Since no one else started a thread I figured I'd get the ball rolling. After my crash on Sunday, K3 and I talked about a lesson that we now have both learned the hard way. If your bike does something wrong, never think "oh, it was something on the track" or "oh, must be cold tires." Because if you do, you'll wind up being the jackass that only makes it to turn 4 on the first lap of the first session of the first group of the day. Turned out that my bike was leaking coolant (still working on figuring out the cause) into my bellypan, so when I turned it would spray it onto the rear tire. The rear slid out on me in turn two and my first thought was that it was a combo of cold tires, cold track, and some dampness left over from the cold night. I was taking it easy after that, but I really should have called the session a bust and nursed the bike back to the pits (or in an ideal world, if I knew fluid was the problem I should've gotten off of the track). Second lesson: Just because your bike worked fine 16 hours ago doesn't mean you shouldn't inspect it before heading out. So for those that didn't already hear it: My apologies again to all of the intermediate guys for taking up your time, and I really sincerely am sorry if my Engine Ice caused issues for anyone else later in the day. Now, the main event: [YOUTUBE]-yaS4g8Tf9E[/YOUTUBE] I only slid, but when my bike smacked into me it knocked my camera off of my helmet. Kudos to Tim and everyone else behind me for dodging me. PS: If anyone in the group behind me captured this on video please post it up.
Soreness all around today, but that's all. All of my gear did its job, including my airbag vest which saved my noggin' from a good smack on the ground.
Would it be too much to ask for a gear crash review? Ive been seriously considering a air vest myself.
I will say, thats pretty awesome. I wish someone would do that for novices. What did you use for a camera?
I've recorded it with Canon VIXIA HF M500. This camera can do much better... Lens were dirty and footage is not 100% clear Actually my buddy was doing his first track day on Sunday and I've got some footage of him in Novice group. Hopefully you can find yourself there. Here's the video: [YOUTUBE]hxYzm3tiKVk[/YOUTUBE] I think he did pretty well on his first track day
I'll take some photos in the next day or so, but the airbag vest probably saved me from a concussion. The top rear vent on my helmet broke apart when I hit the ground, but aside from that it only received a little scuff. Without the big 'ol ring of air around my neck when I hit the ground it probably would have been a direct hit.
Session 7 I group Sunday Sound is all weird, like digitized. No idea why, it only occurs on this one. :shrug: [YOUTUBE]j4YDYBnk6Hc[/YOUTUBE] I have 3-6 waiting to be uploaded.
No, but I noticed one on the tail of the Yellow CBR and gave it the finger :bounce: for pulling away on the straights
Nice! Love this idea. Noticed myself just a few times RIGHT before you'd cut it. lol. That is a pretty awesome thing to do for your friend. Im thinking i may have to try and get a camera and have a buddy do the same next season.
My speed record in grass - Saturday I group PS: I know, I could take better line...I totally $&^%^&% this corner and couldn't lay the bike any more [YOUTUBE]k6To6VjJEfQ[/YOUTUBE]
Mike, looks like you weren't really trail braking there, which, as you found out, can make it tricky to guess your entry speed perfectly, and if you're wrong... well... I guess you already saw what happens then. But if you add trail braking to your skill set you'd be able to scrub speed during that entire turn and probably would have been able to get the bike slowed enough to stay on track. This is one of those topics that's better explained in person, grab a coach next time and express your desire for an explanation.
You gave up on that corner way too early again! You did miss the apex but you could have just held your line with the same corner radius you already had going and would have stayed on track. Trailbraking would be ideal but you could have made it by leaning the bike a little more or even just keeping it the same. Glad you're okay.