Focussed events chrono timing to sort groups on trackdays

For those who don't get the Focussed events newsletter:

FOCUSED EVENTS GOES CHRONO!
*
WE ARE BRINGING 'CHRONO DAYS' TO THE UK AFTER EXTENSIVE TRANSPONDER TESTING AT EUROPEAN EVENTS, A MOVE WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE ENJOYMENT AND SMOOTH RUNNING OF TRACKDAYS.

*
Some of you may know that we have been testing this for past 6 months at our European events and the feedback we received from you, was a resounding 'YES'. We are currently rolling this out at selected events this year but believe in the future it will be at all our trackdays.
*
On these days Riders times will be monitored and they will be allocated into the correct groups, something that is particularly important to build up the confidence of newer riders, so there are not faster riders in their groups.
*
Ex-World Superbike Champion and committed Focused Events instructor Neil Hodgson has assessed the new system, "Transponders add another dimension to a trackday. Ultimately there is a massive range of ability on trackdays and this helps group riders accordingly"



I think it's a good move.

Discuss.

[maviczap]

Agreed, as one who'd love to do a track day, I'm put off by being in the novice group with blokes who're turning up with tyre warmers and full factory support

[Nobbylad]

I can't see any downside

[sandman]

I think this is a great idea and would love to do a day but i have already booked to a track day this year with another in the pipeline

@ Maviczap
I was just like you about doing a track day but then took the plunge and it was great.
I found most others were just the same and we all walked away with a big grin on our faces thinking why did we not do this before

[Binky]

What is the main thing that puts new comers off? I'm just curious as i couldn't wait to get out on track...

Binning your bike or just being swallowed up by lots of faster riders or something else?

[G]

[QUOTE=Binky;2470465]What is the main thing that puts new comers off? I'm just curious as i couldn't wait to get out on the track[/qoute]

I think it's the misconception that someone turning up on a race preped bike with tyre warmer is actually going to be fast. Sure there is potentially going to be people in the wrong group but it's never that big adeal.

I think transponders would be awesome though, wonder if they let you know your times, would probably invalidate the insurance and planning conditions though

[_Stretchie_]

So what's the idea, they put it about your person or under your seat (If you are lucky enough to have a bike that has space under the seat that is) ?

A couple of things on this, they were asking for £500 deposit on one of the Euro trackday for the transponders in case they were damaged which is a bit much for something thats enforced.

They were also charging £1.50 for a timing sheet which flies in the face of this is a trackday not a timing event or race.

They have have words with people in the past for timing from the pit wall and having timing gear on their bikes.

It doesnt help people on slower bikes who have faster corner speed.

I'm fairly sure any timings won't be made available to the riders but I've firedoff an email to ask.

My main problem with having much faster riders in the same group as myself is close overtaking and general p*ss taking that may be fine with more experienced riders.

I am just relaying whay the guys on throttlemonkey found last year when going on the FE eurotrackdays.

The deposit thing only happened once and they realised that is wasn't going to work when they were told by all riders politely feck off.

The timings where available on all there transponder trackdays for a fee, the feeling was that they were using this charge to offset the outlay of the transponders but they would have to sell alot. If 20 in each group thats 60 riders and a new transponder is £300 thats £18,000. I would imaging that FE have introduced transponders to reduce liability and therefore insurance costs