Hey folks, What do you think if we share our RFs? I'm normally too lazy to focus on each RF but this year I really want to improve and W/O points there is no room for improvements. We can even ask STT to store them along with the regular map.:thumb: Thanks
the reference points for novice will be different from I and from advanced. however with that said, yes I walked road Atlanta with a very fast advanced rider and some of that persons points really helped me. coming out of 1 uphill look at the tree it makes a great reference point, along the back straight there was/is an outhouse that is a good visual marker (take it slow first lap to make sure it is there) at tally coming out of 4 (right hander) look at the corner work stand, coming out of three up the hill at Barber the tower etc etc. but these are more visual reference points than markers. so if you are actually talking turn in, breaking, throttle on etc markers, I think they are to personal (think pace and riding style) to really share. again I am sure an advanced rider on a kaw Ex500 would have totally different markers than a GSXR600 advanced rider. but just a novice riders idea. maybe totally different for I and A riders.
I use the patches on the track and the curbing for turn in points. These are the ref. points i received from some coaches and a few from different orgs. Barbers turn 1 i use the second patch and turn in there. Turns 3-4 i aim for the corner worker stand/ curbing at turn 4. For turn 5 i tend to turn in at the last three colors of the curbing. Down the middle straight toward the museum turn... i turn in at the patch on the ground (turn 7 i think). Through 7 and 8 for 9/10 the chicane i use the pole to the right as my reference. Into turn 11 i turn in just after brake marker 1. Then out to the edge of the curbing top of the hill at 13 aiming for the 3rd white hash mark from 13 to 14s apex. I then swing out to just inside the second tar snake and look for the first part of the curbing for 15 and as soon as i see it i turn in ( this is just where i turn in). then from 15 to 16 i use the outside curbing and turn in at the last 4 color/stripes, but sometimes i must adjust my line when passing or i blew 15 lol. This is the basic way i get around Barbers. Not saying its the best but its how i do it till i get better and faster. For now it allows me to be a midpack intermediate.
I guess I'm rare? In my head, I knew where some of the reference points are but in reality I don't pay them any attention. Like, I see them in my peripheral (such as actual brake markers)... maybe I do subconsciously use them?! I pay attention to the track only. I did observe reference points as I moving up the ranks but now, nope. Could be a street bike rider habit.
This is what I do but I need to focus on these markers if I want to move to Advance. If you have them clear in your mind you just need to follow them and go faster with much less effort. Riding on the street doesn't really help getting faster on the track :fear:
Also have to mention dont rely on them on the first lap... The Patch in T-1 at Road Atlanta was repaired and lengthened a couple years back... Boy that was a fun time going in there in the AM......
On a serious note... I asked similar questions at Pro-Day last year and my consensus is... Only use other people reference points as an idea... Ultimately one guys reference point depends on his riding style, entry speed, braking style, bike, and comfort level. One thing that I found helpful for me was also talking to a guy with a similar power bike and riding level... We discussed gear selection and shifting points around the track... It was very helpful for me... I could never get out of a couple corners as hard as him and after discussing I found that he was at the top of 2nd gear (out of the meat of the power band) while I was into 3rd (struggling with the power band and traction)... ehh again just things I think about.