Ladies Day JGP!

[smileyman]

Tire temps are important. Cold weather pressure need be slightly lower, tire warmers are nice to keep the opening lap sliding to a minimum. If not start out really timid until lap 2-3 when they get warmed up. Soft compounds are better in the cold (I will not get into cold tearing issues for a track day) but you have to really work a DOT race compound hard to get it warm, a soft street tire would be my pick.

Next your suspension will not behave quite like you think in the early morning temps. Fork and shock oil will be cold and will give a firmer feel w/ slower motion.

Your brakes will need to get up to temp as well although they are going to bite, it will take them a lap or so to build heat and lever feel.

Your body will be stiff and if you ride stiff you will unknowingly effect your chassis and handling. Loosen yourself up before you get out of pit lane, jog in place, stretch, jumpin jacks.

Finally the track temps will vary. First stint will be colder and slicker, the more the sun gets on the track and heats it the more rubber gets put down it will come up to grip for you. Late in the day as temps drop you need to mind yourself and your setu p all the more (cause your mind and body are adjusted to the warmth and slowing down your pace is harder than speeding it up!)

Have fun at all times - fun equals loose equals safe.

[PhiSig1071]

I prefer winter trackdays, I have scraped frost off my bike and thrown a snowball at a friend before the riders meeting. I can't improve on what smiley said because he's really got it down, but I will add one thing, hydrate! Most people do not drink enough when it's cold because they don't feel as thirsty, but you are losing a lot of fluids (which I'm sure OSP would like to replace) so make sure you drink plenty of water or very diluted gatorade.

Unfortunately I am working on Feb 1st or I'd ride up to say hello.

[the chi]

Thanks for the info guys. Not sure if I will be going or not, I HATE cold weather with a passion, but practically open track is very appealing.

Last years was great, I really liked it.

My biggest issue right now is the fact that my old roomies had a small "fire incident" in the house and while nothing was damaged, they cleared everything out of the house and have sealed and stored it. Including ALL my gear. We are trying to finagle it out of storage but its a process! Literally the only riding gear I have at all is my helmets, a short pair of gloves and a mesh jacket.

[Sanchez]

JGP was great last weekend. Lows in the 30's at night, but it warmed up into 50's and 60's during the day. I felt fine despite my perforated leathers. I just put on thermal underwear and a sweater underneath them. A couple of times at Little Talladega with weather in the 20's, I wore an electric jacket under my leathers, but I didn't need it at JGP.

At Tally the back tire slid some on the right hander. I think all the left turns kept the other side of the tire up to temp but the right side stayed somewhat cold. It might've been that stupid sealant patch too, though. At Jennings I didn't notice any difference in tire grip vs. warm weather at all, but then I'm not very fast either.

[OreoGaborio]

How cold you do expect it to be? I've riden the track & even raced in 40* weather. No big deal, just dress for the occasion, that's all.

Smiley gave some great advice though... Not much I can add to his post. Just take your time & let EVERYTHING come up to temp, from the track to your suspension to your own body... your engine isn't the only thing that performs better when warm.

Tip - If it's cold enough that your body is cold, throw a sweatshirt on over your leathers (very helpful if your leathers are too snug for layers underneath)... if your hands are cold, grab a pair of rubber gloves & put those on under (or over) your regular gloves... helps seal out the wind.



PS - not sure if you've ever attended an all women's track day before, but I hope it's nothing like the all women's TD that they run up in NH. If so, good luck. My friend Jane said it was the crappiest thing ever. All group hugs & group pictures & group gift bags... Sunshine & buttercups, hardly any track time at all. Luckily I can pretty much guarantee that this even won't be run by the same people as the one she went to. They're just a local organization.

[the chi]

Originally Posted by OreoGaborio

How cold you do expect it to be? I've riden the track & even raced in 40* weather. No big deal, just dress for the occasion, that's all.

Smiley gave some great advice though... Not much I can add to his post. Just take your time & let EVERYTHING come up to temp, from the track to your suspension to your own body... your engine isn't the only thing that performs better when warm.

Tip - If it's cold enough that your body is cold, throw a sweatshirt on over your leathers (very helpful if your leathers are too snug for layers underneath)... if your hands are cold, grab a pair of rubber gloves & put those on under (or over) your regular gloves... helps seal out the wind.



PS - not sure if you've ever attended an all women's track day before, but I hope it's nothing like the all women's TD that they run up in NH. If so, good luck. My friend Jane said it was the crappiest thing ever. All group hugs & group pictures & group gift bags... Sunshine & buttercups, hardly any track time at all. Luckily I can pretty much guarantee that this even won't be run by the same people as the one she went to. They're just a local organization.

Thank you!

I have attended a ladies day before and while there is a group pic thing, its not painfully cuddly and gay. Nor is there alot of feel goody girliness or gift bags.

Its pretty much like a combined gender day, with less accidents if any at all. And we actually get what seems like more track time because there is considerably less people. The past 2 times they have done it, there hasnt been a single red flag!

Unfortunately, I dont think I am going to make this one, its just not in the stars...maybe they'll hold another one later on when its warmer.

[OreoGaborio]

Aw that sucks ya can't make it.....

But I'm glad it's not as flippin queer as the one my friend Jane went to!

Maaaan was she pissed when that day was over... I'm pretty sure she asked for her money back as soon as she was able to predict how the rest of the day would go.... She was told she was welcome to leave but she wouldn't get a refund so she just stuck it out & did what she could to maximize her day.

She's used to the show that we put on for our organization (she works with me for a local track day org. I instruct & she's a control rider and plays a huuuuge role in organizing the day and making sure it runs like clock work) but this women's TD she attended was a complete disaster. It's funny to hear her bitch about it... in fact I think I'll send her a link to this thread just to get her all worked up again cuz that's just the kinda awesome friend I am