Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP) with STT this past weekend
 

Got the Sumo wheels friday at noon (nothing like a last second delivery) and slapped them on for my track day at CMP with Sportbike Track Time the next day.

Left the house at 3 and arrived a little before 6 to unload in the garage (best $50 ever spent at a track day!!! :rockwoot: )

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp06.jpg

My skinny buddy Travis was COLD so he hovered over the tent heater (48 degrees)


http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp08.jpg


Set up for the morning (coffee maker and all)

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp04.jpg

Then I hopped in the back of the exploder with an electric heater and sacked out

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp05.jpg

Next day came early and so did the riders. We pretty much filled up the garage there

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp49.jpg


First lap was COLD....it was 41 degrees (up from the low of 36) at 9am and we were warned over and over about turn one being nasty because of all the sand drug in from the pits.

Our group (Intermediate) was first (I, then A, then N) and the VERY first rider on the VERY first turn binned it :skep:

This was the first lap, and my first time on the RMZ, and the first time EVER for me running slicks.....so I took it EASY for 4 laps.

But even that was too soon. The whole first session was a wash, as even when I felt like I MAY have some heat in the tires the whole bike slid into turn 10 :tremble:

So I eased up till the third session...when it heated up to about 60 right before lunch.

Session 4 was magical, and the sun was directly overhead with the temp up to 72. PERFECT weather....not hot, not cold, just right. 2 laps into session 4 the tires started to mush up and I was SET!!!

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp09.jpg
http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp10.jpg
http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp11.jpg

I was having a BLAST

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp34.jpg


And this bike is friggin STUPID!!!!

104mph with the gearing I have. CMP has too many long straights for me to really climb up, but session 4 I was able to pass 8 people and KEEP them behind me. Not bad for Intermediate level on a big(ish) track.

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp50.jpg


Still got waxed by the literbikes in the straights, but I could pull a few of em back in when it got tight. Passed several again, but they'd lay it to me on the front straight :lol:


The RMZ is pulling +/-54 hp at 220 pounds....and you can certainly feel that power/weight on the track...holy NUTS!!! 4th gear wheelies at will even with stupid tall gearing

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp43.jpg



All told though there were more that a dozen crashes......a few completely waxed bikes :tremble:

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp51.jpg


But most were just get-offs with plastics damage

http://www.troybaker.com/drwb/cmp48.jpg


I had a friggin BLAST!!!

Can't WAIT to do Barber in the spring on this thing

Should try comming north a bit and we could dice it up at summit or maybe NJMP ;)

I heard summit has a pretty good small track!

I love the main course but thats def for the bigger bikes. Shenendoah is technical but it also scares me, couple of walls in inopportune spots. Jefferson course is also kinda smallish but not a lot of orgs run it, prolly because I actualy like it :lol:

Looks like fun. Great pics.

:tremble: I've heard that as well......doesn't discourage me enough to NOT want to try it though.

I want to do Shenendoah, Patriot and Barber next year for SURE

Thanks....it was for sure!

I bought the narcassistic pics as well (track photog) :lol: so I'll put those up when he gets them posted on his site :nee:

Fun fun. :) I went last weekend with Turn1. I dropped some time over my previous run there, but still not enough to make me happy. I honestly think the frame might be tweaked a little bit as it seems the left hand turns are the ones giving me fits. We've gotta hook up at some point and hit the track together. :)

Absolutely!!!


What were your times?

My buddy Jason was running a 1:48

Typically I can ride at just below his level on a comperable bike...but on the motard I was a good 5-8 seconds slower per lap than him. I need to buy a timer :skep:

That looks like a wicked good time.

Great pics! :dthumb:

I'm in the low 41's. My goal was sub 40's so I wasn't too happy. I know I can do it, but the bike is really giving me fits turning left so I was sucking at every left turn. Thankfully CMP is mostly rights. The downside, I can go through a new rear tire in one day on that overly abrasive track. :( The first race next season is Tally...mostly all lefts. So I've got to get it sorted out!

There's another turn1 day on the first weekend in Dec. If the weather looks "acceptable" I'll probably try to go. The beauty of those days is you can just show up, no pre-reg needed. I've got to check the alignment on the rear wheel. I didn't have any string to check it while I was there. If it's really out then that's my issue. If not... it's off to GMD to check the frame. *sigh* Always something to spend a ton of money on with these dang things!

I'll keep the slicks on then in case it IS a nice weekend!

I SHOULD get a bonus at the end of the month so might be enough to get some tire warmers if stickboy has them in stock and actually start having fun BEFORE the 4th lap out :lol:

Wish I would have known, I gave away a set of tyresox warmers when I sold the minis that would have fit your tires perfectly (for a 250gp bike...160 rear).

Are you running full race rubber or supermoto slicks? In my experience supermoto tires take like half a lap to get to temperature. Problem is they shred on a faster track in the heat. If you're going to be running in the cold and it's taking you that long to warm them up, it might be something you want to try.

My sumo is for sale if anyone is interested. Love it but I never ride it.

Looks like fun...squid for the whoolies. lol

Sumo slicks Michelin smr14a cut's

It was 41 or so for the first session....it was like riding on an oil slick the entire 20 min.

Took till the 3rd session, 3rd lap to even get leaned over good and feel them gripping/giving enough to know where I was....but once it got to 70 that cheese grater of a track flat tore em up :tremble:

Dingle-balled them up like Super soft Charmin on a bears ass :lol:

How exactly would you know that Troy? Wiped a bear's butt with toilet paper recently? :p

I fell off the side of 421 a few times......watches a few bears "go" in the woods :rockwoot:

great post and good pics, looks like you had a ball

Looks like a blast! CMP is still my least favorite track around here, I just can't get into it. Don't care for the flow, and I hate sacrificing a tire to a track I dont' enjoy that much.

You definitely need to hook up with us for a trip to Shenandoah next year. First day is 4/27... mark your calendar and no excuses! :D
I can't decide if that's a compliment or a backhanded compliment. You saying he would've been faster if he had 2? :lol:

If you guys plan to do main or jefferson LMK and I will try to come down. I dont like shenendoah, some of those walls mess with my head too much and it makes me hate the track.

You're certainly not the only one, but I never see them when I'm out there. And after riding the back straight at RA with concrete on either side, the walls don't bother me with the low speeds at Shenny so much.

I rode Main once in '08 and didn't care for it. The surface had so many transitions, especially in the carousel, all I could think about was bumps and traction changes instead of hitting good lines and brake markers. I'd be willing to give it another shot if there were back-to-back days with Shenny though.

my first time out there I was supposed to follow a coach, he just dropped the hammer and was gone by turn 2 so I was on my own. I came down that downhill corkscrew section and all I saw was the wall :tremble: I had such a hard time I bumped my self down to beginner so I could figure the track out at a slower/safer speed.

When main was first repaved it was like a whole new track and it was great, but they half assed the paving job and it got torn up prety quick, turn 5 was kinda bumpy when I last rode there but the carousel seemed ok, but this was also a few yrs back. I heard they were going to re do it again but I think they just patched a few areas since then.

WILL not miss this!!!:rockwoot:

Who's it with?

Ouch, Shenandoah is NOT a course to learn on your own. The bus stop under the bridge alone would be enough to trip anybody up if they didn't know what lied over the hill. If you ever want to give it a shot again, I'd like to meet you out there. I've spent a solid 2-3 sessions showing people around that track their first time there, and to-date I haven't had anybody dislike it.

Motorcycle Xcitement. It's a small group, and the only one I've ridden Shenny with, but I really like them. It's like going to the track with a bunch of friends. They are not as organized as NESBA, but if you go in expecting that and just relax (don't worry if your session doesn't start right on time, etc.) it's a really good time.

We can caravan it from Raleigh since it's on your way (assuming you take I-85). And if I have a spot in my trailer open, you can consolidate here and we can roll from Raleigh in one truck/trailer.

Thats a thought esp if its with a more laid back org like that. The org I rode with didnt have much of any structure, and most of the coaches were just out there for free track time and just buzzed the slower riders.

First time I rode main I hated it but gave it a few more shots nad now its a favorite if the pavement is ok.

I'm typically as laid back as it gets on my track days. My friggin schedule during the work week is so structured, that when I do a track day it truly IS a vacation for me. So I'm just short of "feet up sippin a Mai Tai" at the track :lol:

I appreciate that! Sounds good. Though I'm a friggin boyscout when it comes to overpacking. I typically take EVERYTHING including a coffee :rockwoot: maker

Sad when all I ride is a motard and I pack a 5x10 enclosed AND an exploder slap full for ONE day :tremble:


4/27 is a wednesday.....right?

I hear ya, I'm the same way. I have enough stress during the week and don't need to bring it to play time!



:lol: Then you'll fit right in! We usually bring food for breakfast and lunch, a coffee machine, a crock pot for cooking chili, enough tools to fix tools... we have an 8.5x20 trailer so you'd be hard pressed to overfill it. :D

Oops, forgot to add, I meant to type 4/17 which is a Sunday. I must've fat-fingered the keys. :(

I ma not sure I could go with you guys, I just have a 4x8 folding HF trailer and a couple of tool boxes :lol:

No worries....most of MY buddies show up with a bike and leathers and sponge :lol:

This is why I bring everything :rockwoot:


What's your usual top speed on Shenandoah? Right now I'm geared for a top speed of about 105. And I can get there JUST slightly slower than a 600

Patriot I never got over 90

I do bring as much as humanly possible and if could justify a good sized tow vehicle would have a nice enclosed trailer too ;)

100 should be more than enough for shenny I think theres one or 2 short straights and thats about it, def a good track for the tards

There's only one short straight I see anything over 100, and if I hit 130's there it takes everything I have to make T1 (off-camber, 180 degree lefty).

The rest of the course if 30-90mph all day.

Well it's good to know you'll at least have ONE shot at catching me every lap then :rockwoot:



:lol: J/K

Do you have special gearing for that track? It seems like on the big bikes you could run the whole track in 1st gear.

Sounds fun.

Nope, my bike is still bone-stock. I could run 80% of the track in first gear easy, hitting 2nd and 3rd briefly on the few straight sections. But I prefer to use 2nd for a lot of it, just a smoother way to get around.

That track is the only course I've ever run where 600's have an advantage over a liter bike. It's a totally different experience than a VIR or RA... just silly fun.

If I show can I borrow the sponge?

I dont think he will want it back after youre done :lol:

THIS!!!! I've heard about you Fred!

im completely cluesess and never touched a track before but have been thinking bout it for years. if yall do another day post up i may want to tag along, this sounds like my kinda place small, 30-90 sounds a great track to pop my cherry on. ,, have fun and be safe im off to check stt for a date this summer.

First date I'm eyeing is 4/27. It's a Wednesday, so it'll require a day off work, but the few of us that go will have the place to ourselves!

Where is this? My GF wants to do a track day this year if I can find her a spot that isn't too crazy for a beginner. I way as well be a virgin since most of you all were still in diapers the last time I was on a track...:lol: Link me the info if you don't mind or let me know if it posts on our other forum. Thanks.

which track and what org, I may not be back working but should have some cash, not sure if we will bring the mrs and lil one but its a tohught esp if its on main.

It's in West Virginia at Summit Point Motorsports Park.
www.motorcyclexcitement.com

You should both go, it'd be cool to meet you both there. They're pretty inexpensive as far as track days go. Shenandoah is completely separate from the main course though... I much prefer Shenandoah.

Might be getting slicks today or tomorrow.....depends on what stickboy can do compared to trackdaystore.

Seems tracksdaystore has diablo slicks for $370 for motard :rockwoot:

If I can get tires ordered this week....I don't see issue with doing April 27...it's a kid free week and I got vacation.

Going up the night before and hotel? Camp? Head up early in the AM?

What's the plans for after the track? Head straight home?

You working thursday?

I don't know what brand you're running, but you should check MizeMotors.com for prices too (might have to call Quentin to get the pricing). He'll be at Shenandoah and has always had competitive prices.

I'll head up Tuesday, probably try to hit the road about 3:00 or so. I'll camp out that night, ride Wednesday, then drive straight back and be home in plenty of time to sleep and go to work Thursday.

ill keep checking, i dnt get bck till may , saw some dates in atl but rather go to cmp

Sounds good.

Let me ask you THIS.....if I keep the cost of tires down I can do MORE days this year.

I ran some takeoff slicks on the DRZ at CMP in nov and loved them (once they warmed up) but I can't trust them for this season.

Thing is...I can get 2 sets of Q2's for the price of ONE set of slicks for the motard.

Given these are trakc days and I'm JUST intermediate.....should I opt for Q2's and get more days or stick with slicks and make the days I can do ungodly sticky?

What were the motards running at Shenandoah last year?

Are you running tire warmers?

I'm a big fan of using street/track tires as long as possible, so when you make the swtich to the "holy hell are those sticky!" tires, you get more out of them.

My first couple years I ran standard Pilot Powers for all my track days. If you can run a strong I-group pace with NESBA on street rubber, you'll love it when you make the transition to race tires.

Yep

Got them after the Nov track day on the well worn slicks that came with the motard wheels.

They were useless till the 3rd session, then I had to run a good 4 laps before they had any hook. But the afternoon was a friggin PARTY!! :rockwoot:


I may get a set of both. Start the season on some Q2's and transition to slicks by July then

Good. Slicks are more harm than help unless you have them up to temp.

I agree with Dan: ride as long as you can on street tires before making the switch. Once you go to race rubber, it is damn near impossible to switch back.

and a lot more expensive, I still do just fine with pilot powers and am in intermediate.

Got the Q2's friday, and having them mounted tomorrow.

I'll be ready!!!

What's the plan Dan? Coming MY way so I can hitch? Got room? Or do I need to come to YOU?

I just checked the map and it said TROY NEEDS TO COME TO RALEIGH!! :lol:

I'd love to drive out there and pick you up, but I'd have to take a full day off work Tuesday to make that happen. I'd offer to come pick you up the weekend before, but I'll be at Road Atlanta until late 4/24. :)

:lol

I didn't realize it was at the friggin TIP of WVa :tremble:

Man...5+ hours?!?!

Then another 1.5 hours home from your place...my ass is gonna be BEAT :lol:

Sounds like a plan. When it gets closer I'll hit you up in a PM for final details.

I keep the trailer pre-packed with 2 EZ-ups, chairs, 1500W generator, Extention cord, air compressor, stands, fuel can, so THAT I'll have with me regardless.

What all besides that, will I need?

Tent? Sleeping bag? cooler? Coffee maker? Table?

Yep, you can throw a stone into VA or MD from the track. :lol:

The EZ-ups, air compressor, stands for your bike, sleeping bag, and coffee maker should be all you need. We'll roll the bikes out when we get there and sleep in the trailer. There's electricity there, so no worries about a generator on this trip, and the trailer has a stocked refrigerator in it so we're set for cold drinks. I also have 4 big fuel cans and an assortment of chairs (in addition to the fold-down couch) I store in the trailer, so we've got those covered.

SWEET!!! :rockwoot:

I always heard the DAN-VAN was the choice transport :whatwhat:

Seriously.

I want to see pics of this rig.

I think everyone but me has pictures of it. :lol: Seems to be the last step of loading up, everyone breaks out their phone and snaps a few pictures.

I'll snag some of it from the Barber trip in a couple weeks.

I need to stop reading this, its getting more and more tempting to sneak in a day sooner than I should LOL

Oh you need to come. I got a beer or 12 with your name all over it. Hell...I'll buy you Patrone if you come :rockwoot:

when is this day again?

4/27. See you there!

Alright Tommy, Troy and I have our plans locked down. Go sign up already!!

There's some high speed go-karts at Summit Point, we can head over there Tuesday night to start some rivalvries before the track day Wednesday. :lol:

See..this is where it ain't fair.

I'm 6'-1" and ...well...I'm NOT 145 pounds.....and tommy ain't no little boy either :lol:

lol, I wouldn't be 145 if I cut my right leg off. Tommy can get his payback when we start playing bumper cars! Momentum FTW!

Sadly I am a no go. My track season may be done before it starts :( I knew I would hav eto scale back withthre baby which was one thing, but we got hit hard in back property taxes, an dmy next mortgage payment is 2k dollars more than what it previously was. Were going to grieve/contest it but that may take a while.

if we win then i will be out later in the season, if we loose track days an dmost of my planned trips are dead and burried.

And at 6'4 and 250 I wiluld have a ton of momentum going for me :lol: