Recently booked Oulton park for a track day in February through No Limits track days. Put myself in the novice group as I've only done one track day before. Thing is.....I've had my licence for over 15 years, always had sports bikes, pretty much been on two wheels since I was about 3, bmx's and little moto x bikes etc. When I did my first track day I was surprised how much I pushed myself and by the end the day my tyres were completely shredded, molten rubber on the edges and was passing riders on bigger bikes......so I must have been pushing reasonaly hard. On the road I consider myself an average rider and can keep a steady pace and keep up with better riders than me but i don't mind admitting I'm more cautious on the road due to idiot drivers and having a young family. So I'd say I'm probably more capable and confident on the track!! My point is I'm not sure if I should have put myself in the intermediate group instead of the novice/slow group. I did so because No Limits state novice group is for riders with little or no track experience. Just don't want the embarrassment of being moved down a group if I've over estimated my ability. Suppose I'm not sure just how they grade the groups? Just how fast Is the inters and advanced group's???
You would be amazed how fast some of the intermediate group can go . It is best to go in the novice group and build up your knowledge of where the track goes and build up your speed during the day. A mate of mine came into the intermediate group with me and another mate as we had been before ,but he was downright dangerous as he was braking into the corners whilst everyone else was still accelerating at them ,causing riders to take evasive action.
One of life's great dilemmas, Novice, Inters or Fast (or what ever they're called now). IMO if you're somewhere between the capabilities of both groups then Novice will allow you more time to concentrate on passing others rather than being distracted by others passing you in Inters. Don't forget that riders setup and regality of track days will play a part, especially in Feb. Many Novice riders will be on road bikes with cold road tyres, where as many Inters riders will turn up with track tyres and warmers having done a track day more recently, so the average pace between the two groups will vary. I reckon you won't go far wrong in Novice for now. Just use it to gauge where you're at for next time.
Yeah Paul. I agree with R1. Make the most of your Oulton day and then decide from there where you feel you fit in. The situation is that it's better to be faster of the novice group than slower of the intermediates, both for yourself and other track users. You'll see great improvement (again) throughout the day.
I know that no limits move you between groups at european trackdays, if your either too fast/slow,etc. Not sure about UK trackdays though. If your passing lots of riders then I think your in the wrong group. Try inters and if not comfortable then ask to be moved. Inters is the most popular group and it is easier to move down or up a group, than move into the inters. In my view you should always ride to your limits especially as its a trackday and not a race. Don't put pressure on yourself or it might end in expensive tears. Lol Only my opinion so not gospel. Have fun.
Some really good feedback here with some excellent and valid points from you all. I think the time of year will play it's part as the track temp won't be very high and I won't have tyres warmers or track tyres so that will probably slow me down a little. The last thing I want is to be getting swamped by a load of riders on track prepared bikes so yeah I think I'll stick with the group I've booked on with and see where I go from there. If No Limits do move riders up or down groups, I think I'd rather be moved up than down that way I'll know I'm improving! Thanks again for all your comments really appreciated, will be doing a few days at Oulton this year so maybe see a few forum members there!
I agree, stick with the group you are in. You will learn far more on track if you are comfortable with your pace and the pace of others around you. There is nothing worse than either feeling you are holding people up or being held up by slower riders. However, the most important things to remember are: 1. have fun, 2. don't be afraid to ask for tips, help or advice, 3. make sure your bike is ready for the day and get your tyre pressures sorted out (get a decent tyre pressure gauge), 4. remember every body has to start somewhere, so keep it sensible and learn from what feedback you get from the bike and your pace, 5. don't be put off if it rains, you learn so much about bike control in the wet and it is amazing when it all falls into place. Have a great day most importantly and keep it shiny side up!
With you being relatively new to track novice is the correct group, if you feel after half of the day that your too fast for the group ask to be moved into the intermediate group
It all depends on the day as well, I normally run inters. One time I dropped down to novice cos the day after was club racing and inters was reall fast group getting beaten up by racers. Is your bike suspension set up properly? Mine don't shread tyres
I would ask to go out with an instructor, free with No-Limits TD, he can gauge your ability on track and also give you pointers and move you to a different group if needed.
Haha I like it Nigel !! Jamie I haven't done a track day on my blade yet, this will be the first time on this bike. It's going into Hunts for a service as it's due and I did intend to get suspension set up to suit at that time. (If they do it) When I say shredded I don't mean thread bare, I mean like properly scrubbed in with a build up of molten rubber on your edges. Oulton is a very fast with long sweeping corners kind of track, if your carrying a lot of corner speed round there your tyres will get 'shredded' for want of a better term!
Good shout Simon.....I didn't take advantage of that last time out. I was young and thought I knew it all haha. A lot to be gained from those guys I think.
It may be worth investing in some tyre warmers. I know it may seem a bit extreme, but they do allow the tyre and also the rim to heat up, allowing the tyre to work properly from the off. It also reduces the number of heat cycles your tyres go through in a day, which ultimately compromise the tyre life (along with the obvious wear), so fit them straight after a session to keep the heat in tyres/wheels.. Look at something like Diamond Tyre Warmers, great value and they last well. In the 7 years I have been racing, I have gone through 2 sets in total, which isn't bad. As has been said, suspension set up is worth its weight in gold, as between suspension and tyres, these are what keep you upright and smiling.
I have some Diamond Tyre warmers, very good for the price, keep them tyres toasty all day full grip from the off and less heat cycles means tyres last longer
Just had a look on eBay, it's something I'm definitely considering.....along with the million other things in my 'watch list'
Paul, as a matter of interest, will they be of much assistance if you're running standard road tyres as opposed to the softer track tyres? Could be only a minimal advantage for the outlay.
I reckon they would make a significant difference as long at the heat is not lost in the mean time. At the very least they would take the edge off stone cold tyres on a cold February morning.
Hmmm.....I see where your coming from Nigel, on a cold February morning I would say any help getting heat into any road tyre has to be to your advantage. Where as in the height of summer I'm guessing road tyres would be up to temperature in a lap or two. Im in no doubt the need for tyre warmers is greater for race/track tyres but as Muffling said......every little helps, especially this time of year!
Just out of interest, if I do get tyre warmers, I'm gonna need power.....how does the old garage allocation thing work, is it literally first come first served and park your bike up against the roller shutter doors?? Last time I went it was a few years back and myself and my brother took our bikes down on a trailer we used to have, both first timers and by the time we'd got the bikes off the trailer the garages were full. This time I'll be riding down and my significant other is following me with supplies and paddock stands etc so I'll just park the bike straight up?? Ps British superbikes rerun of assen round followed by final showdown from Brands on Eurosport right now if anyone needs their racing fix!!
