I can recommend ron haslams school at donington park,you hire their bike,leathers,gloves,helmet etc.They have one instructor per two students.I've been three times with my mate and have got a massive buzz from it and everyone who attended walked away happy and safe.Plus,if you are unlucky and fall off one of ron's bikes you just walk away without financial penalty.Imagine how sick you'd feel if you smash your bmw up on a track day and your insurance company wont pay out cos your excluded from racing
Your thoughts on a track day
- Thread starter MrFell
- Start date
bbb
Registered user
I did Cadwell with Mr Bear on a GSA with Tourance Nexts and it was great, no problems whatsoever. As a first timer I can't recommend the HRT day highly enough. Go for it!
For some people it's the negative camber. For others it's the proximity of the verge/kerb/hedges etc. On left handers they have it in their minds that there is plenty of road on the other side of the white line without consciously thinking that it isn't usually not available to them anyway, crossing the white line on a blind left hander may well result in death or much pain.
As an IAM observer I used to deal with this frequently. Actively practising counter steering and precision in turning usually sorted the issue quite quickly and people became confident riding close to the edge of the road on right handers as they knew they could place the bike exactly where they wanted to.A track day will help as all the curves will have a safety run off area.
Apologies if that sounds like a boring lecture.
Humans prefer leaning to their left (normal ones at least). Try running on a track, or on an ice rink in a counter-clockwise direction - to see it.
Same goes for a bike.
I think we naturally favour our right side (arm / hand specifically) so try to keep them from subconcious perceived harm.
Al
thebuyer
Registered user
Deleted account 200502001
Registered user
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2014
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 3
For the record, we weren't together on the same GSA!!
Shame your not joining Andy and myself again next month Bill.Last year I decided to explore more of Cadwells track than is usual...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QqU9j1pPfYw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I did a trackday a few years ago (Only my second).
It was Hopp Rider Training - at Cadwell. It's a kind-of tuition/trackday combined, and was recommended it by a pal (who was in Intermediate group on a Blade 954)
I took my BMW Boxercup Replika (220kg and 100bhp, on Michelin Pilot Road 2 tyres)
I booked the "novice" group (as it was only my second track-day)
Spoke with my pal, who said "Change to Intermediate group, my wife is in the novice group!"
So - e-mailed them to change to "Intermediate".
Turned up on the day (without the panniers fitted), and went down to sign in.
I tried to help the girl by reading my name upside-down on the forms - "There! that's me there!"
"You're in the fast group - you best get down there!"
"Err - I started in the novice group, changed that to intermediate, now you are saying I'm in the fast group?"
"Yes - you'll be okay, but you need to get a move on - they're forming up"
My pal was having a fit......... "How the fcuk did you end up in the fast group?!"
"They recognised Sheer talent, I suppose?"
So - down to the paddock and tried to join the 4th fastest line within the group (with another R1100s, R1200s and some 600s). Along came an "official" who said: "Line 4 is full, so is line 3 - you'll need to go into line 2"
"Hang on! I started in the novice group, changed to intermediate, you guys have shifted me into the fast group - and you're putting me in the 2nd fastest line in that group??"
Anyway - I joined a group with some folk on litre super bikes, who were adjusting their power commanders! there was also a small girl on a Gixxer 600.
Off out we went, line astern of an instructor, after being told "don't stagger the line - stay in my wheel tracks, as I'm on the line for the track"
After a few laps of this, we pulled in to be asked how we got on? Everyone else was fine, but I ventured: " I was a bit hesitant about being in the wheel tracks of the guy in front, when I'm trying to learn the track".
"But you've been in the fast group here, before?"
"Errr- no........ I started in the novice group, changed to intermediate, and you guys have shifted me into the fast group - this is only my second track day...... ever!"
"Oh! You're doing okay then!"
Anyway - things progressed well, and in the afternoon they have a kind-of "free session" where you join whichever sub-group within the fast-group. A few of us who had twins, or 600s, who obviously couldn't keep up with the litre super bikes - formed our own subgroup second-last in the group. Thoroughly enjoyed that - a small guy on a 600 honda got away from me on the straights, but I was on him like a rash in the bends - I don't think I braked much, just used engine-braking for the most part.
Hopp rider training is very good (might not suit a lot of the track-day warriors) but there are hardly any injuries and to me was brilliant.
I always feel that proper trackday riding - involves riding ever-faster, until you crash - rinse, repeat.................. :think:
Right! Wake up! I'm finished!
Al
It was Hopp Rider Training - at Cadwell. It's a kind-of tuition/trackday combined, and was recommended it by a pal (who was in Intermediate group on a Blade 954)
I took my BMW Boxercup Replika (220kg and 100bhp, on Michelin Pilot Road 2 tyres)
I booked the "novice" group (as it was only my second track-day)
Spoke with my pal, who said "Change to Intermediate group, my wife is in the novice group!"
So - e-mailed them to change to "Intermediate".
Turned up on the day (without the panniers fitted), and went down to sign in.
I tried to help the girl by reading my name upside-down on the forms - "There! that's me there!"
"You're in the fast group - you best get down there!"
"Err - I started in the novice group, changed that to intermediate, now you are saying I'm in the fast group?"
"Yes - you'll be okay, but you need to get a move on - they're forming up"
My pal was having a fit......... "How the fcuk did you end up in the fast group?!"
"They recognised Sheer talent, I suppose?"
So - down to the paddock and tried to join the 4th fastest line within the group (with another R1100s, R1200s and some 600s). Along came an "official" who said: "Line 4 is full, so is line 3 - you'll need to go into line 2"
"Hang on! I started in the novice group, changed to intermediate, you guys have shifted me into the fast group - and you're putting me in the 2nd fastest line in that group??"
Anyway - I joined a group with some folk on litre super bikes, who were adjusting their power commanders! there was also a small girl on a Gixxer 600.
Off out we went, line astern of an instructor, after being told "don't stagger the line - stay in my wheel tracks, as I'm on the line for the track"
After a few laps of this, we pulled in to be asked how we got on? Everyone else was fine, but I ventured: " I was a bit hesitant about being in the wheel tracks of the guy in front, when I'm trying to learn the track".
"But you've been in the fast group here, before?"
"Errr- no........ I started in the novice group, changed to intermediate, and you guys have shifted me into the fast group - this is only my second track day...... ever!"
"Oh! You're doing okay then!"
Anyway - things progressed well, and in the afternoon they have a kind-of "free session" where you join whichever sub-group within the fast-group. A few of us who had twins, or 600s, who obviously couldn't keep up with the litre super bikes - formed our own subgroup second-last in the group. Thoroughly enjoyed that - a small guy on a 600 honda got away from me on the straights, but I was on him like a rash in the bends - I don't think I braked much, just used engine-braking for the most part.
Hopp rider training is very good (might not suit a lot of the track-day warriors) but there are hardly any injuries and to me was brilliant.
I always feel that proper trackday riding - involves riding ever-faster, until you crash - rinse, repeat.................. :think:
Right! Wake up! I'm finished!
Al
For some people it's the negative camber. For others it's the proximity of the verge/kerb/hedges etc. On left handers they have it in their minds that there is plenty of road on the other side of the white line without consciously thinking that it isn't usually not available to them anyway, crossing the white line on a blind left hander may well result in death or much pain.
A track day will help as all the curves will have a safety run off area.
Apologies if that sounds like a boring lecture.
No not boring at all....
I'm sure its the camber or even the thought of leaning towards oncoming traffic that causes the issue.
But of course, if the turn in point is correct then you shouldn't be anywhere near the white line....
Hence further training required
For some people it's the negative camber. For others it's the proximity of the verge/kerb/hedges etc. On left handers they have it in their minds that there is plenty of road on the other side of the white line without consciously thinking that it isn't usually not available to them anyway, crossing the white line on a blind left hander may well result in death or much pain.
A track day will help as all the curves will have a safety run off area.
Apologies if that sounds like a boring lecture.
That is , and has always been, a big problem for me . Exactly as you said. Left handlers the perception of a margin for error, so no issue, right handlers proximity of kerbs / verge etc = turning in early and running the risk of running wide....I don't run wide only because I lose plenty of speed .
Off on a tangent slightly (who me?) I used to waterski competitively, and raced jetskis for a few years. Exactly the same problem, left hand turns fast as you like, right handers needed thought and effort. As a slalom course has equal left and rights you can see the problem! So it's not just bikes.
PS, Oulton is a right handed circuit, if theyre using the short course there is only a slight left kink.
Mark
So it's not just bikes.PS, Oulton is a right handed circuit, if theyre using the short course there is only a slight left kink.
Mark
Gonzo
Registered user
Cadwell on a GS is fantastic. I remember my first very clearly, me and 59 Power Rangers taking the piss. I went as far as racing trim (took the top box off - credit: someone else on here said that years ago ) and went out of my way to play the part of a novice on a tractor dressed like a courier.
With servo and ABS, outbraking them into corners was easy. With the grunt of a twin, out-dragging them out of a corner was easy. It was just on the straights that a high revving Jap 4 began to make sense as they rocketed past. The rear Tourance was nicely blistered after the second session and the piss taking went away.
Haven't done it for years and am now sat here wondering why not.....
) and went out of my way to play the part of a novice on a tractor dressed like a courier.With servo and ABS, outbraking them into corners was easy. With the grunt of a twin, out-dragging them out of a corner was easy. It was just on the straights that a high revving Jap 4 began to make sense as they rocketed past. The rear Tourance was nicely blistered after the second session and the piss taking went away.
Haven't done it for years and am now sat here wondering why not.....
Off on a tangent slightly (who me?) I used to waterski competitively, and raced jetskis for a few years. Exactly the same problem, left hand turns fast as you like, right handers needed thought and effort. As a slalom course has equal left and rights you can see the problem!
PS, Oulton is a right handed circuit, if theyre using the short course there is only a slight left kink.
Mark
I'm telling you - it is this
:RJT_Berlin
Registered user
Off on a tangent slightly (who me?) I used to waterski competitively, and raced jetskis for a few years. Exactly the same problem, left hand turns fast as you like, right handers needed thought and effort. As a slalom course has equal left and rights you can see the problem!
PS, Oulton is a right handed circuit, if theyre using the short course there is only a slight left kink.
Mark
I raced jetskis too - yam superjet - had exactly the same issue - left turns were awesome but rights were always more difficult - think i find this on my bike too but never as extreme when i was riding my superjet
I have done a few. Had the GSA out just for a laugh once. Just as fast as the power rangers round Snetterton. Any tyres on a GS/GSA is good enough. You will scratch the foot pegs and centre stand long before you run out of tyre. Go and enjoy it. Don't know where you are in the world but the BMW club track days are excellent for dipping a toe in the track day thing. They cater for the novice rider and you get plenty of free tuition during the day for some very competent instructors who is ex racers ( one raced in the Boxercup, the other flat track and sorts) and a Ring instructor. At the time of writing places are still available for May, June and August track days. It cost a bit more than the normal day but there are less riders about and all in all a well behaved and friendly day. Contact Robert Bensley who operates the track days on behalf of BMW Club. Entry forms here http://www.thebmwclub.org.uk/SportingRegister/index.html
bbb
Registered user
And I was there ... Me and the bear are there again next month ... Highly recommend ... Why not come along and watch
I'd seriously love to swing by, but if I could I'd be on track with you boys having fun going around in circles....possibly visiting the bear's grassy mountain
I'm off to California Superbike School in July http://www.superbikeschool.co.uk/ (Brands Hatch) - it'll be interesting to see how it compares to a day with the HRT boys. Let us know how your day goes 
Rockingham Track Day 2011
Easter 2011 at Rockingham, only booked it the day before and remember calling the organisers and asking what type of bikes will be there? The lady said yes no problem we get all sorts....my arse, it was all sports bikes bar me on my GS.
I even considered hiring a Yamaha R6 when I got there as the organisers had one spare, any way after signing on and having a coffee I decided to stick with the GS as the reason I booked it was to explore the GS's capabilities, I also chose Rockingham as its a fairly tight circuit with plenty of corners.
Any way I had a great safe day on the bike and surprisingly didn't embarrass myself too much, in fact I managed to stay with quite a few bikes through some corners and definitely had the torque to stay with some bikes coming out of the corner, obviously when they hit 6000rpm they would pull away.
Had a great day though and certainly got what a wanted from the day. would recommend Rockingham as a good track for exploring the GS, I think I would have struggled more on a high speed circuit like Donnington or Silverstone.
Well worth the money, enjoy your track day.
Easter 2011 at Rockingham, only booked it the day before and remember calling the organisers and asking what type of bikes will be there? The lady said yes no problem we get all sorts....my arse, it was all sports bikes bar me on my GS.
I even considered hiring a Yamaha R6 when I got there as the organisers had one spare, any way after signing on and having a coffee I decided to stick with the GS as the reason I booked it was to explore the GS's capabilities, I also chose Rockingham as its a fairly tight circuit with plenty of corners.
Any way I had a great safe day on the bike and surprisingly didn't embarrass myself too much, in fact I managed to stay with quite a few bikes through some corners and definitely had the torque to stay with some bikes coming out of the corner, obviously when they hit 6000rpm they would pull away.
Had a great day though and certainly got what a wanted from the day. would recommend Rockingham as a good track for exploring the GS, I think I would have struggled more on a high speed circuit like Donnington or Silverstone.
Well worth the money, enjoy your track day.
thumperbob2002
Registered user
I may be at Cadwell on Thursday night on mine. Pr4s are like road race wets!!
Similar threads
