Questions regarding CSS on June 1st

[Irish]

Hi Folks

I'm doing level one on Monday June 1st. Any other RATs going to be there?

This will be the first training I've done after 20 years riding - better late than never as they say.

On to my questions. I'm taking the track bike so:


Any hints on how much fuel I'm likely to need?

Presumably tyre warmers are the go (running slicks)?

What's the go if it's wet (slicks again)?


cheers

Irish

[dazzler]

calling jasonbw..... he will answer those in a heart beat!!

[Captain]

One full tank will do you.
Don't worry about tyre warmers. You can if you want to, but L1 you're going slow, no real point IMHO.
If it's raining you will get wet, and you can't use slicks in the rain.

[Kimbo]

On wait list for both days Irish. Hopefully will get the call

[Pymm]

hiya irish, im doing the entry course on tuesday the 2nd :(

[jasonbw]

Cap's got it... but if you do want to use slicks, go for it, but you can't get your warmers on each time after the end of each session since you'll be needed elsewhere (you'll get it on the day)

What type of bike are you riding? typically 1 tank is enough but some 1000's consume enough to need topping up towards the end of the day. CSS give you a lunchbreak, typically 12:30 to 1:15 which is enough time (just) to eat then duck down for petrol at the local servo... cool thing about that is your bike will be taped in colours to help coaches recognise you, so your numberplate is usually taped and your mirrors will be... careful :D

You will seriously have a ball mate, say g'day to Brendon who'll be doing the flag briefing and will be running the day from the 'start line'. He's a RAT (called BigB). I'll be on track and will intro myself in the morning classroom get together.

Tyre changing is available, so you can go with slicks and opt for road tyres, but I've seen guys miss out on a session due to leaving things too late... so talk to the tyre guys early if you wish to change.

Tyre pressures are sorted by the coaches in the morning, no need to set them specifically.

Most important, please, PLEASE, treat the day as a training day... throw out ANY ideas of wishing to look fast to others... i.e. allow yourself to be overtaken big time... why?

What happens to our mental ability when we ride at 10/10ths? You're basically putting 100% of your focus/attention on doing what you've always done to get around the track... that leaves how much to try the new tasks (called Drills) that you'll be assigned to try? Will that mean you get less from the day? Absolutely. Be prepared to ride at max 75% of your typical pace.

Keith Code (writer of the twist of the wrist books) says he can coach 95% of his students to new levels of riding confidence and ability so long as they ride at or less than 75% of their typical speed. Riding beyond the 75% will get you pushing the 'panic button', which is a nice word for being scared shitless... which is the fastest way backwards in riding technique... you ever heard a track rider say they lost their mojo after a crash... that's the direction you're headed when you press that panic button too often...

So with the right attitude a day at CSS can do incredible things for your riding ability... as Roy's pointed out in another recent thread there is a HUGE amount to learn in one day, the idea is for you to sample each drill, to get an idea of what it's like to get it right at least once... then you can practise that drill at trackdays or on the roads (these drills can be done at any speed level!). The point being that your given a booklet in your folder at registration... USE IT... bring a good pen or pencil and write your thoughts in the quiet times you get during the day... thoughts on what worked and what didnt, the point of the drill and where you can make it work to help you in your riding plans.

You'll look on this booklet (hopefully) at the next track day and find it will bring great insight into making you faster with a far greater safety buffer then ever before.

...and if it rains... it's cool.... so many can't believe how much grip there actually is in the wet.... Eastern Creek is notorious for low wet weather grip but to an inexperienced wet track rider it's still far greater grip then they ever imagined!

[Irish]

Hi Jason That's increadably helpful - thanks for taking the time.

The slicks did have me worried in event of rain. I may look for a set of semi used road tyres before the day - I'd rather not have to scrub in brand new tyres on a wet track either...

Fingers crossed Kimbo :ayyy:

cheers

Irish

[jasonbw]

Very welcome, the day is expensive enough, you want to get the absolute most out of it possible!!!

[Captain]

Irish send a PM to Munga, he can probably help you with the tyres you're after :ayyy:

[Irish]

Irish send a PM to Munga, he can probably help you with the tyres you're after :ayyy:

Thanks Capatain. I may have left it a bit late to track down some decent used tyres from Newie - thinking about backing the Prepsol and buying tyres at the track if needed. Will send Munga a PM though as you sugest.

cheers

Irish

[Johnny]

Irish, Slicks would be fine mate, you wont be the only one out there with them.

Either way, tyres fitted at the creek are wiped down with prepsol anyway, and you wont be going as quick as you would a ride day.

But if its rd 2nds youd feel comfortable with , got a Bridgy 015, 120/70/17 here with a fair amount of meat on it so if you can get a matching rear elswhere, your welcome to have for nada ..

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k456/arrrone/IMG_0582.jpg
http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k456/arrrone/IMG_0581.jpg

[Dunno]

Onya Johnny :ayyy:

[Captain]

... but if you do want to use slicks, go for it, !

Irish, Slicks would be fine mate, you wont be the only one out there with them.



My comments re the slicks relate only to the rain guys .... pray explain how he will get around that one.

[jasonbw]

I understood you Cap, I wrote in the 4th sentence the info you're looking for, so it wasn't contradicting you, my info about using slicks was simply because most people think the CSS day needs to be done without slicks, but in my experience you should run whatever you're most comfortable with since you don't want any of your extra attention on tyres than you have to.

[Captain]

Thanks Jason, I knew you'd understood, it's something pretty basic anyhow; if it's wet, you dont want to use slicks. My comment was 'tongue-in-cheek', certainly the way it was written, directed at you and Johnny it couldn't be any other way, so I didn't think I needed to pussy-foot around as one needs to sometimes :D

Nevertheless, good to clarify for the bloke asking the question :ayyy: Typically you only go out with the tyres that are on the bike, and if it starts raining then what will he do?

Otherwise yes, I agree 100% if you want to use slicks (in the dry) then go ahead. Possibly my bad for not being clear about that ... also re tyre warmers, I have used them for the last CSS but give that he's doing L1 - which is generally pretty slow - IMO it's hardly worth it. Plus the bikes are all lined up together, mostly road bikes, nobody else will have them and you don't have that much time etc as you correctly state.

:ayyy: (wish I was doing L1 again)

[Johnny]

Thanks Jason, I knew you'd understood, it's something pretty basic anyhow; if it's wet, you dont want to use slicks. My comment was 'tongue-in-cheek', certainly the way it was written, directed at you and Johnny it couldn't be any other way, so I didn't think I needed to pussy-foot around as one needs to sometimes :D

Well :p to you anyway.

Same here mate, nothing to take offence to or contradict anyone, just an opinion, and as we know with opinions, they are like arseholes, everyone has one :D

[Irish]

Thanks Johnny

Will PM you regarding the rubber if I can't sort something locally.

[jasonbw]

Cap... shuddap!

:D

Awesome Irish, not long now mate!!!! Whats the long range forecast looking like?

[Captain]

:):):) :ayyy:

[3lusiv]

On the topic of CSS, do you think it would be beneficial if I did a track day before jumping straight into CSS?

Sorry for hijacking your thread mate.

[Captain]

On the topic of CSS, do you think it would be beneficial if I did a track day before jumping straight into CSS?
My first ever track day ride was at a CSS, and I found it a great introduction to track riding.

[jasonbw]

Yep, CSS is (in my mind) without a doubt the best way to be introduced to the track... even if for the single fact that your first two laps are done really slow, follow the leader, getting used to getting on then off the track. The rest of the day is all about skills you use every day on the street....

Couldn't think of a more perfect way to start your new addiction!

[Munga]

HI all, just wanna say what a great thread and its cool how we all think alike about the bike and enjoying something we love doing together. yeah its all a bit coooool, heapsof funnnnn.

[Irish]

HI all, just wanna say what a great thread and its cool how we all think alike about the bike and enjoying something we love doing together. yeah its all a bit coooool, heapsof funnnnn.

Hey Munga - whatever you've been smoking - can you throw a bit in for me before you put those tyres in the mail? :lmao:

Thanks for the help at short notice - look forward to catching up at OP on June 7.

cheers

Irish

[JOLT]

My first ever track day ride was at a CSS, and I found it a great introduction to track riding.

Same here, great way to get started.

[Irish]

Same here, great way to get started.

After following Jolt (breifly) and watching his style I wish I had done the same. It's way easier to learn correct technique up front rather than try to change bad habits.

[Johnny]

Good move on the treadeds mate, hate to say the r word, but theres alot of it forecast for the coming month..

[Munga]

look in the tyres Irish, could be something there!!!
:hatter:

[jasonbw]

Smokin' tyres again Munga...

[Irish]

Good move on the treadeds mate, hate to say the r word, but theres alot of it forecast for the coming month..

Nah she'll be right - few costal showers but the Creek will be dry as a dead dingo's donga. :ayyy:

If I took a chance and turned up with slicks fitted - well that would be another matter!

[jasonbw]

If anyone going to EC on Mon or Tue want a BRAND NEW set of Michelin Power race tyres (120/70 + 190/55) for $400 then let me know asap.

EDIT: Heading up there now, seeya there tomorrow.. no takers on the tyres so maybe I'll put this in the for sale section when I get back on Wed. seeyas

[Irish]

What a great day!

Fortunatly we didn't get any rain. Track was a bit damp first thing but dried as the day went on.

Highly recommend the training to one and all. I'll certainly be back for more :ayyy:

Great to meet JasonBW and Brendon.

[jasonbw]

Gday Irish, sorry I didn't get to chat for more than a few seconds, how did the day go for you????? Weather held out nicely hey!!!

[BigB]

Yeah, good to meet you too mate !

Same goes for me on JBW's comment "chat for a few seconds" :-)

Duty called... still, it's better than REAL work !

B...