Fun at Gateway

[tzracer]

When we first went to Gateway, the garage fee was $50 per day. The space between the metal poles is 2 garages.

A few years ago CCS began to pay for the garages. Gateway raised their rates for this year, CCS can no longer afford to pay for the garages.

[Super Dave]

I'm telling you that I've talked to the race directors and MCRA crew and they have heard you, but disagree, having to place the fence at the place where the worst crash could happen, not where it is likely to happen.

That's an interesting option...

So, one is allowed to have volume crashes in one area while protection is offered for unlikely crashes?

Speed at exit is higher than the speed at the apex...so, more momentum...harder impact, etc.  

What's this fabled worst case?  Seems like that would be having the throttle stick open at any point where one is required to brake and turn.

The fact that someone is saying that they realize that someone things something isn't safe, yet they take no action...

The track has to be ridden with the idea that you ride for those opportunities that offer a reasonable amount of safety.  In some places, I have to have a larger margin of safety 'cause I have better things to do than be hurt.

I didn't have myself scheduled for Gateway for this season, but with all this information, maybe I shouldn't go again...Seems obvious that the input isn't worth saying...Why should I support any thing happening there?

Certainly riding at Gateway on a 600 at a 1:12 pace is different than a 1:06 pace, etc...Back to that margin of safety.  Who's at a bigger risk?

[Gixxer124]

Certainly riding at Gateway on a 600 at a 1:12 pace is different than a 1:06 pace, etc...Back to that margin of safety.  Who's at a bigger risk?

Now you see why I love Gateway! 1:12's on the 600, 1:13's on the SV650. ;D

[Gixxer124]

What Dave said. 1:12's = 1:06's. Less a couple seconds in turns 1 and 2. Less a couple of seconds in turns 7 and 8. Less a couple more through the temporary chicane. I'm not willing to kill myself in those "DANGER" zones. ;)

[Chuck]

Holy cow...who is doing 1:06's at Gateway within CCS???

[Gixxer124]

Holy cow...who is doing 1:06's at Gateway within CCS???

The fast guys. ;D Dave Newman had a 1:05 2 years ago on a GSXR750. Not official though. Paul Mason was doing 6's when he beat Mark Junge in MWSS.

[Chuck]

My Lord.  I couldn't imagine trying to shave 6 more seconds.  Really puts things into perspective.

[Super Dave]

To run up front on a 600 to a 1000 as an expert, you're gonna run 6's to 8's.  

Fast SV riders should be running 10's.

[Super Dave]

Ok, I'm going to rant a bit...

At what point should change take place?

I raced at Gateway for the first time in 1987.  Yup, 1987.  It was a different track then.  A drag strip built on top of a land fill with a road course.  

Then in the early 90's, it closed then was bought, and oval was built with an infield road course.  I was racing other stuff when WERA went there and riders got killed.  CCS went in 2000.  I was slated to teach the riding school for CCS that weekend.  

Needless to say, Between '87 and 2000, I've raced from coast to coast.  

I've raced on the current configuration since 2000.

Don't leave rider safety issues alone.  Do something.  Why should I feel the need to go there when nothing changes?  I supported it for quite some time.  I've given my input based on the discomfort that I have in certain places.  Certainly, you ride appropriately in those places...

But, like someone said to me, "Dave, if they're not going to listen to you, they aren't going to listen to me."  I'm flattered by the statement.  But, honestly, if they can't find it in their heart, or their liability pocketbook, to take the time to do something after all those times we've came there...

Why go anymore?

[StumpysWife]

Why go anymore?

I saw 2 riders and bikes hit the wall (not bales or airfence) coming on to the front strait.  They got up but the problem is when the bike and rider land, they end up in traffic no matter what.  No corner worker can get to them because of the traffic.  They are left there until the red flag comes out (which seemed to take forever).  It was disturbing to watch.

I don't see another Gateway trip in our future anytime soon.  

[Super_KC124]

I thought this was a thread about having fun at Gateway? :)

Fast SV riders should be running 10's.

Wow! Only 3 more seconds and I'll be fast! ;D