Last Ride Smart day of the season. I'll be running in group 3, the Ty Howard "race school"...
Anyone else want to join in (even in other groups)?
This'll be my 1st non-AMS day, so I'm a little uncertain how things'll go...
I understand they allow squids? And bikes made in Japan?!? Go figure...
Quote from: DLS on November 03, 2008, 08:17:44 AM
I understand they allow squids? And bikes made in Japan?!? Go figure...
I like calamari & sushi, they can be tasty !
I will wait to hear what you think about the quality of the Ride Smart experience. I actually got a positive review on the Ride Smart trackday from a 62 year old Monster owner who I met at AMS/A just the other day. Have Fun!
No go for me. I won't be riding much until next season, then we're on baby! The S2R needs new rubber, an oil change, and um... eh I need an sbk of some sort anyway! Already have ground off the edge of my shifter, my S2R doesn't want any more track duty for fear of hardpart induced lowsides.
Have a blast out there Scott and reserve me a spot on the ol' trailer come 2009!
No can do for me either. Spending is on the back burner for me for most of the month. Damn holidays are coming up
Quote from: DLS on November 03, 2008, 08:17:44 AM
Last Ride Smart day of the season. I'll be running in group 3, the Ty Howard "race school"...
Anyone else want to join in (even in other groups)?
This'll be my 1st non-AMS day, so I'm a little uncertain how things'll go...
I understand they allow squids? And bikes made in Japan?!? Go figure...
what's the price and schedule look like? also, what's the location?
fiancee is taking her riding course so I have the day ALL to myself to either ride or race. of course, I'm a little pansy but will have fun anyway :'(
MSR, very reasonable $$$
http://www.ridesmart.info/ (http://www.ridesmart.info/)
I will likely make it. I will also be signing up for Level 3 in Ty Howard's school.
Anyone bringing a big enough generator to share? I was thinking of trying out the tire warmers that came with the new bike but I don't have a generator yet.
Quote from: cm on November 04, 2008, 07:06:21 AM
I will likely make it. I will also be signing up for Level 3 in Ty Howard's school.
Anyone bringing a big enough generator to share? I was thinking of trying out the tire warmers that came with the new bike but I don't have a generator yet.
No gen here... Do they have room in the paddock area?
I think I am going to have to hold out until the next AMS track day. Maybe Ill come lend my moral support [thumbsup]
Yeah, I am probably not going to make this one! You guys have a great time! [thumbsup] [moto]
Quote from: DLS on November 04, 2008, 07:12:36 AM
No gen here... Do they have room in the paddock area?
Most of the time, the instructors take up all of the room there. I'll try and find one before Sunday. There's still a small chance I won't make it. It'll be my 'reward' if I get all my to-do's done this week.
Quote from: DLS on November 04, 2008, 07:12:36 AM
No gen here... Do they have room in the paddock area?
I have a small generator I can loan y'all DLS - It will do two 15A 110-115. It's kinda loud - not not Termi's haha - cheap ass Briggs/S !
Let me know. 8)
Quote from: Cyclone on November 04, 2008, 07:31:28 AM
I have a small generator I can loan y'all DLS - It will do two 15A 110-115. It's kinda loud - not not Termi's haha - cheap ass Briggs/S !
Let me know. 8)
Thanks for the offer!
Looks like I should be able to make it. I also have a friend going and he'll have a generator (3500w) so that won't be a problem. I'm looking into picking up a Honda EU2000 before the weekend also since i know I'll need one soon.
By the way, Level 3 and Level 4 run in the SAME GROUP at RideSmart. I'll be signing up for Level 3 and we are going to be in the same group as the Racers. With Race season being over, there may not be as many of them practicing, so hopefully, we won't have as many people out there. FYI, the Level 3/4 group at RideSmart is FAST. I am expecting over 12 seconds a lap faster than me. I'm definitely going to get lapped several times (and those high-revving I-4 bikes passing you takes getting used to) and by the way, Level 3/4 has no passing rules (pass anywhere). Level 2 has passing only on straights in the morning and expanded to passing on the outside of turns in the afternoon as a comparison. Just be aware you are going to be on track with very experienced riders and a bunch of them are CMRA racers that have a different definition of 'safe distance'...I'll be repeating "HOLD YOUR LINE" in my head every single corner...
Quote from: cm on November 04, 2008, 02:18:36 PM
I am expecting over 12 seconds a lap faster than me.
What do you think your ave. lap time is?
Quote from: DLS on November 04, 2008, 02:24:20 PM
What do you think your ave. lap time is?
My last session at the AMS track day was primarily 1:38-39 with some 1:40 in traffic. I'm suspecting that several people that will be there will be running under 1:30 if not under 1:25. That's also the group where the Level 1 and 2 instructors 'play'.
I'm thinking of investing in a Starlane GPS system next year so I never have to wonder about laptimes. If MSRC runs their AMB transponder system (I'm going to pester them prior to Sunday), then I'll be very happy ;D
The transponder thingy would be cool...
I have the on-board Ducati data thing, so I have to hit the high-beam-flashy-trigger whenever I cross the finish line.
They will have the timing system on. I did a ridesmart and my timer worked.
Quote from: Slag on November 04, 2008, 02:39:36 PM
They will have the timing system on. I did a ridesmart and my timer worked.
Is that a purchase or rent item?
Purchase item. MSR has three loaners, but they go fast.
Quote from: Slag on November 04, 2008, 02:43:01 PM
Purchase item. MSR has three loaners, but they go fast.
Are you running Sunday?
Not going to be in town :P :-[
Quote from: DLS on November 04, 2008, 02:37:43 PM
The transponder thingy would be cool...
I have the on-board Ducati data thing, so I have to hit the high-beam-flashy-trigger whenever I cross the finish line.
Unfortunately, MSR won't be running the AMB transponders during the trackday. Evidently, the people renting the track use their decoder/equipment. That does it, I'll have to pick up a Starlane next year! In the meantime, I will experiment with my Garmin watch and see whether it can do automatic timing.
I called them today to confirm and they said they won't have it....maybe that's just the 'official' answer.
Quote from: muskrat on November 03, 2008, 06:30:11 PM
what's the price and schedule look like? also, what's the location?
fiancee is taking her riding course so I have the day ALL to myself to either ride or race. of course, I'm a little pansy but will have fun anyway :'(
So you coming?
Y'all have FUN - be safe!
[moto]
Yup all ready to go! Bringing the new (to me) track bike this time (next track day for the Duc is the AMS trackday on 11/24)
On the trailer with the new M4 Ti exhaust can installed (still has the old bodywork which has a little rash on the right side..will fix this winter)
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_3188w24&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_3188w_medium.jpg)
And from the other side...I couldn't resist putting my favorite number on the bike and 'making it my own'...
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_3186w21&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_3186w_medium.jpg)
Awesome pics dude! Have a great day and let us know how it goes! :-* [moto]
(http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sign/sign0178.gif) (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-animated-smileys.php)
Have fun! [moto]
[moto] What news from Trackday ? - the weather was perfect !! Post up - how did it go ? [moto]
Quote from: cm on November 08, 2008, 09:03:20 PM
Yup all ready to go!Ã, Bringing the new (to me) track bike this time (next track day for the Duc is the AMS trackday on 11/24)
On the trailer with the new M4 Ti exhaust can installed (still has the old bodywork which has a little rash on the right side..will fix this winter)
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_3188w24&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_3188w_medium.jpg)
And from the other side...I couldn't resist putting my favorite number on the bike and 'making it my own'...
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_3186w21&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_3186w_medium.jpg)
Yellow makes RED green....
??? What news from trackday CM or WillyWonka ? Was it awesome - new personal bests ! The weather was perfect how were Ty's classes ? Post up !
Here's my short trackday report:
The good:
1. Weather was pretty close to perfect! A little warmer would've been great, especially in the morning but it was best mid-day
2. We had a pretty decent paddock set-up and had a few friends next to us. Everyone was very nice and we did get a bit of wind-shielding from the giant RV/Bus that we were parked behind.
3. The SV ran well and so did Scott. Even with the limited track time I got (I wasn't feeling well), I still beat my 748's best time that I got on the last Ducati track day.
4. I learned a few new things, especially since it's my first time in what is essentially a 'racer practice' group. Only passing rules were the guidelines in place during actual racing...so name a portion of the track and passing is allowed (inside or outside). Some passes were done very close (just like in racing), and some guys would even take 2-3 bikes in the same corner (I actually witnessed one pass one person on the inside, then swing out to the outside to pass someone else, and then back inside...all while entering Rattlesnake and before the hard left on top). My most memorable one is one racer passing me on the inside of Wagonwheel but as he was about to pass the guy in front of me also, he chopped off his nose and he stood up the bike mid-corner...and I was pretty much beside him. Let's just say I could've easily touched my elbow to his fairing as I had to mirror his maneuver AND stay on track.
5. Also learned how to use tire warmers and routine that racers do (since we were paddocked next to some racers)
6. There weren't too many incidents. Probably had 2 in my group (which typically has the most since the racers push so much harder) and nothing serious.
The parts that need improvement:
1. This trackday was crowded. It wasn't too bad in Level 3/4 (combined), but Level 1 and 2 definitely had a lot of bikes out there...Over 30 bikes in each session in Level 3/4, and even more in Level 1 and 2. That's about 18-21 bikes per mile. As an example, Ducati track days had about 11-14 bikes/mile at the last one.
2. Ty is much better during a private session. I would gladly pay the extra $50-100 more to have him just focus on 3 students vs a dozen. While you do learn from watching other people's videos, I could learn much more by watching video of me! Also, we probably missed out on 1 session (not that I minded, since it was the first morning one but we could've gotten more sleep instead) while we were getting organized and sitting through the rider's meeting...
3. The rider's meeting started getting a bit painfully long. RideSmart has several vendors that work with them and instead of just a mention that they are there, each vendor got airtime and some took longer than others.
4. I wish I felt better during the day. A combination of recovering from getting sick last week and being in a racer group with all sorts of things going near me didn't do to well and gave me motion sickness. It's different when you are alone and can focus your vision far ahead on the track with perhaps a rider to watch out for. When in every turn someone is putting a wheel in your peripheral (or at one point, 5-6 of them decide to ride through), my eyes start focusing closer and it just does funny things to me.
Overall, if you want to go to the track for $120 (cheapest track organizer), and can find a group where you can run what the average times are, it's not a bad deal especially with the free lunch (which I couldn't even take advantage of since I was feeling ill). If you want more space to play, a Ducati track day or even a Texas Track day session during the week would probably be better.
It was great sharing the paddock space with Scott and I look forward to the next track day.
By the way, weather forecast for next weekend is NOT good so I think winter is coming in now. Last decent track day will be Friday and if the weather holds, I'll be at Eagles Canyon with Texas Track Days! I am really hoping it warms up again for the 11/24 Ducati track day but if the high isn't at least in the upper 60's, I'm out.
thanks for the awesome write up [thumbsup]
Quote from: Samsonite on November 10, 2008, 10:43:43 AM
thanks for the awesome write up [thumbsup]
+1 - Sounds like it was intense! Really like your straight from the shoulder descriptions CM, with all the good, bad, & ugly!
And the pictures from the trackday are out so I'll share a couple! Pictures are from Hart Photography
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_18052ec22&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_18052ec_medium.jpg)
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_18470ec2w24&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_18470ec2w_medium.jpg)
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_19106ecw46&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_19106ecw_medium.jpg)
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_19021ecw38&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_19021ecw_medium.jpg)
That SV doesn't look too bad...though I'm looking forward to the new bodywork next month!
Found a couple with Scott in the frame...
I wonder if I can fit that bodywork on my bike ;D
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_18828ew18&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_18828ew_medium.jpg)
(http://mist.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=img_19228ecw33&dir=galleries/5/11/6&file=img_19228ecw_medium.jpg)