Club Desmo - Buttonwillow 6/15 & 6/16

[Chuci]

Who can make it and who's already going? So far, Rakitty, :instance_750 and myself are going to be there for both days. Most likely we'll head down the night before and be ready to tear it up both days. :chuci:twofinger:boobies:loco

Good thing about this event is that tire-changing/mounting will be available on-site! :teeth

[Mille R boy]

Any spots left? How can one sign up?

[VTRweasel]

http://www.clubdesmo.com/

[donoman]

What a freakin' rip-off. I'm going to Buttonwillow on 5/23 for 99$ (which includes a free T-shirt). You can't beat that price. PM me if you want more info.

[magyarbetyar]

Damn I really need to get leathers.

[Chuci]

Originally posted by magyarbetyar
Damn I really need to get leathers.

yes you do dammit... now hurry up so you can make it! :twofinger

[wardoggie]

I'll be there both days. Where are you staying?

Wardoggie

[rsrai]

doggie, go to the newbies forum and intro urself. :)

[wardoggie]

My bad! Guess that only proves what a newbie I am. You can go read about what a loser I am now in the Newbies Forum.

Wardoggie

[wei7]

Hello! Looks like we (Deb and I) will be there too! I will be instructing the B and C group so if anyone sees a red duc number plate 34 with Remus and Carbo-Tech on it please say hello!

[mikeyjudkins]

I wasnt aware that club desmo had "instructors". It isnt an instructional school as far as Im aware. Thats why it is cheaper than "schools" such as Dp, and CLASS. Am I wrong? I would love to be.

And 99 dollars for a track day? Pray tell, where!? What is the fine print?

Mikey:chuci

[wardoggie]

They aren't "instructors" per se, but more like control riders. If you are having trouble learning the layout of the track, someone wearing a bright safety vest might swoop in front of you, pat the back of his/her bike (the international "follow me" sign) and lead you around for a lap to show you the lines and entry speeds. There are no classes, but most people are only too glad to chat with you about technique. Some will even go out with you on your next session to observe you and offer suggestions. And the infamous Doc Wong is usually at Club Desmo track days.

BTW, cheaper track days are usually mid-week. If you can take the time off of work, or if you have the time, more power to you. If you sign up 31 days before the track day, it's only $190 (for Buttonwillow). Weekend rates are cheaper.

Hope to see you at the track!
Wardoggie

[wei7]

Hello everyone,

Not to sound rude to anyone but many people really do not have a clue of what it takes to run a trackday or what is involved. Many of the organizations run these days as a means of living. If someone does not like the price, no one is hold a loaded gun to your head. Just dont go! Many people get away with cheap prices because of the amount of people who attend. I have heard of some events at T-Hill for $180 without food BUT there were 110 people there, yes 110!

Since we do not do this as a means of survival, we run small groups and a fair price. This does not mean someone cant run an event for $150 and lose money, they too also have a right to lose money if they choose to.

Mikey, as for instructing, I am monitoring and instructing people. I do not do this for Club Desmo, just this once so I would ask them if you would like to instruct or monitor people.

[mikeyjudkins]

Im not knocking Club Desmo, nor any of the other schools. I think Club Desmo is actually very reasonably priced, especially with the package deals.

You could also argue that with people like Doc Wong, and no doubt the other very skilled riders at the track willing to dispense advice, you could get the same amount of instruction you would get at an official "school" if you so put forth the effort to seek it.

In fact, at a recent Dp outing, I noticed something curious. Only about 25 to 50% percent of the people in the top 2 groups even ASKED for instruction. They all seemed intent on just circulating the track with their friends. Nothing wrong with that but they did not take full advantage of the money they shelled out IMO.

I guess what I am trying to say is, you get what you put into it, but there is also a level of "perks". Give me a track day with an ambulance, corner workers, and a reasonable amount of riders, for 90 bucks, and Im all over that. Give me that plus another ambulance, on-site massage, some pro racers, a table with some chicken wings and chips, and I will give you 300 bucks... 190 is still a good deal though, IMO.

MJ

[wei7]

Well Mikey, for $180 you get:

small groups (generally twenty in each of two groups with half hour sessions)

steak, shortribs, water, gatorade, muffins, o.j., apple juice, veggie burger (by request), veggies and if I am nice and there is a b-day, a great big forest cake (menu subject to change without notice)

AMA and AFM riders (not at novice day)

Ambulance, helicopter (if you would like it at $5K per ride), corner workers and a pimp!

Professional photographer always on hand

I think it is not a bad deal for what you pay for but I could be wrong. As for the $99 deal, who is holding this event? Buttonwillow is not very expensive to rent but that is very bare-bones. They might only have three corner workers and well over 100 people with twenty minute sessions or just an all out open trackday.

With whomevers school you choose or trackday, just do some research first before going. Find out what suites that persons individual needs.

[mikeyjudkins]

pimp?! where is there a pimp? I wanna go to that track day!!!

girls, bikes, girls, bikes, wooohooo! :mag

[MrCrash]

Originally posted by magyarbetyar
Damn I really need to get leathers.

kneedraggers.com has a leather rental program.

- Mike

[wardoggie]

Yeah, dito what wei7 said :) I actually went to a Club Desmo track day last year as a volunteer to check it out. I obviously liked what I saw. ;)

Club Desmo groups (A/B/C) seemed pretty small to me... maybe 24 riders in the C group and just a handful in A. Some riders have a "Gold Pass" so they can ride whenever they want, which affects group sizes a little. When I rode at Buttonwillow, we had the full circuit, so you have 3 miles of asphalt to spread out the riders. I'm not sure if they do this EVERY track day, but I'd bet on it.

You also get lunch... some kind of BBQ fare (hot dogs, hamburgers, gardenburgers, potato chips, etc.). They don't close the track during lunch, so you can take a break when you feel like it or keep riding.

If you feel like watching how you ride, there's a video service, too. For a fee, my friend will ride around in front of you (he's working on a front and back camera system) so you can see how you're riding. I opted NOT to have this done ("dang, is this camera running in slow motion?" "No, YOU are!")

The main thing about Buttonwillow is pacing yourself. It gets HOT down there. So, hydration and cool-downs in the main air-conditioned room is pretty critical in the summer. The last thing you want to do is push your body' limits and end up on the crash truck (or worse).

In any case, if you have been to a track *school*, I highly recommend practicing what they taught you at a track *day*. They're awesome!

Later,
Wardoggie

[mikeyjudkins]

Wardoggie, its small world. I actually met the guy that does the video capture last weekend up at Alices. Names Dylan Simpson if I recall. I met him and Alice up there. Very cool. And yes, I know what you mean about how hot it can get at BW. Been there twice (this coming 15th will be #3 at BW). Luckily that pesky Doc Wong character was there and made sure we all sat in the shade and took salt pills and water :P

[Chuci]

Originally posted by wei7
Hello! Looks like we (Deb and I) will be there too! I will be instructing the B and C group so if anyone sees a red duc number plate 34 with Remus and Carbo-Tech on it please say hello!

coolio! My friend Terry Arner will be there with Rakitty, :instance_750 and I helping with bike set-up, body position and coaching as well. Look forward to meeting you and will see you there! :teeth

wardoggie - don't have a hotel yet, but shouldn't be an issue as there are a few right near-by and not really anything else that would fill occupancy... ;)

[wardoggie]

Chuci, I look forward to seeing you at BW. Maybe you can help me with corner entry speeds. I always freak out and brake waaay too much, then almost run off the inside of the turn :rolleyes

Mikey, we'll have to hook up sometime when I feel like lunch is more important than riding (or when I just feel more social). Hope you guys didn't take offense at my bailing on ya.

To all, Hmmm, salt tablets... I didn't think of that. I guess I'll have to pick some up before the 15th.

I'm getting amped!! Bring on Buttonwillow!!!

Wardoggie

[sasquatch]

Salt Tabs are VERY bad,
way too much sodium at one time,

I do sunflower seeds, and water sports drink

SAS

[wardoggie]

I'm not sure if this went out to the Club Desmo list, but if you're going to Buttonwillow for the next Club Desmo track days (6/15 and 16), you'll be able to sign up for the next two track days in July for $250. I don't think this offer is valid unless you're riding 6/15 and/or 6/16.

Mark and Dori (the Club Desmo hosts) are getting married at WDW 2002 in Italy. So, he'll be gone most of the month and is stressing about the July dates. That's why he's offering this cool deal to people at the June dates.

See ya there!
Wardoggie

[Chuci]

Ohkay......
Looks like :instance_750, Rakitty and I are staying at the Motel 6 on Tracy Blvd.
At the track, look for her blue R6, my White/Red F4i and his blue/white Gixer 750. I'll be the easiest to spot leather-wise - black/gray with a white back and SJ Sharks crest... :teeth

Hope to see you all out there! ;)