TRACKDAYS
After talking to several of the guys at the local hangout I began to give actual consideration to trying a track day with Booger. I have to admit that this idea was approached with considerable apprehension. The thought of crashing the Thruxton was gut wrenching. Therefore it took a little while to make the commitment.
Gradually I acquired the necessary gear which consisted of a set of leathers, gloves, and boots. I shopped for several months and found this stuff at pretty good prices. Granted, it's not Sidi but I was not prepared to dump a grand or two into equipment only to find that this (track days) was just not for me.
Once I had the necessary gear I felt that I was committed so began to prep the bike. First I removed everything that I felt was not essential such as lights, fenders, the rear cowl, side covers, etc. My reasoning was that anything at home in a box on the day that I crashed could not get broke. The exception to this was the gages. I really wanted them there to help me get a feel for what was happening with the bike. Eventually I would reinstall the front fender as I found that track debris was striking the oil cooler and I figured that the fender would be less expensive to replace than the oil cooler.
Next I began fabricating what I would hear race control call "bash plates" These I made from scrap pieces of aluminum for the engine cases and scrap pieces of plastic for the side covers and what could be called a front number plate. While I had no real need for a number, the plastic plate serves as a protector for all the wiring harnesses that were originally contained with in the headlight and a reasonably protected place to put the ignition switch.
Finally I was ready to go to the track.
The track at which I have been riding is called Jennings GP and is located near Jennings, FL, just south of the Georgia boarder.
The track is designed as a motorcycle only, training track and is not particularly well suited for actual racing. This is not so much due to the track but more a matter of limited spectator facilities. There is a bleacher but it is small and situated near turn one. Other parts of the track are visible to spectators but they can't get very close to the action. This was done so that there would be lots of room for run off with only limited need for barriers to protect spectators, a feature of which I would avail myself more than once.
The track is 2 miles long, contains 14 turns, and is shaped like this.
The paddock is fairly large with perhaps 50 or more spaces.
Camping is permitted and even encouraged. You can opt for a simple tent, all paddock areas are equipped with an electrical outlet. However, if your needs are greater there are spaces for campers or motor homes with heavier power connections. There are showers and bathrooms on site and a lunch trailer which serves breakfast as well.
The track opens at 7:00 AM but no race engines are allowed to be started until 9:00. Further more there is a noise restriction of 104 DB. This, I am sure, is in response to concerns of neighboring farms/residences.
Occasionally these early mornings can be a bit cool. On one of my days opening of the first session was delayed by ice on the track. For those from northern states this might seem unworthy of mention, however, for Floridians, it's notable.
Every morning begins with a drivers meeting in which Dan, AKA Race Control, reviews track rules, flag designations, etc. This is good for everyone but especially for beginners like myself. Following this meeting is a classroom secession for Novice led by the control rider for the day. He is usually someone from expert class who has offered to perform that function. In exchange he gets track time for compensation. Those that I have met seem very willing to help.
During this meeting, additional rules, guidelines, procedures, etc are reviewed.
For Novice class, the first several laps of the day are taken with the control rider (seen here wearing the green shirt) in the lead. This gives any first timers as well as returning novices a chance to see what the track is like. Each following lap is at an increased speed. There is no passing during these opening laps and each rider is encouraged to follow the line used by the control rider. Learning to follow a consistent line is a skill to be mastered and is a safety issue.
After several laps the control rider brings all riders into "Hot Pit" and to a halt. This gives everyone a chance to practice pitting. Once the field is in and stopped, each rider is allowed to proceed back onto the track at timed intervals to spread out the field. From then on, Novice class is on their own. Passing is allowed only on the outside with the passing rider being responsible for the safety of the pass. For those being passed, learning to consistently follow your line in a predictable manner is how you contribute to the safety of the pass. The control rider will ride amongst the novice class through out the rest of the day, observing, leading an occasional rider through a turn that he may seem to be having trouble with, and is available when novice is pitted to answer questions or make suggestions.
The racing goes on all morning with 15-25 minute secessions for expert, intermediate, and novice classes, depending on the number of riders. If the field is small, expert and intermediate are sometimes combined and the longer sessions are used. Around noon, depending on where we are with the rotation, a lunch break is called. The afternoon secessions will last until approximately 5:00.
The difference between the slower and faster groups is apparent.
After several track days with Booger I realized just how much I was enjoying the track time. I found that, while I was still embarrassingly slow, I was learning a great deal. I also missed not having the bike to ride on the street. I had my '69 Bonneville to ride but still wanted the Thruxton back home again. So, I began to search for another Thruxton to use as a track only bike. When I began this it was for the purpose of learning to ride the Booger better. As the search dragged on I considered first one the then another sport bike of various flavors. But, kept reminding myself that what I would learn on a sport bike might not necessarily translate to the Thruxton.
Eventually I found Tweety.
I found him on Craig's list. The seller was a young fellow whom I don't believe was really into motorcycles. It had less than 4000 miles on it so was in like new condition mechanically with a few exceptions. The down side was that the seller lived in an apartment complex and so the bike was weathered from sitting outside in the parking lot. In addition, it had suffered numerous scrapes and scratches, apparently from being dropped. All of this damage was superficial and I think was probably the result of him allowing his friends to ride it around in the parking lot for entertainment.
After a through cleaning, the bike looked pretty good. It had a new battery and since it had not been tagged in the previous 9 months, that was probably why. It also had a new rear tire, a Bridgestone BT 45 on the rear. When I asked how he managed to wear the rear tire out in so little mileage he explained that it had been slashed. Apparently, parking was at a premium and having a space tied up by a none operational vehicle was frowned upon.
This all worked in my favor as I got it for a good price and would not be emotionally invested in it. I replaced the old OEM M2 Metzler front tire with a matching Bridgestone and was good to go.
The bike is just a month off from Booger's manufacture date so every thing is interchangeable. Both of the bash plates transferred as well as the plastic covers. I have sourced new parts for all the damaged parts and put them aside so that if at some point in the future I want to put the bike up for sale I will be able to offer it with everything intact.
Another advantage of the interchangeability of parts is that I can swap complete wheels back and forth between the two bikes. I just bought a new set of Michelin Pilot Road 2 tires for Booger. I will be able to swap them to Tweety with a minimal amount of work. If I like them better for the track I may leave them on Tweety and run the BT-45s on Booger. Further more I can wear the sides out on the track and the centers out on the street, the best of both worlds.
I made 2 days with Tweety, enough to determine that the bike is going to perform well with out presenting any problems. But, by that time summer had arrived in Florida and I was ready to recuperate from the monthly grind. I will use the summer break to do an air box removal and add a steering damper. I am looking forward to next fall and more track days.
Found this posted on the Jennings GP forum.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Over the summer I addressed two projects in preparation for the fall season. The first was removal of the air box on Tweety. Click here to see about that.
And second was the addition of a steering damper. Although I have never noticed a front end wobble on either of the bikes I was advised that it would be wise to add one as a precaution.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
My first track day for the fall season of 2011 was rained out. However, I was able to make it on the Monday before Thanksgiving. It was still a little warm but completely manageable. I found that it only took a few sessions before I was back in the swing of things and before long I was actually seeing some improvement over my last day in March. In preparation I had swapped the Bridgestones onto Booger and put the Michelins on Tweety. I think that they are a little easier to flick into a turn, I guess due to their profile. By the end of the day I was dragging the left side bash plate and my left toe pretty regularly so will have to address that.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
January 7, 2012
Rich, a friend from the local hangout, had expressed an interest in doing a trackday with his '09 Thruxton, nicknamed Penny.
So I finally seduced him into giving it a try. It turned out to be a great day with clear skies and temps in the 70s.
We arrived just before dawn and as we set up watched the morning break.
And by first call were ready to go.
Here Rich sports his new "Birthday Suit", a present from his wife, WATTA WIFE!!!
Along with his "game face".
By lunch time Rich was beginning to find his groove.
And by the afternoon sessions I could no longer catch him.
Finally the end of the day came and we reluctantly returned home, weary but happy. That is, after all, what track days are all about.