D
D.S.
Guest
http://www.racedays.net/2007_13_ascari.htm
Having been at the MotoGP in Jerez on Sunday and continuing from my Racedays Superbike Academy at Gaudix, I thought it would be rude not to attend the Ascari Event.
I was also desperate to put into practice some of the tuition I'd got from Dean Ellison at Gaudix where I officially went from "less than average" to "average" (those that know me know what I mean).
Now, given that this was the first bike track day event at this circuit (probably the best in the world :bow: ), Racedays were good enough to acquire the services of a few "experienced" instructors including (fresh from Jerez & in aid of Riders for Health), Randy Mamola. Randy was joining Jeremy McWilliams, Ian MacPherson, Maria Costello and Steve Parish.
Day 1. Following the usual briefing, we ventured on track for a nice "gentle" sighting lap in Steve Parish's hire car
which unfortunately meant that the 13 left handers and 13 right handers were all but a blur (I forgot he could drive a car!). Anyway, following a morning of group sessions, the circuit was slowly becoming familiar and we were looking forward to "open pit" in the afternoon. After an incredible "light" lunch in the even more incredible Ascari club house we took to the circuit and I was fortunate enough to grab some instruction from Mr Mamola in exchange for a small donation to Riders for Health. Needless to say, his instruction was priceless and (as always with these guys) a real humbling experience 'cos these guys are so commited to enhancing your riding and appear to be so genuinely interested. End of day one almost ended in two visit to the gravel at the same hairpin in the same session trying to impress Mr Mamola. Why I thought a fat bloke on a Gixer K4 would impress Mr Mamola I'll never know, but needless to say I didn't repeat my performace a third time :} . The evening was spent at dinner swaping notes with some of the other riders and sharing a diet coke or two with some of the instructors and the very lovely presenter Janie from Men and Motors/Gladiators fame (who can also ride a bike by the way) http://www.rio-gladiator.co.uk/.
Day 2. Following some early sighting laps, it was open pit from 10am onwards. The track temp increased, the slicks went on and we all got a ;ittle bit braver. I spent a session with Jeremy Mac who encouraged me to brake later and harder than ever. After another amazing lunch, we all had at least one session with the GPS dataloggers & telemetry equipment fitted to us/our bikes which doesn't lie I'm afraid - I was still far too early on the brakes and still far too slow picking up the bike and gassing it :cry: But I was pleased with my progress compared to Gaudix with my Max Longitudinal Deceleration being increased by 0.128G h1d1ng2 although still over 10km/h slower than Jezza coming out of the corners! Those 10km/h x 23 corners soon add up and it wasn't long before Jezza was way in the distance. :dunno: The constant pushing of the front end (combined with poor tyre management on my behalf) almost resulted in a biggy in one of the late sessions, but somehow (just when I was considering another trip in a spanish ambulance!) I managed to stay upright and I was able to run-on into the gravel %$fan
The day ended with a great presentation by Randy on behalf of Rider for Health and between all the participants we managed to collect over 3000 euros as a donation.
Plenty of pics and video's to bore you with coming up. Unlikely I know, but if any of you haven't heard of Riders for Health, it really is a worthy cause http://www.riders.org/en/html/.
If you ever get a chance to VISIT Ascari http://www.ascari.net/ (it's near Ronda in Southern Spain) let alone drive/ride it - don't hesitate; it truely is unqiue and very forgiving on the tyres (apparently due to compound they used - only 3 rears and 2 front in two days!).
Valencia next week and then onto a few new circuits for me.
Having been at the MotoGP in Jerez on Sunday and continuing from my Racedays Superbike Academy at Gaudix, I thought it would be rude not to attend the Ascari Event.
I was also desperate to put into practice some of the tuition I'd got from Dean Ellison at Gaudix where I officially went from "less than average" to "average" (those that know me know what I mean).
Now, given that this was the first bike track day event at this circuit (probably the best in the world :bow: ), Racedays were good enough to acquire the services of a few "experienced" instructors including (fresh from Jerez & in aid of Riders for Health), Randy Mamola. Randy was joining Jeremy McWilliams, Ian MacPherson, Maria Costello and Steve Parish.
Day 1. Following the usual briefing, we ventured on track for a nice "gentle" sighting lap in Steve Parish's hire car
which unfortunately meant that the 13 left handers and 13 right handers were all but a blur (I forgot he could drive a car!). Anyway, following a morning of group sessions, the circuit was slowly becoming familiar and we were looking forward to "open pit" in the afternoon. After an incredible "light" lunch in the even more incredible Ascari club house we took to the circuit and I was fortunate enough to grab some instruction from Mr Mamola in exchange for a small donation to Riders for Health. Needless to say, his instruction was priceless and (as always with these guys) a real humbling experience 'cos these guys are so commited to enhancing your riding and appear to be so genuinely interested. End of day one almost ended in two visit to the gravel at the same hairpin in the same session trying to impress Mr Mamola. Why I thought a fat bloke on a Gixer K4 would impress Mr Mamola I'll never know, but needless to say I didn't repeat my performace a third time :} . The evening was spent at dinner swaping notes with some of the other riders and sharing a diet coke or two with some of the instructors and the very lovely presenter Janie from Men and Motors/Gladiators fame (who can also ride a bike by the way) http://www.rio-gladiator.co.uk/.Day 2. Following some early sighting laps, it was open pit from 10am onwards. The track temp increased, the slicks went on and we all got a ;ittle bit braver. I spent a session with Jeremy Mac who encouraged me to brake later and harder than ever. After another amazing lunch, we all had at least one session with the GPS dataloggers & telemetry equipment fitted to us/our bikes which doesn't lie I'm afraid - I was still far too early on the brakes and still far too slow picking up the bike and gassing it :cry: But I was pleased with my progress compared to Gaudix with my Max Longitudinal Deceleration being increased by 0.128G h1d1ng2 although still over 10km/h slower than Jezza coming out of the corners! Those 10km/h x 23 corners soon add up and it wasn't long before Jezza was way in the distance. :dunno: The constant pushing of the front end (combined with poor tyre management on my behalf) almost resulted in a biggy in one of the late sessions, but somehow (just when I was considering another trip in a spanish ambulance!) I managed to stay upright and I was able to run-on into the gravel %$fan
The day ended with a great presentation by Randy on behalf of Rider for Health and between all the participants we managed to collect over 3000 euros as a donation.
Plenty of pics and video's to bore you with coming up. Unlikely I know, but if any of you haven't heard of Riders for Health, it really is a worthy cause http://www.riders.org/en/html/.
If you ever get a chance to VISIT Ascari http://www.ascari.net/ (it's near Ronda in Southern Spain) let alone drive/ride it - don't hesitate; it truely is unqiue and very forgiving on the tyres (apparently due to compound they used - only 3 rears and 2 front in two days!).
Valencia next week and then onto a few new circuits for me.
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