Hello all, Noob here :) My name is... well I think you can guess that. I live in SoCal and race with WSMC and hope that CCS starts racing around here again. Last year I was going to race at The Streets with CCS but I had some engine problems in practice. Anyway I just thought I'd introduce myself. Now on to the topic :)
If you could improve one aspect your riding, what do you think would make the biggest difference. Try to be specific, "if I could be smoother, faster etc"... is a real easy answer but it doesn't really say much. What one thing would take your riding to the next level?
Stay on the gas longer. ;D
Track time, track time, track time.
Being more in tune with the fine line between traction and not having traction.
I think what would improve me the most would have to be resources.
Alot of people have alot of resources in this sport, alot of people don't. The privateer can only go so far in road racing. When I speak of resources I talk about suspension help, a mechanic, help in the pits, advice about riding and feedback from the experienced people. Resources all boil down to the big word "MONEY"
If I had my own private track to ride on everyday after work for an hour or 2 I know I would be a top notch rider. Its all about seat time seat time seat time.
One day I'll have my own personal dirt track. I know I will and my dream will be fullfilled.
I don't know about ever having my own road course, pavement cost alot more than dirt
AND YES!
If I could just stay on the gas a little bit longer, well, alot of bit longer. Its all about experience. Thats why there is some fast old guys racing club because they've been around doing it for so long.
There are way more fast middle aged people racing CCS and WERA than young punks like me. Resources, time, money = a faster club racer.
Brake later
Turn quicker
Be more in tune with what the bike is telling me.
ie. are the forks wirking right ? is the rear squatting ? lifiting ?
Before it spits me on my head to show me that the tires are shagged !!
QuoteBrake later
Turn quicker
He said ONE thing.....
;D
Yeah, I know... If I could improve *ONE* thing it would be my financial status! LOL...
Yeah... financial status!
That could buy me the time/tools to work on all the other stuff!
QuoteYeah, I know... If I could improve *ONE* thing it would be my financial status! LOL...
Ding..... Ding..... Ding......
We have a winner!
;D
Easy.
If I could improve one thing, it would be to go faster than everyone else.
;D
If I could improve one thing it would be to become a 20something fast Italian guy named Valentino... ::) ;) ;D
Of course Roger might be a little upset! :o :o :o :o
Money, stuman, money. Then I could go to the Code RACE school and let you show me how to be faster...
smooooother for me
I can tell you braking later and exitting the corner strong (I know - that's two) is the only way I could keep up with all these new bikes on my F3. You should be braking almost to the apex of the corner.
HHMmmmm...... ??? Let me think now......
I,-----I,----I think I would like to be able to ride like a CSS instructor, or just be a great example for their students ;D! Yeah, that's it !!!
Help me out here Stu.....
That's just one thing, right?
All kidding aside, it was fun being out there with you guys ;)
I assume you are riding/racing a 600cc bike?
Smoother = faster, better turn-ins, exits, and drives onto the straights (less crashes too). ;)
Relaxation is key. I go much faster when I am relaxed. The harder I try, the slower I go. When I'm humming a tune in my helmet, grinning, digging the vibe, and generally having a good time and enjoying the ride, my lap times just melt.
So if I could change one thing, it would be to become less intense.
I think right now the thing that would help me improve the most would be to get more comfortable with a higher entrance speed into really fast corners.
Corners like turn 8 on the big track at Willow or turn 1 on The Streets. I wish I could go into those high speed corners a little faster.
I do OK with the medium and slow speed stuff,
Maybe I need to look a little further ahead in the high speed stuff?
QuoteRelaxation is key. I go much faster when I am relaxed. The harder I try, the slower I go. When I'm humming a tune in my helmet, grinning, digging the vibe, and generally having a good time and enjoying the ride, my lap times just melt.
So if I could change one thing, it would be to become less intense.
^ Ed Key Wanna Be! :P
Hey there Stu! I was one of your students at Laguna in March last year 8)
My one thing is kinda cheating. It is the end result from correcting/changing a ton of other things. The one thing I'd want to improve is my confidence. Some might even think of it as courage.
Improve my skills and experience good results and the confidence will increase. Increase the confidence and I'll be comfortable/relaxed enough to execute the things I know I should do.
H.
Quote^ Ed Key Wanna Be! :P
Does Ed say that? I really didn't get it from him. It is my own observation of how I ride, and an honest answer for what one thing would make me a better racer.
(But I sure a hell am a card-carrying Ed Key wannabe!)
QuoteDoes Ed say that? I really didn't get it from him. It is my own observation of how I ride, and an honest answer for what one thing would make me a better racer.
(But I sure a hell am a card-carrying Ed Key wannabe!)
Just by watching Ed race his motorcycle you can tell he is "VERY" relaxed. He makes no unnecessary body movements. In fact, you almost need a magnifine glass to notice him blipping the throttle on downshifts. You'll never see Ed or any of the really fast smooth guys moving there whole arm to blip the throttle. Just an example ya know?
But I agree with you 100%, smoothness is the key and is very important. That is my main concern for this year, as it was last year.
(I am an Ed Key Wanna Be myself, I appreciate every little thing he takes the time to answer for my young punk ass, any words of advice about racing that comes out of his mouth are worth alot)
The Key to getting info from Key is asking the rite questions.
There's a formula that makes us fast and smooth. The parts to that formula HAVE to come together every time; consistancy is the key!
Is that what its all about?
Maybe Stuman can tell us all about that?
Throw us a bone Stu ;D
Brake later, I tend to let off the gas a weee bit early. :P
QuoteThere's a formula that makes us fast and smooth. The parts to that formula HAVE to come together every time; consistancy is the key!
Is that what its all about?
Maybe Stuman can tell us all about that?
Throw us a bone Stu ;D
Well I don't know if there is a formula for going fast. I do think there are some basic rules that you have to follow if you want to be smooth, fast, safe, whatever.
Simple stuff like, you have to look ahead, or you have to stay relaxed are more then guidlines.