As if scoring a new job and being busier than a one-armed trombonist at a Jazz Festival wasn't enough, Waz has also taken it upon himself to ignore the new season of Glee on TV (he's probably recording it...) and put virtual pen to cyber paper.
As it turns out, his talents go beyond just rebuilding PW50's and other people's track bikes. Enjoy this first installment of The Thoughts of Chairman Waz.
Get Your Backside Trackside - by Waz I'm an advocate of track riding. Obviously there's the obligatory list of pros and cons that will help you weigh up whether or not it's right for you. Personally, I found things weighed heavily on the pro side, so much so, that I gave up riding on the road to focus solely on trackdays. If you've never been to watch your mates or ridden yourself, here's a brief summary of the day and what you need to consider before you attend.
We'll start with the trackday itself.
What can I expect at my first trackday?
Nerves like a first date, bucket loads of fun and probably a few butt-puckering moments where you realise your 'ambition outweighs your talent'.
Where to start?
Best bet is you trailer your bike there. There are several reasons for this:
Firstly is the most obvious - you could bin the bike, damage it, render it unrideable and not be able to get yourself or the bike home.
Secondly - as cagers prove, it's easier to drive a car than to ride a bike. Trackdays can be physically and mentally demanding. A comfortable chair, some tunes and hopefully some mates to share the trip home can help you concentrate. The slower speeds on your journey home can be very deceptive - on a bike you can be sitting at 150kph on the freeway, feeling like you're crawling along, well under the posted limit.
And thirdly - you can prepare the bike the day before. Taping up your head and tail lights, removal of any racks or luggage systems, taping or removing your mirrors and even taking off your indicators makes your bike unroadworthy. You can do all this at home while you go over the bike, checking the basics like tyre condition and pressure, brake pad thickness and fluid levels, clutch adjustment, chain tension and condition, oil and coolant levels, and a general inspection.
What do I need to take?
It will depend on your level of commitment. Here's a first-timer's list:
· Bike
· Riding gear - helmet, gloves boots, leathers, back protector, 'skins' compression gear, ear plugs, tinted visor, sun block
· Food and drink - most places have a canteen but I prefer to take snacks like muesli bars, lollies, sports drinks, and plenty of water. Fruit is good too.
· Chair - fold-up camping chairs will do
· Fuel - I usually take a 20 litre jerry can plus half a tank in the bike. Any extra goes back in the car for the trip home.
· Tools - spare nuts and bolts, gaffa tape, tyre gauge, spanners, sockets and wrench, allen keys, and pliers that will sort out things on YOUR bike.
And now, the addict's list of added extras:
· Race (paddock) stands
· Tyre warmers and electric leads
· Laptop and cable (to run engine tune programme)
· Air pump
· Spares box - breakables in case you stack; levers, clip-ons, pegs, tacho bracket, etc.
· Spare wheels and tyres
· More tools! Chain lube, torque wrenches, WD40, cable ties, spare oil and brake fluid.
· Carpet to line the garage floor (Good grief, Waz! Kym)
· Fan and radio
What do I do when I get there?
Find a garage. Some places charge for the privilege but the extra tenner is well worth it as the garage provides shelter, power for your tyre warmers and laptop (if you're really enthusiastic) as well as solid ground for your bike.
Once you've unloaded all your gear into the garage, take your bike, helmet, rider's license and booking details with you to registration and scrutineering. You'll need to sign on with all the indemnity forms, sort out your colour-coded riding group and finalise payment. Some places may need you to buy a day 'race' license, depending on the track.
Next, your bike and helmet goes through the scrutineering process where they'll find all is well since you prepared everything the day before… right? They'll also check that you've got a wristband to show you've signed in and usually put a sticker on the bike to say that it's right to go.
With scrutineering and sign on done, it's back to the garage where hopefully, you'll have time to prepare. Firstly, set up your workspace. Open your seat; put the jerry can and esky out of the sun; get out your stands, tyre warmers and electrical leads (if you're using them). Next, get your gear on and get comfortable in it - do the Rossi wedgie pluck, stretch - whatever you need to do to feel like your leathers are comfortable and unrestrictive. Now move onto your bike. As a general rule, drop your cold tyre pressure to 30psi (in the old language) - this will allow them to heat up and grip more on track. If you're using them, get your bike up on stands and put your warmers on. You might also be able to start and warm up your bike so there is less stress on the engine. But one of the most important things you can do is to prepare yourself MENTALLY. Clear your mind of things like the fight you had with the missus or the work deadlines you're stretching by being there. Focus on the riding… and relax.
When do I get to actually RIDE?
All the preparation has been completed, now it's time to ride… right? Not yet, but soon.
Before any rider can take to the track, they must attend the rider briefing - it doesn't matter if it's your first day or you're a regular. During the briefing, the trackday providers will go through some important information including a legal disclaimer, their expectations of you as a rider, rules and regulations and how they communicate with you on track with flags. There are also different passing rules, depending on the colour-coded group's level of experience, all intended to improve your level of safety. At the end of the general briefing, they also offer a first timer's briefing where you can ask all those dumb questions everyone else is too scared to ask.
Now it's time to ride.
When called, you'll form up at the dummy grid and then be let loose one at a time, separated by a few seconds. Start gradually, even if you want to be last out so you don't feel pressured. Once you get to know the track and feel comfortable, you can start to increase your speed, move your braking markers closer to the apex and start to 'race' the riders around you. But above all, the most important thing is to just enjoy yourself - there are no prizes to be won.
Now you know what to expect, let's weight up the pros and cons.
First, the pro's…
Trackdays (or ridedays as they're otherwise called) offer a controlled environment which minimises risk. The first things you'll notice are the obvious:
No other traffic - Granny May is nowhere to be seen, nor is the B Double trying to turn across several lanes of traffic. No tram lines or level crossings. No pushbikes, no pedestrians, kids or family pets.
All the bikes are going in the same direction - This eliminates situations where, like in the real world, maybe a 4X4 drifts across your lane while negotiating a tight turn or another vehicle pulls out in front of you because they just "didn't see you".
The surface is predictable - VicRoads hasn't been out the day before doing'patch-up' jobs spreading gravel everywhere. No diesel spills, no man-hole covers and no cattle grids. Oil spills are covered with cement dust which helps improve the level of adhesion.
There are no obstacles or 'Roadside Furniture' - No gutters (other than the purpose designed ripple strips), no street signs, no light posts, traffic lights or vegetation, and definitely no wire rope barriers.
There is a system in place to warn you of danger - Red and yellow flags stationed at multiple fixed points around the track help alert you to the danger of obstacles, oil spills or even wildlife.
You need to pass through scrutineering - Your bike, helmet and (sometimes) leathers are inspected for track-worthiness. They'll check your brakes, tyres, drive train plus a general inspection of the bike.
You must wear the appropriate gear - Unless you work in an office, these days you need to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment - PPE. It's the same deal for the racetrack. Helmet, full one piece or zip-together two-piece leathers, gloves that cover the end of your sleeve and boots that cover the leg ends of you leathers. A back protector is also a good idea although not compulsory. Correct rider wear is great as it not only provides you with protection, it automatically eliminates the Squids in T-shirts and thongs intent on self-harm.
As well as a controlled environment, trackdays have some other factors that, though not as obvious, are equally as important:
Immediate medical assistance - As part of your entry fee, you cover the wages of trained Paramedics, and their vehicle. No riders are allowed on track unless the Paramedics are in a position where they're ready to attend an incident. Have you ever responded to or been involved in an accident where medical intervention is hours away? Very few people carry first aid kits (about 3% of cars have them) and very few people are trained. At a trackday however, the Ambos are there in a matter of minutes, or even seconds - as soon as the track is cleared. This can be the difference between your injuries worsening while you wait for medical aid or even death.
No police - Mr Plod isn't hiding in the bushes, wearing cammo gear and radioing his mate up the road with your rego number and speed, and there are no 'random' rego, license or roadworthy checks to spoil your day for trivial reasons. Sure, the trackday providers are there to enforce the rules by helping 'facilitate' people being grouped appropriately according to their abilities and the speed of their machine. They also help remove the 1% intent on ruining the day for the rest. In the end, someone still has to 'control' the environment.
As it turns out, his talents go beyond just rebuilding PW50's and other people's track bikes. Enjoy this first installment of The Thoughts of Chairman Waz.
Get Your Backside Trackside - by Waz I'm an advocate of track riding. Obviously there's the obligatory list of pros and cons that will help you weigh up whether or not it's right for you. Personally, I found things weighed heavily on the pro side, so much so, that I gave up riding on the road to focus solely on trackdays. If you've never been to watch your mates or ridden yourself, here's a brief summary of the day and what you need to consider before you attend.
We'll start with the trackday itself.
What can I expect at my first trackday?
Nerves like a first date, bucket loads of fun and probably a few butt-puckering moments where you realise your 'ambition outweighs your talent'.
Where to start?
Best bet is you trailer your bike there. There are several reasons for this:
Firstly is the most obvious - you could bin the bike, damage it, render it unrideable and not be able to get yourself or the bike home.
Secondly - as cagers prove, it's easier to drive a car than to ride a bike. Trackdays can be physically and mentally demanding. A comfortable chair, some tunes and hopefully some mates to share the trip home can help you concentrate. The slower speeds on your journey home can be very deceptive - on a bike you can be sitting at 150kph on the freeway, feeling like you're crawling along, well under the posted limit.
And thirdly - you can prepare the bike the day before. Taping up your head and tail lights, removal of any racks or luggage systems, taping or removing your mirrors and even taking off your indicators makes your bike unroadworthy. You can do all this at home while you go over the bike, checking the basics like tyre condition and pressure, brake pad thickness and fluid levels, clutch adjustment, chain tension and condition, oil and coolant levels, and a general inspection.
What do I need to take?
It will depend on your level of commitment. Here's a first-timer's list:
· Bike
· Riding gear - helmet, gloves boots, leathers, back protector, 'skins' compression gear, ear plugs, tinted visor, sun block
· Food and drink - most places have a canteen but I prefer to take snacks like muesli bars, lollies, sports drinks, and plenty of water. Fruit is good too.
· Chair - fold-up camping chairs will do
· Fuel - I usually take a 20 litre jerry can plus half a tank in the bike. Any extra goes back in the car for the trip home.
· Tools - spare nuts and bolts, gaffa tape, tyre gauge, spanners, sockets and wrench, allen keys, and pliers that will sort out things on YOUR bike.
And now, the addict's list of added extras:
· Race (paddock) stands
· Tyre warmers and electric leads
· Laptop and cable (to run engine tune programme)
· Air pump
· Spares box - breakables in case you stack; levers, clip-ons, pegs, tacho bracket, etc.
· Spare wheels and tyres
· More tools! Chain lube, torque wrenches, WD40, cable ties, spare oil and brake fluid.
· Carpet to line the garage floor (Good grief, Waz! Kym)
· Fan and radio
What do I do when I get there?
Find a garage. Some places charge for the privilege but the extra tenner is well worth it as the garage provides shelter, power for your tyre warmers and laptop (if you're really enthusiastic) as well as solid ground for your bike.
Once you've unloaded all your gear into the garage, take your bike, helmet, rider's license and booking details with you to registration and scrutineering. You'll need to sign on with all the indemnity forms, sort out your colour-coded riding group and finalise payment. Some places may need you to buy a day 'race' license, depending on the track.
Next, your bike and helmet goes through the scrutineering process where they'll find all is well since you prepared everything the day before… right? They'll also check that you've got a wristband to show you've signed in and usually put a sticker on the bike to say that it's right to go.
With scrutineering and sign on done, it's back to the garage where hopefully, you'll have time to prepare. Firstly, set up your workspace. Open your seat; put the jerry can and esky out of the sun; get out your stands, tyre warmers and electrical leads (if you're using them). Next, get your gear on and get comfortable in it - do the Rossi wedgie pluck, stretch - whatever you need to do to feel like your leathers are comfortable and unrestrictive. Now move onto your bike. As a general rule, drop your cold tyre pressure to 30psi (in the old language) - this will allow them to heat up and grip more on track. If you're using them, get your bike up on stands and put your warmers on. You might also be able to start and warm up your bike so there is less stress on the engine. But one of the most important things you can do is to prepare yourself MENTALLY. Clear your mind of things like the fight you had with the missus or the work deadlines you're stretching by being there. Focus on the riding… and relax.
When do I get to actually RIDE?
All the preparation has been completed, now it's time to ride… right? Not yet, but soon.
Before any rider can take to the track, they must attend the rider briefing - it doesn't matter if it's your first day or you're a regular. During the briefing, the trackday providers will go through some important information including a legal disclaimer, their expectations of you as a rider, rules and regulations and how they communicate with you on track with flags. There are also different passing rules, depending on the colour-coded group's level of experience, all intended to improve your level of safety. At the end of the general briefing, they also offer a first timer's briefing where you can ask all those dumb questions everyone else is too scared to ask.
Now it's time to ride.
When called, you'll form up at the dummy grid and then be let loose one at a time, separated by a few seconds. Start gradually, even if you want to be last out so you don't feel pressured. Once you get to know the track and feel comfortable, you can start to increase your speed, move your braking markers closer to the apex and start to 'race' the riders around you. But above all, the most important thing is to just enjoy yourself - there are no prizes to be won.
Now you know what to expect, let's weight up the pros and cons.
First, the pro's…
Trackdays (or ridedays as they're otherwise called) offer a controlled environment which minimises risk. The first things you'll notice are the obvious:
No other traffic - Granny May is nowhere to be seen, nor is the B Double trying to turn across several lanes of traffic. No tram lines or level crossings. No pushbikes, no pedestrians, kids or family pets.
All the bikes are going in the same direction - This eliminates situations where, like in the real world, maybe a 4X4 drifts across your lane while negotiating a tight turn or another vehicle pulls out in front of you because they just "didn't see you".
The surface is predictable - VicRoads hasn't been out the day before doing'patch-up' jobs spreading gravel everywhere. No diesel spills, no man-hole covers and no cattle grids. Oil spills are covered with cement dust which helps improve the level of adhesion.
There are no obstacles or 'Roadside Furniture' - No gutters (other than the purpose designed ripple strips), no street signs, no light posts, traffic lights or vegetation, and definitely no wire rope barriers.
There is a system in place to warn you of danger - Red and yellow flags stationed at multiple fixed points around the track help alert you to the danger of obstacles, oil spills or even wildlife.
You need to pass through scrutineering - Your bike, helmet and (sometimes) leathers are inspected for track-worthiness. They'll check your brakes, tyres, drive train plus a general inspection of the bike.
You must wear the appropriate gear - Unless you work in an office, these days you need to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment - PPE. It's the same deal for the racetrack. Helmet, full one piece or zip-together two-piece leathers, gloves that cover the end of your sleeve and boots that cover the leg ends of you leathers. A back protector is also a good idea although not compulsory. Correct rider wear is great as it not only provides you with protection, it automatically eliminates the Squids in T-shirts and thongs intent on self-harm.
As well as a controlled environment, trackdays have some other factors that, though not as obvious, are equally as important:
Immediate medical assistance - As part of your entry fee, you cover the wages of trained Paramedics, and their vehicle. No riders are allowed on track unless the Paramedics are in a position where they're ready to attend an incident. Have you ever responded to or been involved in an accident where medical intervention is hours away? Very few people carry first aid kits (about 3% of cars have them) and very few people are trained. At a trackday however, the Ambos are there in a matter of minutes, or even seconds - as soon as the track is cleared. This can be the difference between your injuries worsening while you wait for medical aid or even death.
No police - Mr Plod isn't hiding in the bushes, wearing cammo gear and radioing his mate up the road with your rego number and speed, and there are no 'random' rego, license or roadworthy checks to spoil your day for trivial reasons. Sure, the trackday providers are there to enforce the rules by helping 'facilitate' people being grouped appropriately according to their abilities and the speed of their machine. They also help remove the 1% intent on ruining the day for the rest. In the end, someone still has to 'control' the environment.