News

Track Day, new Helmet

Loudon, NH

May 26, 2006

So yesterday was the first Tony's Track Day (for all bikes) of 2006. As always it was a great day, with plenty of riding (about 150 miles).

I helped out with the newbies in the morning, doing a follow the leader, then helping some people out individually. That was really good for me as it forced me to slow down.

Part way through the day I went to put on my helmet and dropped it from about chest high. The ground was pavement and it had a nice "thud" sound to it. Mark let me use his spare helmet for the rest of the day (thanks mark). His helmet fit much better, and I felt safer and felt like I could see more.

I helped cornerwork for the lunch hour, which was very interesting. Some of the guys in the blue group were just moving so quick! It was neat to see.

The afternoon sessions were fun. I spent a session with Neal, follow him for some laps, then he followed me. He is moving very well out there, huge improvement from last year. I had to work at times to keep with him. He really should be out there racing with me ...

Ken and Paul talked to me about a different line through Turn 1, and a reference point that I have never seen before. What a difference that made. I felt more consistent through 1 in the afternoon. I started to sort out my over braking issues in turns 3 and 6. Still have a way to go, but its feeling smoother. I tend to make the bike twist in ways it shouldn't be at times, and I need to work on smoothing all that out.

Paul had Mark and I draw out Turn 1 as we see it ... VERY hard thing to do. You would have thought I never have seen the turn. It was a very good illustration in my lack of knowledge of the track and the fact that I have NO reference points.

I have high expectations of myself, which has started to get me down. I had some good conversations with Ken (who I can talk to very easily) about it and I really just need to come to terms of where I am at right now.

At the end of the day, Paul, Neal and Myself did a track walk, and for me it was the highlight of my day. Lots of questions were answered about certain turns (turn 6 was a big one), and being about to see the track surface up close allowed to gain more information about the track and items I can start looking for while riding.

Listening to Paul talk about his experience of racing and some of his "passing spots" was very interesting. He has obviously spent thousands of hours thinking about his riding, the track, his points, etc;. He really knows first hand the hard work and dedication that goes into being fast. I hope that I can make that kind of commitment like he has.

I need to start thinking more when on the track, I'm still feeling my way around at times. I don't even have the major reference points for each corner on the track yet ... no wonder I have found myself crashing in races. I have to take it a notch back I think, "go slow to go fast" as Ken says. Goal for next week, find major reference points for each turn, making sure that I hit them each and every time.

So, because of the helmet drop, and never being 100% satisfied with the fit of my current helmet, I purchased a new Suomy Spec 1R helmet today, which will be delivered at the track day next week. I tried on Neal's on the way home, and it felt just great! I am very excited about this. Safety is #1 goal for me, and if I feel safe I will feel more confident.

The Helmet: