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I disagree here... any track is fine for your first day if you are with the right org.
Tracks are just roads... no big mystery. I've ridden/driven about 10 laps of this place now and it will be fine for everyone.
My only concern with first timers is being able to give our full "First Timers Experience" without any classroom area. If they provide us with some class space, then I'll open it up to first timers just like any other track we've been to.
If I hadn't been around it so many times that vid would scare me too!
In reality, most corners have 40 feet of track surface and then another 20 to 40 feet of runoff. The areas that you are not going to be relatively parallel to the walls will get tires to start.
As mentioned before... not ideal for racing but "sane" trackdays should be OK with the right participants.
Not sure about those rock walls lining the track. What's going to stop you from sliding into those? Besides a concrete wall.
Friction.
I don't love the look of the walls, but I have also walked this place, and this is my 3rd new track to evaluate safety wise. These experiences have been enlightening.
NYST: every loudon racer FREAKED out about how unsafe it would be. For various reasons that the racers mind could not see, it turns out to be a pretty safe track. I would have to rate it safer than Loudon. With a LITTLE more work it could easily be safe for racing.
Thompson: every Loudon racer FREAKED out about how unsafe it would be including the leaders of that community. Again, once ridden, it proved to be safer than expected. In this case, I do not think it is ever going to be appropriate for racing, but our customers have now tested all the crash zones people were freaking about, and we have not seen any major injuries due to track limitations. We modify a few lines for an extra measure of safety and it works VERY well. Why the other orgs don't do it, I cannot say.
Palmer: racers are once again FREAKING out. Get the pattern here? I have studied the track on foot and in videos. I have not yet ridden it. What I can say is that the layout is the best I've seen. Runoff looks to be equal to Thompson in the crash zones. The track is wiiiide. They have added extra width to the tarmac in a few key crash zones. The fact that the track is lined completely by walls will take some getting used to, but it does not mean that it is not safe to ride for trackdays and training. I don't have enough info to say whether I feel it is safer than Thompson. We will have to reserve final judgement until we ride it. It will not be appropriate for racing motorcycles IMO. We will modify a few lines for safety on this track as well. I don't expect it to detract from what will be an exhilirating and unique stretch of pavement.
It is what it is.
NHMS has one thing none of these other facilities could right now; experience. They know where and how riders go down and have taken precautions. All of these facilities will likely figure it out. There is no other way and it is what it is. But it sucks being part of that learning process.
I too am excited to ride this place. Just as I'm excited to ride anywhere.
If I go to the opener that would be three track weekends in a row for me. I think my woman would stab me.
Kudos to you Tony (and TTD crew) for taking on this challenge. More is more. Laguna has nearly no front straight but all the flowing corners and elevation changes make it one of my favorite tracks. You never know, this place may have the same magic.
Central Mass Powersports #123
1000rr, zx10r, rmz450, RE classic, r6, S4Rs, xr123, sv650(2), cr250 and a box truck that leaks power steering fluid.
I don't know why anyone would freak out over NYST. Plenty of run off. I've not been to Thompson. A few area's may look a little sketchy. I'm sure you'll keep us posted on Palmer.
i think NHIS is by far the most dangerous.. they also should build a new track to keep relevant with these other tracks opening up... Palmer will be fine with air fences.. i dont see how they cant use them.
just an opinion.. ive never been lucky enough to race street.. just trackdays ...
This track looks like good fun!
LRRS#167
Today was a wild day!
My first track day in a car (Ken's too). We ended up getting 4 sessions with an instructor in the car.
1st session - learn the basic line
2nd session - pick up the pace a little and get funny noise/feedback from the front end in corners. Pull off the track to figure it out, decide it's the traction control applying brake pressure to front end... waste of session.
3rd session - Turn traction control off and was going as fast as I wanted to by end of the session. Tires howling in all corners and decided I really didn't want to bin my car when my real goal was just to learn the line for our upcoming bike days.
4th session - Told my instructor I was just going to chill out the last session... he said OK no problem. By the 3rd lap I was going faster than ever and trying new things (like no brakes between 1 and 3). Did a couple more, then decided to chill out a bit and work on a couple of the corners that I felt I was leaving some on the table... and definitely went faster in those.
SUMMARY: It was a lot of fun, but I doubt I will do it more than 1 or 2 times per year. I'd still rather be on 2 wheels on a track!
As for the track itself, there are going to be a few challenges for us... at least the first few events. It's definitely a place to use your head and choose the spots to go fast and the spots to chill. Fortunately, with 2.5 miles of track and tons of corners... there are plenty of corners to enjoy at full pace.
Until the grass grows on the sides of the track, dust is going to be an issue also. Even more reason to ride within your limits as more and more gets done to make the place better.
Exhausted... will write more over the next few days.
The track was a blast. But like Tony says, we will have to be patient as they smooth the rough edges. Here is the video of me and my Crosstrek.
I never though NYST was very bad. Immediately from the track walk last winter I though Thompson was sketchy, and it proved to be. I think this will be better than Thompson, worse than NYST and NHMS. If tracks like this are being run why don't motorcycles run Limerock? It used to be too unsafe, but I don't see much difference between that and Palmer or Thompson.
There will be bikes at lime rock park, soon I believe. And I will be there just because I have seen so many races there and never been on the track.
Ducati/MV Agusta/Kawasaki/Beta
#277
Boston Tier 1 Racing/ Fishtail Instructor
DP Brakes Northeast Road Racing Representative
Ducati/MV Agusta/Kawasaki/Beta
#277
Boston Tier 1 Racing/ Fishtail Instructor
DP Brakes Northeast Road Racing Representative
it will be nice to get back on a track that appears to be little bike friendly. this is gonna be fun.
When I start my KTM in the morning, rules are broken. Its inevitable...
01 SV650S (RC51 eater)/07 690SM /03 300EXC/14 XTZ1200
TRACKS:Firebird/NHMS/VIR/Calabogie/California Speedway/NJMP/MMC/NYST/Palmer/Thompson/Club Motorsports