Hey guys, I ride an R3 and last year I asked a coach to see if I could bump from Int to Adv so he followed me out for a few laps. The coach on his SV650 could barely keep up with me and said I have the experience to bump but they wont let small bikes in advanced. Intermediate does not give me the ability to ever have a chance at a clean lap and I struggle massively with the same lap traffic after every straight. This was last year and I've improved quite a bit since then. I understand the main argument is the closing speeds going down the back straight that can be quite different between a liter bike and my R3 but I run advanced at Putnam/Gateway with MCRA with no issues and I believe Putnam has a longer straight than ACC South. What are your thoughts on this, is this even a rule you guys have? It is a case by case basis? I'm even willing to wear a bright colored shirt (different from coaches obviously) to help the faster bikes identify me as a slower bike from far away.
Sounds like a good reason to stay in intermediate. Speaking from experience...riding a slow bike quickly is a lot more fun in intermediate. It gives you A TON of opportunity to work on passing, which you won't get much of in advanced. I didn't bother to even pursue a bump to advanced until I bought an R6. Then I got bumped the next time out. Just my 2 cents.
What I'm talking about here is I'll pass 4-5 bikes in 1-2 on ACC south and they will have passed me back before 4 and then I repass them in 5-6 and then they are in front of me by 7-8 and I repass by 8-9... you get the idea. It's all fine and dandy but you'll have the guy that passes me going into 8, slammed on the brake and I'm so far up his ass before the apex I have to stand the bike up to avoid him and lose ALL exit speed and there goes any chance at a clean lap. I have my race license and race in the Ultra Lightweight class so that's why I haven't gone to a bigger bike.
Oh, then maybe you should be in advanced. Disregard everything I said. I sent N2 my race license and they automatically bumped me to A. I can't remember STT's policy.
I think you email crystal your race license and you are good to go. But what do I know... Best call or email her to see if this is an option. There's a really nice guy riding an rc390 in advanced I see all the time at autobahn. He races in CCS. Leave intermediate to slow f's like me . Lol.
There is no STT policy that prohibits R3s in our Advanced group (on the basis of the bike alone). If an instructor has evaluated you (per our internal guidelines) and deemed you ready to bump, you would not be held back by your bike.
I emailed your question to Gunshow nick (director of ACC) just to be sure and here is his response. sorry for the confusion and I'm not certain where or how this came about; however, the size of the bike is irrelevant. If you can maintain a proper line, are consistent, and have the proper corner as well as entry speed on a small bike then you are permitted to be in advance group. Now there are some limitations to this and it is handled on a case-by-case per day basis. For example if you're on a 250cc at Road America you may struggle due to the significant length of the straight-aways. We do need to be cognizant of all riders and the situations that can arise from significantly different speeds created by different size CC engines. Nicholas R. Amelio Northern Region Director Sportbike Track Time
Thank you for the clarity, that's what I expected. The Coach that told me this was an older gentleman running an endurance SV650 parked next to put in/out at ACC South, if anyone is interested.
I know this was directed to Julie. But we deal with this alot in Intermediate .If Advanced is sold out they won't let you ride in that group that day. but they should put you in the system as approved for Advanced so any future dates you can purchase that group.