I set off at 8pm and got to the premier inn at 9:30pm which was nice but the room was like a sauna and the air con was broke this was going to be a long night. Got up at 6:30am and had breakfast and set off for the track. Just before getting to the gate i had a message from d6nutz saying he was in garage 32
.Got set up in the garage with him, there were a few other lads with us. 3 track day regulars"SMW" from rsvr.net and another group of lads in the fast group.
I was in the first group out and wore my clear visor as it was a little foggy (mistake as the sun started poking through and blinded my a couple of times) , 3 steady ish laps behind the instructors and then off we went. I took it steady trying to get a feel for the bike but there were 1-2 REALLY slow riders. I'm in no way trying to be big headed but they were dangerously slow I caught him just before the entry to a corner i did not want to spook him and had to brake very hard behind him so i did not run into him. By the time i got round him the session was pretty much over.
The second session went fine i built up the speed making sure i had warmth in the tyres before opening it up. I was getting frustrated with my self as i was being way to hard on my self thinking im no were near were i used to be. I got stuck behind the same bloke i managed to pass him but as soon as i did there were another gaggle of slower riders which is fine. I was more frustrated with my self as instead of just passing them when i caught them as i was carrying more speed i sat behind them and waited i started getting fixated and followed them instead of just getting round them.
The next few session went similar but as i was growing in confidence i was getting a little faster and when the track cleared up in front of me i was really enjoying it.
While i was beating my self up D6nutz came in grinning from ear to ear i have just been out with an instructor it was great....
So after lunch i did the same He was "The Mexican" really nice bloke he took me out at the head of the pack. He showed me some lines then told me to go through and I was meant to show him that I have been watching. I found it really good and my confidence grew i was faster through a few corners and tried to get them better each time. He passed me and tapped the back of his bike and showed me were my lines were still a bit off and then let me passed and watched me again. It was nearly the end of the session and he flew passed me I thought does he want me to follow so i tried to up the pace i got to Mcleans faster than before and thought ill have to lean it in knee was down then then my toe slider and the edge of the track just got closer i got round OK but i don't think i could have leaned any-more. I came into the pits and spoke to the instructor he said i had good lines and it was a decent pace he then said just start moving off the bike ....... oh i thought i was ....... nope you look bolt up right ....... BALLS
the last 2 sessions were good i stopped beating my self up and enjoyed the afternoon the last session i went for knee down were ever i could and practice my hanging off the bike monkey style however this was not to be as it was red flagged twiece so could not get up to speed.
I was gutted for everyone that crashed it is heart breaking seeing your pride and joy go down the track but no one to my knowledge was seriously hurt just bruise's and damaged pride. One case in particular one of the lads we shared the garage with. He came in on the first session as his R6 track bike was feeling funny at the rear end had a look at the disc and it was scored when he tried to remove the rear wheel ot was jammed the bearings had collapsed. So he only lived down the road he went and fetched his road R6 that looked pretty mint anyway session after lunch he binned it and it cartwheeled he reckons he was pushing to hard ran out of ground clearance and the peg dug in and flipped him off. Was a shame but its only metal and plastic.
On the way home I was mulling things over in my head and while i still have it the next track day is going to be on the zx636. I dont know if it was me or not but the first time i took the bike round a track i was giggling like a school girl. I did not have that with the rsv its a great road bike but maybe not suited to me round a track. This may all be in my head and beating my self up but while i still have it im going to get it out of my system. However I had a great day it was great having the banter and laughs all through the day great to meet you Jon and thanks very much to Jack for taking the time out to come and say hi and take some photos owe you some more cake
.Roll on the next one i can not WAIT
A few pics from the day
One for blade
Sorry its a bit long winded and my English has always been shocking
