RideSmart Track Day - July 19/20 @ ECR -FOLLOW UP

[ciaka]

This has been an excellent weekend. We would like to thank each of you for your support of the school. The weather was excellent (on the hot side though), and the riders were great. Riding was all great and still safe, thanks to all of you.

Hart Photography has posted images of the event at:
http://www.hart-photography.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=3602

The pics are organized by day, group and session. So enjoy,and chime in with your comments of the event.

Thank you,



RideSmart Staff
www.ridesmart.info
512.469.9491

[Tourmeister]

:tab I think we only had three, maybe four, TWT people that actually came out to participate in the trackday. However, both days saw about thirty people come out to see what a trackday is about, many of whom had never been to one. Their reactions were pretty much ALL positive.

:tab Eagles Canyon still has some growing to do but they are off to a great start. I really like the track. It has fast straights, fun corners, and lots of elevation changes. Being out there seeing all the bikes and hearing them on the track REALLY gives me an itching... :wary:

:tab I was checking out the riders and bikes. I don't recall seeing anything but sport bikes (and some tards), but there were quite a few novice riders cautiously feeling their way around the track. For the skeptical ladies out there, there were also quite a few women riders and even one young girl that could not have been much over 14-15 years old with her dad. I also watched the instructors and they seemed to do a pretty good job of working with people on the track, in the pits between sessions, and in the classroom. I would not hesitate to take something other than a sport bike out on the track for the level one sessions.

:tab It was hot, but still fun to be out there meeting everyone and seeing so many folks really enjoying themselves.

[beardking]

I was out there as a spectator and "parade lap" participant on Sunday and there was something that made me wonder. Is it typical for wheelies to be allowed? I saw a LOT of riders (including what I assumed to be instructors based on their construction vests) opping their front wheels in the air coming out of the turn in the straight away right in front of the clubhouse area. I don't have any issue with it, it just seemed odd to me.

[ciaka]

I was out there as a spectator and "parade lap" participant on Sunday and there was something that made me wonder. Is it typical for wheelies to be allowed? I saw a LOT of riders (including what I assumed to be instructors based on their construction vests) opping their front wheels in the air coming out of the turn in the straight away right in front of the clubhouse area. I don't have any issue with it, it just seemed odd to me.



Since I was not present on Sunday, I have no idea such things took place. We do take this very seriously. This type of behavior is not condoned, nor allowed on the track, especially if performed by instructors. PM me if you have info on the bikes they had or leathers they wore. We will do our best to make sure this type of behavior does not happen.
Thank you for your help.

Otherwise, we do hope you did have fun at the track (riding or spectating).


Ride safe - RideSmart

[beardking]

I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble and I hope that I didn't come off that way. This was the first time I've ever been to a track day and was just wondering if it was usual. Honestly, I don't have any information on who was doing it as I wasn't really paying that much attention to who it was. I was just enjoying watching every one. I just wasn't sure what the rules are on that sort of thing.

[wonder91178]

Yeah I was wondering about the wheelies myself, you aren't alone there Kelly.

It was a HOT day and, for me, there were too many people at the track to feel comfortable. This is the first time I've ever been out to a track so it was quite daunting. I do understand, however, that this event was posted on several internet forums.

You could tell the real riders from the posers and it seemed like everyone participating was having a good time.

Did I mention it was hot?

Over all it was OK for me, Cresson is a heck of a lot closer to where I live, so I have a feeling that is the only time I'll be up that way.

If I ever do a trackday it'll probably be with Eurosport or maybe AMS, but it was nice to be able to go out and spectate.

[wonder91178]

I don't see an "edit" button on this thread!

Anywho, I was just going to say I think most of the wheelies came out of the "expert" group, or whatever the top level is called.

[ciaka]

...my impression was that the wheelies were being done during the parade laps, which would have been inexcusable.

In level 3 and 4, all registered riders are in the advanced category. I can understand that happening in these groups. This should not have a place in level 1 though, or during a parade lap (especially then).

So if you saw wheelies in lev 3/4 (and they were not blatantly dangerous), then I guess the corner workers and the track marshal had the final call on this.

Thanks for the clarification, and just to clarify, in level 3 and 4, riders are able to do much more due to their experience. We want to ensure level 1 riders' confidence and safety by not having such displays (especially if done on purpose). Again, cw people and the track marshal are the final authorities on this. You were not going to get anyone in trouble, although we were going to speak to the certain instructor individuals (I am sure we will be re iterating this to all instructors once again).

Thanks.

[beardking]

I guess I could have clarified that the wheelies were NOT in the parade lap at all. I also agree with Wonder91178 that the performers did seem to be in the advanced levels.

[Tourmeister]

:tab There are some folks that did very small wheelies coming out of corners that are normal under heavy acceleration. They did not get high and were not carried very far. On Sunday, there were a few riders that were coming onto the front straight and carrying large wheelies about halfway to the finish line. I don't recall seeing it done when any other bikes were nearby. Also, I only saw this a few times during the level 3/4 sessions and never during levels 1/2 or on the parade lap.

:tab Kim, there are typically about 30 riders max per session. On long tracks like Eagles Canyon and Texas World Speedway, this makes it easy to space out around the track so you can be mostly by yourself if that is what you want. At TWS, slow riders tend to hang to the bottom of the front straight while faster riders pass on the high side of the banking. I don't know if there was something similar on the straights at Eagles Canyon. Most of the passing I saw was with good sized buffers between riders on the straights. The big thing is for slower riders to NOT be weaving all over the place on straights ;-) Passing in corners is limited to the afternoon sessions and I believe only allowed on the outside so that if the passing rider biffs, he/she does not slide into someone and take them out as well. Like I said, there were several riders out there that were on small slow bikes, but I didn't see anything that made me think they were having any issues with the faster riders.

:tab Ciaka, I must have missed you Saturday. I met Dave and Jason. I don't know what you look like so I have no clue if I may have seen you. Was hoping to meet just to say hello and shake hands.

[ciaka]

:tab ...Ciaka, I must have missed you Saturday. I met Dave and Jason. I don't know what you look like so I have no clue if I may have seen you. Was hoping to meet just to say hello and shake hands.

Likewise. There will be more dates, so I am sure we will run into each other. Glad you had a good time - I did, especially after I got to know the track better.

Talk to you soon.

[TAPnTX]

I was a corner worker on Sat. in turn 7-8. And I will say when they are accelerating out of 8 the track is a little bumpy there and the front end tends to loft a little. But out of the entire day there I never saw one person doing an intentional wheelie. Also I want to say that it was a very successful day for all groups.

Dave that runs RideSmart is a great guy and will not tolerate any BS or unsafe riding period. So if you see this ever on the track just bring it to his attention.

Todd

[pacman]

There were a ton of wheelies, alright, but I found them entertaining more than anything. This seemed like the perfect opportunity for the experts to lofting a few - closed course, only experts on the track, no law enforcement to worry about, etc.

Overall I think it was a good event. Crowded, to be sure, but I expected that with the amount of online exposure it got. I think they've got a great start on what is no doubt a VERY expensive project, and once it gets developed a bit more, and a new surface gets put down, ECR will be a top notch facility.

[wonder91178]

:tab Kim, there are typically about 30 riders max per session. On long tracks like Eagles Canyon and Texas World Speedway, this makes it easy to space out around the track so you can be mostly by yourself if that is what you want. At TWS, slow riders tend to hang to the bottom of the front straight while faster riders pass on the high side of the banking. I don't know if there was something similar on the straights at Eagles Canyon. Most of the passing I saw was with good sized buffers between riders on the straights. The big thing is for slower riders to NOT be weaving all over the place on straights ;-) Passing in corners is limited to the afternoon sessions and I believe only allowed on the outside so that if the passing rider biffs, he/she does not slide into someone and take them out as well. Like I said, there were several riders out there that were on small slow bikes, but I didn't see anything that made me think they were having any issues with the faster riders.
I didn't necessarily mean the people just ON the track, it was just crowded there period, but like I said, I know it was advertised on multiple internet forums.

I appreciated the free lunch though, and with all the people there I know the track got good exposure :mrgreen:

I am just posting my thoughts though, I am no experience track person by any means.

[ciaka]

I do not have all the final numbers, but it looked like each group was not full, especially the lev 3 and 4. Typically, level 1 and/or 2 would get filled before lev 3 and/or 4 gets filled. From what I saw, riders, especially in lev 1 were very well spread out and not bunched up for the most part. However, I did get the feeling that this time around, there was a fair chunk of people who were not new to spirited riding, and that showed throughout the day. Overall, I think each level was a huge success, especially with good, safe riding all of you did.

Again, hats off to all of you. Thanks.

[ciaka]

..darn, no edit button....lol...

...but I do agree, in the paddocks, it was crowded, with all the spectators, vendors, dealers, etc, all being there. The exposure the track got must have been good.

[Squidward]

There were a ton of wheelies, alright, but I found them entertaining more than anything. This seemed like the perfect opportunity for the experts to lofting a few - closed course, only experts on the track, no law enforcement to worry about, etc.

Overall I think it was a good event. Crowded, to be sure, but I expected that with the amount of online exposure it got. I think they've got a great start on what is no doubt a VERY expensive project, and once it gets developed a bit more, and a new surface gets put down, ECR will be a top notch facility.

I know of one wheelie that wasn't on a closed course.....I "saw" it happen when we turned onto the road leaving the property.:trust:

[Squidward]

I had a really good time. The large track allowed for nice spread out groups and plenty of room for beginners to take their first hit off the track pipe. I only did the parade lap, but it got that itch going again. My last actual track day was in 2003, but I have a feeling I'll be doing another one with Eurosport in October. That gives me time to slim down a bit, get some leathers, and get even more comfy with my scooter.

I really liked the layout of the track, it had a good natural feeling flow to it. The racing line got a bit rough in some spots, but I still think it would be a non-issue for someone as slow as me on a decent suspension. I would have liked to see a bit more runoff in some of the turns, but overall it seemes like a very safe facility.

I'd like to thank you all for setting this up and providing a great opportunity for people to come out and see what a track day is all about in a relaxed atmosphere.