Well, the FUSA track condition seems to be deteriorating more and more. Every transition from the infield to the main track both entering and exiting was filled with bumps and dips that would pop you out of your seat at speed. Still a rough ride even with the suspension backed off. I was also suprised that there were no cones placed to the right of the track at the entrance/apex points for turn one and the turn coming off the back straight - they've been there in years past. It was very hard to tell the turn in points until you were just about on top of them, and I ran over the right edge of the track coming off the back straight several times because of it. After a few riders mentioned the same thing I talked to a coach during lunch about putting cones out and was told it would be done, but it wasn't to be. I was also sorry to see another R6 go up in flames; tank sliders should be mandatory for them at this point. All in all beautiful weather and a good day, but way too many red flags (especially the one where we sat on the grid for almost fifteen minutes because, according to the track marshall, two guest coaches collided on the warmup lap - Nice).
I agree way too many red flags...15 minute seesion should maybe be looked at. Still had a GREAT time... BIG DADDY no 600's came past me all day... Hope to see NJMSP in Millville.
I don't believe it's so much a matter of the length of the sessions as it is people riding over their heads. Twenty minutes is the perfect length to accomodate three groups in an hour, and I really like STT's format of rotating at the 20 minute mark because it makes it very easy to keep track of what session is running. There were alot of people in the Advanced group yesterday who looked terrified to be out there. I saw the same riders over and over again slowing down to a beginner pace when approaching turns and change their lines midway through for no apparent reason. That said, there were the usual suspects of good, smooth riders who were a pleasure to ride with. But it was definitely a defensive riding day in the 'ol A group.
NV, You did a pretty decent job holding your own, out there on that Busa in Novice. you'd do even better on a 600, that thing is a handful in the corners! well done, riding that beast.
I agree with the assessment on the Advanced class - part of being advanced is having some skill with corner speed - or at least having one's straightaway speed be consistent with corner speed. I always thought Intermediate was the class for parking it in the corner - ah well, just made for more challenging passing. despite all the red flags, it was still a really fun time - and considering how many there were in advanced at least, thumbs up to Pocono and STT crew for making cleanups happen as fast as they did. Biggest problem of the day had to do with the turn off the back straight - it took me half the day to not accidentally brake and turn in at the first right just before the real turn - I swear if the cones hadn't gone up I would have eventually ended up turning there at some point - and I've probably done that track at least 7 or 8 times!! anyway, fun day, great weather - good to see a few folks I hadn't seen in a long time....hope to catch more if I can get to Thunderbolt on Labor day... kath
Hey guys, I wanted to thank the coaches on here. I don't remember your names but I was paddocked next to #1 coach with the Aprilia 1000/GSXR 750. I ran novice with the blue and yellow YZF600R. When I signed up, the rider in front of me had every intention of running intermediate. The lady at the front suggested running advanced because intermediate "was packed." Sorry, that's dangerous, wreckless, and irresponsible. Convo went something like this after the suggested bump: "Have you run FUSA before?" "Uh, yeah." Have you done a track day with us before?" "Uh, yeah." "Okay. You'll be fine in advanced. So, advanced?" "Uh, yeah." That was dissappointing but the knowledgeable coaches made up for it. I know in group 1 novice I had a great instructor. I wish there were less people though so I could have received teh one-on-one experience we all dream of. Also, a bump to intermediate would have been nice!!! Way too much liter bike traffic in novice. Slow as molassis in the turns then pass me like I'm in reverse on the straights. PS I was the guy in novice who "Received a cookie" at the riders meeting and also the guy with way too many sport bikes packed into a GMC Sonoma! Nice to meet you guys and hope to see you out there again. BTW great job to the Busa guy. You were cornering with the best of them. Lou 04 YZF600R #126
I think that it was a very good day for FUSA. Yeah, there were some red flags but they got cleaned up fairly fast, and no chopper rides! I thought the A group was not very crowded although I did run into some people learning the track. I think STT bumped some of th I group up because they were heavy there. I will agree that it was difficult to find your way off the oval in turn 1 and the back straight, I almost turned right onto the East course more than once in the morning. I might be in the minority, but I like the FUSA track, its easy to find your way around but hard to master, when it starts to make sense, it really flows. Good time all around. BTY: I don't think the R6 that burned had its tank holed, I believe the cap popped open on impact.
I hear you- I started out four seasons ago on a BMW R1100S that weighed 500#s and made half as much horsepower as your Busa. If I had a dollar for every time I heard "when are you going to get a real track bike?" I would have gotten one that season...
That was me. It was nice talking to you guys. unfortunately, there were too many people in N for much one on one instruction but we always try to encourage people to go and grab a coach if they want some one on one time. unfortunately, we cant really do that in the morning with the drills we are doing on the track, but in the "open" afternoon sessions we would be happy to ride with you for a session.