Loudon TD in rain/showers?

[tropicoz]

I'm watching weather.com like a hawk to see if the forcast is going to get any better for 5/12 TTD, but it looks like it's going to be showers. Granted it's "only" 40% chance right now, but to me that's a 40% reduction in fun, corner speed, etc.
How is it riding NHMS in the wet? Is the track surface very tempermental?

I'm going either way, but I want to know what to expect.

[Paul_E_D]

I'll be there as well. Loudon has variable traction in the rain. There are a few trouble spots that you really have to tip toe through on DOT tires in the wet. Turn 2 and T3 are probably the worst spots. A number of people seem to slip coming out of T12 as well. The other corners have good traction in the wet. There are a few puddles that form which also pose an issue on dots. At the bottom of 10, the entrance to 11 and sometimes 12 there can be standing water, or streams depending on how hard it's raining.

It can still be a fun day, but you surely need to adjust your expectations. It really will be a learning opportunity. Smoothing out all your actions is the main thing.

If you are a regular trackday rider, a set of rain tires can really add to your enjoyment.

[Stoneman]

You're in New England and you're actually paying attention to weather predictions for next week? I'd wait 'til Monday night to start taking notice of forecasts...

[WordTooYoMamma]

Wirelessly posted (Tilt: HTC-ST7377/1.59.502.3 (67150) Opera/9.50 (Windows NT 5.1; U; en))

I too am worried about my trackday being wet. praying to the rain gods to let there be sun! Hopefuly it is sunny for you man.

[DuncanMoto]

actually it is excellent experience to ride that track in the rain.
It will teach you to be smooth.

[WordTooYoMamma]

Wirelessly posted (Tilt: HTC-ST7377/1.59.502.3 (67150) Opera/9.50 (Windows NT 5.1; U; en))

Ted ill pay you for the trackday when it gets closer to the 10day forecast

[DuncanMoto]

Wirelessly posted (Tilt: HTC-ST7377/1.59.502.3 (67150) Opera/9.50 (Windows NT 5.1; U; en))

Ted ill pay you for the trackday when it gets closer to the 10day forecast

You better be carefull or I'll send my collection asiant after you.

[Ken C]

I've had some of my most fun sessions riding in the rain. But, still hoping for sun.

[DesmoTull]

actually it is excellent experience to ride that track in the rain.
It will teach you to be smooth.

Was just gonna say that! I'd really like to go to a rainy track day to improve my skills in the wet weather. Right now my confidence drops like a rock when the road is wet. I'd love to be able to practice, along with other things, hard braking for emergency situations.

[Tricky Mike]

What Paul said.. with the addition of Turn 4 (the uphill right-hander). Be eeeeeeeasy on the gas there when it gets wet. It's highside City.

[madkaw]

I just ran a cold and wet trackday @ Monticello. Besides hanging my suit, gloves, boots, and helmet out to dry for a week it was a lot of fun. It also helped to have rain tires mounted and ready to go. I don't know anything specifically about NHMS but in general you can make a good day of it and it'll give you some better experience about feeling what the bike is doing beneath you. If you can afford a set of rains though, get them. Rains and a spare set of rims is the best money I ever spent.

[Pittenger5]

Dont hit the perfect apex at 2. Though the new 1 and 1a seems to make that a lot easier now.

[FireboltEric_MA]

Loudon Race track has it's own weather pattern.

Watching the radar before getting there is useless.

It could be sunny everywhere else and rain there, or vise versa.

[daviid]

rainy trackdays are great!

[Doc]

I've had some of my most fun sessions riding in the rain. But, still hoping for sun.

Nothing like laughing my ass off in the pooring rain while passing everyone (because I was on full rains)

[butcher bergs]

The ontrack rain experience is worth the effort of getting out there. Nothing to be concerned with so long as you gradually increase your pace as you feel out available traction. You will become a better rider as a result.

[BSR6]

TD's in the rain are the best. My first two track days were a complete washout. It was literally downpouring. They had to re-route us around T12 because there was a deep puddle you had to almost completely stop for and then crawl through. Riding in the rain teaches you a lot about being smooth and how bad inputs effect the bike. Its a good opportunity to improve your understanding of what it takes to be a good rider.

If it rains here is a list of things you will want to pay extra attention to:

Put LOTS of pressure on the pegs - Almost lift yourself off the seat but not so much that you start leaning on the bars or struggle to hold your position on the bike.

Stay off the bars! - Sometimes we think we are off the bars but we are still causing more inputs than we realize. Rainy track days will help you to realize this.

Be Smooth - This means throttle, brake, and any movements you make on the bike.

If you're a rookie these three points will have a whole new meaning to you after a day in the rain. This new understanding will be very helpful when you get fast and start pushing the bike to the limits of its traction.

[JRide]

As others have said...if you have the money for rains buy them! I rode on rains for the first time last year at Loudon and couldn't believe the difference in traction. I went from tip toeing around the track to having a blast.

I bought a set of rains this year now all I need is some quality rain gear.

[TTD]

The ontrack rain experience is worth the effort of getting out there. Nothing to be concerned with so long as you gradually increase your pace as you feel out available traction. You will become a better rider as a result.

The forum may fall down, but....

I AGREE WITH BERGS 100%!

[RocketPunch]

One of my trackday there was under pouring condition last season. It was not as bad as I thought it would be, lost the front a bit once at T2.

[TTD]

yeah... by no means should anyone believe that doing a trackday in the rain is the same as the dry...BUT...

the 'concept' of riding is absolutely the same.

Remember, a faster (and safer) rider is the one that manages the available traction better.

Whether it's wet or dry, the concept is the same... manage the available traction.

What the wet weather does is bring out your faults.

Don't like riding in the wet? That is probably a sign that you don't have all the basics down.

The most common fault is holding on too tight to the bars. Learn to relax your grip in the wet... and it becomes a piece of cake in the dry... and next thing you know you're in the BLUE group!

If you're already a BLUE group rider and find yourself really bad in the wet... then you missed out on a big portion of the learning curve.

Sorry, but it's true.

You made it to the advanced group but you didn't truly master all the steps to get there.

Take the time to seek out some of the riders you see "enjoying" the wet track time and find out what they know that you don't!

[Chippertheripper]

Definitely watch it in 2. If you can, get rains. If not, be prepared to wiggle around a bit. Street tires do a decent job shedding water, Bring all your spare "crash parts". But crashing in the rain in 2 doesn't hurt. Ask me how I know... And can be a super valuable learning experience in itself. Enjoy!

[The Snowman]

After picking up a used set of Bridgestone rains with extra rims off a guy on the WERA board last year, I'm a huge advocate for riding in the rain.

It was a blast.

[akira700]

50% chance or below means we don't really know shit about what is going to happen.
So I'd not sweat it till the day before.

But that said I'm going and am keeping the Power 2CTs on, but will
have set of wheels w/ Diablo Supercorsas in waiting just in case!

First track day of the year. Can't wait.

[lrrs428]

Rain racing is the Shiznit, hike it up and go out!