Went to cadwell park the other day for my first ever track day...

[Paul the 6th]

One of the guys I went with who's supposed to be an ex-racer of some sort (friend of a friend type thing) says it's the most difficult track in the UK and probably not the best place to have your first ever track day... That and it seemed like I was the only novice in the novice group because everyone else was trying to have me off going into every corner... Was quite impressed but I think I'll go for a novice only track session next time.. Couple of pics (and no I'm not a cheap bugger, I am actually buying them)

http://trackdaydigitalimages.com/110808nbwe/mediafiles/l68.jpg
Over the mountain


http://trackdaydigitalimages.com/110808nbwe/mediafiles/l214.jpg

http://trackdaydigitalimages.com/110808nbwe/mediafiles/l227.jpg

http://trackdaydigitalimages.com/110808nbwe/mediafiles/l248.jpg

[Sideshow#36]

Nice one, Cadwell is an awesome track and a bugger to learn properly.

Don't worry about novice groups. If you stick with them and progress up to the inters you will see a massive difference in the riders, because the inters are usually slightly more experienced they are a little more predictable.

Oh and disable your lights next time! ;-)

[jumjum_0214]

Excellent pics mate, you look pretty relaxed. I would be sh1tting myself :-)

[the_lone_wolf]

nice mate, should have bunged a black visor on for that mountain pic, would have looked awesome:D

[Paul the 6th]

aye - got a black visor but the weather was unpredictable and I was riding back at 10pm = more stuff to carry in my rucksack...

I could tell cadwell was a tricky track after the first session but I had no idea it was going to be that tricky before hand! And as for the "Novice" group - what a con lol... There were SERIOUSLY fast riders in the novice group, and I didn't overtake anyone once, a ducati tried to have me off going into the right hander straight after mountain
- ****.

And how do I turn the lights off? I thought they were hardwired on?

[Sean_C]

you could pull the plugs off the back of the bulbs?

Nice pics mate :)

[Sideshow#36]

Yup, or the fuze.

[mr.anderson]

Or tape over them - black duct tape works, or if you really have time, many layers of electrical tape - comes in blue too.

Nice pics btw. :cool:

[Sideshow#36]

Only problem with just taping over them is that the lights can cause excessive heat build up on the lenses, causing them to warp, crack and craze. Crazing is what normally happens. Just pull the fuze, its easier.

[mister c]

Always wanted to do Cadwell, looks a fun place to ride. Trouble is it's over the other side of the country to me, so I would have to make a weekend of it.
Nice pics BTW

[mr.anderson]

Only problem with just taping over them is that the lights can cause excessive heat build up on the lenses, causing them to warp, crack and craze. Crazing is what normally happens. Just pull the fuze, its easier.


Oh I see, i did not realise...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tUNNM-Hyu8

[carty]

Cool pics mate - do they have photographers at every track day?

[G]

There is always a photographer, normally £25 - £30 for a CD with all the days photos on. Sometimes they are crap, sometimes they are good.

It often handy to speak to photographer just there practising off there own back, they sometimes get better pics

[Victor P]

My first ever track evening at cadwell and i ended up in the intermediate group as the novice one was over booked!!
That was interesting but good fun. Took a week to calm back down, what an high!

[Lozzo]

One of the guys I went with who's supposed to be an ex-racer of some sort (friend of a friend type thing) says it's the most difficult track in the UK and probably not the best place to have your first ever track day... That and it seemed like I was the only novice in the novice group because everyone else was trying to have me off going into every corner... Was quite impressed but I think I'll go for a novice only track session next time.. Couple of pics (and no I'm not a cheap bugger, I am actually buying them)

You should have said you were going, I was there all day in the instructors bit helping my mate Danny set up the red R6 he raced at the weekend. I was the short dark haired geezer with specs and a No Limits shirt on.

[thor]

There's a fuse you can pull out that will take out the lights.

You might also consider removing the mirrors (4 allen key bolts into the front fairing, don't lose the little caps, or just turn them in), taping over the speedo, and removing the plate.

Looks like fun!

[Tim in Belgium]

Looks like you got the money shot, wheel up at the mountain :)

[Lozzo]

You might also consider removing the mirrors (4 allen key bolts into the front fairing, don't lose the little caps, or just turn them in),



It's easier and better to remove the single allen bolt each side that holds the mirror stem to the swivel base. That way the fairing doesn't flap around either because the mirror base holds it down.

[gettin2dizzy]

It's easier and better to remove the single allen bolt each side that holds the mirror stem to the swivel base. That way the fairing doesn't flap around either because the mirror base holds it down.
+1.

Then they look like little ears too :thumbsup:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/2653527878_2d8a5963ec.jpg?v=0

[Kneewhere?!]

Which company ran the day? I did my first one at Snetterton recently with MSV who were very civilised. Got chatting to a couple of lads who had done a track day at Mallory and had found it very daunting with lots of 'nutters' in the beginners group.

[Paul the 6th]

You should have said you were going, I was there all day in the instructors bit helping my mate Danny set up the red R6 he raced at the weekend. I was the short dark haired geezer with specs and a No Limits shirt on.

Ah bloomin heck, small world! And i bumped into my mate luke & one of the guys off here (ryan with a red sv?)... only went for the evening session 5-8pm.

The track evening (and day) was run by NoLimits - I only went along since it was £39 and my mate was going too. They seemed pretty good but I'd prefer to go on a full on Novice Only session next time. Had one nobber on a ducati who tried to have me off at the last minute before a chicane... all good though :)

[Kneewhere?!]

I'm looking to do another novice only day, at either Snetterton again or Oulton Park. Will make sure I post it if I'm going.

[Paul the 6th]

yeah could be good to get a few of us together :) I fancy croft as it's about 50miles away but I've heard the track is rough as feck? Mind you the rubber is pretty shredded on the shoulders of my tyres after cadwell

[Tim in Belgium]

Croft is a pretty good circuit, very flowing with a nice mixture of corner types, it's less technical than Cadwell but has some deceptively high speed turns. Been there for 3 TDs and haven't noticed any excessive wear on tyres when compared with elsewhere, the tarmac is mainly good condition, the odd repair here and there but nothing major.

Definitely worth a visit on the SV.

[Paul the 6th]

i'm there :)

[chunkytfg]

doesnt matter how hartd a track is at the end of the day it is nothing more than 15 or so corners that dont change from one time to the next so compared to your favrite ride out route is a piece of **** to learn.