Track Day :: Gateway Raceway (St. Louis, MO)

[ragedigital]

What: MCRA (Midwest Cafe Racing Association) Sponsored Track Day
Where: Gateway International Raceway (just east of St. Louis in Madison, IL)
When: Sunday, May 23rd
How: Registration through MCRA's website

This is a great track to start off on. You can easily see where you're going and there are plenty of top riders there to help you out.

There is a class for noobs and professionals alike.

I would love to see you out there!

darrin

Me at Turn 7 at Gateway (#270)::

[haunter]

aw look at D draggin the knee!

[kilika2]

Do I have to bring full leathers? This could be doable for me.

Chris.

[ragedigital]

Do I have to bring full leathers? This could be doable for me.

If you have them. If you don't then you can still run the "Test the Track".

If it's your first Track Day, then I would do the "Test the Track". You can read more about that here: http://www.mcraracing.com/ttt.htm

With the "Test the Track", there is really no prep other than changing out anti-freeze to water (with or without water wetter). You don't need full leathers, just a leather jacket, up to par helmet, gloves and decent boots that cover your ankles.

If you have leathers, race boots, etc.. then you can sign up for the other full day groups.

Here I was at my first Track Day a couple years ago:

[kilika2]

no prep other than changing out anti-freeze to water (with or without water wetter).

What is the reasoning for changing out my anti freeze? So the bike runs a little warmer at the track? I don't have leathers I have my leather jacket that I would wear and bring my mesh jacket if it's hot and they would let me wear it. I feel safer in the leather.

I would definitely do the test the track. 2 reasons, I've never been and I would want to be a slow hazard for the other guys at the track.

Last 2 questions. They make you cover your light or did you do that for your other days at the track, and second. You going to be there? We have to represent the site you know. Get the other guys from MO there too.

*EDIT* I went to the website and read more about it.

Chris.

[Target30]

What: MCRA (Midwest Cafe Racing Association) Sponsored Track Day
Where: Gateway International Raceway (just east of St. Louis in Madison, IL)
When: Sunday, May 23rd
How: Registration through MCRA's website

This is a great track to start off on. You can easily see where you're going and there are plenty of top riders there to help you out.

There is a class for noobs and professionals alike.

I would love to see you out there!

darrin

Some other guy riding my bike at Turn 7 at Gateway (#270)::

Fixed it for you

[ragedigital]

Fixed it for you

Very funny! You could have changed the decals to say YAMAHA at least...

[ragedigital]

1. Antifreeze is very slick and if it gets on the track, then accidents happen. You can run pure distilled water.

2. Mesh is a big no-no. The only thing the mesh will do is melt into your skin. A textile is better than mesh. Leather is obviously the best choice.

3. I covered the light. They expect you to tape up lights in case of a fall so you don't get plastic shards all over the track.

4. Unless it's raining all day - I'll be there.

[kilika2]

1. Antifreeze is very slick and if it gets on the track, then accidents happen. You can run pure distilled water.

2. Mesh is a big no-no. The only thing the mesh will do is melt into your skin. A textile is better than mesh. Leather is obviously the best choice.

3. I covered the light. They expect you to tape up lights in case of a fall so you don't get plastic shards all over the track.

4. Unless it's raining all day - I'll be there.

I figured it had something to do with the fact that the water would evaporate much quicker. The website had the no mesh policy so I should have read that before I asked. They said it's not required for the TTT to cover the light but you make a sound call on the plastic shards. I would do it to keep the other guys from being distracted. I guess I could pay the 5 dollars to go and watch anyway even if the registration is full. And get the little lady to go up there with me and take her to six flags. Plus I have to meet our fearless leader right?

Chris.

[ragedigital]

I guess I could pay the 5 dollars to go and watch anyway even if the registration is full.

You come to Gateway - you're gonna ride. $30 is cheap - get registered and do it soon!

Trust me, you would kill yourself if you went there just to watch. Course, you'll get hooked immediately and spend every last dime you had to get back there as often as possible. It is that addicting!

[haunter]

yeah it pretty much is!

[DonTZ125]

1. Antifreeze is very slick and if it gets on the track, then accidents happen. You can run pure distilled water.
3. I covered the light. They expect you to tape up lights in case of a fall so you don't get plastic shards all over the track.

I figured it had something to do with the fact that the water would evaporate much quicker.

It has to do with the fact that antifreeze DOESN'T evaporate. Engine oil is easier to clean up after a spill than antifreeze. A light-rain weekend can be completely shut down by one moron who thinks the rules don't apply to him. At Shannonville, the track I (used to and will someday once again) race at, getting caught with antifreeze in your rad is good for getting kicked out for the rest of the weekend AND a $250 fine (payable before you're allowed back).

If you tape over your lights, pull the fuse(s) or unplug the bulbs, otherwise you'll melt the tape to the lens. Ask me how I know...

[fzrbrandon]

no prep other than changing out anti-freeze to water (with or without water wetter).

I don't have leathers I have my leather jacket that I would wear and bring my mesh jacket if it's hot and they would let me wear it. I feel safer in the leather.

Hey Chris,

I know this thread is a couple weeks old, but the above comment caught my eye. Do NOT go out with anything other than leather. I'm guessing that most track day orgs REQUIRE leather. A 1-piece suit would be better but I realize some folks don't want to spend the cash on something they'll only use on the track occasionally. Check out Pilot:

http://www.pilotleathers.com/

You can get custom-fitted 1-piece and 2-piece suits from them for a great price. Mine was right around $800. That's for custom fit - NOT off-the-rack. I can now say rider tested & wife/daughter approved! LOL! Seriously though, textile is fine for the street when you're not pushing it real hard and riding within legal limits. However, I wouldn't trust it going down at 120+ mph (which is a VERY good possibility on the track). I've got some decent rash on mine and I'm guessing I was probably only going around 40mph or so.

Good luck and have fun buddy!
Brandon

[ragedigital]

I don't know of any Track Day organization that allows mesh to be worn.

I went with a used set of leathers that were like new for $350. There are deals out there all the time. Be careful of cheap leathers like Teknic's cheaper line - they rip open real easy. The Joe Rocket leathers I use have some of the best stitching I have seen and the price is fantastic for the leather thickness and quality. Although, the black leather is extremely hot.

Custom-made leathers are nice, but the majority of them are still made overseas (Pakistan, for example). A friend of mine, who rode with me at this last Track Day, had the zipper come off of his custom Spartan leathers while riding. Not exactly what you expect for $750. Needless to say, his day was over.

Check craigslist from time to time. There are people who have leathers that they've never worn. However; never buy leathers that have had rash on them. Same goes for any clothing, helmet or protective gear.

Hope to see you out there!

darrin

EDIT: Just an example of what can be found locally:

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/mcy/1742920027.html

[fzrbrandon]

I went with a used set of leathers that were like new for $350.

This is a good point. Very often, a used set of leathers can be found for a good, low price. Unfortunately for me, that will never happen because it would be EXTREMELY rare that a guy my size would just happen to be selling his suit. One of the "perks" of being 5'2"... Anyway, the Pilot stuff IS actually made here in CA. Since I live in SoCal, I was able to drive down to Murrietta to get fitted and everything. It worked out great.