How do you practice?

[s a x m a n]

There's only 100cc difference!!!!
I have to agree with Kitt about 1st practice, it's just about useless; big bikes, cold, green track = learn hiow to go slow.

I disagree about this

I was almost always the first one on track at 8am ... and yes, its not ideal track conditions, but for the pace I was going I had no trouble getting close to my race pace in 8am practice. I never understood why people were just out for a Sunday ride during this first practice

[Crash Dummy Denno]

I was almost always the first one on track at 8am ... and yes, its not ideal track conditions, but for the pace I was going I had no trouble getting close to my race pace in 8am practice. I never understood why people were just out for a Sunday ride during this first practice

man i miss novice practice #8!

i don't know jamie, its something I have to work on but me personally at 8 am its very hard for my head not to be a bit foggy and its tough to get up to speed - i know stop bitching - looks like i have something new to focus on next weekend

would you guys say it is completely mental or is it something that comes with more experience?

[RyanNicholson]

would you guys say it is completely mental or is it something that comes with more experience?

from my experience, its something that comes with more experience....

when I first started on the track it took me a bit to get back into the swing of things each day....now its almost like theres a distinct "track mode" and after a lap I'm pretty much back in the groove for the most part. Its definitely something to concentrate on, because practice really does give you a chance to go all out race pace, without competition so if you do mess up, its not like you loose a place when it counts. The mental aspect is always there, esp if you aren't a morning person (i'm not) but its worth going to bed and waking up an hour early to make sure you're awake when practice comes.

Thats just how I look at things though. I just switched into practice 9 this weekend, and I almost liked practice 2 more with the timing....but its just a matter of getting used to a new routine I suppose haha

[butcher bergs]

This topic is extremely helpful.

[BMFR6]

man i miss novice practice #8!

i don't know jamie, its something I have to work on but me personally at 8 am its very hard for my head not to be a bit foggy and its tough to get up to speed - i know stop bitching - looks like i have something new to focus on next weekend

would you guys say it is completely mental or is it something that comes with more experience?

i'd say it's 100% mental. ryan and jamie have this figured out and i'm willing to bet thats a big reason they keep getting faster. they want to go out and run the best race possible so they run the best practices possible. i really don't think you can have a track day mentality through practice and expect to do well when the green flag flies for the race. adrenaline is only going to get you so fast, then its going to get you hurt. i think alex has a good theory with picking one spot to work on while maintaining a "solid" pace for the rest of the track. the majority of loudon is linked so if your goal is to work on your race pace in T6, you better just about be at race pace coming through 1-2.

[nt650hawk]

and on a side note from that, getting used to using your reference points during a race instead of chasing the person in front of you...makes it way easier to get around them and find their flaws instead of mimicking their mistakes and getting stuck at their speed.

Absolutely agree. I found myself following Jurgen line for 3 laps. I shook it of and stuck to MY lines and made the pass within 1/2 a lap.


I use the practice session to practice figuring people out and closing distances going into turns. I practice on formulating plans to pass people. This especially helps when I come into back marker and need to get a little separation with the person right on my tail. Once you have this set go thru with it. Don't hesitate. Because someone else is going to take advantage of the situation or pull away. I see this a lot with the NV and some AM's. They chop the throttle when they have a great drive and are about to make the pass but something spooks them and get into the follow the leader mentality. I'm yelling NOOOOO..... Keep it going.

This is one thing that has helped me greatly.


I say this a lot. “YOU GIVE AN INCH YOU GIVE A MILE.”

[scottieducati]

I'll chime in here from days gone by, and I have to echo Paul's comments. If you're out for a sunday cruise you may as well stay home. I used to take it *real* easy on my first 1-2 laps, and by then the faster guys would be gone. So by the time I was up to speed, I was riding with guys generally slower than me, which might help practice passing, but doesn't help much else.

Look at the real fast guys, they put down opening laps that we'd be envious for our fastest lap. Of course, this is assuming you have tire warmers and your tires are good and hot. Try to not sit on the pits too long, but push hard from about the bowl onward your very first lap.

One of the biggest issues in practice is not finding someone a little faster than you... because that's what pushes you in a race. If you have a teammate, or a friend who is a couple seconds quicker, either ask them to go out with you (make sure you're both on the same page at how quickly you'll get up to speed... I've gone out before only to have one guy take off and the other want to "ease into it") or wait for them to come down the front straight and go get em!

I've had some of the most fun, and also the best experience / progress in practices going out with people a little faster than me... I always try and hookup with someone I couldn't catch in that last race, or a buddy who is quick and smooth. Practice lets you CHOSE who you ride with, instead of a race where you end up where you are. It also helps camaraderie if you find that guy you just couldn't catch and ask him to go out in practice, you'd be surprised how many people are willing to let you follow them... 'course it might change if you learn things and then pass them!

Riders need to not be afraid to pull off, go on the hot pit, and wait for a clear section to go out with your buddy on... why waste time in practice behind a buncha crappy traffic?

[nt650hawk]

I take a Sunday cruise to help out my team mates with lines and the such for at least the morning session. Then I have to shake it off and step it up for the 2nd session. Although some of them are getting too fast too quick. Pastarocket into the 18's now. S!@#. What have I created.... I've got to follow him now...

[scottieducati]

Exactly my point So Gino, can I follow you when I get a track bike??? Gotta get back to 18's... vintage 2003 baby!

I take a Sunday cruise to help out my team mates with lines and the such for at least the morning session. Then I have to shake it off and step it up for the 2nd session. Although some of them are getting too fast too quick. Pastarocket into the 18's now. S!@#. What have I created.... I've got to follow him now...

[nt650hawk]

Exactly my point So Gino, can I follow you when I get a track bike??? Gotta get back to 18's... vintage 2003 baby!

Sure anytime. Will talk fee later. If I have to really back off the pace I'll have to bring out the bike in the avatar. This is good for helping Kawi Ex's out...

[Pittenger5]

Sure anytime. Will talk fee later. If I have to really back off the pace I'll have to bring out the bike in the avatar. This is good for helping Kawi Ex's out...

Ill take it!

[NeverlosT]

Wow. I havent had the pleasure of racing motorcycles yet and this thread has gotten ME all fired up.

I cant believe it. In this harsh jungle of ballyhoo, a good thread made it through!

I have no experience, but I race lots of other toys, and I never practice (the days before the race) at less than the speed I plan on racing at (unless it is a planned easy day). I like the track on race day to be largely memory and reflex so that lots of brain cells can be used for passes/close calls.

But I dont race motobikes yet, so take my advise with (.) <-- that grain of salt.

[nt650hawk]

Wow. I havent had the pleasure of racing motorcycles yet and this thread has gotten ME all fired up.

I cant believe it. In this harsh jungle of ballyhoo, a good thread made it through!

I have no experience, but I race lots of other toys, and I never practice (the days before the race) at less than the speed I plan on racing at (unless it is a planned easy day). I like the track on race day to be largely memory and reflex so that lots of brain cells can be used for passes/close calls.

But I dont race motobikes yet, so take my advise with (.) <-- that grain of salt.

Just wait till we really get our clutches into you... You will never know what hit you.
First come and attend a track day

[hammadown]

First come and attend a track day

be careful...ITS A TRICK!!!!!! Gino you sneaky bastard! lol


This has got to be the most productive thread on here in a while. Nice work NESR...keep the info comin!

[Crash Dummy Denno]

be careful...ITS A TRICK!!!!!! Gino you sneaky bastard! lol


This has got to be the most productive thread on here in a while. Nice work NESR...keep the info comin!

for the record, who started the thread?

[BMFR6]

for the record, who started the thread?

and you started it because of????

[Crash Dummy Denno]

and you started it because of????

shut up richard

[QuarterGig]

because i asked about lap timers and we got off track...

this has been great it seems i am doing something right in my use of the practice time.. i just need to get more of it..

[Crash Dummy Denno]

good thread bump

[BMFR6]

good thread bump

so have you changed your practice methods??

[Crash Dummy Denno]

so have you changed your practice methods??

Yes I did and I dropped a second and half (in dry) the weekend I focused on practicing at a race pace.

The last rain weekend I dropped 2 secs off best wet time.

Just thought this was a great thread for all these guys starting off - it took me 5 weekends before I realized I was hurting myself by taking it easy in practice.

-Denno

[BMFR6]

well, you're right it is a great bump. hopefully the newer guys will pick up on it.

and I would appreciate it if you would name the 1.5-2 seconds after me. thanks.

[a13x]

I also use practice to uh... PRACTICE things I wouldn't try in the race. Like how deep I can brake into T3. Does 1st gear or 2nd gear work better there? What happens if I try a slightly different line entering T11, etc etc. This can of course have an impact on your laptimes, as you aren't doing a complete banger laps, just focusing on certain things.

[GixerJockey]

...and now i head back to the beginning to re-read the entire thread.

[GixerJockey]

Ok... I read the entire thread again and actually did pick something up that will be a huge help this rookie season...


Denno made a comment about entering racing with a "track day" mentality...

I never would have thought of that and would have wasted valuable race time learning that lesson.