Passing at the track

[the chi]

Originally Posted by OreoGaborio

Yup... sucks.

The other thing you need to watch out for, is if you pass someone on the brakes just prior to a tip-in point, DON'T merge back onto the line in front of them. You may be faster coming UP to the braking zone, but they may be faster going THROUGH the braking zone, especially at the beginning if they're carrying less speed into it (as they don't have to brake as much or as long as you do since you carried more speed into the braking zone)

So if you pass just prior to getting on the brakes and move over back onto the line, you might cause them to have to jack up on the brakes to avoid hitting you. If you can make that pass, then you should be able to tip-in from the line that you passed them on.

Make sense?

PERFECT sense. Now if only other folks got it...I get that all the time and having to deal with my bike and not run over their ass can be frustrating to say the least, especially when they jack up the next turn for ya.

[the chi]

In reponse to Kells...

Inevitably at Jennings every time my big brother did that on his 1000, he'd fly off the end of turn 1. And I'd wave as I passed him again.

[OreoGaborio]

Here's an article that might interest some of you

http://www.tz250racing.com/The_Art_of_Passing.php

[Captain Morgan]

Originally Posted by OreoGaborio

Here's an article that might interest some of you

http://www.tz250racing.com/The_Art_of_Passing.php

Good article. I understand that I shouldn't do anything different. And, fyi to all, I never changed my line during the corner. If someone was going to pass me in a corner so be it, they were going to have to get around me. However, I would look over my shoulder at the beginning of the straights (both short ones and long ones), move out of the way and slow down, and wave a group of riders passed me.
After I let the group past, I would then speed up and get back on line for the next turn.

Oh, and inside passing was permitted. I realize you all think I was being unsafe, but I assure you, I was not. However, I will keep your comments in mind if I ever ride on the track again, which I doubt will happen on the strom.

[TTD]

Something else to consider is the mentality of the trackday rider at the event.

The reason our rules and our look back policy work is because of the type of riders we cater to.

Basically, we stress safety, courtesy, and respect.

We have no inside passing because we want riders comfortable entering the corners, without fear of someone standing them up. Also, if you crash, you won't take out the passee.

Because of our stricter passing rules, we tell riders to take a look back once in a while when coming onto the straight (IF YOU CAN DO IT WITHOUT ALTERING LINE OR SPEED).

Or, if you are not comfortable doing a quick look behind... just don't go WFO on every lap when you hit the straight. If anything, chilling out for a straight will actually help you improve because it gives you a couple of extra seconds to re group.

Again, this all works at our days because of our average riders mentality. At our days, if you show someone a wheel, they are more than happy to let you by. The goal is to learn to ride better... and go home in one piece!

And just to be clear... I am NOT saying our type of days are better/worse. I am saying that there are options out there. If you don't like the way a trackday is run (be it too loose or too restricted), find another organization - don't give up on trackdays or try to fit in a mold that isn't meant for you.

[DLIT]

You have to be predictable and hold your lines. You're not racing. A big thing I've seen is noobs kinda late-apexing a corner and coming close to hitting others on the right line. If you're wide, stay wide. Don't shoot in in hopes to catch the apex at the last second. Decreasing radius corners exempt. You can assume a person will swing it in late in a decreasing radius.

[shmike]

Originally Posted by DLIT

You have to be predictable and hold your lines. You're not racing. A big thing I've seen is noobs kinda late-apexing a corner and coming close to hitting others on the right line. If you're wide, stay wide. Don't shoot in in hopes to catch the apex at the last second. Decreasing radius corners exempt. You can assume a person will swing it in late in a decreasing radius.

This post is the exact reason why inside passing is not allowed for certain groups.

[DLIT]

Originally Posted by shmike

This post is the exact reason why inside passing is not allowed for certain groups.

But it still happens.

[OreoGaborio]

Originally Posted by DLIT

But it still happens.

Not sure I quite understand what you're getting at? There's rules/regulations for a lot of things, but they still happen.

I whole heartedly agree that you should hold your line... but your line may be different than someone else's and you should ride accordingly and with a healthy safety margin.

[DLIT]

Originally Posted by OreoGaborio

Not sure I quite understand what you're getting at? There's rules/regulations for a lot of things, but they still happen.

I whole heartedly agree that you should hold your line... but your line may be different than someone else's and you should ride accordingly and with a healthy safety margin.

Keep in mind we're talking about noobs in the noob group. Taking inappropriate lines happens a lot in that group.