Nov 2nd (Sunday) Private Track Sessions w/ Ty Howard Anyone?

[pipeliner1978]

I wasn't trying to knock the track day, I knew it was worth doing after talking to other people about it and especially reading Kevin and your reactions following.  When I say it was weird, it was different than the one and only track experience I have had previously.  The corner worker in track 3 I'm sure was doing his job, I just thought it was weird that standing at the top of the hill I was watching all the action and the track was black flagged and all riders were pitted and the rescue truck was still sitting in the same location.  The flagger in 3 knew she hit pavement hard and black flagged the track.  Bonnie was standing there and walked across the track after several minutes of noone showing up.  Who knew if she even knew what her name was at the time.  The whole time I was watching I kept thinking, please tell me that guy has a radio, noone's moving and the track is cleared.  What's the deal. 

As far as Ty was concerned, I thought he was a cool easy to talk to instructor.  Being someone who teaches AMA pro's I knew he could teach us.  I knew he couldn't react to a crash, he was riding a race bike and would have to lay it down to help someone else.  Ty really did a great job as an instructor and he even had great video of Bonnie and was able to give her good positive input about her riding.  I am looking foward to doing a track day with Ty, but I believe I will get a "cheaper to me" dedicated track bike.  If I had the money right now, Slag's R6 would be a steal.  My R1 would make a suitable option too. 

Also, the other riders there were pretty cool and easy to talk to.  The guy on the Black and Yellow CBR1000RR race bike was entertaining to watch.  I think his name was Matt (maybe owns a Honda dealer) He only used 1 wheel on every straight.  From the time he left the corner till he reached his braking zone was a continuous power wheelie.  That bike had some power! and he knew how to use it. 

[cm]

I wasn't trying to knock the track day, I knew it was worth doing after talking to other people about it and especially reading Kevin and your reactions following.  When I say it was weird, it was different than the one and only track experience I have had previously.  The corner worker in track 3 I'm sure was doing his job, I just thought it was weird that standing at the top of the hill I was watching all the action and the track was black flagged and all riders were pitted and the rescue truck was still sitting in the same location.  The flagger in 3 knew she hit pavement hard and black flagged the track.  Bonnie was standing there and walked across the track after several minutes of noone showing up.  Who knew if she even knew what her name was at the time.  The whole time I was watching I kept thinking, please tell me that guy has a radio, noone's moving and the track is cleared.  What's the deal. 

As far as Ty was concerned, I thought he was a cool easy to talk to instructor.  Being someone who teaches AMA pro's I knew he could teach us.  I knew he couldn't react to a crash, he was riding a race bike and would have to lay it down to help someone else.  Ty really did a great job as an instructor and he even had great video of Bonnie and was able to give her good positive input about her riding.  I am looking foward to doing a track day with Ty, but I believe I will get a "cheaper to me" dedicated track bike.  If I had the money right now, Slag's R6 would be a steal.  My R1 would make a suitable option too. 

Also, the other riders there were pretty cool and easy to talk to.  The guy on the Black and Yellow CBR1000RR race bike was entertaining to watch.  I think his name was Matt (maybe owns a Honda dealer) He only used 1 wheel on every straight.  From the time he left the corner till he reached his braking zone was a continuous power wheelie.  That bike had some power! and he knew how to use it. 

I didn't think you were trying to knock it...just wanted to explain what they were doing since I knew you weren't experienced on the track (as well as a private/member day).  Bonnie being up meant there wasn't any sort of emergency. The flagger in 3 did not see her go down, FYI.  He saw her as she was already sliding since he was also trying to follow the other bike that was slightly ahead on track.  Like I said, if Bonnie stayed down on the ground, you would've seen a whole lot of scrambling. 

Good idea on the track bike but to be honest, the track bike is financial insurance only on the bike portion.  I personally treat the track bike very similarly to any other bike (with respect).  Personally, in a crash, I'm more concerned about me than the bike...but a cheaper track bike  definitely makes good financial sense. I sent Bonnie  a PM on some thoughts about how I approach riding on the track that I thought I'd share in the hope that she has as much fun (and continues to go) as much as I do.

By the way, Matt is the GM for Maxim Motorsports (Honda dealer in Allen).  He's been racing for a long time...the funny part is he 'took' Bonnie's spot for one session and while he's been racing for 25+ years, Ty actually saw something in his riding form, and when he tried it during the last session, he was amazed at how much faster he was.  He actually accused Ty of holding out on him until after he retired from active racing    The advice - Matt (even as fast as he was), was using more lean angle than necessary so he was at the tires' limits but not necessarily the bike's limits.  Ty showed him how he can improve his body position and allow the bike to have less lean angle to allow for faster corner speed and also be able to get to full throttle faster. Matt was so happy about that little discovery (and this guy was a racing veteran!).  Matt was also a good guy and lent me some extra tie down straps.  I had asked the seller to bring some extra straps for me to be able to take the bike home but he forgot to leave them  .  Fortunately, Matt came through (even gave me a couple of soft ties) and the two bikes are now next to each other in the garage.  I'm about halfway done removing all the decals and numbers.  I've got a paint scheme in mind for the new body work and I can't wait to get that done later in the year (Dec/Jan).

[Kevin848]

My overall impression from ECR was good. Ty was great, the facility was great and I really liked the fact that there wasnt very many people on the track at any one time... the last session was just me and Carlo. I was a little surprised that there was no tech inspection before you were allowed on the track.

I was probably the least experienced rider there and I never saw anything from anyone else on the track that gave me concern... well the guy on the R6 with the open exhaust annoyed me every time he passed me but other than that, all was cool. 

[Bonwilder]

I thought it was a nice track - Ty was a great instructor - and not a big deal that it took them a while to get there with the wreck - it was my stupid mistake so I can pick up my own damn bike!  Just sorry that the whole group had to clear the track because of me.  Everyone was very nice and I would recommend the private track day for anyone who is interested!

[Bonwilder]

Now I will tell you how I really feel - I am glad I missed this whole shity conversation yesterday (even if I was stuck in lab doing ultrasound on the piriformis).  The fact of the matter is that while I am fully capable and unafraid to twist the throttle, I should probably do a little less of this until I learn some f'ing skill without eating pavement.  I am pissed that I have wrecked twice in two weeks, but shit happens and I am not going to beat myself up about it. I am glad that I walked away both times and most importantly - that I didn't cause anyone else to wreck.  I am done with this conversation.

How about we focus on the positive things that have happened on the last two track days, like Kevin and Bryant got their knees down and cm got an awesome new bike - and that we are all privelaged enough to be able to do track days and then sit around and talk about that and lots of other stupid bs!  There are worse things in life, you know?

[Slag]

A membership at Cresson would be a great idea for some of you. It is very laid back, and normally there are less people. I have spent many sessions alone out there.  They also send out there 4 wheeler whenever anyone wrecks.

[Kevin848]

A membership at Cresson would be a great idea for some of you. It is very laid back, and normally there are less people. I have spent many sessions alone out there.  They also send out there 4 wheeler whenever anyone wrecks.

I was thinking of getting one at ECR mainly because its much closer to me. The track was a little more interesting too but not quite as nice or moto friendly.

[Cyclone]

Now I will tell you how I really feel - I am glad I missed this whole shity conversation yesterday !

How about we focus on the positive things that have happened on the last two track days, like Kevin and Bryant got their knees down and cm got an awesome new bike - and that we are all privelaged enough to be able to do track days and then sit around and talk about that and lots of other stupid bs!  There are worse things in life, you know?

Wow - I really enjoyed CM's & Pipeliners detailed and candid discussions and felt like I learned some stuff.  I've really been disinclined to go to a track but this discussion has me more interested.   BWilder you are one tough cookie !!  I don't know much of anything about tracking moto's but what I know about progress in other sports & skillsets tells me you have to go through crappy, mediocre, average, and O.K. on your way to excellence!  I hope your learning curve smooths out a little but I admire your attitude & tenacity ! 

[Bonwilder]

Wow - I really enjoyed CM's & Pipeliners detailed and candid discussions and felt like I learned some stuff.  I've really been disinclined to go to a track but this discussion has me more interested.   BWilder you are one tough cookie !!  I don't know much of anything about tracking moto's but what I know about progress in other sports & skillsets tells me you have to go through crappy, mediocre, average, and O.K. on your way to excellence!  I hope your learning curve smooths out a little but I admire your attitude & tenacity ! 

Thanks Cyclone - didn't mean to stomp all over Tommy and cm's conversation - I agree that there was some good content there!  Talk about focusing on the the positive, huh? lol!  Anyway - yeah it's not how many times you fall down - it's how many times you get back up, right?  I am sure my next track day will be successful and I certainly learned a lot from the first two! [moto]

[Duc L'Smart]

Although I've only ridden ECR once, I greatly prefer the layout, length, elevation changes etc. over MSR's.
The ECR run-off SUCKS, and their facilities are mediocre to non-existent, so MSR wins that one.

[cm]

How about we focus on the positive things that have happened on the last two track days, like Kevin and Bryant got their knees down and cm got an awesome new bike - and that we are all privelaged enough to be able to do track days and then sit around and talk about that and lots of other stupid bs!  There are worse things in life, you know?

And cm also finally fixed his right turn problem and got a right knee down for the first time!  

[Bonwilder]

And cm also finally fixed his right turn problem and got a right knee down for the first time!  

  Awesome job cm!!  Were you on the Duc or the new bike??

[Bonwilder]

3rd person is SO Bob Dole 

Bonnie got both knees down...at the same time 

True dat!    make the beast with two backs you smartass lol

[cm]

Although I've only ridden ECR once, I greatly prefer the layout, length, elevation changes etc. over MSR's.
The ECR run-off SUCKS, and their facilities are mediocre to non-existent, so MSR wins that one.

Yeah, elevation changes at ECR is nice. The 1.3 track at MSR isn't bad for bikes but too short.  Run off is still pretty decent but I don't think ANY track compares to MSR. I've been to tracks all over the country and I've never seen one with so much run-off room!  Other tracks have guard rails and concrete barriers in a lot of turns (which quite honestly, has kept me a lot more conservative since I started at TWS where they had more of those, vs MSR).

ECR will be good in a few more years.  The member garage area is already getting built and they're starting to do some more landscaping to keep erosion in check.

I remember MSR when they didn't even have the main clubhouse building and they only had portapotties! It's gone a long way! I hope ECR goes the same path.  Kevin and I met David and Linda Cook (ECR's owners) and they were very nice.  They didn't want to rush us packing up so they just told us that we were the last ones there and if we could padlock the gate behind us, it would be great!  

[Slag]

Dammit!! I deleted that   Thought better about the knees comment. Could be misconstrued!