Track day at VIR – session 2

April 22, 8:03 PMDC Motorcycle Travel ExaminerMark Poesch

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Yesterday, we wrapped up session 1 by returning to the classroom for debriefing and reiteration of the importance of hitting the line, along with some pointers about specific turns. 

We also got the heads-up that passing would be allowed on the straights, so be ready to have bikes blast past – it’d be a shock at first, but by the end of the day, we’d be used to it.  Don’t move out of the way -- stay on the line!  Expect to be passed on the outside (no passing on the inside for our group), and stay on the line -- moving off the line to "let someone by" could move you into exactly the hole they had planned to hit; they'll hit you instead!

So, back on the track for session 2, it was time to pick up the pace and connect the dots again!

This time, my speedo read 75 MPH on the back “straight” as we arced toward the braking cones just prior to turn 9.  My half a front brake was still strong, pulling the bike down from that pace to the roughly 35 MPH entry to turns 10, 11, and 12.

But, I was continuing to run wide on turn 13.  In fact, on one lap, I felt the front end slide!  Fortunately, the sensation of the front end “pushing” was clear enough to anticipate the point where “pushing” would transition to "sliding."  Very controllable - thank you Suzuki!

Other than the front-end pushing through turn 13, increased speed, and improved line through the course, there wasn’t too much notable about this session.  Well, not until the final lap, passing one of the “white” riders who had gone down near turn 12.  Low-sided; he seemed to be OK, but it was enough to bring out the waving yellow flag.  Welcome to the track!

We were passed from time to time, but the speed differential wasn’t huge, and it was actually far less surprising than I had expected.

Post-session 2 training

Back in the class, Billy talked about another set of turns, and again reiterated the message of accurately following the line.  Accuracy is more important than speed.  With accuracy will come the speed.

Glen remarked that they’d had a student having trouble hitting the line who commented that he picked up the pace because he felt that would make it easier for him to hit the line.  From time on the track in the car, I know that feeling.  But, Glen made it clear that it is very misguided.  If you're not able to exactly hit the apex, slow down!

As we prepared to lead the instructors on the track, Glen talked about freedom on the track.  No speed limits, no laws, except perhaps, physical laws.  We were to be responsible for ourselves first, and the rider ahead second.  100% attention and focus ahead.  Look far through the turns.  Maintain a three bike following distance, and be prepared to be passed at a faster rate.

The rider who had low-sided was fine.  Back in action!

We talked about turn 13.  I described my problem with the front end pushing as I rounded the turn. Billy responded: “All of you are faster than any of us on turn 13!”  (Wow!  Pretty good, hunh!?) He explained that to get a good line through high-speed turns 14, 15, and 16 it is critical to be exactly on the line through turn 13, and that he and all the other instructors were willing to go slowly through turn 13 in order to be fast through the next series of turns.  Ah!  Bingo!

Billy then described how the instructors would ride behind each rider in turn, then pass to point out trouble-spots, then drop back to ride behind the next rider in turn.  No speed limit – just ride your own ride!

Next up, out on the track for session 3!

Catch the whole series:

• Track day as a journey to self-discovery
• Track day at VIR – first-hand report – the first warm-up laps
• Track day at VIR – session 2 – taking it up a notch; stay on the line!
• Track day at VIR – session 3 – out in front of the instructors
• Track day at VIR – session 4 – picking up the pace
• Track day at VIR – session 5 – the best session yet!
• Track day at VIR – session 6 – death of a gixxer
• Track day at VIR – session 7 - final session! – taking advantage of the run-off area!
• Track day at VIR – conclusion – confidence without discipline spells disaster
• Track day at VIR – epilogue – lessons learned on and off the track