Generally the hotter the better but how much grip will the track have with a forecasted low of 54 and a high of 68 ? Thanks
I wouldn't ride first session, and stay well off top pace all morning. If you have any sun after lunch, you can probably let loose. If not, ratchet up the pace incrementally until it gets sketchy.
I don't ride there in the rain, but it can be done just avoid the areas where the paving changes and slow your pace down. I agree with skipping the first session and do this almost every time I am at the track. The first session there is almost always a mind f--k. If you get sun the track will come in. You can gauge the level of grip by watching the control riders, they have a lot of experience there in sketchy conditions.
My first (and only time so far) I drove like 13 hours to race there. I show up and ask the locals "What times should a mid pack expert expect to hit?" People were like "36s-38s for your first time would be respectable". Go out in practice 53's Go out for practice #2 50's I was like "Well this was a waste of my fucking time", as the bike danced all over the fucking track. Lunch came and went, the track dried up, ran 37's in the sprints. I got to site see the track in practice, but really, my only practice time was the fucking warm up lap before my first sprint. What a joke
It is shocking how much and fast grip changes there. With a good repave, it would be a amazing fun track.
Just make sure your tires are up to proper temp. I ride Mid-Ohio more than anywhere else. It does get sketchy -- just push until you start to feel your bike unsettle and then dial it back a bit. If there is sun on the track, there is grip -- you'll notice a considerable lack of grip going into T9 and thunder valley when there is abundant shade -- especially during the twilight sessions. You should have decent grip for track day pace at 70 degrees. Have fun!
Gets sketchy and push until you feel the bike gets unsettled? The track is no joke when it's damp, dudes be on their head just exiting pit lane trying to get onto the track. China beach and the esses are slick as shit, watched several people barely leaned over and tuck the front. Don't go out first session, the track will be damp and you won't have fun tip toeing around. as long as the sun comes out, the afternoon sessions should be much better.
I always go out for the first session and I've never wiped out. There is grip there, plenty of it. Just can't be afraid of the surface. Shit moves around a little bit....just the way it goes. If that bothers or unsettles you, get on an MX bike and train on that. MX bikes and flat track training is a game changer. If you have your bike sorted out, you should have no problem at all. The people that eat shit and wipe out the first session in the AM either have gigantic suspension issues that need resolved, cold tires, or they're trying to win the track day and they're riding outside their abilities. Damp is different than wet. With all of that being said -- when there is standing water on the track or a downpour going on -- I stay off of it. Mid-O is a great track and will teach you a lot about throttle control and BP -- especially when the track is under half shade and cold.
This guy gets it. Mid Ohio is a special place. Temperature sensitive for sure, but when it's 75 degrees or above the grip is awesome. Once you learn it, Hard to find a more fun track. The PTR instructors are good guys as well.
