I rode a NESBA full weekend track event at Gingerman Raceway last weekend. First off, NESBA runs a first-class event. The control riders are extremely helpful, and they show true enthusiasm towards helping developing riders with technique.
Gingerman is a technical 1.9 mile road course. It is not a high speed course...no long straights. I was only able to get a top speed of 100-105 mph on the front straight. The fast riders on fast bikes might get up to 130 mph. The track is paved in three sections, so there are two seams that flank the center paved section. The seams make the corners a bit unnerving, but it's best to ignore them as much as possible and cross them at an angle rather than running parallel with the seams. I have only ridden on one track prior, Blackhawk Farms, so the seams, cold track, and unfamiliarity with the course led to slow first Saturday sessions.
During the lunch break one of the CRs took time to teach me his style of body positioning and throttle control. The session immediately after the tips, I showed instant improvement and knocked off over 2 seconds off my previous best lap times. The remainder of Saturday just got better.
Sunday started off slow again. Temperatures were cool in the morning...upper 50s, lower 60s...and the track was wet with dew. As the track warmed up, I started to wick up the pace. Taking Saturday's revelations into account, I was able to keep up riders that were consistently pulling away from me the day before. One section of the track, turns 7-10, just clicked with me. I was able to gain ground on other riders consistently through this section. My increased confidence led to increased corner entrance speeds, and I learned to let the gap between me and the rider in front of me increase, brake later than the rider in front of me, carry more speed into the corners and get good drive out of the corners. I was actually able to gain ground on the front straight on much more powerful bikes...what a great feeling!
I still have a ways to go with body position in particular. But small improvements in body position, throttle control, smoothness in braking instantly translated into better lap times. It's all very encouraging.
If you have the opportunity to ride on the track...do it. If you do it, sign up with NESBA. It is a first-class organization. You will learn more from talking with and following control riders than you will from enrolling in a track school. If you can do both weekend days, do it. I feel I made huge improvements because I was able to get familiar with the track on Saturday and build upon that knowledge on Sunday.
Can you tell I'm hooked? You will be too. Just don't blame me for the huge dent in your checkbook, paying for trackdays and tires.
And now for some photos...
Gingerman track map
Me trying to catch a TL1000R. I was actually able to get a good drive and gain ground on him on the front straight.
Leaning into a corner.
Trying to get away from an Aprilia RS250. I must have been doing something right...he never showed me a wheel.
Trying to get a good drive onto the front straight.
[ This message was edited by: chitownG60 on 2006-09-19 23:23 ]
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