The track is forgiving of small mistakes -- there is concrete/asphalt runoff on most corners past the curbing. However, big mistakes are bad -- at the end of those runoff sections is guardrail. I'm still kind of leery of pit in -- it requires much concentration by the track marshall to get bikes on the track safely, as the pit in we used ran through the runoff area of turn 2. They did very well slotting new bikes into traffic gaps the two days I was running in I, however.
It is a very fast track...If you get stuck behind slower guys in the faster areas of the track your times will stink...I was one of the faster guys in advanced and there were several guys a lot faster than me...My personal best was 1:59.81 in the 5th session...I would say the fastest guys were running 5 seconds faster than that...Not sure what Ron hix ran in the race but I thought I heard laps around 1:55
I could be wrong but pit out looks like it leaves plenty of opportunity for improvement. Running parallel to T1 and T2 just doesn't seem like a good idea. :fear:
Not really a fair question. Barber is a track built with motorcycles in mind; NCM really wasn't. Barber is first class facility completely built; NCM, not yet. Barber is tight and technical and you're not likely to see over 130 MPH; NCM is technical but with some big straights (165+). If you've never done either one of them, then I'd still recommend Barber. If you've done Barber, then NCM is worth a visit. The staff is riding it today, so we are likely to get some better feedback later this week..
I'm sorry, you are correct...i meant that is is 1/3 smaller than Barber. Barber has 3 distinct 'strips' made by the paving machine. while you don't see the 'strip' mark on NCM, you can assume the paving machines are about the same width, and I figure they used 2 'strips' instead of three - with a few exceptions where the track gets a little wider...
Fair enough. I have Grattan as my tight and technical track already... I was really looking forward to a nice open track where my Panigale could stretch its legs. Well I suppose I have all winter to debate where we go.
If you want to stretch out your Panigale, then I'd recommend NCM over Barber...Front straight almost as big as NOLA (I saw 165 at the brake marker)..
Grattan is not tight and technical compared to Barber IMO. Imagine Grattan without the sweeper or front straight. I love Barber but in my opinion it is the most physical track I have ridden. There is just about zero time to tuck and run, you are always setting up for the next turn.
Sounds like my winter fitness needs to step up! But that does put things into perspective.. I do love that triple digit sweeper thought! Well Barber is still on my schedule for the moment and I suppose we will see what my riding buddies vote for also. Thanks for the opinions guys.
Don't get me wrong Barber ROCKS! The fast turn one will test you as will the turn at the crest of a hill in 4. Getting the museum turn(s) right for the first time is a great feeling. More elevation changes and blind than Grattan but on butter smooth pavement. I love both and they are kind of similar but different... hard to explain. Oh and I have never hit that darn sweeper correctly, always feel like I am forcing a square peg into a round hole there.
I'm showing a 152 GPS top speed on a mild build race GSXR750 running a 2:02 lap time. I just saw a picture of a GPS lap time of 1:54.94 with a top speed of 148 from today on a 600.
NCM friggin rocks... The day today was Epic... There are modifications with AArmco that will be done this winter to please the 2 wheel crowds.... This was per management and it is their winter project as well as the construction of garages and the tower which is planned for being finished in June... I loved this track.. can't wait to go back.... Not to mention my new Slicks still look new....
Yeah been thinking about that also. But... Liter bikes make sense everywhere! :rawk: Love the advances of traction control and ABS! :first: