Valley Motorsports Park - New Track in Tamworth NH

[nhbubba]

I wasn't worried about getting waxed. With my choice of bikes and poor skill I've become used to that. I was worried about sustained straights flat out. I hear those are not the best for those machines.

I hit 102 on the Stock Hawk on the front straight just shifting into 5th. The Wind Resistance and my tall gearing limits me. At Thompson i hit 98. There the hill up to T1 limits me. Mostly 3 and 4th gears with the hawk.

Yeah, that doesn't sound good for a thumper.

[Kurlon]

Sustained full throttle isn't what kills a thumper.

Bouncing off the limiter, floating the valves, those kill thumpers. If you gear so you can't wind out, you'll survive much longer than gearing for maximum speed achievable in race conditions.

[tls25rs]

Though I agree with the bouncing of the limiter and floating of valves killing thumpers I would disagree slightly that long periods of sustained full throttle doesn't kill them as well. When under full throttle, under a heavy load, is when the crank will be seeing the largest loads it will see. I can't imagine that sustained runs of any length under the heaviest loads it will see does anything to increase life span. Short quick bursts at full throttle similar to what thumpers see in an SX or MX environment not a big deal. Wide open pinned across the desert or on a roadracing track not so much.

[Paul_E_D]

My 690 survive 5 years at full throttle full load. Awesome durability on that thumper.

[Kurlon]

Largest loads on the crank should be hard decel, and top RPMs where you've fallen off the torque curve or are starting to float. That's where you get your fun crank spreading and twisting issues, crank arms start whipping, all leading to temporary binding in places, clearances momentarily going away in plain bearing surfaces, etc. In comparison a sustained pull keeps the load on the crank nice and even. At the track you're not going to eliminate the hard decels, but those are a lesser evil for the crank in comparison to trips to meet the limiter.

I'm also operating under the assumption that people actually follow the competition maint intervals their MX machines dictate. A quick look at a 2006 Honda CRF450R has you doing a piston and rings at 15 hours for example, and interestingly the chain every 7.5 hours. 2010 YZ450F puts the piston interval at 12.5 hours, and specifically calls out for crank inspections at that interval as well.

I'm averaging about 12 hours a season on my FZR with LRRS. Let your conscious be your guide with that info.

[loudbeard]

Those 20 minute track day sessions sure do add up quickly....

[ctbandit]

Track looks phenomenal. The view in the photos is ridiculous. I'll definitely find a way to make it up there at least once, but it'll be tough to keep me going back with all of the closer alternatives. This is about a full 3 hours further than Palmer for me. I'm hardly a good barometer though since my track day attendance has dwindled.

[csmutty]

But it also didn't make any pow pow!

My 690 survive 5 years at full throttle full load. Awesome durability on that thumper.

[Rada]

I'm excited to have another epic track that's in the area..
For me it is just another location as essentially all the tracks are 3-3.5 hours away.. For a two day event that is no skin off my back. It makes every track day weekend a mini vacation... A working one but still...

[Paul_E_D]

But it also didn't make any pow pow!

Well, 60 wasn't bad for a SOHC engine, but relative to it's size, it was not super potent.

[Kurlon]

Well, 60 wasn't bad for a SOHC engine, but relative to it's size, it was not super potent.

Current Duke 690 is supposed to be in the 80 range, and easily stripped to under 320lbs in SS trim...

[Paul_E_D]

Current Duke 690 is supposed to be in the 80 range, and easily stripped to under 320lbs in SS trim...

The new 690 motor is a good 10HP more. than mine was. It is noticeably faster. And it is honestly fast. Like faster than an SV. power to weight is fantastic.

[Kurlon]

There is at least one running in WERA and the guy loves it. IF I were to go modern right now that's where I'm leaning.

[Paul_E_D]

Interesting. I wonder bout the geometry. It is nimble... too nimble for racing IMO.

[imkindafkedup]

I was hitting just shy of 130 at the end of the strait at tamworth in my car. This track has a lot of potential to stretch ones legs.

[Paul_E_D]

135-140 max on a 600. Maybe 165 on literbike. Nearly identical to palmer.

[tls25rs]

Was going to reply with apples to oranges, or at least one type of apple to another, say granny smith to macintosh, comment about 690 to 450MX singles but looks like Josh and Smutty have it covered.

[nhbubba]

I have a machine that weighs ~320 lbs. I'm looking for something lighter next go-round. Sport bike ergonomics need not apply.

[Kurlon]

320lbs is while staying CCS SS legal. SB? Watch the pounds hit the floor.

Paul: Anyone racing a KTM 690 Duke? | 13x Forums is a good read.

[Paul_E_D]

Meh, this is pissing into the wind. 80hp is mythical and costly, nevermind the suspension!

[TTD]

Most likely... TTD will be doing two 2-day events at Club Motorsports/Tamworth. We'll be sticking with roughly four 2-day events at Palmer as the majority of the customers are closer to that track.

The Tamworth track was awesome, but Palmer was the first time we rode that too. My guess is that they will "even out" as they are both a lot of fun.

One positive with Palmer is that we'll be going backwards very soon (Remlap?), so that adds to the fun/variety. Tamworth has said they don't see ever running backwards.

[JettaJayGLS]

Most likely... TTD will be doing two 2-day events at Club Motorsports/Tamworth. We'll be sticking with roughly four 2-day events at Palmer as the majority of the customers are closer to that track.

The Tamworth track was awesome, but Palmer was the first time we rode that too. My guess is that they will "even out" as they are both a lot of fun.

One positive with Palmer is that we'll be going backwards very soon (Remlap?), so that adds to the fun/variety. Tamworth has said they don't see ever running backwards.

Realllllllllllly looking forward to next season.

[Paul_E_D]

Most likely... TTD will be doing two 2-day events at Club Motorsports/Tamworth. We'll be sticking with roughly four 2-day events at Palmer as the majority of the customers are closer to that track.

The Tamworth track was awesome, but Palmer was the first time we rode that too. My guess is that they will "even out" as they are both a lot of fun.

One positive with Palmer is that we'll be going backwards very soon (Remlap?), so that adds to the fun/variety. Tamworth has said they don't see ever running backwards.

Excellent! Palmer backwards will be epic. I actually think Palmer remains my favorite. But having 2 world class tracks to make up the bulk of our season is just... well, I'm speechless.

[Rada]

Pretty friggin great right!!!!