The 1.7 Mile Infield Course at Autoclub Speedway With FastrackRiders – YES!!!

AKA My Day In Level 1

FastrackRiders put on a trackday event June 7th and 8th on the infield course (1.7 miles) in Fontana.  Please note that the infield course map on Autoclub’s website is actually different than what Fastrack ran.  The configuration that we ran was actually tons more fun and more technical! I added a modified map to show you the course we rode. So while some of you naysayers (I won’t say who) who thought this was going to be a Mickey Mouse course, you clearly have no idea what you’re talking about.  This infield course was technical and challenging and was quite a work out.  Plus since the length afforded so many laps you could improve upon the entries, apexes and the drives out of some pretty tricky turns without having to spend significant time riding down very long straights, which really doesn’t require much skill IMHO.  Now don’t get me wrong, Autoclub is my home track and there is definitely a level of comfortability that you have when riding a configuration you know like the back of your hand.  But the infield was a nonstop, stay-on-your-toes experience.  Even the fast guys had a difficult time passing each other until certain areas of the track.   Plus it has been a few years since this configuration has been offered, no one had the advantage of memory by repetition.  Everyone was challenged! 

I worked in registration, helping other riders get their required paperwork in order until the 12:40 session when I was allowed to go out.  The day was great with no major problems at all. Everyone was safe and had a lot of fun

That being said, since I worked half the day in registration I didn’t get on the track until everyone was up to speed.  Since I did not know the configuration, and a few people almost took the usual line out of what is normally T16 instead of the new one, it was suggested to me that I go out with the level 1 riders for a site lap.   This way I could do a site lap or two without worrying about someone coming up on me and both of us having a really bad day.  I had no objection to this as it was very sound advice–safety is always paramount to me.  

And am I ever glad I did!  Even after studying the infield track map, I really had to take my time and get used to it in my first session.  The T5 – 8 configuration was intimidating to me at first but was my favorite by the end of the day.  If you are accustomed to riding the AMA track layout, T12  is T1 on the infield course.  So when you’re coming out of the usual (AMA) T16, you’d better pay attention because on the infield course it becomes a sharp, fun flick to the right (infield T6).   If anyone knows me, I don’t prefer to go all the way out to the edge of the track, lol.  But I made it a point to do so and as I could see by the darkies all over the place, this was the place to be. Oh yes, perfect apex, perfect exit and perfect set up for the next turn.  It was glorious.

My wrist held up this time and I was very mindful to keep my arms neutral.  The few quick flicks-slash-chicanes on the backside definitely needed countersteering.  Right before the seam before T10 I had to get off the brakes to keep the majority of the weight off the front so the seam wouldn’t disrupt the tire.  For me personally, I felt that braking after the seam was a little late if I kept it pinned until after so I would brake enough before it and then speed up through it, as long as the compression was nominal on the forks, it was smooth.  I was suffering on what is normally T8-9 (STILL!), but more so because with the infield configuration this section is now longer before you turn in.  It threw off what my mind and body remembered as how long I should be in that section before turning in.  I kept slowing down far too early and then realized I was practically parked by the time I had to turn in.  Most of the track seemed to be more about flicks than true knee dragging (that I can’t seem to do since my rearsets anyway) but there were definitely areas that it could have occurred in.  I used to drag a knee in T13 on the AMA course all the time, and since getting the rearsets I have been unable to do it even once.  I am too afraid to lower them again since the peg grinds and I don’t want to risk an upset.  I still don’t want to cut the end off either as I like having that amount of peg.  I really need to figure it out.

The weather report said it was going to be 81F and mostly sunny but the marine layer was relentless until noon where it turned into mostly cloudy.  My smoke shield did not afford proper vision so I put on my ugly orange one.  Perfect. Kinda clashes with pink though, but whatever it helped with visibility. I also have to say it was very difficult pitting for myself after being so spoiled.  Shawn had to work and couldn’t make it so I definitely had some challenges.  Thank God for the help of my corworkers and others or unloading would have been a nightmare, and I had help with the rear stand a few times.  Very thankful because my bike’s balance seems weird compared to other bikes, I’ll admit it’s not that great.  Shawn suggested I bring one of my jacks next time for a peg so I can have stability while putting my bike on the rear stand. 

Side note on tire pressures: I had forgotten my notes which were sitting on my desk, a lot of help they were there when I was trying to determine tire pressures as I recently switched Pirelli Superbike Slicks after riding on Dunlops for a year and a half.  Due to some incorrect advice I got at the track, (could not find anything online while at the track for NON-Pro slicks myself either), I ran with 31/26.  I noticed a little rear flattening in the pics after I got home but honestly it ran fine at those speeds.  Also when I got home I looked at my notes from 5/21 and Shawn had me running 32/30 Hot/Out in the morning because I wasn’t keeping enough temp on the track.  Then we adjusted to 31/28 at end of the day which I either sustained or increased temp by about 1 psi.  I have to say I much prefer 31F/26R at least for this config. because the drives aren’t as considerable onto the back straight due to the cone chicane where I usually power wheelie and get carcass flex and also the lack of the drive off the last turn onto the front straight.  I was hitting the rev limiter in third on the back straight with no flex on acceleration (I eventually moved up to 4th) which I find odd considering there was less pressure.   I cannot say that I noticed a true difference in grip, only because I probably wasn’t running as fast as I usually do because of lack of familiarity and the fact that this course is obviously slower due to its layout.  I will have to wait until July (if I ride) to determine the difference on the same AMA course at these different pressures. Although  I called Pirelli to confirm recommended pressures once I got home and a very unenthused, very unfriendly male called me back and advised 32/28 Hot.  Thank you, grouchy, I’ll figure it out myself.  It actually was almost a big enough turn off to go back to Dunlops regardless of the difference in cost.  If you don’t appreciate your customers, well you shouldn’t be working there.  I’d be happy to take your job.   However, everyone can have a bad day and I am sure this one person isn’t a reflection upon Pirelli’s level of customer service. Besides, the cost is a considerable difference, lol.

One of my favorite little quick flicks on this layout

The day just got progressively better as the layout became more and more familiar to me.  Although I decided to stay in Level 1 (slow group) because A. I didn’t feel like taking a break to go get my Level 2 sticker, B. They were pretty much maxed out in Level 2, hence, C. it was practically empty with the occasional wait and shoot past a slower rider.   I’d lap them again and again (little bit of bragging but not really deserved since I am a full level above them).  When I passed them the speed difference was like when I am passed by someone in level 3, but I passed safely and gave them wide berth. Okay, okay so I was sandbagging a bit, but being on a near empty track toward the end of the day (people had to leave early due to it being midweek or moved up to Level 2) was fun and allowed me to work on my entries.  It was safe for me as well because the track is so open and there were no guys getting upset for riding next to pink   This track in general is great because there is nothing to block your view like at Big Willow up by the clubhouse where I have almost rearended a slower rider before.  At either config at ACS, you can see well in advance before coming up on someone.  Anyway, I just respected their space and wanted them to have fun and not ever be spooked so I just kept to myself.   Granted there are a few corners I got caught behind some slower riders and was one handing it to take a break but hey, this isn’t a race and there was no pressure from the peanut galley to ride ovaries to the wall. 

There were two other guys were were waaaay faster than I was and my times are right at the threshold of level 3, so they were definitely sandbagging.  But they were safe, passed cleanly and respected slower riders.  And they made me work for it.  They would zoom past, always dicing with one another and then it would cause me to go faster.  Once I stepped it up they only very slightly would start to pull away after a while. But then they got me in two of the corners and I had no way of catching up.  That definitely made me realize I was NOT riding as fast as I could have so it reminded me that although an open track is fun, having someone to challenge you improves your skills.  In hindsight I am conflicted as I should have moved up, but I really did have a good time.  No performance pressure allowed me to have that “Trackday Face” again! (permagrin)

Funny story.  So I had this guy come over to me in the garage who was apparently sent by his friends to ask why I had tire warmers, slicks and WERA stickers if I just had a Level 1 sticker.  Okay, other than saving my tires from heat cycles, I had to explain why I was in Level 1.  I suppose they thought it was ridiculous that I was measuring fuel (for ACS I like to add 3 L of fuel before each session) and was all racebiked out (granted, as much as an ’06 practlcally bone-stock CBR can be raced out, haha!) with my Level 1 sticker claiming my slowness.  He asked what my times were and I said I didn’t know as I declined a transponder that day–a couple of us FTR people weren’t using the FTR transponders.  I regretted not having times to boast about at the time.  However I need to remember that I have nothing to prove.  It doesn’t matter, I was there to have fun and fun I had.

I did have a couple issues.  The rear stepped out once early on and I had another throttle stick issue again.  It turned out my bar end was mashed into the grip again.  It must have happened during loading or unloading. Before the turn I simply pulled it out some, backed off the throttle and then threw it in.  I didn’t have a problem all day after that.    I need to somehow fix it but it won’t unscrew, I may have to replace my actual handlebar instead. Oh and I hit the brakes so hard before the usual T12 that my rear was floating and wagging all over the place. I don’t consider it a problem I guess, more just like something I don’t normally experience.  The front was a little bumpy until the suspension warmed up but no real carcass flexing this time.

All in all I had 5 sessions with numerous laps due to the length of the track. 

I am happy to say that all of the mountainbiking I have been doing lately has really paid off. I never got tired once.  My legs never got fatigued either.  I hated biking at first but lately I have been really enjoying it.  I just throw on my iPod, listen to some Combichrist and take off.  The benefit I now notice on the track is more than enough incentive to hit the trails even when I don’t really want to.