May 5th Practice Report

In the Garage

Going Home

Practice went very well yesterday. It was an afternoon practice and with packing the bike and all the "fixins" up by myself I didn't get on the road until about 10:45 am. I got to the track exactly 2 hours and 5 minutes later (That is with 2 stops, one for gas and one for cash). Only about 20 people showed up for the session. When I pulled into the garage area, I noticed a bunch of trucks on Turn 10. Turns out a car had oiled the "Entire" track during the morning session, right on the racing line.

My friend Dave and I unloaded the bikes and donned the tire warmers and waited for them to clean up the track. About 5 of the original 20 people left the track because of the oil so now there was only about 15 riders!! Dave, who is an expert, signed up for the novice group with me so he could ride in my group and around 1:30 they announced that there would be 2 groups running 20 minute sessions each and group 1 hit the track. We were in Group 2 so it gave us time to suit up. The leathers fit great, snug but not too snug and allowed plenty of movement on the bike.

Session 1:

 I followed Dave around for about 1/2 of Session 1 and then he followed me for the rest of the session. Mostly I used it for a track re-aquaintance and a build trust in the bike session. It was the first time after building it that I had it on the track. I started feeling comfortable towards the end of the session, I was having a trouble finding marks during that session and turn 6 and 9-10 were kicking my butt.

Session 2: 

Dave and I had a lot of discussion about marks during the in-between time so when we went out for the second session, I followed him again for a few laps. My confidence in the bike was now there so I could concentrate on the other stuff 100%. First thing I will say is I now sware by tire warmers. We didn't put them back on after the first session. First lap out, we weren't pushing real hard and coming out of T-2, I pushed the front end and so did he. So we used that lap following T-2 to go a little slower and warm the tires. After the first lap, we started picking up the pace, I followed him and was able to pick up marks that we had talked about in the pits, it really helped me to go smooth and faster. After about 3 laps, he let me by on the straight so now I was on my own with the marks. He followed me for about 3 more laps and I felt good in all of the corners, especially Turn 6 and 9 which before had kicked my butt. Turn 2 and 3 were a little hairy because everyone was off the racing line to stay away from the Kitty litter. We were all exiting turn 3 right at the edge of the track by the little drop off. After the 3 laps he followed me, he came along side and both of us entered turn 1 side by side, then through every corner he came along side. Then we pitted. He told me he wanted to give me the experience of having to adjust the line and stay focused while someone was along side me.. in the corner. it was very effective and didn't unnerve me at all.

Session 3: 

After 25 minutes of Tire Warmer time (All things from now on are Lap times and Tire Warmer time Smile ) We were back out on the track. Still took it easy for the first lap, Then poured it on (for me anyway) during the second lap. Exiting Turn 10... the bike just quits running. Uggg. So I push the bike back to the Pits at a trott because I want to try and get back out on the next session. Have I told you how far of a run it is from the Turn 10 exit to the pits...pushing a bike...in full gear...through the grass. Well it is a long way. I think it must be about 5 miles. Anyway, get back to the pits and put the bike on the stands. Dave comes back in and we quickly lift the tank and take the seat off. I start looking at wiring I had done the day before, for the SPA tach, as the problem. Dave looks at the battery and the positive terminal lug was floating free. When I was installing the TACH the night before, I had taken off the positive lead, when I was testing I finger tightened it and never went back and torqued it. Who'ed a thunk, I torqued every other damn bolt on the bike and safety wired them, and a battery lead gets me. You know what they say, if it can come loose it will.

Final Session (4)

 So I was back in business (oh yeah as soon as I got in the pits after 3, I put the tire warmers on) Out we went for the final session of the day. Took it easy for the first lap, just to make sure the bike was good and to warm up the tires a little more. By this time of the day, Dave and I had talked and decided that the kitty litter strips were gone enough to start using the Turn 2 and 3-4 racing lines. So Lap 2 Turn 2 we took the racing line He was just behind me and the back tire loosened up on my bike (and his but I didn't know it till later) and the bike stepped about a foot to the right so the line was not clear after all. The slide didn't unnerve me at all, I guess I kind of half expected it. Pushed down to 3 and did that racing line, stuck like glue except at the turn 4 exit (Kitty litter there too) but that pertubation was much smaller, so I didn't even adjust my line for the rest of the laps. So for the entire session, I worked on hitting my new found marks. Dave followed me for almost the entire session I did not work on shift marks at all during the sessions as I thought I had enough to work on. I concentrated on trying to be smooth and to find turn-in, apex, and exit points. I also picked some brake points on the front and back straights. The rest of the braking was mostly to adjust speed, so next session, I will add braking points on all the turns if applicable and the session after that try to find some shifting points. I suffered a ton of Brake fade on the last two laps. Most noticeable coming into 3. Dave mentioned in the pits that I went really deep into 3...brake fade. I have sintered pads, stock rotors, galfer lines, and spectro race dot 4 fluid. I may go back to a stock pads for the stock rotors and bleed the brakes again, just to make sure the air is all out. I may go with Galfer or Motorex fluid too.


Summary: 

So overall it was an incredible learning experience with a lot of track time which is definitely what I need. I found my lines through turns 6 and 9 which were difficult for me before. I identified braking points and the entry points for T-1 and T3 although I still need to practice my entry and apex some, I still need a lot of work on Turn 10. My entry point was not deep enough so I ended up going wide on exit and running over the nascar transition (which is a surprisingly big bump especially at a full lean) of course that screwed with my entry into 11-11a, so I will need to work on that next time. I did not get a knee down, but I did get my foot down a couple of times (which probably means I need to tuck it in further). Dave said it looked like my knee was down a couple of times but it never actually touched pavement. I still need to work on body position, I am not getting the upper half of my body far enough off the bike. Riding Larry pegram style instead of Yates style.