RideSmart Track Day - 5.02.2009 - @ ECR, Slidell, TX

[ciaka]

We are back yet again at ECR. May 2 is the date.

If you do not plan to ride, come on by anyways. Lunch will be provided to all that attend (riding and non riding), and you will see some of the best action around.
In addition, as a spectator, you will be able to ride the parade laps to give you a taste of the track experience. If you are interested in parade laps, you should read the pertinent thread within the RideSmart School section for all details about the event.



Track Event Details:

DATE: May 2, 2009

TRACK: ECR - Slidell, TX

REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE (http://www.ridesmart.info/catalog/index.php?cPath=7&osCsid=df4a479ee15bf22d830fcc70b690c40f)

DIRECTIONS: CLICK HERE (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Eagles+canyon+raceway,+slidell,+tx&sll=33.362686,-97.424741&sspn=0.030933,0.06609&ie=UTF8&ll=33.366216,-97.428389&spn=0.015466,0.033045&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A)

TRACK URL: CLICK HERE (http://www.eaglescanyon.com/2008/home.php)



So come on out and join us, even if not riding.
See you there.

[msnyder755]

I will be there rain or shine again this year. Not sure why but this is one of my favorite tracks. I will try not to get in anyones way....:eek2:

Latest weather forecast is only a 30% chance of rain so that is some good odds.

[ciaka]

saw that too, and 30% is pretty much standard in forecasts, so chances are good things will be fine with the weather.


I will be there rain or shine again this year. Not sure why but this is one of my favorite tracks. I will try not to get in anyones way....:eek2:

Latest weather forecast is only a 30% chance of rain so that is some good odds.

[shirazk]

:rider:

[shirazk]

Seems like it is going to rain all day. What happens if the event is rained out?

[ciaka]

it all depends on the track ownership. If they allow a reschedule, then I am sure Dave will be up for it. If they still want the money despite weather, that will tie up Dave's hands. We will be in touch with them to see how this play out. So stay tuned.



Seems like it is going to rain all day. What happens if the event is rained out?

[msnyder755]

latest forcast shows storms developing late in the day so we should be able to get sessions in to at least 4 or so is my guess. Besides I drove 4.5 hours today to get here so it better not get cancelled...

[Loyd]

Just got unloaded before rain here. T digs the track. I was happy project Frank didn't come apart. All in all one for the win column in my book...despite the unbelieveably slippery track. :mrgreen:

[blackhawk]

It was kinda cool to have the track to myself during one level 1 session while it was pouring rain!

Ok.. there was one other brave sole out there riding in the down pour but we were at opposite ends of the track.

[shirazk]

My bike has some scratches and the leathers are a bit roughed up. It rush was awesome as the bike was low-siding. Can't wait to get back to ECR. I am a true believer in frame sliders and A* now.

[msnyder755]

It was kinda cool to have the track to myself during one level 1 session while it was pouring rain!

Ok.. there was one other brave sole out there riding in the down pour but we were at opposite ends of the track.

I was wondering who that was.....good meeting you today even though the track was so slick. You sure can ride that hawk!

My bike has some scratches and the leathers are a bit roughed up. It rush was awesome as the bike was low-siding. Can't wait to get back to ECR. I am a true believer in frame sliders and A* now.

Umm when did that happen? I didn't see that..... good to meet you today as well

[shirazk]

I was being stupid and over cooked it coming out of 8 on my 3rd lap in the second session. Great to meet instant friends thanks to TWTEX out there today.

Umm when did that happen? I didn't see that..... good to meet you today as well[/QUOTE]

[liltxfreebird]

Hey I did not know you were on here!!!
Nice yacking qith ya again today! To bad I was not able to ride more on that track,,, I will have to bring my bike next time so I can come play!!

[shirazk]

Did you get your paper done?

Hey I did not know you were on here!!!
Nice yacking qith ya again today! To bad I was not able to ride more on that track,,, I will have to bring my bike next time so I can come play!!

[liltxfreebird]

I did at about 6:30 tonight....I am SOOOO glad too :mrgreen:

[Loyd]

I will have to bring my bike next time so I can come play!!

Yeah, someone:Rolleyes: apparently got so focused on getting one bike rideable t(he)y totally forgot about setting the other one up...:giveup:

[fast_yellow]

Hey Bill it was good seeing you out at the track again yesterday. I think I was the other brave soul out with you on level 1 alone when it started raining pretty good. I made one decent lap when I noticed the track was getting really slick, after not having any traction issues all day when others were. I made another lap anyway when I noticed that I didn't see anyone else out on the track and figured I wouldn't push luck any further and went ahead a pitted. I didn't notice that you were still out on the track, I guess because we were at opposite ends of the track, even though we entered at the same time. You must have been flying.....lol.

Anyways, it was a blast for my first track day...and I'll be back for sure, bringing all the friends I can. I think I'm going to try and do Cresson at the end of this month.

Hey, side-note: that rain-soaked tape sure makes it easier to get off the bike.

I really would like to be able to afford a track bike with race plastics so it would be track ready all the time. ;-) ...........although the VFR really handles great on the track!

[blackhawk]

Bobby, I did see you out on the track during the downpour, after you pitted though there was me and a gixxer out there for what seemed to be a eternity. You were right about it getting slippery, I was taking corners at about 20 then would still open it up down the straights.

It was great seeing everyone out there. We need to get a TWT canopy where we can all park the bike in one location. (maybe a regular canopy with one of them TWT banner affixed)


Hey, side-note: that rain-soaked tape sure makes it easier to get off the bike.


You had to remove your tape?..
I left around 3:00 and was pounded but a huge thunderstorm while making my way over to Denton. Most of my tape was gone by the time I got home!

[rocket]

Hi Bill,
I am Ray, I think I was your instructor in Level 1. I remember the Blackhawk. I think you had William on your student sheet. If I am correct, you handled your bike well. I also know Bobby very well and I followed him through a few corners since he bought the VFR from me and I know what a sweet handling bike it is. You guys were looking really smooth and getting better with each lap. Trackdays are some of the best money you can spend and play with your bike. Competency is something earned by constant practice and improvement. If there is anything I can do to help you guys improve your skills at the track, find me. I will be glad to work with anyone that wants to learn. Remember touching a knee down should not be a goal but a result. A result of your improved bike handling skills and rider confidence.

It was a shame the rain came and disrupted our day of teaching and learning but it was not a total loss. Rain happens.

I think it would be great if there was someway to get the TWT's together at these events. I never can find anyone and then later read about everyone that was there.

[blackhawk]

Yep that’s me! It was good riding with you.

That was my third time out on the track (two times level 1 at ECR , level 2 at MSR-Cresson) and my confidence, at least on dry asphalt is much much higher, and I have learned to trust the bike. It was exciting to realize that I was riding much faster in the rain than I would have without the track days. I had the back end get loose coming out of turn 6 and 11 a couple of times by adding too much power to quickly. But it was reassuring to know that all I had to do is relax and let off the throttle a bit and she would come back under me.

Some of my friends kid me about the Nighthawk not being a race bike… I kid back that “The Nighthawk is a CB-750…. Which is a state of the art race bike …. Ok for 1974!”
But because of my bike I need to ride in the nonexistent level 1.5 ! In level one, I get held up in the turns. When we roll out of the turns the sport bike 600’s and all the 1000’s pull away from me …only to have me chomping at their wheel in the next turn. In level 2 , I feel I have to be careful to get out of the way on the straights, and feel I might be hold them up a bit in the turns. So what’s a guy to do? :shrug: I need a bigger bike!

I really would like to get a VFR like Bobby’s.. That bike can do what I need it to do, and fits me well. Anyway I will be back, on the Nighthawk if for nothing else! Planning to do ECR on July 3 or 4 .. maybe a MSR – Cresson sometime as well.

[rocket]

Let me give you a little advice Bill. If you are riding in Level 1 and constantly being held up in the turns only to be outrun in the straights because you are on a slower bike, it is time to move to Level 2. That way you are not held up in the turns but you will still be outrun in the straights. Only now you can ride your pace and rail the turns because you will be riding more by yourself because of the faster pace in the corners there is no bunching up of riders behind a slow rider in the corner. Your learning will improve and you will actually be in a safer environment. Being passed on the straights by faster bikes does not mean you are slow. Being held up in the corners means you are a faster RIDER.

That is from an instructors point of view. :rider:

[blackhawk]

Agreeed... will go back to level 2.

[fast_yellow]

Hey Bill, I've seen how you ride and am confident in your abilities. We should get together sometime and go out for a ride. That way you can take my VFR out for a spin and see if it's really what you might be looking for later on. Heck, I think my riding group, the Texas Chater 6 bunch from the MTA has a diner meeting at Amigos restaurant on Beltline Road in Richardson coming up in a week or two, and we always stand around the parking lot kicking tires and telling lies afterwards. Maybe we could meet there and swap bikes for a ride back to your place on my way back to Denton. Just a thought. Anyways, I'll probably see you at the next track event and your always welcome to take mine out for a lap or two.

[msnyder755]

Hey Ray,

You were my assigned instructor as well and I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your feedback and hope I get to do some more session with you.

Bill, you need to keep the hawk because I love to watch all those whom are instant experts even though they have never done a track day, get amazed at its capabilities. You sure can ride that thing.

As a side note if anyone is doing TWS on Memorial day look me up. I always try to park in the farthest paddock from the class room right at pit in.

Thanks for the good time even if it did wash out.

[blackhawk]

:ponder:
Bobby, I might have to take you up on your offer. But not on the track... Just a nice easy ride down a FM road someday would be good enough for me to test the ergonomics of the VFR.

Mike,
Dont worry the hawk is not going to be sold.. I will have to bury it when it wont go anymore. Love the thing too much.

[shirazk]

Hey Bill, I was talking to someone about get stuck behind the slower bikes and he told me the way to look at it is as an opportunity to set people up for overtaking. As the day progresses and over taking on the turn is allowed, use that to improve your skills.

[ciaka]

:rider:

yup...no need to be apprehensive to move up. As long as your lines are good, people can read you and you will be fine.



Let me give you a little advice Bill. If you are riding in Level 1 and constantly being held up in the turns only to be outrun in the straights because you are on a slower bike, it is time to move to Level 2. That way you are not held up in the turns but you will still be outrun in the straights. Only now you can ride your pace and rail the turns because you will be riding more by yourself because of the faster pace in the corners there is no bunching up of riders behind a slow rider in the corner. Your learning will improve and you will actually be in a safer environment. Being passed on the straights by faster bikes does not mean you are slow. Being held up in the corners means you are a faster RIDER.

That is from an instructors point of view. :rider:

[msnyder755]

Something that may help too is if the instructors stress to the newer track day participants on those 1000cc supersports to not go slow in the corners and then open it wide open on the straights. Not saying go slow on the straights but heck anyone can ride in a straight line and do we really need to 150 then slow to 40 in few hundred feet and just make those of us with less power ride the rear wheel around the turns.

[blackhawk]

Hey Bill, I was talking to someone about get stuck behind the slower bikes and he told me the way to look at it is as an opportunity to set people up for overtaking. As the day progresses and over taking on the turn is allowed, use that to improve your skills.

True, I could overtake on the outside .. but the problem is then they would just overtake me again in the straight. Besides .. that is a racing move that I really dont need (yet). I am just trying to learn to ride my bike to its max!

Ray is right, When I rode level 2 at MSRC I had no problems with bunching up in the turns. The big bikes will pass me in either level on the straights, just in Lvl 2 they will be gone by the time I get to the turn.

[blackhawk]

BTW ... Photos are up on the Hart website (http://www.hart-photography.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=4306)

Just ordered this one (http://www.hart-photography.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=671646)

[shirazk]

i was soo hoping he got me crashing... hopefully there wont be other opportunities get a shot of me sliding on the pavement. :rofl:
Bill are you planning to go to MSR-C?

Also I am going to check with Scott if I can setup a tent with TWTEX on it

[blackhawk]

Originally, I was planning to do CW last weekend at ECR to pay for 5/30 at MSRC.
But since all that changed, I do not believe I will be at MSRC. I am actually thinking about going to Salt Lake to see the SBK race at Miller Motorsports Park.
But with that said, that would cost more than the trackday, so who knows. :shrug:

[rocket]

I'm headed to the Eurosport Cycles Spring Trackday at MSR-Cresson on Monday, May 11. Get to ride 30 minute sessions all day for $150.:clap:

Tape up the mirrors and lights, bike in good mechanical condition, no leaks, and good tires. I have seen them reject bikes with "one more ride" tires.
You need full gear but it doesn't have to be a race suit. Leather or textile is OK. Two piece OK if it zips together.
You don't have to drain coolant or safety wire.
If handle bar hit the ground you are out for the day.
A Group clean passing anywhere.
B Group passing only aloud on straight.
All bike brands OK.
Call them and sign up and get details:
http://www.eurosportcycle.com/

Three of my "track whore" buddies and I are going. We need to get our track day addition "fix" by getting some hits off the "track pipe.:eek2:

Maybe we will see some of you trackday "junkies" out there. Wish there was a way to identy TWT folks so we could hang together.:zen:

[shirazk]

I spoke to Scott and am going to buy a TWTEX banner and put up a text next time I am there. I think bill mentioned something like that too. Not sure if i am attending MSRC but definitely at ECR


Maybe we will see some of you trackday "junkies" out there. Wish there was a way to identy TWT folks so we could hang together.:zen: