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Questions regarding Drills, car camping at Thunderhill, and uhaul trailers

Greenhorn

Stay Present
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Location
San Jose
Moto(s)
GS500
1. What drills (if any) do you guys practice between trackdays and offseason? For drills I essentially just do figure 8s all day to get more comfortable with lean angles.
2. For those of you that car camp, what was your experience like and what protips do you have? The last time I was there it was 110F at thunderhill and I ended up going home early.
3. Are there Uhaul alternatives that is a little cheaper? I realize that I am renting the trailer for 3 day rental for a day trip or 4 day rental for a full weekend (day before to load everything up, 1-2 days at the track and then a day to return it back to uhaul)

Thank you much! Also looking for mentors if anyone is willing to adopt a C rider.
 
1. each time i ride i focus on a different topic; vision, controls, timing, reference points, ergonomics / body position, etc.
2. ear plugs help sleep. lots of bugs, if you sleep outside, a fan blowing over you at night keeps bugs off. if it's hot, take it slow. recognize heat exhaustion symptoms and act on them as soon as you notice them.
3. renting / borrowing a truck that can fit the bike and gear in the bed may be cheaper, then you don't have to drive 55. even better to find someone with space in their truck / trailer
 
does everyone here own trucks and RVs for their trackday excursions? I rented a truck on my first track day and that got expensive pretty quickly. I haven't tried places like TURO for truck rentals.
 
Hi, good questions. Here is how I am doing things:

1. Drills - I don't ride the street anymore, so I go out to the bike and practice body positioning - really mostly to just sit on the bike and feel good. I do physical training to keep the main muscle groups and joints in good condition.

2. Car camping - I have stayed in the open, non shaded spots in spring and fall, and use my large hatchback as shade. In the summer, I have to arrive by 10 p.m. the night before to find a spot under THEast covered spots. Ear plugs to sleep through noisy generators. I use a black face mask as an eye mask. In lightly attended events, I can park U-haul trailer under covered spots. In popular events, I have to separate the trailer from the car per rules. In Spring and fall, I bring a light sleeping bag, sheets and light blanket to regulate my sleep temperature. My new rule for this year is that I don't do hot track days, or stop riding when I can't comfortably walk across the tarmac in gear.

3. U-haul is best for me as they're close by and I don't have space to store a trailer. Remember that it costs $17 dollars to cross a toll bridge on 3 axles.

This year I bought a canopy tent which helps keep me cooler and allows me to stay away from the crowded Covered spots.

The Thunderhill West spots don't have that many covered areas, so I bring my canopy along just in case. Also, I like to stay out in the breeze and have some privacy, too so I take the canopy to Laguna and Sears.

Things I prize are a jet boil stove, mat to lay/stretch on asphalt, canopy and the ability to drive up the u-haul trailer at the end of day.
 
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Hello Saxon- Ah so you don't even take the bike off the stands and just visualize and practice body positions. Thank you for that insight.

Thank you so much for the protips.

Do you generally buy the full season for just a la carte since you want to avoid the heat.
 
Yes, I will keep the bike on front stands/chocks and back stands. Sometimes I will take it off to practice dragging the brakes lightly as Ken Hill suggests, but I don't think it is a good simulation of the track as the hand grasp forces to drag a brake are different at 1 mph vs. 111 mph.

I am only an intermediate rider and there are plenty more experienced here that can provide their advice, but I am very comfortable with the level I am at. One instructor said, "don't you want to get faster" and I said, "not necessarily, I want to be comfortable at speed with good technique and hold some reserve, just like I would do on the street." I look at the long view of things. Yes, there might be some more adrenaline by pushing a bit more, but the risk is not worth the reward.

Best advice I got last year was from Dave Moss, "just do things 1/2 second earlier and you may find yourself faster."

I don't buy a season pass because I only average about 8 track days a year across different providers.

For next year, I am considering the smaller track at Sonoma, much lower cost but need a 450 or lower cc bike.

Whatever happens, a day on the track is better than a day in the office!
 
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