Talladega Track Day

flush26 · 09-10-2009, 3:39 PM

Anyone have any advice on how to approach the Talladega GP? This will be my first visit to the track. I have done two track days so far but both have been at Road Atlanta.

sheepofblue · 09-10-2009, 4:56 PM

I don't have any video since that track has a curse on it that makes my cam act up every time

So when you say approach I am unsure but. Parking is inside the track along the old straight. You can usually put your canopy and bike on the pavement and truck/trailer on the grass. They will likely run two pit ins (convenient) and counter clockwise.

Turn one you carry speed in and hit the apex slightly late, there is a small kink back right that is not soemthing you really need to plan for (it will make sense when you run) On the RC I catch 1-2 shifts depending on my gearing, one if I carry speed through one like I should

. Into two I catch two gears down and can take it one of two ways. One is come in low and drift up mid corner and kind of point and shoot, nice for passing but not great for 600's. The other is to do a pretty standard turn. You run out and kind of run the next bit as a chicane. Carry speed in and drift high into the infield then dive low on the exit after scrubbing speed. The next turn is long and kind of a carousel type. Just remember to get on the gas on the exit as it is easy to not do so until way after you can. Run down the straight into the chicane. There is a hump just before the turn I brake just the other side but don't brake on the hump as you will unweight the back bad, either brake early or at a minimum relax the brake on the hump then reapply or brake late (you will have to find what works best for you). The chicane is easy to go straight through with the proper entry and you stay slightly leaned through it and increase the lean on exiting to finish the turn back on the front straight.

Track is fun and has much more challenge than you think at first. However it is also fairly level and lacking blind turns which makes it easy to learn quickly.

Hope that helps but I will try to answer other questions if I can.

flush26 · 09-10-2009, 6:07 PM

Sheepofblue,

Intereting call sign but I like it. Thanks for the insight. All the insight I can get is greatly appreciated. I was trying to view the track on youtube and the one thing that jumped out to me was that you spend alot of time leaned to left on this track and it looks really flat (no banking). Which is a little different than RA which is most right hand sweepers except for may turn 2 and 5. In any case thanks for the advice. If you think of anything else please dont hesitate to jump in and provide more insight.

I have stock gearing so I will have to see how the bike acts on this track.

sheepofblue · 09-10-2009, 6:42 PM

You do spend a bunch on the left which is the opposite of most tracks in the south. It is harder on tires than Barber or RA though so be sure to have good rubber. The banking is subtle though there is little vertical change. That makes it easier to learn and have confidence unlike say turn 2-3 at RA. Turn one has a nice camber as does 2. 3 changes camber as does 4. Run wide into 5 and the outside is a bit off camber. All pretty obvious you will pick it up quick. TGP is a not like the big tracks (Barber/RA) but is a blast and cheaper.

flush26 · 09-10-2009, 7:14 PM

Now that is valuable information in regards to the tire. I'll be sure to bring a set of extra tires with me.

Thanks again. Cant wait to ride TGP. I'll be sure to check back in to let everyone know how I did.

flush26 · 09-11-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

You do spend a bunch on the left which is the opposite of most tracks in the south. It is harder on tires than Barber or RA though so be sure to have good rubber. The banking is subtle though there is little vertical change. That makes it easier to learn and have confidence unlike say turn 2-3 at RA. Turn one has a nice camber as does 2. 3 changes camber as does 4. Run wide into 5 and the outside is a bit off camber. All pretty obvious you will pick it up quick. TGP is a not like the big tracks (Barber/RA) but is a blast and cheaper.

Ah Sheep or anyone!

This may be a silly question but can anyone tell me what a "camber" is or means?

sheepofblue · 09-11-2009, 1:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flush26

Ah Sheep or anyone!

This may be a silly question but can anyone tell me what a "camber" is or means?

Banking, off camber means it has negative banking thus lowering available traction.

flush26 · 09-11-2009, 1:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Banking, off camber means it has negative banking thus lowering available traction.

Appreciate the explanation!

bladeracer · 09-11-2009, 7:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flush26

Ah Sheep or anyone!

This may be a silly question but can anyone tell me what a "camber" is or means?

Camber is the convex curve of the road to allow water run-off.
Changing camber usually means you have positive camber or "bank" initially but then you cross the crest and go through zero camber into negative camber. Reducing camber effectively increases your lean angle, reducing your tyre footprints and the load on the tyres (reducing grip).
Sometimes turns will increase camber allowing you to brake very late into them or get on the power far sooner that you might have thought possible. Increasing camber also loads the tyres more so you may have to allow for reduced cornering clearance due to greater suspension compression.
When you see the lean angle indicator on the MotoGP telecasts that is telling you lean from vertical without reference to the angle of the road surface. The bike might be indicating 60 degrees but if the road is at 15 degrees its effective lean angle is 45 degrees.

flush26 · 09-13-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladeracer

Camber is the convex curve of the road to allow water run-off.
Changing camber usually means you have positive camber or "bank" initially but then you cross the crest and go through zero camber into negative camber. Reducing camber effectively increases your lean angle, reducing your tyre footprints and the load on the tyres (reducing grip).
Sometimes turns will increase camber allowing you to brake very late into them or get on the power far sooner that you might have thought possible. Increasing camber also loads the tyres more so you may have to allow for reduced cornering clearance due to greater suspension compression.
When you see the lean angle indicator on the MotoGP telecasts that is telling you lean from vertical without reference to the angle of the road surface. The bike might be indicating 60 degrees but if the road is at 15 degrees its effective lean angle is 45 degrees.

Thanks for the detailed and technical explanation. Really puts it in to perspective.

sheepofblue · 09-14-2009, 4:35 PM

So how was it?

flush26 · 09-14-2009, 6:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

So how was it?

Sheep,

I'm not riding on TGP until the 21st of September (next monday)! I cant wait.

sheepofblue · 09-14-2009, 10:29 PM

I see I thought you went down this weekend with STT this weekend

flush26 · 09-23-2009, 8:56 AM

A quick update on the Talladega track day. It was was re-scheduled from 9/21 to 9/28 because of all the rain that came through last week and through the weekend. Will be there for sure on the 9/28. Weather looks prestine for riding.