Putnam Park - ???

The late gate opening is an inconvenience, but not a show stopper for me. Using a garage helps. If we could have garages paid & assigned before arrival, that would make it even easier.

However, I do agree with the rest of this. The first time I rode Putnam was awful, mainly because I wasn't fast enough to connect the corners. Over time, it has grown on me, but it is still not anything special compared to the elevation of Grattan (or MidO). There are a couple mid-corner bumps and rough patches that were considerably worse last year than the year before. I heard a rumor about a repave, but I haven't seen mention of it recently. It's main draw for me is that I can be at the gate an hour after pulling out of my driveway. If I lived an hour from Grattan, I wouldn't be making the drive down to Putnam.

I also agree with Dave about going to spectate. I made it over there a few times last year to take practice with my DSLR.

 

I have been saying that for 13 Years.... Well not the MOTORHOME part...

 

Depends how fast you run laps there... During races, we do... Turn 1, also... Trailing is braking.

 

I was trying to figure out if the guy you quoted was asking for advice or trolling. To get good at Putnam and anywhere else you have to trail brake everywhere. It's not a stop and go lay out.

 

I do depends on the drive though, sometimes its a downshift to maintenance throttle

:thumb:

 

Definitely not trolling, sir. Only asked because of a video I watched of race at Putnam. The dude adds little comments. One was something along the lines of, "don't use brakes *here* or *here*"

:cheers:

T5 can be taken pretty fast, but if you early apex you'll likely be on the rumble strip and there's a bit of a drop off at the end of said rumble strip

 

They stressed turn 4 being cold a LOT last time I was there. You haven't used that side of your tire since dead bear. A lot of people took it very easy through that turn, which made it a prime passing spot on the outside for me on my SV. YMMV

Also, +1 on that "big grin through dead bear" quote. Can confirm.

 

My good buddy Fred Duncan used to tell everyone at the riders meeting "DON'T CRASH IN TURN 4" first thing in the mornings when we went there with nesba. I was at a MCRA trackday/race and crashed in turn 4 on the last lap (the race had gotten colder by the lap) sure enough due to a tire letting go & my idiot self not tip toeing like i KNEW i should have.. In my head i heard "DON'T CRASH IN TURN 4".. called him up and told him the story & we laughed about it for a good bit.

 

:lmao: This story sounds familiar <me>!

I was at Putnam for my first track day in September, 2010, as a novice. It was alright. Then I went to Barber like my next 4 days and was hooked to the scene. Went back to Putnam as an intermediate rider in August, 2011, and had my first ever lowside in turn 8. I told myself even before then I didn't like the track. Didn't go back again until September, 2013 (knew I should stayed away!) as an advanced rider with some race experience and while I did find the track slightly more enjoyable, I fell down again - 2nd lowside ever - in turn 4 - on the last lap of the first session. And at the riders meeting I hear "turn 4 is green! don't crash!" And I did. And then I heard it all over again coming back in hehehe

I really don't care to ever go back to Putnam. I have bad mojo there, and I don't care much for the pavement and bumps after experiencing so many other better tracks.

 

Turn 4 can be tricky. I went down at a good clip on my 07 GSXR 1000. Corner workers were very concerned with me. Guess it looked kinda violent. But I was fine.

The T6 kink is a great place to go under somebody going into T7. As you come out of 5, keep it pinned thru the kink.

Putnam was my lst track experience, '94. WERA endurance was fun back in the late '90's too.

 

I have come to grips with the fact that putnam hates me but I still try to ride there every couple of years. I have a good feeling that this is my year though.

 

I'll be there with MCRA next month!

I had my worst crash at Putnam somewhere between the last two turns and sprained my ankle pretty nastily. I just started tumbling and I wish I had my camera on my helmet because I'm really curious how many tumbles it was. After seeing ground-sky-ground-sky a few times I had enough time to consciously think "just go limp, that's supposed to be the best strategy." It happened in 2012 and my left ankle still working on healing.

I don't look at it as bad mojo though. I'm excited to get out there and conquer it way more than I have in the past.

Anyhow, I'll be out there on a loudass blue 250 with white stripes going every which-way.

 

Reading these makes me feel better. It's not just me that Putnam has it out for!

 

Don't worry about the crashing and comments regarding T4. The fact is that it is cold a lot of times, but the simple reality is that the right side of your tire is just as cold when you peel into T1 and T2. It's all in your head and how you ride. You go and whiskey the throttle in T4, yes... Crash. But that turn has a tendency to get people because they get in and roll out. The crashes are low sides 9 out of 10 times.

Use your head. Get the tires to temp and go out and do your thing. It's a great track and anyone who says it is boring isn't going fast enough. It is a great track because it is user friendly to new riders and challenging to fast riders.

 

:lmao:

 

Hey, I may be slow but I look bad doing it! ound:

 

I've been at Putnam many times. Never went down. As a side note, I believe TLR67 is looking at a woman sun bathing on the beach. Just saying. Ha!

 

Your right....