07-20-2006, 03:49 PM
BLINGMW Wrote:stevegula Wrote:If there's a bike there, you can hear it. That's all that matters.
I didn't realize there was any chance of hearing another bike behind you when yours is as loud as his. [...] So how far back can you hear them?
That I can't honestly attest to because I've never looked back after hearing a bike. I typically only look back when I'm throwing up an arm and pulling into the paddocks or when I'm flicking off my friend. Most people don't develop the skill because you're never worried about what's behind you on a typical track day. If you're holding someone up, they can pass you or pit and wait for open track - that's just understood (and constantly mentioned in the rider's meeting). It's typically pretty easy on a track day though because everyone is riding different bikes (twins/I4s) w/ different exhausts (there's what? 400 brands? heh), so you'll be scooting and then think "hmm, that noise isn't my bike..."
Quote:But if I wasn't expected to know, then how would I know when it's safe to play with my line? Just sticking to "my line" all the time in case some unknown bike wants to pass me is kind of unrealistic when my line in just about any group should be a little dynamic as I try new things.
Most of the time, the rider behind you will be able to tell. He'll watch you go in and say "Hah, good luck bringing that out on the other side" and just wait... The times I've had someone blow their line as I'm passing mid turn I've either slowed down, altered my line to to accomodate theirs, or gone off the track (once it involved me crashing). It is the passing riders responsibility to not hit you, so don't sweat him. At the same time don't be a spastic rider. If you set yourself up for whatever line you want to do going in, people will see it. It's when riders set up for one line and at the last second say "Haha! just kidding!" and hop around the track that causes issues. Once you decide on a line, just stick to it. Didn't like it? Change it next time, don't change it mid turn (unless you're going to crash, then change it, crashing sucks and we'll all understand).
Quote:oh no, I think any of us with any track experience understand that. Sounds to me like your "intermediate" group is just as mixed as ours. And shit does happen. But that doesn't mean we should ignore the chance to prevent it.
Agree'd. But you're not going to improve safety by looking behind you. Honestly, Cornerspeed is such a great school because they'll teach you how to handle all of this. And they constantly emphasize during the school that it's not about getting faster, it's about getting better. And with improved riding skills comes greater speed. They don't tell the class "go as fast as you can and we'll start from there." They start with the basics and go from there. Stevenson (the main instructor) is huge on safety.
I'd feel so much better about all track days if I knew everyone had gone through Cornerspeed and not just started out at Nesba in the beginner group and then got bumped up without any real education. The nice thing about a Cornerspeed track day at VIR is the riders are either in the school and riding in the school group, took Cornerspeed or a riding school somewhere else (Schwantz @ Road Atlanta, MARCC at Summit, California Superbike School, etc) to be in the Sport Enthusiast group, or are racers and they're in the race group. In the Sport Enthusiast group at a Cornerspeed day, you'll see a lot of instructors working with riders, managing traffic, etc. So they're typically pretty safe. Not always the case with other organizations. A lot of organizations will simply say "How good do you think you are? Okay, you're in that group."