How to start tracking?

[daisoman]

I've been riding for 2 years but I still consider myself a newb. I wanted to get into track days but I don't know where to start. I'm intimidated to just show up with my bike to the track days.

Is there something I can do to prepare myself. I don't really want to take my current street bike to the track my first round. Nor do I want to purchase a "new" bike in this endeavor. Are there any courses I could take where they provide the bike and knowledge that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg. My instructor at RTI mention a course named "fast" or something like that but warned me it is very expensive.

Thanks in advance!

[rafiki911]

Racer 5 is pretty cheap and the rental bike is included in the course price.

I was going to post their page but it seems to be under construction at the moment.

[Fiery254]

My first track day was a nightmare. I couldn't load my bike on the rented pickup, I was late, I couldn't unload my bike, I failed tech, I was slow, my technique didn't exist etc etc etc.

I would have benefited from turning up at a track day at 7am and just hanging around till about mid morning to see what goes on and how everything works. And while you're there walk around the pits and talk to people and watch people and what they do, what they have with them etc etc. Just soak that **** up. Then you'll be in a much better place to do a day. There's a couple of sticky here as well as to what to do.

[2live&ride]

My first track day was a nightmare. I couldn't load my bike on the rented pickup, I was late, I couldn't unload my bike, I failed tech, I was slow, my technique didn't exist etc etc etc.

Suddenly, I'm not so worried... lol

[AngeloX19]

In terms of preparation, there are two excellent stickies at the top of this section about track days. Hooking up with someone for your first day or two goes along way towards getting bits of info as the day goes on. I did this for my first couple of days and it took a lot of the anxiety off (thanks to George and BrianP). Organizers will also be helpful in providing info on how they're day runs.

[caboose483]

I would suggest coming out to a trackday as a spectator just to see how things work. Feel free to ask questions.

[daisoman]

Yes i will be taking advantage of the off season to purchase "track gear"(leather suits, boots, and gauntlet gloves). For sure I will be looking at renting my first few times. I will reach out to you guys spring time to see if I can tag along with someone.

I don't have an ego when it comes to riding. I try to take it all in, criticism and all

[Jayv]

During the off season both Racer5 and Fast will be present at most of the motorcycle shows.

I know Fast is for the upcoming Dec show, not sure about Racer5

[Snipes20]

Fast is not expensive when you take into account that you use there bikes, full equipment (I would take your own helmet though), and can get insurance incase you fall. Im pretty sure (don't quote me) the phase 1 is under 900 with everything included (tax too). Racer 5 is also amazing and u can acctualy learn more because your on 125s and u cant make up for poor technique with power on them. I have taken one out at a trackday and they are a blast

[dricked]

If you have someone to go with that has some experience it will make things alot easier too. If your close to a track then go spectate, I personally couldn't drive 2 hours to watch people ride.

[Scuba Steve]

TMP intro to track is an inexpensive way to get a feel for things but you will be using your own bike.

[RACER5]

The Racer5 intro program is a very inexpensive way to get the track and build a really solid foundation very quickly.


The intro program uses the CBR125 as the initial bike we teach on for the first three stages.
No matter what your background, if you are starting off on trackdays the CBR125 will teach you how to ride faster, smoother, more confidently in a safer more inexpensive package than any other bike in the world.


Even our sponsored racers use the CBR125 for a full day when they get to a new track, as its faster for them to learn the track on 125 than on their own racebikes and practice on the 125s to learn how to shave off seconds on their racebikes!


I will explain the Racer5 program as it seems that some people do confuse it with a conventional school.


Intro Package - This builds a solid foundation for riders of all backgrounds to better their riding no matter if their goals are to become a more confident street rider, competent trackday rider, or competitive racer.


Stage1 - Trackday intro , students spend the day in a brief classroom setting and then put what they learned into play for the day on track with our pro-licensed instructors.


Stage2 - Race licensing - Racing is one of the best ways to learn how to go faster this is why we incorporate it into our school, your race licensing day will give you a race license that will allow you to compete in race events across N.America. You spend morning in the classroom and then spend the remainder of the day on track with our instructors working on the skills you learned in stage1.


Stage3- Race Weekend/ Racer5 cup - Racing is a fantastic way to hone your skills and forces you to put the skills you learned into practice, however racing can be very intimidating. To combat the intimidation we have our own race class within SOAR called the Racer5 cup. All our students get a morning practice to go over their skills with their instructor and then get to race each other on our CBR125s. The racing forces you to put what we have taught you into practice, if you don't the people that were in the same class as you will pass you and you will learn that you are doing something wrong very quickly.


Our students can come back and race each other all season long in the Racer5 cup and rent our CBR125 at any trackday we host after they have completed Stage3 (trackday 125 rentals are only $150 a day!).

We encourage our students to get as much track time as they can on the 125s as it is much cheaper to learn/repair one of our 125s than it is on their own 600. Once they have learned all the basics on the 125 then we encourage moving up to larger machinery in our Advanced courses.


Advanced Courses
Stage4 - Students spend the whole day with us on either their own racebikes or on our Ninja 250s and further develop their skills. Students that have completed Stage4 can Rent Ninja 250s on any Racer5 hosted trackday for only $200 per day!


Stage5- This course is for advanced trackday riders and racers looking to further develop their skills, and is taught on their own bikes.


An example of how inexpensive our intro program is our show specials will be $799 for the whole package which includes 4 full days on track with instruction, Bike rental, race entry fees, race license, fuel, damage insurance ($500 deductible)!

**We do recommend that all interested students sign up during the shows as they can take advantage of our deeply discounted show pricing and ensure that they are able to get the dates that they want. We sold out all our dates until late August by the end of the January show. **


We will announce our 2012 schedule shortly, our website is down right now for maintence/updates.



www.Racer5.ca

[rafiki911]

^Which shows will you be at so we can get the winter specials???

[clutch]

An example of how inexpensive our intro program is our show specials will be $799 for the whole package which includes 4 full days on track with instruction, Bike rental, race entry fees, race license, fuel, damage insurance ($500 deductible)!

I'm really starting to hate this forum. Dear Wifey, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive.

[daisoman]

^Which shows will you be at so we can get the winter specials???

+1 also does ur show price include tax and is gear rental available? I assume it's cash only at the show. Also What happens when it rains?

Haven't been on a 125 in a few years, but I remember them being sooo much fun even if it was during my m1x course.

I can't wait!

[TimJ]

Gear rental is available, you supply your own helmet. Racer5 also sells new suits if you'd rather just buy one. Last year I paid with Visa when I signed up at the bike show.
Schools and trackdays usually run rain or shine, aside from lightning when the marshals would have to come in.

The 125's are a blast, be prepared to be hooked!

info@racer5.ca is a good way to get any questions answered that don't get answered here.

+1 also does ur show price include tax and is gear rental available? I assume it's cash only at the show. Also What happens when it rains?

Haven't been on a 125 in a few years, but I remember them being sooo much fun even if it was during my m1x course.

I can't wait!

[RACER5]

Thanks for all the inquiries!

I will reply to the most frequently asked questions we have been asked here. If your questions are not answered here please do not hesitate to contact us at info@racer5.ca

Is $799 really all that I have to pay for all 4 days of intro package?
Yes the show special pricing of $799 (plus tax) will include
1. Bike Rental
2. Instruction
3. Track Fees
4. Race Entry Fees
5. Race License
6. Fuel Costs
7. Tire Wear
8. Damage insurance with a $500 deductible

The only thing that you can opt for is gear rental if you don't already have your own. Gear rental is $50 a day and that covers any damage you may do to our gear.

We don't charge anything extra for damage insurance with a $500 deductible.
You would be responsible for up to $500 worth of damage, anything above that would be covered by us. To put into context the most we have charged to date for damage is $380, as repairs on CBR125s are extremly inexpensive. Damage is calculated at MSRP of parts plus $60/hour labor.

Do I have to take all 4 days at once or can I break them up?
You don't have to take the 4 days back to back but it is highly recommended as statistically the retention rate for these new skills will be far greater if you do the dates back to back. this way you will have completed stage3 sooner and be able to attend trackdays with us and rent our bikes without having to purchase your own trackbike till you are ready to.

What will the show special pricing for Stage1 and Stage2 be? Can I sign up for just Stage 1 and Stage2?
The Show Special pricing for Stage 1 will be $279.99 and Stage 2 will be $299.99.
Doing the whole intro package would give you two extra days on track for just slightly more. The racing aspect of the course does really help cement the skills you learn in Stage1 and Stage2 and is only as competetive as you want it to be.


I understand that I am going to learn much faster on a 125 than on a bigger bike, but my goal is to ride a bigger bike, what are my options with you in this regard?
We normally have a large selection of bikes avaliable to our students once they are ready to purchase their own bikes. 600s make fantastic bikes after the 125s and 250s as all your skills are transferable and there is very little transition time.
Once you are ready we can help you select a bike that is right for you, or build one to your requirments. We can build any bike you really want and can do so at a cost that would be close to what somebody's old bike would cost you.
All of our trackbikes also come with a free Stage4 course so that you can better understand your new machine.

Once students have demonstrated their skills in Stage4 and Stage5 we have our advanced level race bikes avaliable to rent for trackdays and endurance racing. These are purpose built race bikes that have quite an exotic list of goodies on them.

What is an Endurance package?
Endurance Packages when our students get to compete in a 3 hour endurance race at SOAR on our machinery. Endurance race teams consist of students and at times instructors. Riders will try and ride for as long as they can (ideally an hour in a 3 person team) and then come in for a rider change and a re-fuel. The teams compete for who is able to do the most number of laps in a three hour period. This is a very exciting form of racing for participants!
We supply the pit set up, the bikes, put together the teams. All you need to do is show up with your gear!

Stage 3 graduates are able to be on a race team using our CBR 125s - $210
Stage 4 graduates are able to be on a race team using our Ninja 250s - $250
Stage 5 graduates are able to be on a race team using our advanced level race bikes. - From $379 +

I am interested in signing up! What shows will you be at? Can I get the show special pricing right now?
We wil be at both the December and January shows, and will try and are also planning on being at the London show. The show specials will not start until Dec 9th. look forward to seeing you there!

Is your website down?
Our site is down as it is undergoing some updates and is expected to be back online this Monday Nov 14th. Please visit us after that date at www.Racer5.ca

[daisoman]

Do the gear rentals come with everything I need(race suit, gloves, and boots)? Or should I just invest in my own gear? I only have street oriented gear(but I do have a corsair v).

[2live&ride]

Do the gear rentals come with everything I need(race suit, gloves, and boots)? Or should I just invest in my own gear? I only have street oriented gear(but I do have a corsair v).

IMO, you should at least have your own gauntlet style gloves and full race boots.

[meme]

Do the gear rentals come with everything I need(race suit, gloves, and boots)? Or should I just invest in my own gear? I only have street oriented gear(but I do have a corsair v).

The Fast Riding School supplies everything, including the back protectors.

Start collecting gear as you can afford it, and some gear can be bought used if you want. I personally don't like used helmets as I don't know what has happened to them but stuff like a BP you can usually get at a decent price and just wash