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Low-sided in thunderhill.

samirchaim

samirchaim

Brazilian Guy
Joined
Mar 26, 2012
Location
San Francisco, CA
Moto(s)
2005 r-6
First of all. I would like to thanks to everybody that helped on the 9Th in thunderhill. Special thanks to the guys of the Pacific Track Time. Without then, I would be stuck in there without way to get back to SF.

If there is a list of mistake that you could make in a track day, probably I've put a check mark in all.

1) Don't go in your bike without a way to come back, because if you crash you are F*****. This is really important.

2) Sleep well the night before. If you fell tired or sleepy in the track day might be better if you only watch.

3) Pay attention to the instructions, I cannot say how important this is.

4) Pay really good attention to the track, try to learn the track before you get in. Thrust me, see as you go is the worst idea that you can have.

In the track

1) Don't try to speed as if you are on a race, this is not a race. Take your own pace.

2) If you are not feeling comfortable at the speed you are in, slow down. Nobody is judging who is the fastest, the other riders are not interested if you can get to 150mph in the track, why should you? As I said, this is not a race.

3) Pay attention to the track. Other advice that I cannot say how important it is.

4) Last but not least. If you have any question, ask the guys in the track. They will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. After all, everybody is in there to have fun.


Well, I made all of the possible mistakes possible. I didn't pay attention to the instructions on the track. I was tired and sleepy, didn't look at the schematics of the track to try to see where to slow down.
When in the track, didn't pay attention to the instructor and passed him. Was to overconfident going too fast on the turns without get familiarized with the track. What happened next was just logical, I was going up close to turn 5, did not see the corner until I was on it. Went straight through it at 60mph. Came back home with my motorcycle totaled and my pride scattered. Luckily I was unharmed.

Read this and remember, I have already made the mistake, you don't have to make it also.



Before and after of my bike

424749_3122101448152_1133046935_3218146_688862706_n.jpg
536390_3445133323747_1133046935_3372963_328582602_n.jpg
 
We can start a club then, I crashed at my first trackday too, at thunderhill too. Not an ideal way of starting your trackday career no doubt, but we got lucky and lived to ride anther trackday.

The most important thing is to always ride at a limit where you feel in control. This is a great opportunity for you to develop your gauge of your own riding skills. To understand your own limit, you can then understand how to hover at that limit of your skill level and be humble to embrace is. Your post indicates humility and understanding so it sounds like you're finding your way. The other factors are all more minor. You could be tired, not listen to instructors, and sick at learning how to a be a good student of the track, and still ride in control and not crash. If you feel you are not in control, that is the feeling you must pinpoint and not disregard for your life's worth.

Cheers to you for posting though. I also felt that posting my crash(es) on BARF were worth it, it helped my continually remember them and not just sweep those mistakes under a carpet.
 
Sam,

I am glad that you are ok and that you posted this for other riders to learn from. Unfortunately, crashing is part of motorcycles and in my experience of over 20 years on the dirt and street, I've crashed more times than I could care to count. We all learn form our mistakes and wounded pride will heal! Hopefully your bike is coming along and if you need anything, feel free to let me know.

Your list is very important, getting 8 hours of sleep the night before is critical along with proper nutrition and hydration. Most of us head over to Casa Ramos the night before the track and I can tell you that I feel alot better and ride alot better when I limit my alcohol the night before a trackday or race weekend.

#4, paying attention to the track and learning it will increase your safety, confidence and allow you to progress sooner. There are a ton of videos on youtube for Thunderhill and you can get an idea of what the track looks like. As your skill progresses, you'll have track maps with your own notes and hopefully some videos of yourself going around the track to help with this.

Let us know when you are coming out to a trackday again, I'll personally work with you to make sure you have a great day!
 
Hi Tim,

I'm for sure going back, don't know when. First thing is to get a track bike for myself, bringing my new GSXR1000 is out of question for now. lol
 
samirchaim said:
Hi Tim,

I'm for sure going back, don't know when. First thing is to get a track bike for myself, bringing my new GSXR1000 is out of question for now. lol
Click to expand...

I have someone sort of under my tutelage who has been doing his first two trackdays on his '05 GSXR1000 as is; he just unplugs his tail light and tapes the wheel weights and he's good to go. I just always remind him to ride smart before the start of each of his session, even though he's still in C-group. I tell him to ride that day in a way that will let him ride the next trackday.

It would also do you a lot of good to tag along with one or two or so other riders that can help make your first experiences to the track less stressful. Someone who can not only provide you insight on the track itself and how to really enjoy it while allowing you to work on your skills, but possibly alleviate other track logistics for you. I always make it a point to make it as stress-free as possible for any new trackday riders to do their trackday with; from helping them arrange their bike transportation, to food and drinks for the day, and to just overall allow them to just focus on making the most out of their track time instead of worrying about anything else.

Don't be afraid to bring your new/replacement bike back to the track. If you follow your own learned list, you will be fine. :thumbup
 
I totally agree, keep it stress-free as possible. If you are just starting on track days, it could help to think of it as a Sunday ride. Just without the deers, double yellows or cars coming at or across you. Leave a session early if you get freaked, skip a session if you are tired.

You will be able to see a lot better on the track, but as you increase your pace, you really have to learn the track. It takes experience to learn the track. (I know this first hand at Turn 5)

Otherwise, enjoy.
 
the cyclone gets so many new riders, its ridiculous. the main part is youre ok and know what youre mistakes are so you dont make them again. even in a race you will drop no time flying through there so getting the right line is far more important
 
Assuming you were at the top of T 5, can you ride on the dirt at 60 mph if you are upright?

Since you mentioned lowside, so that's likely not a crash from applying the front brakes, right? So, you were leaned over at the top of T 5 and ran wide?

I can suggest one more thing for your list of to-do's before the trackday:

- watch videos of the track + its layout, this way you'll feel somewhat familiar with it before even riding on it. E.g. at the rider's meeting, if they say "Watch out for T 3, it is a little off camber here and there", then you'll have more chance of remembering that.
 
I went off to the right on T9 .. went down hill blind before I learned to look for the water tower .. huge oh shit moment when my bike started to point downhill and I saw the track veered .. I imagine it would probably be 10x worse on T5 .. did you see / hit the tire wall

For me, I was lucky and froze on the bar without brakes so I just rode it out with even throttle back onto pavement .. did you hit brakes ?
 
@ Sam
I actually watched you as you went off track,first of all glad you are OK.To me it looked like you thought turn 5 was more like turn 9.When I first rode that track,I almost did the same thing but was going slow enough that I saw the turn and reacted correctly.
My friend went off a few laps after you did in the same turn.From what I hear,lots of new riders to that track have gone off.As has been said before always ride at your own pace.
 
Saw your bike at the track that day, actually looks much better even here in the "after" pic than what I remember seeing out there.

I don't know if others will agree, but I think track riders should develop basic to good street riding skills before hitting the track (not sure if this applies to you OP). The mistakes you mention (all well-stated, and good on you for recognizing) are all avoidable ones that are brought on by ego. On the tire warming lap, there is just no need to pass anyone like that.

I guess another way of saying my point is that C group is often such a shit show, where very green riders panic, make silly mistakes, don't hold lines, etc.
 
Was this in C group, on the first lap of the first session? Don't the instructors normally lead the first few laps with no passing? I'm pretty sure they go over that in the rider briefing...

samirchaim said:
1) Don't try to speed as if you are on a race, this is not a race. Take your own pace.
Click to expand...

The mistakes you mention (all well-stated, and good on you for recognizing) are all avoidable ones that are brought on by ego.
Click to expand...

Sounds like this was a key factor from the OP's description. You can be on the fastest bike out there, but it doesn't mean you can go the fastest. I view trackdays as ways to improve riding technique. When I describe them to non-riders I say I'm going to "improve my riding skills."


Relax, listen to feedback from instructors, and take it slow. Try riding at 75%. It'll let you focus on technique and being smooth. You'll also give yourself room for error. Speed will follow.
 
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