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good call on the new thread, good topic.
Personally I set my fastest lap times in practice....though thats not always the case. I do take more chances during a race, and push a little harder but generally that applies more to passing and "racing" than actually riding the bike...but in the end I'm still using the same reference points and techniques in a race or in practice. If there was NO traffic, ever, I would run the same times either way. Obviously I'm not gunna try and win practice.
Basically....I practice hard, I just play super nice around others in practice.
I find my practice times to be about 1-2 sec slower than a race pace. Try diferent things in practice to see if it works out. I can usually tell when my shift points are slightly different and or rpm's are different (I start to hit the rev limiter coming into turns).
There are times I could force a pass in practice but I hold back for both our sakes. Save it for the race. I love playing with the big bikes.
Gino
HAWK GT Racer Expert #929
2012 CCS LRRS ULSB Champion
2012 CCS LRRS P89 Champion
2008 CCS ULSB National Champion
ECKRACING Bridgestone Street & Competition Woodcraft MOTUL On Track Media Pine Motorparts Vanson Leathers
I practiced like I was qualifying for a national. For me, going slow just conditions me to that stress-free riding and teaches me nothing. Of course, I tried to reduce my risk by backing off if a huge pack of wobblers was in front of me. I definitely practiced making hard passes though. There's not really enough time to learn that stuff in races only.
I constantly wondered what everyone in expert Blue was doing rolling around in the 19s??? on their 600s and such. I don't think any expert champs are out there putting around...
Zip-Tie Alley Racing
LRRS/CCS #103
PPS | Dunlop | Boston Moto | Woodcraft & Armour Bodies | 35 Motorsports | Pit Bull | K&N
when he comes by you in a race its even more ridiculous - he goes by so fast you cant even learn a thing from him (except how slow you are) - at least with others you can hang with em for a corner/ corner and a half! haha
so it looks like i need to pick up the pace in practice but back off on risky passes?
I already know how to ride slow, why would I need to practice it? Ill practice doing things I wont do during a race, brake later at the risk of screwing up a line, try a different shift somewhere, try a different line through a turn, but Id want to be at or near race pace. Whats the point in cruising around going slow. Maybe the first couple laps of the first session to get everything flowing, but then try to pick it up.
I traditionally run my race times in practice, and like Ryan have run some of my best times there as well.
I feel I'm out there using tires and spending money, so I might as well make it worth it. I will be more considerate in my passes as not to stuff anyone in a corner, etc ... but other than that, its riding as hard as I can and cutting consistent laps.
LRRS/CCS/WERA Expert 576
ECK-Racing 2009
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i think ryan and paul hit the nail on the head with what i was trying to say about the fact the fast guys go out and practice fast. granted i can understand what ryan is saying, he may not be as aggressive in passing during practice as a he would in a race, but paul has a valid point, you dont get enough passing during races to become proficient at it. how many people in this thread have ever wrote in their race report "i could go faster than XXX but just couldn't get around him"
i know i've said that.
LRRS EX #165 (formerly)
like Paul said.... its definitely to your advantage to practice in a race-like mindset.... that way when you come into T6 on the inside of someone, and dont brake until the 3rd cone while you're going mach 4....you know how to handle the situation, instead of "wingin it" in the middle of a race because you've never tried to brake that late.
I am still getting everything sorted out, so everytime out on the track is faster then my last time. Practice feels slower even though I am running my best times from the previous weekend.
Seth
LRRS/CCS NV #256
2007 Ducati S2R1000 Street
2000 Triumph TT600 Track For Sale
1984 Honda Magna needing reassembly.
1974 Honda CB 750 needs wiring
1974 Honda CB 350 needs engine work
LRRS EX #165 (formerly)
This isn't really advice for beginners, but (flame suit on) don't be afraid to be a little bit of a dick out there. On the 125 I had to pass people and get them to NOT come back by me on the next straight. A little leaning on people goes a long way. Nice guys race backwards.
just practice what you're trying to accomplish in a race. Its true that you've got adrenaline pumping more after a green flag drops, but you've gotta learn to race with your head instead of relying on adrenaline to pick up the pace.
+1
look at it from the perspective of the person being passed. how many people just said "Wood passed me and i tried to keep up to learn something" if you make an aggressive but safe pass on someone in practice, not only are you improving your ability to pass people but maybe you helped that person being passed figure out something they could be doing better.
like paul said, nice guys race backwards.
Last edited by BMFR6; 07-24-08 at 02:05 PM.
LRRS EX #165 (formerly)
i think coming from a trackday mentality I find myself a bit wimpy at times and it leads to people pushing me around out there
this past weekend was the first time i stood my ground and it worked...
makes sense to practice how you want to race though - im still learning here - haha