First off I will tell you a bit about myself. I plan on signing up for Barber next month and have never done a track day with STT. I have done Barber 5 times with NESBA and other organizations. 3 of them in the I group. Got bumped to I by NESBA. If I remember correctly my laps were around 1:49 to 1:51 depending on traffic. Even though I did not feel like I was ready to move up the CR's with NESBA talked me into it. The first session in I ended up getting my fastest lap ever. I felt really good but here is the thing, I had a bad accident on the street a little over 3 yrs ago and have not done a track day nor very much street riding in the past 3 1/2 yrs. I really thought I had completely lost it until riding up to the Dragons Tail recently and although I know its not the track nor should it be ridden like it is I felt pretty darn good (Like riding a bike. Haha) and the street has always worried me more than the track and the street is where I went down. As for the questions..... I had thought I would sign up in the B group until I went to the mountains and realized the crash did not spook me as much as I thought but now I waited too long and the I group is sold out. 1) Do you think I will be ok in B? 2) If so any suggestions if I find myself being held up? (With NESBA I would just line up in the front) 3) Can you pass on the outside in B? 4) Will I have to attend all classroom sessions? 5) Is there any chance of being bumped to the I group with it being sold out? Before anyone jumps on me, all the questions are mainly due to some friends of mine talking me into ridding in the B group with them at Jennings. It was a freaking mess!! Honestly I am not blaming the B guys but it was more the fault of so diverse of riders being out there at the same time. Some first time track guys, some mid to front B guys, Back mid and front I guys and prob even a couple A guys. Needless to say it was nerve racking and I went back to I. Yes I got passed some and I passed some but did not have bottle necks at every corner looking like I-285 in Atl during rush hour like there was in B. Thanks for any input!!!!
First things first..........Welcome to STT! I think that riding in the B group would be a good thing, especially given the fact that you haven't done much riding in the last 3 1/2 years and zero track days in that time. Given the fact that you have been on the track and do have a moderate amount of experience, we would most likely put you in the "Advanced Novice group......1 or 2. This would require you to attend a couple of the classroom sessions and if you look good and we feel comfortable turning you loose, you would be free to ride on your own in the B group for the rest of the day. Of course we would be available for help anytime you needed or wanted it during the day. You would be allowed to do outside passing on the corners, but nothing on the inside. We have a six foot passing rule also, and this is for the safety of both the rider being passed as well as the rider doing the passing. One of the techniques that we try to use is that if you find yourself in a lot of traffic and getting tied up a bit without being able to pass;.........do a tactical hot pit and let the traffic clear out and get some open track. I honestly think that you would do just fine in the B group and if there was an opening in the I and we felt that you could easily ride there, we could bump you also. I look forward to meeting you and hopefully you will come out and have a great time with us.
Well it looks as though I will be doing a different event with you guys. B is sold out now. I waited too long. Maybe RA in Oct. Damn!!
There is no Road Atlanta in October, but there is a Barber in late October and Tally in early Sept, if it isn't already sold out too.
keep a watch on the "events for sale or trade section in this forum. ive seen quite a few barber spots for sale lately. welcome to stt. Ive done trackdays with multiple org's but stt is the best one for me, i like the sense of family and how easy they are to work with you on things . keep looking for a spot for sale and i will see you at Barber. please stop by and say hello. i will be in a 7x16 vnose trailer with numbr 21 and sportbike tracktime decals all over it. stt is much better at allowing riders to ride at their skill level even in novice, stt's novice rules are very simular to NES_A's I class , after the first couple of sessions being paced and both giving you a safe chance to warm up and them a chance to observe your skill level,they will pretty much turn you lose to ride at your pace. I ride in A group and despite many A riders being very fast, you will find that STT riders are much more courteous than i have witnessed at nesba events. We all like the idea of going home with both the bike and us in one piece .
It appears I will be able to go at least Sunday. Found an intermediate spot. I have done Barber 5 times but have always stayed at a hotel and would like to save a little money this time by staying in my trailer. Do you know Barber's rules on this? Price, time I would have to be there by on Friday etc? Also do they allow drilling in the pits? Look forward to meeting and riding with you guys!!!
Oh also if I don't find a spot for Saturday could I come anyway and maybe have a last minute shot at one at the track?
Aah, now I see what you are looking at. That is the new track that is being built..........Atlanta Motorsports Park.........or AMP. It is still under construction and most like will be done for next year's track days........not this year. And, it is a TOTALLY different track than Road Atlanta. I's say that unless a miracle happens, there won't be a T.D. there until spring next year.........hopefully!
Wow I had not heard anything about that. I am going to have to look into that. More tracks close to home.
Camping in your trailer is no problem, I believe it was $25 for electric hookup when we went in March. They have a strict rule against charcoal based grills in the paddock, but you can cook with propane. (After what happened at AB this weekend, where someone threw coals that they thought were burnt out into a garbage can and it caught fire, I can understand the charcoal rule!) Enjoy!