I had a blast at Monticello, both days, even though there were lots of people crashing on the South course. It was small, tight and technical, moderate elevation changes. The North course was friggin awesome! I think only two riders went down all day. Lots of elevation change, long straights, and smooth sweepers. I was happy running counterclockwise since I finally got to wear down the left side of my tire. I was going to bag it for the season but now I might have to check out the full course in October! The only things I didn't like was the lack of parking (they should pave the upper lot) and the inability to cook (grille) sucked too. Oh, and there was realistically nothing in the town of Monticello to do, eat, etc. Other than that, the facility is cool and the people were friendly.
I had a great time too. I love Monticello. Side question: does anyone remember who the photographer was on the South course? Thanks.
Both tracks are fantastic in their own way. Can't wait to see them put together for Columbus day. It'll be interesting to see if they still run the North course counter-clockwise. I loved the stretch on North from the hairpin to the chicane (which was a trip, and really fun when I figured it out), and the Esses after the back straight, which really let me explore side grip. I hope to see Monticello on the schedule lots of times next year, with similar holiday & weekend dates. Jim ( the guy with the Green Hawk)
I also had a GREAT time at that track. Wonderful facility. Here is the link to the photog: http://eventphotonow.com/index2.php
Monticello North - My new favorite track. Awesome track with everything you could ask for - long back straight, elevation changes, blind turns, wicked tight tuns, flawless pavement and a great bunch of guys and gals. Can't wait for the Full course!
How was the run off/safety of the North course? Is it worth bringing a fast bike, or better suited for SV's and under? The way it sounds, I kind of wish they would just run the North layout in October.
I unfortunately didn't run North with STT yesterday, but I did it with TPM in August. They ran it clockwise, so I'm sure it was a completely different experience yesterday. I've been to all the Pocono tracks, both NJMP's, Shenandoah, and now both Monticello's, and the North course is definitely my favorite of them all. BigDaddy said it....it has everything you want in a track (IMO).
Definitely the best track in the north east by far. Hats off to David for deciding to run it counter clockwise, the run up to the chicane was insane. Oh what planet is Doug Polen from? did anyone else see how late he was braking into turn one? on a Ducati demo bike no less. I cant wait to run the full course in oct. Kevin
I had a blast on both of my bikes(GSXR750 and my good looking ZX-9). The only 2 crashes I know of were one at the end of the back straight which leads to the South course (so it was all pavement there) and another I witnessed first hand of a guy who ran wide in the esses and kept the front brake on when he went into the grass so he never made it to the tire wall. The speeds thru the esses is not too fast. However I don't think I would want to race there. Even though Kevin, some guy in purple/black leathers and I were kind of racing with each other.
Not only is he fast as hell but I did not see the guy shift even once. Ofcourse the only time I was behind him was when he was out there teaching someone not when he was out there by himself making us all look slow.
I'm curious to know who and how someone in the Advanced group managed to knock the apex cone of the 2nd "s" turn onto the track? I went around it out but then the next lap, it was right in the middle of the track!
I'm not sure if that is a backhanded remark or not. I am guilty of taking out the cone at the top of the chicane twice. I was running the same line as Doug Polen over the paint but my legs are a little longer than his. I did notice that the corner worker finally got wise to it and put it further down and more inside eventually.
Just follow me I can show you how, LOL. On one lap I hit a cone in the chicane with my shoulder and on another I missed half the the chicane and ran down the hill on the left and back onto the back strait, it might not be the fast line but it gets everyone behind you to check up. right Frank. K
Yeah, I definately checked up on that one so did the guy in the purple/black leathers. Unfortunately for us it did not slow you down.
Had a great time this weekend. Much preferred North over the South Course. North was a blast to ride!! Monday also had less yahoos in the intermediate group Sunday during an afternoon intermediate session someone decided to exit at the very last minute, almost stopping in the middle of the straight!!! NO signal nothing, he later claimed "I thought I missed the checker flag and saw someone get off so I got off the course". So why did the same guy do the same thing, during the morning session as well? It could have been VERY UGLY!!!!! Not sure about what the full course would be like, I don't think my lil' sv650 would care for the extra long straight.
Yeah I remember him. We tried to coach him but he was a little tough, to say the least. Those moves should have been grounds for some retraining in the classroom. Very Dangerous! I wish you showed me or one of the other coaches the video right after that happened so we could have dealt with him ASAP. He really needs his peepee smacked. I volunteer you. But seriously that was inexcusable. Sorry you had to deal with that.
it was brought to the attention of one of the control riders, who wrote it off to " oh you know how it gets in the afternoon......" we did not show him the video at the time, there was no interest in seeing it..... we were also then dealing with packing up a friend's (Alan) truck/bikes, he was the one that got flown to the hospital. BTW my boyfriend approached the rider that exited improperly, to speak with him, wasn't nasty at all to him... and the guy just didn't "get it" at all! He couldn't comprehend how dangerous he really was. Hope that guy doesn't learn the lesson a different way next time, resulting in someone else getting hurt. Personally, I don't think he belongs on the track at all, if he can't follow such a basic rule.
Personally, I don't think he belongs on the track at all, if he can't follow such a basic rule.[/quote] agree 100%