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7 November 2001
Brands Hatch track day
November 2001
clicking on a picture will open it in a new window
We went for another track day at Brands
Hatch, but due to the time of the year only Ian
Porter, Matt Turner and myself (Sean
Onipede) made it. Ian wanted to give the Yamaha YZF R1 its
second outing, Matt wanted to see how good his new Suzuki GSXR600
would be and I was trying to start my Honda CBR400RR after it has
sat outside my house for 3 months.
The day was overcast and damp but by the time we got to
Brands Hatch, it started to rain hard. Ian had to change his wheels
to "wets" which cost him a session while Matt and myself waited
to be called by the track organisers because we had not pre-booked
to get on the track.
 Ian
managed to get in 2 sessions before lunch and he seemed to be enjoying
himself, which was good as it was his first time on the bike
in the wet. His lap times were respectable but his emphasis was on
getting used to the bike under the conditions. Matt and myself looked on
enviously until we were told that we could get out on the track after
lunch.
 I
was in the first group out after lunch and I had to come back into the
paddock after only 4 laps because I was very frightened. The track
was still wet and but the biggest problem was that my tyres were bald, I
only had 25 psi (stupid boy) in the tyres and in my rush to get the bike
ready in the morning I had chain lube all over the back wheel
(idiot).
I lost complete confidence in the bike and myself. Ian noticed the
problems with the bike and I had two further sessions with my confidence fully
restored (Phew). Consequently we have added a Pre race checklist
to our website.
 Matt
went out next and he got into a groove immediately. Matt like
myself had not done any track days at Brands (too expensive) and the track
was dying out. He seemed very comfortable and was certainly nailing
the Suzuki GSXR 600 K1 around mclaren and clearways. He had three
sessions in total but on the second session he nearly high sided
at clearways so he took it easy on the last session.
Ian was upset because the track had started to dry out which meant that
he had to change back to dry tyres. He lapped consistently in the
56’s without trying and in traffic and damp conditions. He looked very
good.
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At these track days we seem to bump into characters. In fact we may
have to start a regular feature on the people we meet at these
track days.
 We
met Roy and Norma Wilson (??) who own a 1967 830cc BSA.
They race the antique at classic races and were second and first for the
year.
I cannot remember the name of the series but Mike (their son)
that rode the bike was very fast. It was a sight watching this antique
going past the best of Japanese
bikes. We at Go-Star believe that bikes are to be ridden and if they
crash, shit happens. We raise our hats off to them and shame
on all those exotic replaceable bikes parked in garages till next summer.
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This
is the second time someone that has shared our paddock has crashed. This
time it was Ian Burgess who crashed his lovely Honda CBR 900
(or 600) track monster. It was the last session of the day and now it
would be his last session of the year. No one like to crash, but
especially not when your missus is watching, as his was. Anyway she seemed
fine about it especially since he was OK and in good spirit about it too.
Sean |
