What should I be aware of for my first track day..

[Skeandhu]

In searching for info prior to our first track day, my better half found this article:

Track Day Novice Guide (.pdf file)

Although some of the comments were focused to a particular track, the knowledge can be used on any track. Long read, but worth it.

More general info on the parent site:

http://moteroweb.eresmas.com/articles.htm

[Greg W]

- bring at least 4-5 litres of water

- make sure you have a back protector.

- make friends. You'll meet a lot of great people and gain tons of valuable advice/information.

- take a change of clothes. You'll be completely drenched by the end of the day.

-get ready to empty your wallet into the sport. It is the single most addictive thing you'll ever do!

Water is necessary but a sport drink or three is also a good idea cuz ya need sodium to hold yer water, you will swaet like a demon if it is hot

Back protectors are mandatory for some days - be sure to check when u sign up - even if they aren't at the day you are attending GET ONE ANYWAYS. You don't even want to know what bruised or chipped vertabrae feels like

Take a towel too for wiping down yer soggy face and head after sessions

a couple clean rags/towels and some sort of cleaner for your visor is also a VERY good idea... stoopid bugs!

cancel your credit cards before your first day. why take chances?

[RR Rudebwoy]

I've heard different people suggest Turn2 instead of FAST, or at least one Turn2 day before FAST. Any advice on that?

Michel

Turn2 is a bike rental company. Although George and his boys are awesome (and they DO take you around the track from what I've seen if you want the escort), the nice thing about FAST that I found was that they really help you to WADE gradually into the water.

By just renting, (some, not all) you may find yourself in a heap of deep water before you know it.

[Blackie]

Am I assuming correctly that the beginners or non hard core people ride their bikes to the track? or do you still try to buddy up with some one with a trailer?

[KTracing38]

Am I assuming correctly that the beginners or non hard core people ride their bikes to the track? or do you still try to buddy up with some one with a trailer?

Riding to the track is generally a bad idea. After a day on the track, you'll be so exhausted that you won't want to ride home. It's not at all like spending a whole day street riding.

If you have to ride to the track, plan on getting a hotel room night before/night after your track day. Trailering the bike is definitely the better option.

[mazdog]

More experienced track day riders have mentioned sliders would be a good idea for someone starting off.
Would someone know of a informative website on sliders and race body work to be used for track days that I can study up on?
I have book myself into FAST for phase 1 in May and phase 2 in august as I wanted to take what I learned from day one and then ride for a while and then take phase 2. I have heard that you learn so much in 2 days and I felt it would be better to spread the learning out so I can maximize my experience.
Any suggestion on preparing for my 1st day of attending FAST?

[doubleapex]

Are you taking your bike and gear or renting theirs? Take a complete change of clothes and a couple of pairs of socks since you'll ride rain or shine. I always go to the track prepared for bad weather, and if it's bright and sunny then even better.

Always take healthy foods with you. Fried foods and other junk food are likely to dehydrate you regardless of how much water you drink. Avoid caffine and sugary drinks which will further dehydrate you and make you needlessly jittery. I've never been a fan of the popular energy drinks myself, although some swear by them. Anything that restores electrolytes, like Gatorade, should be good enough, but compliment it with regular water as well. I like sticking to foods that provide a large amount of carbs and protein which will replenish your energy and help keep you alert all day. Tuna, turkey, fruits, and legumes are my favourites but there's many more if you research. Don't wait until you're thirsty to take on fluids, at that point you're already dehydrated.

Riding a bike fast requires substantial amounts of physical and mental energy, both of which will need to be replenished over the course of a day, and french fries and Doritos just won't cut it.

[RR Rudebwoy]

Feel kinda stupid saying this but I get really amped in the morning of track days. I've only got one season under my belt so I know in time it should get easier but man oh man, my stomach is in knots for the first couple hours.

I can't be the only one....

[Ravo]

You're not the only one....

I've been racing for almost 20 years, and I still get butterflies before a race.

It's normal (and probably healthy!) to be a little nervous before track riding, but the key (like a good friend of mine said), is to get the butterflies to fly in formation!

[RR Rudebwoy]

Once I catch my groove I'm fine but the morning SUCKS. The funny thing is it only happens to me at the track. I've been involved in tons of big events (work, sporting, personal etc) but nothing affects me like the track. Maybe it's the high speed aspect, who knows.

So what do you do to settle yourself? Go for a quick run? Eat a certain food, not eat for X number of hours before riding?

[doubleapex]

I find that I'm a lot more relaxed when I camp out the night before. You don't have to worry about the early morning drive to the track, unloading your bike, getting some food into you, etc.... If I have the time I drive out in the late afternoon, pitch a tent, go for a short jog to tire myself out, grab some food and hit the sack by 11:00. Make sure you have comfortable ear plugs if you're at Shannonville and you don't like listening to trains or other people's generators. If you can convince a couple of buddies to go with you then even better. You wake up well rested and rearing to go, no long drive or bike and gear to unload. If you can manage it get yourself a track day on a Monday following a race weekend. You can show up on a little earlier on Sunday and catch some racing as well.

[franz131]

and hit the sack by 11:00.

So that's what I've been doing wrong!!
I've been switching from beer to shots at 11, duh!!

[FOG]

One rule for all track days, and the street for that matter; NEVER try to go fast, just work on SMOOTH!!

In the end you will be fast if you are SMOOTH, as you will be more confident and comfortable. Remember slow in and fast out!

[squidskins]

One rule for all track days, and the street for that matter; NEVER try to go fast, just work on SMOOTH!!

In the end you will be fast if you are SMOOTH, as you will be more confident and comfortable. Remember slow in and fast out!

i find if you close one eye going into corners you can brake WAAAAAAAYYYYY deeper. and if you close one eye and tilt your head to one side when comming up on traffic .you would be amazed what kind of holes you can find trou them..

[darks]

i find if you close one eye going into corners you can brake WAAAAAAAYYYYY deeper. and if you close one eye and tilt your head to one side when comming up on traffic .you would be amazed what kind of holes you can find trou them..

Rookie.

I close both eyes.

[SLIM]

Whoa, dangerous thread for me! (meant in a good way .... I think)

Okay, I don't need a license. Got it. STRANGE, I don't believe it, but got it.

I don't need insurance. Got it. Again, strange, but I got it.

So, basically, I can go out, practically buy any (sport)bike I find (read: bad title or otherwise, but should still be a SAFE bike to ride), get a trailer and hitch on my car, appropriate riding gear and ..... i'm in?!?!???! Why does that just sound waaaaay too easy??!??!


More;

Keeping in mind that I don't even have a bike yet ..... i've read from a few experienced riders that beginners should take advantage of learning to also ride a dirt bike (obviously on a dirt track). Would "learning" to ride on a race track, like Shannonville and/or Mosport, not also provide some benefits? (learning ..... I mean after taking some kind of educational 'learn to ride' course like at Humber etc, NOT 'how do i turn this thing on' newbie) I'm thinking it would help as it's a closer relation to street (highway) riding than on dirt.

[franz131]

i've read from a few experienced riders that beginners should take advantage of learning to also ride a dirt bike (obviously on a dirt track). Would "learning" to ride on a race track, like Shannonville and/or Mosport, not also provide some benefits? (learning ..... I mean after taking some kind of educational 'learn to ride' course like at Humber etc, NOT 'how do i turn this thing on' newbie) I'm thinking it would help as it's a closer relation to street (highway) riding than on dirt.

When you crash a dirt bike 8.5 times out of 10 you just get dirtier. We won't talk about the other 1.5 times.

When you crash a street bike 9.95 times out of 10 you have to spend hundreds of dollars in repairs, even if you don't care how it looks.

If the goal is to slide the rear while learning the difference your body position plays in whether you crash or not, which aforementioned scenario do you think will produce the most learning vs damage?

[SLIM]

When you crash a dirt bike 8.5 times out of 10 you just get dirtier. We won't talk about the other 1.5 times.

When you crash a street bike 9.95 times out of 10 you have to spend hundreds of dollars in repairs, even if you don't care how it looks.

If the goal is to slide the rear while learning the difference your body position plays in whether you crash or not, which aforementioned scenario do you think will produce the most learning vs damage?

Point noted, franz, however, i'm thinking that there's more to it than that. I'm thinking part of the education involved would be to not "slide the rear" while riding ..... yes/no?

Unless you're going to come back with a "you're new, you're gonna crash ..... lots" line.

[MaSheena]

The dirt will do wonders for your riding. I got in a slide last year corner 4 at Shannonville on an R6...the flat track kicked in, elbows up, roll off the throttle, no big deal, didn't really phase me. When I got back to the pits, Sandy gave me s*it...looked worse than it felt.
But, seat time is seat time. The more facets of the sport you work at, the better your overall riding will be.
Come out to a trackday and your street riding will be better, no question. If one day you get a dirt bike, it could get even better.

[mihnea]

The dirt will do wonders for your riding. I got in a slide last year corner 4 at Shannonville on an R6...the flat track kicked in, elbows up, roll off the throttle, no big deal, didn't really phase me. When I got back to the pits, Sandy gave me s*it...looked worse than it felt.
But, seat time is seat time. The more faucets of the sport you work at, the better your overall riding will be.
Come out to a trackday and your street riding will be better, no question. If one day you get a dirt bike, it could get even better.

hihihi... you said 'faucets'!!! (http://www.faucet.com)

in all seriousness, tho, ppl that learned on dirt are a bit better at getting out of situations than the ones that did street/track only, as you get into sliding situations way less, and that's exactly when 99% of the crashes happen.

as for it being easy to get to ride track - yes: all you need is will, money and a bike. no license or insurance necessary.