posted December 09, 2004 04:17 PM
track days question I plan on going to NHIS in Loudon, NH. this spring for my first ever track days and need some pointers from you guys with experience. After I complete the school will I be allowed to "race" around the track or is there some sort of speed limit for newbies? Is there more than one bike on the track at one time or am only allowed to be out there solo? Any other information you can give me would be appreciated. Any of you guys going to be there?
posted December 09, 2004 04:27 PM
Hey gixxerking, I've not experience Loudon's stuff but generally it works like this.
The graduating classes are split into groups. Either by choice or by the instructors. Fast, slow or possibly considerations of dispalcement as well. How ever it would be some thing similar to that. Generally you can expect more than one bike on the track at one time. I've never been to any track day / skool that limited to one bike per session. Others may disagree.
Rider / riding limitations would normally involve wheather passing is allowed or not, or only in certain areas of the track [it: front straight only]
I can't think of too much else. Others who know better will chime in I'm sure.
posted December 13, 2004 08:58 AM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 13 Dec 2004 09:12
Track days (depending on the "school" or administering body) are usually split up into groups, "A" "B" and "C" ... Officials will determine who fits in what group... "A" group riders are usually fast track experienced riders, "B" group riders are riders with some track experience and/or fast fast street riders.... "C" group tends to be new riders, new track riders and other riders with less experience...
A reputable track day event will have corner marshalls and an ambulance standing by all day long. They will also have a tech inspection at the beginning of the day and a "riding gear" tech inspection as well. They will require some changes to your bike.. ie taped over or removed headlights, turnsignals, no mirrors, safety wire your oil filter and drain plug, and on water cooled bikes coolant is changed to "water wetter".... They will also ask you medical questions like blood type, next of kin and medical insurance info.
Make sure you take 2 canteens of extra fuel (your bike will use WAY more gas than you think at WFO) and make sure you have NEW tires on your bike.
I've never heard of a track day where you go "solo" around the track. There are usually groups of 10-15 riders on the track at a time, staggered start. Often an instructor will monitor the first one or 2 sessions and impose a speed limit of some sort, depending on what group you are in... then later in the day it will be a free for all... .go as fast as you feel comfortable... You can always ask to be switched to a different group if you feel like you have been misplaced (ie: "these guys are WAY to fast, put me in a slower group" or "shit... I keep trying to get around that guy in turn 3 but his tassles and saddlebags on his Valkyrie keep blocking me on both the inside AND outside!")
Some trackdays will have passing rules and rules of conduct in place... ie: "no passing on the inside" etc... or "if you crash you're out"... make sure you follow the rules.. messing up can cost you your whole day and all of that prep, and it'll be no one's fault but your own.
Make sure you do some homework on what they require so that you arent caught off guard on the morning of the trackday. Also make sure that they do the above as a minimum... If they're a fly by night operation and they dont have corner workers, ambulance and no tech requirements, then be leery of them.. you dont want to risk your life on someone making a fast buck by renting the track for a day and splitting. Check with your local race organizations to find a sanction track day that has some basic safety rules in place.
Track days are great events! You'll learn a lot about your bike and what it was meant to do!
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted December 14, 2004 07:40 AM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 15 Dec 2004 06:43
The trackdays I have done have required a safety wired drainplug. Yes, we did have to drill our drainplugs... so? No big deal... it wasnt hard and your local dealer can do it for you for a buck or two if you cant figure it out yerself.
If I'm not mistaken the trackday simply mirrors the rules and regs of the track they are renting.... I believe PIR requires water wetter and a safety wired drainplug.. as does SIR (pacific or whatever we call it now)...
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted December 14, 2004 10:07 AM
Any track day I've been too asked for all glass taped [minimum] or removed. Head lights disconnected and taped [since removal is not practical]
as for wiring, I've never had to wire anything, and one group I went too insisted on water and one other group had no preference.
Obviously these are specific points that you should ask directly of the group you are attending with.
posted December 15, 2004 06:45 AM
No prob... as I said earlier the requirements obviously reflect the rules that are set out by each specific track... so make sure you know in advance!
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted January 22, 2005 08:16 AM
These are all good points but there are some that have been over looked. More about you than the bike.
- Take lots of water and Gatoraid! (I will drink 6-8 l/day)
- If its hot, drink the water and Gatoraid!
- If you can, take a friend along. (they are great for helping with refuleing,timeing your lap records,pulling your sweaty leathers off and so on.)
-A cooler with some food. (I take easy to eat stuff like fruit salad, cookies...)
- Try and get some sleep the night before.
- No spicy food the night before. (sounds wierd but it helps me. Dont know why.)
- Take extra stuff like socks, riding gloves, ear plugs...
- A folding chair and some kind of shade maker.
One more thing - Build you speed slowly. Gradualy getting each corner worked out. (If I have problems I one or two corners I just go slow through them till I have everything else more or less worked out. Then I will spend more of my lap concentration on that specific section. Graduating to the next prob. as I work them out.) You may end up with only one or two bad spots at the end of the day.
And be SMOOTH!
____________
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posted December 09, 2004 04:17 PM
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