Portimao tips and advice, sights.

[R1Dave]

Hiya guys,
As some of you maybe aware, I'm heading out to Portimao in a week's time, a group of 3 all together with our respective partners, staying out there from Wednesday to Thursday so a few days either side to explore, relax and just generally make a holiday out of it.
Just wondered if anyone has any advice in regards to the track, tips tricks etc.
I've done the usual watching of onboards, done countless laps on Ride 4, but just after some real world feedback.
For what it's worth I normally run in fast group here in the UK, but booked inters due to having never been before, I'm aware Redline do transponders so I imagine we'll be moved about it needs be.
Gone for a set of Pirelli SC1s (125/70) on the front and SCXs (200/65) on the rear, two sets which should be plenty.
Apparently there could be some racing involved during day 2 and 3 but unsure if that's confirmed.
Also, any points of interest or places worth a visit within Portimao? Good food spots etc, we are staying in Vale Da Areia if it helps.

Cheers
Dave

[Noggin]

I'm not giving any info other than - I crashed!!!



In my defense I was trying hard to get faster in a straight line - just left the braking a bit late and didn't have the balls to turn in anyway!!! )

[weeksy]

It's an incredible circuit but I don't know enough about the area to give you much. Our hotel was right on the beach and we didn't explore much as it was simply track then bar then food then bar and bed.

[R1Dave]

Haha sorry hear that Noggin! I hope you and the bike came out of it ok though!
Cheers Weeksy, I'll just wobble my way around the track and figure it out, I'm tempted to get some instructor help, it's something I've not done yet and I'm sure it can only help.
The villa we've rented is also right on the beach front, next to a bar called "Club Nau" which looks lovely, I'm sure we'll spend some time there and just exploring the area.

[Noggin]

Haha sorry hear that Noggin! I hope you and the bike came out of it ok though!
Cheers Weeksy, I'll just wobble my way around the track and figure it out, I'm tempted to get some instructor help, it's something I've not done yet and I'm sure it can only help.
The villa we've rented is also right on the beach front, next to a bar called "Club Nau" which looks lovely, I'm sure we'll spend some time there and just exploring the area.

I would highly recommend instructor help! Ok, I know I still crashed but was (and am) still very much learning. You sound like the instructors will have as much fun as you will cos you are quick.

It’s certainly a good way to get to learn the track quickly and then have much more fun
I always try to get an instructor or for the second session in the morning and the first one after lunch. You probably wouldn’t want that much, but usually it’s free and definitely worth a try!

The bike survived - cosmetic damage. I didn’t realise I’d smashed my little finger quite badly (got told off five weeks later when I actually went to find out why it still hurt ). Could still bend it so thought I’d just bruised it. Had to miss a day cos I couldn’t use the finger or get my glove on. But went back out for the last day
(Still learning!!)

I’m really envious of the trip. But next year if this lot goes, there’s a chance I might be able to drive down and join in

[R1Dave]

Haha sorry hear that Noggin! I hope you and the bike came out of it ok though!
Cheers Weeksy, I'll just wobble my way around the track and figure it out, I'm tempted to get some instructor help, it's something I've not done yet and I'm sure it can only help.
The villa we've rented is also right on the beach front, next to a bar called "Club Nau" which looks lovely, I'm sure we'll spend some time there and just exploring the area.

I would highly recommend instructor help! Ok, I know I still crashed but was (and am) still very much learning. You sound like the instructors will have as much fun as you will cos you are quick.

It’s certainly a good way to get to learn the track quickly and then have much more fun
I always try to get an instructor or for the second session in the morning and the first one after lunch. You probably wouldn’t want that much, but usually it’s free and definitely worth a try!

The bike survived - cosmetic damage. I didn’t realise I’d smashed my little finger quite badly (got told off five weeks later when I actually went to find out why it still hurt ). Could still bend it so thought I’d just bruised it. Had to miss a day cos I couldn’t use the finger or get my glove on. But went back out for the last day
(Still learning!!)

I’m really envious of the trip. But next year if this lot goes, there’s a chance I might be able to drive down and join in

Glad to hear you and the bike walked away relatively unscathed Noggin! I think the plan will be to do the first few sessions and just get a feel for the track, then get some instruction around midday and see where that takes me.

I'm definitely going to attended next year too, missed some much this year with just crap weather and work.

Just getting back from dropping the bikes off for transportation to Portimao
Just days away now and I can't wait!

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[KungFooBob]

Having watched the WSBK from there today, I'm really fuckin' jealous.

It looks like a sunny Cadwell

[weeksy]

First thing we learn, watch out for the long right hander downhill

[R1Dave]

Having watched the WSBK from there today, I'm really fuckin' jealous.

It looks like a sunny Cadwell

Same bud, I honestly can't wait, I absolutely love Cadwell so if its anything like that I'll be happy lol.

[R1Dave]

First thing we learn, watch out for the long right hander downhill

Haha absolutely, glad to see Raz walk away from his crash today, I'm not to worried about corners normally, but I must say the last corner is a concern, do I roll off over the crest..do I just keep a constant throttle, do I just throw it on its side and lean on the slide control, I have no idea, but we shall soon see.

[Bigyin]

You do realise just how many of us are jealous of your impending trip........ especially those of us that were booked early this year and it all went wrong

Enjoy and we are looking forward to your exploits

[weeksy]

First thing we learn, watch out for the long right hander downhill

Haha absolutely, glad to see Raz walk away from his crash today, I'm not to worried about corners normally, but I must say the last corner is a concern, do I roll off over the crest..do I just keep a constant throttle, do I just throw it on its side and lean on the slide control, I have no idea, but we shall soon see.

TBH it's way less of an issue at mortal speeds, although it's quite a drop. Sort of paddock hill but less straight and more turny. But in our world you're just building into the straight anyway rather than being full throttle.

[Noggin]

Having watched the WSBK from there today, I'm really fuckin' jealous.

It looks like a sunny Cadwell

It is!! On steroids!! LOL

[Noggin]

You do realise just how many of us are jealous of your impending trip........ especially those of us that were booked early this year and it all went wrong

Enjoy and we are looking forward to your exploits

TBF, I'm just jealous of anyone that goes to Portimao!! Although, now I am on a bike again, I'm MUCH more jealous than usual!! LOL (Not that a 23 year old 600 Monster would be fast, but would still be fun!! LOL)

[R1Dave]

Lol sorry guys I don't mean to rub it in, just excited I read your Portimao thread from start to finish and it was rough reading as things progressed and the chances of going got less and less likely cheers for the tips weeksy, after watching wbsk I certainly won't be coming through that last corner at anything like the speed they are, as always, I'll just build into it and see where it goes.
Bike is currently running 15/42 gearing from Snetterton which should be 182 top end, enough I think for the main straight at Portimao but also far more engaging through the gears, stock the R1s and geared extremely tall.
It's been a bit of a faff with sorting these Manifests out, having to give the weight, cost for each item, goods ID, country of origin etc, only for it not to be checked at all, although I think it's more important for the return journey back.
Sorted repat insurance through RBG which was cheap enough and they have good feedback.
It was bugging me all yesterday coming home that I'd forgotten something, been racking my brains, ticking off lists, weird not having to worry about taking bike key not that it's keyless, realised this morning I'd not charged my suit, so that's definitely something that needs doing prior to getting out on track.

[weeksy]

Lol sorry guys I don't mean to rub it in

It's all good... Lots of vids, pics, stories please

[Noggin]

What Weeksy said - LOTS of pic, vids, stories

I'm as much excited to see them as jealous because I've not done a TD since the 12th August 2017 (well, not a TD exactly, but haven't been on track since then) and now I'm back on a bike I REALLY want to get winter work over with so I can go play on a circuit somewhere!!! LOL

So definitely don't hold back on the photos n stuff and the info/planning!!!

[Yorick]

I hope it snows.




Jealous? Me ? Never

[Noggin]

I hope it snows.




Jealous? Me ? Never

It's sodding well forecast to snow here tomorrow!! It probably won't, and I am happy cos I love snow, but it would happen the first week I have a bike to play with

[Yorick]

I hope it snows.




Jealous? Me ? Never

It's sodding well forecast to snow here tomorrow!! It probably won't, and I am happy cos I love snow, but it would happen the first week I have a bike to play with

I won't mention the weather here