For sure! First time working with Buse this weekend (I was on the white 675R); top notch guy! And Shawn has always been a source of great advice since I started attending STT events. To that end, I've never had a bad experience with an STT coach. NCM was an awesome track. A few areas that are pretty damn scary but you just have to commit and trust the track hasn't moved since the last lap ;-)
thanks for the kind words. the pleasure was all mine. seeing the smiles on your faces and the improvements throughout the day is why we do it. you did great this weekend and hope too see you out there again soon. the next event you go to be sure to look me up.
I had an awesome weekend!! I ran both days and being my first time there, Saturday was learning the track but by lunch time I was figuring it out. By Sunday, I had gear selection down for the most part and continued to improve my times. I was very happy with them and as typical with me, scored my best in the 3rd session Sunday. Unfortunately, session 6 I had a minor lowside. Me and my gear were barely scuffed (slower turn) but as soon as my bike hits those rocks it took a sandblasting. As my bike was off track and I knew I couldn't lift it, I jogged to the tire wall so the session could continue. Much to my surprise, a corner worker crossed a hot track (when it was clear for him, of course) and in total awe this dude took to my bike to get it up and out of the way. I was a good football field away maybe.... and then proceeded to get lip from him because I didn't come out to help him. Really???? With a hot track? If I had known I could have stayed, I would have. Maybe if I crashed more I'd know that was standard protocol to stay with the bike and try your darnest to get it up and out of the way. But then I'd been yelled at for that too, I bet. At riders meeting, they say get away from the bike if I can't lift it (I can't) and myself to a safer zone. When the crash truck came, there were 2 real men on there that could have easily manhandled a 400 pound sportbike alone. Anyway a learning experience for sure. Communication is crossing there. That corner worker hated his job.
I had a blast riding with you all day and you kept getting better as the day went on. I love the bike you are riding. Those Daytona 675R are awesome...See you at barber the end of june.
I don't think the cornerworkers or staff at NCM have had much experience doing that as of yet. I saw the guy working on getting your bike up and that was not the place to be. only a few feet off the track right in the lowside zone. IMO a corner worker should never go onto a hot track. That is how people REALLY get hurt. Late in the day sunday, somebody lost a piece of fairing about the size of a softball on the main straight away and I saw one of the workers watching for bikes and run out onto the straight away to grab the piece of fairing. There is no way you could get me to do that. IMO, You did the right thing by getting as far away from the track as you can. Glad you were uninjured as well.
Thank you. I, too, believe going onto a hot track at any time is not a wise thing to do. "GO" and "NO" was confusion that killed someone at Barber. Even "all clear" and "not clear" can sound similar over a walkie talkie with motorcycles running on track. I understand trying to save time and get a bike "ready" to be loaded onto a crash truck but I firmly do not believe it saved much time at all digging it out instead of waiting for 2 much larger guys/more manpower at the risk of being in an impact zone.
it's not a matter of opinion....YOU DO NOT GO ONTO A HOT TRACK. period. In 2009 at barber a corner worker went onto the track right outside charlottes web, both him and the rider were killed immediately. the corner workers body was dismembered and in many pieces. http://www.roadracingworld.com/news...track-both-killed-at-barber-motorsports-park/ for everyones sake from here on out this has to be addressed.
You did the right thing. A 'chewing' is still better than a hospital or mortuary visit... I too saw the debris on the front straight, and immediately pitted to let them no so they could either throw out the yellow or red flags to clear it. Was totally shocked to see them out clearing it while the track was still hot.
Hope they change policy on the corner workers. I applaud their commitment and enthusiasm however a few minutes less time to keep them safe is a given. NEVER cross a hot track. I was on track when the corner worker got hit at Barber (not sure where the dismembered part comes from). It was a needless and terrible loss of two great people. Leave it or toss a red please corner workers. At a minimum you need a spotter if anyone has their back to the track and you did the right thing Sherry. I will gladly give up a bit of time to keep another rider and crew safe. Kind of like the late pass if you have any question don't.
I was spectating near turn 3 when all this occurred. while S was on the wall, a corner worker was in the gravel, very close to the turn (from my vantage point) for a WHILE, seemingly looking for something as the A group continued to roll at pace. I was astounded. it was a perfect spot to get a bike in the shins at high speed. I saw a few other WTF situations re: corner workers: loudly talking as a group during riders' meeting BOTH DAYS well within earshot of us; a bicycle near track while we were waiting on hot pit to go out, again, seemingly looking for something (but not even on the track) while pit out was waving at her to GTF off. I guess it was a bunch of newer people; normally the FBF group is solid at any track. I realize it can't be perfect all the time, but damn.
As I tell my girlfriend about not using turtles as your reference points, I hear "you mean it's like the animals are playing real life Mario Kart with you!". Awesome novice meetings.
That's hilarious! I can't believe I didn't think of that reference before reading she did! I'll throw my two cents in to say it was an awesome weekend too. The walls are a little noticeable but not particularly dangerous as I was a little concerned about. Props to STT for the efforts to keep us safe and identifying problem areas and NCM for listening and trying to increase safety factor. Still needs a little work but so far so good! Agreed with the above posts regarding corner workers needing a little more experience. A hot track is just as uncrossable as a blend line, DON'T DO IT! They're working at it though, case in point the positioning of the checkered flag I think. Saturday I would see the white flag or checkered on the front straight but never once saw it towards the end of the lap. Must have been in a weird/easily missed station which would explain all the blown checkers and that they re-positioned it for Sunday. And thanks to Dave, the advanced coach for helping me learn the place. I had to miss the first session Saturday and asked him to lead me around a bit the second session and he made sure I was in touch for a couple laps at a good pace to help me get acquainted. Unbeknownst to him he helped me ramp my pace up on Sunday as he came by me on the front straight and I did my damnedest to keep him in sight for a lap STT remains fantastic and since NCM has supplanted Barber as my closest track they'll be seeing a lot of me there!
Another thumbs up from me for a great weekend! I had a fantastic time, thoroughly enjoying all 16 sessions Once all the kinks get ironed out and the facilities are finished, this place is going to be top notch! I am so glad to have it so close to home
I had just the opposite experience on the white/checkered flag situation. On Saturday, I always saw the one on the back side of the track. On Sunday, after they moved it, I didn't see it and blew the Checkered flag not once, but TWICE. I've been riding since 2005 on the track and this is the first time I've ever blown a checkered flag......guess I'm making up for lost time doing it twice in one day!
I am with you Vern...I actually had an easier time seeing the flags in turn 12 than in turn 16... I didn't blew the checkered though... :bolt:
Same here! :cheers: I think the flag station at 12 is closer to the track and it's further off at 15. I saw it better at 12. I always made sure I knew what flying at the end of the straight. If it was white I knew checkered would be coming up on the back. My N rider coach on Sun blew it and the whole group followed him, LOL! Well, except me :hat: I don't think anyone even noticed; they must have JUST thrown it when we were going by.
I saw them both, must be my slow pace ound: Loved the track and things will get even better. PLEASE put a bug in their ear to allow people to walk the cold track. It would be so much more valuable on checking runoff than even a slow sighting lap. I could understand no bicycles or requiring a helmet etc. but on foot at a minimum would be sweet. Of course allowing bicycles would be nice also. Help them avoid the Barber mentality on that item early :nod: (did a track WALK at Barber twice and it was super valuable).
Well, you blew that flag because you were paying attention to my horrible lines. First time I blow a checkered too but found out you don't get yelled that much when you have a CR that blows it with you (seriously, I did not see that flag, too far in and has a tree in the background) Thanks to STT for another awesome event at NCM, and many many thanks to Vern for the help on my last session of the day. STT CR's are the best! :thumb:
they let us walk it fri night. we didn't finish before it was too dark, but walking the first 3/4 helped A LOT. those tires on the sides? they're both roped and bolted together and brand new! maybe they're 2nd's and unsellable. another cool thing: drain grates along sides of track.