Spring is right around the corner and I managed to pick up a supermoto over the winter... Grattan seems like a fine place to play with it, but I was wondering if the experts have any tips on where/how to make passes now that I'll be down on power from most everybody else? My main go-to's for making passes have always been the main straight, around the outside through 9, or up the inside going into 10... On a 450 the main straight is out, and any pass I make after 8 might not hold if I can't make enough of a gap by 12. So, Grattan pros, how/where are the best ways to set up and make passes between 1 and 8?
Don’t follow, and you can pass anywhere you are faster. Places I like to pass between 1 and 8: -into 2 (inside) -into 3 (inside, most riders are slow due to blind entry. Setup around outside of 2) -into 4 (and exit of 4) -into 5 (inside over the hump) -outside of 5 (more grip and faster than people think) 6 and 7 are harder to pass in, and not always track day friendly to do so. But I’ve done it when racing. I’m also in Advanced and not restricted to how close I can pass, but I always try to be clean and not startle anyone with a late pass. Good luck! Matt
Any tips on setting them up? I'll be running it in I, so 6 ft rule applies. I spent last season on a liter bike and I think it made me really lazy on the brakes... I'm worried if I go up there without a solid game plan, I'll be stuck in traffic all day on a small bike. -into 2 (inside)... I'm assuming try a later apex then the guy in front of you out of 1 while still hoping to have enough corner speed to get a run on them? -into 3 (inside)... I'm assuming fall back a little and then try get a run on them out of 2, and try to time it so you freight train past them just as they start moving back to the middle of the track for 3? -into 4 ... Woof! I've never even attempted a pass there... Is it possible to pull off with the 6 ft rule? -into 5 (inside)... Classic dive bomb and try keep the back tire on the ground? -into 5 (outside)... That one has never even crossed my mind! I'm guessing stay on their back tire and make your move as soon as a gap opens up on their left?
Well, you are in intermediate, so chances are you can carry more corner speed no matter what line / apex you are choosing. I consistently ride different lines every lap when in traffic. I ride where the traffic isn't and optimize my line based on where I want to be in a corner or two. While your liter bike had lots of power, your supermoto should have better transitional capability. Use the advantages you have. A lot of riders run wide out of 4 using the track when they don't need to. If you carry more speed through 4 and don't use all of the track, you can pass them in the middle of the track going down the hill. If you carry a lot of speed around 3 you can pull up on the inside of 4, but you need a bigger speed differential. Into 5, I always brake on the face of the hill, release, and re-brake after the bike settles. Many riders are slow into 5 and cheat toward the apex early. I just ride in deeper and carry a wider line if I'm faster, but too late to pass on entry. If I were in your position, my plan and focus would be to improve my corner entry speed, and carry it through the corner. This does not involve late braking. In fact I recommend using your normal braking points and just trailing off earlier to increase your entry speed. It's more controlled and less risky / panic inducing. Once you get used to this, you will naturally begin to brake later as you don't need to slow as much. Passing becomes easy when you have more speed and you don't follow.
Watch this video. This is from a super stock SV 650. The first lap there are 4 passes before turn 6 and should give you a pretty good idea of where you can pass and how to set those passes up.
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