Track day group placement???

[nilez]

This is most likely a repost, but I'm too lazy to search for a related thread PLUS I'm interested to see what kind of retarded comments you ass hats can come up with...

I wanna do a track day at some point. What group should I join... red or yellow? I've never done a track day, this is my 4th season on a bike, I tackled the dragon w/out eating sh*t, I ride semi-aggressively in the twisties, but most of the time I'm not a knuckle head. I've read up on cornering technique and feel pretty comfortable carrying some speed into corners (granted on the road it's a much more conservative pace than on a track). I've taken the MSF @ Cycles 128.

I don't want to join a group that's way beyond my skill level (blue), but I think the red group might be too laid back. I'm thinking yellow, but I can't really judge how aggressively yellow rides according to what the TTD website says.

I'm going outside for a bit to clean the R1... I expect fully flamed comments/suggestions when I return...

[CEO]

Why not start in the red and then if you're not getting passed at all, move up at lunchtime?

Red will familiarize you with the track and the rules, and the racing line. Then if it turns out you're the next Rossi, someone will suggest that you move up.

[TTD]

If you come to TTD, you'll have no choice but to start in RED.

It will be obvious to us and you if you should then move to YELLOW.

My guess is that you will end up in YELLOW by end of the day... but we urge you to not rush it.

Learn the line and get super comfortable with the turns, then add speed by bumping up a group.

[OreoGaborio]

Tony's right... surprise surprise

Just in case you're curious, the reason all new track riders are in red regardless of prior street experience is to go through "orientation"... we take the red group into the classroom after the Rider's Meeting & get a little more in-depth in regards to the rules & regs and how things work at the track since it is a different environment.

I wouldn't worry too much about riding in Red Group if you're faster than everyone else... I've been assigned to Red Group by Ken quite a bit over the last year or so & I don't mind it one bit. There's PLENTY of space out there to do your own thing w/o getting too held up by slower riders. I enjoy it. If ya get stuck behind someone just enjoy the cruise for a little bit until you get a chance to pass... no need to get all worked up about it, there's pleny of track & track time for everyone

If things are a little too crowded & you want to move up later in the day then that's usually a possibility like Tony said. That's just one reason why we have Control Riders, Instructors and Cornerworkers out there watching the groups.

[butcher bergs]

If ya get stuck behind someone just enjoy the cruise for a little bit until you get a chance to pass... no need to get all worked up about it, there's pleny of track & track time for everyone

So you're saying it prolly wasn't a good idea for me to be riding around VIR and passing people like "GTFO my way!!!! "...



<sigh>

Oh well......I'm new at this too...

[OreoGaborio]

Never ride in anger... Last time I rode in anger I proved it IS possible to highside an EX500
(with a little bit of help from an old oil spill in the exit of turn 12)

If you find yourself stuck behind someone, use it as an opportunity to practice looking PAST the rider while still "reading" the rider.

[butcher bergs]

If you find yourself stuck behind someone, use it as an opportunity to practice looking PAST the rider while still "reading" the rider.

But it's so much easier to yell at people inside my helmet and give the one finger salute on my way by......

[OreoGaborio]

The Zen Passer says... "BE the pass"

There's a vid floating around with me in it... and I'm obviously getting frustrated because I'm passing other riders on my EX500 and they're passing me right back in the straghts. My passes started getting TOO close. Neat vid, but as an Instructor it's hard for me to watch a vid where I get frustrated & make passes like that in a track day environment.

[nilez]

wow, surprisingly sincere advice from everyone. Thank you very much.

I didn't realize you could move up if need be after lunch. I guess I had a way different idea in my head about what a track day is like. I actually have a lot of fun following someone fairly close to them on twisty country roads, it's fun seeing them lean over just before I do, so I wouldn't be at all angered to be riding behind someone. I just wanted to make sure that the group I chose would be enough of a challenge. You only get better by challenging those that are better than you (in all sports). I didn't in any way mean to suggest that "I'm the sickest rider ever" arrogant type, if that's how I originally came off.

Anyway, thanks for the advice, when I DO get my ass up to NHIS, I'll be in with the reds!

[butcher bergs]

"I'm the sickest rider ever"

Wow...you're coming off as kinda arrogant with that statement, IMO.

[OreoGaborio]

Naw dude, I didn't see the question as arrogant at all. I got what you were gettin at. I smelled what you were cookin. I picked up what you were puttin down


As for challenge, at this stage the challenge is simpley absorbing all the info we're hurling at you! Track Day #1 is "Information Overload" day... we try hard to make it easy on ya, but there's a lot of info to go over. It took me quite a few track days as a newbie to get the hang of all the ins & outs of how things operate. Hell, I still make mistakes from time to time.

That's one of the big reasons why people responded SO well to our Back-To-Back events... there's SO much to learn that two days in a row REALLY helps you soak up all the info & give you a chance to practice everything we talk about in the classrooms.

I absolutely LOVE the fact that there are now 5 chances to do back-to-back events & encourage everyone to do both if possible. It's really an example of how 1 + 1 CAN equal 3.

[nilez]

When I can finally scrounge the cash, I'll see you guys up there! Those back-to-back track days sound like a good idea. What are the dates for them?

[OreoGaborio]

Every single event at NHMS is a 2 day

April 28, 29 TTD @ NHMS
June 2, 3 TTD @ NHMS
July 15, 16 TTD @ NHMS
Aug 11, 12 TTD @ NHMS
Sept 29, 30 TTD @ NHMS
Oct 13 TTD @ Thunderbolt

[butcher bergs]

Wait...so Thunderbolt is a definite?

[OreoGaborio]

From the TTD website: NOTE: This event is being held at a track that is under construction. If the track fails to provide us a suitable venue, we will keep a "credit" on file until 2009.

NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN!

[butcher bergs]

Dang!

I have a Gift Cert still and I wanted to save it for that track "just because"...

[OreoGaborio]

This is very unofficial, but I would be officially surprised if the track wasn't officially completed by the unofficial event date that people are already officially signing up for.

[butcher bergs]

Well seeing how you're the official spokesperson for TTD I'm officially hanging on every word you type like it's the Gospel of officiality.

So it's official...

[OreoGaborio]

I am?

Uh oh... Don't tell Tony that.

[nilez]

where's thunderbolt?

[butcher bergs]

You mean you're not???!!

[butcher bergs]

where's thunderbolt?

Joyzey

[nilez]

Joyzey

no thanks... I already paid enough tolls traveling through the armpit of the U.S. for one year

[butcher bergs]

no thanks... I already paid enough tolls traveling through the armpit of the U.S. for one year

Paaaa! Ask me how much tolls were just to VIR with a single axle trailer.....

Jersey is, mile for mile, among the cheaper states to travel though, IMHO.

[nilez]

Paaaa! Ask me how much tolls were just to VIR with a single axle trailer.....

Jersey is, mile for mile, among the cheaper states to travel though, IMHO.

I dunno about that... but I do remember a $10 toll for my truck + single axle trailer in Maryland, or maybe it was Delaware

either way, both states suck for tolls