Track Newbies... Don't ever do this!!

[Raptor]

Always hold your line.. its the job of the faster overtaking rider to find a way around you.. but its dangerous when you decide to change your line in the middle of the corner.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=600672526687012&set=vb.202656853155250&type=2&theater

[ludacris10]

Was it the kawasaki at the end?

[rhema83]

Damn, that was a close call. It could've resulted in a major pileup.

 

Smart noobs (like me) avoid track days. Fewer scares, safer fun.

[rhema83]

Ok, so after I watched Raptor's video and comments, I reminded myself to be more careful and give newer track riders plenty of space. That should make the track safer and more fun for everyone.

 

Turns out it didn't work. A group of riders (yes, a group) nearly turned Johor Circuit into a deathtrap today. I hope you are reading this. I am not going to write your bike numbers here (even though we have video recordings) but I am going identify you so that you learn a lesson from the incident. One of you rode a red/black CBR with P-plate, wearing jacket and jeans. The group also had a few other small-displacement 4-stroke sport bike riders wearing minimal protection.

 

Incident 1:

I was going full throttle down the back straight. Said CBR was on the left side of the track and his friend just entered the track from the pit lane. I stayed clear of the CBR by keeping close to the right. The CBR rider turned his head and looked back - seemingly waiting for his friend (and hopefully saw me coming up fast). Then he suddenly went across the entire track to the right side! It was a little after in the mid-point of the straight and I was going 200+kph. I braked as hard as I could, watched him closing the gap in front of me and realized that I COULDN'T MAKE IT. I rode onto the grass to avoid slamming into his bike, merely centimeters from him - he on the track and I on the grass. I bet he could almost hear my shouting in my helmet. I passed him and raised my left hand with 2 meanings: 1. Are you okay? and 2. Are you nuts?! (I was riding the black VFR, wearing black/grey Arlen Ness leathers sporting a big dragon logo like my avatar.)

 

Incident 2:

Same group of riders, same back straight, but nearer to turn 1. A Hypermotard rider overtook me on the outside at turn 1 and blasted out onto the straight. Then he realized that the group were blocking half the track by riding abreast! Having no other choice, the Hypermotard rode off the track into the grass to avoid a rear-end crash. From his reduced speed / cornering aggression after he went pass the group, I could see he was also shocked.

 

According to other riders in the same session, this group of riders also caused numerous other close calls and near-crashes.

 

So newbies, take note: Even though riding together is fun, once you are on the track please RIDE LIKE YOU ARE ALONE. You can ride slower and wait for your friends, but do so safely - either following the fast lines strictly and let faster riders pass you, or totally stay out of the fast lines. And more importantly, DON'T BUNCH UP and DON'T CHANGE LINES SUDDENLY. If you ride in a bunch, a single crash will take you all down together. If you change lines suddenly, you may be rear-ended by a faster rider.

 

A grim reminder of what could happen: Our friend and riding buddy Marcus passed away after crashing into the rear of another bike on the front straight. The culprit did a stoppie on the fast line and Marcus couldn't have braked in time. A son, a brother, a friend, a boyfriend... Taken away because of someone's moment of folly. RIP, Marcus, we'll remember you.

 

P.S. Another group of riders (mostly big GSXRs) also rode slowly, apparently to take on-board videos. But they had the decency to switch on their hazard lights and stay off the fast lines. That's better track etiquette - although I wouldn't do that on a crowded Sunday morning LOL.

Edited February 16, 2014 by rhema83

[Ken1987]

Good advice !! Thx

Edited February 17, 2014 by Ken1987

[Tortise]

Very nice riding on an impressive ride Raptor

 

Shame bout the incident though.

[mahuberani]

i dunt see anythin wrong wit t kawa rider.

it seems u like to overtake while squeeze in between riders.

[cjchua0130]

Rhema83 , why dun u show the video like wat Raptor do ? so we can more careful when see this rider on the track.

[Raptor]

It is cheaper and easier to learn from the mistakes of others.. because some times you may not live long enough to make them all yourself.

Edited February 20, 2014 by Raptor

[mechwira]

everyone who has gone track must have been an inexperienced newbie before. nearly ten years ago i was an inexperienced noob at PG on a cbr600rr.

 

i had no concept of 'cornering lines'. sure i read about it before going track, but until you actually try it, you will not fully understand how to read and hunt for cornering lines. i was so fearful my first few visits that i deliberately left my mirrors out, and when i spotted a rider at my rear, i would hug the outside curve and let him past, like a gp rider being lapped. i had no idea wat else to do. how to "stick to my line" if i had no idea what line i'm supposed to take?

 

eventually i read some more, and consciously made an effort to apply what i read on track. and eventually i could 'see' the lines that i was supposed to take, although admittedly different ppl might see different lines, and it's anybody's guess whose line is 'correct' or even if there is such a thing as a single correct line. but i like to think that by deliberately envisioning and following a cornering line, i could ride more predictably for faster riders to anticipate.

 

so newbies, dun go track after track simply riding round and round having fun going fast. learn about lines, plan your lines on paper, try it out on track. if a line is totally wrong, you will confirm feel it. if smooth, maybe its the 'correct' line or at least one of a number of possible correct lines.

 

as for the kawa rider in raptor's video, yes it was a close shave but i'm not sure if he is to be faulted. maybe he saw a different line compared to raptor, and was unaware that raptor was approaching fast. even in GP sometimes two opposing lines cause a crash, the riders get angry but in the end its chalked up to 'racing incident' and not either rider's fault.

 

but the riders in rhema's story is different. thats not inexperience, or different cornering lines. those are idiots. theres no cure for idiocy unfortunately. please.... dont go track and treat it like a bicycle park can have fun doing anything you want.

[Blueblood]

everyone who has gone track must have been an inexperienced newbie before. nearly ten years ago i was an inexperienced noob at PG on a cbr600rr.

 

i had no concept of 'cornering lines'. sure i read about it before going track, but until you actually try it, you will not fully understand how to read and hunt for cornering lines. i was so fearful my first few visits that i deliberately left my mirrors out, and when i spotted a rider at my rear, i would hug the outside curve and let him past, like a gp rider being lapped. i had no idea wat else to do. how to "stick to my line" if i had no idea what line i'm supposed to take?

 

eventually i read some more, and consciously made an effort to apply what i read on track. and eventually i could 'see' the lines that i was supposed to take, although admittedly different ppl might see different lines, and it's anybody's guess whose line is 'correct' or even if there is such a thing as a single correct line. but i like to think that by deliberately envisioning and following a cornering line, i could ride more predictably for faster riders to anticipate.

 

so newbies, dun go track after track simply riding round and round having fun going fast. learn about lines, plan your lines on paper, try it out on track. if a line is totally wrong, you will confirm feel it. if smooth, maybe its the 'correct' line or at least one of a number of possible correct lines.

 

as for the kawa rider in raptor's video, yes it was a close shave but i'm not sure if he is to be faulted. maybe he saw a different line compared to raptor, and was unaware that raptor was approaching fast. even in GP sometimes two opposing lines cause a crash, the riders get angry but in the end its chalked up to 'racing incident' and not either rider's fault.

 

but the riders in rhema's story is different. thats not inexperience, or different cornering lines. those are idiots. theres no cure for idiocy unfortunately. please.... dont go track and treat it like a bicycle park can have fun doing anything you want.

 

well said. agree wit u

[Raptor]

Actually its my fault.. I chose to try and improve my lap times on the wrong day... I should go on a weekday to test the bike out... but sadly I have to work on weekdays. Sigh.

[rhema83]

everyone who has gone track must have been an inexperienced newbie before. nearly ten years ago i was an inexperienced noob at PG on a cbr600rr.

 

i had no concept of 'cornering lines'. sure i read about it before going track, but until you actually try it, you will not fully understand how to read and hunt for cornering lines. i was so fearful my first few visits that i deliberately left my mirrors out, and when i spotted a rider at my rear, i would hug the outside curve and let him past, like a gp rider being lapped. i had no idea wat else to do. how to "stick to my line" if i had no idea what line i'm supposed to take?

 

eventually i read some more, and consciously made an effort to apply what i read on track. and eventually i could 'see' the lines that i was supposed to take, although admittedly different ppl might see different lines, and it's anybody's guess whose line is 'correct' or even if there is such a thing as a single correct line. but i like to think that by deliberately envisioning and following a cornering line, i could ride more predictably for faster riders to anticipate.

 

so newbies, dun go track after track simply riding round and round having fun going fast. learn about lines, plan your lines on paper, try it out on track. if a line is totally wrong, you will confirm feel it. if smooth, maybe its the 'correct' line or at least one of a number of possible correct lines.

 

as for the kawa rider in raptor's video, yes it was a close shave but i'm not sure if he is to be faulted. maybe he saw a different line compared to raptor, and was unaware that raptor was approaching fast. even in GP sometimes two opposing lines cause a crash, the riders get angry but in the end its chalked up to 'racing incident' and not either rider's fault.

 

but the riders in rhema's story is different. thats not inexperience, or different cornering lines. those are idiots. theres no cure for idiocy unfortunately. please.... dont go track and treat it like a bicycle park can have fun doing anything you want.

 

Well said! :thumbsup: I was very fortunate to have a mentor (Throttle) who went with me to track the first few times. I was riding a lowly NSR150SP and he was aboard a ZX9R. He was very patient in teaching me to be a safe rider first and foremost, and set a very good example himself. I hope I can pass it on to younger riders as I become one of the "more experienced" riders.

 

I am starting to appreciate the need for properly-organised track days, where riders are divided into groups according to their (self-declared) abilities, e.g. "beginner", "intermediate" and "advanced". The organisers can come up with some simple guidelines to help riders decide which session to go (e.g. lap times, experience on the track, etc). But I think it would be cost-prohibitive for PG...

[knight84]

Raptor - I must say you ride very well.

 

I am a complete noob when it comes to tracks and I have been only once ( on a bike) and was terrified of the corners esp so cause there were 2 r6 and 1 r1's going around at high speed and I was quite mindful of their presence so I was not able to explore or understand the lines at all cause someone would come screaming down my tail and gave up after about 10 laps as I felt unsafe.

 

However, I feel its not right on your part to go pointing fingers at noobs or anyone else who is on the track. For one the Pasir Gudang track on non track days seems to have no rules except for the ones of drifting. There is no mention about track etiquette. There is no briefings or maps available explaining which are the race lines in a turn and which are not - even a list of possible lines are not there.. 1st and 2nd turn I was okay but at the 3rd turn I just wasnt sure how to handle it cause there are so many different lines to take most of which involve cutting across the track at some point. So who is following what line how are we to know.

 

The one thing I followed throughout while on the track was to treat each rider around me like and idiot and stay clear of them as I would do on the road. So to assume that just cause we are on a track suddenly everyone knows what to do is isnt exactly fair esp since there is zero guidance on this front save for a few videos.

 

Like you mentioned you shd prob explore other days to do your high speed runs where your own saftey isnt compromised.

 

Peace

A

[Raptor]

My first visit to the PG track in 2005 was, of all days, on their Track Day Sunday. Needless to say, I had the crap scared out of me by the fast boys on the straights and in the corners. I was told by the seasoned guys.....

 

1. That overtaking at high speeds and close proximity is part of the game.

 

2. Not to do sudden directional changes on the straights or in the corners. If you think you cock up that corner, you can always correct it the next lap.

 

3. There is no need to be ashamed of using your mirrors.. as a beginner.. its safer to let you know where the fast boys are coming from.

 

4. That there is no shame involved being overtaken by a smaller machine.. but instead to learn why their lines through the corners is so much faster.. they know something I don't. (PS - I was riding a CBR1000RR then and the Y125Zs and KR150s were riding circles around me in the corners.)

 

5. Always ask for advice from the really fast riders, they are not fast for no reason... not from the average rider who rides like you. You will learn faster from an experienced rider.

 

6. Putting the knee down should not be the first priority for going to the track.. learning how to ride fast safely should be it. The knee down will come naturally when the speed is fast enough.

 

7. Last but not least... leave your ego at home. You cannot ride fast, don't blame the machine... blame yourself. And never let the ego control the throttle.

 

Yep.. I got my fair share of people cuzzing me, waving their fists at me, shaking their heads at me... lecturing me for being too slow in the corners and blocking their racing lines. I went through all that during my first few track sessions 7 years ago.. but I never gave up and just wanted to improve on my riding skills.... I wanted so badly to be like "those fast boys".

 

Those days I thought the way they don't brake and dive into the corners and overtake in the corners was scarily dangerous.. today it looks normal and its part and parcel of racing in the BRS and MSS races.

 

Anyone can become a very fast track rider.. it just takes alot of time, money and practice. No shortcuts.

[rhema83]

There is a difference between giving newbies a chance and allowing them to do outright stupid / unsafe things on track. Some mistakes are permissible but other dangerous ones are not. That is why I said rider education is important. Johor Circuit is one of the most unregulated (and thus unsafe) circuits I know. But too bad, we have no choice. Either take the risk at PG or go maybe once every couple of months (and pay many times more) to Sepang.