I went to the track today at Thunderhill. Unfortunately, as we woke up this morning it started raining. This being my first trackday, I was a bit nervous, but still excited.

The Good:
Thunderhill is a pretty sweet track. Nice layout and good elevation changes make it pretty interesting. The knockoff Laguna corkscrew is a bit of a cheesy idea but still way ballsy to ride. Riding in the rain was surprisingly fun. I learned a ton about my bike that way. All your inputs are exaggerated, and you can clearly see how the bike responds to them.

The Bad:
The combo of the shitty GS suspension, the rain, and possibly the sport demons made for heavy duty slip-sliding around. While this was fun at times, it also made my stomach drop more than a few times. I've avoided the hard twisties in the rain so far, so this was a new experience for me. I would love for a chance to tweak and test the suspension and tires for rain riding.

The Ugly:
As you might expect from a wet trackday, a lot of people went off the track. At least 7 went down that I know of. One of those was my friend. (Lauren, for those of you from SCS or skillzdays.) I saw it pretty clearly since I was behind her when it happened. Her line was a little off in turn 11, she grabbed too much brake, and down she went. Of course, our story doesn't end there. Seeing as how my view was not good enough already, I pull the retard move and turn my head to look. Did I mention that I'm a retard? I bring my head back to where it should be, but I'm doomed. Between target fixating and giving in to instincts and grabbing some brake, I go down right behind her. I probably would have be fine if it were dry, but like I said, the rain teaches you how all your moves will be exaggerated.

Luckily, both of us are fine, and the bikes aren't much worse off. She needs a shifter, I need a rear peg and possibly a clutch lever. The tank has a little dent, and the rear frame cover is rashed. I'm thinking I won't even bother with the cosmetic stuff and go quasi-rat bike with the GS. I kinda feel bad about treating her that way, especially since she has taken a beating and keeps on rollin. We'll see, but in the meantime I'll have to cage it. (Where's the BARF puking smiley when I need it?)

Aw, sorry man, but it was a good learning experience. 

Get your bike fixed and come out and ride with us at the Doc Wong riding clinic this December 10th.  Rain or shine.  I should be up and running before then.  Then we can ride in the rain (hopefully), or on wet, moldy roads with leaves and pine needles!

Only 7 people went down? And it was raining?

At the track day I cornerworked for on November 11, we had at least a dozen people crash (not just go off the track, but crash) and it was clear and warm.

brett, sounds like a good time. rain will teach you smoothness, or help you work on it anyway. glad either of you werent hurt.

yep should not have looked ... dont know if this makes me a bad person ...but when ppl go down (if i'm at a track)  i keep going . i dont worry about them (mind you not  this is in a race in most cases ) i keep going and try to avoid them at all cost ... this is what i did in motocross ... dang near rain a guys arm over cuz he went down in front of me .. but thats how i was taught to ride .. dont worry about anyone but your self .. your there to win .. i do relize this was just a trackday .......but i'd probly still not look .. i'd just be like ..well .. hope there ok .. and keep on going ... but its good to hear that you and your friend made out good .. and with only minor scratches

I think more people crash when the weather is good. In the rain you tend to be more careful.
I did a track day at Donington park in England in the rain but it was still good fun.

Quote from: FearedGS500 on November 27, 2006, 12:38:07 AM
yep should not have looked ... dont know if this makes me a bad person ...but when ppl go down (if i'm at a track)  i keep going . i dont worry about them (mind you not  this is in a race in most cases ) i keep going and try to avoid them at all cost ... this is what i did in motocross ... dang near rain a guys arm over cuz he went down in front of me .. but thats how i was taught to ride .. dont worry about anyone but your self .. your there to win .. i do relize this was just a trackday .......but i'd probly still not look .. i'd just be like ..well .. hope there ok .. and keep on going ... but its good to hear that you and your friend made out good .. and with only minor scratches

Yeah, I know not to look, but if I could instinctively do half the things I know not to do I would be a waaaaay better rider. But that's why I went to the track, to learn more in a safe environment. Even though I crashed, it really wasn't bad at all, so I would say mission (mostly) accomplished.

Alpha, we went down at the last session before lunch, so we didn't stay for the afternoon. There were probably more, but only 7 that I know of for sure. The rain was coming down even harder when we left, and not many more people were riding in the afternoon. Even crazier, there was a group of folks out there doing the new racers school. I think the trackday provider eventually called off the nrs, but big props to those guys for trying to stick with it.

Quote from: brett on November 27, 2006, 08:09:57 AM
Alpha, we went down at the last session before lunch, so we didn't stay for the afternoon. There were probably more, but only 7 that I know of for sure. The rain was coming down even harder when we left, and not many more people were riding in the afternoon. Even crazier, there was a group of folks out there doing the new racers school. I think the trackday provider eventually called off the nrs, but big props to those guys for trying to stick with it.

The thing is, with this group (RideSmart, for you Texans) having a dozen or so people crash out per track day is pretty common no matter what the weather is.

thats true with almost any org...LOL..

brett, I can't believe you did your first track day in the rain -- wow.  Glad you enjoyed it for the most part, and didn't hurt yourself with the fall.