way more likley to have fry days in Spain in March than portimao in November. Portugal is a beautiful, lush green country for the same reason England is….
Maybe. When I was euroing, i would plan Almeria early season (further south) Portimao/Jerez summertime, then Cart end session oct/nov/dec. No way would I go Portimao/Jerez early/end session. You might be ok, but I never wanted to take the chance, I'd rather roast than sit in the garage miserable watching the rain. I never had a euro washout.... Some of TD mates only got to do one per year, so we were very weather risk averse.
Several years ago before the UK left the EU (no Carnet required) we saw that we were going to get a wet day at Cartagena in February so I took a set of full wets as hold luggage, cost about £30 for 2 sets if wheels in wheel bags. Sent them back with the bike. Bought a black plastic bin liner to put on over the leathers and rode the whole day, just the 2 of us on track Andy
I do think everyone needs to make their own mind up on that though by going there and trying it. I was told by loads I would hate it, and while I wouldn't rate it as my favourite I did enjoy it and at my stage of riding it was really good for me as it focussed me on braking at lean etc and putting sections of corners together, the first 3 corners need to be attacked but the rest of the track has to flow. My mate was lapping 1:42-43's on a 1299 around there so it's definitely doable on a big bike!
Did my first day ever Euro at cartegena long time ago now, swore I’d never go back and haven’t but I agree everyone should decide for themselves and try all tracks, I wouldn’t go back to Almeria or Andalucia either, just not for me! But then some people don’t like silverstone!! I love it,along with Jerez,Porto, Muggelo! We’re all different and I’ve advised my lads to do Cartegena as they’re relatively inexperienced and on 600s so perfect for them, I shall be in the cafe!
Have you tried andalusia since they changed it. I did it last Feb, and doing it again this Feb. It's either there of almeria early in the year, to get a good chance if good weather.
I’m worried that Cartagena is a Spanish Mallory, but even Mallory was better the 2nd time I went. Not good by any stretch, but better. Whatever is sunny and similar to donington is the place for me.
Personally, I quite like Cartagena It's a riders track and once you have it dialled in, it flows really well and has a good mix of elevation and fast/slow corners both ways. It's one of the rare Spanish tracks where if you mess up one corner, it takes the next 4 or 5 to get back into that lap It's no Jerez, obviously, but still a good track and one where a 1000 doesn't offer a significant advantage over a 600 Like Almeria, it's generally dry most of the year too, and whereas Almeria is quite high up, so gets cold over the winter months, Cartagena is normally high teens / low 20's early season
Anyone doing Jerez next week? With Track Sense? I’ll be there. On this!! Can’t wait, 1st Euro in yonks!!
