Seeing as time is running out I thought I'd get the ball rolling.

How's Wednesday 27th Aug at Wakefield Park sound for everyone?

Mid week days are best as you get the least number of cars and therefore greatest amount of track time.

Costs are:
$80.00 for the day
$30.00 for a Wakefield Clubcomp Licence valid for 12 months
Helmet hire available for $20 per day with a $50 Deposit

Add to that a full tank of fuel (the BP before Goulburn now has Ultimate I'm told) and you'll have a fun day. Add a couple of PSI to your tyres and if at all possible flush your brake fluid and replace with something like Castrol Response Super DOT 4.

Keep in mind we're not going there to race. Everyone should take it easy and use it as a learning experience. Also check with your insurer if you're at all concerned before hand. Most insurers won't cover you so that should be extra incentive to lean towards a more cautious approach

Nathan, if you want to come along and get in some testing I'm sure we could give you a clear track for a while.

So what do we think?

 

Hello Everyone, sorry I've been a bit quite of late. Had hols got the flu (off work for a week) and have been busy.

After having been to several tracks on my bikes I can assure everyone there is (almost) no better fun to be had than going full noise at a track knowing you wont get booked and there is no traffic coming the other way.

Could I be rude enough to offer an alternative.

Has anyone given Eastern Creek a thought. There is a company called motoconcepts who do car days ( I have done many ride days with them). The cost for a group booking of three or more is $100. There is no need for a special licence and there is no need to drive to Goulburn!

It might be worth looking at this as an option. I know, as much as I would love to go to the track, there is no way I am driving all the way to Wakefield ( 4 or 5 hours) for me, driving full noise all day and then driving home.

As always

H

 

I forgot to add one thing.........

There is no better feeling than coming around turn 12 at the Creek on the limit and seeing a 1km long straight!!!!!!!!!

H

 

Good to see you posting again Harry

I was under the impression you need at least an L2S license for the Creek days. That's not a big deal, only around $90 IIRC. Biggest problem with the Creek is it's often crowded even during the week as it's much closer for Sydney siders. Wakefield allows first timers out on their own first thing even if other cars are there.

Doesn't bother me but if you haven't done a drive day before it's nice to know you're probably not going to have someone come up on you quickly. You can just settle in to it.

Having said that I'm up for any track. This isn't going to be our only track outing hopefully anyway

 

Hey Matt, trust you're well?

In my experience, and again its only with bikes, the days during the week are often that poorly attended they often end up cancelling the day.

I have also been to days where the morning is for bikes and the arvo is for cars and the times I was there (which was always mid week) there were very few cars.

Anyway, its a big track and there is plenty of room.

To atend a "drive day" you only need a "normal" road licence, you dont need any type of racing licence. You also need to have a full face helmet, a driving suit (overalls or any heavy cotton garment will suffice) that covers from your wrists to your ankles, and obviously covered footwear.

They have a drive day on Thursday August 28th. If anyone wants to check any details you can see them at www.motoconcepts.com.au.

By the way IMO the second best corner at the Creek is turn 8 (corporate hill) that, on a bike, is taken in third gear at close to 200kmh. It's an uphill, blind entrance corner but believe me you can really hook in if you're brave (silly?), just keep it tight, if you go too wide you'll end up in the sand.

Obviously, as I will be coming from Newcastle and because I've been there plenty of times, I prefer the Creek. Wakefield is just too far fo me to get to.

H

 

Never been to bike day but the days I've been to the creek there's always been a fair few cars, often Porsche and BMWs. I try to avoid them as the drivers often have a lot of ambition and little skill. I've almost been wiped out at twice at the Creek by people losing it by doing something stupid.

We could always do Wed at Wakefield and Thurs at the Creek That leaves Friday to pick up new pads and rubber

Good point about the clothing, I'd forgotten about that. Best bet is a cheap pair of King Gee cotton overalls. Not the best look but cheap and suficient. IIRC the restriction on the footware is no synthetic uppers.

 

I'm waiting for a call back but is there helmet hire available at the Creek? Last time I was there I had my own. Currently shopping for a new one but probably won't have it in time. I don't mind buying one as I want to get back into doing regular track days and I'm also under pressure from a couple of friends to get back on a bike which I'm slowly caving into.

BTW I think I had the same flu you did Harry

 

apsilon
We race this weekend at Phillip Island and if we come through the weekend OK I pretty sure I can make it to the drive day.
Ch 7 this Sataday at noon has the replay of the Oran Park round.

 

Matt, there is no helmet hire at the Creek (that I know of anyway). If we decide to go to the Creek I have a helmet someone could borrow, its only a shitty Doohan replica Aria RX7RR. Its actually my old one that has a tiny little bit of damage (you wouldnt even notice) but, if anyone wants to borrow if for the day they would be more than welcome. Its a medium.

What sort of bike are you "getting" Matt?

H

 

That'd be good Nathan. Steve @ DBA may come along with some surprises as well but we need to confirm a date so he knows.

Good luck at the Island, don't bend anything I'm up at Lake Mac on Sat working but I'll be taping the GTP broadcast.

 

Harry, medium wouldn't fit my big head but I'm sure someone would be interested.

Haven't decided I will get a bike yet but it's getting more and more likely. I don't hold a license any more and to be honest with my ankle I don't know if I can still ride. If I do go ahead it'll be a crappy 250 just to get me around for a year (L plates again ). After that we'll see.

 

I'm OK for Wakefield on the 27th Aug, I like the idea of it being a bit empty.

I have no track experience and would **** myself if i was surrounded by 911s and M3s with nutter drivers.

I'll see if i can get a few more interested people to come along also. A few friends have shown interest in taking their cars to the track for some.

can't wait!

 

Mate I am there for sure!

As it turns out I have that week off so yes there will be new brake fluid, engine oil and half tread left by the end of the day!

Count me in!

Mike

 

Thanks for taking up the track topic again Apps - I've been a bit busy lately and getting on to the forum at about midnight, so I did not have much enthusiasm to organise the track meeting.

My preference would also be Eastern Creek as we are close to civilization should something go wrong with the car on the day. Also, if I don't need to drive for 2 hours to get to the track even better. If we're lucky, there will be no others at the track and I'm sure they will limit the number of cars on the track at any one time.

Either way, I will go to Wakefield or EC, preference is EC, that is if they have helmet hire.

 

The Creek organisers got back to me late this afternoon. No helmet hire which doesn't surprise me. I agree it would be better but unless we're all willing to pay $250+ to buy a helmet we need somewhere that has them available to hire.

I suggest we go to Wakefield this time. Those who really enjoy it should consider buying their own helmet, you'll end up with something more comfortable in the long run. We can then look at the Creek which I agree is more suitable given it's location.

I wouldn't mind this being a monthly or bi monthly event.

 

I know Im being pedantic, but, you can get helmets for a whole lot less than $250. Im sure you can pick up a helmet, that would be more than suitable for this purpose, for around $100.

Anyway, the choice is up to you guy. Like I said though, if the first one is at WP then I wont be able to make it.

as always

H

 

You can get cheaper helmets but as a rider I'm sure you know you buy on comfort rather than price. Each brand is a little different in fit and feel. I was out shopping for one this morning and nothing felt as good as the Shoei TZ-1 without going a lot more expensive. I was fairly impressed with the HJC range. It was second in line for me and ~$200 less.

BTW I did my 5,000km service this morning and flushed the brakes as well. You can do it with a single 500ml bottle. I bought 2 so have one that I'm not going to use.

 

Matt, I totally agree. In fact I have only ever worn Arai helmets and my current helmet is a Doohan replica RX7RR. IMO they are the best you can buy (quality, fit, weight, etc) and if you were looking at helmets you'll know they are a lot more than $250.

My point was though, for those guys who are only going to get a helmet to occassionaly drive their car at a race track, there is no point going overboard and spending a shitload on a helmet. Especially considering if you go to WP and use a borrowed helmet you have absolutely no idea what it has been through and I for one wouldnt like to be using a loaner helmet. ****, I even take one of my old helmets when I go go- kart racing.

If however, you were looking at one to go riding with I would suggest you spend as much as you can because, with helmets
(as with a lot of things in life) you really do get what you pay for.

H

 

Hmm go karting. Now there's an idea for a meet. Why didn't someone suggest that earlier?

Just out of interest what helmets have you seen for around $100? I've been looking around over the last week and haven't seen anything less than $250. The Shoei that I tried this morning was $479 which seems to be an excellent price (next best is $549). The HJC which almost suited me as well was $289 which I thought was a bargain although it is a plastic shell rather than composite but I can hardly see the weight difference. Certainly not like it was several years ago.

 

Matt, over the years I have found JCW to have the best prices on helmets. They are on the Hume highway at Yagoona and their number is 9790 2804.

Im positive they will have helmets around $100 - $120. Now, Im not for one second saying you should buy a helmet at this price point but if you want a cheap helmet to wear on drive days why pay more?

I bought my latest bike from Bike Biz at Parramatta and Im sure they would also have something around $150 - $160.

The other place I would try would be Motorcycle Accesories Warehouse and they are also at Parramatta.

On another nore I wrote the word Sh*t in my last post and it got asterixed out. How funny is that? Lucky I didnt write F**K!

As always

H