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TrackDays - What You Need To Get Started

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kiwi_rsvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: TrackDays - What You Need To Get Started
    Posted: 20 Dec 2009 at 12:20
Okay this is kind of a draft (As I expect it to change/be modified by other helpful hints as they come to light).
 
Okay , you've made your mind up to do a Track Day. What do you need and What should you do.
 
A Full License
(If a photo license you will need to bring the paper half with you)
ACU License if you have one (Only club racers will have these - as a road only rider you wont and dont need one)
 
Your Bike
Road Bike
or
Track only bike
Your bike MUST be in sound mechanical condition , that is not leaking Oil, brake pads not on the wear limit, tyres within wear limits, chain in good condition and adjusted properly, all other mechanical parts in good working order. ( If you can change the oil)
 
Your bike will undergo a noise test (Check what the limit is when you signup for your trackday)
A standard as fitted by the manufacturer exhaust (unmodified) should pass MOST circuit noise test's
As after market exhausts are of variable age and quality you may not pass so take a db killer with you or if taking the bike on a trailer or in a van throw the original can in before you leave.
Only extremely loud pipes will fail and your day will have ended before it began.
 
Your Equipment
Helmet - Gold ACU sticker, good condition (Take a clear visor in case the weather changes).
1 or 2 piece Leathers (If 2 piece MUST have 360 degree zip , 8 inch zips NOT acceptable).
Leather Gloves (No textile panels).
Boots (Good condition with all zips/velco functioning).
Back Protector  (Recomended, Strongly recomended but not a requirement).
NO "Sparky" knee sliders.
NO Textiles or MotoX kit (Self explanatory).
 
 
Basic tools
Tyre pressure gauge.
Cable ties.
Duck Tape or similar.
The bikes standard tool kit (You may want to augument this with cutters for cable ties etc).
(If you are trailering or vanning the bike then take your paddock stands and fuel cans , extra tools etc).
 
Food
Energy Drinks.
Energy Bars.
Basically nothing stodgy or heavy (Burgers, Pies etc). Stodge will actually make you tired and lethargic
Eat and drink little and oftten is the rule here.
 
Try not to go out on the lash the night before (Typically sign on starts around 730am), try to get a good early night. A trackday is not only going to give your bike a workout but it will give you a damn good workout too.
 
Trackdays come in many forms and guises but typically you will find 3 groups
Group 1  - The Novice Group (That is for people that have NEVER ridden on a track before, no matter how much of a riding god you think you are you are NOT , when it comes to TD's!) I would suggest that you will want to do 4 or 5 trackday's in the Novice Group (If you display Rossi like riding tendancies you will soon come to the attention of both the Trackday Organisers and the Instructors at which point they will either move you up a group or kick you off the track for being over aggressive)
 
Group 2 - Intermediates (Those that have done 4 or 5 track days at the SAME circuit and now feel competant to move to the next level.
You may now find that your road bike is less common in this group as by now you will be pushing not only yourself but your bike significanlty harder and thus you may find that you wish not to risk your pride and joy. That is not to say you should'nt use your road bike many still do.
 
Group 3 - The Fast Group (Almost a riding god but not quite) Here you will find club racers and a significant number of track only orientated machines, but this does not mean you and your road bike are not suited to this level.
 
The ONLY thing to remember is that this is not a race , nobody but nobody is measuring testicle sizes (Sorry Girls not sure what the female equivelant is so I'll go for Bra size). You are there to do something you cannot normally do , That is to take your motorcycle around a motor racing track in a safe and predictable manner without the risk's associated with road riding (That siad TD's are a high "risk factor" event accidents can and do happen). Only you can influence whether you have a good or a bad day , dont be a prat if you are tired come in and skip a session, if your mate is ahead of you dont try and outbrake him , ride to a level that you are comfortable with and be considerate to others, that way you will ensure you and those around you have a good day and hopefully the bug will have bitten and you'll be back for more.  
 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote amb67 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Dec 2009 at 14:20
This is great Scott, loads of useful tips in here that I'd never even thought about.

Makes you realise that bike track days are poles apart from doing them in a car.




Blue ones are so much faster than black ones.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kev 44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Dec 2009 at 20:13

I would just like to add, instructors are there to help don't be to shy to ask or think you dont need any help even if its just a chat where you can pick up pointers about the circuit or even tyre pressures. And if you're in the fast group the instructors are not targets if you want to see if you're faster than them ask them to have a quick lap with you most will oblige! Tyres and their pressures are so important 38psi in the rear aint gonna work! ALWAYS warm your tyres 3 laps should be about right. kiwi is right you have nothing to prove go at YOUR own pace look after yourself and keep an eye out all the time for other people ie dont concentrate to much on the guy in front you may just follow him on to the grass! Never look behind if the guy following is faster its up to him to get past you DO NOT change your line to let someone past. Relax and breathe out there and enjoyWink

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kiwi_rsvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Dec 2009 at 20:16
I agree about the Instructor's , they are all volunteers and generally do a damn fine job and as Kev say's if you ask nicely will oblige with a quick lap or two.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fusebox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Dec 2009 at 21:40
just one thing that i found a great help was the energy drink thing.......just not fizzy type didnt half hurt after a bit cos i was concentratin on racin rather tryin to burp...sounds petty but worked for me!!

top post scott!!your the man!!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kev 44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Dec 2009 at 22:12
Sports drinks are better than energy drinks - Yes there is a difference
 
Mind you fosters works for me Thumbs Up 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote andy777 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Dec 2009 at 14:23
Is stella a sports drink?
Big smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote andy777 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Dec 2009 at 14:28
Energy drinks are made up of caffeine and taurine etc which just give you a buzz and then you can't sleep.
Alot of sports drinks contain sugar! , a good one may contain maltodextrin and maybe a bit of salt.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jools Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 18:30
Its best to keep hydrated with water, all those sports drinks are a rip off. They will only benefit elite athleteswho are training day in and day out, lchilled water for us meer mortals is more than good enough. if you are after a quick energy boost between sessions then bananas, chocolate or good old wine gums can keep you going. Keep off the burger and chips and dont have a large lunch as research shows that there is a tendancy to fall alsleep or loose concentration following a heavy meal. Just take note how many offs there are just after dinner... Jools

Edited by jools - 10 Feb 2010 at 18:36
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Millemille Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 21:48
Thanks for the nod to the girly riders scott yes we do get competative to maybe more so as we feel we have more to prove.:-)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Garin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 19:24
Top post answers all the questions I had, looks like I'd have to get another helmet as my schuberth R1 doesn't have a Gold ACU sticker .............Censored

Do your boots have to be motorcycle boots ?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kiwi_rsvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 20:03
You could try borrowing Colin's carpet slippers but i'm not too sure what sort of reaction you would get Wink


Originally posted by Garin Garin wrote:

Top post answers all the questions I had, looks like I'd have to get another helmet as my schuberth R1 doesn't have a Gold ACU sticker .............Censored

Do your boots have to be motorcycle boots ?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote baileybobbys Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2010 at 20:31
tyre warmers were a revalation for me!! thought im not going to need them then a mate gave me his for the day. the confidence they gave me was unbelivable. very good post, will be doing some trackdays next year on the milie. enjoy
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote edelliott Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct 2011 at 21:27
LMFAO @ Stella............ Classic
 
Watch the titanium sliders
I got ejected from Brands Hatch for using these!
Well thats the excuse they gave me.
 
I don't think the 2 instructors in the race group appriciated being undertaken
round clearways Then showered with sparksBig smile
 
Plenty of water & energy food
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote edelliott Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct 2011 at 21:32
Also
 
Take your time & forget about everyone else if its your first time on track
Relax & enjoy yourself rather than getting in battles with people.
 
 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gazza Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 12:32
If you're using a road bike then tape up your speedo and tape up or even better remove the mirrors, what's behind you doesn't matter and a speedo is just a distraction.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kiwi_rsvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 13:09
Defo no sparkie sliders...being chucked off circuit kinda ruins the day Thumbs Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ForzaApriliaRacing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 19:30
The two instructors that day were bell ends
 
both had ZX6-R ninjas and the same leathers
They thought they were WSB racers
 
I could not resist smoking the pair of them :-)
I should not have taken the titanum sliders though.....
 
This was back in 1998
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ForzaApriliaRacing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 19:31

Its all mega expensive now days

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dannybyg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 19:37
Just booked 1st trackday at brands with a couple of mates, read this thread and loads of good info, bit old to start doing this now but gotta do it while I can!! Just wish I'd had my rsvr yrs ago!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kiwi_rsvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 19:57
No such thing as too old....Ive had a 2 year lay off but am hoping to do a couple this year and I'm a year off being 50 !

My mates dad is 72 and still does a trackday a year....and he's damn quick , rides an old TZR250.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dannybyg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 20:13
Lol, kiwi by too old read don't want to come off and get hurt!! Don't bounce like I used too!! Actually can't wait, gettin a bit silly on the roads, to much traffic, trees etc so thought I'd be sensible, ur guide thread is very useful, got a couple of mates doing first time aswell, one on a mille, one on a gsxr1000 so should be a good day out!! Just hope we get the sun!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ForzaApriliaRacing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 21:58
Watch out for 250 cc bikes
Especially round brands they are hard to catch

Hats off to the 72 yr old still at it
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kiwi_rsvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 2013 at 08:15
I have done well over 30 track days (and all after my 40th birthday too - who said you cannot relive your youth ?), Only ever come off twice and that has been in the same place twice 1 year apart !!. No damage to me and only cosmetic to the bike. 
You ride at a pace that is comfortable to yourself, It is NOT a race but you can build speed and technique session by session , at the end of the day when you leave the circuit only you can be responsible for the utther exhaustion and the ear to ear grin that has you selling kidneys to afford the next one.

Probably the hardest part is remembering you are on a race track and potentially riding at a speed that you could never achieve legally on the road, and as such you need to forget your "road biased safety checks" - just remember them again on the way home.

The worst thing you can do (imho) is not tape up your speedo and mirrors and not pay attention to the briefing/warm up laps, I've seen too many people crash because they fail to observe these most basic rules.

Soz I realize I sound like someones old man giving their son a lecture ...not meant  to be just more a comment on how I see things 

Originally posted by dannybyg dannybyg wrote:

Lol, kiwi by too old read don't want to come off and get hurt!! Don't bounce like I used too!! Actually can't wait, gettin a bit silly on the roads, to much traffic, trees etc so thought I'd be sensible, ur guide thread is very useful, got a couple of mates doing first time aswell, one on a mille, one on a gsxr1000 so should be a good day out!! Just hope we get the sun!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kiwi_rsvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 2013 at 08:17
I got it wrong he's 71 (cost me a tipple or two last night that mistake !), he will be out with us later in the year (and I'm damn sure hes not coming past me this time !!)


Originally posted by ForzaApriliaRacing ForzaApriliaRacing wrote:

Watch out for 250 cc bikes
Especially round brands they are hard to catch

Hats off to the 72 yr old still at it
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 22:01
Ive never met Garin but apparently he farts like Bigfoot..
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pjroth72 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 22:02
Steve wrong thread lol
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jond58 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 22:16
Basically take it steady and enjoy it mate. And remember, if someone passes you, he's more of a man and everyone will laugh so you have to keep up at all costs.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 22:17
Originally posted by pjroth72 pjroth72 wrote:

Steve wrong thread lol

I was just having a general peruse and I saw his name so I just thought I'd share that valuable insight with the rest of the crowd. If he farts like bigfoot I wonder if the fur makes it sound all muffled....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jond58 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 22:18
Additionally if it's your first time and you are in the novice group they'll all be sh*t scared of binning their bikes, a few kamikaze cornering moves early on should let them know what your about, they'll not attempt an overtake.
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