Few thoughts on the MotoMarket track day

[ancosta]

Pros:
------
Everyone was very nice

No one seemed to be out of control

Cons:
-------
If we ran through lunchtime then we could have had more track time

On the last session the flagging station around T8 was un-staffed?

During the track walk (waiting for ambulance to return) the groundskeepers were mowing the grass, shooting clumps of damp grass onto the apex of turns 10 and 11.

Other:
--------
I started out in Red with the intent to bump up to yellow, depending on how I felt and what the group size was. I missed the 10AM session due to a work obligation but when I came back, it was more follow the leader. I asked to bump to Yellow and what I got was 'just relax and if you need to get moved see us after lunch'.

After lunch it was clear that the red group really thinned out. In the AM it was also explained that the rules in red & yellow were the same (keep all passes clean & on outside). So I figured what is the diff if I am in red or yellow? I ran in red the rest of the day making many (clean) passes both on straights and in turns, I figured if someone had an issue they would tell me? Is this bad track ettiquete? I tried to be sensitive to how a newer rider might react to being passed.

I would do another day with these guys again but I am now kind of longing for a Penguin trackday experience.

[ancosta]

Originally posted by s a x m a n
not sure if you have done a TTD, but he keeps 2 ambulances at the track so that there is no down time if someone has to go to the hospital (you also ride through lunch)

no flagger in 8 ... isn't that where you see most of the track from?

mowing the lawn during an event ...

wow ....

I do know that other track days have more than 1 ambulance. I think when I did TTD I logged around 100 miles?

Yesterday I logged about 50 at best that is missing 2 sessions.

I think that the lawn mowers figured the track day was over because of the quiet when waiting for the ambulance.

[OreoGaborio]

cool man.

How much follow the leader did they do? just for red group or yellow too?

As far as you staying in red, as long as you make clean passes I would think that's fine, but following faster riders is often a good way to learn (unless they're just fast cuz they're crazy & not because of technique or line )

[ancosta]

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
cool man.

How much follow the leader did they do? just for red group or yellow too?

As far as you staying in red, as long as you make clean passes I would think that's fine, but following faster riders is often a good way to learn (unless they're just fast cuz they're crazy & not because of technique or line )

The follow the leader was the entire AM I believe. Again I missed the 10AM session, when I came back for 11, and they did more follow the leader I was suprised. That is when I asked Allen to jump to Yellow and not knowing my level of skill he did the right thing by telling me to lay low until after lunch.

I agree with your thoughts on riding and following faster riders with good lines. At penguin they put me in the yellow group (everyone with any track experience starts there), so on my 3rd trackday I was thrown in the fire. I left knowing a lot more then when I came there, and that was banging out early (hot + dehydrated = dangrous)

I really don't know why I started in red, I rode yellow again at TDR after Penguin and was about mid pack, I guess I get anxious or something. I stayed in red to practice passing people, I figured if they rules said passes in red are OK, then it would be OK. Making passes was weak spot for me so I figured if I could work on it in red then maybe it would be a learning experience. I did happen upon a guy of similar skill on a GSXR 1000 and we had a pretty good go at it, a good challenge of HP vs. corner speed.

[OreoGaborio]

nice dude, nice. Yeah droppin into a lower group obviously helps you with your passing since you're doing more of it. Musta had fun (clean & safe fun of course ) w/ that gsxr It's always a neat experience when you find someone that runs about the same pace as you do, but has different areas of strengths & weaknesses. Teaches you about your own strengths & weaknesses and you get to taste what it's like to use passing strategy

[benVFR]

I wouldn't be too worried about where you were.

If you were actually able to pass people and you were able to put together some smooth laps you were probably better off being in red then yellow.

The yellow group was crowded and there was major "slow guys on wicked powerful bikes" action going on.

The first open session I never managed to get a clean lap the whole time, I am not that comfortable passing people period and unless I really get a good drive & excellent line I'm not going to pass anyone particularly easily on the straights, especially with the weird lines and upredictability people were taking. I went 40-50mph down the straight the whole session and never managed to build up much open space in front of me.

Second open session was a lot better in terms of traffic.

I felt like I was way off where I was last track day (2 years ago) and I only smoothed out a lot in the last session after the track walk but it was still a lot of fun.

My only regret is I never actually got any 1-on-1 instruction in the open sessions, I was setup to get some right before the big accident and then it never happened in the very last session. But it was OK since the track walk gave me so much new stuff to concentrate on.

I'm going to try and go back at least once more this summer so it'll probably at one of Tony's days but I'd go back to another MM day too, it was a really nice crowd, only downer was the 1 ambulance... and it seems like Tony does not charge a premium for the 2nd ambulance. (I paid $200 for the day yesterday though by signing up way back in February)

The one thing that was a bit nuts is a bunch of the instructors weren't taking us down the same line in the follow the leader sessions that we were told to take in the track walk. The lines Paul gave us in the walk were better... makes me think Tony gets more consistent instructors? It really threw me off to be doing one line and then start trying totally different ones, but I guess it's all good cause I really learned something about picking up reference points.

[benVFR]

BTW the grass seemed to have absolutely no effect on traction.. I think they blew it all off the track before we went back out... and who cares anyway, you have to learn to deal with real world conditions, it was a *street riding* track day. And if it had rained the track would have been a lot more slippery then if a few grass clippings ended up on it. (And they weren't even on the line)

[OreoGaborio]

edited my post above.

[ancosta]

Originally posted by benVFR


The yellow group was crowded and there was major "slow guys on wicked powerful bikes" action going on.
...
My only regret is I never actually got any 1-on-1 instruction in the open sessions, I was setup to get some right before the big accident and then it never happened in the very last session.
...
The one thing that was a bit nuts is a bunch of the instructors weren't taking us down the same line in the follow the leader sessions that we were told to take in the track walk. The lines Paul gave us in the walk were better

The group size of yellow plus slow guy + fast bike factor made me say forget yellow. Every lap was a smooth one for me in red, the guy on the GSXR was a good matchup. At the end of the day he really had his shite together and he was cooking along through the whole track.

I was also going to ask for some 1+1 coaching but ran into the same issue.

The best track walks I did were with Eric Wood and Peter Kates, both get really deep into the mechanics of it. I thought it was a good gesture for Paul to do his walk during the downtime and having done one for every track day I've done, they are all different to some degree.

I would suggest trying track days with a bunch of different groups, to me it seems like you get to learn a little something different from each one. I've tried 4 different groups so far and each has taught me something new. Having Steve N. look at my suspension and giving some ideas was another bonus.

[OreoGaborio]

I would kill to do a trackwalk with Eric, Peter or Paul. Yer a lucky guy

[burnham]

I thought the day went great, and it was good of Paul to give us a track walk. The walk with Eric Wood is better, but there was a bunch of people doing things wrong all day that learned something usefull, and got one more session to go use it. The only problem I had with that day was idiots racing on the straight sections, only to overbrake going into the corners. I think they sould get a day to run on the nascar oval.

[Karaya One]

Anyone know how Galen is doing? Is he still at Concord General?

I heard his bike is now a pile of carbon.

I'll be at MM tommorrow dropping stuff off so hopefully they'll have an update.

[ancosta]

Originally posted by burnham
I think they sould get a day to run on the nascar oval.

You know my squid buddy said the same thing when he went up there for his first track day

[Allan]

Regarding Galen: he has some pain and anguish to get thru, but will ultimately be fine. Regarding the other thread: yes, he crashed in a ball of flames, but he was going faster on a complete P.O.S. than most of us can on a HWSB and he was once a class champion (can anyone here on this list claim that?!?)...so please cut him and his instructor status some slack. Most of the guys that were instructors Monday were the same guys Tony and Penguin uses...
Regarding the track day: I was out most of the afternoon in all groups on street tires minding my own business (being a fly on the wall) and saw a great group! I saw mostly checkered flags! Two yellows in 3 (that number is actually quite low for 3 - and both were jokes of accidents) and then the Galen incident which was on a cool down lap...so overall I thought the day was good for most. I left the track feeling really good after tech-ing a newbie, noticing his chain way too tight, seeking him out after rider's meeting to help adjust it with my tools (he rode up to Loudon with a back-pack) before he went out, and then at the end of the day having him come seek me out to shake my hand with gear, backpack, and a big grin on saying, "I got my knee down!" and then watching him ride off home safely...made me feel all warm and fuzzy...

[Allan]

P.S. I was on SHIT Bridgestone tires (Boy do they SUCK!...hmmm, kinda like those HJC helmets) that were on rims I took off of a wrecked bike I bought for parts...All I have to say after that track day is Michelin and MotoRace ROCK! I don't understand why people on this list diss Sto...Stough...Stow - ahh, who cares how to spell his name - he rules and sets me up every time!

Anyone want a slightly-used MW 009 front and 012 rear set?!? I got an autographed Ben Spies carbon-fiber helmet too! "Free samples for your peace of mind for only 9.95!"

[Degsy]

Originally posted by Allan
P.S. I was on SHIT Bridgestone tires (Boy do they SUCK!...hmmm, kinda like those HJC helmets) that were on rims I took off of a wrecked bike I bought for parts...All I have to say after that track day is Michelin and MotoRace ROCK! I don't understand why people on this list diss Sto...Stough...Stow - ahh, who cares how to spell his name - he rules and sets me up every time!

Anyone want a slightly-used MW 009 front and 012 rear set?!? I got an autographed Ben Spies carbon-fiber helmet too! "Free samples for your peace of mind for only 9.95!"

Who the hell dissed Stow?

[Allan]

I don't remember - something about how he doesn't get tires done in time...but all I see that guy do is bust his knuckles for everyone. I fear the day he is gone from Loudon...I plan on racing for years and hope he is there for me as he is now!

[TTD]

Before this gets too far into a "my trackday is better than yours" thread... I'd like to make a few comments.

First off, as I mentioned elsewhere, Galen is a GREAT PERSON and myself and all of my instructors wish him a quick recovery. We all have been around the track for a long time and we know how easy it is to be up one minute... and on your way to Concord Hospital the next. Shit happens. It's really not a big deal. I have had instructors go down before and I'm sure that it will happen again.

As for the rest of the Motomarket / Team Daemon crew... they are all top notch riders and I consider many of them friends. Some of their instructors have also instructed for us over the years, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again if the need arises.

I have attended a Motomarket track day and it ran just fine and the organizers are very approachable and knowledgeable.

So... if you were at the Motomarket day and want to share your experience on the day... I think that's great. If you weren't there, I think you should refrain from posting in this thread in a negative manner.

Personally, I think it's great that people have choices of track days up at Loudon. This gives people more opportunities to ride and to find a group of people they are happy with.

My dates aren't for everyone, and I know several people that used to attend ours are now regulars at Motomarkets or Team Daemons... and that is fine.

As for the Sto comment someone made, ... not sure what prompted that. We have him at our events BECAUSE he is so good! You will NEVER find someone that works harder, that's for sure!

Guess that's it from me.

[Awesome]

Originally posted by Degsy
Who the hell dissed Stow?

I spoke about my experience having him change a set of tires and how long it took, didn't know that was 'dissing'. But what do i know, it was just my experience, afterall I use HJC helmets and race on bridgestone tires.

[Degsy]

Originally posted by hessogood
I spoke about my experience having him change a set of tires and how long it took, didn't know that was 'dissing'. But what do i know, it was just my experience, afterall I use HJC helmets and race on bridgestone tires.

Oh, I didn't think your comments were dissing Stow in any way. Dissing is saying something bad about the person. Your comments were saying that it takes him a long time to change the tires, which is true. He is one man using a manual changer. The others have a team of people with a power assisted changer. If you want Michelins, you need to get them to him EARLY and be prepared to wait for your tires, which is exactly what you were saying. Allan, as far as I'm concerned, Jay was just posting an observation so that others could stay informed.

Michelins are the highest priced tires at the rack. Great tires, but very expensive. Maybe Stow should employ a helper to balance tires for him while he just does the changes? That would speed up his turnaround time.

derek

[xsiliconkid]

If you use Michelin's on you street bike, price them at a MC store (supply rims and have them fit and balanced). Then, ask Sto the price for the same tires fitted and balanced on your rims....
He is at all LRRS race events and Tonys track days....
I know people that ride up to race week ends - take their wheels off and have sto fit new rubber...that's how much different the pricing is! (contact him ahead of time so he has the right tires with him ).
Graham

[LiononaLeash]

I just finished buying all the tools I need to do my own tire changes(and balancing) at the house.

Seems I'm on a kick for tooling up for as much work as possible to be done by me.

[ancosta]

Originally posted by 35racer
Before this gets too far into a "my trackday is better than yours" thread... I'd like to make a few comments.
...
So... if you were at the Motomarket day and want to share your experience on the day... I think that's great. If you weren't there, I think you should refrain from posting in this thread in a negative manner.
...
Personally, I think it's great that people have choices of track days up at Loudon. This gives people more opportunities to ride and to find a group of people they are happy with.

My dates aren't for everyone, and I know several people that used to attend ours are now regulars at Motomarkets or Team Daemons... and that is fine.

Final thoughts on the original topic:

Yes I did post this only so someone who is interested in trying a MM track day has some context to what it was like, at least from my view. It was a good day overall. I'd do another one again for sure.

I have yet to find another track day group that I woudln't ride with again. To me they are all uniquely different. I think some are safer than others as well. Part of this is how they were supervised and part of it was just different rules. The only thing that really annoyed me was the empty flagging station on the hill at the end of the day.

Not everyone wants to or has the drive & aptitude to become an racer, but wants to ride hard in a safe & fun enviornment - I think a track experience like MM was a perfect fit for this, as was Tony's and TDM. Penguin was much more aggressive but a learning experience unto itself plus awesome instructors.

I've never left any track day feeling like what a waste of $$ or wasted vacation day.

[s a x m a n]

hell ya man ... track time is track time ... no matter what

glad you enjoyed yourself

[TTD]

The answer is obvious...

EVERYONE should go to EVERY track day!