Shannonville Nelson circuit | GTAMotorcycle.com

Shannonville Nelson circuit

Shaman

Shaman

Well-known member
Finally got my track mojo back tonight at Shannonville, but that's not really the point of this post. I usually avoid the Nelson because what I save on the track fees I more than eat up in tire and brake wear on all the right hand, 2nd gear corners. But tonight after two years of avoiding it (other than a very cold, slow and worrisome April 5 this year with a new bike) I decided to take my 05 bike out and burn off the remains of last year's tires on the Nelson circuit.


Turns out, I feel like I learned a lot tonight because of the layout. I have been lazy on the brakes. Nelson forces you to brake hard and deep into the Mouse, trailbraking if you can or need to. Also worthwhile was taking a wide line into the Mouse and practicing the fast transition necessary for a proper-quick entry into Allen's. Nelson offers you many opportunities a session to bring your corner 2/3 speeds up and also play with lines through the toilet bowl (4). A 1000 is a bull out of 4 and also through 1/2/3 - it forces good body posture to keep the rear planted in the early part of corners; then the front weighted as soon as you apply full throttle as the bike reaches track-out, then reaches for the sky. No matter what you do, you will often spin the tire leaving 2, 3 and 4 if you are turning a hot lap on a big bike, but the Nelson layout really frames that for you. Lastly, any punk on a 600 or a midsized twin stands a very real chance of showing you up, since you really can't make much use of big horsepower except (maybe) to make a pass easier.


In short, I reconnected more with how my bike works, tonight, than I have in some time.


All in all, I'm sitting here thinking I've been a fool for not running the Nelson a few times these past two years, at least on tires that only had a night's life in them, anyway. Hopefully someone else will learn from my mistake.
 
Nice to hear you had a good time! I really enjoy the Nelson circuit too. Back in 2004/2005 I did Nelson a lot, and then started doing Long track more, like you, and when I went back to Nelson I had a great time. My problem with the Long track is that with 15 minute track day sessions you only get to work on something 7 times per session. I would prefer an open track day on Long track.

I used to be more comfortable with lefts than rights. After 2004/2005 I am better at rights than lefts. haha... I need to get out to Fabi more often. Fabi is probably my favorite layout at SMP. It's very balanced on tire wear and skill building.
 
we watched that session last night and you were definitely looking like you had things under control. It was good weather and the track wasn't too busy.
 
bjturner said:
we watched that session last night and you were definitely looking like you had things under control. It was good weather and the track wasn't too busy.
Click to expand...

Thanks. A bit humid but not so much that I was really uncomfortable. I've learned to love the heat.
 
It's a tight little circuit but great to work on skills. Corners 2-3-4-5 is probably one of the most challenging combination of corners you'll ever ride. Leaned over trail braking is required and it really seperates riders. I'm still way faster on my SV than the my 600 on the Nelson.
 
Heck yeah. I've been roasted on Nelson by a SV. :)
 
Nelson is the great equalizer for Svs and 600s......Still amazes me that some guys get into the 54 sec mark!!
 
spinto said:
Nelson is the great equalizer for Svs and 600s......Still amazes me that some guys get into the 54 sec mark!!
Click to expand...

Yes, it is, but it's a royal bloody pain to spend a lap running down a 600, on a 400, then just as you're lining him up for a pass have him take off on you, on the front straight.
 
spinto said:
....and from 1 to 2.....from 4 to 5.....
Click to expand...

I would generally close on people, in those areas. A lot of people brake seriously early, going into 5, and I would frequently find myself aimed at the side of bikes in 3, whose riders couldn't choose a line to save their lives. Hint: If you're leaned over far enough to drag helmet and there's still two-thirds of the track available to your left, between 2 and 3, then you're probably doing it wrong.
 
Rob MacLennan said:
I would generally close on people, in those areas. A lot of people brake seriously early, going into 5, and I would frequently find myself aimed at the side of bikes in 3, whose riders couldn't choose a line to save their lives. Hint: If you're leaned over far enough to drag helmet and there's still two-thirds of the track available to your left, between 2 and 3, then you're probably doing it wrong.
Click to expand...

That reminds me... FAST left the cones out on the track tuesday night and I discovered that I came within about an inch of the turn-in cone at the left edge of the track consistently and bloody near hit it once. Either I'm really out at the edge, I turn in just a hair late, or I'm right on the mark. No idea which of the three it is.... heheh
 
Rob MacLennan said:
I would generally close on people, in those areas. A lot of people brake seriously early, going into 5, and I would frequently find myself aimed at the side of bikes in 3, whose riders couldn't choose a line to save their lives. Hint: If you're leaned over far enough to drag helmet and there's still two-thirds of the track available to your left, between 2 and 3, then you're probably doing it wrong.
Click to expand...


That must a fast 400!!
 
spinto said:
That must a fast 400!!
Click to expand...

It had something like 68HP, when running well, and it was well set up by DPE Racing Engines, back in the day. It was more like slow 600 riders with a poor understanding of physics though, rather than anything about me or the bike being fast. Neither were and I generally ran in Intermediate, at track days.

The principle is simple: You can carry more speed in a wider arc, than you can in a tighter one, given the same levels of traction and lean. I would do a 1:10 lap and come in relatively fresh without doing more than skipping a knee off the pavement, where they would do a 1:10 and come in exhausted, with totally shagged-out tires, and half their pucks worn off.
 
Rob MacLennan said:
It had something like 68HP, when running well, and it was well set up by DPE Racing Engines, back in the day. It was more like slow 600 riders with a poor understanding of physics though, rather than anything about me or the bike being fast. Neither were and I generally ran in Intermediate, at track days.

The principle is simple: You can carry more speed in a wider arc, than you can in a tighter one, given the same levels of traction and lean. I would do a 1:10 lap and come in relatively fresh without doing more than skipping a knee off the pavement, where they would do a 1:10 and come in exhausted, with totally shagged-out tires, and half their pucks worn off.
Click to expand...

My 600 has a smidge more....not much though!!

As far as the arc of a corner being fatser...depends on the exit and how tight the corners are. 600's tend to be capable of both carving the arc and point and shoot. My best time was just under 58 sec.
 
And an 4ssload of fun.

Wait. I'm not sure what I mean by that...
 
spinto said:
My 600 has a smidge more....not much though!!

As far as the arc of a corner being fatser...depends on the exit and how tight the corners are. 600's tend to be capable of both carving the arc and point and shoot. My best time was just under 58 sec.
Click to expand...

Actually no, it doesn't depend on any of that. If you take the widest arc possible, given the appropriate entry, apex, and exit points, a wider arc always allows higher speed. That's where my comment about "choosing a line" comes in ;)

Note that I'm not saying that it's the fastest way around the track or that it protects your line from a racer trying to pass you, as I'm not commenting on any of that.
 
Rob MacLennan said:
Actually no, it doesn't depend on any of that. If you take the widest arc possible, given the appropriate entry, apex, and exit points, a wider arc always allows higher speed. That's where my comment about "choosing a line" comes in ;)

Note that I'm not saying that it's the fastest way around the track or that it protects your line from a racer trying to pass you, as I'm not commenting on any of that.
Click to expand...

In that case....with no one in your way.....ok!! Then there's that darn pot hole coming out of 3....
 
spinto said:
In that case....with no one in your way.....ok!! Then there's that darn pot hole coming out of 3....
Click to expand...

Haven't been, in a while (like a couple of years), and my last couple of trackdays were on Fabi. From what I'm told, it's far past time for a repave, especially given that I thought so when I was riding it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom