First Track Day & Continental Sport Attacks - Ducati.ms

kentamcolin · Jun 20th, 2006, 10:18 am

Yesterday was my first track day at the MCC/Ducati sponsored event at the Autobahn full track. I was on my ST4s and had fitted new Conti SportAttack tires for the event. Being as this was my first time on track (on a bike) I signed up in the novice group. First of all, the Sport Bike Track Time instructors were awesome. They kept made the day safe, very educational and a complete blast. The morning started off slow just practicing the basics and giving us a chance to begin learning the track. By lunch time the pace was pretty decent. I started in group 4 of 7 but was bumped up to group 2 by the 4th session. My instructor couldn't believe that I wasn't pushing my bike too far to be able to keep up in the turns on an ST. I assured him that I was fine and while sticking to his tail in session 5 he waved me on to pass and pursue group one. Cornering clearance was of course the limiting factor so I was really hanging off to keep from scraping parts. Nevertheless, I was able to reel in group one and had to hold back to keep from passing. With one more session I mentioned to Geoff Mellinger of MCC that I got bumped to group one and he offered me a sweet 749S for the last session of the day. No way was I going to turn that down! Our ST's are great bikes and I could happily lap all day on mine, but the 749S was just in another league. I lined up at the front of the pack with the instructor and a guy on an R1, and at the green flag we just took off. The 749 motor doesn't have near the torque of the 996, but the brakes on that bike are outstanding and you can lean it over until you're truly disoriented. We got about 6 laps in before a red flag when a guy flipped his Monster but fortunately he was only bruised, nothing broken. What a blast; just awesome!!! I know I'll need to get a track bike but that won't happen until next year. I entertained brief thoughts of trading the ST4s for a 749S or R, but on the ride home was reminded of why I love the ST so much. You can do almost anything on it. I rode two hours to the track, two hours on the track and two hours home and felt like I could have just kept on riding. It took me a while to get to sleep last night, the day was such a high. If you ever have the itch to track your ST, GO FOR IT.

I really want to offer a big plug for the Conti SportAttack tires. These tires were simply awesome. I started them at 31/28 psi. cold and they came up to 36/32 every time. Very consistent and NEVER did they slip or bobble one bit. They simply stuck to the pavement like glue and never failed to inspire total confidence. I got to where I would just tip the bike in until I felt pavement at the edge of my boots and power hard out of turns without worrying about traction.

**butch** · Jun 20th, 2006, 1:40 pm

Sounds like an awesome day.

mrTrout · Jun 23rd, 2006, 12:37 am

How did you set up your bike for the track day? did you remove mirrors and turn signals? was your exhaust in the upper position? was it a pain to do??

mcd · Jun 23rd, 2006, 7:12 am

Glad to hear the day turned out to be everything you expected. And, to think, only one red flag. I don't know if it's me or it is club specific but they definitely seem to be on the rise of late. Your post also leads me to believe that you already get the point that, if you plan on doing more time on the track, put the ST on the shelf with respect to that kind of duty and get a dedicated track bike. Simple reason being... most folks do begin to push things a bit and chances then become very good that a bike will end up getting pitched. Ideally, a nice little outside line low side which only brings out a brief local yellow (see prior comment re: red flags above). Regardless, you don't want to do that on your ST. Re: the Conti's... thanks for sharing your personal experiences. No doubt there are some excellent choices out there with respect to sport touring tires (Conti's, Avon's and Diablo Strada's). A good thing for us all.

kentamcolin · Jun 23rd, 2006, 7:57 am

As for set up, MCC set up my suspension and I don't know what the settings are, although on the street the bike is stiffer front and rear. The Autobahn circuit has a few bumps, not many but some under braking and at turn in, and the suspension was perfect over them. I only taped up the lights/signals. You don't have to remove them unless you're in the advanced group. Pipes were definetly in the raised position. It was easy to prep the bike for the day. Although for the novice group safety wire and water wetter are not required, I had that done as well since I'll be doing a couple more track days and the instructor told me to get into the Intermediate group next time. The Conti tires I used were not ST tires, but their SportAttack tires. Next year for sure a dedicated track bike (although perhaps one I can still ride to the track).

This was a Sport Bike Track Time day. I highly recommend them as the instructors were great and I learned a lot. They are very patient both on and off track and were always available to talk throughout the day. Matt was my main instructor. He's a cop with the bomb squad and a really cool guy riding a bored 916. If your considering trying a track day out, this is a great way to do it. You can come up to speed at your own pace. There is no pressure whatsoever to go fast. Just to learn and have fun.

Unfortunately there were two red flags that day, but no serious injuries. I'll be bac at this circuit on September 4th. THere are two short tracks which they combine to make a full 3.6 mile course. It's an awesome track that is challenging but flows really well once you start going fast.

ducseeker · Jun 23rd, 2006, 9:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kentamcolin

This was a Sport Bike Track Time day. I highly recommend them as the instructors were great and I learned a lot. They are very patient both on and off track and were always available to talk throughout the day... I'll be bac at this circuit on September 4th. THere are two short tracks which they combine to make a full 3.6 mile course. It's an awesome track that is challenging but flows really well once you start going fast.

+ 1 on STT. I did a day at Grattan, MI in early June and had a blast.
My track day thread (non-Ducati content...) http://www.yzf600r.com/phpBB2/viewto...r=asc&start=30

I'm thinking about Sept 4th too. Have some logistics to work out coming from the Detroit area, but would love to ride that track. Maybe we can hook up at the track and I can drool over your ST. With any luck, I'll have one myself by then...

kentamcolin · Jun 24th, 2006, 10:22 am

For sure, send me a PM if you're going to be there and we can exchange info. It would be worth the trip, the track is pretty awesome. They are using the full circuit on that day.

RobertVP · Jun 24th, 2006, 10:46 pm

Glad you had such a great experience and thanks for sharing! I hope my first track day goes as well as yours. Although I don't think I'll be quite as quick as you are...

kentamcolin · Jun 25th, 2006, 8:35 am

Just be ready for two things; one which I was and another I wasn't. First, it's highly addicting and I knew it would be. Second, "sport" riding on the road is not as much fun after you've been on the track. I took off yesterday with a buddy of mine to run our favorite road and have breakfast. After being able to go so fast on the track and learn how high the limits of the bike were, the road was much less exciting.

As far as being fast, you'll probably suprise yourself. When you have controlled conditions like a clean track, no traffic, no debris, no cops, and better riders around you; you'll ride faster than you ever have.

mrTrout · Jun 25th, 2006, 9:48 am

I think maybe I will get a more track-ready/specific bike than the ST, like a 749. I have been advised against riding to the track though, in case the bike or rider is injured, it might make it difficult to make it home. and I'm at least 100 miles from the nearest track as far as I know. thanks for the set-up info.