I called them and they said there would be no showers until next season. Just preparing everyone who goes. :-/
Not only do cornerworkers pick your ass up off the ground, but we make sure your ass is clean too! ;D
Just so you know...you may now get unwanted offers... :o ;) ;D
IIRC, there's an outdoor shower next to the garage by the pit out of the North course. I'm sure you could find an able-bodied racer to hold a towel up for you...interesting possibilities... ;D
If I did, I think I would have to charge money. ;D Cost of living is going up real fast!! :-*
Let's face it. Autobahn is not a real "racing" track. It's a playground for the wealthy.
There is no PA, no electricity, no showers, no spectator viewing. Not to mention the safety aspect with guardrails between the two tracks (go ahead and crash in S. course turn 13. I dare ya...). Combine that with a 1 year old track that has CRAP for a surface right now, and well, it's not a place I look forward to racing next year.
I was riding my bike to the store, saw a guy with Autobahn stickers on his truck. I told him I worked with CCS, and he was snobby. Kinda like a "so what" attitude. I know what you mean. :-/
QuoteKinda like a "so what" attitude. I know what you mean. :-/
Make no mistake. We are not really welcome there.
This should be an interesting weekend since the turnout will be big due to double points and FUSA. I'm sure the members will be a little miffed because we'll have to park on both sides of the pit lane.
QuoteI was riding my bike to the store, saw a guy with Autobahn stickers on his truck. I told him I worked with CCS, and he was snobby. Kinda like a "so what" attitude. I know what you mean. :-/
And we're not allowed in their toybox, err, umm, I mean their Clubhouse. It's kinda like Caddyshack and we're all gopher-hunting-groundskeeping-Carls. Such is the world of The Gold Coast Chicagoans. (The GCC soap operas; Will Mile's new Modena outrun Buffy's new 911 T? Can Germany's tire manufacturers make a competent piece of rubber for less than $500 a wheel!? Will Keith the Race Director inherit the billions of family refinery fortune and buy out those pesky cheeshead members?) :-X Stay tuned for next season's GCC at ACC. Sponsored by Saks and Gucci on Michigan Avenue.
Will Buffy nail Muffy? Will Miles secret lover Guido blackmail him? Can Keith the Race Director ever get over the loss of his beloved Ferarri F-50? :o ;) ;D
Don't forget the $30 camping fee. Let's see, $10 per night to camp on the same piece of asphalt you've been using all day, with a grand total of one flush toilet, no electricity anywhere on the grounds, and no shower other than a cooling station hooked to a garden hose? What a bargain!
Boy, harsh words for a brand new track... And yeah, it may be a playground for the wealthy, but how many track owners support purely motorcycle roadracing and no other sanctioning bodies. I'm sure he/they have bills to pay. Be glad that there is another track to race on... Keep slamming the place and maybe you wont get invited back ::)..
And easy solutions:
1) No showers, get a hotel..
2) No electricity, buy a generator.
3) Don't like dealing with Miles and Buffy? Then don't. Tell miles you can turn his lap times on your pit bike and slip buffy a 10 spot and thank her for last night.
A track with few ammenities is better than no track at all. NHRA bought IRP so nothing there, and well, I'm not even going to mention Putnam... So it's a 10 hour round trip for me anywhere... And I'll assume Autobahn is better than Nelson Ledges anyday.
From what I know, the hotels are booked, last time I was there I had a a hard time sleeping from the generator that was running right behind my tent. And sorry, I don't know who Buffy is. :)
Quote... And sorry, I don't know who Buffy is. :)
But he will be happy to hold a towel up whilst you shower outdoors. ;)
QuoteWill Buffy nail Muffy? Will Miles secret lover Guido blackmail him? Can Keith the Race Director ever get over the loss of his beloved Ferarri F-50? :o ;) ;D
Secret lover GUIDO??! So, you know Chicago, eh?
Lighten up there Hyper it's just fun and fiction, Danielle Rotors of Steele style.
QuoteBoy, harsh words for a brand new track... And yeah, it may be a playground for the wealthy, but how many track owners support purely motorcycle roadracing and no other sanctioning bodies. I'm sure he/they have bills to pay. Be glad that there is another track to race on... Keep slamming the place and maybe you wont get invited back ::)..
And easy solutions:
1) No showers, get a hotel..
2) No electricity, buy a generator.
3) Don't like dealing with Miles and Buffy? Then don't. Tell miles you can turn his lap times on your pit bike and slip buffy a 10 spot and thank her for last night.
A track with few ammenities is better than no track at all. NHRA bought IRP so nothing there, and well, I'm not even going to mention Putnam... So it's a 10 hour round trip for me anywhere... And I'll assume Autobahn is better than Nelson Ledges anyday.
Can`t wait to hear what you have to say AFTER you ride the south track!
I have heard so many people piss and moan about it being bumpy at Autobahn! QUIT BEING A BUNCH OF CRY BABIES!!!
For one thing its a different track, which is totally cool in my eyes.
About the track being bumpy, IT'S NOT THAT BAD!! Grattan raceway is way worse and I love that track. Mid Ohio is bumpy as hell to and AMA races there.
If anything it should be a bit more of a challenge for people. Time to play with some suspension settings.
Personally for me, its a time where I can beat the guys who are fast at Blackhawk. I look foward to racing a new track and beating the guys who are always winning at Blackhawk farms.
Yes I'm talking smack... BRING IT!!!! ;)
Good luck grasshopper! You will truly enjoy the challenge this track offers. However, I believe you will be suprised how bad the surface is after less than one year!(?) :o I too enjoy grattan....but this is a different kind of bumpy!
Go get `em!
QuoteGood luck grasshopper! You will truly enjoy the challenge this track offers. However, I believe you will be suprised how bad the surface is after less than one year!(?) :o I too enjoy grattan....but this is a different kind of bumpy!
Go get `em!
Thanks!
I have been around the track over 100 times this year, I know exactly what I'm dealing with, the track is not that bad ::)
If I can beat Hall and Kane this weekend in the Amatuer LW classes, I'll be a happy camper, and hang it up for the year, because I accomplished what I wanted to.
Then pick up on some more flat track racing. It's cheaper I don't have to buy tires every damn weekend
Asshopper! You and your 100 laps around Autobahn south are going down!
ALRIGHT!!!
I knew I'd get a rise out of someone!!!
We'll see, I'll be there on Saturday only, can't get off work Friday.
DUDE YOU HAVE MORE SCREEN NAMES THAN ED KEY WINS RACES!!!!
QuoteAsshopper! You and your 100 laps around Autobahn south are going down!
;D
Grasshopper what kind of lap times are you running on the south course?
Boy oh Boy, what did I start in this forum. ;D I was only talking about showers, and now you guys want to talk about track times. LOL ;D
Quote Grasshopper what kind of lap times are you running on the south course?
We'll just have to see Saturday morning at practice. ;D
QuoteWe'll just have to see Saturday morning at practice. ;D
You best be turning atleast 35's or you gots to slow yo roll young grasshopper. 8)
QuoteYou best be turning atleast 35's or you gots to slow yo roll young grasshopper. 8)
Hey Pablo, make me some bean burritos, maybe if I fart enough on Saturday I'll be able to propel myself to a 35!
QuoteHey Pablo, make me some bean burritos, maybe if I fart enough on Saturday I'll be able to propel myself to a 35!
I am Columbian. I no make burrito! But I got something else for joo mang. 8)
QuoteI am Columbian. I no make burrito! But I got something else for joo mang. 8)
How about some that supreme coffee then, that outta make me break a 35. Or some majic dust man! Yea some of dat majic dust!! Is that SS Legal Bro???
QuoteHow about some that supreme coffee then, that outta make me break a 35. Or some majic dust man! Yea some of dat majic dust!! Is that SS Legal Bro???
I got some coffee for joo mang. Come see me Saturday morning.
No power,no PA system either, scoring tower is a construction trailer, very small pit area, no showers, except one outdoor cold water only, 1 1 stall bathroom, girls and boys, about 8 port a johns, badly in need of service. No empty trashcans, only about 20 full ones, at the end of the day, they emptied about half of them
Luckily, the staff and security here is very nice, no complaints there
This track is buuumpy!!!, I tried all day to fix the track by adjusting the bike, a waste of time
We are racing the south circuit, 2.1 miles, 15 turns
The track has reasonable run off, but is only 30 feet wide I think, no elevation changes, 2 slow corners, both RT then left a few nice sweepers, only using 5th gear, barber gearing
Turn 1-2 is a 2nd or 3rd gear turn, horseshoe type, wide, lots of patches
Turn 3, left fast 2nd or 3rd gear, no brake
Turn 4 left is fast too, just let off the gas, no brake, then back on to turn 5
5 has bad bump, go inside on entrance run wide, then middle of track for turn 6, set up for turn 7 WFO 3rd gear onto straight, turn 8 is WFO sweeper to the RT, shift twice, then 1 down for turn 9 RT, 1 down to T 10 RT chicane style RT left T 11 fast long straight before turn 12 RT chicane style again to left T 13 short straight to T 14
Turn 14-15 is a fast sweeper, leading to the finish, guardrail with foam bales, about 40 feet off the track, then at the exit, onto the front straight, bare guard rail about 10 feet from the track
fun overall,
Bumpy... yes... I bent my front rim in the tight portion of T6. In the middle of the track, there's a huge bump which I hit under braking. It bottomed out my suspension twice. I decided to try a wider line... The bump was worse on the wider line.
I thought I broke the rim it hit so hard. But alas, it's just bent... I'm sure the bearings are shot as well...
Glad *I* didn't pay $80k to be a member at this dive...
Hope we don't return next year....
QuoteBumpy... yes... I bent my front rim in the tight portion of T6.
I thought I broke the rim it hit so hard. But alas, it's just bent... I'm sure the bearings are shot as well...
Hope we don't return next year....
I hope we do return next year, maybe if they repave it they'll let the pavement cure for the rite amount of time before using it.
It wasn't a pothole! I'm confused how you bent your rim ??? YOU BENT YOUR RIM? :o
I like the track, yes it's a bit bumpy, but it's still a cool track. I ran a high 34 on Saturday and consistant 35's. Fun time, I through away the win in LWSS, didn't play my cards rite, and couldn't get by the 1st place guy.
Chased Kane and Hall in LWGP and LWSB, didn't have enough motor to catch them took 3rd in both.
You're right, it wasn't a pot hole. I never said it was...
It was a huge ripple, like as if a car was braking and pushed up the pavement. And it was in the first part of T6, not the 2nd. Dead in the middle of the track. I obviously was taking a different line than the rest... And yes, my rim is visibly bent... A rim which has never been crashed on before. It's not bent a lot, and I'll probably still run it as it is, but it's bent nonetheless.
Okay, fine, so I'll go back next year, and I'll get over it, but the surface is getting terrible. Reminds me of MAM, but with traction...
I really didn;t see alot of problems with the track... ???
Gate procedure was quick and easy. Pitting was rough but I found a place pretty far away, b ???ut comfy enough just for us. There was a concession stand 100ft away with nice restrooms, GF actually said they had the cleanest facilities out of any tracks we have been to.
As far as the track, it was bumpy, but nothing out of the ordinary, or that would make me not want to come back. The slow section (yeah that one wear everyone has to throw out the anchor) was irritating , but made for some great passing oppurtunities. Overall, I'd go back just to see the north track. It wasn't difficult to learn.
I showed up Saturday, had 3 laps of "practice" on sunday morning, and was gridded 27th in the amateur HWT SBK. I took 9th on TLR, not too bad and had a great little battle with one of the Dynamic Superbike guys. One of the most fun rounds I have been to.
I can pretty much guarantee you that CCS/FUSA will not race there next year. I believe they lost over 10 grand this weekend due to "unexpected" fees that the track imposed on our org after the fact.
Bummer. I didnt' get to go this weekend, but I liked the north course. It was fun and only 3 hours from my house...
QuoteI can pretty much guarantee you that CCS/FUSA will not race there next year. I believe they lost over 10 grand this weekend due to "unexpected" fees that the track imposed on our org after the fact.
HUH?
Yeah, they had to pay for electricity and the P.A. system... Oh wait...
It'll be a bummer to miss out on the N. course. That was one of my favorites this year...
Grasshopper,
I am thinking you chased more than Kane and Hall on Saturday.
Michael
Am# 127
The track manager Tom and I were talking, he is going to make sure there are lots of improvements next year. Although, as far as the track goes, it is what it is when we get there. The cars give it a beating, and if they were to repave each time we come out, it would never work. Showers will be there next year. So let's not bitch too much, let's give them next year and then see if they keep their words. If not it's your choice if you go or not. ;)
Just a quick thank you to anyone who offered a kind word, a beer, a meal, or anything to make the weekend nice.
QuoteGrasshopper,
I am thinking you chased more than Kane and Hall on Saturday.
Michael
Am# 127
I had you man! LOL!!! Pretty funny watching both your feet come off the pegs when the back end went SLIP!!!
Great race man! Great fun!!! Thats why I go out to the races to battle like we did!!! Thats what this sport is all about!!!
I'm trying to get Schaffer to come out and do some Flat Track racing this weekend
Until next time my friend!
QuoteThe track manager Tom and I were talking, he is going to make sure there are lots of improvements next year. Although, as far as the track goes, it is what it is when we get there. The cars give it a beating, and if they were to repave each time we come out, it would never work. Showers will be there next year. So let's not bitch too much, let's give them next year and then see if they keep their words. If not it's your choice if you go or not. ;)
Edgar is right....does not sound like it will be our choice if we go next year. CCS got hosed and the weekend was a bust......of course this is just what`s floating around out there......well...FLYING around out there!
QuoteCCS got hosed and the weekend was a bust......of course this is just what`s floating around out there......well...FLYING around out there!
What do you mean exactly by hosed? Did something change at the last minute with the track managment? What parameters changed that caused CCS to get "hosed"?
Unfortunatly I went as a spectator to this event. I've never been to the races as a spectator, and I didn;t expect it to be a complete blast like racing would be. I did however expect to see more than 1 or 2 corners of the whole track, take a shower, and not have to wait to use the one and only flushing crapper. If the people pitted next to us didn't have a radio my rider would have missed every race due to lack of PA, and sleeping with all the generators buzzing throughout the night wasn't fun either.
Not a big fan of having to pack up pit and leave the track just to stand in line and get a weekend pass either. :-/ >:(
QuoteI hope we do return next year, maybe if they repave it they'll let the pavement cure for the rite amount of time before using it.
The track utilized a polymer based asphalt. I believe that Heartland Park Topeka was the first US track to use it in 1988 when it was paved.
The stuff is grippy, but has absolutely no durablity at all. If they repaved it, it would just ripple up again after the cars got on it.
Mid America Motorplex has the same kind of stuff. Was junk the first time we raced there.
To put down polymer based asphalt, you have to do it when the temperature will be consistently warm, if not hot. It would need to remain that way for about ten days to two weeks.
You think that they will keep the track down for that?
Blackhawk Farms repaved and didn't use that kind of asphalt.
QuoteWhat do you mean exactly by hosed? Did something change at the last minute with the track managment? What parameters changed that caused CCS to get "hosed"?
allegedly, rumor has it(I hate starting a post with these words) some hidden costs popped up at the track after the weekend started. kinda like when your car is in the shop....ripped apart......and you get THE DREADED CALL. :o can you tell what biz I`m in? ;D
Quoteallegedly, rumor has it(I hate starting a post with these words) some hidden costs popped up at the track after the weekend started. kinda like when your car is in the shop....ripped apart......and you get THE DREADED CALL. :o can you tell what biz I`m in? ;D
So you're the b4stard that caused me to fail state inspection for that wheel cylinder that wasn't really leaking! >:( ;D
Couple of Autobahn/CCS issues that I'm aware of:
-Schedule was published for practice to start each day at 8am - Track requested last minute change to an 8:30 start.
-Due to delays during the day on Saturday, one CCS race and 5 FUSA qualifying sessions had to be moved to Sunday. Necessary to shorten CCS sprints from 7 laps to 6 to conserve time. Problem: CCS advised on Saturday afternoon that there would be an additional $1000/hr fee if we went past 5pm. CCS previously unaware of 5pm deadline.
-Outrageous increase in fees for ambulance service from what CCS was originally quoted. CCS not aware of change in fees until bill was presented late Sunday afternoon.
-Outrageous fees to feed Cornerworkers and staff from Track concession stand.
-Track claimed noise level of bikes on track exceeded dB level stated in contract provisions.
Location for tests chosen by Track did not permit proper testing standards related to distance of test site from the race surface. Once a site was located by CCS that met test standards, there was no violation for excessive noice.
None of this came up as problems when we ran the North track in June. What changed?
How anxious would you be to go back?
I would have brown bagged it if I known we were being overcharged for Ham sandwiches. What a bunch of crap. :o I didn't know all of this until now. Why did we not have any problems on the North track then. ???
Guido heard his affair with Biff was revealed and got pissed-he was in charge of billing. Blame Guido.
Hope all can be worked out.
I've run both tracks and like both of them.
Had a great time this past weekend!
Quote-Due to delays during the day on Saturday, one CCS race and 5 FUSA qualifying sessions had to be moved to Sunday.
all them selfish MWSS amateurs takin up all the ambulances for themselves! ;)
I'd go back if offered, neat layout!