TMP vs. SMP | GTAMotorcycle.com

TMP vs. SMP

R

r3r3r3

Well-known member
Wondering what everyone's opinions on how these two tracks compare. I did a TMP trackday and really liked the layout and felt the compactness suited my smaller bike pretty well. Besides the front straight I had no issue maintaining a decent pace and was keeping up with the bigger bikes. I wouldn't mind going back however SMP looks like it might be good as well.

Shannonville is an extra half hour each way and slightly more expensive. It looks like it might be a higher speed circuit and i've read that the surface quality isn't the best. How do the two tracks compare? my main issue is that i'm on a 300 and don't want to be flat out the entire time having guys on 600/1L's passing with a huge speed differential.
 
SMP and TMP both have lousy surfaces....
TMP has 2 long straights, SMP has 1 semi-long and 1 middle length.
TMP has a very long infield with limited passing opportunities
SMP has a mix of everything.

From experience, there are many more "weekend warriors" and "I'm Super Fast (in a straight line)" guys at TMP.
If you left it up to me, you'd never to go TMP again.
 
Shannonville has new owners and they have made some improvements. I've done a bazillion laps there but not since the new owners took over (which is only this year). It has faster corners than TMP but your R3 will be fine. Only at the end of the main straightaway will that lead to large speed differences but TMP has a long straightaway, too. It's not much different in that respect.

Suggestion 1, although I'm going by what other people say because I haven't ridden there: Mosport a.k.a. CTMP "RDT" (rider's development track) - the small track next to the main one. Tight track, good for small light bikes.

Suggestion 2, Grand Bend ... a track that I am quite familiar with (on an R3, too). I've heard good things about the KSR track days which operate there.
 
I've ridden both tracks for years on a 600 and 1000. I'd say the SMP traction is better and more predictable, even though there are some pretty rough areas that you'd want to avoid going over. For 600+, the layout at SMP (long or pro) flows better than TMP. Other than the long straight at SMP, I don't think you will have a large speed differential with the 600+ bikes (you would have this at TMP on the front straight anyway). If I were you, I'd ride SMP and every other track if time and budget permit to travel further.
 
SMP is a great track. There is enough variety that allows you to develop riding skills that can be transferrable to other tracks. That even includes the challenge of having not-so-great surface. Only thing missing are characteristics related to elevation change (IMHO).
 
I don't do track days anymore, but if i did, i would never go anywhere near tmp. The track is boring and the riders that frequent it border on dangerous at times.
Why no mention of Mosport? Calabogie is a long drive for sure, but it and Mosport are "real" tracks compared to the others.
 
Wingboy said:
I don't do track days anymore, but if i did, i would never go anywhere near tmp. The track is boring and the riders that frequent it border on dangerous at times.
Why no mention of Mosport? Calabogie is a long drive for sure, but it and Mosport are "real" tracks compared to the others.
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For a 300, DDT track could be fun. The main track would have a pretty ridiculous closing speed at the end of the straights. I agree that TMP track days seem to attract and allow the idiots to do as they please.
 
GreyGhost said:
For a 300, DDT track could be fun. The main track would have a pretty ridiculous closing speed at the end of the straights. I agree that TMP track days seem to attract and allow the idiots to do as they please.
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Mosport. Depends on the organizer. I've done sessions where they let really slow riders out. Scary to come up to t8 and find a pair of liter bikes parked in it.
 
Mosport and Calabogie are by far the most expensive tracks in Ontario. TMP, SMP, & Grand Bend are $140-180/day vs nearly $300. Calabogie is also a 4hr one way drive from where I am so it becomes an entire weekend event. Would love to ride Mosport but its definitely looks to be best enjoyed on a faster bike.

I've gone around the DDT at Mosport in a car and it would be a great track for a small bike - unfortunately it doesn't look like anyone is offering motorcycle lapping this year from what I can tell, just the big track. TMP + SMP are relatively close and cheap - Just sorta getting my feet wet this year.

I didn't have any issues at TMP (besides traffic) although I was on the faster half of the beginner group. There was definitely some questionable corner passes in the morning around the slow pokes however the organizer seemed to move people into intermediate / black flag enough it wasn't an issue in the afternoon. I would guess they've put a lot of pressure on the organizers after the shitshow car lapping day in May.

As a beginner I actually liked how straightforward TMP's layout is. I was able to get the flow down pretty quickly and could focus on improving my bike skills instead of getting hung up on the track. Turn 6 seemed to be the only one that was a little tricky to learn but I was still running low 1:30's by the end of the day.
 
Rider's Choice has CTMP track day on Thursday Aug 6th and Thursday Aug 13th. $270

www.riderschoice.ca

Riders Choice Lapping Days Inc. - Riders Choice

SOME RIDERS ONLY POLISH THEIR BIKES, GREAT RIDERS POLISH THEIR SKILLS. There's no denying how great a shiny bike makes you feel, but nothing compares to the confidence knowing how to handle it. Sign up for one of our Track Days and you'll discover there's no better way to sharpen your skills...
www.riderschoice.ca www.riderschoice.ca
 
justride said:
Rider's Choice has CTMP track day on Thursday Aug 6th and Thursday Aug 13th. $270

www.riderschoice.ca

Riders Choice Lapping Days Inc. - Riders Choice

SOME RIDERS ONLY POLISH THEIR BIKES, GREAT RIDERS POLISH THEIR SKILLS. There's no denying how great a shiny bike makes you feel, but nothing compares to the confidence knowing how to handle it. Sign up for one of our Track Days and you'll discover there's no better way to sharpen your skills...
www.riderschoice.ca www.riderschoice.ca
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Big track only though. doesn't look any organizers are running lapping on the drivers development track this year.
 
miggs said:
How does R5 work though?
To do the advanced courses does one have to have had completed their beginner level 1-3 classes?
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I took Stage 1 with them years ago... bought my own track bike etc... attended a few of their days and proceeded straight to Stage 4 the year I bumped to Red.
Stages 1-3 are designed to be done on their cbr125's to be honest. That's why they have a 3 day program which does all three stages.

Best suggestion would be to call Fawaz (owner of Racer5) and ask him directly.
 
BigEvilDoer said:
I took Stage 1 with them years ago... bought my own track bike etc... attended a few of their days and proceeded straight to Stage 4 the year I bumped to Red.
Stages 1-3 are designed to be done on their cbr125's to be honest. That's why they have a 3 day program which does all three stages.

Best suggestion would be to call Fawaz (owner of Racer5) and ask him directly.
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I believe that Fawaz sold Racer5 last year.
 
Last I heard, he sold Speedworx and kept Racer5.
Don't think things have changed since then, but I could be wrong.
 
TMP doesnt seem bad at all when you have nothing to compare it to, but after visiting other tracks I will not go back there even though its close to home
 
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