I've been to a few track days there this year where the air fence has sat in the infield or off to the side rather than being used. I'm wondering who owns the fence and why it isn't being used on certain days and what can be done to see that it is available to all motorcyclists using the track. Is it a matter of set up time and cost? Getting permision? If anyone knows, please post here or e-mail me.
Now that I think of it, I remember riding Road America last year or the year before where the previous day had air fence but the following track day had hay bails in the kink. So, I guess this goes for all tracks.
Thanks.
Sorry this is somewhat of a tangent, but what about having sponsor names/advertisements on the Airfence? "You're being protected by ______". Has this been pitched to anyone? If it's already being done I haven't seen it?
The Air fence at Blackhawk belongs to several different groups. The track, Wegman Fund and Roadracing World Action Fund all contributed to the Air Fence. I would have to look up the actual breakdown as to who owns what.
However, as far as I know, and that was the Wegman Funds intent was that the Air fence was to be deployed anytime bikes were at the track, be it CCS, schools or track days.
I will contact Mike Irwin about this. There may be a logistics problem with set up but I'm sure that can be rectified with a little cooperation from whatever group is renting the track.
Thanks for the heads up Jack. I'll get on it right away.
Weggie can answer directly about who owns the Blackhawk Air Fence Bike but IIRC it was a joint project bewtween the Wegman fund and RRW Action Fund. I do know that the Air Fence that RRW AF suppiled for Texas World was only to be used for sanctioned events not track days. Reasoning I don't know for sure but probably it has to do with training on deployment care of and responsibilty for the product to insure it is there for the race events when there are more people and more speed (generally).
As to the Air Fence at RA I can answer that. I hauled it up and when the FUSA/CCS event started it was deployed when it ended it was taken down. The costs for bring up early/taking down later are fairly high with regards to personel and equipment costs and only people I have seen pay that for a track day are Team Hammer track days at Daytona.
To answer the other questions. At RA the air fence goes with the AMA when they leave. It is all taken down at the end of the AMA weekend.
As for signage. That works at tracks where the airfence is more visible. At Blackhawk most people just see the tops of the bags in turn four. The stuff in 5 is more visible but not by much.
I know it's been pitched at higher levels like AMA but they didn't seem to have much luck with it. For one, most the airfence at AMA races belongs to the RRW Action Fund and is on loan to AMA. It was all purchased by contributors and there's no way you could get all their names on it!! ;D ;D
Thanks Gordy! If it means training, coming early, staying late, whatever. I'd like to do what I can to see it's there if needed.
Thanks Eric.
I don't know that I posted my race/crash report from BHF on Memorial day:
http://www.cbr600rr.com/pages/052904.htm
But I went head first into the tirewall at T4 at a pretty high rate of speed. By the impact, I thought I hit the bike. As soon as I went down (when time started standing still), I thought "where's the airfence"?
For a while as I lay there with my right arm numb, I thought I had broken my neck. Fortunately I did not.
I packed up and did not race that weekend. Questioning the CCS and track staff as to why the airfence was on the infield, I was told it wasn't put out on practice days.
Until it is, I will not contribute another dime towards it...
The ONE time I've needed it, it wasn't there. Would it have made a difference? I don't know. Maybe. But the fact still is that it wasn't there and it should have been.
You tell'm jef4ry,
they have the a.f. up at gateway for practice,the way i see it if there's air fence for the races then there should be a.f. for practice.what does ccs think that in practice we just gingerly go around the track.there are enough ccs staff there on a practice day to get off there duff's and put it up.if they can't do that then the can ask us racer's to help.Don't think we will say no.CCS could you stop thinking from behind and use the mush that's closer to the sun when standing. thank you and have a sunny day
apriliaguy
The practice day is put on by BHF, not by CCS, but the fact remains that if there's an airfence THERE, it should be in USE.
Jeff:
That is what Gordy is working on for us.
Dawn ;)
Well everyone let's tell bhf to start blowing the af up.
apriliaguy
If you find the airfence is not up then you have to say something. Gordy's wife, a cornerworker, my wife, and I put it all up friday night. (they were already putting it up when my wife and I stumbled on them while walking the track)
If you dont see it up Friday morning, I would think we could stop practice for the 15 minutes it would take 10 people to get it put in place.
my $0.02
I normally can't make Fridays at Blackhawk and don't do track days so Iwas not aware the fence was not up for them.
I have a call in to Mike Irwin and should talk with him tonight or tomorrow morning. I will push for the fence to be up at all bike events but it may take some volunteers to help put it up on those days.
QuoteI will push for the fence to be up at all bike events but it may take some volunteers to help put it up on those days.
Thanks Gordy! Just let us know what's needed. If I'm at the event I'll gladly volunteer and/or help organize a group of people to get it done.
Cool!
And if anyone doesn't want to cut into practice by the 10-15 mins it will take, I say they can practice, but can't wear any gear during it... Shorts & flip-flops only...
QuoteI normally can't make Fridays at Blackhawk and don't do track days so Iwas not aware the fence was not up for them.
I have a call in to Mike Irwin and should talk with him tonight or tomorrow morning. I will push for the fence to be up at all bike events but it may take some volunteers to help put it up on those days.
Gordy,
The last track day I attended at Blackhawk, the air fence was deployed. I just wanted to say thanks.
And a BIG THANKS to the corner workers who took the extra time to set it up. If you're listening, we sure appreciate it, myself included!!!
I'll be heading there on Thursday night. If the fence isn't up, I'll try to round up people to help make sure it is on Friday morning...
I'll be there Thursday night. Let me know if you need help...I'll gladly take some time to help whoever get it all set up. Jeff, I came by you right after you hit the tire wall last BHF weekend and I could not believe that the air fence was not deployed. I guess I wasn't paying attention until your incident.
QuoteI could not believe that the air fence was not deployed. I guess I wasn't paying attention until your incident.
Funny... Me neither...
My neck is back to 100%. Still a tender spot in my left thigh, but that's no issue. Looking forward to getting back to BHF though.