Track Day at Pukekohe.

[Kiwifruit]

On Sunday I got up at sparrow fart and headed off to Pukekohe Park Racetrack. Terrible fog for much of the way. Got there 175kms later at 8 o'clock.
A good turn out, about 50 bikes. We were divided up into 4 groups then its riders briefing where we were given safety instructions and some rules about pit entry/exit and passing protocol.
My group was first up. We formed up on the pit exit, we had some instructors with us too. I just hung near the back and did my own thing. 15minute sessions, so after a few laps we started to pick things up a bit. By the end of the session I had decided to drop my tyre pressure for the next run as they felt to hard.
Next group go out. One lap into it I see the red lights come on. The short story is that a guy on a new R1 had just gone down the straight at warp speed, realized he was way too hot, locked the front, the rear decides it can beat the front into the corner, the rider gets highsided and the nett result is one junked R1 Yamaha, one rider with a broken wrist and gravel rash. Man he was lucky !!
Stern words were given to that little group and all of us asked to learn the track please.
The old 14 is a big bit of gear but a huge amount of fun. There were some damn quick bikes there. Some were well ridden, some not so. That made things a pain at times as we were only allowed to pass on the straights.
By the end of the day I had dropped my tyre pressures to 30 psi in the front and 32 in the back and was very happy with the look of the tyres and the bikes behavior.
Great day, I really enjoyed myself and rode home feeling somewhat knackered. So if you get the chance try it you'll love it !!

[Globalrider]

Ouch!
Thanks for sharing.......me old Fruit! Track days are fun!

Stan

[VladTepes]

That sounds great !  I'd love a proper go.

I had a chance to do a few laps of Willowbank Raceway during the superbikes in 2015. They told us we could do 2 laps.   5 laps later....

There's something satisfying about punting a big bruiser like our 1400s around a track.  I gave it to it on the straights but gave myself plenty of braking distance and took the corners slowly (no doubt too slowly) so the good riders probably thought I was a bit pf a mug.  Bloody good fun though.

Naturally with a spontaneous thing like that there are a wide range of riders with various capabilities.
And an unusual (or perhaps usual) number of riders on expensive fast bikes, but almost zero talent. Yes Mr Panigale rider I'm looking at you.

Definitely would love to have another crack one day, but I just cannot afford to drop the bike....

[Ross]

Sounds like a great day Colin. The old 14's will give some sport bikes a rude shock when well ridden. (not by me  )

I run 30/30 psi (cold) on the track.

[KiwiCol]

Good on ya mate, well done & thanks for sharing.

[Mick_J]

There might be a cheap R1 going for sale soon, with low miles 

[grog]

great post , glad you enjoyed. r1, how dumb.

[Mrg]

yes this is somthng id like to try but as said ;; i like my 1400 to much to drop her  so id take it easy in the turns to 

always plenty of other to do the fast lap or drop them

great post love the pics 

[Globalrider]

Did the Nurburgring on the 14 a few years back! Great fun but passed by a Super Seven No.129 as though I was standing still.

Stan   

[Kiwifruit]

Have seen some footage on UTube of them getting around there, looks pretty scary. Is it just like a Toll Road where you pay your money and off you go ?

[Globalrider]

Yeah its a bit like..... ya pay 'yer dues a let loose..... all in at the same time from Ferraris, Porsche, Beamers, Mercs and VW mirco-bus hogsters, choppers (he's having a decibel check before being allowed on the track) all mixed up! Surprising that they don't have more carnage! 
Stan

[VladTepes]

As an aside I firmly belief the obsession by manufacturers with putting new cars around the Nurburgring in the fastest possible time (for advertising)  is bloody stupid.

That aside. would I do it?  Yep!
Would I do it on a 14? Yep, but I'd rather do it on a 'busa...

[Globalrider]

Agreed - But I probably scare myself sh**less!!... getting deep into the corner on the lower bank.

Stan

[Teufel]

Just do it Vlad.
You will not regret it.

[seth]

I've taken the 14 around the nurburgring
4 times now
just for fun noy trying for a fast time but really enjoyed it