Cornerworking good for a newbie??

[ben10281]

Anyone done this have any experience, tales, tips, etc.. Thanks in advance for any advice the stuff you guys gave for my last post has been incredibly helpful!!

[highsider]

Its lots of fun, lots of potential for learning, and it earns you credit towards doing an event with Tony - tonystrackdays.com -

[Awesome]

It's a good time and great to checkout the lines and techniques of the racers, as well as get a nice up close view of the race. Bring a cooler with a couple drinks a raincoat, a hat, and some sunscreen. Free admission to the races, $30 / day, and free lunch along with tons of appreciation from everyone. Come by our pit when the season opens and we can help get you set up.

[sahd03]

It's the BEST way to start! I had never ever been to a track before I wanted to go to one of Tony's dates. My bro-in-law, who is my "coach", recommended cornerworking before riding to get familiar with even the little stuff - morning routines, where are the bathrooms, what corners are tough for most people, where to stay the night before, how bikes get parked in the garages... that kind of stuff. The difference in COMFORT level that it made was unbelievable, so when you head out to ride, you are concentrating on the track and not all the miscellaneous crap that could otherwise be daunting. And lots of people are around for questions and help if you go solo.

If you decide to cornerwork for a whole day, you get $50 toward the following date as a bonus. And in the AM, during the cornerworker's meeting, you can ask to work two different corners (one AM and one PM) to see things from different perspectives, which also helps when you go to ride.

Follow Tony's advice on what to bring when cornerworking... and take a cooler that has a flat, sturdy lid to sit on in case your corner doesn't have something safe on which to sit. Also take an umbrella - for rain AND sun protection, it gets wicked out there and the one time I forgot my sun-brella, I got scorched.

Go cornerwork - it's fun, helps defray costs, and it's WAY educational.

[TTD]

As you might have figured out by the posts above... there are 2 ways to "cornerwork".

One is during an actual race event and the other is during a TRACK DAY.

Either way... great way to learn the track and the routine (racing or track riding)

Having said that... there is one HUGE difference.

At track days (at least the ones I have), you will NEVER go onto a live track. If a crash happens, your only job is to vigorously wave the flag to warn other riders. After all riders have gone past your corner, you will then go and help the downed rider.

At a race, you may be asked to go onto a live track to assist.

Just something to be aware of...

[Nikon]

*enter trackdog*

[trackdog]

Have cornerworked at 10 LRRS events....1 of Tonys Trackdays......and 1 Vintage event with Degs.....very educational..lots of fun...and lots of work.

If your a serious race fan you will enjoy it..if not you wont. Its the best seat in the house, but you HAVE TO PAY STRICT ATTENTION TO YOUR CORNER. It is work! Make no bones about it. You will get tired , fatigued, be subject to the elements(whichBTW NHIS is notorious for). But two basic rules apply: One to keep the racers/trackriders safe. And the other reason..and MOST important..to keep yourself and fellow cornerworkers from being injured.

Things may slow down and get dull, bit don't let your mind wander and start thinking..."hey that cloud looks like Bart Simpson"....or you may have a rider or worst yet a hot oily motorcycle in you're lap!

Personaly, I love it...and will be vying for my Corner Captain status the first weekend with plans to race after.....

Try it...you wont know if you like it ifn you don't try it.
At the least, you will make a couple bucks and meet some nice folks...........

The job carries its risks and rewards...I highly recommend it ifn you are a true race fan....................

[gixxer6]

He keep me safe. Amen brotha!

See you soon...

[Suf Daddy]

Gary has a good summary about it.

My (cage) experience cornerworking is that its imperitive the corner worker has knowledge of the flags and what they mean.

Track debris / slippery (from fluid spill) are MORE informative than a general caution flag.
Also IMHO a black flag generally distracts a participant: (from a focus standpoint, because they generally looking around and wondering ME?. because its usually a penalty)...while a Black with (for example) with a mechanical meat ball flag means the drivers has a immediate reason to pit -or possibly safely pull off track - because (for example) your brakes are bad or you're leaking something you may need in a few turns.....like brake fluid or coolant......

Leaking fluid around the track from (for example) turn 2 on will not only endanger your peers, but probably piss everyone off because they had to end the session early to dry up the track surface...............and in the event of coolant. that cornerworker may have helped save your engine...... Food for thought.

You're the FORWARD sight for a rider, through a corner or elevation change. That's why the stations are there.

While its human nature to watch traffic approach and then pass your station, the correct (IMHO) way is for the cornerworker to use their peripheral vision in watching AHEAD of the turn for trouble and being quick on the stick to display the appropriate flag for the situation.

I like those cornerworkers actively watching traffic, not just hanging a standing (flag) and checking out the traffic elsewhere on the track.
Personally, I'm more at ease with a cornerworker with their back to me looking ahead, than one watching me approach on a blind turn or hill. Just my opinion..........

Finally, you're the reason the track session can be run..................cornerworkers, worth the recognizition after an event or at the banquet.....................say thanks! I try to.

-Suf Daddy

[Nikon]

I may do it for one of Tony's Track Days this year to see how I like it before hopping right into it at a race weekend.