Following on from the last post, we managed to track down some Metzeler TD Slicks from Motorcycle Tyre Warehouse - where I got a 1 hour lecture on all things tyres from the owner - and got those fitted up.
I also managed to get the new bike trailer better set up with a tool box, new spare tyre mount and deleted the silly centre channel and replaced it with the tyre chock we were given with the purchase of the Daytona. Not as awesome as my preferred enclosed trailer but a much more affordable and quite adequately usable setup!
I had to work the weekend of Will's first track day, so couldn't stay but I managed to ride out to Warwick for the Saturday to lend a hand with him settling in. The bike passed scrutineering straight up, so it was on with the tyre warmers and waiting for his first session. We were very glad of the warmers as well because the weekend only topped out at about 16C.
He decided on doing the Red Group which is the slowest group, just to get a feel for it.
It seemed to be going well and as he felt more comfortable he moved himself to the Green Group (second slowest). His lap times were getting better, initially being in the high 1:40s then slowly dropping to the low 1:30s according to his SpeedAngle.
He got down to 1:28 for the weekend. ASBK SuperSports do 1:15 around here.
He was having such a good time that he decided to stay for the Sunday session! I had to go home for work so left him to it. By all accounts he had a great day and learnt a lot from the other riders around him in the pits. He moved up a level again to Blue Group (2nd fastest) on the advice of those around him.
He did have some trouble with the generator for the tyre warmers. It cut out randomly a few times on the Saturday then wouldn't start at all on the Sunday.** Luckily those awesome folks around him sorted him out with power for his warmers!
Thanks Mike!
I must say, I have found everyone at these track days to be super friendly and helpful, which makes for a great day out.
Here are some of the photos from the pro photographers over the weekend.
They certainly make him look fast.....and he probably is for his experience level.
It must nearly be my turn to have a go on it?
Cheers.
** The following week I went to work on the generator, draining the tank to find lots of small rust particles in the fuel. More particles came from the fuel tap strainer so I bit the bullet and pulled the carby off, pulling all of the jets and cleaning them with a wire, then blowing the whole carby out. I finished it off with a new spark plug and a fuel filter. Thankfully, she fired straight up and ran sweetly.
Rusty crap.
Little filter.
New spark.
Pre - clean up.
