That is a good point. So to be fair I'll ride all 6 his year then come back and re-vote. I know it's a sacrifice but you guys are worth it!
I've been to all 6, and there isn't a stinker in the bunch! Grattan stands alone, however, just because it is one of those truly unique tracks with a little of everything and tons of character. It's not the fastest (Road America), or the one with the most flow (Putnam), or even with the most turns (Autobahn), but it does have something for everyone. There is a lot of value in trying to hit a Friday Gingerman day in front of a Grattan weekend, or even trying to do Grattan and Gingerman on successive weekends (I haven't checked the calendar to see if this is possible this year). -Tom
I've never ridden it but I've heard that the walls are awfully close at Blackhawk. Motorcycle Rider + 60mph + wall = emergency room + eclipsing health care deductible. I know it may be a bit of a drive for some of you but when I lived in the Midwest I really really like Mid America Motorplex. It was flat as a pancake but it had a nice mix of long 6th gear straights, high speed 4th gear turns and tight 2nd gear switchbacks. Eventst were also pretty cheap if I remember. Like $140. This one would be a very very long drive for many of you but my favorite track of all time has to be High Plains Raceway located about 1 hour east of Denver. High speed straights, steep corkscrews, high speed turns, low speed turns, it really had it all. The surface was practically brand new back in 2010 so there was tons of grip. It's also safe with plenty of runoff. When I lived in the area they had not yet put in showers but I think they've upgraded the accommodations recently. Check out the MRA racing on youtube to get a feel for the track.
From what other riders are telling me, Putnam is starting to get rough, and needs repaving in the corners. Putnam is the only one Ive been to, but that was 4 years ago.
Blackhawk is not that bad with the walls. There's really only one spot where it's dangerous, if you crash on the brakes going into T4 after the bus stop. They put an air fence there though for protection, which was a great benefit when I was there for my first race weekend and in one of the races a guy spilled oil all over that turn and 9 guys ended up crashing there in a matter of a couple of minutes. Lots of bikes piled up in that air fence that day. Aside from that it's fine...sure it doesn't have the runoffs of a GP track, but it's pretty decent, and speeds are relatively low there. Must've been a long time since you've been to MAM (now Raceway Park of the Midlands). The track deteriorated a lot after it was flooded about 4-5 years ago. Thankfully now it has a new owner and they've started to invest money in it and fix it up gradually, so the future looks good for now, but even though it's the closest track to me, out of all the tracks I've been to so far (all in the midwest) that one is my least favorite, mostly because of the track condition and because it's flat. Speeds are also not as high as you make them sound. No way you hit 6th gear anywhere on that track unless you're on a sub 500cc bike, or on a 600 that's geared like a stunt bike. I've ran a CBR600 and an 1198 out there and never needed 6th gear, with having 1-T down on the front sprocket even. But the main straight is decently fast (140-155 depending on what bike and skill level). Prices have gone up too unless you're a regular and you buy a Trackaddix pack, then they become cheaper the more you buy. Now while on this area, if you want a really fun track, Motorsports Park Hastings is the one to go to! Bike track days also ran by Trackaddix as well. It's also flat, but has a really fun layout. I'd say it's similar to Blackhawk, in that it's very technical, but it's a more reasonable width, not 20-25'! lol High Plains looks really fun. That's on my go-to list. I tried to make it last year but couldn't make it work.
this is 1000% true... turn 1 and 2... and 9 are getting extremely choppy. the faster ya go the worse it gets... the cars are really tearing it up.. I still wonder if they will do a repave seeing as "the club" membership that they have now is pouring a metric ton of money into the garages and clubhouse.. we'll see
By the looks of the voting and the replies it seems that the place to live is in the South ya Hoser! Barber FTMFW!
Yep. Grattan is on the target list, Putnam and Road America is off. Autobahn and Blackhawk were already on. Only indecision is with Gingerman.
Road America should definitely be ahead of Blackhawk and Autobahn on anyone's list. Best track I've been to so far (granted I've only been to about 6 around the midwest). Believe me, just because it's 4 miles with only 12 real turns does NOT make it boring and not challenging. Also, BIR should be considered as well. Everyone that does bike track days should experience the Donnybrooke course (the long course) at BIR at least once in their lifetime! T1 and T2 are insane! From what I've heard T1 is the fastest turn on any race track in the country. It's what separates the men from the boys!
Good to know, thanks! However, I wasn't removing it because it is a poor track or because it was boring. I am simply removing it from my *2016* target list because I am a noob and I don't believe it is the most ideal track for me, because it is only held during weekdays, not weekends, and because I believe it is a track more about speed than (not really sure what word to use here) technical. I'm not really a high speed kind of guy, I much prefer a track of lower speeds and many turns. What does BIR stand for? I don't believe I've seen that track reference before. Thanks for your insights (and everyone who has commented) it has been very helpful.
Brainered if I am not mistaken... I have Gatttan, Backhawk, as well as Autobahn on my list... I have done Road America, Putnam, Mid Ohio up North... VIR I consider South as well as NCM.... and those 2 areawesome as well.... We need to plan a STT Trip out West.... Hey Maybe for my 50th next year at Miller.....
I like that idea, I'll get in on a westward journey.. I would love to do COTA but I don't think they are doing track days anymore. It was pretty pricey when the org that handles it was doing them.(I cant think of the name)
COTA still does track days. The org is RideSmart.info and it's $485 per day. I want to do it but because the cost is so high and it's a long drive for me, I'd rather do it with a group as a bucket list type of adventure.
Yeah that's what I recall. I thought I read somewhere that they weren't doing COTA anymore... Must have been something else I was reading and just mixed the 2 up. $485/day is crazy!
Fair enough. Indeed RA is more about speed, but IMO it's the combination of high speed and its elevation change that make it really fun. It's true that it's not as technical and as such it is an easy track to learn...which in my opinion is good for a beginner, as long as you stay in the novice group. If you want technical and low speed, Blackhawk is probably about the best bet...and it's cheaper. BIR is Brainerd International Raceway, in Brainerd, MN.
COTA actually has added more track days this last year and I believe they're doing the same for 2016. I know for sure RideSmart has a weekend there in March. I have the opportunity to go because there is a fairly large group of guys from my area that are going then, but the problem for me is the high cost/day plus I don't have a bike at the moment ...still in the process of parting out and selling my 1198. If I buy another bike by then, I surely won't have enough money for COTA :/
Yes, it sucks that it's soooo expensive! As much as I want to ride that track, I just can't justify the cost unless I lived closer to it. I will say again though that if a decent size group were to do it as an adventure and we could work out ride/room sharing to make it less expensive I'd be interested!