Triumphrat

banda

I was using a brand new set of Metzeler Sportec M1s at 34 front, 38 rear. Track temperature never got above 70 degrees F.

The tires had not been scrubbed in, but were ready to go after two laps. I have scrubbed in other tires at the track before, and these scrubbed in quicker and better than anything except a rain tire. No slips.

Gateway International is a very flat, three gear track with no really heavy braking zones. It rewards flow, and spatial awareness. It's surrounded with concrete walls in dumb places - typical Nascar oval. So you have to have confidence to go fast there. I've seen guys crash there, not from running wide and hitting a wall, but because they panicked thinking they were going to run wide and hit a wall.

Supermoto and dirt track take that fear right out of you. Sort of. :wink:

(edit to correct tire model - what's a Z1?)

[ This message was edited by: banda on 2006-11-01 16:07 ]

Will

Sounds like you have the tires dialed in well. Those are very similar pressures to what I was using for Pilot Powers last time out in similar temperatures. The track sounds like scary fun. Was that where the picture was taken?

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Will
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banda

Yeah. Here's an overhead view. Gateway International Raceway

The road course uses the front straight (on the left in the image) and then cuts down off the banking into the infield. That transition is at abou 115 if you're doing it right, and there's a big concrete retaining wall on the outside of the corner, with minimal runoff.

There are more retaining walls at the outside of the decreasing radius right hander at the top of the infield.

You go back up on the banking briefly in the upper right part of the picture, but drop back down to the pit road to come back to the main straight. There's an artificial chicane right before you get back on the banking for the front straight. It's there to slow riders down so they don't hit the transition to the banking at full speed. If you hit the banking at the wrong angle, it will bounce you out of your seat.

Tons of runoff by dirt track standards. Many road racers hate it.