PI in 18

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dicky
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Re: PI in 18

Post by dicky » Sat Jan 27, 2018 3:45 am

How did you go Dave?
Inquiring minds want to know.
I hope you didn't try my first corner trick on the first lap out, that would just be silly.
dicky
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davamb
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Re: PI in 18

Post by davamb » Sun Jan 28, 2018 2:32 am

Nah yeah, no worries Dicky, I'd cottoned that you just didn't like me so ignored your advice until a couple of laps down. Only kidding, more on Doohan further on. Please excuse the wide-eyed wonder from a first-timer, sure all you experienced riders will wonder about the exuberance of it all, but to me it was such a novel experience so I was kinda blown away by the whole thing...

Day started with a 6:30 depart from Justin's place (next street over from mine). At the track around 7:00. Present a licence at the gate and sign a waiver to get a wrist band and permission to enter the circuit.

We locate our pit and unload the bikes. Bike has to get through scrutineering, but they're not happy with the rear tyre. It's done a lot of highway miles so has squared off a bit. I could push my case, but I sorta think I'd not be doing myself any favors so elect to fork out for a new rear. It's under $300 fitted on-the-spot, so I reckon it's a fair cop. I was later to find it was a good call. I also decide to spend $85 at the suspension setup shop. I get the static sag set there and stop by after another 2 track sessions to dial in the damping. Good value there too.

Rider briefing is at 8am. Two Porches grenaded their engines yesterday so we're advised on the locations and estimated traction loss after the cleanups. No big deal.

Track goes hot at 8:30.

Starts with the fast boys in Green group, followed by Red group - fastest, then white: the slow ones and finally us in Yellow, the slightly fast ones.

Get my gear on and ready up. I've elected to go on the optional introductory sighting lap for first timers. The rest of Yellow is let out to play as we pass after this lap. Suddenly it's all go. I'm in the queue at the end of pit lane waiting for the escorted lap to begin. I now realise my mouth has gone completely dry. I think my heart rate is up a fair bit. I want to be anywhere else than here. I must've been insane. What was I thinking, I'm 60. I should be sitting at home with a cup of tea and a biscuit. I want my mummy. I want new underpants. I... I... I'm waved forward and we're off. Feck! We're not mucking around are we. I've got a brand new rear tyre. I want to bed it in for a couple of hundred ks. I'll come back tomorrow. Noooooo you don't! Even the intro lap is a fair pace, so I get on with it. Before I realise it, I've done my first ever lap of a race track. The experienced are now starting to buzz by me. I still take it reasonably easy for one more lap and then start upping the pace. By now everyone else has passed me, but I start to get the knack. Cannot get Honda hairpin right though. And thus Siberia. Nor MG, which gives me a poor run on to the start of 12. I just luuuurv Doohan though. Off the main straight with no braking, just knock back a gear and lean, lean and lean some more as the speed washes off and the radius tightens. Take Stoner twice flat. Best I can manage the whole day.

I dig the speed shifter, but feck it up twice during the day and lock the back wheel. It just costs time though. I must give away at least 20 and probably more like 40ks down the straight, but Bessie gives all there is to give, bless her.

There are 6 sessions for all 4 classes, each of 20 minutes. The track is hot for the whole day. It is very well organised. One chappy goes home in an ambulance. Two other bikes don't make it home with mechanical issues. Another two run out of fuel on the track!

I work on my lines, try and stay consistent and keep it clean and tidy. I improve substantially over the first 3 or 4 sessions, but then fatigue starts to win in the last two; this is hard work.

So now some piccies.

Our pit. Number 40. Last one open in the block. Tyson's on the R1150R Bimmer, Greg is on the Gixxer thou and Jason is on the nekkid Trumpy.

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The adjacent pit had a rather tasty MV, but I'll not go on about that, nor the Kwaka H2R a couple further down.
Here's the view down pit lane. You can hire one of them Bimmers for fun. They're apparently pretty awesome track weapons.

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Tyson on his way out. He was demoted to white group. A lot faster than me and yet I never got the same penalty. Go figure.
Greg is also running in white, so they can keep each other company.

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Justin and I in Yellow group.

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Just pootling down the pit lane

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But soon after…

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My neck's buggered from an accident half a life ago, so that's as much swivel as I can get to look through the corners. You'd be able to overcome this with enough familiarity of the track, but it's a bit of a handicap. A fleeting poorly-defined impression something like a white-hot scalpel across my awareness. Not from carving up the corners or other riders clearly, perhaps that if I stuff things up, it's going to end in hospital. No room for this kind of thinking either way. Get on with it.

Amazing how fast the day goes. All of a sudden it’s 4:30 and the track’s closed for the day.
Bikes back on the trailer, gear packed up.

A bit of cornering clearance still left:

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This was a brand new tyre this morning. Plenty of life left in it.

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We head off to the San Remo pub for drinks and then pizza at the waterside. The bikes have an easy run home.

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Time to share the bullshit as only blokes can do. We're mates now. We're all heroes. We're Track Day Gods ferfecksake.

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Best day ever. Do it again? Hell yeah. White group next time methinks, a chance of keeping pace with some other riders and not being monstered down Gardner.

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Thanks to all who helped out: Cobba, Dicky and Big Al. Much appreciated!
Ride Well!
Cheers, Dave.

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dicky
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Re: PI in 18

Post by dicky » Sun Jan 28, 2018 2:56 am

Sounds like you had a great day.
I assume you will be going back for more.
dicky
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BigAl-TC
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Re: PI in 18

Post by BigAl-TC » Sun Jan 28, 2018 4:10 am

Good stuff Dave 8) :r1p: Some nice shots there. Great write up to.
It is addictive :shock: :D
Regards the zip, its inside the boot, pretty safe i'd say. Thanks for the transfer. :thumbleft:
Might catch you next year when i'm over that way.
Cheers,
Alan.

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Re: PI in 18

Post by cobbadiggabuddyblooo » Sun Jan 28, 2018 8:58 am

Pizza well earned Dave... Careful it's addictive ... No not the pizza :lol: :lol: :lol:
Enjoyed the David Ambrough narration and envisiged the Penguins climbing up from the beach to watch the action. I could see you standing in the pits finishing off in that British class accent with " This truly is a remarkable track to ride on and experience the interaction with the wildlife while on this blue TRX . "
:happy1:
laughter is the best medicine

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