How to go fast faster??

[hecko]

Long story short, first race of dirt track yesterday and really need to pick up my pace to be competitive. Obviously will need more time in the saddle to get used to the bike sliding around, but I wondered what others have done to get fast faster? Any particular strategies you have at race meetings or at practice? Doing different events to cross-train or just stick to what you are racing etc. What has helped you improve or what would you have done differently in hindsight?

[lee#25]

Less brake, more gas ;)

[MarkeeMark]

Hecko ask around in the pits for tips and help. Most other racers will offer up the good oil.
Also try and find someone of equal or just faster pace and follow them for as long as you can and do it everytime you go out. Makes a huge difference.

[mxsam34]

seat time & get fit! when i was racing MX i was playing sport 6 days a week and riding/racing on sundays

i had very few crashes due to being stuffed and did heaps of passing on the last lap...............

[infidel]

Put a Cougar on the back of the bike with you. "There's nothing more frightening then driving with a live goddamn cougar next to you."

[Ozmoto]

I would have a couple of "cougar " cans on the rear guard if I could :lol:

[SMC690]

http://www.hawkinsspeedshop.com/categories/products/images/nos-02001.jpg

[ozz]

What track are you talking here hecko?

[Gonzo]

This might seem stupid, and feel free to call me a douche bag.

Have a crash, one that you walk away from, pick your bike up a keep riding.

I push it hard at certain times when crashing doesn't bother me (on the track or select roads). I go much faster when I am not worried about crashing and focus on going fast.

[kakoii]

My kind of cougar

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii279/connor12307/jessica_biel.jpg

[hecko]

What track are you talking here hecko?

Well all tracks really, but it stemed from the dirt track at Nepean. I think that this type of question is applicable for all forms of racing.

[Daws]

I'm with Mark, it helps a lot if you can find someone a bit quicker to follow or ask a quicker rider to do a couple of laps in front of you. You might only pick up one corner but sometimes that's all you need to crack the confidence barrier.

Don't underestimate relaxing and trying to ride smooth, I consistently post my fastest times on the last lap of qualifying or practice when I'm completely knackered and feel like I'm riding slower.

[MarkeeMark]

Also getting a laptimer makes a huge difference. I use my Nokia phone with the Racechrono software and a bluetooth GPS receiver. Works great and gives me something to guage myself against everytime I'm out on track.

[infidel]

Mark, what kind of bluetooth GPS did you get and how much do they set you back. Cheers.

[MarkeeMark]

I've got a Holux M1000B for $85 from ebay. Once you've got it you'll need the little program that comes with the older version which allows you to update the refresh rate to 5Hz to get the timing down to .001 and create a better tracking update.
There's a whole thread on this on here.

[Woolf555]

seat time & get fit! when i was racing MX i was playing sport 6 days a week and riding/racing on sundays

i had very few crashes due to being stuffed and did heaps of passing on the last lap...............

Agreed. Getting fit is the most important thing and will bring your lap times down a lot more than any bolt-on accessory, and is also a lot cheaper. One MX season I went from high teens/low twenties to regular top ten finishes and the only thing I changed was my fitness level. This then brings a much more confident attitude which is also really important and progresses you further again.

[Wobbly]

which allows you to update the refresh rate to 5Hz to get the timing down to .001
That'd be 0.2 really :)

[hecko]

I agreed fitness is def important... races are really short though so its not much of an issue for me, track time is!

[MarkeeMark]

which allows you to update the refresh rate to 5Hz to get the timing down to .001
That'd be 0.2 really :)

What he said! ;)

[Gonzo]

...track time is!

Go do laps of the road from St Albans to Bucketty 8)

It is smooth, fast dirt :D

[ozz]

What track are you talking here hecko?

Well all tracks really, but it stemed from the dirt track at Nepean. I think that this type of question is applicable for all forms of racing.

As far as i'm concerned all tracks are different and bike setup to suit individual tracks can make a huge difference.
On a slowish short circuit track try starting in 2nd gear. If you can get to the first corner without making a gear change it can help enormously. Just don't burn your clutch out.