The Loudon Novice Q&A

[DZircher]

Don't discount what Eric can teach you.

Definitely not Mark, that being said; there's an enormous gap between what I need and what he's offering in the advanced classes. I plan on doing more of those but I also want to get more straight track time in first. My best laps are around 1:38s. Not terrible for a first time novice and I'm sure they'll come down with just being able to get on the throttle without bucking the engine but I also want to focus on a few specific areas of the track. Get my strategy a little more refined. I really don't have good plan back in 11, 11a and 12. I want to spend track time specifically improving my consistency through there.

No lack of stuff to work on, kind of makes me feel good.

-diz

[RyanNicholson]

Give it a good hard drive between 11 and 11A, with an aggressive flick-flick and get your bike pointed down the straight exiting 12 for a hard drive. Not necessarily in an exit focus way since its so tight but if you can get your bike even 10* more focused on the drive it'll make an exponential difference by the end of the front straight. Its just that much less turning you have to do after 12, letting you get on the gas harder and sooner.

[union]

Always happy to help. As Pete mentioned track days are a great way to get as much seat time as possible to practice. I wouldn't really recommend trying new things in a race, stick to what you know when it counts. Adrenaline + experimentation can get.... interesting. I'm not currently racing but I'm at almost every race weekend (I'll be out of town this coming race unfortunately) but I'm happy to talk shop with any newer racers as well. You can usually find me in Shane's garage next to the Dunlop shop, or near by. Those ECK hooligans know their stuff, take their advice

I may even come over there and chat for a bit

Our garage is always open too. Pete can be a little harsh but he means well.

I also believe but Ill have to ask Eric to be sure that we can walk the track when the racing is done. Hopefully it is still the case after the legend cars are finished and there is still light. I would suggest doing it and bring your helmet or at least your visor. Track looks different at least to me with and without my helmet.

[OreoGaborio]

but I also learn a ton by hearing other people's 10,000 ft. stories and explanations. Just a simple head nod and a, 'yup, that's how I was approaching it.' is a real confidence builder.

Oh trust me, I hear ya. Just saying that in racing, though what you do get is quite valuable, you only get so much seat time.

I'm sure they'll come down with just being able to get on the throttle

IF THE THROTTLE CABLES AREN'T AN INCH LONGER WHEN YOU COME BACK, THEN YOU AREN'T TWISTING IT HARD ENOUGH!

[DZircher]

IF THE THROTTLE CABLES AREN'T AN INCH LONGER WHEN YOU COME BACK, THEN YOU AREN'T TWISTING IT HARD ENOUGH!

I actually laughed out loud, really loud!!

-diz

[OreoGaborio]

I really don't have good plan back in 11, 11a and 12. I want to spend track time specifically improving my consistency through there.

That last little chicane is the slowest part of the track... everyone's slow through there.

Turn 11 is a great corner to start honing your trail braking skills. Lotta grip and a long curling entry.

As you finish Turn 10 and begin to transition from the right side of the tires to the left, set your eyes on the cones on the left side of the track. Set it up so that when you get there you're leaned slightly to the left and can make one nice arc all the way the apex.

As for the cones on the right, you REALLY dont need to be all that close to em. I'm a good 6-8 feet away from them as I pass by.

You can drag the brakes all the way to the apex of T11, at which point a good assertive roll on of throttle helps you stand the bike up and transition to the right for the chicane. It should be one continuous transition from left to right and your body should lead the bike from side to side. By the time the bike is vertical you should already be on your way to getting your body set for the next corner.

Use the edge of the pavement patch in T11a to guide you in to the apex, just like the much larger patch in T3. Carve right and once you're pointed at the "turtle hump" at the apex of T12 get right back on the throttle as you use the bars to execute a hard flip to the left. Continue rolling on the throttle as you exit the corner onto the front straight.


... Obviously there's a LOT more to it, but I think that's a fairly decent general overview to get you started.

[OreoGaborio]

If ya wanna see how I do it (I ain't perfect) you can watch a few of my on-board vids on youtube.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkdBKdxLkr0

I think that's the one that looks back for the first few laps, then forwards for the rest.

Watch my lines & listen to the motor. Hear when I get on or roll off the throttle, listen for my the shifts. Being a vtwin, my shift locations will probably be relatively similar despite the huge power difference.

[Chippertheripper]

With regards to 11, knee over the grass inside. That's where the smoothest pavement is.
And when you go through there with enough roll speed (a high enough gear) that a good healthy BRAP isn't going to break your rear wheel free, do that. Big brap to set you up for 11a.
That was my worst part of the track for a while, and now it's probably my favorite.
(I'm still slower than anybody considered fast)

[tsorfas]

Ugh iv heard the theory but doing it is hard

[nhbubba]

If ya wanna see how I do it (I ain't perfect) you can watch a few of my on-board vids on youtube.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkdBKdxLkr0

That's pretty awesome. It really does seem like the video is sped up. I can't believe you make those transitions that fast, never mind the corner speeds. Very cool.

[Chippertheripper]

Hey petah, do I need to wire my m4 carbon together to keep it from blowing itself apart?

[OreoGaborio]

lol no. Just my shorty leo.

[carsick]

Select "I have my own transponder" and use all zeros as your number. I think the numbers turn green when its happy. They will give you a transponder number when you register at the track. I bought a transponder just so I wouldnt have to go through this each round!

Thank you very much, that did the trick!

[SVRACER01]

i guess i do the tire warmer thing a little different. i used to turn mine on when the race before me went out for the sighting lap (or the session before at a TD) so they would be on for about 20 min. i also go out and a near race pace sighting lap. ive tried the whole 60min thing but the tires felt like i was on ice on my sighting lap. i went slow to try and cool them off.

[SVRACER01]

... that tire had a lot of use on it. I had it on for 20 or 25 races, 4-6 practices and I think at least 6 track days.

dude....that tire was still good!
i run whole TD seasons on 1 set of takeoffs