Most importantly- what has the weather looked like up there around the first of May in previous years?
Also- who here will be running AM HW SS and AM Supertwins? How are the fields usually?
Cheers,
Ski
We used to run RA at the end of April until about 2 yrs ago then they ran it in July for the last 2 years. But since its basically the start of May, it could be a nice sunny 55-70 deg for the races, or 40's and rainy. Hard to say what the weather will do there. One year it was so foggy that the track was shut down until noon when it lifted. Couldnt even see the tower form the tech area. I had trouble seeing the guys paddocked across the road from me. The July one 2 years ago was freaking hot. Personally I'll take cold over heat.
Global warming does not apply up here. Bet on crappy weather - bring your stickiest rain tires, a hooded parka with windwall, and a pair of insulated galoshes for splashing in other peoples' puddled paddocks. Average temps for Elkhart Lake on May 1 are 61F high and 40F low, and spring is certainly not the dry season.
Finally, just set up your self-propelled Honda snowblower to be a generator & pull a pit cart - then you'll be ready for anything. Except a flood... so maybe bring the bass boat too.
Thanks guys! I know it was an ambiguous question, given the date, but knowledge is power.
Cheers,
Ski
I may be up there also. But tossing flags. Still waiting to see if I go that thur/friday off.
Quote from: skiandclimb on March 30, 2009, 10:52:14 PM
Most importantly- what has the weather looked like up there around the first of May in previous years?
Cheers,
Ski
:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
Quote from: skiandclimb on March 30, 2009, 10:52:14 PM
Most importantly- what has the weather looked like up there around the first of May in previous years?
<Laughing hysterically and manically>
40's and rainy doesn't begin to describe it. It's cold, windy, low 40's in the day, low to mid 30's overnight. I think I remember 1 nice RA spring weekend in the last 7 or 8 years.
BTW, make sure you thank the corner workers, but if the weather is like that, thank them profusely, because they are out in the shite all damn day.
Wisconsin's weather is like Scotland's, only theirs is better weather six months of the year.
Wisconsin in Spring: cloudy- check, 30+ mph winds- check, rain/snow mix- check, temps nudging around 40 degrees- check.
I was told back in 05 that if you are there for a weekend in april, at somepoint,
A. It will be cold
B. there will be percipitation of some sort
05 it was 32deg and snowing during practice
06 it was 40s and raining most of the weekend
:spank:
I think it was 2000 or 2001 that it was nice in April. April 2002 was ice pellets for some races. Rain tires had more grip than DOT's and warmers when it was dry with temperatures of about 35F.
In 1996, the races were in May, 14th or so?, and everything was delayed because of ice under the bridges.
It's still late winter here through May, but I can hope for something dry and reasonable.
Word of caution.............
Every year that I've been there in late April - early May there has been at least one embarassing moment going out for the early practice sessions.
Pit out going onto Hot Pit is a sharp right hand turn. Guaranteed at least 1 person will get a little excited and do a low speed low side with a ton of people bunched up behind him!
Oh yeah, and if it is warmer...50s overnight/60s daytime, there will most likely be fog delays in the AM.
Quote from: Burt Munro on March 31, 2009, 11:04:58 PM
Word of caution.............
Every year that I've been there in late April - early May there has been at least one embarassing moment going out for the early practice sessions.
Pit out going onto Hot Pit is a sharp right hand turn. Guaranteed at least 1 person will get a little excited and do a low speed low side with a ton of people bunched up behind him!
Yeah for sure,not to mention T-5 and T-6 are plenty slick too in the cold A.M.
So we have all this to look forward too and no practice day.
I can't wait!!!
Quote from: jigs on April 01, 2009, 10:42:49 AM
Yeah for sure,not to mention T-5 and T-6 are plenty slick too in the cold A.M.
It's because they are the first lefts. Watch out for T8 also. It's a left.
Things aren't looking real good for this year! The weather up here has been worth a shit so far. It's April 1st and the weather today is 41 degrees and snow flurries. We're one month out and things better change damn quick or we're screwed!
Schmitty
And some freindly advice to anyone who hasn't been on a track when it's cold out, if you use tire warmers you may have decent traction on your 1st lap or 2 then the tires may actually cool down resulting in less traction - so be careful! Another cold weather issue is suspension, that fluid in your suspension may not want to flow very well at 1st and you might find that your bike wants to lose traction sooner because the suspension is too rigid and isn't letting the tire follow the racing surface like normal, but that should fix itself as you work the suspension going around the track. You may notice rigid suspension (from the cold) when you 1st get on the bike in the pits, it won't bounce up and down worth a darn, if that's the case take it easy the 1st lap or 2.
Talk about a double edged sword: 1st couple laps you may have warm tires and cold suspension, after that the suspension's working and the tires cooled off! :wtf:
Quote from: GSXR RACER MIKE on April 01, 2009, 09:48:40 PM
And some freindly advice to anyone who hasn't been on a track when it's cold out, if you use tire warmers you may have decent traction on your 1st lap or 2 then the tires may actually cool down resulting in less traction - so be careful! Another cold weather issue is suspension, that fluid in your suspension may not want to flow very well at 1st and you might find that your bike wants to lose traction sooner because the suspension is too rigid and isn't letting the tire follow the racing surface like normal, but that should fix itself as you work the suspension going around the track. You may notice rigid suspension (from the cold) when you 1st get on the bike in the pits, it won't bounce up and down worth a darn, if that's the case take it easy the 1st lap or 2.
Talk about a double edged sword: 1st couple laps you may have warm tires and cold suspension, after that the suspension's working and the tires cooled off! :wtf:
Good points for sure....think I will post register for sure!!
Quote from: schmitty on April 01, 2009, 02:35:10 PM
Things aren't looking real good for this year! The weather up here has been worth a shit so far. It's April 1st and the weather today is 41 degrees and snow flurries. We're one month out and things better change damn quick or we're screwed!
Schmitty
But two weeks ago it was 70 out so who knows...
All this information is not really encouraging, but highly appreciated!! :biggrin:
*reminds*
"and no practice day..."
I can't even post what I think about running there in the early spring. I don't want to get banned.
FWIW I have heard that CCS lost the July date due to rescheduling needed to fit in the SCCA Runoffs.
That's what I heard but I also heard from the same source at the same time we get it back next year.....????
I recall one year racing at RA in the early spring on my 125. It was dry, surprisingly but so cold out that I still ran my rain's and they still looked brand new after 2 rounds of practice and one race. But I also won my first race in 40 degree rainy weather, so I may not like it but I seem to do well in crappy weather.
I like pasta - Does that count???
I'm gonna sign up at the track - The front straight is long enough that you can start a few rows back and still make your way to the front.... Since we're still doing standing starts - I should be fine....
Quote from: Scotty Ryan on April 06, 2009, 02:29:56 AM
I like pasta - Does that count???
I'm gonna sign up at the track - The front straight is long enough that you can start a few rows back and still make your way to the front.... Since we're still doing standing starts - I should be fine....
I'm with you on that one.
Quote from: Scotty Ryan on April 06, 2009, 02:29:56 AM
I like pasta - Does that count???
I'm gonna sign up at the track - The front straight is long enough that you can start a few rows back and still make your way to the front.... Since we're still doing standing starts - I should be fine....
The straights there are so long, you can bring along your taxes and do them while you wait for the brake marker to come up.
Does anyone know if we can get into the track to camp Thursday night? And will registration be open Thursday night? Thank you
In the past, you've been able to get in after 5 or 6 pm... but that's when there is a track day on thursday (and you're not doing it) If there is no event on thursday, I don't know what the policy is.
I seem to remember doing something at registration on thursday night, but I can't remember what?
Personally, I enjoy the spring weather at RA. Wet, nasty, cold, its just part of racing. A win is a win regardless of the weather. The best is when its pouring on one side of the track and bone dry on the other.
Plan on cold and wet or nice and dry. And all in the same weekend. At the same time. And then wait for it....it'll change.
Great. So, basically, I'll be on a new (to me) untested bike at a new (to me) and untested track with no practice day, and the distinct possibility of the weather being horrible?
Let's go racing!!!!!!!!
See you all up there. I'll be the one on the black Duc wearing a 1960's North Face full length down parka.
-Ski
latex under your racin gloves helps a bunch, duct tape over your face to keep the shield from foggin.
My first lap of practice my AM year was at RA in April... nothing like clicking over 150 when its snowing! :ahhh:
I ran pilot powers with good results. tlak to the tire guys if its that chilly, good tire selection can save you seconds as well as $$$ cold torn race rubber gets 'spensive!
Gracias, Timmay.
Quote from: tstruyk on April 08, 2009, 01:18:59 AMduct tape over your face to keep the shield from foggin...
Yeah, this should help you out. Here's Timmah after the racing action...
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.codeodor.com%2Fimages%2Fhead_exploded.jpg&hash=1424e69c6845a650cf4f490a665b8c0c036b50aa)
Quote from: Super Dave on April 08, 2009, 02:45:58 PM
Yeah, this should help you out. Here's Timmah after the racing action...
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.codeodor.com%2Fimages%2Fhead_exploded.jpg&hash=1424e69c6845a650cf4f490a665b8c0c036b50aa)
Good grief! What happened to that guy?!?!?
Road America in April. :biggrin:
Bastids!!!!!!!!