As a veteran of several STT events I am still putting myself in the novice classes, albeit the fastest group in the novice class. When the unrestricted afternoon sessions come about I find myself passing many more folks than pass me (nobody passed me at Road Atlanta last Saturday). I'm a regular knee dragger (thanks STT coaches and KSSS) and keep pretty decent race lines if watching the inters at turn 12 and 1 is anything to go by!! My question is, when should I start booking myself into the intermediate group? The faster guys don't worry me, if I could follow one and learn something that would be great, but I am concerned about the slower guys who think they know how to ride types (I saw several at RA last weekend). Is it a lap time thing or a confidence thing? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the classroom time and I'm a firm believer that practice makes permanent, but when should I step up? Any suggestion/pointers would be a great help.
There is something to be learned from the more erratic riders also. I think I am mid pack with moderate consistancy. I pass about as much as being passed. There is some that make me nervous but getting by them clean and fast has improved my passing (I think) I worry a bit more when a real fast "I" goes by them very aggressively as I would rather not collect both of them. However even then you learn to pick your spot. There has been times that I have been sizing an erratic rider up when someone zooms us both In some cases after I pass I even catch up to the zoomer. But in that case I see a new passing line sometimes and can get a bit of a tow from a more aggresive rider (unlike me). If you are smoking everyone you are probably learning less. As far as knee dragging it is over rated and the chrome of the sports rider. When out of clearance it is a fine and useful tool. I frequently pass people leaned over farther dragging a knee by using a better line, better corner speed and better drive. Yes people faster than me sometimes are dragging a knee but that is not always the case either :wink:
What have your coaches said? They will usually let someone know if they should move up. If they haven't told you to move up, there may be a reason (something they have observed) that someone reading your post would never know about (or they just assumed you prefer Novice to Intermediate). Anyway, the coaches riding with you and observing you on the track are the best people to ask whether you should move up or not.
Hey Sheepofblue, I was in your group at KSSS this May remember? It was good to see you at RA on the 4th, sorry I couldn't stay longer and shoot the breeze, I'll be at Barber in October though so I'll see you there. As far as being told by an instructor to move up, at the risk of being cavalier, I've never seen it happen nor heard of it happening and as I said I've been riding in the fast novice groups for the past year and see a lot of the same faces. Most of us are reticent to ask because we've all heard the old adage "If you have to ask, you're not ready." It seems to me that in the second session after lunch that the instructor could offer to take the fast group out at an increased pace (intermediate pace), if students feel comfortable running at that pace then they'd have a yardstick to measure their abilities by. Or publish lap times that the STT organisers feel each group should be able to run in, again so that folks have an idea where they stand.
In my opinion, publishing lap times is just a way to push someone to crash faster. People can be fast and have bad form. Adding a lap time to pass will only make others try to hard and get hurt. We are not trying to push you to hurt yourselves. To be honest, I would just talk to the head instructor in your group. Tell him or her that you have been in the beginner class for a while now and you would like some feedback to see if you are ready for the intermediate group. Usually, theres enough instructors to where we can grab somebody to take you around to see exactly what you are doing. If you dont ask an instructor, most of us dont know how long you have been in a certain group. Its always better to ask questions than to get frustrated.
Hey! sorry no October as I drug in to late and things are filled. I never saw it either but then as pointed out I did not ask. From my personal experience, also consider jumping up at a track you know for 2-3 times before riding "I" on a strange track. I jumped at Barber (home for me) and was fine. The next time out I did Putnam for the first time and in "I". I was OK but ran the inside of the front straight so I did not do the literbike dance on the 600's and block everyone up (though talking to people I was pretty close to pace).
I have a similar question about I to A group. I signed up for the A group this weekend at Gingerman because the FAQ says that all licensed racers should run A. I started this year as N for one weekend and have done 2 weekends as I. Outside of trackdays I have done 10 races this year and a couple racers practices where I feel comfortable Mid/back of the pack in MW. I run 22s at BHF (yeah I know thats slow, but I'm still learning) which according to there sight puts me in A. I guess the most important thing is that I feel comfortable with close passes. What are the expectations for A group? I'm worried that I will be a rolling chicane for the A group but frustrated in I.
Thanks for the reply! The butterflies situation was cleared up in my first race when I got lapped in a GTU race and the leader ran into my leg on the outside going into T3 at BFR and the second guy was about a foot to the inside. Freaked me out for a second and then tipped it in and kept racing. I have never been to Gingerman before so it would be great to have a staff member tow me around for a few laps to get up to speed.
When you get there look for me and I'll hook you up with some coach time...Monte or Bonnie can usually track me down