Rider Skills Day (Track Day) at Benson 2nd July

[Dementor]

Dick from Popham has given me details of a "Rider Skills Day" (Track Day) at RAF Benson Oxford. If you are interested contact the organiser Fl/Lt Lawrie Hayes Office 01491.827038 or home 01491.826755.

His e mail address is sagarlout@btopenworld.com
Cost £60
Every participant has to be pre-registered in order for the staff to produce the passes.

[Godders]

Did 2 of these last year, exceptional value and very well run - even have a food tent with home made pies etc. There were a number of very knowledgable instructors who gave advice on suspension set up and there is usualy a trackside photographer to catch those glory moments. :burn:

[AK]

Roy are you doing this?

sounds interesting:)

C

[Harv748]

I would like to do this as its 5 minutes up the road...but I do have concerns over the state of the 'track'.

My understanding is its a coned track around the runway etc...so the course may be a little simple and rough?

Can anyone who's done one verify or deny this?

[skidlids]

I have been meaning to do this for the last 2 years maybe I will get around to it this year especially as it is just up the road.

Harv as Godders went back after the first time its probably not that bad, just turn your DR into a Supermoto

[Brent]

Looks interesting to me too. I could be up for that.

[timetrial]

Very close to me and very interesting - would be up for this!

[desmojen]

Originally posted by Harv748
I would like to do this as its 5 minutes up the road...but I do have concerns over the state of the 'track'.

My understanding is its a coned track around the runway etc...so the course may be a little simple and rough?

Can anyone who's done one verify or deny this?

I've done two of these days at Wittering, and whilst they do use part of the runway they also use peri tracks and hardstanding to create a track. They use tyres not cones and I have to say, the Wittering course was anything but easy!

Don't knock it till you've tried it i say, and at sixty quid it's worth a try! :D

[Dementor]

Originally posted by CK and AK
Roy are you doing this?

sounds interesting:)

C

Hope to be Charlotte, if enough enter it could turn into a cheap DSC track day:D

[AK]

Great m8!

so that looks like:
Dementor
CK
Brent
?Timetrial
?Skidlids
for starters:)

[skidlids]

Certainly hope to be there, Not sure what bike I will be on.
Whele did one a while back at Benson and suffered a fair bit of stone chipping to his paint work so I will leave the 998 at home
Most of my early racing was done on airfield circuits anyway so I'm use to it, Senna3's first trackday was also on a airfield circuit, they can be fun unless your name is Weeksy

[Godders]

Skidlids is correct about being peppered with stone chips, take plenty of low tack tape to protect all your leading edges. Track is cetainly not simple and is knee down and top end friendly, as it's an airfield there's also miles of run off.

[bradders]

might be worth doing this on the monnie...sounds like fun

[Brent]

Feedback seems to be positive, so I've got a form and am going to give it a go.

[TopiToo]

Hello

Sent email to Fl/Lt Lawrie Hayes so all being well count me in.


regards

TopiToo

[Brent]

Lawrie sent a map of the "track" as well. 12 bends, 1km straight (half the runway...), no hills. :):)

[Harv748]

Any chance you could put a link up here for it?

[Brent]

Harv - Here's a scan of the sheet showing the track.

[Dementor]

OK so who's doing this one then, copy and paste to get a list going?

Dementor
Peteb

[bradders]

Dementor
Peteb
Bradders (form sent today!)

[Brent]

Dementor
Peteb
Bradders (form sent today!)
Brent

[Gbyte666]

Dementor
Peteb
Bradders (form sent today!)
Brent
Craig ( Gbyte666 )

[TopiToo]

Dementor
Peteb
Bradders (form sent today!)
Brent
Craig ( Gbyte666 )
TopiToo

[Harv748]

I'm going to drop the guy an email today...so if they have any spaces I'll hopefully be in...

[everton]

I'm coming to watch, with Brands on the following Monday I don't want any accidents, until the Monday anyway :lol:

[Harv748]

Originally posted by everton
I'm coming to watch, with Brands on the following Monday I don't want any accidents, until the Monday anyway :lol:

ahhh...poor excuse...do both ya poooof:frog:

[everton]

Originally posted by Harv748
Originally posted by everton
I'm coming to watch, with Brands on the following Monday I don't want any accidents, until the Monday anyway :lol:

ahhh...poor excuse...do both ya poooof:frog:

Might .. if you ask me nicely :D

[Whele]

Originally posted by everton
I'm coming to watch, with Brands on the following Monday I don't want any accidents, until the Monday anyway :lol:

If you have any thoughts about having an accident on Moday 4th, I would ask you to re-consider. You will be made to stand in the corner of the pit lane for the remainder of the day- with our special pointy hat on with a large D motif!

I rode the Benson day a couple of years back, its a good fast circuit but because the airfield is used by helicopters and not planes, there is an awfull lot of debris on the runway. I ruined a new iridium visor within two sessions, so it would be worth putting some clear plastic film over the front of the bike and the fairing 'V' section.

Gary

[everton]

Originally posted by Whele
Originally posted by everton
I'm coming to watch, with Brands on the following Monday I don't want any accidents, until the Monday anyway :lol:

If you have any thoughts about having an accident on Moday 4th, I would ask you to re-consider. You will be made to stand in the corner of the pit lane for the remainder of the day- with our special pointy hat on with a large D motif!

I rode the Benson day a couple of years back, its a good fast circuit but because the airfield is used by helicopters and not planes, there is an awfull lot of debris on the runway. I ruined a new iridium visor within two sessions, so it would be worth putting some clear plastic film over the front of the bike and the fairing 'V' section.

Gary

Oh hello Gary.......... looking forward to the 4th.

As you know I only like crashing on fast tightening bends :lol:

Will you show me one or two :P

[bradders]

chq returned this moring - too late!! Might come along for the ride/spectate, but will need to check entry etc as its an operating base.

[Karl]

Roy, I`m coming to watch as it only down the road from Oxford. What time does the first group go out?
Karl

[Brent]

First group goes out at 10:00.

Check that security will let in spectators if you're not known to them first Karl.

Hope to see you!

[Karl]

Thanks Brent, Fl/Lt Lawrie Hayes is doing a securty check on me as we speak :D might see you there.....

[Harv748]

Karl...can we go and watch ...I want to and did email the guy in charge but haven't heard back from him...am I a threat to national security?

[everton]

I spoke with Lawrie earlier this week to see if I could get Brenda on the day. I e-mailed him yesterday about coming to watch and this was his reply:

Dear David,
I have to inform the station staff of any details in order for them to complete security passes/checks for vehicles prior to them coming onto the base. OF COURSE there are security implications re:Harv748! However, you should be able to come to watch but avoid the early morning rush and ENSURE you bring some irrefutable evidence of identity with you.
Hope to see you Sat.
Cheers,
Lawrie

I guess photo driving licence + passport should do.

I'll be e-mailing him back today.

[Karl]

Here`s are some of the Duc riders from the RAF Benson trackday

http://i.pbase.com/v3/73/571973/2/45611172.DSC_0325.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/73/571973/2/45611173.DSC_0338.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/73/571973/2/45610884.DSC_0111.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/73/571973/2/45610897.DSC_0200.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/73/571973/2/45610893.DSC_0177.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/73/571973/2/45610882.DSC_0088.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/73/571973/2/45610891.DSC_0171.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/73/571973/2/45611167.DSC_0297.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/v3/73/571973/1/45635035.DSC_0374.jpg

All other pics from day can be found in the below gallery:
http://www.pbase.com/desmoboy/rafbensontrackday&page=all


[Edited on 3-7-2005 by Karl]

[skidlids]

Nice pics Karl, I see some of the usual suspects turned out for it.

[NBs996]

Blimey, is that Pete's 748 seeing the light of day!

[Dementor]

Originally posted by NBs996
Blimey, is that Pete's 748 seeing the light of day!

Sure was Nick, that's why it p*****d with rain on the way there:lol:

Nice pics Karl, good to see you again. If you've got any pics of me can you email them? I did go slow so you could get some shots:lol:

Great day sorry if I didn't meet up with everyone, just hope you enjoyed it.

Cheers, Roy

[Karl]

Roy
There is quite a few so I`ll burn uncompressed yours and Petes onto a CD for Bands on Mon. If anyone else wants theirs let me know.

[Brent]

After the wet start and a slightly worrying track briefing warning us to:

- be careful of the grass/bumps/breaking up surface on the old runway
- watch out for the new runway - it's slippery
- avoid the "lake" at the hairpin
- stay upright in the turn onto the runway - it's painted and breaking up

the track dried out quickly, and we had a great time. It was good to see all the other DSC guys (about 10 of us) and well worth the 60 quid.

[Gbyte666]

Nice Pics Karl. Great day SO much more confidence in left handers now, I think I scared my left knee slider at one time.

Craig