What is the best camping spot at Grattan and who holds the current track record riding what bike? If you have a "worst corner" what turn would it be?
Not sure if it still stands but 1:17.84 by Robert Jensen on a 1000 (a GSXR I think) was the lap record a while ago. Best camping spot is a relative term. Some spots are noisier with people staying up late having beers, while others are quieter. I prefer the upper paddock personally. The popular corners to dislike are turn 3 and turn 9 (the bus stop). I find 10a and 10b (the right-left onto the straight) as well as turn 1 the most challenging sections. Done properly, 10a is quite quick which makes 10b trickier - at least on a big bike. Turn 1 seems straight forward, but it takes precision and confidence to hit your braking point correctly at those speeds. I also think turn one is faster than it looks. Anyway, my $0.02. Matt
Not sure what the best camping spot is as everyone likes different areas. I usually camp in upper paddock because thats justi where I first started camping my first track day. I love all the turns at Grattan!! My least favorite is probably turn 2 cause it's a little bumpy in the late brake and apex section and turn 3 is always a tight and fixed line for me cause I don't want to lose the front. The rest of the track flows so well I love it!
Taylor Knapp and Jason Farrell both ran into the 1:17's in Aug of 2016. Knapp 1:17.803 Farrell 1:17.847 "Worst corner" as determined by what? Crashes: I've got 4 crashes between corner #2,3 and #4. Slowest corners: #6/7 the side to side transitions are hard on a giant monkey like me. Not a corner but I've been out in the weeds several times after the "Jump" Grattan is very challenging but IMO if you want to be fast there you need to 1) get 10a and 10b right or you screw up your drive onto the straight 2) late brake corner #1, its slightly up hill letting you brake later 3) get corners #3,4 right for the drive to the jump 4) get the sweeper right These are also the main passing spots. Camping: In a Van down by the river
I wonder if that is still achievable. I know the track has been repaved at least once since then, not to mention the sealer. Did it get faster or slower? I know PIRC was significantly faster for me last year after the repave, and the layout didn't change. Not that it really matters, though. Those times are crazy fast regardless, and I'm pretty sure those guys aren't human.
I first rode at Grattan in 1997 and I don't think the surface has changed significantly, even with the repaves. Larry Denning went 1:19.xx in 2002 on a supersport R1 which isn't a rocket ship by today's standards and today's tires are way better too. So I'm of the opinion that 1:17's are achievable and beatable. Like Steve802cc posted, Knapp and Farrell were running those times in 2016, close to record pace. Seems to me it's about the rider.
there are a few riders currently attending STT days there that have cracked low 19's and a few high 18s
Jeremy K has cracked a few 19's and rumor has it the bossman has seen 18s.. i know during races that Farrell , and Knapp where in the mid 17s... i have no room to talk as I'm a 23-24 guy lol
I am sure you can add Grey to that list..... not sure what Aaron H runs but he can wick it up for sure