I heard the track owner of Putnam had issues with CCS and that's why we don't race there. Any chance of that changing with the new CCS organization?
Don't we wish? Putnam is just an awesome track! No camping, but otherwise you couldn't ask for better pavement or a more challenging layout!
I think out of all the words in BBS dictionary, "Putnam" will cause the biggest train wreck.
If you want to race there this year, there is an actual race, but it's on a monday, being hosted by fasstrax (sp) out of OH.
Oh and if you want a really good explanation,do the following:
1. order 2 xtra large pizzas
2. pick up 3 cases of Yuengling
3. go to wera.com and type "putnam" in search box
4. call your boss and tell your not coming in
enjoy :)
Wow...that is a can of worms :-/
Soon after the track opened in the early 90's a rider was killed there. The track had some safety issues that have been mostly resolved.
I believe that attempts to race there have always been tried, but various issues have stopped it.
Dave put it as best it could. Not quite as fun :), but nonetheless a very, very good answer. ;D
QuoteSoon after the track opened in the early 90's a rider was killed there. The track had some safety issues that have been mostly resolved.
I believe that attempts to race there have always been tried, but various issues have stopped it.
Putnam isn't safe??? I think it is one of the safest tracks we race on especially compared to BHF which we do 5 race w/e's on. I wish we could race at Putnam...maybe someday :'(
QuotePutnam isn't safe??? I think it is one of the safest tracks we race on especially compared to BHF which we do 5 race w/e's on. I wish we could race at Putnam...maybe someday :'(
Re read dave`s post....he did not say Putnam wasn`t safe.
The last turn onto the front straight has a massively dangerous guardrail that has been moved back since the incident but is still reeeaaallll nasty. That however, is not why CCS does not race there.
QuoteThe last turn onto the front straight has a massively dangerous guardrail that has been moved back since the incident but is still reeeaaallll nasty.
And even after it has been moved, I have known individuals that have fallen down and been thrown over the guard rail into the pits. I suppose they were lucky they were thrown over.
I was taken out in the last corner in 1996. I came very close to being a part of the guard rail.
Yes, racing has risks. But you would hope that track designers would look beyond short sided ways to deal with cars moving off a corner.
Does Putnam have Air Fence for the corner now?
QuoteDoes Putnam have Air Fence for the corner now?
Not when I was down in October of last year.....
QuoteAnd even after it has been moved, I have known individuals that have fallen down and been thrown over the guard rail into the pits. I suppose they were lucky they were thrown over.
I was taken out in the last corner in 1996. I came very close to being a part of the guard rail.
Yes, racing has risks. But you would hope that track designers would look beyond short sided ways to deal with cars moving off a corner.
Does Putnam have Air Fence for the corner now?
No they dont and I understand what you said above but I still feel it is much safer then BHF. No? I guess it isn't the main issue anyways but I wish whatever that issue is that they could get it resolved so we could race there. ;)
QuoteNo they dont and I understand what you said above but I still feel it is much safer then BHF. No? I guess it isn't the main issue anyways but I wish whatever that issue is that they could get it resolved so we could race there. ;)
I've not been to Putnam.... what makes you think BHF is that unsafe? The only turn I can think of at BHF where I wouldn't want to crash is the left hander coming out of the bus stop.
BTW, are the guy that got your license at BHF and raced there for the first time last year? I think I pitted next to you... blue and white GSXR600... Sorry, I can't remember your name...
If you read that WERA post, you can get a sense of the issues... I'm not sure what the difference is between CCS and Putnam, but the owner sure doesn't seem to be too keen on bikes...
Diasio can keep his weekends full with Porsches and Vipers and BMW's. Not too mention he does get quite a few motorcycle trackdays and schools in their. It's not that it's a motorcycle hate thing, it's more of a difference of opinion when it comes to operational issues and procedures between the owners and orgs.
QuoteDiasio can keep his weekends full with Porsches and Vipers and BMW's. Not too mention he does get quite a few motorcycle trackdays and schools in their. It's not that it's a motorcycle hate thing, it's more of a difference of opinion when it comes to operational issues and procedures between the owners and orgs.
Yes, I seem to recall that from the thread now... just got lost in all the other stuff going on in it! :)
Seems like minor stuff to prevent them from racing there, but then again, I'm not running a track or a race org, so I don't know what all's involved in those aspects of it.
Usually only small things like rider safety...**insert sarcasm here** ;D
QuoteI've not been to Putnam.... what makes you think BHF is that unsafe? The only turn I can think of at BHF where I wouldn't want to crash is the left hander coming out of the bus stop.
BTW, are the guy that got your license at BHF and raced there for the first time last year? I think I pitted next to you... blue and white GSXR600... Sorry, I can't remember your name...
If you read that WERA post, you can get a sense of the issues... I'm not sure what the difference is between CCS and Putnam, but the owner sure doesn't seem to be too keen on bikes...
Yes that was me. J.J. is my name. The reason I said putnam was safer IMHO was because there is only one area where running off the track is not a good idea where as BHF has many areas including trees, tire walls and guard rails. Not that it would ever stop me from racing there but I just wish that the owner of Putnam Park would consider racing there and it would take very little to make putnam 100% safe IMHO. ;)
QuoteNo they dont and I understand what you said above but I still feel it is much safer then BHF. No? I guess it isn't the main issue anyways but I wish whatever that issue is that they could get it resolved so we could race there. ;)
Where an organization races is about a lot of things. Blackhawk Farms has
supported motorcycle road racing when other tracks only tolerate it.
We are asked for our input on Blackhawk Farms. If there is a place where we're welcomed, Blackhawk is one.
Hey, Road America will rent us the track in April?????
Unless you're in a desert, there will always be unique features of the terrain and plant life that exist at any track. And, even then, what kind of off road traction does one have in a desert?
Back to "safety" and "reality". If you've raced Daytona, you'd recognize that the place is just "less safe" because of the ability for a rider to blast themself into a wall. A wall, or guard rail, offers more certainty for stopping very quickly than a tire wall. A tire wall does actually offer some amount of slowing compared to hitting something bare. Hay bales work too. Yes, air fence is better. Which is available in the last corner at Putnam?
Back to Daytona...
Daytona does not have a record for posting more injuries than other tracks even though there is just a plain recognition for an additional element of danger.
Putnam. I think if they would commit to motorcycle racing, things might change. They haven't lately. So, the Diasio family decides otherwise, things will remain as they are.
I went headfirst into the tire wall on T4 at BHF at probably 50-60 mph when I fell. Shave off a few MPH while sliding across the pavement, maybe 30-40 when I hit the wall.
Deni Debuhr said I was still in the air when I hit the wall. It was hard enough that I thought I actually hit the bike.
If a SOFT tire wall feels that hard, I have no desire to find out what a tree or guardrail feel like...