Wet Trackday - Is It Worth Going ?
Discussion
Donington booked for tomorrow
Last time I went we only had a fraction of that amount of rain, hardly anyone went out, the afternoon wasn't cancelled but I was advised not to ride and I'd have been the only rider
I don't object to practicing in the rain but equally I don't want to crash when advised not to ride by the staff
Is it even worth going unless the forecast changes ?
Last time I went we only had a fraction of that amount of rain, hardly anyone went out, the afternoon wasn't cancelled but I was advised not to ride and I'd have been the only rider
I don't object to practicing in the rain but equally I don't want to crash when advised not to ride by the staff
Is it even worth going unless the forecast changes ?
It would be good for practise if you don't mind the added risk.
I'm old now and definitely a fair weather rider these days but I did my time as a motorcycle dispatch rider back in the 80s in all weathers, 6 days a week
Your post reminded me of that time and also as a novice production racer on my RD250LC.
Another mate turned up to race at Snetterton on a day with relentless rain. I think it was his 5th race. So far he had always come in last.
Anyway, he raced carefully and smoothly due to the conditions, whilst all the veteran loons fell off.
He ended up winning
He put it down to his experience as a dispatch rider.
I'm old now and definitely a fair weather rider these days but I did my time as a motorcycle dispatch rider back in the 80s in all weathers, 6 days a week
Your post reminded me of that time and also as a novice production racer on my RD250LC.
Another mate turned up to race at Snetterton on a day with relentless rain. I think it was his 5th race. So far he had always come in last.
Anyway, he raced carefully and smoothly due to the conditions, whilst all the veteran loons fell off.
He ended up winning
He put it down to his experience as a dispatch rider.
When it's wet and cold at Donington it's very wet and very cold will be a miserable experience ( and that's in a car),I'm a local so I've seen how nasty it gets! If the wind gets up and joins in to then I wouldn't want to be there!
I'm even debating if I should even bother spectating on Saturday for the BSB as it looks similar weather.
I'm even debating if I should even bother spectating on Saturday for the BSB as it looks similar weather.
Caddyshack said:
I expect if it rains a LOT you will be ok but Donington can get very slippery on the wet, I understand this is due to aeroplanes dumping fuel
Made up, they don't dump fuel on takeoff which is when they go over the track. There are sections that are more slipperly than other, but that's because of the track drainage. Exit on the old hairpin is a classic place to spin up.
To the OP, answer is it depends. If you have good wets, a cheap bike you don't care about losing to a mistake and decent waterproof nappy, gloves and boots you can well have fun.
I've gone out a few times on wets and had a whale of a time, I've also gone out without wets and had fun, but then nearly binned it on the next corner.
Go along, play it by ear. If you've already paid you won't get your money back by not going unless the circuit deem it too dangerous to run, which is rare.
Did a Ron Haslam School day there in similar weather. Last session, it was only my mate and I out with the instructors. Everyone else had binned it in our group of 20 or so trainees. I had two of the biggest moments I've ever had on a bike: got away with a highside exiting the old hairpin and slid the back going into the chicane. Second I had some control over, first, pure dumb luck, as I don't think I took a massive liberty on the throttle compared to previous laps
Altitude said:
Caddyshack said:
I expect if it rains a LOT you will be ok but Donington can get very slippery on the wet, I understand this is due to aeroplanes dumping fuel
Made up, they don't dump fuel on takeoff which is when they go over the track. There are sections that are more slipperly than other, but that's because of the track drainage. Exit on the old hairpin is a classic place to spin up.
To the OP, answer is it depends. If you have good wets, a cheap bike you don't care about losing to a mistake and decent waterproof nappy, gloves and boots you can well have fun.
I've gone out a few times on wets and had a whale of a time, I've also gone out without wets and had fun, but then nearly binned it on the next corner.
Go along, play it by ear. If you've already paid you won't get your money back by not going unless the circuit deem it too dangerous to run, which is rare.
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