Anybody going to Grattan?

[cornercamping]

Where is the track rough? ÊHell, is there 20 feet that aren't rough?!? ÊThe straight & T1 were great. ÊWell, except for the water coming up through the cracks in the pavement in T1. ÊEverywhere else for the most part was just rough as heck. ÊI.e., that whole back section through T9, I couldn't get on the gas because either the front or the back would start walking because of the bumps. ÊT2 is also terrible, exit of 4, exit of 8, entrance to 11, exit of 12...

The most trouble spots were the section of 9, and then back onto the straight. ÊOnto the straight, I shortshifted and kept my knee over the grass. ÊI did find a smooth line there, but the speed carried me across the bumps and that REALLY upsets the front end of the bike (read - slapper fears) every lap...

This is what makes the track fun  ;D :P

[cornercamping]

I thought the track surface was fine, but the bump,dip in t12 coming on to the straight would upset you preety good if you didn't take the turn wide.

The bump going into turn 10b (inside of turn) is what your referring to right  ???

I've learned, regardless if it's right or wrong, to actually use the bump to get more speed thru the turn.  The bump seems to keep me from running wide for some reason.  Never really had a problem with the bump.  I just get on the gas, and stay on it.  Dunno though  ???  How many times have you been to Grattan?  

[Sunny]

I haven't been there this year yet, but I'll be there this weekend.

I thought you said you wouldn't have any free time till July.................   ::) ;D

[Jeff]

So what happened on Sunday that is causing these posts?

We left Sunday AM, didn't run sprints on Sunday.
I know there was some confusion or something when it came time to tally up all the endurance results on Sat.  What happened Sunday?

There were conflicts of power/thought/procedure..

I thought the track surface was fine, but the bump,dip in t12 coming on to the straight would upset you preety good if you didn't take the turn wide.

My only *itch:  Saturday morning in practice my F4i motor blew (big hole in lower case, broken rod, ugly) I was on fire down the front straight, pulled of on the access road.  The 1st fire ext. the corner work had didn't work!!!! I was forced to watch the flames get bigger until the 2nd fire ext, made it over to me.  But hey I'm fine, bikes not a total loss, so I can't *itch too much.

Jeff, thats you with the white Woody trailer and black van right?  I was going to come down and say hey, but didn't have time be fore we rolled out.  Never met, just seen you and your stuff out and around on the boards.

Yes, that was me & my trailer.  

LOL... you have a new name...  You shall henceforth be known as CBR-B-QUE

I think I have a bottom end if you need it.  I'll check.  I saw the carnage of your bike.  The same thing happened to me at Road A last year, but mine went through the top and the fire was much smaller...

[ekraft84]

I didn't really have a "bad" experience per-se, but was rather totally out of my element, not having the normal 200 support people that we "always" see.

Where is the track rough?  Hell, is there 20 feet that aren't rough?!?  The straight & T1 were great.  Well, except for the water coming up through the cracks in the pavement in T1.  Everywhere else for the most part was just rough as heck.  I.e., that whole back section through T9, I couldn't get on the gas because either the front or the back would start walking because of the bumps.  T2 is also terrible, exit of 4, exit of 8, entrance to 11, exit of 12...

The most trouble spots were the section of 9, and then back onto the straight.  Onto the straight, I shortshifted and kept my knee over the grass.  I did find a smooth line there, but the speed carried me across the bumps and that REALLY upsets the front end of the bike (read - slapper fears) every lap...

Dunno...  If CCS did a weekend there and we had a GOOD turnout I'd probably return.

Grattan's fine.  It's nowhere near as bad as you make it out to be.  The track is bumpy, but nowhere near as bad as Nelson was last year.  You also were running the wrong line in a lot of spots.  Once you get more laps around the track, you'll find that the correct line avoid the bumps (the sweeper and turn 9 as prime examples).

If you're used to racing at tracks like Barber and Blackhawk, you better hike your skirt up next time you come to Grattan.  ;D

BTW, what was the problem on Sunday?  I agree with some of what you said about the Fasttrax endurance organization on Saturday, but I didn't stay for Sunday.

[Sunny]

I did find a smooth line there, but the speed carried me across the bumps and that REALLY upsets the front end of the bike (read - slapper fears) every lap...

Sounds like a suspension set-up issue...........  Call Keith at Superbike Specialties to get your suspension look at and dial in!

Keith Thompson
Superbike Specialties
Address: 33701 Cherry Hill Rd, Westland, MI 48186
Phone: (734) 467-8700

[cornercamping]

One thing about Grattan, and I'm not a pro, but I did learn something at one of the hundreds of track days I've done there.   The section between turn 8 (the bowl) and turn 9 (the bus stop), I've learned to fly thru there, and that is a place you can make up some major time.   Alot of people don't realize how fast you can actually go thru that section.  You just get on the gas and stay on it.  It seems that your gonna run out of track, but you won't.  I dropped 5 full seconds off my lap time after I learned how to properly go thru that section.  You just have to hammer on the brakes going into 9.  That's the tricky part, because your shooting wide to go thru 9.   Another one is the S section going into 6/7.  One you hit the jump, just tap the rear brake to settle the chassis, but you don't really have to get on the brakes hard to go thru the S section.  Just coast right thru it.  Hitting the back brake after the jump settles the chassis, so it's a smooth transition thru the S's.
I don't know, I'm not fast as hell.  Just sharing some info. I've learned from some really fast guys, one of who runs a 1:20 flat around Grattan, which is smoking.  I believe Tray Batey holds the record still at a 1:19 something.  

[TJenson]

Sounds like a suspension set-up issue...........

Maybe he can hook you up with the patented anti tuck front end!

[Sunny]

hundreds of track days I've done there.  

Dan, should you modify that before someone starts a fire around you...............   ::) ;D

[TJenson]

Dan, should you modify that before someone starts a fire around you...............   ::) ;D

So true!
Not to mention, what are you talking about using the rear brake over the jump????    Are you trying to get the first time Grattan guys to crash their brains out?  5 seconds in the sweeper?  Are you sure about that?

[cornercamping]

Sunny is right.  Keith Thompson is the man when it comes to suspension.  I"ve never been any happier, and he is one of 2 people I would let touch any of my bikes, especially the "special" bikes I've had or have.  Keith is local, an Ohlins Certified Track Side Support Tech, and also a good guy.  He makes sure your happy as a customer, and if not, he'll do what it takes to keep you happy.  Many of times he's gone back over and over bikes to get the suspension "right" for the person riding it.  Everyone knows suspension is trial and error sometimes, and for what it costs, Keith will hook it up awesome.  

Sunny, i'm not racing till July.  I'll be at grattan this weekend, and also Monday for LED. I gotta get the new bike set up for racing still, and with 2 miles on the ODO, the motor isn't really ready to beat on.  I gotta put atleast 200 miles on it before I start bouncing her off the limiter  ;) ;D

[shakenbake]

Yeah, 10b inside line dip.  I never could count very well.

1st time at Grattan,  had fun other than the CBR-B-QUE.

And yeah the 2nd stream of water in turn one kinda sucked.