Track Day Tips (9/2 Related) - Start Hydrating!!!

[Lost]

Hey everyone. I thought since we are all getting excited about the 9/2 track day we could make a thread dedicated to things that some of the track regulars find helpful. There are going to be people out there that this is their first time out so anything that helps you out, be sure to share it here!!

One thing that really helps me is to concentrate on being smooth out there. To help me with this i raise my idle to 2000 to 2500. This really helps when your getting on the gas by making the power delivery super smooth (no throttle jerk). The idle is still low enough that it has no effect on braking and such. Give it a try! :thumbsup:

Who is next???

[afrothunder]

my biggest advice is to work on your head turns.
you are now on an open track... there's no traffic, no rock to look around...
force yourself to look through the turn and look for and past the exit of the turn.

this really helps with smoothness. because no longer are you looking at the asphalt right in front of you...
but you're looking at where you want to go, and because of this, the bike naturally follows. :thumbsup:

[adobo]

do they mark the turn in/apex/turn out with cones? i know they did this back on the east coast.

[deathblow]

Relax and take it easy the first several laps and sessions. Don't ruin your day by being too agressive in the beginning, believe me it will suck to have to sit out the rest of the track day if you do crash. Brake early in the beginning for each turn and methodically push the envelope as you learn the track and become more comfortable with it and your bike.

[afrothunder]

Relax and take it easy the first several laps and sessions. Don't ruin your day by being too agressive in the beginning, believe me it will suck to have to sit out the rest of the track day if you do crash. Brake early in the beginning for each turn and methodically push the envelope as you learn the track and become more comfortable with it and your bike.i agree. everytime i go out onto a track, whether its been one that i've been on before, or never been on before... it takes some getting used to!

take it easy, learn the track, and as the day progresses...
you will naturually feel more comfortable, and you can push it a little more. (:

[pulse]

when people go to the track for the first time they worry too much about "getting in the way" or are scarred of people passing them or people being behind them. NEVER turn around to see if someone is behind you or looking to pass you, keep your eyes ahead of you and focus on what YOU are doing, not what people behind you are doing. it is the responsiblity of the person passing to make a clean, safe pass reguardless of what you are doing. if someone wants to pass you then let them worry about that and you just keep doing what you are doing, stay focused, hold your line and keep your eyes ahead of you. :thumbsup:

[Lost]

do they mark the turn in/apex/turn out with cones? i know they did this back on the east coast.No they do not. They do mark brake markers for reference. You will find pleanty of reference points out there if you are looking for them.

Adobo, you bring up a really good habit of successful riders. That is the use of reference points. Reference points are something that riders want to use reguardless of level. As you get faster, you have to use reference points. I like to use cracks in the pavement at faster speeds, or even weeds on the side of the track.

As the day progresses, the use of reference points might sound like this.
"i'm going to brake for turn two before the (crack, weed on the side of the track, skid mark, etc)"
"i'm going to brake for turn two at the (crack, weed on the side of the track, skid mark, etc)" later on,
"im going to brake one second (two, three) after i pass the (crack, weed on the side of the track, skid mark, etc)"

It is very important to make sure reference points are non moving. I am not big advocate of cones because of this. I don't know how many times i have had a cone i was using get moved for some reason and mess me up. Another reason to always take a slow sighting lap at the start of each session. Warm up the tires, and make sure that things are where they are supposed to be!

[zx6racer]

basic formula= lap 1- go fast, lap 2- go faster, lap 3- go super fast, lap 4- go watery eyes fast( then realize your visor is up) lap 5- go poo in your shorts fast. etc. etc.

Just some humor guys.
most important is smoothnes and trusting your tires.
get your inside shoulder and your head into the turn and your bike will be more than happy to follow.
oh yeah RELAX AND HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zx6racer]

LOL i just looked at my avatar and realized i am totally crossed up, my forhead should be down and into the turn, wow that was along time ago, thanks pete for telling me to get my head and shoulder into the turn.

[Bryant]

Drink lots of water. Otherwise all this other wonderful advice will be useless!!! Hydrate yourself well before the trackday event. No alcohol, coffee, coke (you will dehydrate rapidly otherwise). Drink Water, Gatorade, Powerade and perhaps a Red Bull or two but make sure to drink lots of water with that stuff. And get a good night's rest before the event.

[shaggy]

I know their sponsored by redbull but that stuff isn't the greatest idea to drink out in the dessert heat...more water...

[zx6racer]

+1 for shaggy and bod! great advice guys.

[brakstad]

when people go to the track for the first time they worry too much about "getting in the way" or are scarred of people passing them or people being behind them. NEVER turn around to see if someone is behind you or looking to pass you, keep your eyes ahead of you and focus on what YOU are doing, not what people behind you are doing. it is the responsiblity of the person passing to make a clean, safe pass reguardless of what you are doing. if someone wants to pass you then let them worry about that and you just keep doing what you are doing, stay focused, hold your line and keep your eyes ahead of you. :thumbsup:

For all the neo's, you will not need to use the whole track to get yourself through a turn (because you are not going fast enough). So instead of setting up your turn from all the way to the outside, leave 1/4 of the track (on the outside) open for others to pass you. Same goes for the exit of the turn. The instructors in the neo group will tell you about this. Makes it safer for everyone.

As others have said, concentrate on being smooth on your throttle and brakes.

Between the first 4-5 sessions, there will class room instruction (for the neo group) where you will learn the basics. You do not have to attend this, but I highly encourage it to anyone that has not been on the track before. You do not loose any tracktime by attending, so there really is no reason to not not go (classes start a few minutes after the neo session ends and are over a few minutes before the next neo session begins). You can BS with your friends between sessions in the afternoon :thumbsup:

[Arnold_R1]

Who is next???

Here's a thought. . . don't forget your keys ah hem Mr Ryan Fisher! :whistle:

[Lost]

Here's a thought. . . don't forget your keys ah hem Mr Ryan Fisher! :whistle:
:slap: :roflmao:

Oh man, poor Ryan!

Yea, DON'T FORGET YOUR KEYS *cough* Melissa*cough*.....

[Cyanide41]

Oh! After hearing about people leaving keys that has become one of my fears. I recommend making check lists of all the crap you need to take. It has helped me greatly.

[Dissident]

don't forget to check all your connections, ESPECIALLY your oil plug.

[Termin8r]

Smoothness is a relative term that has different meanings for different people. As in canyon riding, don't let anyone else dictate your pace...i.e. ride your ride. Although a track is a more controlled environment than a canyon, people still eat crapola on them too. Be aware of your environment in front of you at all times and always have an "exit strategy" to avoid running over a downed rider.

Lastly, Under Armour is a must. Not just the tops either...unless you bring a lot of baby powder for your love sacks.

[Lost]

...unless you bring a lot of baby powder for your love sacks.
With the amount of sweating well be doing out there,... Sounds like a recipe for plaster of paris! :silenced:

Ok, back to your regularly schedualed programming.....

[Cyanide41]

With the amount of sweating well be doing out there,... Sounds like a recipe for plaster of paris! :silenced:

Ok, back to your regularly schedualed programming.....


Thanks for sharing! :puke:

[zx6racer]

With the amount of sweating well be doing out there,... Sounds like a recipe for plaster of paris! :silenced:

Ok, back to your regularly schedualed programming.....
wouldn't that be plaster of penis? oh i kill me!!!!!!

[Lost]

wouldn't that be plaster of penis? oh i kill me!!!!!!Lol!!

[Arnold_R1]

Lastly, Under Armour is a must. Not just the tops either...unless you bring a lot of baby powder for your love sacks.

Rich can you double check and make sure you're not registered here: Thought you might check since you love the perv jokes! :uhh: :ha:

http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/search_main.asp?searchBy=county&county=orange

[Philo]

:blink: :uhh:

[deno]

wear sunscreen and bring a hat for when your not riding. drink lots of water and gatorade! chairs are always a nice amenity as well.

if you have a litre bike it is your duty to gun it down the straight and park it in turn one. Just leave enough room for the rest of the field to stuff you once they make up the lost ground. :ninja:

[Philo]

if you have a litre bike it is your duty to gun it down the straight and park it in turn one. Just leave enough room for the rest of the field to stuff you once they make up the lost ground. :ninja:

You don't need a literbike for that..........just a few extra cc's.

36 for instance. 36 extra cc's would work great for that.

:squid:

[r1repr7]

I was out there last friday.....if you're bringing an easy-up, bring something to tie it down to/with. You guys know Willow....wind kicks up in the afternoon. Water is a MUST....it really started burning up around 11am.

oh.....and not like I was getting any practice in or anything!

[r1repr7]

wear sunscreen and bring a hat for when your not riding. drink lots of water and gatorade! chairs are always a nice amenity as well.

if you have a litre bike it is your duty to gun it down the straight and park it in turn one. Just leave enough room for the rest of the field to stuff you once they make up the lost ground. :ninja:

the rest of the field needs to have at least ONE spot on the track to make up time!!! :lift: :rolleyes:

definitely a 600 track....

[veejay]

don't worry if you're getting passed left and right out there...

it's still just a track day so just ride at your own pace. no pressure... have fun and work on the basics!

[hypersport]

http://banners.wunderground.com/banner/infobox_both/language/www/US/CA/Rosamond.gif

live current forcast up above.

Thought i'd start another post cause all others are too long.

It's going to be a scorcher!!! Hottttt i tell ya!!!

Get plenty of sleep the night before, hydrate and drink plenty of water!!!! at least 2 gallons and/or re-fill with Gatorade/Poweraide etc....

Do a check list of all your gear.

Drive safe and I'll see all of you there!!!!

~Mike

[03 Double R]

Damn...I thought it was suppose to cool down.

[daMartian]

dayam!!!!

[05GSXR600]

OMG!!!!!! "Hot In Herre" will be the song of the day :banana:

[03 Double R]

Im going to have to cancel....j/k

[daMartian]

Im going to have to cancel....j/k

after what we've been through just trying to get a spot???? LOL...

[GPTECHMAN]

I think it will be coller than that forecast. Accuweather has it at "feels like 93" and they are pretty on it....they called no rain for the February Vegas Track day.....

[hypersport]

damn, shoot me down... SEAN. Just preparing for the extreme. jk

[Lost]

Drink till ya pee clear!!!

[Termin8r]

Since I sold my spot, I think I'll go the beach or a pool somewhere and go swimming that day. Maybe go somewhere where there's plenty of air conditioning. Maybe I'll even have an ice cream or a slushie and just enjoy how refreshingly cool I'll be.

OKAY! I'm friggin' annoyed that I sold my spot and can't go on the track with you guys, and this is just my way of trying to turn the tables. Wah!

[brakstad]

Hey, that's almost 20 degrees cooler than the Vegas track day in July! Sweet!

[hypersport]

No Worries Rich, While you are sitting in an Air Conditioned room, kickin' at the beach or sitting by the pool danglin' your legs in the water eating a popsicle or shinin' your nice Ducati 999. We'll be in the hott desert sweatin our ass's off.... BUT, enjoying doing what we love best. RIDIN' THE TRACK BABY!!!! Don't worry i'm sure there will be plenty of people there who will capture and share all the fun we will have with their video & digital camera's. It will be just like you were there.... I promise!

[thecraw-r1]

Dibs on the coldest spot in your trailer!! damn its gonna be hella hot :flame:
but damn fun!!

[RRandawg]

Im going to have to cancel....j/k

Whaaaat...ya better not foo!

[CPM F4]

To reiterate what was mentioned above:

Here are some things to bring when doing a track day out in the middle of a desert:

1). Fluids - Water, Gatorade etc. Tons of it. Bring enough for yourself and a few others. We will all do the same. There can never be enough to go around.

2). Shade - Hats (big sombrero type. Not kidding. The more you're out of the sun, the better), sunglasses, canopy

3). Sunscreen

4). Munchables preferably high energy type foods. Heat plus riding hard will be draining so keeping up energy levels will be key to having fun throughout the day.

5). Chairs

6). Towels (for yourself) - Nothing feels better than having an ice cold wet towel wrapped around your neck after a good run.

7). Towels (for your bike) - Your bike will be out in the sun inbetween sessions. It won't be very pleasant sitting on a 120+ degree heated seat during the next session.

8). Extra Fuel

9). Stands

WSIR charges a $10 entrance fee to all people in a vehicle even if you're there to watch and not ride.

[Arnold_R1]

if you have a litre bike it is your duty to gun it down the straight and park it in turn one. Just leave enough room for the rest of the field to stuff you once they make up the lost ground. :ninja:


:doh: Damn Deno, you just revealed my hidden talents! :cry:

[powerban]

i forgot..is it 10 per vehicle? or 10 per person.?

[afrothunder]

per person.

[h2o-girl]

As ordered by Mikey while he puts some freshie tires on my bike...

Drink drink drink right now! The days before count too, so drink up!! :cheers:

See ya Friday! :guitar:

[deathblow]

I have been peeing non-stop!

[LiN Mae]

Mmmmm.... water......

[Lost]

I have been peeing non-stop!
I have been peeing clear for three days!! I'm ready!!!

[Philo]

I wet the bed last night. Maybe I should drink a little bit LESS water. :errf:

[afrothunder]

I wet the bed last night. Maybe I should drink a little bit LESS water. :errf:what?! you too? i guess we'll be sheet-washing buddies tonight... :errf:

[melonheadR6]

what?! you too? i guess we'll be sheet-washing buddies tonight... :errf:

well, since you guys sleep in the same bed, how do you know who was the wetter?

[TreAdidas]

well, since you guys sleep in the same bed, how do you know who was the wetter?

Dang beat me to the punch by like three minutes

[deathblow]

I wet the bed last night. Maybe I should drink a little bit LESS water. :errf:

LOL, you can see a doctor for that.

[Philo]

well, since you guys sleep in the same bed, how do you know who was the wetter?


No I don't think you understood, I said I "wet the bed". Yes I slept in my own bed last night, but I peed in yours.

[adobo]

what was this thread about again!?!

is anyone brining there walkie talkies for the ride up? are we all meeting at buymoto tomorrow?

i have two walkie talkies if anyone needs one.

[adobo]

also what hotel are you guys staying at? i got a spot at the devonshire.

[r1brip]

Try to remember your key so we dont have to punch any ignitions!

[powerban]

adobo, i think most of us are staying at the park plaza, they changed their name to essex hotel or something. Its about 15 mins south of the track. i dont think they are booked. but you can bunk with me, jon, and bengt. We need another person to lower the cost. -=O)
BTW, yes we will be at buymoto around 6. Still gotta load up 3 bikes when we get there. -=o(

[adobo]

oh ok i wish i knew! !! the devonshire inn said they are 5 miles fromthe track, and that they have a special gated area where i can park my truck/trailer... that's why i booked with them.

i'll try and ride up with you guys this afternoon, depends on how late i stay here at work... i might just end up driving up myself... maybe i'll catch you on the highway!!!

you guys have talkabouts??? if you do tell me what channel you will be on.

[GPTECHMAN]

And again...TTT

[cbrsmurf]

isn't it a little early to start hydrating lol

oh yea, and warm up your frickin tires and not crash in the first frickin lap. frick.

[brownbrown4]

isn't it a little early to start hydrating lol

oh yea, and warm up your frickin tires and not crash in the first frickin lap. frick.
it takes roughly 3 to 4 days of drinking lots water to fully hydrate your body.. <-- just a tid bit if anyone didnt know

[cbrsmurf]

nvm, this is an old ass thread :p