Chuckwalla Valley Raceway

I've been hitting track days for about 6 years now. I started taking it more seriously maybe 3 years ago. I figure if I'm not at a track day weekend once per month, I'll lose time. If I can hit more than one weekend per month, my improvement is significant. Once a month and I see gradual improvement. My first race is scheduled for January. I'll post it (if it goes well). ;)

Well, define advantage. My bike came with 190/55's for the rear. On track I'm running 200/65's now. I also run a taller front to match. I think the most important part is your suspension is tuned for the tire combination you're running.

OH, I see. You thought I was referencing 55 as the tire size? No, that's my lap time 1:55.XX

@@DP-cr5nz Yes haha I thought you referred to the tire size indeed. Just got the rear changed a couple days ago, so it was the first thing that popped up in my mind. Thanks for the explanation nonetheless!

Yeah, I definitely don't know the track as well this direction, so I don't use the whole track. These videos help me see my mistakes and where I can find some time. My pb CW is 53.01. SO close to a 52... ;)

@@DP-cr5nznice, you can do it. Especially on that rocket ship of a bike

@@mattsteakkit's just a 17 RSV4 RR. No motor work, just suspension, fairings, and a slip on. As much power as I can handle. I've never tracked anything else. I think I'd like to try an R1 someday. Probably my next bike when the motor blows. 🙄

It's a 17 RR with K-tech rear shock and fork inserts. No engine work, just the race ECU. Only other mods are rear sets, GP shift, and race fairings

@@DP-cr5nz nice, I’m looking to upgrade to an 18 RR. Pretty much have the same mods minus the suspension. Nice bike and riding btw👍

@@wattleyracing thanks. I ran a few 53's the following day, but my camera was out of storage, so I didn't get them. I bought the 17 RR new, it was my first and only track bike to date. I didn't upgrade the suspension until a couple of years ago. Took me awhile to take advantage of the benefits. Got some help from some suspension tuners and the times started falling.

@@DP-cr5nz nice, I just really got into bike track days last year so hoping to try slicks this year and maybe suspension next year

Hey Jeremy, thanks. If you're asking what camera I run, I use an Insta Go3. I mount it low on the front just above the mudguard. I didn't start this for posting on youtube, but for a learning tool for myself. I used to run a tank mount, and the mount is still stuck to the tank, but this livery has the lower and side portions of the windscreen covered, so the view isn't very good. It's nice being able to see the display and lap timer though. I might grab a gopro with gps and mount it on the tank and put it up in the corner of the vid. But I really don't do this for content. Thanks for the comment, thanks for watching.

Due to the low experience of some of the guys getting passed is what made some of these passes sketchy. You can't dive in from that far back and expect them to hold their line. Ya just don't know where they're going to be when you get there. The speed variance and high number of riders at So Cal Track days has become a real problem. I try to be respectful of the slower riders, it wasn't long ago I was there. (Not that I'm that fast now) We were all there at some point. The criteria for riding at So Cal is a little vague. Being old, fat, and outta shape, I do like the open session format. But we're kind of on the honor system that we belong, and many don't. The criteria is advanced or advanced intermediate with multiple track days under our belts. I'd like to see them implement a timing system and qualify riders. Maybe set a requirement of 2:10 capable. Give them a Saturday to achieve it. Once you've run the time, you're placed on the qualified list and don't have to qualify again. Sundays could then be left for qualified guys. Something needs to be done - last time I was there two of our top riders took a helicopter ride due to interaction with a very slow rider. They were both ok.

@DP-cr5nz SMSP Australia NSW ,has speed check for riders and if your 2 slow for fast group they will drop u bak a class for ride days but you still got to be careful like you said especially turn 2 ,you don't want some 1 cutting back in front of you from 150klmph from no man's land mid corner when you doing 195 to 200 klmph ,when you knocking bak 2 gears on 1000 into the turn from around 285 klmph or if you riding the good gear and big gonads 299 + klmph still gota be careful of Newbies or mistakes .And your not supposed 2 overtake 2 riders at once or they can black flag you SMSP, 👍

I get plenty aggressive too if one on one, or even one on two. But when there's a, line of slower guys and nowhere to blend in, easier to just wait it out. Lap time is already ruined. Thanks for the comment

We were red flagged most of the afternoon. I was looking forward to finding even more time but I never got out again. The bike felt great though. Oh well.. Next time

Congratulations back at ya. 54's are pretty quick at Chuck.

Thanks man. I'm about to post another vid. I was out there this weekend. Only got 3 sessions due to some red flags. But I have a new PB. Put on a new rear and the bike went where I wanted...I mean what's up with that? ;)

I run a lap timer. The bar code/transponder didn't track perfectly with my timer. I'm not sure they placed the sensor at the start/finish line. There was a tripod up by crash corner that kept catching my eye. I kinda guessed that's where the sensor was. And we were always ebbing and flowing through traffic. I ran a few 55's on Saturday that never got recorded also. It's a nice to have for most track day guys.

Thank you sir. I rode pretty well this weekend. It was REALLY hard to get a clean lap though. Full groups, and people that probably bumped themselves due to a full intermediate group. Still tons of fun. Learning a lot.

Hey, thanks man. I've done JP43 with Michael Gilbert as my coach a year or so ago, then I worked with Dale one day. Stu coached me. It helps a lot. I can rattle off 55's when I'm practiced and the bike is right and I'm comfortable on it. It's amazing how important suspension set up is. I was running like you about a year and half ago, just couldn't bust consistently under 2:00. Then I worked with JJ at Suspension Matters at Buttonwillow and found a couple of seconds there, then came back to Chuck and in one weekend, rattled off a few 57's. Next session went 56, then next session went 55. I NEVER expected to be that quick. I figured I'd stall out in the 57's. When I watch my videos now, (great learning tool by the way), I see my line mistakes and bad habits. I think I can safely get down to 53's in the next weekend or two. That's FAF for me. (I'm 62 years old and still getting faster). I'll be at TrackXperience out there Thanksgiving weekend, then So Cal in December. If you're there, come say hi. I'm in the big ass Raptor 5th wheel toy hauler. And I ride the fake Aprilia X. Can't miss me. I'll get some video of you if you want.

Much respect for your offer, thank you very much. I too did JP, then 1 on 1 with Josh Hayes, then 2 yrs with Bradley Ward as my insider to certain technical aspects, pressures etc. When I did JP, I thought I could ride and at that time, i had 5 trackdays. Im counting 136 trackdays today and I bet the coaching will pay off more so than ever before. '22 was a big loss on 3 wrecked V4's and 1 V4R. Then no seat time but a couple days of real riding. that year and this year I did 10. This year I opted for the RS660, possibly race it. My F4RC and F3 Custom build, are about ready to hit the track and the 3 V4's too. Finally get back on some power. At Laguna Seca on a V4R I was able to pull 1:37:89 which has only happened 1 time and the rest were 1:40's all day. Suspension is key, and was using Mike Wheeler who was at Kyle racing while the Boss was on a IRS vacation. He helped a lot. some kids doing it today, they set up my bike and it worked but tire wear drastically changed. Bad Setup. Im the guy with the all Black Sundowner 24ft Trailer with MadmanRacing in Chrome letters and the Moto Forza Large sized on all sides of the trailer. with the Black f350I I just got a ATC 30ft Hauler which is a hand full to drive. On the whole, I love this riding shit. I rode the streets for decades and feared testing my abilities. Once trackside, I rarely ride street ever anymore... Track is a blast and i hope im like you in another 8 years, riding and finding seconds... Awsome, I will definately say hi. In fact, I have seen your bikes at forza havent I? Bright yellow gills on a tracked out V4 or 1299, I forget.. with some txt on it like your name here> @@DP-cr5nz

I wish I'd logged my track days so I knew where I was at. I've been track riding since I got my Aprilia in 18, but only a few the first couple of years. I try to have a track day weekend once a month now, but I don't quite average that. So maybe 15-20 track days a year. I might be about 75 track days since I started. Had a bad wreck in 21 ( collar bone, ribs, concussion (knocked out for about 5 - spent the night in the hospital). Took me awhile to get back up to speed after that one. But I'm riding pretty well again I think. I'm sure we've seen each other out there. There is some yellow trim on the wings of my Aprilia. Your arsenal of bikes sounds pretty awesome. I've never ridden anything else on track, except at a couple of Aprilia Racers Days. I rode the RS 660 and it pissed me off how good it was on the edge of the tire. Why can't I get my bike to feel like that? I also don't push as hard on the street anymore. I have some buddies that tend to want to run the canyons pretty hard. I don't push like I used to. I still drop them, but then I feel like a dick for going that fast. Track riding tends to eliminate that need for me mostly. I love Balz and Miles from Moto Forza. ATC trailer is very cool. I'll look for you out there. I don't socialize much, I tend to hide in my trailer to catch my breath. I do enjoy passing Ducatis though. ;) @@EyeofaMadman

Hey Brian, nice to hear from you. How are you bud? Yeah, those spot landing practices are irritating, but a necessary skill if you want to be competitive in that silly game. They measure to the nose, and total time without going over is your score. Soooo.... 🙄

And depending on your bike, I highly recommend almost everyone get on track. Makes you faster and safer at the same time. What bike did you get?

It's an iconic track. So fun to ride. It's always a special day. This was my 4th time there. I traveled from So Cal (San Clemente ). Where'd you come from? I usually run Dunlop slicks, (they tend to last me longer) I always eat Pirelli's. I was at BW the prior weekend and put some Pirelli's on it. Edge grip for the few sessions is amazing, but once they're gone, they are gone. Glad you had fun!!!

Hey Chris, NO, I didn't run the Aprilia day. This track day was gifted to me last minute. And yes, I ran a timer. Took me a few sessions to remember the place and get up to speed... then I ran a few 39's, but after that, my tires were gone and I couldn't beat a 40 later in the day. They screwed up the repave in turn 4, and at the top of front straight. 2 Big bumps at the top threw me around badly... it was actually scary trying to hold it open. I'm sure JJ could have adjusted me through it, but I didn't bother him... I was just playin'...you can hear me lift. (We hate that)

@@DP-cr5nz well, what a gift! Wish this track was a lot closer for me! Those are great times! Bummer to hear about the track surface. You definitely don’t want bumps in T1!!!! I need to go on a high DB day so I can see what I can really do. What’s your home track?

@@chrisc88 I wasn't really pushing. I don't ride there much. About the time I got comfortable, my tires went off and I didn't feel like buying another rear just for a few sessions. I think I could've found a 37. This was a 103 db day. I put my baffle in so I could come out of 5 in second gear full throttle... My home track is Chuckwalla. There's nothing close to me. Where do you run?

Is that you?

Thanks. I run low 55's when I'm getting seat time. Didn't ride much end of last year so working on finding some time. We'll see ya out there

Looks like advanced group with a few fast guys here and there and a bunch that should be in intermediate

@@wattleyracing I agree with this and the statement above yours. Too big of a speed differertial is the issue there.

Ummm....silly really. Was that you? There are quite a few that are a little too snuggly. At 6:07 those two almost came together twice. The first time in the middle of 16 would have taken me out too. Ya know, we come up behind a group of bikes, our lap time is already ruined. Take our time to get by clean. It's just a track day...not a race. I've been seeing more and more bikes coming together lately.🙄

@@DP-cr5nz No way not me. I run intermediate pace out there at CVR, and pretty shy when it comes to passing. Never ridden with socal, is an I/I+ pace out there with them reasonable? Talking 2:09-ish

@@travisray139 you'd be fine at that pace. You'll probably find some time riding with So Cal. I enjoy the open session format (I'm old (61) and riding every hour gets a bit rushed for me), but it does require a level of maturity and patience that some people seem to be lacking.

@@travisray139 I'll be at SoCal in April. Come find me, we'll get some vids of ya.

@@DP-cr5nz Planning to make 4/9/23 I'll come find you