Not the best weekend

Originally Posted by sv4me

i'll go from being usually 1 of the fastest in the inters to undoubtedly 1 of the slowest in the fast. But whats that saying, big fish in a little pond

That's probably not quite true. You'll find there's a decent overlap of ability, and some of the advanced group will be slower than the faster inters boys/girls. The difference is in the quality of their riding - generally the fast group will make closer but safer overtakes and be more in control when doing so, unlike the inters who mostly think they're good but need a fair bit of tuition or practise before they'll achieve that standard of riding.

I'd rather be the slow boy in fast group than having to continually risk riding in inters

[sv4me]

I guess i'll find out for myself next time out at oh god.....mallory of all places! I expect most of the fast to glide past me like I was standing still but you never know

At Donington, i'm pretty sure they said in the briefing not to sit people up in the corners. I'm sure because I was standing right there when they said it. Some of the inters that day obviously had selective hearing definitely attended the simoncelli school of overtaking

There's two rules of overtaking on a trackday in novice and inters groups

1) Go past them but leave at least 6 ft of a gap between you and the slower rider and be sure they'll make the corner safely as well before you commit to the overtake

2) Don't overtake if you can't do number 1.

In fast group the 6 foot rule doesn't really apply, but the riders there are usually more used to close riding so it's not so much of an issue. You do tend to get the racers and the very fast experienced riders coming up the inside of you - there's no real way to prevent that, just be prepared to find some very quick guys stealing your line at the last minute. Listen for them, that's the safest way - don't look back but gauge where they are by the approaching noise and direction or side of where it's coming from. You can move slightly off line to give them the gap, or chance it by stuffing your bike into the corner on the line they want. The latter option may end in tears though.

Having faster riders pass you is a learning opportunity, you can tag on the back and watch how they do it for a short while until they bugger off into the distance.

[Red Herring]

I've always held that the fast group is the safest in that you should be surrounded by people who know what they are doing. Unfortunately organizers aren't always very well organized.... and a couple of weeks ago at Donnington they openly said they had put a whole load into the fast group because the Inters were over subscribed and the fast group was thin (it was a "quiet" day so less race bikes). End result was I didn't get to see a chequered flag until after lunch, we even had one session red flagged twice! I know it's all about economics and they want to sell as many places as they can, but when you have a closing speed of over 50mph mid Hollywood it's getting dangerous....

When I did my first track day at mallory due to lower numbers they had 2 groups instead of 3, that meant a lot of inters / track bikes in with novices.

There wasn't a single session that didnt have a crash, for a firm novice like myself it was very intimidating having bikes buzz you very close on both sides when you're just about to turn in for a corner.

After a while though I started just riding for myself and stopped worrying about everybody else and claiming my space a bit more.
Eventually I actually overtook a guy on a trackbike who'd I'd been following for 3 laps and was starting to hold me up, my biggest achievement lol

[Nobbylad]

Hmmmm...... I was intending to do inters for the first time at Cadwell. I've done a few track days now and at Oulton, whilst it was good to pass lots of people, on the last session I overtook most of the people that went out in the group before mine.

I was thinking that I'm ready to move into inters, however a little unnerved by the kamikaze attitude of most of the people in there. Especially on a track that's new to me.

[L3nny]

Just been to fracture clinic and been told I need it pinned. Never had an operation before. Sh1ting it slightly.

Wow, one of the worst weekends I've heard in a while....

This was my weekend......



ps, my bad on that one...damned work comupter.....

[L3nny]

It could be worse, at least I know how to post photos

Woops. Fixed.