Hi guys! hoping to do a trackday in spain next year and all the firms will transport your bike plus a FEW SPARES? What is it you take? I mean do you take wets on wheels, what power source do you use for tyre warmers as an jennie will take up loads of space, do you ship leathers, helmet etc or take them on the plane? Am sure a few of you have done these before so help me please!!!
Anyone done a european trackday?
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Hello mate, i was at cartagena in jan this year and I loved it. Best thing I've ever done on a bike.
It was with Focused Events and is everything a real motorcyclist should enjoy (note motorcyclist and not biker- bikers are fat tossers that just eat pies and talk crap).
You don't need wets- very unlikely it'll rain, but take them if you really want.
Garages will have electricity but it will be approx 5 bikes to a garage so take a good extension reel and a socket doubler.
Company should take all your tools, kit- everything except for casual wear.
Take a big jerry can but don't fill it up! Do that at the circuit!
Take usual tools with you and spare pads, levers and foot pegs if poss. Tool box sizes are limited, check with your company.
make sure you're also prepared to burn through tyres- depending on your pace expect a back tyre per day. Front may last 2 or 3 days depending on how you ride.
An awful lot still left to be said, so post up again if you have any specific questions.
Oh, in Spain you are given transponders and are timed. You can see how good you REALLY are!! Or in my case, aren't!
It was with Focused Events and is everything a real motorcyclist should enjoy (note motorcyclist and not biker- bikers are fat tossers that just eat pies and talk crap).
You don't need wets- very unlikely it'll rain, but take them if you really want.
Garages will have electricity but it will be approx 5 bikes to a garage so take a good extension reel and a socket doubler.
Company should take all your tools, kit- everything except for casual wear.
Take a big jerry can but don't fill it up! Do that at the circuit!
Take usual tools with you and spare pads, levers and foot pegs if poss. Tool box sizes are limited, check with your company.
make sure you're also prepared to burn through tyres- depending on your pace expect a back tyre per day. Front may last 2 or 3 days depending on how you ride.
An awful lot still left to be said, so post up again if you have any specific questions.
Oh, in Spain you are given transponders and are timed. You can see how good you REALLY are!! Or in my case, aren't!
thats great info jon. ill pm you if I need any help near the time.
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- Nov 16, 2008
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Hi bud
I also used focused for a trip to jerez around 3 yr ago it cost me around a grand (all in) I belive they are a bit cheaper these days.
like jon said no real need to take wets as we never saw a rain cloud all weekend. as far as tyres go I used a med comp front and rear and they lasted all weekend wobbling round.
We thought it was best to get the instructor out all afternoon on the first day just to sort lines out and braking markers, after the first few mad sessions.
We hired a car and used that to shuttle run fuel from the local petrol station as the price on track was a bit cheeky.
As far as tools go we could fit a builders bag full of the basics around the bike cradles before they got lifted into the transport also
hope this helps
I also used focused for a trip to jerez around 3 yr ago it cost me around a grand (all in) I belive they are a bit cheaper these days.
like jon said no real need to take wets as we never saw a rain cloud all weekend. as far as tyres go I used a med comp front and rear and they lasted all weekend wobbling round.
We thought it was best to get the instructor out all afternoon on the first day just to sort lines out and braking markers, after the first few mad sessions.
We hired a car and used that to shuttle run fuel from the local petrol station as the price on track was a bit cheeky.
As far as tools go we could fit a builders bag full of the basics around the bike cradles before they got lifted into the transport also
hope this helps
Thats great info silver thanks bud
Jon. I was at cartagena in January as well. Had a good time & still running the tyres I got fitted there. I was the slowest though.
I have been on a French track day for the "locals" before. It was totally manic. All bikes had their fairings removed, unless they were track only bikes. It was run in sessions but each group had more bikes in it than a typical full entry for a UK event. Was totally fun & should do it again.
I have been on a French track day for the "locals" before. It was totally manic. All bikes had their fairings removed, unless they were track only bikes. It was run in sessions but each group had more bikes in it than a typical full entry for a UK event. Was totally fun & should do it again.
B
Badger
Guest
Not been before, but booked on this one for november
http://www.superbikeacademy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11
Gonna do the 2 hour endurance race and a sprint race or two:biggrin and Jezza is throwing in his Superbike academy for a freebie for us:biggrin
http://www.superbikeacademy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11
Gonna do the 2 hour endurance race and a sprint race or two:biggrin and Jezza is throwing in his Superbike academy for a freebie for us:biggrin
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A
A303
Guest
That looks good Badg.
We've just booked Cartagena again (went last Dec) for November with Focused. Great little track although we had wanted to try Almeria this year but booked up/wrong time for all of us. Last year we booked tuition from racer Adrian Coates (top bloke) but one S Plater was also instructing there, plus Bradley Smith was down there doing laps.
They'll take all your gear (as long as you don't have too much). Just make sure your helmet is well padded - or you can just take that on the plane. Don't bother with check-in luggage as you'll have to pay extra with Easyjet and the airport handlers will like as not use your lid as a football on the tarmac!
Need any more info, just ask.
We've just booked Cartagena again (went last Dec) for November with Focused. Great little track although we had wanted to try Almeria this year but booked up/wrong time for all of us. Last year we booked tuition from racer Adrian Coates (top bloke) but one S Plater was also instructing there, plus Bradley Smith was down there doing laps.
They'll take all your gear (as long as you don't have too much). Just make sure your helmet is well padded - or you can just take that on the plane. Don't bother with check-in luggage as you'll have to pay extra with Easyjet and the airport handlers will like as not use your lid as a football on the tarmac!
Need any more info, just ask.
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- Gloucester
I have done Jerez quite a few times now (my aviator pic is there) and catalunia a few times. I personaly am not keen on useing Focused events for european trips, as i, and others i know have had damage to our bikes in transit. It is only bikes with track bodywork, but i was not impressed to find my bike had had a tyre straped so tight over the seat unit that it left the impression of the print in my paint! And it wont t-cut out. Also it cracked the fibre glass as i have a cut down subframe, so the rear section has no support. I did get a free track day out of them for the damage, but thats not the point. We were asked to provide bike covers, which we did, but obviously not used. When we got to Jerez, My bike was on someone elses stand, so had to prop bike against a wall, then search for my stand. Then all the covers were thrown in a heap, and when i found mine it was ripped! My mate did'nt even find his, and they had to supply him with a new one.
The moral of this story is to use TRACK SENSE. They are great. Took bikes to Kemble airfield, Glostershire (or they pick them up for you at extra cost) and the bikes are straped into steel frames. You then strap your kit bag with leathers, boots, back protector, etc to your bike. Also stands, tool bag, spare tyres etc will all fit within this frame. They then put one frame on top of another one, and then fork lift the two bikes onto a curtain sided lorry. When you get to the track, each frame is lifted off the lorry, and only you unload your bike, so no damage, and all your kit is in one place.
As for power, take european adaptors, and the blue 16A round sockets, plus ext. lead, etc. Most tracks i've been to will have both types available.
Carry your helmet as hand luggage, much safer.
As for tools, depends how much you can do to your bike really. I take sockets, torque wrench, allen sockets, lock wire and plyers, screwdrivers, tiewraps, laytex gloves, rags, tyre pressure guague, etc. The organisers usually take most tools with them as well.
As for spares, take brake pads unless they are new on the bike. Take spare levers and thats about it. I take spare handle bar tube, footpegs, throttle cables (i have quick action throttle), wets on rims, plus a spare rear slick (a bit cheaper to buy in the uk than at track event)
Hope that lot helps anyone thinking on doing a european track event. You will love it on a hot track, and dont forget to drink water ALL day, you will sweat alot!!
Cheers Rob.
The moral of this story is to use TRACK SENSE. They are great. Took bikes to Kemble airfield, Glostershire (or they pick them up for you at extra cost) and the bikes are straped into steel frames. You then strap your kit bag with leathers, boots, back protector, etc to your bike. Also stands, tool bag, spare tyres etc will all fit within this frame. They then put one frame on top of another one, and then fork lift the two bikes onto a curtain sided lorry. When you get to the track, each frame is lifted off the lorry, and only you unload your bike, so no damage, and all your kit is in one place.
As for power, take european adaptors, and the blue 16A round sockets, plus ext. lead, etc. Most tracks i've been to will have both types available.
Carry your helmet as hand luggage, much safer.
As for tools, depends how much you can do to your bike really. I take sockets, torque wrench, allen sockets, lock wire and plyers, screwdrivers, tiewraps, laytex gloves, rags, tyre pressure guague, etc. The organisers usually take most tools with them as well.
As for spares, take brake pads unless they are new on the bike. Take spare levers and thats about it. I take spare handle bar tube, footpegs, throttle cables (i have quick action throttle), wets on rims, plus a spare rear slick (a bit cheaper to buy in the uk than at track event)
Hope that lot helps anyone thinking on doing a european track event. You will love it on a hot track, and dont forget to drink water ALL day, you will sweat alot!!
Cheers Rob.
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- 279
Hi Kev- you were at cartagena this year? This was Jan 22nd onwards I think, although could've been 15th? Na, sure it was 22nd onwards.
I wasn't much quicker- i put myself in novice but got moved up on day 2 cos of my lap time. I managed to go faster on the Friday (first day) than the Saturday/Sunday! I had a moment at the rear and lost my bottle, so just enjoyed the rest of my time there at my own pace.
A303 (name?), you would've been there when Phil Price was. The man is a legend! 60 something years old and spanks me all over the shop.
He was there on his ZX10R but has a 175bhp 'blade too. Oh, and has apparently ordered an RSV4.
He did 86 'days on track' in 2008- legend.
So... I suppose we all know what our lap times were and how good we really are (or not).
Anyone dare to share?
I wasn't much quicker- i put myself in novice but got moved up on day 2 cos of my lap time. I managed to go faster on the Friday (first day) than the Saturday/Sunday! I had a moment at the rear and lost my bottle, so just enjoyed the rest of my time there at my own pace.
A303 (name?), you would've been there when Phil Price was. The man is a legend! 60 something years old and spanks me all over the shop.
He was there on his ZX10R but has a 175bhp 'blade too. Oh, and has apparently ordered an RSV4.
He did 86 'days on track' in 2008- legend.
So... I suppose we all know what our lap times were and how good we really are (or not).
Anyone dare to share?
- Joined
- May 6, 2009
- Messages
- 279
Phew! I don't know Jerez lap times but to only be 5 seconds off the fastest guy there makes you one quick mo-fo!!!!
Surely you must be a club racer with times like that?
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- Gloucester
No, self employed, so too much risk to race now i'm a dad! Racing you ride at 10 10ths but trackdays i can ride at 9 10ths without fear of over pushing the limits and crashing. (i did manage to come off at about 130 going into Island bend at Oulton, but got away with that one!!)
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- May 6, 2009
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Either way, to be 5 seconds off the pace on a 2 minute lap makes you a very, very quick boy.
I'm very impressed, you're no doubt in the top 0.5% of all British motorcyclists.
Fair play!
I'm very impressed, you're no doubt in the top 0.5% of all British motorcyclists.
Fair play!
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- Gloucester
Reality check here guys, MotoGP lap time at Jerez is 1.30 something, and 125's do 1.45 second laps, so 2.02 is not that fast!
I was lucky enough to have a whole morning with THE Ian Simpson, and pryer to that i was doing 2,06 laps. So just getting your lines sorted with a man who has been there and done that can really help.
I would advise anyone to have one to one sessions on a european track day, as you have loads of track time, good weather, and a chance to forget everything going on at home ect. and just concentrate on the track and how to ride it.
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I don't know Jerez lap times, but based on the fact you said the fastest guy there on an ex-works BSB Suzuki was doing 1:57 I thought that was a very good lap.
To put that into perspective, I thought it meant that in UK terms you'd be doing 52-53's around Brands Hatch Indy and something like a 55 at Mallory?
I assumed the 1:57 was a very hot lap?
Don't sell yourself short- next time you go to a bike meet/cafe have a look at most of the guys there. They could only dream of riding at that kind of pace. Ok, you're not the next Rossi or Bayliss but I bet of all the members on this forum you're quicker than 95% of us- and we're enthusiasts!
To put that into perspective, I thought it meant that in UK terms you'd be doing 52-53's around Brands Hatch Indy and something like a 55 at Mallory?
I assumed the 1:57 was a very hot lap?
Don't sell yourself short- next time you go to a bike meet/cafe have a look at most of the guys there. They could only dream of riding at that kind of pace. Ok, you're not the next Rossi or Bayliss but I bet of all the members on this forum you're quicker than 95% of us- and we're enthusiasts!
B
Badger
Guest
Good info mate, what did you have to book then for luggage on the flights, i was hoping not to have to book any more than i bag up to 15kg with Ryanair, if i need to send a sport equipment bag ( leathers etc inside) it is a whopping £60 return, so if it is possible then i will send with the bike and just go with 1 baggage of clothing.
How did you go about it?:thumbup
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Hi Badger, My kit bag with leathers, boots, gloves, back and chest protector etc. all went with the bike. The only thing i took on the plane was my small suit case for every day clothes etc. and my helmet in a helmet carry bag (motrax) as hand luggage.
Some companys book your flights for you (focused) and others just your track time and transport of bike. The last time i went to Jerez (may) I paid less than £60 for return flights on Ryanair from Standstead. (140 odd miles from my house, but only cheap flights about to Jerez airport.) Plus we hired a car (fiesta) for only 18euros a day from the airport which is only about 10 miles from the track.
I cant recomend Jerez enough, it's such a great track and theres showers available etc.
Need any other advise, just ask,
Cheers Rob
Some companys book your flights for you (focused) and others just your track time and transport of bike. The last time i went to Jerez (may) I paid less than £60 for return flights on Ryanair from Standstead. (140 odd miles from my house, but only cheap flights about to Jerez airport.) Plus we hired a car (fiesta) for only 18euros a day from the airport which is only about 10 miles from the track.
I cant recomend Jerez enough, it's such a great track and theres showers available etc.
Need any other advise, just ask,
Cheers Rob
B
Badger
Guest
Cheers TT, Ryanair is £85 return for me from Glasgow (Prestwick) to Malaga and £20 for 1 bag up to 15kg, so i was hoping to avoid paying the robbing barstewards £60 for taking my kit as sports equipment.
I would imagine that Racedays crates are the same as TS etc., did you take WOW's with you?:thumbup
I would imagine that Racedays crates are the same as TS etc., did you take WOW's with you?:thumbup
