Almeria Track Day

Incinerat0r

Incinerat0r

Incinerat0r

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Devon
Hi All,

I decided to take the plunge and book 3 days of open pit-lane track action at Almeria in September. I'm a bit nervous because (as silly as it sounds) I've never traveled abroad alone.

Reason for this post is that I was wondering if anyone here has done it before and had any advice to offer? So far I've booked the track day and flights, I'm flying in to Alicante so its a fair drive to Almeria and having no car license means I can't hire a car. I'm going to give Focused Events a call and see if I can find someone that is driving and offer to split the costs in exchange for a ride. I will also need to book a hotel the night before my flight so I imagine I will most likely do this in Alicante but to be confirmed!

I'm flying out of Bristol at 6:30 in the morning and should land around 10:00, this means I have the rest of the day to travel and relax the day before I'm on track. My return flight is scheduled for 14:10 and lands in Bristol at 15:45, not sure why it takes so much longer to get there I can only assume it stops en-route.

I'm intending to have my own bike taken over which means my beloved R6 will be away from me for a few weeks! I still need to arrange how I will get my bike to and from them, they've given me a number for a guy that transports bikes they use so hopefully he can help me out.

So yeah, any advice anyone has to offer be it bike or travel related is greatly appreciated. I'm pretty excited but the logistics of it all make me a bit nervous, will be happy once I'm there with all my kit!
 
Well 10 out of 10 for taking the plunge when you are facing so many challenges!

I reaaaaally want to do one of these events trips, just not fond of the idea of my bike being shipped over there in case it gets damaged (i know its insured etc).

Maybe next year.. already done 3 bikes trips away this year. hehe.
 
I'll be sure to let you know how it goes once I'm back, if all goes well I may even do another next year so perhaps I will meet you at one you never know! I quite like the look of Jerez or perhaps Mugello ... or Aragon :p

Its turning out a bit more expensive than I first anticipated, £690 for the track day (includes hotel and breakfast) and £200 for the flights. I'm thinking I may have to train up to Bristol the day before and book a cheap hotel to sleep in (probably works out cheaper than a taxi at 2am). I did opt for the more expensive exclusive holiday (3 days / 30 riders with open pitlane) vs the cheaper (4 days / many more riders / 20min sessions) but I'm hoping it will be a lot more enjoyable and relaxed this way, with groups you're under pressure to get out at specific times or you miss out.

I must admit having my bike with road fairing on it the truck does concern me a little, but a lot of people do these events so I'm sure they have a fairly secure system in place by now. Got a bit of prep work that will need doing to the bike, may service it (plugs, oil, filter etc) and likely looking at an additional set of tyres at some point during the week. Still, can't think of a better holiday than riding around a track :D
 
Incinerat0r said:
I'm flying out of Bristol at 6:30 in the morning and should land around 10:00, this means I have the rest of the day to travel and relax the day before I'm on track. My return flight is scheduled for 14:10 and lands in Bristol at 15:45, not sure why it takes so much longer to get there I can only assume it stops en-route.
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Almeria is one hour ahead ;):D

You're leaving the UK at 06:30 UK time, and landing at 09:00 UK time (10:00 Local time). 2.5 hours.

Flying back, you leave at 14:10 Local time (13:10 UK time) and land at 15:45 UK time. 2.5 hours. +/- 5 minutes :D

Just to clear that up :p
 
Very Jealous, hope you have an epic time.

Cant give any advice as haven't done it yet, but plan on it next year so would be interested to hear your experience.
 
So Jealous.

Keep us posted, i am really after doing of these but need more track time, so has to be next year for me.

Stupid collarbone really set me back this season grrrrrrrrrrrr grrrrrrrrrrrr grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
 
Do it!! I much prefer european trackdays to UK based trackdays these days, I don't think going alone is much of an issue with these things as you'll be with a group of similar minded people.

Is this you're first euro-trackday?

Even though it's an open pit lane be sure to take plenty of breaks & drink lots of water
 
So, ocuk 2015 eu track day?

I will buy a set of track bodywork to whack on the bike if I do it I think.
 
edd1e said:
So, ocuk 2015 eu track day?
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NOW you're talking :D

Incinerat0r - I did toy with the idea of going to Almeria the start of this year, but I talked myself out of it, because I didn't like the idea of travelling alone! Yep you're not the only one, so kudos there. Also I was going to use my road bike and after watching a few youtube vids of people there I thought I best not. Got no excuse now I have a track bike. I'll hopefully be heading there end of this year or early next year.
 
Sounds like it will be epic.

Any reason why you are having your own bike shipped out? Would it not be more practical to rent one? Or is your R6 a track bike?

Personally I have always wanted to blast around Laguna Seca. That blind crest into the corkscrew would be cack your pants epic! lol :D
 
edd1e said:
So we should seriously think about booking this in the winter.
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I did my last euro-trackday at Carthagena in November.. it was perfect, not hot enough to not want to be on the bike, but still warm enough to feel like a holiday (if that makes sense)
 
Wow, thanks for the replies so far!

edd1e said:
So, ocuk 2015 eu track day?
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If all goes well I would love to :D

BattFink said:
Is this you're first euro-trackday?
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It sure is, hence why I'm a bit nervous about it. Main reason for the open pit-lane is that I thought it would be a more enjoyable experience with a smaller group and I can do as many laps as I want in one hit and then rest as long as I wish. When at Silverstone recently by the time I'd pulled in to the pits and seen the suspension guy before I knew it my group was back out on track without getting much of a break.

unKle said:
NOW you're talking :D

Incinerat0r - I did toy with the idea of going to Almeria the start of this year, but I talked myself out of it, because I didn't like the idea of travelling alone! Yep you're not the only one, so kudos there. Also I was going to use my road bike and after watching a few youtube vids of people there I thought I best not. Got no excuse now I have a track bike. I'll hopefully be heading there end of this year or early next year.
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I've been wanting to do it all year, I was planning to go with a good friend of mine but because he has split up with his girlfriend and has to sell his bike to buy a house I'm going alone. It would have been easy to bail out but at this point but I would regret not doing it more, I managed to save a lot of money over winter so I intend to enjoy my time off this summer!

BuffetSlayer said:
Any reason why you are having your own bike shipped out? Would it not be more practical to rent one? Or is your R6 a track bike?
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Previously I've done 4 track days and 3 of those I hired an R6, for my latest I took my own and it felt so much better. The hire bikes brakes were a lot worse than my own, it had no steering damper, suspension wasn't set up for me etc and generally I didn't feel as comfortable on it. I find that riding on the road my R6 is 'wasted' as I enjoy going fast and doing track days has made me appreciate how much more the bike is capable of and as a result I guess it takes away a bit of the excitement from the road. Being able to push the bike to what I feel is the limit is extremely satisfying and borderline addictive! I'm fortunate to have a second bike to commute on so if the worst were to happen I could always turn my R6 into a track bike. I'm by no means an expert either, I feel quite safe riding on the track and being on my pride and joy I guess I hold a little back as I'd prefer to avoid binning it!

bloodiedathame said:
I know a big group that used to go, can out you in touch with them if you like. PM if you need.
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That's a very generous offer, thank you. I intent to call Focused Events tomorrow (was working away today) and see if I can find someone driving from Alacante airport to Almeria and split the car rental / fuel otherwise it will be a long slog on public transport. If I'm still not happy I may just take you up on that offer!


My main concern at the moment is getting from Alacante to Almeria and the return in time for my flight, I'm sure I will figure it out but I just hate having that uncertainty. I will most likely go over prepared and be hours early to everything :D
 
Bit of an update, my old man has very nicely agreed to come along (not riding) so I have a chauffeur for the week I'm there :cool:

Finally got the information pack through (less than 3 weeks to go). To do list is now as follows:

  • Get bike to FE for 30th August - £140 in fuel
  • Itemise all my tools, kit and value them
  • Book hire car from this end to Bristol (one way) - £70
  • Book hire car in Spain for 5 days - £40
  • Book train tickets for the return journey this end
  • Order spare set of tyres, they're taking lots of slicks / cut slicks in their truck. - £250
  • You need to have rider insurance (not EHIC) - £76
  • Get enough Euros to cover fuel for the bike and hire car etc. - £200 to £300
  • Collect bike from FE on 20th September - £140
  • Book hotel in Spain the night before we fly back - £40

All in all it looks like it will cost a fair bit (more than I anticipated!), I think I'm realistically looking at about £2k when you factor in the track day costing £689 + £200 for flights. Still, I'm sure it will be worth it! :D
 
Have fun, I've just started TDs and can't wait to get a Euro trip done. Being 22 and having no friends who do TDs is massively limiting, I can't even hire a car abroad.
 
I've just turned 23 so I know what you mean! I'm very dependent on my old man to get me and the bike about at the moment. Fortunately he is as crazy about bikes as I am but one day I will have to get myself there :p
 
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