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I'm in!

oomis

oomis

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I've been wanting to ride on the track forever, and have been assembling pieces for a couple of years - leathers, back protector, race boots etc. When I went to buy a new car, it was something capable of towing (Wrangler) and I just picked up a trailer.

On Thursday, I swung a deal for a track-ready SV650 - Craig Atkinson's old race bike. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it, and hearing it run sealed the deal. Seller was awesome...

The suspension is going to be all wrong - let's just say I'm NOT 170 lbs - but I guess I'll figure that out as I go along.

I saw tafb's post on remaining track days for 2012, so I have to see if it's possible for me to get out to at least one before the year's up...

...I'll be the slowest guy on the track! :)

Anyway, I'm giddy like a schoolgirl, just thought I'd share.
 
And the addiction begins lol. Glad your finally making it out there. I have only done 6 track days and i still get giddy every night or couple days prior to hitting up the track lol. Be safe and take it slow. Hope to see you out there
 
Cool - welcome to the addiction.

I'll be doing TMP on the 20th. That is a Racer 5 day and, in my opinion, they run the best organized days, and are very helpful to beginners. Not sure if you can get away on a Thursday, but the added advantage is that they tend to be less crowded. When you meet Fawaz he can easily set you up with someone to show you the way around for a few laps.

If you make it on the 20th come and say hi. I've got the school-bus yellow Ducati Sport Classic - it kind of stands out so you won't have any trouble finding me.
 
You are absolutely going to love that SV on the track. It will make you a better rider and as you improve your form, your speed will pick up and you'll be right up there with the 600's and maybe even the litre bikes.

Any chance you'll be at Shannonville this coming Sunday, Riders Choice?
 
Dino Z said:
You are absolutely going to love that SV on the track. It will make you a better rider and as you improve your form, your speed will pick up and you'll be right up there with the 600's and maybe even the litre bikes.

Any chance you'll be at Shannonville this coming Sunday, Riders Choice?
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I sourced an SV650 on purpose - I wanted a bike that was predictable, crashable and with no pretensions of being actually very fast. Bonus is that it's easy on tires, chains and sprockets - I don't think I can afford a new set of shoes every track day - at least not until the addition has had some time to really set in....

Of the available track days left in the season, I'm still trying to figure out when I can come. I don't know anyone else that rides on the track, and haven't yet been to a track intro session or track school, as there don't seem to be any left - so is it a bad idea to show up to the track without having attended one of these?
 
YellowDuck said:
Cool - welcome to the addiction.

I'll be doing TMP on the 20th. That is a Racer 5 day and, in my opinion, they run the best organized days, and are very helpful to beginners. Not sure if you can get away on a Thursday, but the added advantage is that they tend to be less crowded. When you meet Fawaz he can easily set you up with someone to show you the way around for a few laps.

If you make it on the 20th come and say hi. I've got the school-bus yellow Ducati Sport Classic - it kind of stands out so you won't have any trouble finding me.
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I could probably get away for that Thursday - less crowded sounds better. It's all right to show up without having gone to any intro session?

If I do show up - I'll definitely look you up.
 
oomis said:
I sourced an SV650 on purpose - I wanted a bike that was predictable, crashable and with no pretensions of being actually very fast. Bonus is that it's easy on tires, chains and sprockets - I don't think I can afford a new set of shoes every track day - at least not until the addition has had some time to really set in....

Of the available track days left in the season, I'm still trying to figure out when I can come. I don't know anyone else that rides on the track, and haven't yet been to a track intro session or track school, as there don't seem to be any left - so is it a bad idea to show up to the track without having attended one of these?
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Thats what this forum is about. Everyone is here to help (for the most part) if you ask for a helping hand om sure u will find a bunch of offers. I have no close friends that even ride lol let alone wanna go to the track. My first track day i met a good dude from this forum and he came and picked me up lol Sarkis (if anyone remembers him i havent heard from him in years) If i go when you do im glad to help. Im not the brightest tool in the shed though (N3wman and some others will tell ya lol) amd my advice is ask someone who is a veteran at track days (unlike me lol)
 
I didn't do any intro, just make sure your bike and gear is good enough to pass the tech inspection.

I mostly attend Riders Choice days and they are very good to new track riders. They acknowledge new riders to the track during the safety meeting and provide them with additional information relevant to first timers. Also one of their staff will lead you around the track during your first session to show you some initial lines for as long as you need. Take it slow and enjoy your self.
 
You'll be fine without an intro school. Like HB said just try and hook up with an experienced TD rider and they'll show you the ropes and pay attention at the riders meeting.
 
stnd said:
I didn't do any intro, just make sure your bike and gear is good enough to pass the tech inspection.

I mostly attend Riders Choice days and they are very good to new track riders. They acknowledge new riders to the track during the safety meeting and provide them with additional information relevant to first timers. Also one of their staff will lead you around the track during your first session to show you some initial lines for as long as you need. Take it slow and enjoy your self.
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Yes, the Riders Choice staff are great and will help with any track requests.

Your first goal at the track is to know your bike and understand your limits, that's it. No reason why you cannot simply do a track day without ever having done a class or school, you may even surprise yourself.

BTW, I usually run slicks on my sv and they tend to last anywhere from 5 to 8 track days depending on surface ( Grand Bend very smooth).

Pro 6 wil have you covered for DOT Dunlops to fit your bike, that is of course if yours has the rear Gsxr conversion.

Post up a pic of your bike?
 
I agree that no school is necessary if you show up with the right attitude, pay attention and are mature about it.

Re tires: any decent street tires will be just fine for your first few times. Since it is a dedicated track bike, one option that is becoming popular is the Pirelli Superbike Pro slicks. They have no sipes, but are essentially a street compound and so do not need warmers to protect them from too many heat cycles. Anyway, my point is that they offer decent performance (e.g., good enough for endurance racing, and good enough for intermediate group times, even at the fast end), and they wear like stones if you run the correct pressures. I have a set with about 11 days on them now and they are not done yet! So, tires need not be a major expense.
 
oomis said:
I saw tafb's post on remaining track days for 2012, so I have to see if it's possible for me to get out to at least one before the year's up...

...I'll be the slowest guy on the track! :)

Anyway, I'm giddy like a schoolgirl, just thought I'd share.
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It's tons of fun :) I did the intro to track course at TMP, and while I don't think it's 100% required, it sure made me faster and safer than if I didn't take it. I think TMP is a great course for beginners, not too long/fast, the track is flat and the corners are easy to see. Don't worry about not knowing anyone at the track, everyone is super friendly.

TMP_track_layout_old.png


In the above map, the track exit is labelled correctly (called turn 12 on that map), but the track entrance is at turn 13 on that map, not half way down the straight where it's labelled.

Key things about the track: If you take a wide/fast line in turn 1 there's some bumps in the middle of it, don't roll on the throttle too early and you'll be fine. Turn 2/3 is a funny one, they are just far enough apart to not take a smooth line through them both, so swing way wide on the exit of 2, right to the turtle strip then turn in for 3 (it's much tighter than 2). Turn 6 is a decreasing radius left hander, most crashes happen here, don't turn in too early, take it easy. Pick a line as straight as possible through the chicane (labelled 7/8 on the above map but generally referred to as 7a/7b) and stay to the right for the quick/high speed left hander (9 on the above map) then slow er down for the next right hander (called turn 10 on the above map), it's tighter and longer than it looks. Try and ride the double apex corner (labelled 12 and 13 on the above map) in one smooth continuous arc, throttle control is key. And don't roll on the throttle too early as you come onto the straight, there's a bump that's extra fun if you do ;).

I might try and make it out on the 20th too :)

-Jamie M.
 
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There's a reason track rhymes with crack. This is my first year and I'm having a blast with it. Like everyone says..the groups that go are all there for the same reason. Everyone helps everyone without a second though (back protectors eh, yellow duck?).
you'll also be told to go slow and be smooth..you won't get it for a while but when you do, you'll start to get better. My biggest fear about going to the track days alone is if something happens. All my gear is there and no one around really knows you. I'm usually in here trying to hookup with some other rides in the same boat before I go.
 
atss2006 said:
My biggest fear about going to the track days alone is if something happens. All my gear is there and no one around really knows you. I'm usually in here trying to hookup with some other rides in the same boat before I go.
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Bingo. My feelings as well.
 
Just ask Fawaz if you can go out with one of his instructors or fast red group riders. Have them show you around the track to learn the lines and perhaps ride behind you tp give you some pointers.

Please don't rely on the online advice offered by someone who has only ever done one trackday.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2
 
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