And why have you got a bee in your bonnet about this? Is this the way you treat your "mates"? Air your feelings in a public forum? nice.
Interesting opinion you have there. I'm honestly gobsmacked that you, Etherion have had a rant on the internet over a couple of your mates without actually speaking to us. Probably says more about you than us. As you have made these comments on a public forum, it's only fitting that I respond to them in the same fashion. To everyone else: I was one of the guys on that Rockingham day running wets during the afternoon. Let's get the full story for context here, shall we? The forecast was for rain for the latter half of the day and bang on cue, the rain came lashing it down during the last session before lunch. So I got on my road bike with road tyres and rode the 35 miles home. I then hopped on my other road bike – an MoT'd CBR6, taxed, with headlights, number plate and mirrors and rode back to the circuit. Yes, I was on wets. (they were great on the road in the rain btw!) As expected a lot of people had already left by the time I'd returned. During the afternoon it continued to chuck it down and even more people left. Indeed, the deluge was so prolonged they closed the circuit for a while as it was flooded and not draining. There was barely anybody on track as most had – understandably – simply packed up and gone home rather than risk a few horrible laps in poor visibility and torrential, slippery conditions. I went out with my mate (who was also on a road bike with lights, number plate, indicators and wets) and I don't recall seeing more than six other riders in each session, and two of those were instructors… While it's debatable that wets aren't strictly in the 'spirit' of the Bike trackdays (there's no hard and fast rule, only that you ride to the circuit on a road bike – no vans or tyre warmers are allowed on site) neither is not going out at all if it's raining. I would suggest that, as long as you ride to the circuit on a road bike with lights and number plate, you're good to go. If you have wets on and no-one complains, then I fail to see what the issue is. What were we to do? Go home like 95% of the rest of the paying punters and stay home? Or get the nod from the organisers and go out with wets equipped on our ROAD BIKES on a near-empty track, bothering absolutely no-one? As mentioned by Mattmcc, there was plenty of space given to any peeps we passed in the advanced group. Hell, it was easy as it was a near-empty circuit and I have plenty of video footage to back that up. For the record, the Bike magazine Reclaim trackdays are nicely run events and well worth going to. When they first started out a few peeps turned up with vans and trailers, and they were initially let on circuit as the etiquette wasn't quite established and there was leeway for this. They have evolved to the point where they are now – no vans or trailers in sight and none are allowed. Maybe there are vans parked outside the circuit or a few miles down the road… who really knows? Who really cares if it has no impact whatsoever on them? Whatever, no one complained on the day that 50% of riders on circuit (ie, TWO) were using wets and no one fell off because of this fact. The bikes were road-insured ROAD BIKES with headlights, not bikes with race bodywork and no puppies were harmed. It's not 'cheating' as it's not racing. You cannot 'win'. It's a trackday. Wets were used so we could ride and learn, not 'win' through 'cheating'. I hope that clarifies things, and I hope that whatever chip you appear to have on your shoulder heals up. Peace.
I didn't come and rant at anyone. It was a discussion which I mentioned my opinions on road bike trackdays. It was not aimed at you or anyone else but the flaws that this concept presents. However, my views remain the same. For those who could have vanned it up, but didn't, or those who could have ran wets but didn't bring them, its not very fair though. Apologies if you found what i posted offensive, but it was not aimed at you or anyone else for that matter.
Pete, there's no need to stoke the flames :biggrin: Im just teasing, I hope all you guys have a really great day on Monday. i look forward to hearing the stories and seeing the pics
They'll be on later, well as soon as the AA manage to relay them back from Snetterton. Oh if only they were allowed to use wets an put the bike in a van..........
Weather started pretty awful but cleared up later. Too misty to start at 9.00am so a bit delayed. By the afternoon a dry line had appeared so it began to be fun. Several Ducatis there, including Dave748's 916 (I know!) and two Panigales. See a couple of photos from my phone below. A few people fell off, but nothing too serious. I had an excursion onto the grass at Oggies, but managed to keep it upright. Overall numbers were down, so there was loads of track time if you wanted it. On the whole a successful day I think. No more track days for me until March or April.
Well what a great day :biggrin: ....... no honest. My day started at 06.00 when i could not quiet make out the world out side. Apart from being pitch black at this time of year it was also so foggy it was quiet funny and i found myself thinking "do i have to go to Snetterton" :frown: So once i was all set to go i rode out of my village nice and quiet ....... on to the the joy that is the A14, yes that's right the road that features in more stories than your local MP. It was a nightmare wet, mist , fog , BIG trucks with way to many fog lights made the trip to the circuit a chore in it's self. However as someone once said " it beats working on a Monday morning " well maybe just. So on arrival at the track i was greeted by fog, yep we could just make out the circuit ! The briefing was very good, an made everyone ( i think ) feel at ease about the day even with the poor weather conditions on hand. After a while the circuit opened and it was time to take to the track, session 1 was more of a get round in one piece kind of ride but still more fun tan the A14. Session two again the track was still wet but the ContiSport Attack tyres that were fitted on Saturday were so good i felt quiet happy with them, two friends were there both on Panigales and had to adjust the traction and various other things tat they had access to on there bikes. Pete1950 was looking like he was having a great time in the "fast" group and his bike was ideal for the conditions today. I was also glad that i only have about 98 BHP on tap instead of the 150+ that some folk there had today as it allowed me to enjoy the day rather than worry about being flown over the bike. after lunch i only done one session as i had to get back to the reality of collecting the children from school but i ad a great time covering just under 80 miles on track. I also attended one of the classroom sessions about moving your body weight which i found interesting and also helpful, as hanging of the bike is something i have never felt te need to do, however on track it does make sense. So was it worth the £89 yep every penny. Yes there were one of two people who had trailers but i don't blame them, one chap had come from Cumbria which was a 6 hour drive in the wet but on the day he rode his road registered bike around the track and had a good time, which at the end of the end of the day is what it is all about.
Glad you guys had a nice time, shame the misty conditions affected things a bit. The weather was a bit grim when they had their Bike day at Snetterton earlier in the year. One day I'll ride at Snetterton in glorious warm sunshine. Ive been there four times now and its been grey or really cold, all four times :biggrin:
Well done to you guys. I didn't bother with the 120 mile ride in fog and darkness. I have done 2 wet track days this year and with a 6 week old bike, I decided to give it a miss. Roll on next year and some decent weather!
Glad you guys had a good time! I was wondering how you'd get on when I woke up to the mist yesterday morning, but it cleared up fairly well so guessed it would be ok. And Dave the A14 might be crap but that poxy bit of the A11 from Barton Mills to Thetford is worse IMO.
