View Full Version : How serious do you
Take the safety briefing/Riders briefing on a track day. There is a serious note to this thread as i pissed a few people off on Saturday at Brands. (tough luck kid's before you start)
Heard that many, I could give them. LOL
sradmatt
26-11-2006, 22:29
what happened on sat then??
Heard 6 now but listen every time !!
what happened on sat then??
Oh... what's the Red Again... Stop racing... yeah.. that's it!!! Happened third session the guy in front out braked himself and ran out of track... I went passed... red flags fair enough... but I never came in as I couldn't remember what to do!! So me and another got three of the belt each from Race Contol!!
Matt... He came steaming up my inside at Druids one I had set myself up for the corner.... I can't repeat what I said!! But I thought 'I'm sure the nice man at the briefing session said we weren't allowed to do that..... I was then in hot persuit and thought NO... gravel/grass awaits!!
what happened on sat then??
Well as some know mates of mine are instructors for HT. On Saturday i was near the door to the breifing room and had a few lad's that could not hear the briefing so were determined that no one else would either. No i have heard more briefings than most and still listen to them every time. On Saturday there were changes to then normal briefing and i will guarantee they did not hear the changes as they were pissing about and laughing loudly. Well i lost my rag after asking them politely the first time to shut the **** up. The second time was a little more aggressive pointing out that it was a safety briefing and if they could not hear then move into the room further (there's no such thing as can't). I am about to be very involved with HT with the new racing season coming up and feel very strong about safety.
If your near me in a briefing then please listen to the person giving it. Things do change and you could be responsible for hurting/killing somebody by not listening. The guy's giving it would rather not but it is a legal obligation that they have to adhere to.
LISTEN to them lad's & lasses it may benefit you one day & if it was you i pissed off then tough luck..
Oh... what's the Red Again... Stop racing... yeah.. that's it!!! Happened third session the guy in front out braked himself and ran out of track... I went passed... red flags fair enough... but I never came in as I couldn't remember what to do!! So me and another got three of the belt each from Race Contol!!
Matt... He came steaming up my inside at Druids one I had set myself up for the corner.... I can't repeat what I said!! But I thought 'I'm sure the nice man at the briefing session said we weren't allowed to do that..... I was then in hot persuit and thought NO... gravel/grass awaits!!
So you couldn't remember what to do after a red flag. Well you obviously didn't listen to the briefing properly as they clearly say at all track days that a red flag end's that session and to return to the pits. If they can get you out for the rest of that session then they will but if it is over the first ten minutes of that session then you will not be going back out and the next group will be called.
As for Matt
Scary :tumblewee:fool:
So you couldn't remember what to do after a red flag. Well you obviously didn't listen to the briefing properly as they clearly say at all track days that a red flag end's that session and to return to the pits. If they can get you out for the rest of that session then they will but if it is over the first ten minutes of that session then you will not be going back out and the next group will be called.
As for Matt
Scary :tumblewee:fool:
Aye Aye Whatever... I knew there was no more Racign but I was in the front, I never saw everybody else going into the pits, the poor bugger behind was only following me!!
Lost about 10 mins of track time.... I won't be doing that again.
I suppose it's my own fault for being too fast, if I'd been 'back in the pack' I'd have known!!
Aye Aye Whatever... I knew there was no more Racign but I was in the front, I never saw everybody else going into the pits, the poor bugger behind was only following me!!
Lost about 10 mins of track time.... I won't be doing that again.
I suppose it's my own fault for being too fast, if I'd been 'back in the pack' I'd have known!!
Buddy, i think your missing the point. You may have lost ten minutes track time but that is not the point to this.
It scares me that you could not remember what a red flag was for. I don't know how many track days you have done but it is so important to know what the flags are for as they save lives, proven fact. My post is to find out how many listen to the briefings and your post does not fill me with confidence.
sradmatt
26-11-2006, 23:19
[QUOTE=
Matt... He came steaming up my inside at Druids one I had set myself up for the corner....[/QUOTE]
do you mean i was the one that came up the inside of you? or just replying to me!?
sradmatt
26-11-2006, 23:20
As for Matt
Scary :tumblewee:fool:
What did i do!!??
Matt... He came steaming up my inside at Druids one I had set myself up for the corner.... I can't repeat what I said!! But I thought 'I'm sure the nice man at the briefing session said we weren't allowed to do that..... I was then in hot persuit and thought NO... gravel/grass awaits!!
Which ever Matt he was talking about on a red flag.
LOOK, this is not a witch hunt on an individual, it is a poll to see who listens to briefing's. If you want an individual persecution then another thread needs to be started. So back to the thread title, WHO LISTENS OR NOT.
sradmatt
26-11-2006, 23:28
no worries, i think he was replying to me about an unknown rider though mate
sradmatt
26-11-2006, 23:29
and i went for the, listen and take it in answer!
madmatt1969
26-11-2006, 23:38
FIRST REPLY ON ERE NOT ME i was in the novice in the first few times out and on wets ,i was on a mission and was ask ,in a nice way chill abit ..top breifing i must admit .for the track day virgins
i moved up to inters as i found it a bit hard to find a line as i was abit quicker and it want fair me over taking like three people on the staights and trying to find a way round ,,,no offence supermotos with the legs hanging out and all over the track.
then the last time out the checkard flag so i slower it down and the going into druids a bloke on a blade came up the inside all locked up side ways and nearly wiped me out ..im sure he said at breifing ,,,checkard flag ,slow down lap and come in or was i wrong ? there was a nice bloke next gaurage to us lot on an sv650 who was following me ..his words were ! I QUOTE WHAT A **** !
GREAT DAY THOU CANT WAIT TIL NEXT ONE
LOOK POST ABOUT 18TH FEB
HOTTRAX GOOD WELL RUN DAY ,,,BIG UP HOTTRAX
Smiler33
27-11-2006, 09:45
Before I did my first trackday I used to go along with my mates on their trackdays and I'd sit in on the safety briefings so that on my trackday it wasnt all new.
If I were in a session and others were talking Id say something and if it continued I'd ask the speaker to repeat as I couldnt hear thanks to the ignorance of a minority.
If Im teaching & people start talking in my groups (adult nurses here) I stop talking until they stop, ask them if they have anything to contribute to the session and if not save their gossiping until later.
As has been stated, safety briefings are there for the safety of all and if I had my way those that had been found to be deliberately talking/laughing over the session would be required to sit through another briefing - which would be conducted during the first track session they were due to take. Less time on the track should make things safer for the others and maybe make them think twice.
Id give Slappy rep for starting this thread, but Ive given him too much today already!
As people have said on here they change, I have only done two evenings and they were close together in the summer however I know that each company does it differently now too, as when someone had an accident on the track at clearways they said there would be two warm up laps....
when I did mine in the summer with Focused they always had two warm ups due to the track being so short so there's an obvious difference there, if I was not to listen I would assume it was as it had always been when I had done them previously and I would have caused mayhem on the 2nd warm up when everyone else had gone to flying laps and I would have got hacked off with people flying past on what I thought was a warm up lap....
could be just as disasterous for someone coming from Sats meeting and doing one with 2 warm up laps when they thought it was only one and they would have ended up with a black flag for over taking before they were allowed so it's a must.
You really should listen to them, they're not doing it "for the fun of it" and they're not doing it "because they legally have to" they're doing it so everyone knows how it works and everyone stays as safe as possible.
I always listen, or at least keep quiet, although I've done 70+ t/d's it still pays to listen as they occasionally tell you something unique for that day. My mate who used to do t/ds would often chunter away fairly loudly, usually something like "it's not a f/king knitting circle", which was fairly embarassing!
I would say however it's called a briefing for a reason, sometime the people delivering them do seen to like the sound of their own voice and bang on far longer than necessary, which is counter-productive.
Buddy, i think your missing the point. You may have lost ten minutes track time but that is not the point to this.
It scares me that you could not remember what a red flag was for. I don't know how many track days you have done but it is so important to know what the flags are for as they save lives, proven fact. My post is to find out how many listen to the briefings and your post does not fill me with confidence.
Sorry, I did listen intently to the Safety Briefing, I totally understand why it’s there, and I learnt all the flags before the day too. This was my first track day so a hell of a lot to take in along with the fear/excitement.
When I saw the Red I slowed to walking pace, but couldn’t see anybody else to follow, when I got on the Pit Straight I was trying to indicate to the Marshal what to do, but he didn’t see me, so I kept going, then noticed everybody in the Pits and thought Oh Shit…. I do not have a problem with getting a row for this and I sure as hell won’t do it again.
Although this was my first track day I was very impressed with the professionalism of the organisers and friendly helpful everybody was... Especially in the last couple of sessions when the Marshal guy took time out to show me the line and comment on everything I was doing wrong which all when to making the best Birthday Present EVER and the best weekend I have had that I can remember!!!
no worries, i think he was replying to me about an unknown rider though mate
No it was MadMatt, who was in the Novice group to begin with and was blinding quick and far too good for us I believe!!
flashart
27-11-2006, 11:03
Ok my 2 pence worth (probably is worth that too :)) I've been doing trackdays now for about 5-6 years and I am an avid fan of racing on the box, I ticked the "I've heard it all before box" but before you criticize let me explain, I've been to too many briefings to remember with so many different companies and everyone covers the same BASIC thing ie what to do if your mate falls off, if theres a red/yellow flag etc and in all situations the answers are the same which is why that bit can/does get extremely boring, BUT in every briefing they do have their own specific for the day bit that I DO take note of, what does annoy me a little though is that they always make everyone sit through the whole thing, saturday for example we were in the advanced group, we stood there listened and at about five to nine they were "fast group out at nine", five mins to get all suited n booted :eek:
Everyone that is in the advanced/fast group (call it what you will), SHOULD have enough experiance and know what the flags mean to a point that they could get away without having to listen to the whole briefing, that would then allow the first group of the day out a little sooner with a bit more time to get ready, trackday comanies could easily impliment a system where once you've been on 3 days with that company your issued with a "get out early pass" for the more experianced riders.
All novice and most inters in my view should always attend the whole briefing as after all it is there for everyones safety and does set you in the right frame of mind for the day.
whew, that turned in to more like a fivers worth :gazzer:
Sorry, I did listen intently to the Safety Briefing, I totally understand why it’s there, and I learnt all the flags before the day too. This was my first track day so a hell of a lot to take in along with the fear/excitement.
When I saw the Red I slowed to walking pace, but couldn’t see anybody else to follow, when I got on the Pit Straight I was trying to indicate to the Marshal what to do, but he didn’t see me, so I kept going, then noticed everybody in the Pits and thought Oh Shit…. I do not have a problem with getting a row for this and I sure as hell won’t do it again.
Although this was my first track day I was very impressed with the professionalism of the organisers and friendly helpful everybody was... Especially in the last couple of sessions when the Marshal guy took time out to show me the line and comment on everything I was doing wrong which all when to making the best Birthday Present EVER and the best weekend I have had that I can remember!!!
Glad you enjoyed your first track day mate. Youll be hooked then!
Who was the instructor that took you out. Was it Steve on the Purple (Gay colour) R6 or Darren on the ZX636R Green/black. Be good to give them feed back from a TD virgin :)
I voted the very serious one,I`ve done six trackdays and most organisers run through the same things,but there can be issues on different days like weather conditions.
I did Cadwell a few weeks ago with Focused Events,during the briefing there were some people chatting away and not taking any notice,and the chap giving the instructions said if they did`nt shut up they would have to stay behind while he goes through it again!They did!
Ok my 2 pence worth (probably is worth that too :)) I've been doing trackdays now for about 5-6 years and I am an avid fan of racing on the box, I ticked the "I've heard it all before box" but before you criticize let me explain, I've been to too many briefings to remember with so many different companies and everyone covers the same BASIC thing ie what to do if your mate falls off, if theres a red/yellow flag etc and in all situations the answers are the same which is why that bit can/does get extremely boring, BUT in every briefing they do have their own specific for the day bit that I DO take note of, what does annoy me a little though is that they always make everyone sit through the whole thing, saturday for example we were in the advanced group, we stood there listened and at about five to nine they were "fast group out at nine", five mins to get all suited n booted :eek:
Everyone that is in the advanced/fast group (call it what you will), SHOULD have enough experiance and know what the flags mean to a point that they could get away without having to listen to the whole briefing, that would then allow the first group of the day out a little sooner with a bit more time to get ready, trackday comanies could easily impliment a system where once you've been on 3 days with that company your issued with a "get out early pass" for the more experianced riders.
All novice and most inters in my view should always attend the whole briefing as after all it is there for everyones safety and does set you in the right frame of mind for the day.
whew, that turned in to more like a fivers worth :gazzer:
Do you know, i actually agree with you it is boring to listen to the same old part about "your mate on the track" etc etc but unfortunately it is a legal (insurance covering you) obligation. I also agree that giving us 10mins max is a bit close to the mark but i have to say if you have done track days for 5-6 years one would think that by now you would do as i do and get there early unload, sort bike, (tyre pressures etc etc) and get your kit on ready.
When were racing we have to go to a riders briefing, yes it's the same old but we have to listen. You know what, we can go on and on about this, we can agree and disagree but at the end of the day it's a safety briefing that we should be polite enough to listen to however repetitive it maybe. One day you may get a surprise. On Saturday i even saw somebody come off there bike and was wondering around the bloody thing in the middle of the track working out how to get it up of the floor with bikes flying around him. NOW TELL ME HE LISTENED TO THE NICE MAN :fool: & if he did then what the feck.
That will do as i only have £4.50 :agree: :mmm:
flashart
27-11-2006, 12:22
Do you know, i actually agree with you it is boring to listen to the same old part about "your mate on the track" etc etc but unfortunately it is a legal (insurance covering you) obligation. I also agree that giving us 10mins max is a bit close to the mark but i have to say if you have done track days for 5-6 years one would think that by now you would do as i do and get there early unload, sort bike, (tyre pressures etc etc) and get your kit on ready.
When were racing we have to go to a riders briefing, yes it's the same old but we have to listen. You know what, we can go on and on about this, we can agree and disagree but at the end of the day it's a safety briefing that we should be polite enough to listen to however repetitive it maybe. One day you may get a surprise. On Saturday i even saw somebody come off there bike and was wondering around the bloody thing in the middle of the track working out how to get it up of the floor with bikes flying around him. NOW TELL ME HE LISTENED TO THE NICE MAN :fool: & if he did then what the feck.
That will do as i only have £4.50 :agree: :mmm:
Yeah admittedly I could leave earlier to allow more time to get ready, I did have time saturday but didnt relise the time at the er time....but bugger if I'm leaving earlier than I do already (05:30's enough for anyone surely :eek:) and with limited funds theres no way I could travel the day/night before, and the tw@ picking his bike up is a fare point but I think in the heat of the moment anyone would probably try to do the same (plus I think your on about my mate who is a tosser but have to try n defend him even if i think you are right ;)) myself I'd have just left the thing there and gone for a coffee :thumbsup:
Yeah admittedly I could leave earlier to allow more time to get ready, I did have time saturday but didnt relise the time at the er time....but bugger if I'm leaving earlier than I do already (05:30's enough for anyone surely :eek:) and with limited funds theres no way I could travel the day/night before, and the tw@ picking his bike up is a fare point but I think in the heat of the moment anyone would probably try to do the same (plus I think your on about my mate who is a tosser but have to try n defend him even if i think you are right ;)) myself I'd have just left the thing there and gone for a coffee :thumbsup:
:shock: PMSL
I know we've heard all the safety briefings before, for me it's time and time again. But if there are a few points to listen in to it is the following: How many warm up laps there are. What the flags means. Machine maintenance.
I have seen 4 folks crach this year because of piss poor maintenance or preparation of their bikes. One of which was me, following some clown who hadn't tightened up his sump plug. That one cost me £3700 to repair my bike.
Do it, it's for your own good.
I know we've heard all the safety briefings before, for me it's time and time again. But if there are a few points to listen in to it is the following: How many warm up laps there are. What the flags means. Machine maintenance.
I have seen 4 folks crach this year because of piss poor maintenance or preparation of their bikes. One of which was me, following some clown who hadn't tightened up his sump plug. That one cost me £3700 to repair my bike.
Do it, it's for your own good.
Ouch. Was that on a track ???
Ouch. Was that on a track ???
Yes, Hall bends at Cadwell. The first thing i did was run to see if he was ok, which he was. His CBR6 slid alond the track and came to a halt scuffing crash bobbins and slight fairing. Mine, on the other hand, Hit the kirb, nose dived and then summasaulted into the barrier, bending swingarm, frame, forks, front wheel (dymag), yokes, and snapped the subframe mounts and one front disk.
When the bloke came back down to get his pass signed so he could get another wrist band and go back out again, i asked him what had happened? Knowing damn welll that his sump plug had falled out (this was because i picked the bugger up off the floor). He said "I'm not too sure really mate, i think a bit of oil leaked out through the breather and went on the back tyre" "About 4 ltrs of ****in pro 4 more like." was my reply. "are you ok?" i asked "yes" - "is the bike ok" reply "yes" and then he walked off. Well at that point i lost my rag and grabbed hold of him saying "yeah, i'm ok but the bikes ****ed. Thanks for asking!" He turned round carried on walking, shrugged his shoulders and said "whatever."
At that point I flipped and made a lunge for him. The gaffer and a couple of the other instructors grabbed hold of me and took me to a quiet corner for a chat. It wouldn't have bothered me so much if he was ok about it but he was making out like it was my fault. ****.
Thatnk god it didn't happen in Chris curve. I don't think i'd be here telling the tale if it was.
If i see him on the track again i can see a bit of block passing coming on............. I will have my revenge.
factorypilot
27-11-2006, 15:01
If i see him on the track again i can see a bit of block passing coming on............. I will have my revenge.
what a complete tosser...:b7:
whats block passing..???do you pass the concrete block onto the next person when you finish hitting him with it:b6:
i think its selfish and rude not to listen, as said something might be different to that particular day.
only done track days with no limits always find their briefings, simple clear and concise. its good that they keep the novice group behind for extra briefing and for questions.
you might know the briefings inside out and can't be arsed to listen and talk to your mate but the lad or lass who can't hear because of you and misses something vital might be the one that takes you out on the track!
Motomoik
27-11-2006, 15:17
Thatnk god it didn't happen in Chris curve. I don't think i'd be here telling the tale if it was.
Think the briefs are very serious and should be listened too, day to day variation means theres no such thing as "heard it all before!" But agree, should be kept brief and minimal so people listen and dont get 'bored' and stop listening!
Yer Goshow, Chris hurts! 18" of steel and a few self tappers in me leg to show for a highside just as you lift for Goose!
Glad you enjoyed your first track day mate. Youll be hooked then!
Who was the instructor that took you out. Was it Steve on the Purple (Gay colour) R6 or Darren on the ZX636R Green/black. Be good to give them feed back from a TD virgin :)
I think it was Steve by the description of the bike... very helpful, my feet were not on the pegs correctly that's why I was all over the place and no where near as smooth as I should have been!! but what's annoying is that I can see exactly what I did wrong on all the photos that I got so now I cringe looking at them!!
Yes... well untruly bitten, but I don't fancy taking the K6 out there just yet!! I'll wait until I'm in the new house (May) and see what spare cash I have then... might get a cheap track bike then!
not done a trackday yet , but come cadwell easter monday i will be listening
VERY closely !
If i see him on the track again i can see a bit of block passing coming on............. I will have my revenge.
what a complete tosser...:b7:
whats block passing..???do you pass the concrete block onto the next person when you finish hitting him with it:b6:
I hope you were refering to the bloke in my description as a "tosser" and not me?
Block passing is mainly found in motocross and superscross. In both these sports the burm of the corner is used a lot to assist the bike round the corner. The idea of block passing is coming on the inside of someone, just about turn in point, and instead of turning hard into the bend you aim for the outside of the bend. The person on the outside cannot turn in because your in the way. Run your bike to the outside of the track and force them onto the grass before turning sharply round the bend yourself.
NOTE: This is extremely dangerous and will result in damage. DO NOT try it in road racing or anything to do with tarmac. My comment was meant as a flippant comment and i was not being serious.
sradmatt
27-11-2006, 19:27
No it was MadMatt, who was in the Novice group to begin with and was blinding quick and far too good for us I believe!!
Ahh.... didnt think it was me!! :b6:
not done many but the couple i have done have both been different so pays to listen
not done a trackday yet , but come cadwell easter monday i will be listening
VERY closely !
You'll be fine mate
redcloud
27-11-2006, 20:33
I've heard em before a few times but I still take the breifings seriously, you never know what extra peice of info they are going to tell you that you might need. And anyway why not listen its only a few minutes long and might just save your (or your mates) life, I think that makes it worth listening to,,,, dont you????
madmatt1969
27-11-2006, 20:46
curve so i came up the inside off you ??? yellow flag as the bloke infront off you out braked himself ..is this when you on about .the red flag was later on when the bloke binded his blade coming out off druids and the bike was on the track ..
if i caused you any prob ,soz didnt meen to ,thats why i moved up to different group
oh yer i dont denie i was, red mist ,fully focused and on a mission
i knew it may be wet and yer i did buy some wets for my bike
because i wanted to have the best day i could rain or shine
just to clear that up madmatt
ps if ya look at me pics off the day always inside at druids,slow in tight line ,fast out
not done a trackday yet , but come cadwell easter monday i will be listening
VERY closely !
+1 mate!!!
curve so i came up the inside off you ??? yellow flag as the bloke infront off you out braked himself ..is this when you on about .the red flag was later on when the bloke binded his blade coming out off druids and the bike was on the track ..
if i caused you any prob ,soz didnt meen to ,thats why i moved up to different group
oh yer i dont denie i was, red mist ,fully focused and on a mission
i knew it may be wet and yer i did buy some wets for my bike
because i wanted to have the best day i could rain or shine
just to clear that up madmatt
ps if ya look at me pics off the day always inside at druids,slow in tight line ,fast out
Not that i want to see my photo's this time :blush: but where are you lot looking at these photo's apart from what you bought on the day.
madmatt1969
27-11-2006, 21:47
where ya pics off saturday ?
where ya pics off saturday ?
I didn't buy any on Saturday cos I've bought so many in the past. I was looking for them on line but there not there yet. It's a bit early for them to be on line to be fair.
factorypilot
28-11-2006, 11:02
I hope you were refering to the bloke in my description as a "tosser" and not me?
Block passing is mainly found in motocross and superscross. In both these sports the burm of the corner is used a lot to assist the bike round the corner. The idea of block passing is coming on the inside of someone, just about turn in point, and instead of turning hard into the bend you aim for the outside of the bend. The person on the outside cannot turn in because your in the way. Run your bike to the outside of the track and force them onto the grass before turning sharply round the bend yourself.
NOTE: This is extremely dangerous and will result in damage. DO NOT try it in road racing or anything to do with tarmac. My comment was meant as a flippant comment and i was not being serious.
yes i was refering to him not you...
mine was a flippant remark too :bag: block passing was used when i used to moto x( back in my maico 490 days)never used it on tarmac tho and would never need to.. didn't mean to detract from the subject.:sorry: .and i always listen at briefings. no matter how much you know or have heard i'm sure they are all as important as it involves other peoples safety as well as yours:agree:
yes i was refering to him not you...
mine was a flippant remark too :bag: block passing was used when i used to moto x( back in my maico 490 days)never used it on tarmac tho and would never need to.. didn't mean to detract from the subject.:sorry: .and i always listen at briefings. no matter how much you know or have heard i'm sure they are all as important as it involves other peoples safety as well as yours:agree:
Ah, no worries then matey.
A Maico 490, Now that was a man's bike:thumbsup:
factorypilot
29-11-2006, 10:43
Ah, no worries then matey.
A Maico 490, Now that was a man's bike:thumbsup:
yea don't make strokers like that anymore ..:dance3: .no fancy electric starts then just bloody big bruises on your shin from the kick back when your foot slipped off the kick start :shock: :diablo: ..and calf muscles in one leg alot bigger than the other leg:lol: :lol:
dave600srad
29-11-2006, 14:35
Done a few track days now, and always listen to the briefings!!
Especially the part about track/wether conditions amd how many warm up laps to do!!!
The instructors know the conditions out there before we do, and hate having sessions stopped by riders being over zealous with the throttle before the sessions really got started!!!!!
Madgixxermike
29-11-2006, 15:31
This thread is a very interesting read! lol il be listening to the briefings on my first trackday me thinks
This thread is a very interesting read! lol il be listening to the briefings on my first trackday me thinks
Now that's the right attitude :dance3:
Shilly39
16-12-2006, 20:57
and...whilst i'm on a rant...i think the root of the problem is that too many people not get into bif bikes without ever serving their apprenticeship on small bikes.
a few years ago, the common thing was to progress up from 125's, to 250's, 400's and only after a long time did you move to a litre bike
Gotta agree with that. First few trackdays I listened to everything. As I done more days, Iwould listen out for for the changes that were inforce that day. Started trackdays on a k1 600. Moved onto a k3 thou. scared myself by almost taking out my brother in law and decided to run the thou at Santa Pod, and get another 600 for the track.
millemille
16-12-2006, 22:19
Been trackdaying - cars and bikes - for many years and always make a point of listening - you need to know what quirks each organiser has - and you get to gauge the mood of the orgainsers as well. Did a Brands Gp day back in August (100% or Hottrax - can't remember) and the orgainser started the day in a bad mood and it only got worse (understandable given the number of crashes they had suffered the previous day and were continuing to suffer on our day) so wasn't going to do anything that meant problems. I always try to clarify whether the whole group has to assemble at pit lane exit prior to the start of the session or whether you can trickle up and go straight out once the session is under way (maybe superstition but I've never crashed on a trackday where I can go out half a lap after the main body of riders in my group) and also what the rules are about coming anf going back out during a session.
What I am getting increasingly concerned about - now that scrutineering of bikes doesn't happen - is the level of bike prep seen on track days. I can understand the liability aspect of a track day organisation scrutineering a bike and then a crash occuring due to a failure of a part passed off by the scrutineer - but at a bare minumum lock wired sump plug, oil filler and filter surely?
gixxalee
30-12-2006, 12:52
I totally agree with that last statement. it seems to be becoming an increasing problem. People need to take responsibility for their bikes. I have seen 2 separate instances involving oil filters coming off, and one where a sump plug fell out. The first was at Mallory, a CBR600 lost his filter resulting in a big cloud of smoke down the main straight and a big crash for him when he got to Gerrards. The second was at Snetterton another bloody Honda! this time a Fireblade, same thing and again on the main straight. Lucky for him he went straight on but 1 lap later I came round to find a K5 in pieces. He'd fell off on the spilled oil, not so lucky. I heard he suffered a compound fracture to his arm and his bike was totalled. He'd gone into the barrier at the side of the track in the braking area for that chicaine at the end of the straight. Both those bikes were supposed to be race bikes. Now I know from previous experience that race bikes are supposed to have the filters wirelocked. The third was yet another Honda, a road going Fireblade, the sump plug fell out at Cadwell. Again, he got away with it fairly lightly and no-one else crashed on his oil. In all three cases though, the rest of the day is severely marred for everyone else by masses of cement dust and slippery bits.
I think some guide lines for this would be a good idea. I don't know the best way to implement them but it would surely benefit everyone. There are too many people going out at track days on old sheds of bikes that are not fit for purpose. This whole attitude that I'll get an old nail for trackdays coz I don't want to wreck my good bike really hacks me off. And besides a trackday is for exploring your bikes potential. If we're not careful it'll get to the point where they have to be road worthy i.e have an MOT which will add undue cost to the hobby, we already get noise regs rammed down our throats at certain circuits on certain days.
Take the safety briefing/Riders briefing on a track day. There is a serious note to this thread as i pissed a few people off on Saturday at Brands. (tough luck kid's before you start)
Well - I've just sat and read right through this thread - and it sorta confirms my concern anyway! I've always been confident enough in my own abilities - but not in other peoples. If that seems big headed - tough.
Some buddies (including tracks virgins) went to Donington earlier in the year and had a ball - apart from the virgin who got punted up the back by someone else and ended up in the kitty litter. See - his abilities - fine - others - p*ss poor!
So you carry on with the thread tales of major prangs due to other people, their attitudes and their bikes. Same applies!
Personally - not really prepared to risk losing £8K plus's worth of bike, with no retribution or recompense, because of some one elses fek up! I'll stick to taking my chances on the road and keep to the spectator side of the fence at tracks.
Cadwell? Won't be there. And to those that I said I would go to - sorry!
GSXR-Jonesy, your bang on the money there I think.
Quick on the road and quick on the track are two very different things.
Went to Mallory two years ago, and only 9 of us in the fast group, which was great until dinner time, when the organiser invited every Tom, Dick and Harry into the fast group that fancied it, as that group was so empty.
After that it was like dodge the moblie chicane for the rest of the day, in between the red flags that is!!!
Some refuse to go in the novice group on there first track day as they, THINK, there to good for that, and then you get the people that go in the intermediate when they should be in the fast group, because it makes them feel/look quicker then they really are, and then there's the novice rider in the fast group, insane!
Track day organiser's are also guilty of putting people in the wrong group, as they've over booked, and if you've paid your money, and the only place that's left is the one your given, you've no other chioce despite your protest's.
Black flags are not used enough in my opinion, and I think pace days would be safer for all.
As for the briefing, I do find it a chore after hearing so many, but, I do still listen, because every track day organiser has a different way of doing thing's, and 20 minute's of your time is a small price to pay for a good, and safe day
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