New transponders question

[skydiver19]

For those of you in regions (or other series) who use the types of transponders being transitioned to this season-- are lap time printouts made available after practice sessions/races?  I guess my real question is does the transponder take the place of a MyChron timer for the purpose of personal data acquisition or are they strictly for CCS internal scoring purposes ?  (I'm aware that the transponder would not allow me to see each lap time during a given session.)

Thanks.

[Super Dave]

I think CCS is trying to work with someone else to provide a simpler set up for the mass transponder set up, so what the configuration will be, we'll have to wait and see.

Usually, you could go to tech or registration and get your times.  But nothing beats having your times right there when you're doing the times.  You can see results if you make changes....

[sdiver68]

S_D,

A couple of times this year I had big leads only to watch them whittle away and even lose a win or 2 in the last couple of laps.  I know this is because somewhere about mid-point I turned around and saw no one close so I "relaxed" too much.  Problem is, I wasn't trying to go that much slower..it just happened, and maybe I didn't realize how much slower I was going.

I know I can't lose focus mid-race, but there is also something to be said for not pushing the limit when you have a big gap.  Tying this back to timers, is it common to keep an eye on your onboard timer each lap so you know if you have eased up a bit too much?  Kind of like a poor man's version of the pit board?  Or is it too hard to read mid-race?

[Super Dave]

Pit boards are valuable, but the lap timer tells you if you're screwing up NOW rather than a lap after you've done it.

Where a pit board helps is in a longer important race.  I'd run the pit board for Dale Quarterley at the Daytona 200, and some other races too.  I would watch what was going on around Dale, determine who was coming, who he was gaining on etc.  Entertain him and keep him informed of what was going on.  That's the best use of a pit board.

Relaxing during a race...

That's a hard one.  Many a times, I have watched racers slow down, loose the pace they were riding at only to get picked off near the end.  When you ride at a certain pace, it's hard to pick it back up again.  (Imagine trying to help out guys for a whole day, then try to get back up to speed.)  When you do, it can lead to mistakes.

On the flip side, if you're continually making gains on someone, you get motivated and ride with some spirit.  That helps in running down someone.

So, I will just maintain a pace.  I don't really slow down.  I might do things differently to change the face of the race:  different lines trying to use a different part of the tire, etc.  But slowing down can be a no-no.

As an amateur rider, there are times when I'll tell my guys to watch out and keep out of trouble.  Sometimes you can see when a rider in the amateur ranks is out to go fast, but they are not up to the capability of doing it.  So, they just run it in hard and hope they make it through.  That can lead to mistakes, and you can get by.  

That help?  Does that answer the question....?

[Super Dave]

And never look back.  It's more annoying for someone to never acknoledge your presense.  Unless you want to wave at them;  that's the only time I'll look back...LOL! ;D

You can hear the bikes coming if you wear ear plugs.  I do, I can hear them.  Quite a ways back too.

[sdiver68]

Yep, perfect...thanks!  :)

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

   Hey Super Dave, what ear plugs have you used for racing before? I used some from my work before and they were almost too good for racing use (some of the best foam ones available, 32 Decibal reduction in sound). I found that I kept hitting the rev limiter when I used them, whereas I normally don't have that problem without ear plugs. I had thought about trying some lower rated ones to see if they are better for racing. The other thought I had was that mabey I didn't use them long enough to get use to them for racing (at that time I wore them every day at work though, so I was use to wearing them in a manufacturing environment). I only tried them for 1 event where I raced 6 classes.
   Any thoughts?

[r6_philly]

I have tried to use ear plugs when I race, and I keep hitting the rev limiter and can't tell what RPM I am at by sound. I went back to no ear plugs, I can hear many things better. And since I have ridden over 40,000 miles on the street with no ear plugs, I don't think I can ever get used to the plugs. I have lossed a little hearing over the years I suppose, but not much. I found myself rather enjoy hearing the motor and everyone else's motor.

As for the lead thing, you should always win with the biggest lead possible, unless you have conserve something while in lead (like fuel or tire)

You work yourself into a rhythm when u are racing a sprint. 7 laps, if you slow your rhythm down, it will be hard to push yourself that last lap and get back 2 seconds. And once that big lead vanishes and the guy catches up to you, it is almost a panic, and you have lost trememdous amount of confidence. And the other guy will have gained a lot, because he caught up to you. It is better if it never happens. So ride at the level you started the race with, and built the lead with, only not take any extra chances. But when u are leading a race, you dont have to pass anyone and don't have to alter your lines, so just try to ride the perfect lines. If you got away, and keep the same pace, you are likely to win.

[Super Dave]

About a year into racing I tried ear plugs.  The first time I tried them, I was racing a production RZ350.  It was ok until I crashed and broke the tach.  Then I had no idea what was happening.  No sound.  

Since then, I've always worn ear plugs when I race.  I hear more wind noise at high speed and cannot hear the engine without the plugs.  I can hear bikes behind me too.

The one's I use are just the standard EAR plugs in the blue and white package.  Nothing special.

[Jeff]

Back onto the topic of the lap timer, SD is absolutely right that it's best to see the lap as it happens.  The thing that you will notice is that every now and then you can get into an almost trance-like state where everything flows and moves in slow motion.  These will be the easiest laps you've ever run, and will be the fastest.  That's a feeling that can't be described, only experienced, and what a rush it is when it happens.

Ear plugs???  Been riding street & track for 16 years now, and I've been wearing ear plugs for about 15 out of them.  I just find it easier to feel the bike than to get a headache from hearing it and the wind noise.

Plus, there's nothing better than listening to your heartbeat while on the grid.

[ecumike]

... Plus, there's nothing better than listening to your heartbeat while on the grid.

haha, how true... or worse, listening to /feeling your head pound after a GT race in 90 degree heat.