Snetterton Monday 5th October

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

In the morning it was a bit wet and greasy, people were dropping like flies, I think every session got stopped by people falling off, one guy on a street fightered SRAD decided to show me how slippery the Esses were by coming off just after he'd passed me on the straight, I didn't laugh too much, another one thought it would be a good idea to have a little lay down in the middle of the track after he slid off at low speed.

Mid morning there was a warning over the tannoy - "Stop riding like twats and then you won't keep falling off" (or words to that effect)

Obviously after lunch the twat level was considerably reduced and conveniently the track dried out, I had two very good sessions, in both of them I found people who were quicker than me down the straights but slower round the corners, so I spent the sessions stalking them and getting close enough to pass them, either under braking or round the outside at Corams.

Had a nice little race with a chap on a Hayabusa (I was only 900cc and at least 130bhp down on him) he'd leave me on the straight only for me to catch him under braking then pass him round Coram, we had a few laps of this before he gave up.

I went out in the last session, but it started to piss down so I came in as I couldn't be arsed to splash round.

Really good day, and for the first time touched the pegs down on my FZR400.

[weeksy]

Nice. Sounds like you had fun.

Seems a bit of a solitary sport for you?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Nice. Sounds like you had fun.

Seems a bit of a solitary sport for you?

Yes on both counts, but I'm quite happy with that, I'm not a massively social person and I like riding in my own space at my own pace.

Sometimes a few of us with old bikes get together for track days, usually at the MSV Classic and CBT days, but it's tricky getting people together for a normal trackday, especially in October at Snetterton, the local people I know were all working, when a load of go we tend to ride separately rather than in a group as we all ride quite different bikes at different paces.

I'm considering only riding at Snetterton next year as I'm not sure I can be arsed with the travelling to other circuits, Snetterton is about an hour from mine, next nearest is Brands at about 2 hours and Cadwell, Mallory and Donington are about 3 hours. Silverstone is probably about 2.5 hours but it's a pig to get to from mine and very much depends on traffic, same goes for Brands really as it involves using the Dartford Crossing.

[weeksy]

Portimao is bloody miles away, but who cares

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Portimao is bloody miles away, but who cares

The weather tends to be nicer than Snetterton though, and it's a tad more scenic.
We went to the Algarve on holiday in February over 20 years ago, and I could easily convince my wife to combine a holiday with a track day, but my two teenage offspring wouldn't be impressed with the idea.

[weeksy]

Portimao is bloody miles away, but who cares

The weather tends to be nicer than Snetterton though, and it's a tad more scenic.
We went to the Algarve on holiday in February over 20 years ago, and I could easily convince my wife to combine a holiday with a track day, but my two teenage offspring wouldn't be impressed with the idea.

1. Why not ? There's a pool, beach, go-karting..
2. Get it done

Several other wives are going.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

1. Why not ? There's a pool, beach, go-karting..

16 year old daughter will only go to beach if the surf is good, it isn't near Portimao and the Atlantic coast is a bit of a trek - though the surf is superb.
14 year old son, only wants to leave the house to socialise with his friends, he'd rather be on his computer.

Neither of them like pools or want go-karting (they've both been offered it, there's a dirt go kart track about 15 minutes drive from ours)
They're like me anti-social

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I've just been corrected by my wife - my 14 year old is social, he's currently out sniffing round 14 year old girls (good lad)

[Supermofo]

If I get something bigger than the 690 I'll be back at Snetterton very soon after. 1.30 from me, cheaper than Brands and a really like the track.

[Tricky]

1. Why not ? There's a pool, beach, go-karting..

16 year old daughter will only go to beach if the surf is good, it isn't near Portimao and the Atlantic coast is a bit of a trek - though the surf is superb.
14 year old son, only wants to leave the house to socialise with his friends, he'd rather be on his computer.

Neither of them like pools or want go-karting (they've both been offered it, there's a dirt go kart track about 15 minutes drive from ours)
They're like me anti-social

Blimey, it sounds a laugh a minute in your house

Seriously though, come on man, stop over analyzing and go with it- either tell them you're all going, or if you don't fancty that, just book yourself and bung them some cash,/ put them in kennels or something
It's a fabulous track and Portimao is a really nice and well developed resort these days too IMO ( I was there 2 weeks ago). Albufeira and lots of other interesting , beautiful and fun places are just down the road, so there is lots to see and do for everyone, and half decent beer too- we always have loads of laughs and fun on all the TDs , there are a good few of us on this one now, good people all of them, you will be made very welcome no matter how sociable or unsociable you are or want to be, would be great to see you there- guarantee you'd have fun and have some more memories that'll stay with you- go on!