Track crash - my fault?

[Wideboy]

The inters has such a wide range of different rider skill levels, some are ballistic and others should probably go back down into the novice. I've not yet ridden in the fast group but one of my friends does on the tracks he knows well and he says that it's totally different, people don't dive down the inside and are more aware of themselves and other's, plus the group is rarely near full capacity.

But the rider's fast group ride faster in the wet than most inters do in the dry.

[JulesW]

Originally Posted by speedyandypandy

This inside passing will happen again....so prepare yourself.

Wise words

[Bunkle]

I've done a few No Limits TDs and the briefing has always included the overtaking rule of a bike lengths distance away from who ever you're overtaking.
The **** on the R1 approached the corner with no game plan, he was out for himself thought he was Marquez and ballsed it up at your cost buddy. I feel for you but as mentioned the novice group is rarely mainly novices with "little or no track experience" to quote the NL site. It seems its a group that a handful of real novices are taking seriously and the rest inters and fast using it to take the **** because their groups are full. There are the rare few that are courteous and give you the room you need on track though.
The same issues are talked about on the TDR forum I'm on but the problem is will the TD organiser have the balls to either move the inter/fast fella up a group (not going to happen if its full to start with) or politely ask them to leave the circuit? I doubt it.

I'm hopefully off to Mallory Park which is a great little circuit with a short straight, so you can really get to grips with the corners and chicanes, something the SV was built for!

[NTECUK]

Then maybe then the tape you fix to your mirrors might just "fall off".
Ok Bedford is a good track(needs garages etc) But Its stuff like this booming up the inside can honestly spoil the day.

[Bunkle]

What tape is that buddy?

[Wideboy]

He means when you tape up your lights and mirrors ect on a road bike.

I had loads of TD's planned for this year. Did my first of the year back at the start of spring, it was the first hot sunny weekend of the year so full of people in the wrong group. It Was total chaos. I packed the van up, left early and rather peeved. It has temporarily killed the TD itch for me.

[Wideboy]

A system that no limits could introduce could be that each account would only be allocated 3-5 novice bookings and once the quota has been used they can only book into inters or fast group. Maybe loose them some business though.

[Bunkle]

Good idea mate but I'm living proof that wouldn't work!
I've done 3 with NL now and I know that even a couple more TDs under my belt wouldn't be enough to improve my speed, confidence or skill to move up to inters.
I'm looking at doing some track based training but its a pretty expensive.

[JulesW]

All this talk of chaos, inconsiderate riders in the wrong groups and poor organisation is really putting me off.

I have quite a lot of track experience but nothing recent, I used to race in the 80s and did lots of 'practice days' at Oulton. The organisation and management was very low level but the track was populated with mainly experienced riders that rode with care and consideration regarding other riders.

It seems like the whole business has become a very profit orientated cash cow where TD organisers prioritize earnings and lots of relatively inexperienced riders are dicking about on R1s, Blades and Gixxers and are somewhat out of their depth and deliberately riding in the wrong groups. I really want to ride on tracks again but not in an overcrowded environment full of d1ckheads. Very sad what I'm reading here, and very off-putting.


Have any of you witnessed a 'black flag' incident where the rider lost his track time that day for inconsiderate riding or is that something that organisers say will happen but never does?

[Wideboy]

It's not all like that. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, the track width and amount of straight lining will have a hand in it also as the less passing places then the more desperate people will get.

Unfortunately d1ck heads will be at every track, despite them telling you not to in the briefing, I usually have a little cheeky glance to the side before I drop into a corner after a straight and it usually has kept me out of trouble. People diving down the inside and slamming on the anchors is usual behaviour but I must say I've never witnessed a black flag waved

What you have said about it being a cash cow is interesting. No limits put forward a proposal to put in a second intermediate group in and knock sessions down to 15mins. Everyone said it was a terrible idea as most sessions get red flagged at the start so you'll loose out more. The last TD I did seemed to have very high numbers which made me think they'd increased numbers instead but I'm not sure the track owners would allow this on a health and safety basis.

Anyway I only say what I see. It can't be easy organising and running a track day. I got ****ed off at the last TD mainly because the bike fell over in the van that morning (my fault) and I'd come off in the morning aswell. I kept getting cut up all day, I got carved up by 3 people on the last corner before the straight (one of which was my friend) and it was the third session from the end of the day. I pretty much csme to a stop on the outside of the corner as I was pushed out so wide and when I signaled to the marshal nothing was done. So I pulled in the pits and packed up.