I've done a few track days at Donington recently. I normally go into the inters where ever I go; but couldn't keep up with the pace of late at Donington. Not sure if I'm too slow for the inters there; or whether the sessions were just flooded with fast guys lately... Plenty of racers in all groups... So here are my Donington specific thoughts for what group people should be in? Over 2 min laps - Novice Gp 1:50 - 2 mins - Inters Gp 1:40 - 1:50 - Fast Gp under 1:40 - should be racing ! ACU Gp My best at Donington is now 1:53... I'm Thinking that inter should be about right, but I didn't over-take anyone all day at that pace... Is that normal, or should I be in the novice group at that pace? Cheers, Bob
Book novice then ask to go out with an instructor on the second session, he can then advise you on where you should be. You may be able to move up a group if necessary. Either way you can grab a tow from the instructor, which in turn may bring your pace up a little anyway
You say you didn't overtake anybody, but did many overtake you? If not then you are in the right group. I would stick in the inters and ask an instructor for some help, you might find its not long before you are in the fast group
Loads over took me, but many of them were ACU guys getting in some Donington practice before the WSB support races, so not sure it was a "normal" track day... I'll stick with inters, but would be keen to see what other riders' times are in the novice and quick group. Specifically for Donington... I know we are not meant to time track days, but stranger things have happened
No idea. Dine three sessions in heavy wet and thats it. I'm in fast on a multi if that helps at the DUK day,l.because its the safest group
Before a Easy Track went belly up I was one of the senior instructors, Iv also instructed for Focused Events over the years on and off. Inters group is always full of people who shouldn't be in there. Always either too slow of too fast. Infact, Inters is probably the most dangerouse group to be in. I'd knock it back a bit and concentrate on getting your lines right at a slower pace. Being in the right place at the right time is crutial. Once you have nailed your lines and apexes etc your speed will come. You'll be safer too. If you feel comfortable in Inters, then I'd stay there, but sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward just my 2 pence ;-)
having pushed the multi a little today, am feeling a little wary of Donny, as its a long way from bars to front wheel..
Yep... Good advice... I don't mind dropping a group... A long long time ago I used to ride in the fast group ( but not at Donington; never got on with it...) So I'm either getting slower as I get older, or the new kids are just bloody quick... We did Portimao in Inters in 2011, which I thought was too quick... So I dropped down to novice for Aragon in 2012; over took everyone except my mate, and was told I should be in Inters ! Ran mid pack in Inters at Valencia last year, all ok... Booked up for Brno with NL in the Inters for this year... I'll see how I get on and drop down if I have too... That was all on my 748; so now on the 848 I thought that I could run mid pack in Inters; but obviously not... ;( Takes me an age to learn a track; by the time I get to learn it, it's the winter again I like the idea of everyone running transponders and then moving people around to suit the speed... FE used to do it, but I've not seen any of it this year... I know My body position is pants... That what I'll be working on this year...
I'm just gonna potter about when I go, if I even go out on track. No point chucking a new bike down the road.
Looks like I'm out Bike isn't going to make it and the only hire bikes they have left atm are Monsters. Had one as a loan bike once and it was nice and all, not sure I'd really enjoy running round a track on one though. Gutted!
I am in inters Hadnt been on track for 4 years and had used a IL4 before The pic of my avatar is me 4 years ago on that IL4 - am much slower at the moment Took my 748 to Oulton which I dont know well at all - ran in inters and initially was a total shock tbh By lunch I was just about holding my own Decided to get a trackbike and booked to do Croft, Donny (ducati day), Croft again and then Oulton on a roadbike day - all booked in inters Previously have run in Fast group on a dedicated track bike but inters seems ok at the mo! Just did the first Croft date and was one of the slowest in inters to start with but gradually picked up my pace - was first time on new trackbike and had all sorts of issues - also its an IL4 so v different to the ducs I have been riding during my 4 odd years away from track riding! TBH the way I see it is my lines are still good and I am not erratic. Where I am slow at the mo is I brake a little too early, coast a little bit and dont crack the throttle open soon / hard enough. It will come in time and with patience. By end of Croft I was overtaking a few but being overtaken as well Back on the 748 at Donny will be very different again but I havent got an ego and I am sure if the concensus is I am slow I will be moved down, if too fast (doubtful at the mo) will be moved up I am sure that you will be fine in inters ; if you find in the first session the pace too hot ask to move - there is no shame in this as after all its supposed to be fun! Cant wait for Donny!
just ride you're own pace, pretty wide circuit from what I saw last year. Ducati days also seem a little slower and more respectful IMO
Me, I'd go novice as I am polite. Thus I dont mind waiting to pass a slower rider safely. However I hate someone stuffing me up the inside on a corner which is what happens with a few of the faster guys in intermediate. I went in the fast group once and they have a higher percentage of patient and polite riders and you can get a good tow and learn about the right line. In the slow group you get the occasional fast guy who wants to win a race on a slow bike who stuffs you even though you breeze them on the straight. Plus slow guys who can create a log jam and cause havoc on their own. Basically it depends on the day and what riders are there. Theres swings and roundabouts to all the groups. I'm not quick enough for fast and I am not slow enough for novice but intermediate, for me, seems to be where the majority of tits are. What I will also point out is watch out for Coppice. Its a blind entry and the exit tightens. Craner curve scares the shit out of me and gives me a hard on at the same time. And Redgate can suck you in. But Coppice is a corner I am wary off, its easy to get it wrong. Have a great day.
Not being funny fella, but if you have ridden in the fast group wtf are you doing in novice?! Thus is whats wrong with a lot of TDs, people go all over the place!
In inters at Croft the other day there were loads of people who raced and were either in the wrong group as fast was full or were using as a testing day I think this is quite common tbh Don't think its common for faster people to go into Novice is it? The Nov group was really really slow the other day - it would have been a pointless exercise tbh to be in that group unless you were very new to track riding Would not go down into Novice unless was specifically told to do so for exactly this and the reason you mention Bradders
I used to ride in the fast group, however, I have since only done one track day in five years. Accordingly I have gone into the novice group for my next day. The road does not get you prepped for track speeds and I will need a lot of warm up. Agreed, I will move up if / as my mojo / confidence returns but I see no problem with starting slowly.
