ECR - March

[Firewa11]

faster-faster-faster-crash. Only Sckego knows how to handle a VFR on the track!

[DemonDuck]

I wonder what my lap times are like. Seems to me the VFR rider (from the pics) should have been level 2 at least. I would think 220s is a good bit faster than me.

[fixxervi6]

I wonder what my lap times are like. Seems to me the VFR rider (from the pics) should have been level 2 at least. I would think 220s is a good bit faster than me.

2:20's would be level 2, as long as the guy has good lines and all. He should have been pulled from level1 but it sounds like after his crash he toned it down.

[DemonDuck]

Is 240s not level 2?

[Firewa11]

My fastest at ECR (Novice Race) was a 2:02, averaged around a 2:06 to be mid-rear of the pack (yellow shirt cut me some slack). My slowest lap in a race was a 2:14 (lap 1 from a grid start)... I have a hard time believing most racers could pull something in the 2:20's in level 1 without being beyond wreckless, just from the slower traffic and trying to get by. I could see 2:20's in level 2, but I wouldn't expect to see anything faster until you hit level 3.

And to top it off, running a 2:20 on a FVR would definitely be pretty close to it's theoretical limits without extensive modification work (brakes, suspension, engine, you name it).

[shilka99]

faster-faster-faster-crash. Only Sckego knows how to handle a VFR on the track!

He's not the only one!
This is me at Thunder Hill in Ca. on my old 2000 VFR.

[Firewa11]

Oh lol, I didn't know you tracked a Viffer

[Striple]

Is 240s not level 2?

There are no set lap time requirements for L2. That said, I think a typical lap time in L2 at ECR is 2:20-2:30, with the faster guys clocking 2:1Xs. A 2:40 would be a slow rider in L2. The maximum lap time for Ridesmart's L3 is 2:15, which is pretty lenient. The fast guys in L3 run 1:5Xs.

Just for perspective, the type of bike obviously matters as well. Novice racer podium times are usually around 2:00-2:06 for 600s, 750s, and 1000s, and 1:50-1:57 for expert racers. For SVs, novice podium times are around 2:03-2:08, and expert times 1:55-1:59. Also, keep in mind that track day lap times do not translate well to race lap times.

[Telomere]

Is 240s not level 2?

Also, keep in mind that track day lap times do not translate well to race lap times.

Is that because some L3 aren't racers? Is it also because some L3 riders that are racers are using the trackday to work on technique rather than lap time and taking it easy so they aren't out a bike for the races?

[U-Turn]

You sure that's a Viffr?

[DemonDuck]

Next time I'm on the track ill have to use the lap timer and see where I sit. I guess that will make me start using the straights as well... Lol.

[DarcShadow]

Is 240s not level 2?

Also, keep in mind that track day lap times do not translate well to race lap times.

Is that because some L3 aren't racers? Is it also because some L3 riders that are racers are using the trackday to work on technique rather than lap time and taking it easy so they aren't out a bike for the races?

I would also assume there is more traffic then in a race.

[Striple]

Is 240s not level 2?

Also, keep in mind that track day lap times do not translate well to race lap times.

Is that because some L3 aren't racers? Is it also because some L3 riders that are racers are using the trackday to work on technique rather than lap time and taking it easy so they aren't out a bike for the races?

Yep, all of the above. My guess is that about 2/3 of L3 are either active racers, future racers, or former racers. The remaining 1/3 are in denial. And yes, most active racers don't try to set best lap times during a track day, but are actively working on some aspect of technique. It's silly to go 100% at a track day, when there really isn't anything to win or gain, and most other riders around you aren't going at 100% themselves. The other part is that just because you can turn 2:05s or whatever at a track day, doesn't mean that you're going to be able to do that in a race, because everybody in a race runs defensive lines and is actively trying to block you. By the time you've finally found your way around three slower guys, the race may already be over, and all you managed to run were 2:09s (for example).

[DLSGAP]

Times have changed... I used to run middle of the pack in 3(4 at the time) with 2:14-2:16s....
Of course that was a stock bike with street tires.


Damnit I'm gonna have to get a race bike to hang if I come back to track riding

[Firewa11]

There's also a significant level of politeness that racers afford other riders during a track day that they do NOT grant during a race. When the flag goes up the gloves come off so to speak. You'll get stuffed (racer passing just in front and braking hard, then accellerating away before hitting the turn, making you lose momentum while they leave you behind), you'll get pushed out if you're trying to pass on the outside, you'll touch other bikes or riders going two and sometimes three wide in a corner. You'll get slower riders taking up all of the track, looking back and pulling in front of you causing you to have to shift your line to a non-optimal line. First time I ever had someone's shoulder laying on my outside leg while taking a corner was during the second practice session in the morning before the sprint races at Cresson, running CW, on the left hander before Little Bend. That's something you just don't forget.

Make no mistake, the traffic in a race is absurd. I'm positive I've pulled faster lap times during a practice track day than I have during a race, for this simple purpose. There may only be 20-30 bikes in a race, but it's not spread out like a track day, and slower racers don't give up a position because you're faster than them. Also, there is a range of skills so your grid start is all too important. I sucked at taking off from a grid start, so I got stuck behind guys that were slower than me, and spent the race getting around them. I knew if I could get my grid starts down, then I'd have likely been closer to the front...

But the most important thing to keep in mind about racing. This year's top novice class racers are the ones that will be in next year's expert class. And this year's top expert class racers are the ones that will be eyeing a move to AMA. There is a massive spread of ability in the same race. On the race I managed to turn a 2:02, the fastest lap time was a 1:51 set by the leader. The slowest was a 2:38.

[DarcShadow]

I am glad that we have people to go to trackdays with, as well as, people who like to be our track bitches. We won't really have to worry about our bikes or belongings while there is a watch dog around I hope the guy whose bike was stolen, gets the money from the insurance company (because he probaby doesn't want that bike back...seeing as how it was/is probably ragged out) so he can purchase a new/used bike. I still can't believe that happened. I think everyone just leaves their stuff laying around thinking it is safe because we are all out there to ride!!! I still can't believe that happened. I hope the catch the basTARD who did that!!!

Just saw an update on MotoDFW. They found the bike and caught the guy. Bike only had minimal plastic damage and has been returned to the owner.
http://motodfw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12359&page=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Stardog]

BURN HIM AT THE STAKE

[fixxervi6]

I was told that stealing a bike in TX is not a felony.

If that is the case the dude will get a slap on the wrist and do it again.

[Firewa11]

Where's Dexter when you need him?

[dufremle]

I was told that stealing a bike in TX is not a felony.

If that is the case the dude will get a slap on the wrist and do it again.

That's why bike stealing is so prevalent here. I think if the total value is under $24,000 it is not considered a felony.

[Dragonfly]

I was told that stealing a bike in TX is not a felony.

If that is the case the dude will get a slap on the wrist and do it again.

That's why bike stealing is so prevalent here. I think if the total value is under $24,000 it is not considered a felony.

That's also the same reason most police dept. don't have auto theft divisions. There's not enough money to be made from prosecuting the criminals to recuperate the cost of investigating. Plus everyone has insurance don't they?

[milesmiles]

The wound goes in deep Benny...the wound goes in deep

[Stardog]

Miles - If it makes you feel any better I lost about $6 or $7k in parts, value loss and gear crashing my junk last year and I didn't even need anyone else's help to make it happen.

[Polokid69]

Where's Dexter when you need him?

I'm down with that!

[Fish R1]

I was told that stealing a bike in TX is not a felony.

If that is the case the dude will get a slap on the wrist and do it again.

That's why bike stealing is so prevalent here. I think if the total value is under $24,000 it is not considered a felony.

That's also the same reason most police dept. don't have auto theft divisions. There's not enough money to be made from prosecuting the criminals to recuperate the cost of investigating. Plus everyone has insurance don't they?

Tarrant County Auto Theft Task Force found my R1 in Johnson County. The task force is comprised of officers from cities and towns in Tarrant County. They share information, technology and finally manpower when it comes time to make arrest. Saves the cities and towns money and they get the job done. They asked me if I wanted to press charges on the person who had my bike. I said yes TCATTF said as soon as the ATF was finished with him the task force and Arlington would follow up with possesion of stolen property. I guess the ATF isnt done with him yet.