Just booked this having checked the weather looks ok/time off with the boss/work. Anyone else off here going along? Yes I know it's FE, but I've never been to Donington and my mates couldn't make Anglesey this weekend so that plan got shelved. Any tips/pointers would be appreciated beyond the usual YouTube vids.
Umm, apart from try not to kill that toss that runs FE! Anyway, regards Donnington, there are lots tbh but one of the most obvious for me was that if u turn in too early on scwantz curve, u end up in the middle/right of the track at McLeans, which is a corner that's bloody difficult to get right! The apex is super late
Ta Phil, heard he can be a bit of a front , but the date fits the shrinking summer schedule and don't want to go a summer without - I shall see if I can catch him having a tantrum on the gopro! Shall have a look at the circuit maps and vids re Schwatz & McLeans - ta for the heads up.
The whole circuit (apart from the Melbourne loop and Goddard) flows like you wouldn't believe! You will love it, just be careful not to get greedy into the old hairpin as it's off camber, I found it demands a little respect
It's a cracking track and the Tona loves it! I'll see if I can dig up the thread I had on this very subject not too long ago, there was some spot on advice! First time I went round I was rarely ever higher than 3rd but following the advice I was in higher gears last time out and it was much better, bike felt more stable and I carried more speed
Thanks @PyroUK had a few goes on "WSBK legends" (ta @Phil748) and looked at a few YouTube videos. Always think the videos of Cadwell/Anglesey/Oulton don't do the undulations of the track justice, so looking forward to heading down Craner Curves in a few weeks time. Think FE have these as transponder days, so will be interesting to see how my times improve/fluctuate! and it's a 98db drive by day, so shall be putting the removable baffle in the Jardine and rolling off close to the meter (start/finish straight?)
I think problems with FE are overstated. But don't count on receiving those transponder times. Enjoy!
Week today I'll be putting my kit on ready to ride up to my grans house (combing a visit as she lives halfway) - and getting excited now, even if it's a "dreaded FE" day (still showing places left/£129 for a Friday) and it's a 98db drive by (baffles going in tonight and fingers crosse the winds blowing the "right" way!). Looks like the weather is going to play ball too! Found this video on YouTube which gives a few pointers and whets the appetite somewhat for the track! Can't wait now!
Arrived and it's not raining! Went in the 1st entrance and the helpful guard sent me down the gravel road Parked up in garage 18 next to a nice little Honda @0S2 And I think I'll be sharing a bit of Tarmac with @Trouble and Hollywood. for about one corner at least that is!
Have a great time FF (& Trouble & Hollywood). Weather still looks ok, so long as your tyres can get warm enough.
Wow, what a track - 1 session in and knee down already (for a timid rider like myself) at redgate, old hairpin, coppice and Melbourne Hairpin - this place just flows!! Good "battle" with a Suzuki and an R1 too - did I say this is a great track?
Awesome - thanks @Gsxr-sniper87 Might have to buy the photos today to annoy the wife with! In group 2 with Trouble on the orange packman bike - come say hi if your still here
What a fun day! Donington is worth Rossi's praise - a bikers playground of fast undulating corners, the only downside really being the amount of aviation fuel I got on my visor... We were very lucky today and had 6 dry sessions, only the last one getting rain and things got very squirrly quickly, so called it a day while I was ahead. Feel for those who were there yesterday... I hope you had a cracking day at mallory The day itself was brilliant, hardly any yellows (I added one with my display of gravel addiction/trap ballet - but kept it up!) and the guys in my garage were great sharing tips/tools/craic. The FE guys were chilled and no problem whatsoever, I didn't trip the noise meter with Jardine (lucky did, but some wadding fixed that quicky) I think I'll do another FE day if the venue/time suits, the chrono event kept the group (inters) well balanced and feel I ran mid pack (although after she got her confidence up through Craners I was struggling to catch Trouble - great riding btw!) Was really great to see @Trouble and @Hollywood there too - Paul very kindly gave me some handy pointers before we started and that have me the confidence to get some of these (including "camera down")- thanks Paul! Yes - I need new tyres after today!
Looking really good mate, nice neutral style and look relaxed! God u enjoyed the circuit, been a long time now since I rode the place but the whole section from start to the Melbourne loop just flows so beautifully
Thanks Phil! Felt natural and controlled - I'm putting that down to the new shock, @0S2 k-tech springs and @Hollywood giving me some great tips on where the bumps where/some of the lines.