Wet trackday advice.

[GixerGaz]

In the event of having a wet trackday at Cadwell Park on the 9th August as it is forecast to rain according to the Met Office, can anyone offer any advice other than take it easy?!

[Mr Brightside]

Buy some full wets on the day if need be :)
A lot more grip on tracks than the road anyway as I discovered :lol:

[axeman]

Super smooth is the key mate both with braking and accelerating, it rained on and off on my last trackday, I went out in the wet sessions on my standard bt014's and was ok, I started getting a bit confident and had a bit of a front end slide so backed off a fair bit. If it looks like it's gonna be wet all day it might be worth getting some wets put on, I've only used them on a super-moto but there excellent, some of the guys at donny were scrapping their sliders with wets on.

[GixerGaz]

I have already put some Pirelli Diablo 3's on to cover me for all conditions. Aren't these used in the Virgin R6 Cup for wet and dry conditions?

[Gazza13]

How the hell the met office will know what the weather will be in over 9days baffles me!!! they cant get it right 24hrs ahead let alone 9days!!!!!!

As for riding in the wet on track just take it easy and be smooth on brakes and accelerating as axeman said!


Gary

[Mr Brightside]

I was using Corsa 3s at brands and in the torrential rain on the way home.. were all good in the wet :)

[Charlie]

How the hell the met office will know what the weather will be in over 9days baffles me!!! they cant get it right 24hrs ahead let alone 9days!!!!!!

As for riding in the wet on track just take it easy and be smooth on brakes and accelerating as axeman said!


Gary

+1 :)

[axeman]

Just enjoy yourself no matter what the weather, go at ur own pace and build up slowly that way if u do start pushing the limits ur gonna get some warning.

[GixerGaz]

Cheers guys, honest advice, as always.

GG

[OGM]

Either get some full wets or stay at home!

Cadwell is horrible in the wet!

[blackninja980]

can anyone offer any advice other than take it easy?!

Yeah,

1. Don't believe what the weatherman says just yet

2. Pack your waterproofs.

3. You've paid your money so don't let a bit of rain get in the way.

:D

[millemille]

Back off a turn of preload front and rear.

Change the way you brake - in the dry you should slam the brakes on as hard as you can to squash the front tyre into the track; in the wet you gradually build up brake pressure, you end up braking as hard as you did in the dry but you give the front tyre a chance to cut through the surface water and heat up and let the grip build to match the brake demand.

Use the back brake lots - apply the back before the front and it helps settle the bike a little.

[gixxerken]

i was at cadwell on thursday and it pissed down

was still a good day though

im investing in a spare set of wheels now cos changing tyres is a pain in the ass.

my advice would be get your ass of the seat as far as possible and dont tense up which most people do in the wet. will help to keep the bike as upright as possible when cornering.

also watch ot for leaves on the track and puddles. cadwell is really bad for them!

[dazoo]

Once you have tried full wets, you'll never look back. If you're going to be doing a few trackdays, well worth the investment in a pair of wheels and disks.

My best trackdays have been on wet wheels in standing water - it teaches you how to relax, ride smooth, think about your braking and concentrate on everything the bike is telling you. You'll find yourself with your knee down in puddles!

Otherwise, tyre warmers help to keep some heat in the tyres getting grip levels up from the start of the session.

Failing that, erm, take it easy! It's suprising what you can do in the wet even on standard tyres but work up very carefully. Don't try to tag onto the back of a a hero - he's either wearing wet tyres or could be about to crash.

And as said before - look out for Cadwell in the wet. Under the trees is potentially very dangerous and even when the rest of the track in dry you'll find damp patches or slippery surface under the trees. And there are some arse-clenchingly tight corners when on a slippery track.

Most of all enjoy! If you're really not having fun or feeling comfortable, don't go out. It isn't worth binning your bike (and yourself) trying to make the most of the 100 quid you paid to get on track.

Good luck!

[zuki]

don't put a brand new un-scrubbed tyre on the day before :blush:

[MonkeyDog]

I have been rained off at knockhill and been given another booking,
If it's really bad it doesnt harm to ask
If it is rideable, try to move around the bike in slo-mo, in fact ride in slow-mo,
will keep the bike more settled and reduce and large weight/force transfers happening too fast.

Hope you have fun

[GixerGaz]

Thanks for all your advice guys, much appreciated.

Looks like the weather is going to be OK (I think) and if anything just maybe the odd shower (fingers crossed!)

Whatever the weather, I am sure I will have a great time.

GG

[trackdayrider]

All the correct advice has already been offered :D
Being smooth is the key to wet riding - just like on the road. Your not out to set any lap records and wet trackdays a re a good chance to put your super smooth riding into practice. A wet day is just as enjoyable, just in a different way.

And has has already been mentioned, a set of wets will make a huge difference in your confidence.

Enoy it, whatever the weather brings on the day !

[GixerGaz]

East Midlands Outlook for Wednesday 8 Aug 2007 to Friday 17 Aug 2007

The rather unsettled summer weather looks set to continue with little indication in this period of any prolonged, dry and sunny weather. Much of the period, particularly the first part will be dominated by low pressure close to or over the United Kingdom bringing showers or rain to many places, some of which could be heavy and thundery. There will be some sunshine in between times, particularly in coastal parts. Towards the end of the period the indications are for the traditional westerly winds to return, perhaps bringing slightly less wet conditions to southern parts, with a decreased risk of heavy downpours here. Temperatures throughout the period are likely to be close to normal with little sign of a summer heatwave.


I go on the 8th and the track day is on the 9th. Looks like wet it is then!

[scottyh]

You'll be fine mate, and don't worry about the forecast until you get there.

I think everyone has covered everything, but IMO, smooth is top of the list, and 2nd is relax and don't strangle your grips.!

I know you've been on track before, but daft as it might sound, remember to breath cos if you don't, apart from dying, your chest will tighten making your arms stiff, which will stop your bike from shaking its head and moving around to settle itself.

[GixerGaz]

http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=LN11&day=5

Rainy, windy and cold, great, not.