I had a cracking day,
Really Nervous after my last off on my last Track day.
But Pembrey is an cracking little track
Thanks to Gav for the tips. and great to have a tussle with Col on the RSV4
Well now i'm getting my confidence back so time to book another one
jay
2025 BMW S1000 XR TE
2011 BMW S1000RR Trackbike
07881349390
We rocked up friday night and said hello to a few of you but sadly I forget all manes instantly ! I was pleased to see there was a rather nice looking black 07 amongst the Race reps. The owner (he gave me his name but I forget it instantly as per normal) said he'd only just got it and joked that today was going to be the test to see weather he keeps it. Alas I was in Fast group and him in inters so I didn't get a chance to ride with him, but he looked to be going well from behind the fence. I'm pleased to announce that when I spoke to him at the end of the day he confirmed that he would be keeping it, egged on by the man points he'd be gaining by going round the outside of the GSXR brigade.
My day
Was in fast group and typical of Phil Bevan trackdays it's 2 sighting laps every session which I was actually pleased about as it would force me to go steady until I had some heat in the tyres, the michelin pilot power on the front only takes a lap to warm up but I'm currently running a Racetech on the rear and felt the second sighting lap would give me plenty of time to get it up to temp before "going for it".
First session was ok, getting passed a bit but passing too ! but I put that down to people getting warmed up and taking it steady.... for now. 4the lap in I put the power on a mid corner left hander, I wasn't that far over but the rear spun up, it quite a slide, grip came back again quick enough but did make me think a bit, bit gentle for a few corners then back on it again and no slides for the rest of the session.
Second session was going well but I was in to higher gear coming out of the bottom hairpin, opened the throttle anyway and the rear spun up again, more violently this time and when it gripped it was threatening a highside (at about 20 mph !). It was nothing like as epic as the one I somehow survived at Bedford a couple of weeks ago but it did throw me out the seat. Got back on line and went OK for the rest of the session.
At this point I was getting quite concerned that maybe my rear that I bought used had been cooked, too many heat cycles, or whatever causes tyres to "go off" and found my self eyeing a up a set of used mich slicks for £60 plus fitting having apparently on done 8 laps. But they were full on slicks and I don't want anything that extreme.
So at the start of the third session I told my self that I should do the fist 2 laps as hard as possible while on sighting laps, then the third at a "quick pace" and by the 4th I could go for it. Thankfully this strategy worked and for the entire rest of the day I only had a few small controllable predictable slide when really going for it.
The rest of the sessions blur a bit TBH but I was going out at the front of the group, dusting the guy on the 950 SM instantly, getting taken by 4-5 guys during the session but passing at least as many and getting back passed a couple guys that got me
All in all a good day.
Ohh and one final thing, I don't really mess with my suspension ( I have been doing a bit of late but I've never touched it on my main bike) as I struggle to feel much difference between settings, but Luigie was there, he runs The most respected Ducati workshop in the country (according to a few forums). He was tweaking Chicky's suspension, so I asked him to cast his eye over mine, he bounced it up and down and twiddled some nobs on the front, then he bounced it up and down and twiddled some nobs on the back. I took it out and for the remaining few sessions....... it kinda felt the same........"maybe" it was actually a bit more bumpy coming onto the start finish straight and it is a "maybe" too, I def couldn't say for sure it was any different at all!
But there you go, at least it's now been twidled by someone that knows there stuff !
was having a great day up until my off which was a 90mph high side coming out off honda curve back just stepped out on me regripped instantley and through me over the top (never a bloody camera man when you need one) got my knee down on every corner which was a first for my left side was making better use of the straight and getting past people on the last third of it, had the back bouncing nicely into the hairpin a couple of times woke up sunday mornin battered and bruised but still smiling thanks to everyone for a good day up to about lunch time see you all sept
Yup got it to work now awesome pics! I am so chuffed with my progress this year...if I never get any quicker than this I shall still be proud of myself!!!...but I DO intend to get quicker
What camera do you use cos the quality is amazing?...
It's a Canon 350D and a 250mm lens. Camera is worth about £200 now days and the lens cost £150. Nothing compared to the pro equipment of like £1500 for the camera and £800 for the lens but does an ok job.
