I ran at Mid-Ohio school yesterday. I must say it was the most fun and intense experience of my life. No cops, no gravel, no animals, no excuses. It really allows a rider to focus and sharpen skills and not worry about the environment.
There were 4-5 riders per coach and we ran 20 minute heats working on technique and drills. There were 5 levels/groups in the novice class so you got to run with a pack at the right pace.
The coaches were amazing at track and pack management. If somebody was slow or fast they would swoop out and run then to the right pack and direct traffic. It makes you realize how much you have to learn when a coach is looking backwards watching you and it's all you can do you keep up with him/her
My major take aways
1. If you look at it you will drive to it. I had a panic situation and I glanced at the outer edge of a corner then turned my head inside and picked my spot and the bike ran on a rail.
2. Trust your bike as it is faster than you are. I got to build confidence and learn my machine progressively to the point I could have been dragging knees if I popped it out.
3. Once your in a corner you are committed. If you throttle chop you will be in way more trouble than holding the throttle steady and staring down your line.
I got to test all these out as well as the mechanics of riding. The street will never be the same after this and I'm going back for more. I got a lot of nods and respect for showing up with the Busa too. There is nothing like setting up a pass before the back straight and lighting up the throttle with the nose carrying 6 inches off the ground through 3rd gear.......then getting passed by the instructors son on a ninja 250 in the keyhole!
I got to use all of my tire finally! So if anybody was on the fence about a track day go do it!
There were 4-5 riders per coach and we ran 20 minute heats working on technique and drills. There were 5 levels/groups in the novice class so you got to run with a pack at the right pace.
The coaches were amazing at track and pack management. If somebody was slow or fast they would swoop out and run then to the right pack and direct traffic. It makes you realize how much you have to learn when a coach is looking backwards watching you and it's all you can do you keep up with him/her
My major take aways
1. If you look at it you will drive to it. I had a panic situation and I glanced at the outer edge of a corner then turned my head inside and picked my spot and the bike ran on a rail.
2. Trust your bike as it is faster than you are. I got to build confidence and learn my machine progressively to the point I could have been dragging knees if I popped it out.
3. Once your in a corner you are committed. If you throttle chop you will be in way more trouble than holding the throttle steady and staring down your line.
I got to test all these out as well as the mechanics of riding. The street will never be the same after this and I'm going back for more. I got a lot of nods and respect for showing up with the Busa too. There is nothing like setting up a pass before the back straight and lighting up the throttle with the nose carrying 6 inches off the ground through 3rd gear.......then getting passed by the instructors son on a ninja 250 in the keyhole!
I got to use all of my tire finally! So if anybody was on the fence about a track day go do it!
