, I guess. Well, besides not crashing.

Linus · 06-28-2006, 5:24 PM

That was probably Bill he and Section 8 were a big help on sorting my suspension, and helping me regain some lost confidence. I'd volunteer to help you-I know grattan well and instructed for trackoholics with Abtech and Keene-but I'm out until the Baby comes which will be any day-any minute.

Oh, and I suck at Gingerman-I never figured the track out the 2 times I was there-I earned the nickname "lawnmower"

Good Luck

KF810 · 06-28-2006, 5:33 PM

wow, i ran off at gingerman too. well, im going to grattan on 7/31, 8/21, 9/11 with a2a. If you're going to be there, I'll try and say hello. red/black 600rr. so the $50 for the susp. by sect. 8 was worth it? congrats on the baby!

Linus · 06-28-2006, 5:45 PM

Absolutley it was worth it-I had a harder time tinkering with it than the USD's on my R-1. Plus Bill towed me along for the last 2 sessions and I knew we were at a pretty quick pace, and we tinkered with it more in between sessions. Just remember Grattan is not as forgiving as Gingerman-there are a few more hazards, turn 1 has claimed a few victims-me included, I've seen some big get offs at the jump hump, the entry into the bowl, at the apex of turn 3, even highsides at turn 4, and the great bus stop-My and I'm sure everyone else's advice for Grattan-learn the lines-speed will come naturally after you are smooth and consistent on the right lines.

HRC NICK 11 · 06-28-2006, 6:00 PM

Well The best times I ran were during a 6 hour race on a stock R6(it had race tires and a steering damper and ran the same tires the whole day) I ran 1:30's on it, Eric Spector jumped opn the same bike and ran 1:27's.

I have only done 2 trackdays this year after not going to grattan for 2 years and have gotten my sv650 into 1:35's but ran five 1:37's back to back. When I get the front suspension sorted I think it will go better. I think some new tires, ones that are not 2 years old, will help also.

The lap record is 1:19 flat but I would not use that as your target as its insanely fast.

Take your time getting faster, its less painful. Oh and always remember everyone is slow in the bus-stop. I forgot while chasing a motard a few weeks ago and fell on my butt.

A good part of the track to work on is from the bus-stop to the straight because any speed you can build up through there you get to keep going down the straight. A lot of people slow down way early for the hill making it a great place to pass, the first corner after the hill can be taken pretty fast.

If you find yourself running off the track a bunch you need to ask for help from people that are not the grass is a bad option as there is NO TRACTION out there. The only time you should be in the grass is when you fell. I have seen people hit trees and walls that normally would never be hit because they decided to just run wide. One person with brake problems ended up in the road when he went around the gravel trap in turn one.

Heavy-Dee · 06-28-2006, 6:39 PM

I lost the front in T1 a couple years ago. Just b/c I'm a crappy rider.

I think I was doing mid-high 1:30's during a Fasttrax 3 hr on a modded R6.

It's been a couple years, and I've done more races since then so I'd love to go back. Stars just haven't aligned yet.

HD