cornerspeed trackday report (6.1.09)

[Sijray21]

hey guys,

just wanted to post up my experience here

i was really looking forward to the track-day i had planned for the bike. i spent weeks in my spare time prepping it and getting it ready for the season and for this day. i also monitored the weather and made countless lists to make sure i brought everything i needed.

I had a baseball game just before leaving for the track late Sunday night. we won that game and i left before the second game of the double header started, already excited to get down to VIR. after a quick stop at mcdÔÇÖs and a gas station on the way i arrived at VIR just before 1am to set-up camp and drop off the bike. passing out at 2am, i woke up at 6am to start the day. oddly enough i wasnÔÇÖt tired and the excitement for the day kept me alert. i got to the paddock at 7am, adjusted my tire pressures and awaited the dayÔÇÖs activities. i tried to ask an instructor to follow me for a few laps since this was the first time iÔÇÖve been on track with the bike in about 2 years, but none were available. i decided to just take it easy for the first session to get a feel for the bike and being on track again.

Session1:
i started out slow and got a feel for the braking points, turn-in points, and track conditions. after a few laps the tires warmed up and i felt more comfortable going a little quicker. next think i know iÔÇÖm already dragging my right knee puck through a few of the sweeping right-handers - awesome! this ÔÇÿ08 600RR was so much easier to maneuver around the track and lean over than my previous ÔÇÿ03 600RR. by the end of the session i was already moving quickly.

Session 2:
this session i decided to dial it up a notch and start working on specific corners (mostly the back-section of the course). this was difficult for me last time as i couldnt find find a good line to make it smooth. by the end of the session i was pinning it through turns 11 and 12 dragging the puck for most of it.wheee! i didn't like the inconsistent pavement on the Turn 7 turn-in, so i never quite got that turn right since i cut it early all the time to avoid the bumps.

Session 3:
this session i wanted to focus more on the back and tried to nail the later turns before the front straight. where every turn is important in making a good overall lap-time, some of the most important turns are the ones that lead onto the straight away. carrying the most speed through those turns would result in a carrying the most speed for the straight away. i worked hard to keep-up speed through 16/17 and managed to do so with a little courage. i felt the back-end step out a little a couple times, but i couldnt let go of the throttle for fear of a high-side.which would have been devastating. the kink of the VIR front straight was now a turn and at a pretty good lean angle i glanced down at the speedo to see the 145 numberholy crap i was moving. i was consistantly hitting the 140s this session and focused on the braking for T1. luckily not many people were around for this so i felt comfortable going deep into T1 feeling the chatter of the rear wheel as i down shifted (i wish i had a slipper clutch). the one scary moment of this session happened in turn 4 when i crested the gators with my knee puck and it almost jolted me off the bike. i gathered myself for T6 and T7 only to feel down my left knee and felt like something was missingmy knee puck. i came around for my next lap and i saw it sitting right in the middle of the turncrap. although it wasnt in the line for the turn i hoped it didnt cause anyone to crash - luckily it didnt. after the session i walked up to the turn 4 work station and Viriginia (i knew her since ive worked as a flagger at VIR on numerous occasions) had my puck for me, still in good condition.

Session 4:
before the start of this session i asked an instructor to follow me for a couple laps and take a look at my form, specifically for left-hand turns as i didnt feel quite as comfortable leaning off as i did with the right-hand turns. i started out following him for a couple laps getting the tires warmed up and then he waved me by. i saw this as a green light and took-off. i made my way through slower traffic on the front straight and between turns 2, 3, and 4 to get some open space. the instructor followed me for about 2 laps and then took off in front. i thought this meant keep-up, but it probably didnt. i was consistently hitting the top of 4th and deep into 5th gear on the front straight which is about 140-145mph. this must have stressed the brakes because when i pulled on the brake for Turn 1 it didnt slow down like it used to and there were 3 people in front of me, at this point i was a little concerned the guys were set-up track-left for the turn-in and i didnt have room to get over to the left hand side, grassy area off-track. i mashed the brakes as hard as i could and then decided to turn the front, which i knew would slide the front. i saw the last guy and knew i didnt have braking room to make the turn and decided to low-side it intentionally, hoping i would miss him. i went down and slid chest-first on the asphalt for about 100 feet. i stood up and i saw the other guy down as wellfuck. i clipped his rear tire...i cant believe i took someone else out . i immediately go up to him to see how hes doing. i help him get his helmet off and stand up. the VIR crew send out the ambulance as well as the trailer to haul the bikes away. we talk about what to do about the situation and i told him i felt bad about the situation and i threw him a few hundred $$ to fix some of the things on his bike. since it was a track-event i knew it wasnt obligated, but i just felt bad. this ended both our days at the track. my bike is banged up with torn-up fairings, a broken foot peg, mangled throttle cables, and a busted wind screen.looks like ill need to get these parts installed before my next event in July.

i spoke with the instructor that i worked with for the 4th session at the end of the day and he had some positive feedback. he recommended upgrading a few bits including suspension, rearsets, and braking (har...har...) as well.

in retrospect, there are a few things i couldÔÇÖve easily done to prevent this from happening:

1. flush brake fluid and put ATE Super Blue
2. adjust brake lever for the tightest setting (1/6 being the tightest, it was set at 3/6)
3. purchase stainless steel lines
4. possibly purchase aftermarket brake pads/rotors

I was pretty happy about the safety gear as well. my Teknic Violator suit held up well with the abrasion and impact protection in the arms and shoulder, the gloves are fine, and luckily the helmet didn't touch the ground, although i'm thinking of replacing it anyway. thankfully, i did not suffer any major injuries, just a sore hip and a couple sore finger knuckles.

some teaser pics before the full-res ones come in:





right front upper damage (luckily only readjusting the throttle cables, levers, and clip-ons were needed)


crash-side