Track day at VIR – session 4

April 22, 11:24 PMDC Motorcycle Travel ExaminerMark Poesch

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On the track, this time, the instructors are continuing to follow the group, but they’re expecting us to kick it up a notch.   So, our pace is quicker now, with lap times closer to the 60 second mark (as shown in this video): 

Tentatively, I’m beginning to not only get my knee out, but to also get my butt off the seat; half a cheek only.  I’m not quite ready to get my knee down, but in some of the later laps, I have my butt off the seat, my inside knee out, and my head toward the inside (outside ear near the windscreen) looking far through the upcoming turns.  It feels good!

I’m now riding only in second gear, and braking only at the end of the front and back straights.  On the front straight I’m hitting between 75 MPH (8,500 RPM) and 90 MPH (10,000 RPM).  On the back straight, I’m closing on 120 MPH (13,000 RPM).  We may not have our speedometers, but I can still hear the engine and see the tach.  [This video provides good acceleration demonstration, and a handy RPM to KPH conversion.]

With the increase in speed, I’m blowing turn 13 again.  But, at least I know how to correct it now.  So, it’s a balance between “too aggressive” and “good line” through turns 12 and 13.

And,  I’m now finding that turns 14, 15, and 16 are possible at very high speed.  I’m well past 60 MPH, and can probably hit 80 MPH comfortably.  But, the turn past 15 through the apex for 1 is a tricky place to brake at high speed because it is never really straight.  Better to ride too slowly than to come in too hot into the entrance to turn 1!

Now, some 24 to 30 laps around the track under my wheels, I know all the corners, and have a pretty good sense for the line and the speed I can manage comfortably.  Following the rider ahead of me closely (someone not from our group), we come through turn 13 well, accelerate hard through 14, 15, and 16 and arc through the turn toward 1.  And, then he blows it and rides right off the grass through the corner of turn 2!

I have microseconds to decide between turning harder to get into the apex of turn 1 at our more aggressive pace (risky), or follow him through the grass… which seems to be going well for him.  He clears the other side and is back on the track, and my time to decide has long since passed.  I’m following.

Fortunately, it’s effortless, and the suspension perfectly deals with the edges of the track and the grass.  I’m back on, arcing into turn 3, up over turn 4, and leaving it all behind me like Rossi, AKA “The Doctor.”

The checkered flag comes out for the fourth time, and we each hold up our left hand in turn to signal that we’re going into the pits.   Whew!   I need a break!

Post-session 4 training

The bike is back in the room, and we’re taking the lesson on body position to the next level: getting out of the seat.  I’m pleased to hear them describe what I’m already doing.  Although, I’m a bit frustrated that they don’t seem to have noticed.  In fact, Glen and Billy observe that “all the riders” have Velcro on their butts, and need to really exaggerate their position.

They call a couple riders up to sit on the bike, and have them demonstrate the seating position, and knee out position on the left and the right.  It’s emphasized that getting the knee out is principally to ensure the body remains square with the bike, and proper balance and control are maintained.

The point is also made that by moving our body to the inside of the turn, we shift the CG of the bike, and allow it to ride more vertically.  More vertically means better tire traction, which means better control and greater margin, margin that can be used to take the turns even faster.

It’s now nearing 1:00PM… and, time for lunch!

Next up (after lunch), session 5…
 

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