At Motorbike-Crazy.com, we
are keen to encourage riders to experience taking their motorbikes
out on a track day. A track day can be one of the most
exciting experiences on a bike. The Motorbike-Crazy.com webmaster
rode his first track day at Goodwood in 1992 and has been riding
track days since, including organising and instructing on some
private club track days.
What Are Motorbike Track
Days All About?
Track days are
all for nutters who get their knees down, then crash, on the latest
race reps aren't they? NO! Motorcycle track
days have been around for over 20 years, but in the last few
years they have become very popular. During the summer months
there is a motorbike track day nearly every day of the week, with
90 plus riders at each one. During the winter British track day
organisers take hundreds of riders to circuits in Spain and France.
So there must be a good reason for all those people to go on them.
Most commercial track days run with three groups of riders. Each
group can have up to 45 riders in it, who are roughly the same
ability/speed.
Each group has a 20 minute session on the track every hour. So
a typical track day will give you about 2 hours on the track.
This is plenty of time
to learn the track and have fun.
Most organisers also have some experienced racers on hand to help
out with track riding, bike setup etc.
Can
not get your knee down? So what!
This photo is of Shelley Pike, one of the UK's fastest female
racers. At only 5ft3 she can not reach the ground. But she
is still very fast.
So Why Are Motorbike Track Days So
Popular?
No Speed Limit - An obvious
reason for taking your bike onto a race circuit is the luxury of
no speed limits and no chance of getting points on your licence. Riding on a Race
Track - A race track is the same as any other road isn't it?
Well no, it is very smooth, does not have manholes, pot holes, cat's
eyes, white lines, cars, diesel spills, etc and because you get
time to learn the track you can ride at higher speeds then you can
on the road and still remain safely within your limits. Also you
will be riding in the wheel tracks of the professional racers you
see racing in the British Superbikes on TV. Take your bike to
its limit - To be honest most of us can not get anywhere near
our bike's limits, even on the track. But we can ride to our limits. Gain new skills - Because of the lack of other distractions on the track you are
able to concentrate solely on your riding and improving it. This
improvement will make you a safer road rider. Experienced racers available for advice - The primary purpose
of having "instructors" on a track day is to help with safety. However
they are also there to offer help and advice with all aspects of
track riding. They will also ride out on the track with you to help
guide you.
Suitable
track day motorbike? It has been on a few and embarrassed
a few sport bike riders.
Only problem was the engine decking out on right handers.
Just about any bike is fun.
They are fun - This is
the most important reason, nearly everyone leaves the track smiling
and looking forward to the next track day.
So there are lots of reasons to go on a track day, but aren't they
dangerous? It would be a lie to say there are no crashes on track
days. However if you ride within your limits there is no reason
to crash.
What will you need?
It depends on
the organiser and the track. But generally you will need; Full DVLA motorcycle licence. Leathers, one or two piece (if two piece they must zip
together ALL the way round). Gloves, boots and helmet (with ACU gold sticker on it). Motorcycle - Well, no you do not even need a bike! Many
track days organisers have hire track motorbikes avalable. These
will be about £180 - £250 for the day. Most people use there
own bikes. Just about any bike is fine as long as it is an unrestricted
125cc sports bike or any other bike over 250cc.
The follow information
is supplied by one of theh UK's best track day organisers - Hottrax
What follows
is a list designed to help Track Novices enjoy there day fully.
After all you are paying for the day and we want you to get maximum
enjoyment for your money. Please read carefully through the Do's, Don'ts and Comments and bear in mind what has been
written. These tips have been complied for your benefit.
Some of the Do's
for Motorcycle Track Days
Suitable
track day motorbike? Old race motorbikes make cheap track
day bikes.
1. Ensure
your bike is in full mechanical working order prior to arriving
at the track. Bikes which are not roadworthy will not be allowed
on track. Make sure you have sufficient tread on your tyre's and
your brake system is in good condition.
2. Ensure that you chain is adjusted correctly and lubricated.
A loose chain on a track can be a serious danger to you as well
as other track users. If you are unsure about your chain tension,
consult either your handbook, local motorcycle dealer or an experienced
bike rider.
3. Ensure that your tyre's are in good working order with
the correct pressures and sufficient tread. When you are going
around the track at speed, incorrect pressures could endanger
you and other riders on the track. Again consult either your handbook
or local motorcycle dealer for advice
4. Ensure you have full protective clothing & equipment.
In the event that an accident occurs, all that will exist between
your body and the track is the clothing or the Helmet you are
wearing. One or two piece leathers must be worn. Double stitched
seams are recommended. Most circuits will not allow persons to
use their track unless they have either one piece leathers or
full zip together two piece leathers. A good quality helmet should
be worn. Black visors are allowed.
5. Be sure to fill your bike up prior to arrival at the
track, or ensure that you have alternative refueling arrangements.
Some circuits have fuel available on site at a slightly increased
cost, but do not base your day on the fact that fuel will be available
on site. Most circuits have garages nearby. If possible bring
some jerry cans or equivalent to refuel your bike.
6. Ensure you hold and bring with you a current FULL Driving
Licence that proves you are legally allowed to ride a Motorcycle
of the cc you are intending to take around the track. This it
not a rule laid down by Hottrax Ltd, it is one that each of the
UK's circuits must follow under their own Health & Safety
regulations.
Some of the Don't's
Motorcycle Track Days
1. Firstly, don't
worry that you have never done this kind of thing before. There
will be no pressure on the day to get you up-to British Super-bike
Champion level on the day. The day is designed for your enjoyment
and at no time will you be criticized or mocked for the pace
that you are going around the track. There is nothing worse
than putting pressure on yourself when you are on the track.
When you do that as a Novice you will not be concentrating on
the circuit as you should be, you will be thinking about ' How
slow I am going ' or equivalent. Nobody at Hottrax will push
you beyond the level that you are comfortable with. The instructors
might well encourage you to pick up the pace, or explain to
you the physics involved in bike performance or handling.
On
Bike photo taken at Castle Coomb on a GSXR750M
2. If you enter
a corner too fast and half way through it you feel that you
will not make the turn, Don't grab for the front brake to slow
you down. Whilst you have the bike leant over, grabbing the
brake runs the risk of the front wheel locking up, resulting
in a low side type crash. This is a very common type of crash.
Once you have committed to the corner make sure your fingers
are of the brake lever This reduces the chance of a panic grab
of the brake. If you think you are going to fast DON'T PANIC
and lean the bike
over further 99 times out of 100 you will make the corner - REMEMBER - SLOW IN FAST OUT
3. Take your time to learn the track. Instructors will
endeavor to show you the correct lines. However riding styles
and type of bike can affect your cornering technique, therefore
do not be tempted to follow another riders lines unless you
are very confident there lines suit your style. REMEMBER- SLOW IN FAST OUT. The instructors will show
you the Entry, Apex and Exit point for each corner.
4. Do not worry about the speed and the fact that you
might be going around a corner at 80mph and you see people going
around the same corner at 130mph. Stick to your correct line
through the corner and as you gain more confidence in you &
your bikes capabilities you will naturally pick up speed.
5. If you come off your bike, DO NOT attempt to recover
your bike if it is on the circuit. Every circuit has experienced
Marshals located all around the track that will deal with this
for you. In the event that you come off, make yourself known
to the marshal if he has not already started sprinting toward
you frantically waving flags in the air. NEVER walk across the
track.
6. Do not try to 'act the clown' on the circuit. There
is NO tolerance for showing off on the circuit. Deliberate wheelie's
are not permitted, nor are 'Stoppies' or any other kind of tricks
on the track. Any persons seen showboating acts will be 'Black
Flagged' and potentially removed from racing for that day.
Some General Comments Motorbike
Track Days
1. Relax - Easier
said than done before the first time you go out on a track,
but the more you can relax and get into the mind set of what
you have to do, the better. Instructors will be on hand all
day to take you around the track and advise you on what to do
and what not to do. There are no words that can really calm
you down other than some advice that was given to a Novice once
that helped him untold. Those words were " If you take the correct
line, at a comfortable speed, and don't grab for the brake in
a corner, there is nothing you can do that will push the bike
to its limits and ultimately endanger you or the bike " That
rider adhered to that
advice and had a good two day session without coming off.
2. Corners - When approaching a corner always try to
look through it toward the exit point i.e. 'Where you want to
end up'. As a rule your bike will go where you are looking so
if you look at the tyre wall, you will probably end up in the
tyre wall!!!!!!
3. Avoid false neutrals - Make positive gear changes
4. Commuter Foot Syndrome - Tuck your feet in when riding
on track. Ideally you should have the ball of your foot on the
pegs when cornering. Obviously you will have to move your feet
to change gear and use the rear brake. If you watch professional
racers you will see that they very often adjust there feet position
just before committing to a turn.
5. Accidents do happen, be assured that all circuits
have fully trained medical personnel on site. The majority of
sites have full medical facilities onsite as well. There will
always be an Ambulance with fully qualified Para-Medics available.
Track Days can not operate without such personnel available.6.
Last and most importantly - ENJOY YOURSELF
Readers Comments and Advice
"Make sure you always
have a little throttle on going in to corners, as that keeps
the power at the rear end, which means that if you do lose/slide
it will be the rear tyre which gives you a far better chance
of controlling it and staying on. However, going into corners
with a closed throttle really loads up the front end and you
are very likely to lose/slide the front wheel, which can only,
on rare occasions, be saved by Rossi and co and not by mere
mortals like us." from Chris Tait (www.WeLoveBikes.co.uk)
