| Author | Message | ||
     Blublak |
Ok, DC, MD, VA - Heck DE, PA and WV as well.. (NC if your lookin') Buell is sponsoring track dates around the country in conjunction with Pirelli, Vanson, Sentry Ins. and Private Track Time - One of the dates is a mid week, September 12th, date at Virginia International Raceway - I say this is one that we should plan to attend en-masse. VIR is a great track and the facilities and lay out are all world class. If you've done track days and never ridden this track, then you need too.. If you've never ridden a track before.. Well, this one is one of the best to start at. Oh and at $150.00 it's even cheaper then TPM and the other track day orgs that are out there. .. Now what? What else.. Check the link below and lets all make a good showing gang!! http://www.buell.com/en_us/news_events/insidepass/ virginia.asp | ||
| Ratbuell |
Any idea how many spots are open? I've driven VIR, and it is definitely an awesome track. Have yet to do it on a bike, though....maybe this fall! | ||
| Blublak |
Don't know how many spots.. But they say 'limited' spaces. Take that as you like.. I take it to mean probably about 25 or so maximum per group. Depending on which group you ride in, they could even want smaller groups. I'm hoping folks sign up and join Robin (BumbleBuell my blushing bride) and I for this date, it might be kind of sad if we're the only folks there from this group (MD, VA, DC) .. | ||
| Blublak |
Oh and that brings up another thought.. I dropped the a note about this (Private Track Time) but I'm not sure if they'll bother answering me.. With Buells being the lean mean leaning machines that they are.. and I know they are.. Why the heck would they run so many tracks in the their 'Long Straight Away' versions? VIR Full has some REALLY long straights. The version of Pocono they will be using is also 'Long Straights' complete with a NASCAR banked turn that even the AMA guys didn't like using.. I suggested they use something that nobody has run before.. making the Buell date a really special one.. run the "Grand East".. That's a set up that uses all three courses, lots of curves in sections, a couple of long straights elevation changes.. Buells shouldn't be run like standard point and shoot bikes.. they should be used like they were meant to be used.. twisting and turning.. climbing and diving.. It's a thought or five... | ||
| Tank_bueller |
I'm in! I agree with 25 plus or minus on track at one time, but I ran the north course, and that was plenty-o-curves for anyone. At roughly 2.25mi/lap, it makes for a long day. Fun and fast, but long. I would do it again every chance I get, even at the Cornerspeed track day prices. I think the Full Course is too much "straight time" for us. I hit the limiter in 5th on the front straight on my XB9, but I had to haul-it hard through the last three corners. They may be trying to limit risk by eliminating turn 7, which in AMA, is the wicked uphill right with decreasing camber at the top. Could be a disaster for the unsuspecting sucka! I'm getting excited already! Tank p.s. I sent them an e-mail too. We will see. (Message edited by Tank_Bueller on March 08, 2007) | ||
| Blublak |
Hey Frank! So now there's two of us for sure.. I've run North several times.. as a matter of fact.. last year I low sided coming through T-7 .. I wasn't going that fast, but I was riding a CBR600RR and I guess I hit the power too soon and unlike my nice V-Twin this thing spun the rear wheel out while I was leaned over.. Next thing I know, I'm tumbling into the grass at the top of the rise.. damn if it didn't do $1K worth of damage to that bike (OUCH!) That hurt worse then the mild bruises I got from hitting the ground.. If I don't see ya before then, I'll see ya there! | ||
| Babired |
I just signed up. What's a good hotel to stay at? I can hardly wait! K | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Babired, I stayed here: Sleep Inn Danville both times I went to VIR. It's about 15min from the track, and close to food/etc. in Danville. Pretty decent place IMO. Pete, sounds like you got out pretty easy at T7. Most of the stories I've heard involved the dreaded highside. Still need to sign up, but I'll be there! Tank | ||
| Blublak |
Cool Kath, see you there.. as for hotels.. if you don't mind staying out in the middle of .. well.. VIR.. you can stay at the lodge as well. (if they have room) But, once you're there, there's no food, or services out there.. so it's just a room (a nice room but still) no service, closest food etc, is a drive out to the main roads. Tank.. yeah, I know a lot of folks chop the throttle and try to save it, the bike then hooks up and that sudden stand up sends you flying.. me, I was trying to hold it steady and as soon as I felt it slide out, well.. I was already over so just let it go and that's why I didn't go flying through the air... Still sucked that it happened, but it was a lot better then what could have happened. | ||
| Tank_bueller |
I am scared to death of that corner. When I was in the Cornerspeed school, I saw an instructor lay it in the corner hard, break the back loose at the top, on one wheel, like it was no problem. Much respect to the more experienced riders out there. Still gives me the creeps. Tank | ||
| Babired |
Hey Peter, How far away is South Boston? I found a room there for $45.00 a night. Not liking the total miles down there from my house its about 275 or so. All day ride for me. I looked at the lodge on the track but don't want to be trapped inside. After track day I'm going to rest up and go ride the Blue ridge and Skyline drive up north. Tank I'll look at the sleep inn that sounds good. I wished this track day was sooner than Sept! | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Kathleen, Already looked it up. $68/night. Here's the link... (make sure to select "internet users rate" or it's $75) Sleep Inn Danville The track is about 26mi from South Boston, but only 12mi from the Sleep Inn towards Danville. Hope this helps. Tank | ||
| Blublak |
Hmmmm.. I absolutely agree with closer to Danville. You're going to ride down, take a full day and get lots of rest before the date, you'll need it.. The only hard part for you will be taking all you're gear with you. If you need it, Robin and I will be in the area (we're staying at the Lodge) and we can help out.. I'm sure you can pit with us, that shouldn't be a problem. Gas is available at the track, they have CC pumps (just make sure you don't select the 209 octane!) It's a bit more then in the 'wild' but you don't have to worry about bringing fuel to the track with you. Hmmmm.. Any other questions? I've been to VIR a bunch of times (both riding and photographing) and we kind of know our way around. | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Ditto what Blublak said. I'll be trailering down with a decent amount of tools, gas, canopy, chairs, drinks, duct tape, etc. If anybody needs anything, I'll be happy to help out! I'll be staying at the Sleep Inn as well. Tank | ||
| Babired |
Hey Guys, thank you for the information, Peter, I would love to pit with you, never done this before as a rider, but have some experience as a part of a pit crew for an endurance race team I helped back in 03at Summit Point. This is my second on the track experience so I'm just a tadpole  My plan is to leave as much gear back at the room at the motel, I know I'm not going to have any energy after riding the track all day to start riding north. I know this because of the track day I did on Road Atlanta in the Kevin Scwhantz school. Tank, I had a reservation at the days Inn in South Boston it was $45.00 for a room there I'm going to book a room at Sleep inn. Thank you K | ||
| Blublak |
Well heck.. We can all pit together.. Tank, Rat, K, Robin and I.. we'll be one little group amongst the other 'bigger' group there. It'll be fun! Not anywhere near as stressful as working during a race. You'll be able to take you time, think about what you're doing and have a good time. (not that working the races aren't... I really enjoy shooting the pictures and that's quite a feat covering an entire CCS date on my own) .. So... Is it a 'plan'? | ||
| Babired |
Its a plan I'm in | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Sounds like a plan! Peter, Anyplace special you like to set-up? This is my second on the track experience so I'm just a tadpole It's only my third, no worries!  Tank | ||
| Rasmonis |
I just signed up, this will be my first track day so, please be gentle... | ||
| Babired |
Oh geeze we are all gonna have huge GRINS on our faces when we get on the track  and they say we will be able to ride the demos on the track? I can hardly wait for that! Ras if you are going to trailer your bike got any room for mine? Then doing to the Total Control class before this will be a big plus just thinking about applying what was learned on the parking lot..... | ||
| Rasmonis |
I don't have a trailer yet, if I don't have one by then I'll probably rent a truck or van which should hold both our bikes. | ||
| Blublak |
Depends.. Not sure how they like to set up their operations.. But there are two popular theories. One, pit close to the usual Pit Out - Near the control tower, munchies and lavatories. The other one is.. Rent a garage, have proper space, not far from the 'false grid' and another set of lavs. I usually pit at the former area.. that way you can hear announcements (if they don't use a radio style broadcast) and have a lot of things close by. So.. unless folks want to go in on a garage.. which is on the opposite side of the track from pit out.. (near pit in - naturally).. then I suppose it's close to the other buildings. | ||
| Babired |
RAS if you rent let me know I'll go in with you better to drive than ride down there Blublak knows what he is talking about. When I did Road Atlanta it was the fastest 98 miles I ever did and I was tired for 2 days after I think I might, after the track day, take a nice ride up the Sky line drive. Blublak, it wouldn't matter to me I plan on packing lite and doing a little bit of everything at VIR | ||
| Rasmonis |
K, Ok, it will be less expensive to rent a van (like $16 a day last I did this - unlimited mileage), we'll just have to stagger the bikes. I'll check one out well in advance to make sure everything will work. | ||
| Babired |
Ras Okay that's good. I took off the whole week I'm teaching on the 8th and the 15th in September. Looks like I'll have to do Sky line drive some other day. Tell me your travel plans Tank Bueller recommended Sleep Inn or are you going to try and do this in 1 or 2 days? K | ||
| Tank_bueller |
I am also taking the whole week off, and I don't have any plans other than VIR. Unsuspecting mischief could sneak up on me very easily.  K, What do you teach?? Tnak | ||
| Blublak |
Dang.. there's a lot of teachers here....  .... Ok, I'm only taking three days off.. I'm coming back the next weekend for the CCS races (black hat on).. Robin and I should be arriving the Sunday prior.. I'm gonna do a TPM day on the North course Monday .. kind of as a warm up..  Hmmm. this is gonna be interesting if anyone else shows up on Tuesday.. Do I smell..  potential.. Goofiness in and around the track??  This may be a planning thing in the making.. ... .. .. . . . | ||
| Rasmonis |
My schedule is open and I should have enough leave to take few days off. I was planning on leaving Tuesday after work and returning Wednesday night, but I'm flexible, I can take Tuesday/Thursday off. -Ras | ||
| Tank_bueller |
I'm gonna do a TPM day on the North course Monday I may sign up for a "south course" day with Cornerspeed on Monday, as I have not seen that part of the course. Gonna have to call Sleep Inn and check on the rates. Anyone looking to better their skills exponentially should visit this site: Cornerspeed.net I am a much better rider because of this school. I thought I was a "good" rider before I attended. Now, with what I learned, and witnessed, I am an average rider. My experience was nearly spiritual and definitely wide eye opening. Glad I shared Tank p.s. no affiliation, just a happy customer! | ||
| Blublak |
Never been on the South either.. But, as stated, I'll be on North.. So depending on when you get your break.. we should try and say 'Hi' to each other! .. Robin won't be riding Monday, so maybe she'll be the 'go between' the two tracks. |
