Before I did my first trackday I wondered how I would fare in the novice class. I thought I was quite fast on the road but how fast is "quite fast?" Would I be left for dead or would I lead the field? Fortunately for me I was up there with the fastest of that group but to be honest there were some guys that were so slow they may as well have saved their money and done a Sunday rideout! No body movement, no hanging off and some resting the instep of their feet on the pegs. Best thing you can do imo is do a bit of research on trackday riding, there's plenty about and just go and do it and enjoy your day. It's not a race and you shouldn't worry about "your position" in the group. You can push the bike and yourself gradually at your own pace and learn just what you are capable of. You're not going to fall off unless you do something really stupid but then that also applies on the road. If you find you're pretty quick and riding around everyone then generally the marshalls will move you up a group as it's much safer to ride with guys at your level. What you can find however, are the knobs who should be in the fast group ( but not the fastest riders ) stay in the intermediate group so they look like "the big fish in a small pond". Follow the rules and learn the best lines and take your time gradually getting faster and I guarantee it'll be the best day's biking in your life, the only drawback is IT'S HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!
also thinking talking to a few people. say next year we have 10 members booking a trackday with No limits you get a free place. thus cheaper all round if split between us I'm so looking forward to next year. not wishing the winter or my life away but hoping to get a few trackdays booked and meet up with more of you peps on here
If you contact No Limits they may well agree a 10% forum discount. They do for gixerjunkies ;-) (my trackbike is a GSXR)
No, must be treaded tyres. It's the only rule the rookies have. You can run a full on wsb bike if you had one, just no slicks as a rookie.
I want to do a track day next year, but was considering booking a day at Ron haslam first, so i could get the most out of a track day, are they worth it?
I was thinking of CSS or Ron's day but went straight into track days and never looked back. for Under a ton you get a good day on track. and on 20 mins then a 40 min wait might sound slow but you don't have a great deal of time once it gets going
I'd look at the other way round. You'll get more out of the Ron Haslam day if you've already done a trackday. First time on track you'll probably be crapping yourself as you line up for the first session, I was. Come lunchtime you'll know how it all works and be much more relaxed. Then when you go for a training day you be much better placed to learn new skills. There are usually free instructors on trackdays who will come out with you for session to show you some lines and give you a few tips.
i didnt thimk of it like that, a bit of a pickle tho is my closest track is brands hatch, and a ron haslam day is at silverstone, which are 2 different style tracks. this is why i was thinking of the ron day bcoz i dont realy wanna bin my bike on the first corner of brands thinking oooh s*%t what am i doing!
If you have the slightest curiosity about track riding, give it a go, 95% of riders will be totally hooked from the first session. I hesitated for a few years and now kick myself for wasting that time. I enjoy the learning/improving aspect and really rate getting some instruction especially one to one instruction even if it's just a track day instructor showing you the lines. See you out there next year.
A track is a track. It's got bends linked up with straight bits ! You don't fall off on the road every time you come to a bend you've not seen before ! Chill out and get one booked ! If you can go along and have look without booking. You don't have to pay to watch just turn up and you can wander round the pits and see how it all works. Get chatting with someone. Trackday folk are generally really friendly and helpful, always willing to lend tools, spares and assistance if need be.
Only just come across this thread it will be my first on my 2012 blade next year cant wait. Love trackdays ever since i done my first one in 2008 . Been to most tracks Mallory and Donny closest to me but i love Cadwell ( got down to 1.40.3 on a chrono day) Anglesey Oulton well them all ha ha. Vids online on my old gixxer and cbr1000rr 06 random pick 6. WEDGIEWOLVES CBR1000RR MALLORY PARK TRACK DAY TANK CAM 2 SESSION 6 - YouTube 5. WEDGIEWOLVES CBR1000RR MALLORY PARK MY HELMET CAM PART 2 TRACK DAY NO LIMITS - YouTube cut the waiting at beginnings
nice vids Wedge, glad you did not utter going on track with FE Hope to meet up next year. I've only done Anglesey weekend and pembrey but love track days. Anglesey is amazing
There seem to be a few on here concerned about crashing, that really doesn't need to be a concern. Speeds may be higher but the tracks are safer and you're only trying to get the same 10 - 15 corners right all day. I'd be tempted to stay in novice until you're front 3rd of novice at 2 or 3 on the bounce before you move up to inters. There's quite a broad spread of speed and talent in inters that could be off-putting for a raw . I'll be hoping to get more in next summer as i've only managed 3 this year on the Blade.
Pablo well said mate, I went into Inters and felt more at home than novices on my 3rd Trackday. I will be back in novices with my mate next year as he's only done 1 trackday last year.
Craig, You mentioned earlier on that you have a few sets of slicks. Do you have any plans for them next season? I only ask as I'm going to be in Clubman next year so will be able to use them, and I have a few sets of Racetec scrubs and a brand new pair I don't really need. Wander if you fancy sorting out some sort of exchange on a few pairs?
