DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted October 17, 2001 07:57 PM
Track Day at Daytona
It was my first track day and coming home with me and the bike in one piece was my primary goal. Well I got that part done. The day was instruction and track rides by Team Hammer http://www.teamhammer.com and it was handled well from the time we rolled into the track. I've been going to the Daytona 200 every year since 1985 and always wanted to do a few laps to see what it was like. Well it's kind of hard to describe the banking, 31 degrees sounds like a lot, but it isn't much until you roll up on it. While we were at lunch someone that was watching us asked what it was like trying to stay up on the banking. The best way I could describe it was it's like leaning your right shoulder against a wall then lifting your feet and expecting to not slide down. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at the speedo, but the first few laps were paced so we could get a feel of the place before they let us loose. On the third lap I thought we were starting to pick up the pace enough that it felt like we weren't going to fall off, I did look at the speedo then and it was about 105. Lets just say the faster the better is the rule there. I ran lines up high, center, and low, and the only downside of running fast was that the track is rough. If you're tucked in and running hard the bike is beating you in the chest, but that combination of having fun and being fucking scared kept it from becoming a bad thing. I was faster than some and slower than most but I had a great time.
I did have one problem while I was there, I got a flat rear tire. It was in good shape when I started and looked good when it was pulled off the rim. The Michelin guys said it probably got some metal in it, but they couldn't find it. They also told me that I needed to run metal valve caps that have a washer in them because being at those speeds for that long the valve cores actually push themselves in and let air out while you're at speed. After put the new tire on I took some laps. It's amazing the way that track eats tires. The left side of the tire was chewed and had chunks of rubber stuck to it after 2 laps. Those were my last two laps on the track so I guess that debris will need to be scuffed off on the street.
It was an amazing day, tons of fun, and it gives me an new respect for the guys that do this for a living and make going fast look so easy. Just wanted to share my day, take care.
Dave
   
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Dino
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Posts: 1422
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posted October 17, 2001 11:38 PM
Sounds like fun!! Did you ever find out what speed you were hitting down the stretch?
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FuckMeRunnin
Expert Class
Posts: 123
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posted October 18, 2001 01:19 AM
Sounds like a good time Dave.Too bad about your tire.Hope you didn't miss much riding because of it.
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"What happens if you get scared 1/2 to death twice?"
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Ninjaman12R
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posted October 18, 2001 06:50 AM
Damn Dave that sounds like too much fun. I've been to Daytona and walked up to the bottom of the banking and just stood there going "Damn that's steep". I can only imagine the thrill of getting to ride on it. The speedway is an awesome sight to behold. Especially for us gearheads who are thinking of all the cool shit we'd like to pilot around that 2.5 mile arena of SPEED!!!!
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted October 18, 2001 07:31 AM
Dino - I can't tell exactly the fastest speed but I'd guess 180-185 on the backstretch. There were Formula USA Superbikes, 750 Supersport, etc bikes with us on the track at the same time. These were members of the Team Valvoline Emgo Suzuki, guys like Grant Lopez and Josh Hayes were doing the pacing at first and showing us the lines. After a couple of sessions they were showing us how fast we weren't. The only ground I could gain on one of those bikes was if I was passed in the banking of NASCAR turn 2 that leads onto the backstretch. I couldn't run anywhere near wide open in the banking because the bike didn't feel as stable as I wanted so I was limited to about 160. I was passed in the banking several times by the race bikes but when we leveled out onto the backstretch I could crank it and start to catch whoever passed me. That ended very quickly because I had to get hard on the brakes to make the chicane that there before the banking leading into NASCAR 3. I braked way earlier than those bikes so they left me again.
FMR Harry - I ran over 100 miles on that track at speed. I had enough.
Ninjaman12R - It's hard to describe to anyone that's never been there. Steep is only a symptom of what that is. BTW - The outside trioval NASCAR track is 2.5 miles, with the infield course added it's 3.6 miles a lap.
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BallisticZX12R
Zone Head
& Deals Gap Board Member
Posts: 940
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posted October 18, 2001 07:45 AM
??? Dave
Dave,
That sounds great.
My question is did you have to do all that crap to your bike. i.e., distilled water, tape glass, safety wire, etc.
Bart
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DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted October 18, 2001 07:55 AM
Hey Bart,
There wasn't too much to do. The mirrors had to be off, all lights were taped. That's all I had to do to my bike. They did a tech inspection before the ride, checked oil plug, filter, brake feel, tires and tire pressure, they had a check list of basic things and 3 techs went over the bikes but no other stuff like removing coolant or safety wire.
Riding without mirrors when you're used to having them is very different. I really don't think they would help much on the road course, but I would have like to had some notice that someone was about to blow by me on the banking. A couple of times those race bikes would go by you so fast and so close that you would feel the pocket of air hit you as you first caught a glimpse of them and heard them next to you. It could make you jump a little.
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Ninjaman12R
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as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted October 18, 2001 08:26 AM
Man I'd love to get in on something like that. Is this something you do every year. Did it set you back mucho $$$$ to do this. Info man!!!! I need INFO DAVE!!!! If I could ever get a chance to run on the high banks @ Daytona......MAN that would be AWESOME!!!!!
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted October 18, 2001 08:45 AM
Ninjaman,
You can do it, all the info about what I did is here
http://www.teamhammer.com
Just the simple facts.
Never been to their school: $250
Been to school and want to go again: $200
Been to school and just want track ride: $150
Leather Rental: $75 (fat leathers unavailable BYOC - Bring your own cow)
5 class sessions, safety and track orientation, riding questions, finding lines, bike suspension setup, fastest way to ride, other cool stuff and stories.
4 30 minutes track sessions. 1st one paced, second 2 pace laps then open, 3rd and 4th open with option to pit and pick up and instructor for special laps.
You can get a CCS racing license if you pass. You pass by making the classes and riding session and not crashing. Crash and you're done, no certificate, no more riding, no excuses, no refunds.
They plan on being there in the spring for Bike Week. Come on down !!
Dave
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FuckMeRunnin
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posted October 18, 2001 08:51 AM
I hope I can do it in the spring.Rick don't you need to take the family to disney world or something in the spring? We could go to the school together???????
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"What happens if you get scared 1/2 to death twice?"
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BallisticZX12R
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Posts: 940
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posted October 18, 2001 08:52 AM
Next Year
Dave,
Please keep me posted for next year on the dates, I would love to go. Plus I'll be on the best nija ever made...
2002 12 (in the fastest color) Black...
Bart
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Be fast and Be safe
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DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted October 18, 2001 08:55 AM
I'll let you know, it would be fun to see a bunch of 12's out of their element instead of just me. Remember this, there will be a few people there that will show you just how fast you aren't.
Dave
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted October 18, 2001 09:00 AM
DUDE I'M THINKING........YEAH baby!!!!!!!
Man I'd love to do that Dave. Offhand do you know the dates of the next school??? IF there is any way I can possibly make this happen I'm gonna. I will be checking that website out as well. It's been over 5 years since I've been to Daytona and I'm ready to go back dude. Shit man you have got me HYPED!!!!!!
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted October 18, 2001 09:14 AM
Bike Week 2002 is March 1-10th. I can't tell you the day they would do it, there is a lot more bike action going on in the spring. My guess would be Tuesday or Wednesday March 5th or 6th 2002 because qualifying is always on Thursday, and the AMA events usually take up the schedule for the weekend. I'll let you know when I know or you can email school@teamhammer.com , they respond pretty quickly and if they have a date I'm sure they'll give it to you.
Dave
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Ninjaman12R
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as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted October 18, 2001 10:21 AM
Thanks Dave I'm gonna try and make this happen. I've always had a dream of getting to fly around the track at Daytona. Be it in a car, or a bike. I hope it materializes for me. It'd be cool if we could hook up and go next spring.
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted October 19, 2001 03:27 AM
Good thinkin' Harry
quote:
I hope I can do it in the spring.Rick don't you need to take the family to disney world or something in the spring? We could go to the school together???????
It would be cool if a bunch of us 12 guys could hook up and do this. Damn talk about fun!!! Actually a florida vacation next year would be excellent. It may knock me outta the gap trip, but I'm probably putting the cart in front of the horse right now. 
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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