Mondello Track Days

Zascar

For anyone who has always wanted to do a trackday, Mondello are doing Track Day Training on Feb 24th. Details here: http://www.mondello.ie/track_days/bike_track_days/track_day_training/
It's €100 for the day which is not bad I think.

Lots more trackdays throughout the year also: http://www.mondello.ie/track_days/bike_track_days/

Myself and a mate are going - anyone else on for it?

Wonda-Boy

If I can get a lend of someone else's bike I will do it.....LMAO. Would love to do it but not on my pride and joy, have to look into a cheap track bike.

Zascar

Hmm, this is a good point. I assumed being the day that was in it, it would all be very civilised and safe? I would not be going crazy, certainly dont want to end up in the stones, would cost me a fortune if I did. But still I want to use my own bike, and there is no way I'll be buying a track bike any time soon...

PlayerA

Hey, I definitely want to go (first time) on a track this year but I can't till i have the full driver licence (currently provisional cat A).

Can you go there with your own stock bike? Do they allow you to go with a two pieces leather?

Zascar

I'd call them and see - not sure.

I assume two piece leathers are fine as long as they zip together.

batman_oh

PlayerA wrote: »

Hey, I definitely want to go (first time) on a track this year but I can't till i have the full driver licence (currently provisional cat A).

Can you go there with your own stock bike? Do they allow you to go with a two pieces leather?

2 piece is fine for trackdays and doing the training day allows people without a full licence to do the normal days. You also don't need a track bike to do a few trackdays unless your only intention is to go out and pretend to be Marquez when you haven't a clue. I have done about 12 in total over the years on my road bikes and haven't fallen off. If your intention is to get faster and down to racing pace then I would certainly recommend it. But you can have a great day and learn and awful lot on a road bike.

Zascar

Yeah I think that's my main intention, just to have fun, learn more about riding at pace, gain more skill and become a better rider. I'm sure it would help you ride better/faster/safer on the roads around wicklow etc also. Deffo want to do this now, I just hope its not bloody raining on the day..

KTRIC

I'd love to do it but I wear a half leather half textile suit. I cost me a fortune and I don't think I'll be replacing it with leathers just yet. Any idea if this is allowed for a track day ?

minidazzler

the track day training on a monday makes it really tempting. I work weekends, so might give this a shot for the craic. Have a ****ty old leather trousers which I don't even wear, but could do for just this.

Wonda-Boy

I would have confidence in my own ability and I am smarter then the average bear not to be a wally and act the maggot, but other factors do come into play. Weather is one, if its raining Mondello is like an ice rink, bit of un seen oil etc and low slide city here I come. And what about other rider error pretending to be something they are not and hits you? I know its all hypothetical but it needs to be considered......

I am very very tempted all the same.....

BrokenArrows

I've always wanted to do a track day but all my gear is textile. So I don't really want to spend the money on leathers to only wear them on track days.

Wonda-Boy

BrokenArrows wrote: »

I've always wanted to do a track day but all my gear is textile. So I don't really want to spend the money on leathers to only wear them on track days.

I am sure someone could sort you with a set of leathers if you stuck up a thread....good few lads I know have 3 or 4 sets.

kaimera

track day training; textiles are ok afair but ring to be sure.

it's tame enough the track day training; lot of slow control; figure 8s; hard front brake braking.

lots of track time tho in fairness. dont be silly and you'll be fine (i did doink the sv at turn 1 pushing for the knee down like a clown) but at the proper track day in the wet, loved it on the fzs.

mondello in the wet is awesome.

last year at kearys bmw track day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5kh8A1egUs

might venture out if there's a few lads going, i'll bring a camera (and sambos :P )

PlayerA

batman_oh wrote: »

2 piece is fine for trackdays and doing the training day allows people without a full licence to do the normal days. You also don't need a track bike to do a few trackdays unless your only intention is to go out and pretend to be Marquez when you haven't a clue. I have done about 12 in total over the years on my road bikes and haven't fallen off. If your intention is to get faster and down to racing pace then I would certainly recommend it. But you can have a great day and learn and awful lot on a road bike.

Thanks I am happy to hear that you can bring your own bike there I am wishing to pass the full licence early this year so I'll wait for that. I'd defnitely won't go mad with my stock bike, I completely agree with Zascar, I assume you can learn a lot from a day like this and stay humble at the same time.

blu3r0ri0n

kaimera wrote: »

track day training; textiles are ok afair but ring to be sure.

it's tame enough the track day training; lot of slow control; figure 8s; hard front brake braking.

lots of track time tho in fairness. dont be silly and you'll be fine (i did doink the sv at turn 1 pushing for the knee down like a clown) but at the proper track day in the wet, loved it on the fzs.

mondello in the wet is awesome.

last year at kearys bmw track day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5kh8A1egUs

might venture out if there's a few lads going, i'll bring a camera (and sambos :P )

WTF is the lad on the beemer doing with his legs?

kaimera

blu3r0ri0n wrote: »

WTF is the lad on the beemer doing with his legs?

No idea.

Novice group; very wet, first timer out...made me nervous just following him/her (can't remember which it was)

P.K.M.

Zascar wrote: »

Hmm, this is a good point. I assumed being the day that was in it, it would all be very civilised and safe? I would not be going crazy, certainly dont want to end up in the stones, would cost me a fortune if I did. But still I want to use my own bike, and there is no way I'll be buying a track bike any time soon...

In fairness it is....but accidents happen. When I was doing it, I was third in a group of ten following the instructor at a moderate pace. The instructor took turn 4 and the guy immediately behind him ended up in the kitty litter (still don't know how he did it) but the girl behind him ended up going in too due to target fixation. Neither were hurt, but accidents do happen.

Having said that, it really is worth doing. Even if you're a decent/capable rider on the road, no harm doing it at all. It's really worth while. @Wonda- I reckon you'll be safe enough doing it on your machine. You'll always have a have-a-go-hero or a member of the "look at me" brigade. But you can't let that stop you doing something I know you'd love.

blu3r0ri0n

Below is from another post I made at the following thread, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=83560357, plenty of information there. I would recommend anyone to do it.

Did it three years ago and I really enjoyed it. My memory isn't as good as it use to be however, below is what I remember. I'm sure someone will be along soon to correct me if I am wrong or if it has changed since I did it.

The day is split in to two, morning is classroom theory and safety briefing. They also go through the track as well, that's about an hour or two. Once you are done in the classroom they bring you out to the car park(behind the main building) and mainly focus on general control of the machine, breaking cornering etc. during this time they assess you and give you pointers on areas you need them in, I got 98% . All done in a very friendly and professional manner. You break for lunch, fill up your tank now, there is a petrol station 5 minutes away.

The second part is track time, first you are given a demonstration on body positioning etc. and you might get one of the instructors/racers to show you a flying lap. You are split in to groups or 4, might be one less or one more depending on how many that is attending and the number of Marshall's/instructors available. In your little group you will each take a turn following the Marshall for a few laps to show you the lines you should be taking etc. You will be brought in again for a debrief before everyone is let loose on the track, accompanied by instructers/Marshall's.

Make sure to bring sambos and plenty of drink- you will need the drink! You can leave your gear in the class room if you need and its looked after.

Take it easy the first few laps, let your tires warm up before you start pushing it, your going to have the whole afternoon to belt it around. During my training day a few guys binned their bikes in the first few laps, albeit they were able to ride the bikes home.

KTRIC

blu3r0ri0n wrote: »

WTF is the lad on the beemer doing with his legs?

That lad shouldn't be on a bike let alone track !! :eek:

batman_oh

I say whatever you have get out the there and enjoy it! Warning - it can be addictive! I did 6 back in 2009 but only managed 1-2 a year since with house saving and other stuff. Hoping to get a track bike and maybe do a bit of racing for 2015.
Some misc pics I had taken on track over the years showing the various bikes (all road) that I used for them

Alkers

Would love to give it a go and my cornering confidence is pretty shot at the moment so probably could do with it also.
Only thing is I use my bike year round for commuting and don't have any other means of transport so if I were to bin it I would be in trouble!

Zascar

Some great pix there - would love some of me on the track like that. Who took them? I have a decent camera and proper zoom lens - just not sure if I want to hand it to a stranger while I'm on the bike! Plus this thing is on a monday so hard to get anyone to come along...

Zascar

Went to book just there but it's full. Balls. I could not book earlier as I did not know if I was going to have a bike in time or not. They said there is another Track Day Training session on the 24th of March - so I think I'm going to do that one.

Can't wait as they usually have 1-2 Motorbike Trackdays every month - 3 in July!
http://www.mondello.ie/calendar/bike_track/

Alkers

Zascar wrote: »

Went to book just there but it's full. Balls. I could not book earlier as I did not know if I was going to have a bike in time or not. They said there is another Track Day Training session on the 24th of March - so I think I'm going to do that one.

Can't wait as they usually have 1-2 Motorbike Trackdays every month - 3 in July!
http://www.mondello.ie/calendar/bike_track/

Did you get a new bike? Any luck with the claim for the stolen one?

Zascar

Picking it up tomorrow!! Don't worry I'll post a pic! Got there in the end in with the insurance - was a struggle though! No joy with the stolen one or catching the two rags unfortunately...

Zascar

So the one yesterday got called off, they did the first half of the day but the Ambulance never turned up so they could not do the rest, but they get to do one of the track days instead. They said there is no plans to do more but it depends on demand. There is another Training session on the 24th of March though.

I intend to do the normal track day on the 30th of March as I heard the training was pretty basic stuff, plus there is a certain amount of training on the normal track days anyway.

In the meantime I'll be watching these videos from the California Superbike School - pretty interesting!

I'm told once you start doing these you catch the bug and want to do more and more! Anyone else tempted to do it?

Wonda-Boy

Keeping my eye out for a cheap track bike, then I will be doing them all the time. Watch this space......

Zascar

Nice!! So how much is a cheap track bike then? Do you have to have a trailer etc too?

batman_oh

Zascar wrote: »

Nice!! So how much is a cheap track bike then? Do you have to have a trailer etc too?

Depends on what you want really. I've seen well set up 03/04 CBR600's and
R6's going for around 2000-2500 including spares. Probably going to try source an 06 onwards R6 myself. the other option is buying a cheap road bike and doing it so you can skip the trailer/van etc.

Alkers

http://www.biker.ie/forum/showthread.php?t=206282

This may make it more accessible for people wanting to give it a shot

Zascar

That's a brilliant idea. I might actually do that as I'd be feckin livid if I binned my new bike.

For anyone who has done it, is a half day usually grand for a beginner?

Alkers

Zascar wrote: »

That's a brilliant idea. I might actually do that as I'd be feckin livid if I binned my new bike.

For anyone who has done it, is a half day usually grand for a beginner?

Just be aware that the prices don't include the trackday, they are for the bike only.

Zascar

So lads I'm signing up to the trackday on the 30th - really looking forward to it. I see they do a morning and an afternoon session. Morning is €90 and afternoon is €105 - is there any difference, and is one session generally enough if its your first time?

Is anyone else thinking of coming along? Some people I know from a photography club will be down there taking photos so good opportunity to get some good shots of you on your bike

Wonda-Boy

Will have to ask my mammy if I can go seen as its "Mothers Day".......I have been very good lately.

Zascar

Oh Jeasus I did not know that, thanks forn the heads up I'll have to see what I can do and celebrate on Saturday. Let us know if you can make it.

Zascar

Can't wait for this. Booked in for the sunday morning but may do the afternoon depending. Weather looks decent, dry anyway!. Anyone else going?

Wonda-Boy

Best of luck m8....no heroics now d'ya hear me, Well not on the 1st lap anyway. Will be out for a spin on sunday with da mother on the back of the bike. Might be around Kildare ya never know.

jay48

Zascar wrote: »

Can't wait for this. Booked in for the sunday morning but may do the afternoon depending. Weather looks decent, dry anyway!. Anyone else going?

Was supposed to be out but got a window to get the bike into ndm to get the suspension done and give the bike a look over so I'm sitting it out . What bike are you on ? I should be floating about , I'll keep an eye out for you .

P.C.

Zascar wrote: »

Can't wait for this. Booked in for the sunday morning but may do the afternoon depending. Weather looks decent, dry anyway!. Anyone else going?

Enjoy!

It should be great fun.

I won't be along this weekend, but might make it another time.

Don't bin your bike. :P

Zascar

Wonda-Boy

Any vids Zascar....

Zascar

I have one video but it's rubbish. I used the GoPro chest mount but it's staring at the tank most of the time.

Anyway, the day was great I really enjoyed it. Weather was a bit pants unfortunately. Drizzley a good bit and the track was greasy as fook on the first run, really could not get into it at all. By the second session I was a lot more comfortable and a few laps into it I was grand, giving it a bit of stick and hanging off the bike trying to get my knee down etc. I was probably miles away but it felt great anyway! Found it tricky to get my proper lines and braking points.

I did not do the afternoon as it was raining but I'll deffo be back. Would love to do it again on a dry day, I'd have a lot more confidence on a dry track! Will also seek out some proper training and get an instructor to follow me also.

I dont think I'll be setting any lap records but I enjoyed it anyway - I'll deffo be back! Plenty more days coming up! https://www.mondello.ie/calendar/bike_track/

Wonda-Boy

Should have turned the camera upside down in the harness so it records more of what you want to see.......you can flip the recording in the go pro free software. Works very well.....you can also adjust the setting to record narrow instead of Wide screen.

P.C.

As long as you enjoyed it Zascar.

Hopefully you will get a dry, sunny day next time.

Zascar

Action shot from the day!

Wonda-Boy

Bike is looking very well Zas, its a beaut! State of them levers Ughhhhhhh....lol

sean61

I came from Galway for the afternoon session on Sunday. It was raining when we went out first time and my visor kept fogging up. Couldn't see a bloody thing half the time! Switched to a pin lock for the other two sessions and that solved that problem but I found it hard to get confidence on the wet track. Even on the straight I couldn't get high in the rpm or the back tyre would lose grip. It was nearly dry for the last few laps but still very greasy in spots. I caught up to another rider on the second last lap and tried to get past him coming out of Dunlop but ended up sliding the rear and nearly highsided when I let off the throttle. Wasn't as much fun as it would have been in the dry but I did notice I had more confidence than usual riding on wet roads on the trip home, so at least it wasn't a complete waste of time!

Wonda-Boy

I would have been a bundle of nerves which IMHO would have ruined the day for me. Fair play doing it in the wet lads it will deffo stand to you experience wise.....dont think I would be as bad if I was rented some dudes bike all the same.

paulieeye

Thinking of doing this next month but I havent done any track days before.

There is a track training day there too but the last one is today, only runs Mar-Jun. Is it a bad idea to just hit the track day without doing the training day? Been biking for years but no track experience. I know they're split into groups but how to they assess that, do you just nominate yourself for a specific group?




CALENDAR
TRACK DAY TRAINING - Tuesday June 13th
NATIONAL TRACK - Monday July 10th
INTERNATIONAL TRACK - Sunday July 30th
NATIONAL TRACK - Sunday August 20th
INTERNATIONAL - Saturday September 9th
INTERNATIONAL - Sunday October 8th
'LOYALTY DAY' INTERNATIONAL TRACK - Sunday October 29th

stewygriffin

You dont have to do a training day,but I would recommend it.I did it and found it very usefull.

The track marshals are all very sound and helpfull.:)

3 groups too,novice,intermediate and advanced.

Go down to the next track day and tell any of them (they will be wearing hi viz yellow tabbards with their names on them) that you are a newbie to Mondello and you would like 1 on 1 tuition in the novice group.


Any of them will gladly take you around the track and show you the lines to take and the corner speeds.:)
They will show you how to use your body weight and positioning on the bike,and show you how to brake before the corners and be on the throttle through the corners.


Thread here about the training day,with pictures.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=103205665

paulieeye

cheers stewy. Some great info there and some quality pics! Looking at that trackday now in aug. Cant see any training days in the near future so I might just go for it!!