DG Tracknight - A New Beginning

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mad Dash
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Mad Dash

Just visiting
New Thread, as Chiz said, the Knockhill tracknight was the best EVER, weather held for us, plenty of time on track and just a great night... see you all next time. Chiz even managed home before 2am this time, the mark of a great night :D:D:D

The only problem is 2 hours isn't enough :D:D:D Is 3 hours a possiblity... after all we do FULL DAYS at Jerez and Almeria ??? 3 hours would allow more "off track time", bit more banter, more "on track time", especially during the summer where 5pm - 8pm or 6pm to 9pm could be done ???

Just a thought.
 
Mad Dash said:
New Thread, as Chiz said, the Knockhill tracknight was the best EVER, weather held for us, plenty of time on track and just a great night... see you all next time. Chiz even managed home before 2am this time, the mark of a great night :D:D:D

The only problem is 2 hours isn't enough :D:D:D Is 3 hours a possiblity... after all we do FULL DAYS at Jerez and Almeria ??? 3 hours would allow more "off track time", bit more banter, more "on track time", especially during the summer where 5pm - 8pm or 6pm to 9pm could be done ???

Just a thought.
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Might be a idea as I had heard comments that it would be great to allow novices a closed time to find their feet so to speak.
People could go out for an hour, come in, re-fuel, take on some liquid, while a group of novices could go out for 20 minutes & then join the party so to speak.
 
Top Secret

I dropped Scott an e.mail to see about how a SDC Trackday would be received... Knockhill, possibly three hours, Ducati ONLY. A sessioned event, maybe not 3 x 20 mins, but 2 x 30 mins mixing novices/slow inters and faster inters/advance. Maybe even combine it with an SDC meeting, I'm sure the facilities exist up there for that.

Just an idea just now, totally top secret, so don't mention it to anyone :rolleyes:

The DSC trackday at Oulton was a great event, no reason why we can't do a 2-3 hour event if they can do a TWO DAY one ????
 
Prospect of getting blown into the weeds by the next Rossi or taking out the next Rossi has always put me off trying a trackday.
Also looking like a total prat as I wobble around has a bearing as well.:o
A novice only or even a tracknight for tuition/confidence building with an instructor would appeal to me.
One problem of living here is that these type of days tend to be South of the border rather than Knockhill and travel distances are an issue.
Perhaps there are more folk that would appreciate some form of tuition rather than finding out the expensive/painful way?
How feasible would this be?
 
239desmo said:
Prospect of getting blown into the weeds by the next Rossi or taking out the next Rossi has always put me off trying a trackday.
Also looking like a total prat as I wobble around has a bearing as well.:o
A novice only or even a tracknight for tuition/confidence building with an instructor would appeal to me.
One problem of living here is that these type of days tend to be South of the border rather than Knockhill and travel distances are an issue.
Perhaps there are more folk that would appreciate some form of tuition rather than finding out the expensive/painful way?
How feasible would this be?
Click to expand...

Funnily enough there is a guy up that way that sounds like he could be just the ticket for helping out with the instructing !
 
youze lot could just build your own track - and invite only your mates. then you get all the track time you want. in the sessions you want. just a thought. or put your own money up front and book knockhill exclusively. run it yourselves. just a thought.
 
rockjock620 said:
youze lot could just build your own track - and invite only your mates. then you get all the track time you want. in the sessions you want. just a thought. or put your own money up front and book knockhill exclusively. run it yourselves. just a thought.
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I wonder how much it would cost to build a track, let's go on the motorway principle of £1m a mile... so say £1.2-2m to build a fairly basic facilty.. is that in the ballpark ??? Where would we do it and what are the chances of getting planning ??? Was there not talk last year of a new facility in the borders ???:confused:
 
Mad Dash said:
I wonder how much it would cost to build a track, let's go on the motorway principle of £1m a mile... so say £1.2-2m to build a fairly basic facilty.. is that in the ballpark ??? Where would we do it and what are the chances of getting planning ??? Was there not talk last year of a new facility in the borders ???:confused:
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provisional planning permission for a international race track has been granted for Kirkcudbright ...i believe
 
69jme69 said:
provisional planning permission for a international race track has been granted for Kirkcudbright ...i believe
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well that changes things... where's Kirkcudbright ????????? Do I need a passport ?? Certainly a Tom Tom :D
 
69jme69 said:
along the A75 ..go down A77 and turn left or go down A74 and turn right ....simples
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aaahh compare the trackdays.com, simples. Thank you. I think we have more chance of Alexander from Compare the Meerkat.com being voted prime minister than we have of a new track facility here. :D
 
Would more Ducati tracknights at Knockhill have a negative effect on the amount of Ducatis turning up to the DG nights ?,has anyone asked Martins opinion on this.
 
239desmo said:
Prospect of getting blown into the weeds by the next Rossi or taking out the next Rossi has always put me off trying a trackday.
Also looking like a total prat as I wobble around has a bearing as well.:o
A novice only or even a tracknight for tuition/confidence building with an instructor would appeal to me.
One problem of living here is that these type of days tend to be South of the border rather than Knockhill and travel distances are an issue.
Perhaps there are more folk that would appreciate some form of tuition rather than finding out the expensive/painful way?
How feasible would this be?
Click to expand...

My first ever track day last year was a Knockhill run Novice only evening. They usually run a couple at the start of each season.

This was a great intro, after an extended briefing you do 4 laps in a car as an introduction to the track, lines and things to watch for. Then you follow the car on your bike for 4 laps and get about an hour free track time. It's a very safe way to get strarted on track and really builds confidence.

I've been addicted ever since! (Been on track 16 times since last April).

.....After Friday, which was a great night but made me depressed due to the next DG night being so far away, I went onto Knockhill.com and booked onto an afternoon session yesterday.....I have to rate that as the best session I've ever been on! It was from 1 to 5, 20 minute sessions and very quiet. A few Duc's there as well....and a very special Paul Smart replica!
 
Bob s said:
Would more Ducati tracknights at Knockhill have a negative effect on the amount of Ducatis turning up to the DG nights ?,has anyone asked Martins opinion on this.
Click to expand...

Maybe DG could look into a weekend 1/2 day Ducati (or Italian?) only event? 3 or 4 hour open session....or 2 groups doing 4x30 minute sessions (20 mins is a bit short as you really only get 10 fast laps in after warmng up your tyres).

I think it would be nice to see more Ducati's and exotic bikes, rather than track only bikes as by definition folk are more reckless on a track only bike!

My 2pnce worth.
 
asked about Ducati only track nights until blue in the face.... told it wasn't viable :confused:
 
hey rmarinel I was on the tues afternoon knockhill session too and I agree it was awesome. Everyone very well behaved and everything very relaxed. I was on the red 999 and had a big moment in the 3rd session which had me wobbling a bit afterwards :)
Weather was perfect too :)
Cheers
Steve
 
rmarinel said:
My first ever track day last year was a Knockhill run Novice only evening. They usually run a couple at the start of each season.

This was a great intro, after an extended briefing you do 4 laps in a car as an introduction to the track, lines and things to watch for. Then you follow the car on your bike for 4 laps and get about an hour free track time. It's a very safe way to get strarted on track and really builds confidence.

I've been addicted ever since! (Been on track 16 times since last April).

.....After Friday, which was a great night but made me depressed due to the next DG night being so far away, I went onto Knockhill.com and booked onto an afternoon session yesterday.....I have to rate that as the best session I've ever been on! It was from 1 to 5, 20 minute sessions and very quiet. A few Duc's there as well....and a very special Paul Smart replica!
Click to expand...

Do you know if they ever have these events with an instructor?
Interesting to hear that though thanks.:thumbs:
 
239desmo said:
Do you know if they ever have these events with an instructor?
Interesting to hear that though thanks.:thumbs:
Click to expand...

They do a couple of Niall Mackenzie tutor days a year, but I wouldn't bother as they're not that good.

I have just checked and there is a Novice only evening later this month which I would highly recommend:

Novice Only Bike Track Night
Tue 14th July

6pm - 8pm


Bike Track Night from 6pm - 8pm for all Novice riders.

This track night is for first timers and riders who have taken part in 3 or less trackdays.


R
 
239desmo said:
Many thanks again!

Lack of time,too basic, too advanced, expense the problem with the tuition?
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I didn't feel there was much in the way of tuition. I expected lessons on lines, gear selection, braking zones, critique of riding style etc, but really they just let you ride round and only help if you ask...which another 30 fols are doing! It was more like an open session. I did enjoy it, don't get me wrong, I just think it was expensive for what it was. If you were to do a DG track night and ask Martin nicely he would give you just as much advice for free!
 
If your on your first track day, i would advise the following.

1. Learn the track if possible before hand. Knockhill is not a difficult track to learn, and it is short. As for what gear to be in, there is not much gear changing at Knockhill. I only use 2nd, 3rd and only need to use 4th on the 2 straights on my 749.
2. Wear an orange bib. Yes they look stupid, but they identify you as being a novice. It is upto the faster riders to avoid you, avoid diving under or round the outside of you going into corners etc.
3. Relax, and enjoy it. You will not be the slowest. I thought i would be slowest, but actuaslly suprised myself.
4. Try to latch onto someone who you find is maybe 1-2 seconds a lap faster than you, it will amaze you as to how you can step upto their speed with confidence.
5. Get advise from someone who is a regular trackdayer regarding tyre pressures, braking points, body position on bike etc. Get advice from someone who knows what they are speaking about if your suspension needs a tweek.
 
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