Brands Indy 26th April 10 - Report on page 3

[urbanmark]

My boss has given. YES GIVEN!!!!! Me a set of wolf leathers. But the zip only attaches at the back not all the way around. Will they let me on with them do you think? Do they even check the zips?

[Netmeister]

When I did my first day they just asked if they zipped around and I said yes, he didn't take it further, and I didn't see any one else get checked.

Saying that though, this time it's a different track day organiser. If you want to take the risk and they catch you out your day is over and you won't get your money back! Might be worth going to a specialist to see if you can get a 360 degree zip put in, I had mine replaced for £50 when I had my off.

[urbanmark]

they want £75 for the jacket and £75 for the trousers. I need to think!

[Netmeister]

That is quite a lot, but think of it as an investment for the future

[Netmeister]

Only a week to go

[Netmeister]

After being extremely excited for the five weeks leading up to this day after I booked it, overnight that excitement turned to nervousness and thoughts filled my head that I wasn't being wise. I was taking my 215kg, 70bhp, top heavy Bandit to a race track and if I didn't bin it myself, then I was sure someone would knock me off because I was so slow, but as is the way I got my stuff together and off I went.

Arrived at the circuit at around 07:10 thinking I was too late for a garage but was pleasantly surprised to find plenty available so I parked my bike up and started prepping it for the track. As I was taping my lights up, a rather strange man called Jon Piscitelli (from TDR) popped in and introduced himself, who soon after told me he'd done a big job in the office where I work, even though we live hundreds of miles apart. Small world.

So after the usual morning stuff was out the way it was time to get out on track. After my off on my first TD in July last year (this day being my second) my confidence was at an all time low, and that was clear to see in the first three sessions. I was stiff, I was slow, I couldn't lean and I was getting very very frustrated.

I decided to grab an instructor (Del) for the fourth session to see if that would help, and it did. He said to just follow him and copy his lines and when he thought I had got the hang of it he let me go in front so he could watch me to see if I was doing anything majorly wrong. It was a revelation, I was starting to feel all those great feelings I felt on my first TD and I properly started enjoying myself. After the session I went to go see Del and he pretty much only had good things to say. I had good lines, smooth throttle control, good body position (and getting into position early) and he assured me that the only real issue I had was in my head, I like Del

With that I returned to my bike feeling really good and with the pleasant words from Jon about my last session I was really looking forward to the next session. It came around quite quickly and I was out again with my new found confidence, everything just seemed to click and it felt great. Jon and I came back in after the session and Jon said, "I think you've got it back" and he was right, I was loving it! Jon, my girlfriend and my mum left after that session so I sat in the garage waiting for the call for the sixth session.

The sixth session was by far my best, everything went great and I really felt like I was putting in some fast (by my standards) and smooth laps. Towards the end though I was really feeling tired and went wide in a couple of places, so decided to call it a day there. So I packed my bits up and trotted off home.

Hopefully some pics to follow when they're up on the site, although I'm not thinking they'll be many good ones as it was only the last couple of sessions I think I actually looked good.

[urbanmark]

Top man! Glad you got something out of it

[Netmeister]

Thanks Mark, what looked like it was going to be a shocking day turned into quite a rewarding one.

Shame you couldn't make it down. Hoping to do Snetterton the first week of July, think you could make that?

[urbanmark]

no chance, but Ive asked every one I know for No limits vouchers for fathersday / Birthday. I am trying for Brands later in the year.

[urbanmark]

P.S

Did anyone get there leathers checked / Get turned away?

[Netmeister]

P.S

Did anyone get there leathers checked / Get turned away?

 

I did, every single session and it wasn't a quick question either, the dude stuck his hand right up the inside of my jacket to check. Obviously MSV are more hot on it now.

Ok mate, let me know what day you're gonna do and I'll try and get there.

[chris128]

Glad to hear you had a good time mate I've been in the same situation where the first few sessions absolutely suck and you consider just going home there and then... but 9 times out of 10 if you stick with it you end up enjoying it again after a few more laps and most importantly, you didn't bin it this time

Looking forward to CSS on the 10th? I called and found that you definitely can camp on the track site so I'm gonna head down on the sunday and park there n sleep in the car. Just need to buy a trailer next weekend now... after the one I was renting had a wheel bearing blow and the wheel ended up pretty much hanging off while I was driving it! I'll PM you my mobile number sometime soon as well.

[Netmeister]

Your right, I'm now down to a 50% crash rate

I totally understand what you meant when you said that you didn't enjoy it is much on your road bike a few weeks ago. Not only was harder to turn and lean being so heavy (e.g I think I hit the apex at Graham Hill about twice all day, where as on the track R6 I rode last year I was hitting the apex and cutting under people on the exit nearly every lap) but there was always that consequence of binning my oad bike looming in the back of my mind. I was planning on doing 2 or 3 this year on my Bandit, but I can safely say I won't be doing another, not until my confidence is much higher anyway.

And yes I'm very very much looking forward to CSS, not only for the tuition, but also just to get out again but this time on a proper track machine. Shame I'm gonna have to wait 2 months to practice what I learnt though Won't be getting out again until the 8th July when I'm planning to do Snetterton.