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Thanks Cobie - the info regarding the contacts does help. At the track a few weeks ago, I started out wearing my sunglasses, but found they moved around too much and it was very distracting. I bought a tinted shield, so the sun should be less of a problem, but I think I might investigate the possibility of wearing contact lenses. Jaybird - I don't know if I'm a good candidate for laser eye surgery, but I'll certainly ask. Thanks!! Dan

I last had my eyes checked about 2 years ago; 20/20 in each eye. However, I think my vision is deteriorating a bit (I spend my working hours in front of a computer). I do wear very mild glasses at work just to sharpen things up a bit, but don't wear them at any other time. For those that have glasses or contacts to correct your vision, do you prefer to use the glasses or contact lenses while at the track? I am asking because I want to go in for another eye exam and was contemplating contact lenses as I think they'd be less intrusive than a pair of glasses under the helmet. Thanks for your input! Dan

I'll catch up with him in Valencia this weekend It probably just gives him something to do before the corner as he probably has a good $9.98 worth of attention left!

Watching Rossi yesterday on the Speed channel, I noticed he kept sticking his left leg out as he approached one of the left hand turns, almost dangling it out before putting his foot back on the peg, extending his knee, and taking the turn. Just curious as to why he would do that? Maybe his foot was falling asleep? Ha ha Wild watching him pass Pedrosa and then go on to lengthen his lead by quite a bit!!

Thanks Cobie! I plan to re-read that book several times. You are right on re: Pocono East - I could clearly see more aggressive wear on the left side of my tires. Air temp when we started in the morning was well below 50 degrees F. I have the original tires on my '03 954 and although they passed tech inspection, I definitely felt them slide around a bit for the first 3 or 4 laps (was running 26 psi F and R). Needless to say, a new set of tires will be mounted this winter!

I attended my first track session / school at Pocono Raceway a few weeks ago. Fortunately, I did not crash, but came very close to it. It was my third session of the day, but the first session that I was riding my own pace (instead of following the instructor). After a few laps, I started to get a little more confident and became more aware of the faster pace of the other riders on the track at the time. So, I (stupidly - ha ha) decided to increase my speed where I could, which was really only the straight sections. I also started to enter the turns faster, which my ability probably wasn't equipped to handle just yet. After coming off a very slow and tight right hand turn, I accelerated hard on the straight away approaching a left hand turn. Because of my inexperience, lack of ability, etc (and the fact that I was going a lot faster than I had been, which caused me spend too much attention on my speed and not enough on everything else), I wound up missing my turn-in RP. I turned late and was not able to "flick" the bike into the turn either, so I wound up running very wide. I knew right away I was heading off the track, but fortunately still had enough track to get upright, slow the bike, and head safely into the grass. I kept the bike up and re-entered the track when it was safe. That definitely woke me up. Funny, because the instructor said, prior to the third session, that if someone goes down today, THIS will be the session it happens in! After reading ATOTW II, I came up with a LAUNDRY list of things I did wrong on that particular turn alone. My entry speed (for my ability) was too fast for that corner, I missed my turn-in RP, I wasn't able to turn (or flick) the bike quick enough, my body was not positioned properly prior to the turn, and I don't recall looking through the turn (probably because I screwed up everything else so badly, there was no point - ha ha!). Dan

Thanks Cobie - much appreciated! I'm really glad I found this site!

Hi racer - I hadn't even thought of that regarding right hand counter-steering; that makes a lot of sense. I can tell you that I was holding the bars too tight (nerves, adrenalin, etc), and definitely "holding myself up" with them, especially during braking. I think you described it perfectly - I was "leaning on the bars" with my body to initiate the turn. I was not trail braking at all at the track, but have experimented with it on the street a few times. I just ordered ATOTW volumes 1 & 2 from Amazon. I can't wait to dig into them! Dan

Shane, Thank you so much for that information! I know I was "twisting" around the bike the first few times, especially during right hand corners. For some reason, turning left feels more natural. I'll definitely spend a lot of time practicing body position in order to develop more of a comfort level with that position. Thanks again! Dan

Hi - I am 6 feet tall, 38 years old, weigh 200 lbs, and I ride a 2003 Honda CBR 954. I also happen to have very long arms (never can find a shirt with sleeves long enough - ha ha). I went to the track for the first time last Friday and after reviewing the pictures, it was apparent that I am riding in a very upright position, with my head far above the bike. What is the correct way to position myself on the bike? I know I could slide my butt farther back in the seat. Should my stomach be resting on the tank as well? Is there a certain height that I should target for my head? Obviously the street riding position is not ideal for the track. I did well hitting the apexes and riding the correct lines, made sure the balls of my feet were on the pegs, and shifted my body to the inside prior to cornering. I was just always so upright. I guess the more "prone" position feels very unnatural to me. Is it something I should practice during street riding? (The body position only, not racing). Thanks for any help or suggestions! Dan

Thanks! When I was about 10 years old, a buddy of mine had a little Honda 50. I learned how to ride on that bike and when I turned 14, had saved up enough money to buy my first bike - a brand new Honda CR80R. Bob "Hurricane" Hannah was riding Hondas at the time and the CR80R was advertised as "This is how Hurricanes get started" (suckered by the ad - ha ha). I thought it was a great looking bike and the reviews on it were top notch, so I bought it. When it was time to start looking at street bikes, I really didn't consider anything else but a Honda since I had very good luck with the CR80. I've also owned Honda / Acura vehicles and have been very pleased with them as well. So when the time came to get back into street riding, the CBR was the first thing I thought of. I certainly have a lot of respect for the other bike manufacturers and many of their products, but I'll always be a Honda guy. What do you ride? Do you have a separate bike for the track?

Thanks racer!

Hi, My name is Dan, I'm 38, and live in Orange County, NY. I own a 2003 CBR 954 and just attended my first track day last Friday at Pocono Int Raceway. It was totally intense and I loved every second of it! I've been riding on the street since 1991 (started with a Honda CM400T, then on to a CBR 600). I felt like I really improved in just that one day, but now want to take it to the next level. Too bad winter is on the way. After looking at pictures from the day, I really feel like I need to work on body positioning. At times, I was almost upright and my arms were almost straight, especially braking during the approach to a corner. I look forward to learning a lot here!