RobSV
09-10-04, 04:33 PM
Having checked the weather forecast on Monday I booked up for Snetterton with Focused Events for the next day. As it's an early start and a fair old way from Billericay I booked a hotel and travelled up the night before. Following a nice 'Full English' I arrived at Snetterton bright and early, signed on, taped up my lights and mirrors, removed the number plate and listened to the safety briefing. Being a first-timer I was given a nice flourescent jacket to wear.
At this stage I think it would be fair to say I was somewhat apprehensive. I've only been riding a year and still consider myself to be a beginner.
9 o'clock came and the call went out to line up at the end of the pit lane. I started up the SV, put my lid and gloves on and pulled out of the garage - to find myself the first one and at the very front of the grid. Not exactly what I had in mind for my first ever track experience. Then we were off. An instructor leads for the first 3 laps to show the track layout. The first lap was very sedate, but he noticably speeded up for the 2nd and 3rd. Then he pulled into the pits and I was on my own, out in front, leading the pack. Yikes. My mirrors were folded back, so I had no idea what was happening behind me (that's the idea) but in 3 laps I'd not learnt the track and I had no idea what bend was what, what sort of speed to hit them at or what was coming up next. I was desperate for someone to overtake me so I could follow their line and get a better idea of pace. When we hit the straight I got overtaken alright. The likes of R1s and Gixxer 1000s went past me like I was standing still :( .
The track sessions are 20 mins each and after a few of them my confidence grew and I began to enjoy it more and more.
My few hairy moments happened during the first few sessions due to lack of familiarity with the track. It's a horrible feeling when you realise the fast sweeper you're all set up for is in fact a slow, tight 90 degree corner. Ooops! Hard on the brakes, back end squirming, just about managing to get the speed down enough to drag it round. I'm pleased to say I had no off-road action, unlike many other people.
The max speed I got up to on the longest straight was about 125 mph. I tried to nudge 130mph by braking as late as I dared, but this, unsurprisingly, caused some anxious "aaaghhhh!!! I'm going too fast to get round that bend" moments. I think this is why disconnecting or covering up the speedo is recommended. I abandoned the 130 mph plan very quickly. A bloke I was talking to with a Fireblade said he was getting up to 150 mph. Git.
By the afternoon I felt that I'd progressed enough for it to be worthwhile getting some instruction (instructors are on hand and cost nothing, you've just got to ask). They follow for a couple of laps to watch you, then they go ahead and you follow them. It was defintely useful to see the correct lines demonstrated, but perhaps to be taken aside afterwards and have a few things explained in more detail would help more. Probably unreasonable, as it's not a race school.
Highlights of the day:
1. The state of my tyres after a session: hot, sticky to the touch, blistered, torn and little chunks hanging off (right up to the very edges). Superb.
2. I'd say mine was the least powerful bike there (apart from a strange yellow SV - it appeared to have halogen kitchen bulbs for headlights), so I was absolutely slaughtered on the straights, but then I'd catch up on the braking into the bends, and now and again overtook through the bends. Very nice feeling. I kept my yellow 'beginners' jacket on all day for this very reason. How childish of me to enjoy overtaking a more experienced rider on a more powerful bike. Mess with an SV at your peril!
3. There was a portly gentleman on a Yamaha XJR 1300 (I think that's what it was) who I don't think took it above 2000 revs. Talk about leisurely. I was lapping him several times per session. Everyone has to ride to within their own limits, but he would've been overtaken by a milk float.
4. Not crashing.
5. Grinning from ear to ear (for several days) :D
I'd like to thank SVRunner, who came along to spectate, offer moral support and photographic services.
All in all, a superb day, very well run and very cheap (£65). Thoroughly recommended. If anyone has been tempted by a track day but hasn't quite got round to it then don't hesitate: just do it! It's not a race :wink:, just go out at your own pace and enjoy it. I'll be doing another one for sure. Snetterton is not an ideal track for the SV (too many long straights), so I think my next one will be Brands on 2nd November.
Right, that's the end of my waffle. Sorry to go on, but I thought I'd share it with you.
At this stage I think it would be fair to say I was somewhat apprehensive. I've only been riding a year and still consider myself to be a beginner.
9 o'clock came and the call went out to line up at the end of the pit lane. I started up the SV, put my lid and gloves on and pulled out of the garage - to find myself the first one and at the very front of the grid. Not exactly what I had in mind for my first ever track experience. Then we were off. An instructor leads for the first 3 laps to show the track layout. The first lap was very sedate, but he noticably speeded up for the 2nd and 3rd. Then he pulled into the pits and I was on my own, out in front, leading the pack. Yikes. My mirrors were folded back, so I had no idea what was happening behind me (that's the idea) but in 3 laps I'd not learnt the track and I had no idea what bend was what, what sort of speed to hit them at or what was coming up next. I was desperate for someone to overtake me so I could follow their line and get a better idea of pace. When we hit the straight I got overtaken alright. The likes of R1s and Gixxer 1000s went past me like I was standing still :( .
The track sessions are 20 mins each and after a few of them my confidence grew and I began to enjoy it more and more.
My few hairy moments happened during the first few sessions due to lack of familiarity with the track. It's a horrible feeling when you realise the fast sweeper you're all set up for is in fact a slow, tight 90 degree corner. Ooops! Hard on the brakes, back end squirming, just about managing to get the speed down enough to drag it round. I'm pleased to say I had no off-road action, unlike many other people.
The max speed I got up to on the longest straight was about 125 mph. I tried to nudge 130mph by braking as late as I dared, but this, unsurprisingly, caused some anxious "aaaghhhh!!! I'm going too fast to get round that bend" moments. I think this is why disconnecting or covering up the speedo is recommended. I abandoned the 130 mph plan very quickly. A bloke I was talking to with a Fireblade said he was getting up to 150 mph. Git.
By the afternoon I felt that I'd progressed enough for it to be worthwhile getting some instruction (instructors are on hand and cost nothing, you've just got to ask). They follow for a couple of laps to watch you, then they go ahead and you follow them. It was defintely useful to see the correct lines demonstrated, but perhaps to be taken aside afterwards and have a few things explained in more detail would help more. Probably unreasonable, as it's not a race school.
Highlights of the day:
1. The state of my tyres after a session: hot, sticky to the touch, blistered, torn and little chunks hanging off (right up to the very edges). Superb.
2. I'd say mine was the least powerful bike there (apart from a strange yellow SV - it appeared to have halogen kitchen bulbs for headlights), so I was absolutely slaughtered on the straights, but then I'd catch up on the braking into the bends, and now and again overtook through the bends. Very nice feeling. I kept my yellow 'beginners' jacket on all day for this very reason. How childish of me to enjoy overtaking a more experienced rider on a more powerful bike. Mess with an SV at your peril!
3. There was a portly gentleman on a Yamaha XJR 1300 (I think that's what it was) who I don't think took it above 2000 revs. Talk about leisurely. I was lapping him several times per session. Everyone has to ride to within their own limits, but he would've been overtaken by a milk float.
4. Not crashing.
5. Grinning from ear to ear (for several days) :D
I'd like to thank SVRunner, who came along to spectate, offer moral support and photographic services.
All in all, a superb day, very well run and very cheap (£65). Thoroughly recommended. If anyone has been tempted by a track day but hasn't quite got round to it then don't hesitate: just do it! It's not a race :wink:, just go out at your own pace and enjoy it. I'll be doing another one for sure. Snetterton is not an ideal track for the SV (too many long straights), so I think my next one will be Brands on 2nd November.
Right, that's the end of my waffle. Sorry to go on, but I thought I'd share it with you.