Thompson lap times?

[South of Heaven]

Nah, I don't agree with that Oreo. X asked one simple question on post 1......Then everyone piled on and gave him shit. He had to go down swinging!

[Ductard]

We've given away $500 across five different races, and Pete was only in two of those races(and if you think anyone expected him to get the holeshot in AMA Supermoto, you're insane-no offense Pete). Two of five winners weren't even on Pirelli tires. I know you're probably joking...but since I don't understand the entire premise of this thread(I have the OP on ignore), I just want to make sure no one takes you seriously and thinks we're "rigging" that Holeshot Award.

EDIT: also, those races definitely aren't "randomly" selected, we're not drawing out of a hat where we choose to give out money; I don't think that was ever claimed.

All kinds of drama bs. From stuck up racers with sponsor sigs to allegedly rigged holeshot awards, we got it all.

I was totally joking on the holeshot award thing. Just being extra explicit because I appreciate ANY award that somebody puts up - it would be within Tony's right to pic whatever races he wants, and honestly I totally understand why he wouldn't want to randomly select them (where some races have 4 people gridded up vs. others with dozens).

While Kurtz acknowledged that it was probably a joke, sorry he had to type that out to make sure my joke wasn't misconstrued by others - that wasn't my intent.

[Mr. Kurtz]

I was totally joking on the holeshot award thing. Just being extra explicit because I appreciate ANY award that somebody puts up - it would be within Tony's right to pic whatever races he wants, and honestly I totally understand why he wouldn't want to randomly select them (where some races have 4 people gridded up vs. others with dozens).

While Kurtz acknowledged that it was probably a joke, sorry he had to type that out to make sure my joke wasn't misconstrued by others - that wasn't my intent.

Thanks, like I said, I knew you were joking, but wouldn't want anyone reading it to misconstrue how it works. We do pick races with large-ish grids...because the point of handing out $100 bills to racers (who may not even be our customers!) is to get "Pirelli" mentioned over the announcements multiple times to generate some goodwill, and that works best for races people want to follow.

[BMMCBR]

Thanks, like I said, I knew you were joking, but wouldn't want anyone reading it to misconstrue how it works. We do pick races with large-ish grids...because the point of handing out $100 bills to racers (who may not even be our customers!) is to get "Pirelli" mentioned over the announcements multiple times to generate some goodwill, and that works best for races people want to follow.

I think the burning question is, did Eric use that $100 for a set of Pirellis?

[Mr. Kurtz]

I think the burning question is, did Eric use that $100 for a set of Pirellis?

Hmmm...did Eric win one? I honestly don't recall. Either way, at some point he'll decide he wants an advantage over Scott and Shane...and he'll try a set of Pirellis.

[csmutty]

He'd have to get off the kawi first :p

[OreoGaborio]

I was totally joking on the holeshot award thing. Just being extra explicit because I appreciate ANY award that somebody puts up - it would be within Tony's right to pic whatever races he wants, and honestly I totally understand why he wouldn't want to randomly select them (where some races have 4 people gridded up vs. others with dozens).

While Kurtz acknowledged that it was probably a joke, sorry he had to type that out to make sure my joke wasn't misconstrued by others - that wasn't my intent.

Ok, cool. Appreciate the clarification. I honestly read that & was like "Uhhhhh really? I hope no one takes that seriously."

There's already enough irrational hate around here. We don't need people thinking there's some stupid conspiracy over a Pirelli holeshot award I had the good fortune of picking up. I mean, shit, I had ONE chance at that Benjamin (probably my LAST chance at it) and there were plenty of other heavy hitters in that race that easily could have taken it away from me. I'm not the holeshot hero I used to be.

If people look at the races they've chosen, it's got nothing to do with what races I or any other Pirelli rider are in. Non-pirelli riders have just as good of a chance at winning it than anyone else. Thinking about the odds, I'm actually midly surprised 3 outta 5 have gone to a Pirelli rider.

[Ductard]

Ok, cool. Appreciate the clarification. I honestly read that & was like "Uhhhhh really? I hope no one takes that seriously."

There's already enough irrational hate around here. I don't need people thinking there's some stupid conspiracy over a Pirelli holeshot award I had the good fortune of taking advantage of. I mean, shit, I had ONE chance at that Benjamin and there were plenty of other heavy hitters in that race that easily could have taken it away from me.

Well look at you, you wouldn't have to get so defensive if you'd just stop being so goddamn fast.

[OreoGaborio]

Hah.

Well I'm not as fast as I was last year, so apparently I'm trying that approach

[tsorfas]

Hah.

Well I'm not as fast as I was last year, so apparently I'm trying that approach

I'll take the haters if I can be as fast as you last year (even this year would be great). What was it again? 15.9?

[JettaJayGLS]

OP

I'm having a fucking blast doing track days again.

I race my bicycle just about every weekend. Last night was one of THE hardest races I have ever done. I was absolutely thrilled just to finish with the pack and not get dropped. I should probably quit because I didn't win.

Sounds stupid, right?

[Chippertheripper]

Hey Kurtz...
(Testing)



And Pete, I'll rationalize any hate you want, just ask.
I love to spit venom, justified or silly. (And often times in jest, for all you non sarcasm speakers)

[Mr. Kurtz]

If people look at the races they've chosen, it's got nothing to do with what races I or any other Pirelli rider are in. Non-pirelli riders have just as good of a chance at winning it than anyone else. Thinking about the odds, I'm actually midly surprised 3 outta 5 have gone to a Pirelli rider.

It may actually be 2 of 5, I can't say I've tracked it closely.

Hey Kurtz...
(Testing)

[Sheppo]

The point about sponsors in signatures was broader - I know guys running 1:35s at Loudon with sponsors in their signature and that have a brown nose because they are "racers"

I am not going to join in the TD BS. I don't do TD's. BUT about sponsors. I used to race cars. If someone was willing to put $ or product up to support me, it is my duty to make sure people know about them and their product. It's a simple case of both parties supporting each other.

[backinthesaddle]

This thread reminds me of the shit storm I was reading last night on VitalMX - abuot Loretta Lynn's having a national C class championship. Now that's silly.

[Tas]

I am not going to join in the TD BS. I don't do TD's. BUT about sponsors. I used to race cars. If someone was willing to put $ or product up to support me, it is my duty to make sure people know about them and their product. It's a simple case of both parties supporting each other.

I was one of those .35's and support this statement 100%. If someone wants to help support my habit(s) then I will go to bat for them and advertise their product.

[theducman]

I was one of those .35's and support this statement 100%. If someone wants to help support my habit(s) then I will go to bat for them and advertise their product.

X2

[Woodcraft]

He'd have to get off the kawi first :p

Wow - got sniped in this thread as an innocent bystander. We're not quitting yet, and my bike does get pretty good starts. It was nice to get the $100 from Tony, but it was not spent on Pirelli's - it bought a nice dinner that night. I like the award because it gives people something to watch for at the start, and I hope it stays around.

For what it's worth, Thompson long course times and Loudon times are nearly identical for the few laps I've played around. If we were to ride 100%, it might even be quicker than NHMS. However, as has been stated a few times - it's not a race course, it's a track day venue. We have guys who ride there with us with the specific purpose of working on technique without the pressure of lap times (which racers often put on themselves, even on non race days at NHMS). I think that's exactly the point of Thompson from my standpoint - that, of course, and to have a good time.

[BMMCBR]

Wow - got sniped in this thread as an innocent bystander. We're not quitting yet, and my bike does get pretty good starts. It was nice to get the $100 from Tony, but it was not spent on Pirelli's - it bought a nice dinner that night. I like the award because it gives people something to watch for at the start, and I hope it stays around.

I was merely teasing as I know you're a Dunlop guy. I'm sure Smutty was too! Right?!?

[csmutty]

:

[caloots]

tsorfas, thanks for an objective and articulate post. I was expecting you to say that you still wanted to punch my teeth out, so I am pleasantly surprised by the objective response.



Your riding seems to have evolved beyond track days and I can understand why/how you feel about track days. There are those of us still climbing that ladder and its tiring to constantly get "you dont need to know this because you don't race" from guys. Especially guys not winning.



I wasn't swinging at pigman, I didn't even notice he had sponsors listed in his signature till after I made that post. And I don't like to delete posts so I left it on there. The point about sponsors in signatures was broader - I know guys running 1:35s at Loudon with sponsors in their signature and that have a brown nose because they are "racers"

Pigman, PM inbound.



It's not pointless. I'd like to hear why anyone would race time and again knowing they are not going to win / place podium. I tend to think of life as a series of opportunity costs. If I am pouring my time, money and heart into something and know my returns aren't going to be as high as my returns in another activity that I gave up (opportunity cost too high), why would I do that? I'd rather be doing something else on another hobby.

Talking about Marquez and Rossi isn't entirely relevant since we are all hobbyists. How you evaluate a hobby is fundamentally different than how you evaluate a livelihood.

Holy Shit.. I am doing 1:30 at nhis. 😁. I thought I was painfully slow.. and... I wish I could race but I don't have the time or money... Td's are all I got

[caloots]

I run my laptimer at track days.

😁. Awesome

[caloots]

thompson 7 28 2015 - YouTube. 7/28 intermediate

[SVRACER01]

im not a stuck up racer and ill tell you that lap times dont really matter during TDs.
i see your point that you want to use it to determine progression but unless youre trying something different then its pointless. you wont get faster doing the same thing over and over. not to mention not everyone out there is going the same pace so you would need several clean laps to determine if whatever new thing youre trying even works.
when racing, everyone around you is going roughly the same pace. thats when you can use lap times as a means of measurement or progress. you just cant get that (or at least its difficult) at a TD

as far as racing without winning and why.
yes. racing is about winning (generally) but at the level that these guys do it at, its the competition. its the camaraderie. its racing with your friends and the bragging rights afterwards. its running in a train of 6 other bikes, passing on the outside of 8 on the last lap and having that same guy leaning on you through 9 and somehow making it stick through 10 and beating him to the finish line...for 10th.
i won a lot of races when i was an AM. i got a championship and everything. i can tell you that running out front with no competition is rewarding in the win, but boring when youre riding alone. the most fun i had was running further back in the pack like when i was an EX.

bottom line is, its up to you whether you want to take the advice of people that know what they are talking about or dismiss them as being racing snobs.
find someone that is slightly faster than you and ride with them. thats how you determine if what youre doing works.
last time i was on the track with Sav i managed to repass him and keep him behind me. it wasnt racing but thats good enough for me since i cant even keep pete in sight anymore

[nt650hawk]

I can do in in about 1:00



















Hours.... walking around the track explaining the corners