OzFighter
05-02-2007, 12:02 PM
Ok, so this thread is for first time track riders who are looking for info on how to get ready, get to, participate and survive their first experience on the track.
Having just experienced my first track day, i understand the thoughts and feelings that can go through you before your first track day. Ill try to provide as much as i can, then hand it over to some of the more experienced riders to contribute their own memories of their first time. So here goes.
To begin with, choose a track thats not too fast or demanding.
Some tracks these days can be packed with hundreds of people and can bring with it pressure and crazy riders. Combined with a tough track, its an almost guaranteed recipe for disaster. Even with a great group like ours, there is still non-member riders out there who's main goal is to go as fast and hard as they can and have no respect for their fellow rider. Choose a track that has good ratio of fast and technical sections. Oran Park seems perfect for this. Although its the only track ive been on, its said if you can ride OP well, then you can ride any other track in the world.
Next, make sure your ride is ready for the track.
Know your bike. When preparing for the day, make sure everything is how it should be. Check tires, oil, fuel, brakes, suspension set up and whether or not you wish to ride with or without race glass. There is nothing worse than getting all pumped up, then not being allowed to go out because of something small like a nail in your tire. Oh and make sure your helmet is in good working condition. These things will be checked thoroughly by the officials before anyone goes out.
Choose suitable means of getting to the track.
I would strongly recommend having your bike on a trailer there and back. Not only does it save you fuel and wear and tear, it also prevents a nasty mishap on the journey home due to fatigue, lack of concentration and over confidence. Being on the track all day can wear you out heavily. You will find yourself ready to fall asleep by the 6th session. Also being on the track can give you a sense of god-like ability and you may find yourself hitting 160kph through traffic, forgetting your on the road and taking too many risks. We all want to see you again at the next track day, so choose wisely!
Now for the fun part! Dealing with the track!
Place yourself in the C or D group, these being for first timers and casual riders. For the first few sessions, you just want to go around at a casual pace keeping well within your limits. The track can be unforgiving if you dont respect it. If you have the attitude of '..im unstoppable on the street so im gonna be unstoppable on the track..' then trust me, you will be stopped fast. If not by a marshal then by a cement wall, another rider or a sand trap. Pace yourself. Get your mind up to speed. Allow your eyes to adjust to the perception. A few times on my first session i came in way to quick on turns that are much tighter than they first look. Its hard to judge if you never been on track. The road is different in that you can see a good distance ahead and there is signs posted everywhere to tell you recommended speeds. You choose your own speed on the track. Drawing lines through corners and choosing the right gear is essential for staying on track. To develop these skills, talk to your fellow riders. More than likely they have been there and done that and will happily tell you how to handle each turn.
Intimidation and pressure.
Everyone on the track has pressure from behind the first time. Even in the lowest class there are riders with faster bikes and more experience than yourself. They will want to pass you. Let them. If you try taking on riders before you know the track, your basically fucked. You will come off. Wait until you know where turns take you and good places to pass, then kick they're asses! Remember, your not Rossi. Your not qualifying for a GP. The idea is to have fun and enjoy your day. It wont be much fun if you come off on cold tires on turn 2 in the first session. Set your own personal bests. Try chipping away at them slowly as you gain more and more experience. It will take at least 2 sessions out there before you find yourself relaxing a bit. It's still intense every second your out there, but its soo much fun! The adrenaline pumps through you and fires you through apex's faster than you could ever do safely on the road. Its so much fun that just as your getting right into it, the checked flag comes out and your like :wtf1: i just got out here!! You get back to the pits, tear your helmet off and your just buzzing with left over adrenaline and talking at a hundred miles an hour to your mates about how you got past some guy on the inside going through turn whatever! Its the sweetest feeling!
If you can do all that then all thats left is to keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water or Gatorade and have something to eat, but nothing fatty or thats going to make you tired. I saw lots of people eating containers of chopped fruit, which is perfect. Have a good nights sleep before the day. No wild parties with pis and hookers until 4am, or you'll be seriously rooted, and you might as well stay in bed. You might want to bring a seat to sit on as well. Standing around waiting for your session all day can wear you down quickly.
Getting home.
Again, i covered this in the above section, but remember you will be tired so make sure you can get home safety. If you can do that, then once you get home, all you want to do is sleep. I made myself a shake with milk ice cream and fruit to restore some vitamins lost on the track, then found a nice place on the lounge and chucked on a moto GP season review dvd, watched like 2 1/2 minutes of it then slept till like 7pm until my little girl started to hit me with her blocks. Then i got up. But i was refreshed. Kinda.
Other than that, just enjoy the day, ride within you and your bikes limits, be respectful of the track the riders and the marshals and keep your energy up. If you can manage all of that and make it through the day without coming off at all, you'll find a feeling of accomplishment like no other and already looking towards the next event!
Always ride safe and get it all out on the track, not on the road.
*disregard my signature after that last sentence...
Having just experienced my first track day, i understand the thoughts and feelings that can go through you before your first track day. Ill try to provide as much as i can, then hand it over to some of the more experienced riders to contribute their own memories of their first time. So here goes.
To begin with, choose a track thats not too fast or demanding.
Some tracks these days can be packed with hundreds of people and can bring with it pressure and crazy riders. Combined with a tough track, its an almost guaranteed recipe for disaster. Even with a great group like ours, there is still non-member riders out there who's main goal is to go as fast and hard as they can and have no respect for their fellow rider. Choose a track that has good ratio of fast and technical sections. Oran Park seems perfect for this. Although its the only track ive been on, its said if you can ride OP well, then you can ride any other track in the world.
Next, make sure your ride is ready for the track.
Know your bike. When preparing for the day, make sure everything is how it should be. Check tires, oil, fuel, brakes, suspension set up and whether or not you wish to ride with or without race glass. There is nothing worse than getting all pumped up, then not being allowed to go out because of something small like a nail in your tire. Oh and make sure your helmet is in good working condition. These things will be checked thoroughly by the officials before anyone goes out.
Choose suitable means of getting to the track.
I would strongly recommend having your bike on a trailer there and back. Not only does it save you fuel and wear and tear, it also prevents a nasty mishap on the journey home due to fatigue, lack of concentration and over confidence. Being on the track all day can wear you out heavily. You will find yourself ready to fall asleep by the 6th session. Also being on the track can give you a sense of god-like ability and you may find yourself hitting 160kph through traffic, forgetting your on the road and taking too many risks. We all want to see you again at the next track day, so choose wisely!
Now for the fun part! Dealing with the track!
Place yourself in the C or D group, these being for first timers and casual riders. For the first few sessions, you just want to go around at a casual pace keeping well within your limits. The track can be unforgiving if you dont respect it. If you have the attitude of '..im unstoppable on the street so im gonna be unstoppable on the track..' then trust me, you will be stopped fast. If not by a marshal then by a cement wall, another rider or a sand trap. Pace yourself. Get your mind up to speed. Allow your eyes to adjust to the perception. A few times on my first session i came in way to quick on turns that are much tighter than they first look. Its hard to judge if you never been on track. The road is different in that you can see a good distance ahead and there is signs posted everywhere to tell you recommended speeds. You choose your own speed on the track. Drawing lines through corners and choosing the right gear is essential for staying on track. To develop these skills, talk to your fellow riders. More than likely they have been there and done that and will happily tell you how to handle each turn.
Intimidation and pressure.
Everyone on the track has pressure from behind the first time. Even in the lowest class there are riders with faster bikes and more experience than yourself. They will want to pass you. Let them. If you try taking on riders before you know the track, your basically fucked. You will come off. Wait until you know where turns take you and good places to pass, then kick they're asses! Remember, your not Rossi. Your not qualifying for a GP. The idea is to have fun and enjoy your day. It wont be much fun if you come off on cold tires on turn 2 in the first session. Set your own personal bests. Try chipping away at them slowly as you gain more and more experience. It will take at least 2 sessions out there before you find yourself relaxing a bit. It's still intense every second your out there, but its soo much fun! The adrenaline pumps through you and fires you through apex's faster than you could ever do safely on the road. Its so much fun that just as your getting right into it, the checked flag comes out and your like :wtf1: i just got out here!! You get back to the pits, tear your helmet off and your just buzzing with left over adrenaline and talking at a hundred miles an hour to your mates about how you got past some guy on the inside going through turn whatever! Its the sweetest feeling!
If you can do all that then all thats left is to keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water or Gatorade and have something to eat, but nothing fatty or thats going to make you tired. I saw lots of people eating containers of chopped fruit, which is perfect. Have a good nights sleep before the day. No wild parties with pis and hookers until 4am, or you'll be seriously rooted, and you might as well stay in bed. You might want to bring a seat to sit on as well. Standing around waiting for your session all day can wear you down quickly.
Getting home.
Again, i covered this in the above section, but remember you will be tired so make sure you can get home safety. If you can do that, then once you get home, all you want to do is sleep. I made myself a shake with milk ice cream and fruit to restore some vitamins lost on the track, then found a nice place on the lounge and chucked on a moto GP season review dvd, watched like 2 1/2 minutes of it then slept till like 7pm until my little girl started to hit me with her blocks. Then i got up. But i was refreshed. Kinda.
Other than that, just enjoy the day, ride within you and your bikes limits, be respectful of the track the riders and the marshals and keep your energy up. If you can manage all of that and make it through the day without coming off at all, you'll find a feeling of accomplishment like no other and already looking towards the next event!
Always ride safe and get it all out on the track, not on the road.
*disregard my signature after that last sentence...