Thunder Hill or Sonoma track day

[Omega Ninja]

Lots of instructors had advised me to spend some more time in C group even if I was able to do B group lap times. Reason: to get more passing experience.

Try sticking to C group for the 1st half and then move to B

Have fun.

EDIT: If you do decide to ride in C, be nice to those in C even if you are faster than them

I like that idea. I would like to get better at passing. But I remember the big thing holding me back from passing a lot was that I really didn't trust the other riders in C group. lol I was scared that they might change their racing line mid turn (some did) and yard sale my ass lol I trust the C group riders a little more.

But when I did do a safe clean pass it felt great! Especially when the rider was on a 2015 BMW s1000rr

had a blast at my first track day at Sears Point, which was my very first track day. I was also tired as a puppy and slept like a cat by 7pm

That is how I felt after my 1st track day at TH lol

Let us(me) know when you are thinking about going, I am new around here and would like to go with someone that might be able to take my bike and I. I sold my truck before moving here last week. I have done many track weekends in the past 10 years at Jennings, PBIR in Florida. Jennings is a 2 mile technical Moto only track, PBIR well, it is fast and great curves...just all are flat.

Sorry I have no more space. But If you post in this forum that "HELP! I need a ride to the track" I am sure one of these super cool dudes or ladies would be more than happy to give you a lift....just kick them down some $$$ Good luck!

I hope to see you there. I am planning to ride with Keigwins on Sept 19th and 20th. Welcome to CA!!!!!

here is the link: http://www.keigwin.com/events_schedule.php

If you can make one of the THill 5 Mile days do that. There aren't too many unfortunately. THill is still one of the lowest consequence tracks we have access to. Plenty of run off and very few rigid barriers.

I did a track day school on the 5 mile. It was sooo big I couldn't really get a good handle on the track after 30 mins of riding on it. It was overwhelming. But I think I will hit it again after I master the East part of the track

Also I love TH for having soo much runoff and few rigid barriers. Makes me feel more comfortable pushing the bike.

 

[stangmx13]

I like that idea. I would like to get better at passing. But I remember the big thing holding me back from passing a lot was that I really didn't trust the other riders in C group. lol I was scared that they might change their racing line mid turn (some did) and yard sale my ass lol I trust the C group riders a little more.

dont worry, it does not get any better in B group.

 

[Omega Ninja]

dont worry, it does not get any better in b group.

damn it!! Lol

 

[jmhamilton68]

dont worry, it does not get any better in B group.

B group is the most unpredictable group out of them all. Laguna is fun but don't put it on a pedestal.

 

[Omega Ninja]

B group is the most unpredictable group out of them all. Laguna is fun but don't put it on a pedestal.

I cant help but do so! After seeing world super bike race around it this year and last year...it looks like an awesome amazing track! I hear its the best track in CA.

But I am a newb so I am still learning all the tracks. lol

 

[KazMan]

Some of the best tracks in California no longer exist, unless you want to go to the shopping mall.

 

[stangmx13]

I cant help but do so! After seeing world super bike race around it this year and last year...it looks like an awesome amazing track! I hear its the best track in CA.

But I am a newb so I am still learning all the tracks. lol

id easily put $ on it that u will enjoy it. ive only ridden it 3 days and its already pretty high on my list of favorite tracks.

 

[Omega Ninja]

Some of the best tracks in California no longer exist, unless you want to go to the shopping mall.

HAHAHAHAH!!

id easily put $ on it that u will enjoy it. ive only ridden it 3 days and its already pretty high on my list of favorite tracks.

O man stop it. U are making me want to skip out on TH and go straight to Laguna Seca lol. But I need to practice my lines, breaking points and basically everything else about ride lol

 

[stangmx13]

O man stop it. U are making me want to skip out on TH and go straight to Laguna Seca lol. But I need to practice my lines, breaking points and basically everything else about ride lol

... and ull still be practicing all that for years. its not like u need to be a better rider to have fun at amazing tracks. some tracks are more fun at a higher pace, but i dont think Laguna is one of those. any and all track time is going to be good for u at this point.

 

[RickM]

I went to Laguna after 1.5 days at thill. I had a lot of fun. If you want to go laguna badly just do it. You can always go again after you gain more experience. For me it takes 1 or 2 trackdays at a new track just to learn which way the track goes and learn the line and start hitting the apexes consistently anyway lol

 

[ZCrow]

I agree with sticking with THill before Laguna. In fact, I would stick to East if that is what you rode. The fact is your first day at a track is just about learning that track. So keep it consistent so you can work on your skills and comfort level.

C is a great place to practice passing because you will do a lot of it and you will have to be patient to setup a good pass. Did you grab an instructor for one of your sessions? If you didn't I would highly recommend doing a session or two. If for no other reason to get your lines down and get some feedback.

Also, a note of caution on Laguna, I have only been there once, Sonoma is my home track, but be careful in the morning sessions because Monterey tends to be cold and wet in the morning. I was actually shocked at how slick the track was on the first session. I saw the most crashes of any track day there, 30% of the field went down.

Also, I personally think for newer riders, including myself, dropping a level (in your case C) for the first day on a new track is a good idea because it allows you to focus on learning the track without the pressure of being fast.

 

[vtwinpower]

Always check your ego at the gate, "B" group is all the wonderful riders that rode in "C" group and then saw a MotoGP race....they go buy the Rossi replica helmet and sticker the bike up with all their future sponsors. And then I fly by them on my SV650.....LOL

 

[Omega Ninja]

... and ull still be practicing all that for years. its not like u need to be a better rider to have fun at amazing tracks. some tracks are more fun at a higher pace, but i dont think Laguna is one of those. any and all track time is going to be good for u at this point.

Yep I agree. I am trying to get as much seat time as possible.

I would rather spend the $$$ to improve my skill as a rider than improve the power of my 636.

I went to Laguna after 1.5 days at thill. I had a lot of fun. If you want to go laguna badly just do it. You can always go again after you gain more experience. For me it takes 1 or 2 trackdays at a new track just to learn which way the track goes and learn the line and start hitting the apexes consistently anyway lol

I agree. I feel one more day at TH and I will be riding it pretty consistently. I cant wait to hit it again in Sep

I agree with sticking with THill before Laguna. In fact, I would stick to East if that is what you rode. The fact is your first day at a track is just about learning that track. So keep it consistent so you can work on your skills and comfort level.

C is a great place to practice passing because you will do a lot of it and you will have to be patient to setup a good pass. Did you grab an instructor for one of your sessions? If you didn't I would highly recommend doing a session or two. If for no other reason to get your lines down and get some feedback.

Also, a note of caution on Laguna, I have only been there once, Sonoma is my home track, but be careful in the morning sessions because Monterey tends to be cold and wet in the morning. I was actually shocked at how slick the track was on the first session. I saw the most crashes of any track day there, 30% of the field went down.

Also, I personally think for newer riders, including myself, dropping a level (in your case C) for the first day on a new track is a good idea because it allows you to focus on learning the track without the pressure of being fast.

I like the idea of practicing my passing in C. It is a very very important skill to practice. My 1st track day I was passing more people then I thought I was going to pass in C group.

Always check your ego at the gate, "B" group is all the wonderful riders that rode in "C" group and then saw a MotoGP race....they go buy the Rossi replica helmet and sticker the bike up with all their future sponsors. And then I fly by them on my SV650.....LOL

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! I agree. My ego was checked at my 1st track day school when a dude on a 250 ran circles around me on my 2014 636. At that moment I realized it is alllllllll about the rider.

 

[o poderoso]

As folks have said, Thunderhill is "easier" than Sonoma because you can see more easily through the corners than you can at Sonoma except for two (but as blind entries go they aren't difficult). Thunderhill also has better and more consistent track grip, and from April through October no track grip issues caused by any cool temperatures. The only dangerous weather at Thill is heat.

To respond to your question, I would recommend Sonoma. Unlike Thunderhill and Laguna, Sonoma runs clockwise, so you will get to practice right-hand corners. Those are sparse at Thill and Laguna.

In MotoGP terms, Thill is Mugello and Sonoma is Sachsenring.

Whatever you do, approach riding each track day incrementally. You will learn a bit more each time. I recall thinking I would be near the lap record after two or three times at the track. Delusional. But it turns out that improving a little bit at a time, every time, is the real joy in the track day side of our sport.

 

[Bavarian3]

If you want to ride Laguna then go ride Laguna. You don't need more experience to ride it. People are just putting it on a pedestal. Go out in C group and ride your own pace.

It's amazing once you get going on it. Just watch out for that hump before the corkscrew.

 

[Lazerus]

Just remember, the left in the cork screw is tighter than the left on the cyclone

 

[afm199]

Just remember, the left in the cork screw is tighter than the left on the cyclone

Is that why, o never mind.

 

[Lazerus]

Yes, I used the Rossi passing line on my first lap ever.

 

[AdrenalineJunky]

Ok, this may sound retarded, but I had only done a handful of track days at good ol Reno-Fernley Raceway, before I did a Sonoma day. I learned the basic layout of the track by playing Forza 4 and racing Sonoma over and over and over. By the end of the day I was running 2:05's... nothing impressive, but not bad for my first day.

That being said, Ride Sonoma, easily my favorite local track.

 

[eeeeek]

Regardless of anything else, Sears Point is, in my opinion, the best track west of the Mississippi. I think it has a much better flow and rewards you more than Laguna Seca, which is largely a point and shoot track.

For that reason alone, I would ride Sears Point.