Bedford Areodrome- 22 Oct

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furygan man · #1 Post by **furygan man** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 4:37 pm

Whilst waiting to do a 20 minute 'track day taster session' saw another red Falco on the track the session before...no one on here i take it? Had to leave straight after so didn't hang around to chat

blinkey501 · #2 Post by **blinkey501** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 6:38 pm

Another falco, i thought you was a tuono rider?

FalcoJock · #3 Post by **FalcoJock** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 6:59 pm

Guilty - it wus me. I booked one of the BiKE magazine Save Our Track Days with a colleague who has an SP1. We both had a great time and plan to do it again early next year.

I was going to put a summary of the day and a photo or two here, but I feel it is all a bit empty just now after watching the MotoGP yesterday and seeing my favourite rider killed. It is making it difficult to think about track day stuff for now and I can only think how hard it must be for his family and friends.

Samray · #4 Post by **Samray** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:07 pm

FalcoJock wrote: It is making it difficult to think about track day stuff for now

I'm quite sure that's the last thing Marco would want to happen.

furygan man · #5 Post by **furygan man** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:01 pm

FalcoJock wrote:Guilty - it wus me. I booked one of the BiKE magazine Save Our Track Days with a colleague who has an SP1. We both had a great time and plan to do it again early next year.

...well i never!! We were in the group that headed out at 1.00 whilst you were having lunch, i was on a 20 mins 'taster' session, that was red flagged after 6-7 laps as someone went off the track.

Not sure if you were in the pit lane area or the main suite? I had to head off afterwards...was a new experience for me, pretty scary at first but i should be back and possibly with some istruction, together with 3-4 20 minute sessions....i guess 6 laps isn't really much of an opportunity but it was what it was, a taster!

Get you pics and review up

Glad you enjoyed it and like you was totally gutted when i heard the news Sun

**Edit- i just had another look and realised i'll replied to your post last week but didn't say where you would be

furygan man · #6 Post by **furygan man** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:03 pm

blinkey501 wrote: Another falco, i thought you was a tuono rider?

Me?...nah there's enough pics of my red Falco in the gallery, must be thinking of someone else

FalcoJock · #7 Post by **FalcoJock** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:52 pm

I have to say that I didn't begin to get a grip (no pun intended) of the circuit until at least 3 sessions, so I would recommend a full day (7 x 20 minute sessions). Both me and my colleague didn't feel we had a good grin-making session until after lunch. it is a long track (nearly 3miles) so a lot to learn and turn 8 defeated me all day - I kept turning in too early and going wide on the exit. But most fun you can have with your leathers on.

It is a pity we didn't meet up - would have been good to swap notes. I'll post next time we book a track day and maybe we could have a few Falcos on track.

If I can borrow my laptop from my daughter, I will upload a photo or two.

FalcoJock · #8 Post by **FalcoJock** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:17 pm

We were tucking into pie and chips when we heard your session had been red-flagged. It sounded like someone took a very cross-country route on your session.

What you get for your £150 is a safety briefing and general intro, a 3 lap sighting session behind an instructor and seven 20 minute sessions on track. It is safety first, but overtaking is encouraged with only two rules - not inside if the rider in front has started to turn in and if you go outside, keep at least a bike length away. There are also two presentations; one about the track and how to do it well, and one on position on the bike i.e. Hanging off.

The track at Bedford is smooth grippy and flat with lots of run off. The only downside is it is a bit featureless so takes a couple of sessions to get used to the layout. They use cones to indicate turn in and apex and I found that very useful except turn 8 which I couldn't get right. There is a long straight off turn 8, which if you have got right, can see you blast up to top speed. There are a few really nice satisfying bends that flow and force a grin. So it's a nice mix of technical and flowing and fast.

There were 3 familiar faces from BiKE magazine and plenty of photos taken by them. Tim Thompson took a few of my Falco, so maybe... Every session is well photographed and there are computer screens where you can select the ones you want at £20 for 20 on a cd. They are good quality high definition pics that I think would blow up quite big without blurring.

Add to that 60 plus bikes taking part, advice, free coffee, a sunny day (not guaranteed) and unobtrusive supervision, it was a genuine fun day.

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives life fully is prepared to die at any time. Mark Twain.

RIP Marco Simoncelli. Way too young.

Samray · #9 Post by **Samray** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:08 am

Nice write-up Jock and it does sound like a good introduction to TDs.

Mine was less than ideal. I inherited a ticket from Gio in the intermediates at Snetti which was rather in at the deep end but still great fun.
It is great to have no street furniture or speed cameras, and no oncoming traffic, most of the time.

furygan man · #10 Post by **furygan man** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:11 am

Thanks Jock

Yeah sorry we didn't meet but i had my head pre occupied about meeting my wife later in the day up in Stamford

Turn 8 is that the long lefthander before the long straight...i know what you mean, it went on for ages, an instructor took a wide line around the outside but it's a skill to keep the wide out position to gain the speed and come across and open up for the straight, i was holding on for dear life then as you get to the lefthander at the end there, the huge BRAKE signs came fast approaching!!

Glad you said what you said as only being on for 5-6 laps you don't really have time to get into a rhythm so i was a bit hard on myself, it's definatley a long curcuit the last 1/3 i got really dissorientated, I'm not great on right handers so was glad of all the lefthanders...the hairpin was tough and must have looked really slow for the on-lookers

The 'apex' cones were very handy as you said it's a very flat, featureless curcuit. Will proberbly end up going back next year sometime and give it another go

FalcoJock · #11 Post by **FalcoJock** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:49 pm

OK, got it (with thanks to Kwackerz). Here are a couple of the 'official photos' of me and my beloved Falco...

#12 Post by **Kwackerz** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:14 pm

Yes..

*edited as its now sorted*

FalcoJock · #13 Post by **FalcoJock** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:52 pm

Thanks Kwackerz. See above

#14 Post by **Kwackerz** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:38 pm

Samray wrote: Mine was less than ideal. I inherited a ticket in the intermediates at Snetti which was rather in at the deep end but still great fun.

Funny old thing.. I had the same.. an inters inheritance as 1st TD, at Brands.

Nice write up Jock and good pics, although ive rubbed my pooter screen 3 times now trying to get rid of the spots...

furygan man · #15 Post by **furygan man** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 4:33 pm

My link to the photo's came through yesterday, think his lens could do with a clean though!!