track days partner [Archive]

WOZERD

01-11-2006, 11:04 PM

I am reading with great interest that Mid Ohio is being re-paved. I raced there in 1977 and they had patches. I track day'd there in 03 and 04 and they had patches. I decided last time there I would never ride M-O again until the re-surfaced the track. Personally, I can't see why AMA s-b riders would risk their lives on that unsafe surface for any amount of money. Even the car drivers thought it sucked. This may be my last hoorah but I am really intending to do: Barber at least once, Putnam at least twice and Mid Ohio at least twice. I have mainly done Grattan and I really love that place. But 2 1/2 hours VS 5-6 hours driving is like, a no brainer. Last year I very stupidly went all alone. I found I couldn't even set up my E Z up by myself.
Anybody looking for a partner to do STT (or???) track days with? I ride intermediate class. I am slow but damn I look good! I have (like I said) an 12X12 EZ UP and an open 5X8 trailer to share. If you are a smoke nazi, I gotta warn you. I am considerate but, I do smoke.
check my profile, let me know.
Also, I really get into long rides. Especially down thru WV, into VA and NC. Anybody going or want to go, let me know. Generally 2-4 days about 1200 miles, generally staying in motels(it always rains if I take my camping gear).

casanewt

01-12-2006, 12:28 AM

Hey brother, what's up? I probably am not the right guy to hook up with as a trackday partner, although I would like to do at least 1 trackday this year (my first), but there should be plenty of people in this group doing some great riding this year in TN, WV, NC, etc. Sport-touring.net is another great site as well - keep an eye on Region 4 & 5 forums for things going on in our area. Hope to ride with you this year!

WOZERD

01-12-2006, 06:27 AM

Hey G!,
I am ready when you are! I have an extra outfit if you need a full suit. There are two young guys up here that NEED to do the beginners course. If I can convince them before they assume the consistency of a squid out of water. I think I still have your #. Let's make some plans.
I still have my RF, I am really (REALLY) struggling with the logical choice of keeping it or the emotional choice of trading it on an SV1000S. Either way, I intend to put some major miles on it again this year.

Fast Eddie

01-12-2006, 06:37 AM

I did a STT track day last year at Mid Ohio and loved the track but hated the patches. I don't smoke and have a toy hauler with awning, kitchen, bathroom. I like to do Mid Ohio again without the patches myself. So if you're interested in a partner, here I am.

216Daugherty

01-12-2006, 04:48 PM

I did my first STT last year w/ my brothers Gamma group in Chicago. We had a great time. Kent Kunitsugo flew in from Sport Rider to do a story and ride the members bikes (my brothers) for a story. Gamma group is talking about Mid-Oh this year and we are going for sure. Also look up 6-27-06 that day is a CLASS school for $295 at MO. Also if you want to test the waters w/ Fasttrax endurance racing look me and we will ride. I cant stand smoking but its not like we're daiting, see ya

01-12-2006, 07:45 PM

Fast Eddie

01-12-2006, 07:53 PM

Not so fast eddie :Pest: I don't have a toy hauler with all the amenities :bathroom: but, I am interested in some track days.

Let's try to plan some exact dates that we can work into our schedules. Please let me know what dates you are looking at asap.

Also, if you are looking for some long rides, Eddie, Rob H. and myself are known to ride to TN and IL for lunch :cheers:

For one, I'm looking at doing the Putnam track day in April with Dean. I don't know which school is putting it on but that's the first plan. Second, I'd like to do an SST day at Mid-Ohio once it's repaved and then if there's money left over do a Reg Pridmore Class at Barber in the fall. As far as rides go, I'll have to send you my days off and I'm up for pizza in Chicago, a tour of Naches Trace, some civil war battlefields, just to name some places to ride to.

WOZERD

01-12-2006, 10:38 PM

Sounds like we all have to get together. Seeing as how I'm the odd ball up here in Dayton, You guys pick. I saw the post for Greenies. I assume (??) you will all go (??) if so, let me know and I'll be there. I understand Vera V is doing Putnam in April.
"racing in in the rain, I'm racing in the rain!
What a glorious feeling, I'm sliding again!
Slip sliding again!
Just racing, and sliding in the rain!!"
(think I saw that in an old Gene Kelly movie)
Nothing better than waking up to thunder and rain, in your boy scout "pup" tent, soaking wet, with a hangover, to hear the annoucer warning of worms on the track (memories of first race, Nelson's Ledges April 1974)

Bob
96 RF900R (with POWER RANGER graphics)
02 RC51 ( I am trying to learn the Italian phrase BASSO PROFUNDO in Japanese)
Ever wonder why you don't hear a Japanese person speak Japanese with an Italian accent?

zx7rking

01-13-2006, 07:47 AM

Are they REALLY repaving Mid-Ohio? Thats been a rumor for the last Decade or so. If it's true this time I might just have to take to the 10 up there.

RJH_5150

01-13-2006, 09:10 AM

WOZERD

01-13-2006, 10:59 AM

OOOOH! OOOOH! 2 days for $215.00 at the end of April beats $295.00 for the beginning of April (ever lose the front tire on a frost patch??) anytime.
I vote for the Cycle Options option

WOZERD

01-13-2006, 11:08 AM

The way I read it, they are not "just repaving" M-O, they are completely re-doing the road bed and improving the drainage (which was the reason the patches were needed). In addition, they are putting in a full AMA MO Cross track. It will be the first time in -- 30+ years I will be able to actually use more than a sidewalk width line!! Plus, Kokosing (??) Constuction is working with some doo-dah asphalt company to come up with the optimum mix that gives good traction, tire wear and low maintenance. I suggested embedding small suction cups, inverted, into the surface. They wrote back and used curse words-- it wasn't very nice!

Are they REALLY repaving Mid-Ohio? Thats been a rumor for the last Decade or so. If it's true this time I might just have to take to the 10 up there.

RJH_5150

01-13-2006, 11:18 AM

The good thing about this one is that usually a bunch of us from Cincinnati always go and pit together. You are more than welcome to join us.

OOOOH! OOOOH! 2 days for $215.00 at the end of April beats $295.00 for the beginning of April (ever lose the front tire on a frost patch??) anytime.
I vote for the Cycle Options option

zx7rking

01-13-2006, 12:44 PM

So does that me you and the crew are gonna be at this one too. Think I might have to dust the 10 off a lil early this year :smoke

The good thing about this one is that usually a bunch of us from Cincinnati always go and pit together. You are more than welcome to join us.

zx7rking

01-13-2006, 12:51 PM

Sounds promising... I had a good time, the last time I was there. If you can call getting bucked out of this seat and looking at the front tire coming out of the last turn, onto the front straight, because I ran across a crack in the surface which a mini-river was running out of ..fun. I said I wouldnt go back until they resurfaced it.

The way I read it, they are not "just repaving" M-O, they are completely re-doing the road bed and improving the drainage (which was the reason the patches were needed). In addition, they are putting in a full AMA MO Cross track. It will be the first time in -- 30+ years I will be able to actually use more than a sidewalk width line!! Plus, Kokosing (??) Constuction is working with some doo-dah asphalt company to come up with the optimum mix that gives good traction, tire wear and low maintenance. I suggested embedding small suction cups, inverted, into the surface. They wrote back and used curse words-- it wasn't very nice!

RJH_5150

01-13-2006, 12:59 PM

We will be there. I just want to say that I have to put a new motor in my 6R thanks to you. :D I think I hurt her trying to keep up with your ZX-10R.

So does that me you and the crew are gonna be at this one too. Think I might have to dust the 10 off a lil early this year :smoke

zx7rking

01-13-2006, 04:15 PM

Well if I win this motor off E-bay I'll leave the 10 at home and take the 7R. That should make it easier on you :D :thumbsup
We will be there. I just want to say that I have to put a new motor in my 6R thanks to you. :D I think I hurt her trying to keep up with your ZX-10R.

Fast Eddie

01-13-2006, 07:54 PM

Eddie, I believe you are talking about the Cycle Options track day. Kenny and Dean run a great track day. I have been to everyone they have had since I found out about them 2 years ago. Check them out.

http://www.cycleoptions.com

I checked it out, plan on doing both days and taking the camper out there. I should have room for about 4-5 to sleep in the camper if anyone is interested.

Rob, are you taking the bus? If not I can put your bike in the toy hauler. I can't wait.

ninjagirl219

01-13-2006, 08:05 PM

Yeah, MidO has a lot of great stuff going on with their facility geared towards motorcycles...I'm stoked. I'll be doing MidO in July for sure and probably Putnam (STT) in April as it's the only weekend that fits my schedule. I've ridden MidO before and after the patches and it just took a little bit to get used to but it's still my favorite track after nine track days there. Even with all the patches it's Steve Rapp's favorite track so it can't be that bad.

WOZERD

02-14-2006, 01:18 PM

OOOOHHH OOOOH
I'm I going blind? I just noticed that STT has track days at Mid Ohio the 29/30 of April!
Now it's $375.00 for Mid Ohio or $215.00 for Putnam-- OOOH! OOOH!!!
what to do???
what to do??

Lizard 1

02-14-2006, 03:20 PM

ninjagirl219

02-14-2006, 06:38 PM

It isn't near as bad as most people state. Wonder what everyone's excuses will be now that they've done a full repave.

Most the whinners were street/track day guys, anyways... :rolleyes:
It's not possible for everyone to ever be pleased. There will probably be plenty of people who find something to bitch about even with all the improvements that they are doing. Regardless, if those riders can be that fast with the way the track was I can't wait to see what happens this year. I'm so excited, I can't stand it. Is it April yet! :D

WOZERD

02-15-2006, 10:45 PM

It's not possible for everyone to ever be pleased. There will probably be plenty of people who find something to bitch about even with all the improvements that they are doing. Regardless, if those riders can be that fast with the way the track was I can't wait to see what happens this year. I'm so excited, I can't stand it. Is it April yet! :D

Me too. I am even thinking, with the new track, it'll be like going from a sidewalk to a 8 lane highway. I am even thinking it will give some of the AMA pro's overconfidence and we ma actually see more run offs than ever. I expect lap times to drop by almost 2 seconds.
And, Liz-- I am now a track day person. But, I have raced there in the late 70's when the patches were actually some kind of epoxy stuff. Can you say snot on a door knob? Especially when your running bias ply slicks with spoked rims, no tire warmers, and suspension that was-- well, it kept the bike from sitting on the tires--ok? And still run 140+ down the back straight hoping the wobble didn't turn into a tank slapper or the friggin piston didn't seize cuz you jetted her lean for top end. I did track days when there was a 1 inch or higher edge between the asphalt and the concrete, especially on 12. I actually got pretty good at using it as a berm for the back tire. My only "bitch" is/was: why should a track this wide, a track with this much prestige, a track with this kind of financial ability, force professional racers and track day dweebs (like me) alike to esentially ride on a line narrower than a common sidewalk? We won't get a chance now but I would like to, just once, see you or anybody pass me on the outside in the horseshoe/keyhole. I'm sure someone has but, I don't ever recall anything but a freight train in any Superbike race through there.
That said, I think I am still going to do Putnam. I was convinced pretty good today by a sports car guy that it is a really fun track. He said to watch out because turn 9 (??) the last set before the straightaway is off camber. true?? Any comments on that? I don't see it in the video so, it can't be too bad.

synthetictone

02-16-2006, 09:21 AM

Most the whinners were street/track day guys, anyways... :rolleyes:'

odd... I heard more AMA racers complain about it than average joeshttp://www.localriders.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Lizard 1

02-16-2006, 09:45 AM

'

odd... I heard more AMA racers complain about it than average joeshttp://www.localriders.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

They complain about the track when it is wet and not so much when it is dry. Trust me, I hear track day guys bitch and novice racers bitch more than anyone else. The track wasn't for everyone, but hey, it was a great track and it took, dare I say, skill to ride it well...

WOZERD

02-16-2006, 09:14 PM

'

odd... I heard more AMA racers complain about it than average joeshttp://www.localriders.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Well. Miguel called me last year to complain about the track and I said: "quit yer bitchin'" (he's always whining to me!). I reminded him that, if I was only 32 seconds faster around M. O. I woulda had the pole for last years race so, just be happy with watcha got. Sittin there all fancy looking on your Factory bike! What a wuss

vera

02-17-2006, 09:24 AM

That said, I think I am still going to do Putnam. I was convinced pretty good today by a sports car guy that it is a really fun track. He said to watch out because turn 9 (??) the last set before the straightaway is off camber. true?? Any comments on that? I don't see it in the video so, it can't be too bad.

I think I will have to give Putnam a miss in April. I was so much looking forward to it.

Watching out for turn 9? I would say watch out in every turn, not just one. ;)

In The Blood

03-15-2006, 04:37 PM

Mid-Ohio Performance Track Riding schedule:
April 29 & 30
June 5 & 6
July 22 & 23
July 31 & Aug. 1
September 25 & 26
October 2
The pricing on the brochure looks like two full days for $260.00 but I think that, after looking at SBTT site, it is $260.00 for the LED (limited endurance days)? Schools appear to be operating in conjunction with "Sportbike Track Time".

They have other dates for "Beginner Rider Course"-MSF, "Experienced Rider Course"-MSF, and "Advanced Cornering"-Top level of street riding.

Just thought I would pass that info along...Spring is around the corner!!!

Lizard 1

03-16-2006, 05:36 PM

I think I will have to give Putnam a miss in April. I was so much looking forward to it.

Watching out for turn 9? I would say watch out in every turn, not just one. ;)

He was refering to the last turn coming onto the straight. It is a sorta bad turn, but better than it used to be. Saw a good friend get killed there at a WERA National. Almost had me quitting racing for good....