Motorcycle Track Days
I love short circuit scratching, but the chance to ride the big curves and long straights of Silverstone's full GP circuit is a day not to be missed, and the perfect bike is a race prepped Yamaha R1 hired for the day from Manic Racing.
Darren from Manic runs a mean bike, Ohlins front and rear, Metzler Rennsports all round, AP race brakes, Micron race can, lightweight wheels and all the road junk removed. Also the engine has been breathed on slightly to make a mouth watering package.
The weather on the day was fantastic, I signed on at 7.30am and shortly after James Whitham (Ex World SuperSport and GP rider) gave us the pre track briefing. For those of you who don't know James, he is a hard charging racer and all around nice guy, and his relaxed but direct manner settled any pre track nerves amongst the first timers.
But James tells you straight, this is not a race school, although guidance is always available from the very able riding marshals, and from James himself, you will not be doing lots of sessions riding at reduced speed through marker cones, and there are no hard and fast rules about overtaking just don't ride dangerously or you will be brought in for "a little talk".
Darren from Manic runs a mean bike, Ohlins front and rear, Metzler Rennsports all round, AP race brakes, Micron race can, lightweight wheels and all the road junk removed. Also the engine has been breathed on slightly to make a mouth watering package.
The weather on the day was fantastic, I signed on at 7.30am and shortly after James Whitham (Ex World SuperSport and GP rider) gave us the pre track briefing. For those of you who don't know James, he is a hard charging racer and all around nice guy, and his relaxed but direct manner settled any pre track nerves amongst the first timers.
But James tells you straight, this is not a race school, although guidance is always available from the very able riding marshals, and from James himself, you will not be doing lots of sessions riding at reduced speed through marker cones, and there are no hard and fast rules about overtaking just don't ride dangerously or you will be brought in for "a little talk".
In no time at all it was leathers on, tire warmers off and fire the R1 up, I have ridden some very fast bike in my time, but the power of this bike demands respect, especially blasting out of the hairpin onto the ultra fast start line straight.
And the rush down Hanger Straight has to be experienced to be believed, chin buried hard into the tank and the bike screaming at 12,000 rpm in top, you arrive at your braking point very fast, then its sit up in the wind, grab a big handful of the powerful AP racing front brake, and pitch it into Stowe corner.
Then its around the bus stop of Vale and out of Club for the rush back towards Abbey. This corner is one of the few original Silverstone corners. Taken very very fast, this left hander will test the boldest riders nerve, it has a nice smooth approach, but mid way through there are tarmac changes and a few ripples to upset the balance of the bike, here the Manic prepared R1 excelled, the light weight wheels with reduced un-sprung weight allowing the tyres to stay in contact with the surface, and the Ohlin forks inspire confidence and soak up the ripples and you think, I could have gone faster. But each time you peel into Abbey and reach your knee down to the tarmac, the wind pulls strongly on your leg to remind you just how fast you are going.
Overall it was a top day, well organized by Speed Freaks, great weather, and a great bike, and if you think Silverstone is just a boring flat out circuit, think again, on a rocket ship like the Manic R1, its a real challenge.
And the rush down Hanger Straight has to be experienced to be believed, chin buried hard into the tank and the bike screaming at 12,000 rpm in top, you arrive at your braking point very fast, then its sit up in the wind, grab a big handful of the powerful AP racing front brake, and pitch it into Stowe corner.
Then its around the bus stop of Vale and out of Club for the rush back towards Abbey. This corner is one of the few original Silverstone corners. Taken very very fast, this left hander will test the boldest riders nerve, it has a nice smooth approach, but mid way through there are tarmac changes and a few ripples to upset the balance of the bike, here the Manic prepared R1 excelled, the light weight wheels with reduced un-sprung weight allowing the tyres to stay in contact with the surface, and the Ohlin forks inspire confidence and soak up the ripples and you think, I could have gone faster. But each time you peel into Abbey and reach your knee down to the tarmac, the wind pulls strongly on your leg to remind you just how fast you are going.
Overall it was a top day, well organized by Speed Freaks, great weather, and a great bike, and if you think Silverstone is just a boring flat out circuit, think again, on a rocket ship like the Manic R1, its a real challenge.
Nürburgring
Built in the 1920's and once a Grand Prix track the Nordschleife or "North Loop" cutting through the forests around the Eifel mountains in Germany, was a challenging circuit. But partly due to its length, making marshaling difficult and an almost complete lack of run-off areas the "Green Hell" is now mostly used for track enthusiasts, corporate motorsport events and occasional Sports Car/Endurance races.
Unlike any other track I've ridden, over 14 miles long with cars, bikes even mini buses all share the track at the same time. Although the lanes are not painted on the track you had better stay on the right hand side of the track, showing a right hand turn signal when faster traffic comes up behind you, because Nürburgring regulars will come barreling past you until you get up to speed. And you will be passed by some very fast and exotic fire breathing semi race spec monsters.
Bikers need to pay special attention at the Nürburgring due to the lack of run off area also when the track is wet, which it often is in this part of the world, the track surface can get very slippery.
More Information
www.nuerburgring.de
Unlike any other track I've ridden, over 14 miles long with cars, bikes even mini buses all share the track at the same time. Although the lanes are not painted on the track you had better stay on the right hand side of the track, showing a right hand turn signal when faster traffic comes up behind you, because Nürburgring regulars will come barreling past you until you get up to speed. And you will be passed by some very fast and exotic fire breathing semi race spec monsters.
Bikers need to pay special attention at the Nürburgring due to the lack of run off area also when the track is wet, which it often is in this part of the world, the track surface can get very slippery.
More Information
www.nuerburgring.de
Other Track days.....
Suzuki GSX750 Lydden Hill
BMW R1200 S Mallory Park
Ducati 996 at Thruxton